Chapter 12: Kagome, Kagome~
Hyūga Neji stopped his fist movements, turned towards the man by the courtyard gate, and respectfully said: "Father."
Menma concealed his presence in the shadows, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the man.
"The main character of tonight, huh? I hope you're not just rotten wood, otherwise, I'll be very disappointed."
Hyūga Hizashi, a Jōnin of Konoha Village, leader of the Hyūga clan's branch family, and father of the Konoha 12 member Hyūga Neji.
Hizashi was born merely fifteen minutes later than the main family head, Hyūga Hiashi. But those short fifteen minutes made him part of the branch family, branded with the [Caged Bird] Cursed Seal, becoming a 'caged bird' controlled by the main family.
The main family could control and destroy the brain nerves of branch family members through the [Caged Bird] Cursed Seal, thus controlling the branch family.
This cursed seal has the ability to seal the Byakugan and can completely destroy the user's eyeballs and brain upon removal of the eyes or death, only being released upon the branch family member's death.
During chaotic wartime periods, this was the Hyūga clan's greatest safeguard against having their Kekkei Genkai stolen.
But in times of stable peace, it became the source of conflict between the Hyūga main and branch families.
Hizashi gently stroked Neji's head, a warm, gratified smile on his face: "Neji, your Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms is already very proficient. In a while, I can teach you even more advanced Gentle Fist techniques."
Neji shook his head: "I feel I'm still lacking a lot."
He clenched his fists, a look of unwillingness flashing across his face.
Seeing Neji like this, Hizashi couldn't help but fall silent, sighing inwardly.
In the end, he still failed to protect Neji's innocence.
Some days ago, he had taken Neji to watch his elder brother Hiashi train with his daughter Hinata.
But watching Hinata, whose moves were full of openings and lacked strength, various dark thoughts flooded Hizashi's mind.
"With Neji's talent, he could clearly become the strongest Hyūga, yet because of his branch family status, he must be branded with the Caged Bird, completely lose his freedom, and live his entire life under the shadow of the main family..."
"While the main family's daughter, who has no talent to speak of, can sit back and enjoy the benefits, naturally receiving Neji's protection, ordering Neji around..."
For a moment, a trace of killing intent appeared in his eyes as he looked at Hinata.
"Hizashi."
Hiashi knocked Hinata back with one hand, looking at Hizashi with extreme coldness in his eyes, and spoke: "As a Hyūga ninja, you actually can't control your emotions, showing killing intent towards the main family's daughter. It seems you have forgotten the duty of the branch family."
"No, ah!!"
Before Hizashi could say more, Hiashi decisively formed a seal.
In front of everyone present, Hizashi rolled on the ground, clutching his head and wailing in unbearable agony.
"Father..."
Neji witnessed this entire scene from beginning to end.
This was the first time he saw the ugliness of the Hyūga clan, the first time he understood what the branch family truly meant to the main family.
Since then, Neji became even more silent and reserved. His gaze towards Hinata was no longer the affection of an older brother figure, but the disgust and hatred one holds for an enemy.
Even on Hinata's third birthday, he hid in the courtyard practicing Gentle Fist.
...Less practice, more venting.
Hizashi suppressed the gloom in his heart, forcing a smile as he patted Neji's head: "You've already done very well. When you enroll in the Academy, you'll definitely become the top student."
"However, don't say such things in front of main family members."
As he said this, Hizashi suddenly felt disgusted and repulsed.
Not towards others, but towards himself.
As a father, unable to even protect his child's future, unable even to give him a carefree childhood.
Too incompetent...
"I understand, Father."
Neji was very mature. Since the incident, he had vaguely understood the gap between the branch and main families.
"With your talent, you will surely become a more outstanding ninja than me in the future."
Hizashi knew clearly that Neji's talent far surpassed his own.
His own highest achievement in life was Jōnin, while Neji would inevitably become an Elite Jōnin.
Unfortunately, branch family ninja branded with the cursed seal had a blind spot develop behind their first thoracic vertebra in their Byakugan's otherwise 360° vision, and they weren't qualified to learn advanced Gentle Fist techniques like Kaiten, completely limiting their potential.
Hizashi believed Neji could learn Kaiten on his own; this was his faith in his son's talent.
However...
"I hope when he grows up, he won't hate the clan and torture himself like I do," Hizashi sighed inwardly.
Just as Hizashi was about to leave, a soft humming sound came from nowhere.
Kagome, Kagome~
(Kagome Kagome~)
(Kago no naka no tori wa~) — The bird in the cage~
(Itsu itsu deyaru~) — When, oh when will it come out~
(Yoake no ban ni~) — In the night of the dawn~
(Tsuru to kame ga subetta~) — The crane and turtle slipped~
(Ushiro no shōmen dare~) — Who is behind you now~
The folk song sounded very sorrowful, and the voice came strangely, seeming to echo from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint the source.
"Who's there? How could someone slip past all the guards and infiltrate?"
Hizashi took a Gentle Fist stance, shielding Neji, the veins on his temples bulging as he instantly activated his Byakugan.
Then, he saw a black shadow flash past from a corner using Body Flicker, leaping over the courtyard wall and escaping outside.
Hizashi hesitated for a moment, then instructed Neji: "Neji, go tell the clansmen someone has infiltrated the Hyūga grounds. Tell them to be careful."
With that, Hizashi flickered and gave chase.
Meanwhile...
"Whereas Konoha Village welcomes the aforementioned declaration of intent from the Cloud Village; Konoha Village and the Cloud Village hereby resolve to conclude a treaty of peace, appoint the following plenipotentiaries, and having communicated their full powers, agree to the following articles..."
The Cloud Village delegation and the Third Hokage and other Konoha high officials concluded the peace treaty.
The head of the Cloud delegation proactively extended his hand, saying: "Long live peace."
The Third likewise extended his hand, smiling: "Long live peace."
The two looked each other in the eye, shook hands, both wearing the same formulaic smiles.
After releasing their hands, the head of the delegation suddenly asked: "When we first entered the village, we noticed your esteemed village's Hyūga clan seemed to be celebrating something. We were quite curious; would it be convenient to inform us?"
"..."
What is this guy up to? Sarutobi couldn't help but frown, but his smile returned instantly.
"Hahaha, today is indeed an auspicious day. Not only have Konoha and the Cloud concluded a peace treaty, but the Hyūga clan is also celebrating the third birthday of the main family's daughter."
"Oh?"
The delegate's smile didn't change as he pressed his advantage: "I've heard the Hyūga clan has a rich history and deep heritage. The birthday celebration for the main family's daughter must be quite spectacular. Would it be possible for us to observe it?"
The Third exchanged glances with Koharu and Homura beside him.
...There was absolutely no reason to refuse.
Subsequently, the Third Hokage and other Konoha high officials accompanied the Cloud Village delegation to attend Hyūga Hinata's birthday banquet.
For a time, it showed great respect to the Hyūga clan.