Bang!
The sound of something falling echoed, accompanied by the cracking of bones as he hit the ground.
The countless breaking sounds pierced everyone's ears!
It made their teeth ache.
That continuous cracking noise proved it — Hyuga Chōryū's bones were shattered almost entirely!
It was clear that Neji's attack had already seriously damaged his body. His bones were riddled with cracks, and as he fell, it seemed like the final straw breaking him completely.
"You… you actually dared to hurt me?" Hyuga Chōryū looked at Neji with anger burning in his eyes.
He tried to get up again.
But as soon as his body moved, intense pain spread all over him.
Every part of his body was stabbed by sharp pain, unbearable to endure.
What…?
Confused, he used his Byakugan to look at his body and realized his bones were nearly broken.
When had this happened?
Could it be from all those palm strikes?
Just one move — and he was already this badly hurt by Neji?
Thinking this, when he looked at Neji again, all his previous contempt and disgust were gone. Instead, fear took their place. Neji was too strong. No wonder he hated the main branch so deeply!
At the same time, Chōryū felt some relief. Fortunately, the "caged bird" seal was already carved on his head.
No matter how strong he was, he was still bound by the main family — ready to die for the branch family.
"You main family people really are all just trash!" Neji stepped forward, his voice full of contempt echoing through the forest.
These main family members were just too weak!
"Haha. Neji, I admit your strength is great, but no matter how strong you are, you will always be a dog of my main family. You'll never break free from the cage!"
Hearing Neji's words, Hyuga Choryū laughed loudly, his laughter growing wilder and more arrogant.
The status of the Hyuga main family made him look down on any branch family member with absolute superiority!
Even if he lost the fight, that commanding presence as the main family's superior remained!
"Indeed, I can't shake off the cage's restraint, but now I decide your life and death!"
Neji spoke as he stepped in front of Hyuga Choryū, his shadow almost covering his whole body. His tone was cold and indifferent.
Those Byakugans looked down on this once proud head of the main family with utter dominance.
Killing intent was unleashed!
"You want to kill me?"
Hyuga Choryū suddenly felt cold all over. He tried to sit up and confront Genya, but his shattered bones made movement impossible.
Panic filled his voice as he said, "No, you can't kill me. When I was chasing you, my father, the Eighth Elder, knew about it. If I don't return, he'll suspect you did this. He will never forgive you!"
At this moment, Hyuga Choryū finally showed some fear.
Because he sensed that Hyuga Neji might really kill him.
Damn it,
This lowly branch family member — if it weren't for the sudden interruption by Uchiha Genya ruining his plan, Neji would've been dead long ago.
"Spare you?"
Neji sneered coldly. He looked at Genya and spoke clearly, word by word, "If I fall into your hands, will you spare me?"
He knew clearly in his heart that if he fell into Hyuga Choryū's hands, his fate would be even worse—he might suffer to death, trapped in the unbearable pain of a caged bird seal.
"Hmph," Hyuga Choryū snorted coldly and fell silent.
He understood that even if he said he wouldn't kill, Neji wouldn't just let him go. Rather than showing weakness, it was better to be firm.
He didn't believe—
Neji really dared to kill him.
"It seems... you really want to kill me!" Neji sneered, his palms beginning to form seals. "You think the branch family are lowly caged birds, right? Then I'll personally brand you a caged bird, so you'll die in the pain of a trapped bird!"
Neji was very clear in his mind—he wanted the main family members to experience the pain and despair of a caged bird.
"A caged bird brand?" Hearing Neji's words, Hyuga Choryū's eyes suddenly opened wide, despair deepening in them.
"Neji, you can't do this to me! I am of the main family—I must never bear the caged bird mark!"
The main family was his pride. Yet, the caged bird curse was like a mark of the lowly. He refused to let himself carry this brand!
If that was the case—
He would rather die outright.
But now, with his bones broken and body barely able to move,
He could no longer struggle!
Suicide was no longer an option!
"Neji, I am from the main family! You can't do this to me!" Hyuga Choryū struggled desperately. Seeing Neji's movements, his heart filled with despair!
But Neji didn't listen.
"Neji, if you must kill him, just kill him. Why disgrace a main family member like this?" At that moment, a main family member who had been pierced through the shoulder by Genya's kunai finally came to, his voice heavy with concern.
Being from the main family, the Caged Bird Seal is a mark of shame!
"Shame? Heh, then what was it when you branded us with the Caged Bird Seal?" Neji sneered, his hands never stopping.
His palm pressed firmly against Hyuga Choryū's forehead.
"That is the fate of you branch family members. It's a mark left by the clan to protect you," the main family member said seriously, looking at Neji.
"If you didn't have the curse mark, your fate would be like the Uchiha clan's. Many would covet your Byakugan!"
"Heh. Protection, huh?" Neji scoffed coldly at the main family member.
"If it was just to stop outsiders from stealing the Byakugan, then why keep the ability to control the Byakugan? And why can the main family humiliate us at will?"
"So that's what you call protection?"
"In the end, it's just that you main family people are too insecure, trying to control the branch families with this method."
"Pathetic…"
"The Hyuga clan is a joke now, a disgrace to all!"
Neji spoke freely, but his eyes no longer met the main family member's gaze. Chakra began flowing into Hyuga Choryū's forehead.
Because Toshi had long discussed the Caged Bird Seal method with Neji, he had already fully understood how to imprint it.
Now,
With just a thought, Neji could brand the Caged Bird Seal!
Hyuga Choryū shook his head repeatedly, his eyes burning with anger. "Kill me. Just kill me!"
All he wanted now was for Neji to finish him quickly. He didn't want to bear this humiliating mark—even if he reached the Pure Land, the seal might still remain!
This was something he absolutely didn't want to see!
"It's too late…" Neji said with a cold sneer.
"Neji. Leave him alive!" At that moment, Genya, standing nearby, spoke calmly. "Don't brand him for now. We still need him."
After those words, the room fell silent for a moment.
Everyone's eyes turned to Genya.
****
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