In the Room of the Hyuga Clan Head
Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi sat silently on the tatami mats. Despite being brothers, they remained wordless for what felt like an eternity.
Hizashi's expression was tense. He had already guessed why his brother had summoned him.
After the prolonged silence, Hiashi finally spoke. "Hizashi, you have overstepped your boundaries."
Upon hearing these words, Hizashi thought to himself that this must indeed be about Sora wanting to take Neji as a disciple.
"Overstepping boundaries?" Hizashi's face remained expressionless. "Clan Head, what exactly are you referring to? Our branch family has always fulfilled our responsibilities. I don't believe we've violated any rules."
Hiashi gave his brother a long, measured look. "You know very well how complicated Sora's position is in Konoha, yet you agreed to let him take Neji as his disciple. Isn't that overstepping?"
"I'm overstepping by finding a master for my son?" Hizashi asked with confusion in his voice. "The clan doesn't have the authority to dictate such personal matters for branch family members, does it?"
Hiashi frowned slightly and spoke in a deeper tone. "Hizashi, I am your brother. Must you speak to me with such bitter sarcasm?"
Hizashi picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and replied, "But, Clan Head, you began by stating I 'overstepped boundaries.' That hardly sounds like a conversation between brothers. Rather, it sounds like a superior reprimanding a subordinate, doesn't it?"
"That's because you fail to realize the trouble you've created for our clan!" Hiashi's voice carried his growing frustration.
Hizashi met Hiashi's gaze calmly. "Oh? I've caused trouble for our clan? I'm not sure what trouble you're referring to, Clan Head.
"I only know that Yahiko has a strong reputation in Konoha and considerable power. He is exceptionally skilled and bears no grudge against our clan. It's Neji's good fortune that Sora has taken an interest in him.
"When Neji turns three, he'll be branded with the 'Caged Bird' cursed seal and will serve your family for the rest of his life. As head of the branch family, I can protect the clan but not my own son. All I hope is that when Neji serves your family, he'll have enough strength to protect his own life if danger arises.
"So tell me, was I wrong to accept Sora's offer to take Neji as his disciple? If the Clan Head believes I've done wrong, then punish me. After all, that is your right as Clan Head, isn't it?"
"Hizashi, what nonsense are you speaking!" Hiashi scolded. "I merely wanted to caution you that Sora is not a simple person. He's currently targeting the Uchiha clan, and becoming too close to him could involve you in something dangerous. I'm worried about you—don't you understand that?"
Hizashi suddenly smiled, though his smile carried a hint of sarcasm. "Thank you for your concern, Clan Head. Rest assured, my relationship with Sora will be limited to him being Neji's master. We won't embarrass the Hyuga clan."
Hiashi looked at Hizashi's face—so similar to his own—and sighed heavily. "Hizashi, we're brothers. Why has such a wide gap formed between us? The main family and branch family system has been our clan's tradition since ancient times. I cannot change that."
Hizashi's eyes revealed complicated emotions. "I also wish I could speak freely with my brother about everything, but since you became Clan Head, every conversation we have emphasizes your superiority and my inferiority.
"The day the 'Caged Bird' seal was carved into my forehead, our brotherhood ended. I am the head of the branch family and a branch member. I will sacrifice for the clan my entire life, whether I want to or not.
"Sometimes I truly cannot understand. You and I were born mere moments apart, yet that small difference determined my fate. I don't understand why branch family members will always remain branch members, and main family members will always be main family members. Even my child's future was decided before his birth, with no chance of advancement.
"You take it for granted that the branch family gives unconditionally to the main family. Clan Head, we are merely members of the same clan but different families. I'm not qualified to expect brotherly feelings between us, nor do I.
"Now, Clan Head, do you have any other matters to discuss? It's getting late, and I must check on Neji."
Hiashi nodded silently.
Hizashi rose from the tatami, bowed to Hiashi, and left the room.
Once outside Hiashi's room, Hizashi released a long, heavy sigh.
He felt deeply disappointed in his brother. If Hiashi had remained the same person after becoming head of the main family, Hizashi wouldn't feel such disappointment.
He remembered what Hiashi had once promised: "Hizashi, after I become head of the main family, I will definitely change the relationship between the main and branch families. I won't treat the branch family as they've been treated before. We will always remain the closest of brothers."
That youthful promise had long been forgotten by Hiashi, who had become the very person he once claimed he wouldn't be.
Hizashi felt an inexplicable sense of loss when thinking about his son, Neji. He hoped his son could live a good life and not end up like him, unable to control his own destiny. But this was merely a luxury. Being born into the Hyuga clan's branch family meant one's fate would always be controlled by the main family.
Hizashi could only hope that with Sora's guidance, Neji might live a slightly easier life despite his predetermined fate.
Five days later.
Sora sat on a sofa, facing Uzumaki Kushina and Kakashi.
Kushina delivered a hard knock to Kakashi's head. "Kakashi, you're such an idiot! I've told you countless times to be careful when controlling your chakra. You always make mistakes with chakra control, which is why your Yin Sealing Technique has never succeeded. There's not even a hint of a mark on your forehead!"
Kakashi, nursing the growing bump on his head, looked helplessly at Sora on the sofa.
It wasn't that Kakashi was stupid—Kushina's explanations were often too abstract. Many times, Kakashi couldn't understand her instructions at all. He either had to guess or secretly ask Sora for clarification afterward.
As for questioning Kushina directly? Kakashi wouldn't dare. She had a tendency to get physical with her punishments.
Sora had tried to speak up for Kakashi before, but Kushina had responded with shame and anger: "Do you think I can't teach Kakashi properly? Don't interfere with my lessons!" That time, Sora had nearly been on the receiving end of Kushina's temper.
So when Kakashi looked at Sora with pleading eyes, Sora could only spread his hands helplessly. He wasn't about to risk disrupting Kushina's teaching session.
Though he had escaped a beating that time, the consequences had been severe enough—he couldn't even use his bed that night and had to make do with sleeping on the sofa until morning.
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