A Visit from the Hyuga
As Sora watched Uzumaki Kushina scolding Kakashi, a knock at the door interrupted them.
Sora rose to answer it while Kushina temporarily paused her lesson. Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief at the reprieve.
Opening the door, Sora found Hyuga Hizashi standing there with the adorable young Hyuga Neji in his arms.
"Ah, it's little Neji!" Kushina exclaimed, delighted to see the child. She immediately went to coo at the baby in Hizashi's arms.
Neji giggled happily in response to Kushina's playful attention.
"Kushina, don't block the doorway. Let Master Hizashi come in," Sora said. "Kakashi, please pour some tea for our guest."
Kushina quickly stepped aside to make way for Hizashi.
"Excuse the intrusion," Hizashi said with a smile, holding out a small package. "Just a modest gift, nothing special."
"Master Hizashi, we're honored by your visit," Sora responded politely. "There was no need for gifts."
"Of course there is," Hizashi replied matter-of-factly. "This is Neji's first visit to his future master. Proper etiquette is essential."
Sora accepted the gift with thanks. "You're too kind. Please, come in and make yourself comfortable."
As Kakashi went to prepare tea, his eyes lingered curiously on little Neji in Hizashi's arms. Kushina had mentioned that Sora would soon accept another disciple from the Hyuga clan. This child must be the one—though he seemed incredibly young.
"Kushina," Hizashi asked, "would you mind holding Neji for a while? I'd like to speak with Sora."
"Of course! I'd love to!" Kushina eagerly took Neji into her arms. To her, such a small child was absolutely delightful.
While Kushina entertained Neji, Sora led Hizashi to the sitting area. Kakashi brought two cups of tea, offering one to each of them.
"Please enjoy your tea, Master Hizashi," Kakashi said respectfully.
"Thank you, Kakashi," Hizashi responded with a smile.
Both men took a sip of their tea simultaneously. Hizashi then set his cup down and addressed the matter at hand.
"Sora, Neji is still too young for training. When he turns three and is ready to begin practice, we can formally hold an apprenticeship ceremony."
"I'm not particularly interested in such formalities," Sora replied evenly. "Since you've agreed that Neji can become my disciple, our master-disciple relationship is already established. There's no need for any ceremonial proceedings."
Hizashi visibly relaxed at Sora's words, clearly relieved.
"With a master like you," Hizashi sighed, "I won't need to worry so much about Neji's future."
Sora raised an eyebrow. "Is this worry related to when Neji receives the 'Caged Bird' seal?"
"You know about the Caged Bird seal?" Hizashi asked, surprised. But he quickly realized his mistake. "Of course you do. All of Konoha knows about the distinction between the Hyuga clan's main and branch families. It makes sense that someone of your status would know about it."
The Hyuga clan generally kept silent about the Caged Bird seal, as using such measures to control their own family members was considered disgraceful. But with Sora's position in the village, it wouldn't be difficult for him to learn about such things. After all, the practice had been ongoing for generations, and no secret could be kept perfectly.
Hizashi sighed deeply. "Yes, this is Neji's fate, inescapable as it is. It's my fault as his father, dragging him into this fate. Alas..."
Now that Sora was his son's master and effectively part of their inner circle, Hizashi felt no need to speak with false pleasantries.
Although Sora knew about the Caged Bird seal, Kushina did not. She looked up from playing with Neji, her expression puzzled. "What's the Caged Bird seal?"
Sora shook his head at Kushina. "Kushina, it's better not to ask about that."
But Hizashi waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. Kushina is essentially Neji's master's wife—she'll learn about it eventually. Since she's curious, I'll explain.
"To understand the Caged Bird seal, I must first explain the clan system of the Hyuga. To prevent our bloodline limit from falling into outsiders' hands, the Hyuga clan is divided into main and branch families.
"The main family are the true successors of the Hyuga clan, responsible for leading and advancing our legacy. The branch family serves as guardians, tasked with protecting the main family and the clan's secrets.
"There can only be one successor to the main family. If multiple descendants exist in the same generation, only one inherits the main family position—the others are relegated to the branch family.
"In other words, each generation has only one main family line. Throughout thousands of years of Hyuga history, the branch family has always served as guardians to the main family. This system is meant to be the most efficient way to protect our bloodline.
"When members of the branch family reach three years of age, they receive the cursed seal known as 'Caged Bird' on their foreheads. This seal can prevent the Byakugan from being stolen if a branch member dies or is captured.
"More importantly, the main family can use this seal to control—and if necessary, destroy—the brain cells of branch members, thereby ensuring their absolute control."
Kushina looked horrified. "But you're all family! I understand wanting to protect your bloodline limit, but aren't there other methods? This seems incredibly cruel!"
"Those of us in the branch family deeply resent this system," Hizashi admitted helplessly, "but because of the Caged Bird seal, we have no power to change it. Our very lives are controlled by the main family..."
Kushina's heart ached as she looked down at Neji, who continued smiling innocently in her arms. Such a sweet child would forever have his life controlled by others.
After a long silence, Sora finally spoke. "As Neji's master, I promise this: as long as it's within my power, I will never allow my disciples to be without choices. This Caged Bird seal will not determine Neji's entire future. I will give him options—whether he chooses to accept his fate or break free from its constraints will be his decision."
Hizashi looked at Sora with confusion, not entirely understanding his meaning.
"Master Hizashi," Sora clarified, "you know that the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques are unrivaled in the shinobi world. The Caged Bird seal may be powerful, but for a sealing expert like Kushina, finding a way to neutralize it shouldn't be too difficult."
Kushina stared at Sora with bewilderment. How could she not know that she possessed such an ability? A curse seal capable of controlling and destroying brain cells sounded tremendously complex.
Catching her confusion, Sora gave her a meaningful look. "Isn't that right, Kushina?"
Seeing Sora's subtle prompt, Kushina hesitantly nodded. "Um, yes..."
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