Chapter 235 – Freedom From the Cage
As for the so‑called bloodline protection of the Hyuga clan?
Don't make Yuta laugh.
With the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, standing at the very top of Konohagakure, who in the entire shinobi world would dare lay a finger on the Hyuga clan now?
Who would even dream of coveting the Byakugan?
To even try would be to sign your own death warrant.
---
For that reason, Hinata Hyuga and Hanabi Hyuga remained silent.
Even though their father, Hiashi Hyuga, was kneeling pale and shaken before the Hokage, neither daughter spoke.
They were not being unfilial; they simply understood:
> The Hyuga clan needs reform. Top to bottom. No more cages.
---
> "I…"
Hiashi trembled as he looked at the expressionless faces of his daughters.
The realization struck him hard.
Even my own daughters… they understand. My little ones have outgrown me.
A chill ran through him.
---
> "Lord Godaime Hokage… thank you."
Breaking the heavy silence, Neji Hyuga suddenly dropped to one knee, his eyes bright with conviction.
> "I will train harder than ever. I will serve Konohagakure with everything I have."
---
Yuta's gaze softened slightly.
> "Neji… do you truly know how your father, Hizashi Hyuga, died?"
---
> "I know."
Neji's voice trembled with anger as old wounds reopened.
> "He was forced to his death by the Main Family!"
---
> "No," Yuta said quietly, shaking his head.
"You don't know the truth. Hiashi… bring out Hizashi's final words."
---
Hiashi froze, then quickly nodded.
> "Yes, Lord Hokage."
After the overwhelming aura Yuta had shown, Hiashi no longer dared to hesitate. He finally understood:
This is no longer the old Konoha of Sarutobi Hiruzen. This is the era of the Fifth Hokage. If the Hyuga clan wants to live and grow, we follow him.
With practiced hands, Hiashi formed a seal. A small puff of smoke rose, revealing a long‑sealed scroll.
His eyes darkened with memory as he handed it to Neji.
> "Here… read."
---
Neji's fingers trembled as he unrolled the weathered parchment.
His Byakugan eyes scanned each word carefully.
One second… three seconds… ten seconds…
His breathing quickened as the truth sank in.
Tears pricked at his eyes.
---
The truth:
Years ago, during the infamous Kumo incident, a hidden plan by the Hidden Cloud's envoys attempted to abduct young Hinata Hyuga to steal the secret of the Byakugan.
The clan retaliated, and the kidnapper—a high‑ranking Cloud shinobi—was killed.
Instead of admitting their crime, the Cloud Village demanded the body of the Hyuga clan head as "compensation," threatening war against both the Hyuga and Konoha.
To protect the clan and the village, Hizashi Hyuga, Neji's father, volunteered to die in his brother's place.
It was the first and last time he exercised his own will—sacrificing himself to protect everyone else.
---
The scroll slipped from Neji's hands as the weight of the truth crushed him.
> "So… so that's it…"
All those years of resentment, of believing the Main Family had coldly sacrificed his father…
But the truth was different.
Tears welled up and rolled down Neji's cheeks.
---
Hiashi sighed deeply.
> "Neji… I too carry guilt. Back then… I overestimated the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Hiashi's face darkened.
> "Once, he might have been a great man… but age made him a politician who bowed to outsiders while striking hard at his own people."
---
> "That dog‑like Sarutobi clan… disgusting."
Hanabi clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with anger.
Even gentle Hinata's lips tightened.
> "It's unforgivable."
---
Neji's hands curled into fists, his voice low and sharp.
> "Then I will kill Sarutobi Asuma.
My father's debt must be repaid. If my father is dead, someone from their bloodline will pay!"
---
Yuta shrugged lightly, his tone calm as still water.
> "Do as you wish. But first… let me free you."
---
Buzz!
Before anyone could react, a soft sphere of glowing white energy bloomed in Yuta's palm.
It shot forward, piercing Neji's forehead seal in an instant.
> "Ah—!"
Neji gasped as the power sank into his mind. The Caged Bird Seal—that cursed brand burned into every Branch Family member—reacted violently.
But like a mouse facing a cat, it was devoured in an instant.
The strange energy didn't stop there. It flowed deeper, gently repairing Byakugan pathways damaged by years of suppression.
---
A few heartbeats later, Neji staggered, reaching up to his forehead in disbelief.
> "This feeling…?"
His eyes widened, tears streaming freely.
"The Caged Bird… it's gone. I'm… free.
I'm truly free!"
---
For the first time since his childhood, the oppressive weight was gone.
The future—once clouded and bleak—blazed open before him like a sunrise.
Neji dropped to both knees, bowing deeply to Yuta, tears dripping onto the wooden floor.
> "Lord Hokage… thank you…"
---
To be continued…
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