Chapter 30: The Core of the Caged Bird
"What experiment were you doing again? Making such a huge commotion, aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
Facing Hizashi's complaint, Menma explained: "Couldn't be helped. The quality of these instruments is too poor. I already tried my best to ensure safety."
Saying this, he took out a sealing scroll from his robes, spread it on the ground, and formed hand seals.
Poof!
After a puff of white smoke dissipated, some expensive research instruments reappeared in their place.
However, these instruments were relatively small in size, hence they could fit in the scroll.
As for some larger equipment...
"This is the third time this month you've replaced the equipment!"
Hearing his explanation, Hizashi looked troubled.
Menma scratched his head, extended his left hand, and placed it on Hizashi's forehead.
"Since it's like this, let me show you the results of this period's research."
"What?"
Before Hizashi could say anything, a throbbing sensation instantly surged through his heart.
Menma formed a seal with his single hand, a familiar ripple emanating from his body.
He once again activated the Caged Bird Cursed Seal on Hizashi.
"You!!!"
Hizashi instinctively shut his eyes, his body trembling violently, face instantly contorting.
But unlike last time, the expected pain never came.
"How is that possible?!"
The Caged Bird Cursed Seal... actually didn't activate?!
Realizing this, Hizashi snapped his eyes open, his face filled with disbelief.
How long has it been? Could this guy before me have already deciphered the Caged Bird?!
"Don't overthink it."
Menma picked up a mirror from the side, handed it to Hizashi, and shattered his illusion: "I merely used a special method to temporarily shield your Caged Bird Cursed Seal. But after an hour, the Caged Bird Cursed Seal will still take effect."
Despite him saying this, Hizashi just stared blankly in the mirror at his own smooth forehead.
The first reaction after snapping back was veins bulging around his eye sockets.
"Byakugan! Activate!!"
It's gone...
That blind spot... is gone?!!
"It's enough!! It's enough, hahaha!!"
Is this the feeling of freedom?
To follow one's heart, to act on one's will, free and unrestrained – this is what I've always longed for!
This joy made Hizashi completely lose the composure he usually maintained. He threw his head back and laughed heartily, his laughter utterly unrestrained and wild.
Tears even welled up in the corners of his eyes from laughing.
Menma watched his unrestrained display, the corner of his mouth hooking upwards.
A bird that had lost its freedom has now regained it.
Having experienced the vast sky, how could it be content to return to the narrow cage?
"When a ship is in danger of sinking, whether sunk by external or internal forces, when all possessions are lost and only bare life remains, people often unite, casting aside all hierarchy and selfish desires to save themselves."
This was the sinking ship effect Menma desired.
No brainwashing needed, no cursed seals needed, absolutely no control methods needed, yet it could win the hearts of the entire branch family.
"According to my research, there seems to be a core connecting the recipient and the user of the Caged Bird Cursed Seal, essentially a relay."
Menma spoke meaningfully: "If we figure out what that relay is, perhaps there's a way to completely release all the birds in the cages."
Hizashi's mouth split into a grin, which looked even more ferocious combined with his bulging veins.
Without the slightest hesitation, he asked decisively: "What do you need?!'"
"I need the Hyūga clan's family registry, and the ancient records concerning the Caged Bird."
"...What?"
Hearing Menma's words, Hizashi looked as if doused with cold water, his expression turning stunned.
The Hyūga clan's ancient records concerning the Caged Bird...
Those ancient texts were kept together with family secrets and rare treasures in the Hyūga Forbidden Grounds, guarded by the main family for generations.
Patrol teams inspected the Forbidden Grounds daily, and an Elite Jōnin elder from the main family also stood guard day and night.
Breaking into the Forbidden Grounds – such a thing hadn't happened in the Hyūga clan for nearly a hundred years.
Entering the Forbidden Grounds undetected was absolutely impossible!
Seeing Hizashi's struggling expression, Menma continued to tempt: "I can guarantee, the secret of the Caged Bird lies within those ancient texts."
Huff!
Hizashi's gaze flickered uncertainly. Finally, he grit his teeth: "Give me some more time! Just give me a little more time! I will find a way to steal the ancient texts!"
"Then, I wish you success."
With that, Menma didn't converse further with him.
Instead, he turned, neatly arranged the various research instruments, and continued with a new experiment.
Simultaneously, the ugly Caged Bird mark reappeared on Hizashi's forehead.
And the Byakugan, previously possessing a perfect 360° view, once again developed a blind spot spreading out from a small point directly behind the first thoracic vertebra.
The joyful expression on Hizashi's face instantly froze, a ferocious glint flashing in his eyes.
To possess something, lose it, regain it, and then lose it again – the feeling was simply unbearable.
"I will find a way! More advanced research equipment – I will find a way to get my hands on it too!"
Hizashi said this, then turned and walked towards the exit.
Under the shadows, a smile touched Menma's face.
"For the branch family, freedom is like a poppy. Once tasted, it can never be relinquished."
This time, Menma only took out the container holding Naruto's blood and placed it in an instrument for testing.
However, seeing the data displayed on the instrument, he was slightly taken aback.
"Good grief, Naruto's cell activity is increasing too fast! It's only been a few days, and it's doubled again? Is this the inherent value of the Uzumaki clan?"
No.
Menma suddenly shook his head.
He himself was an Uzumaki.
But at most, their life force was stronger; they didn't have such abnormal cell activity.
"It should be the combination of Uzumaki bloodline plus Ashura chakra and Nine-Tails chakra – the effect of these three combined."
Menma suddenly thought of something, rubbing his chin and murmuring: "Still, if Naruto's cells are already this abnormal, wouldn't Hashirama cells be even more abnormal?"
"It seems just the diluted bloodline of the Senju clan isn't enough. I need Uchiha clan corpses and Hashirama cells."
Thinking of this, Menma's eyes narrowed slightly.
Uchiha... and Hashirama cells...
It's currently Konoha Year 55.
When did that guy Uchiha Shisui kick the bucket (slang: go die)?
That Mangekyō Sharingan with the 'strongest genjutsu'... seems worth plotting for.
And that guy Danzō – haven't contacted him since the Cloud incident.
He should still be frantically searching for me, right?
"I'll pay our Lord Danzō another visit then. I'm sure Lord Danzō wouldn't mind me taking one of his arms."
Oh right, since Shisui's death is approaching, the Uchiha Clan Massacre Night probably isn't far off either.
Uchiha Itachi, and that guy Uchiha Obito...
Using the Infinite Tsukuyomi to plunge the world into false, beautiful illusions?
Bang!
His thoughts wandered, causing him to accidentally add too much dosage. The test tube in his hand instantly exploded.
Tossing the test tube into the trash bin, Menma lowered his eyes and chuckled softly:
"We really don't get along, do we, little Obito."
(End of Chapter)
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