Within the Hyuga clan's compound.
Hizashi Hyuga approached the Hyuga clan's ancestral shrine.
At this moment, nearly all the Hyuga clansmen had gone to fight the enemy, even the Main family members, for the battle was taking place in Konoha itself.
Before the stone statues at the shrine sat seven elderly men cross-legged.
These seven elders were the overseers and enforcers of the system that maintained control over the Branch family through the Caged Bird seal.
It could be said that these seven elders wielded greater authority in the Hyuga clan than even Hiashi Hyuga, the clan leader himself.
The seven elders turned to face Hizashi in unison.
"Hizashi? Why aren't you helping with the battle? What are you doing here?"
Hizashi didn't respond. Instead, he removed his forehead protector, revealing the grotesque Caged Bird mark beneath.
Then Hizashi placed his right hand over his forehead, and the Caged Bird seal slowly faded away.
Seeing the Caged Bird vanish, the seven elders abruptly stood up, staring at Hizashi in shock.
Hizashi finally spoke, "Since the day I was branded with this Caged Bird seal, I've never understood: why must our Hyuga clan divide into Main and Branch families? Why, when my brother Hiashi and I are blood brothers born only minutes apart, does he belong to the Main family while I—merely born a few minutes later—become part of the Branch family, condemned to live under the Main family's control for my entire life?
You always say the Main family truly inherits the clan, bearing the heavy responsibility of protecting and developing our Hyuga clan, while we Branch family serve as protectors of the Main family.
But why? We are also members of the Hyuga clan. Why aren't we allowed to be the inheritors? Why are we denied the right to protect and develop our own clan? Why must we bear this disgusting Caged Bird seal, forcing us to serve and protect the Main family forever? I want you to answer me—why is that?"
One elder shouted angrily, "Hizashi, are you trying to betray the Hyuga clan?!"
Hizashi demanded furiously, "Answer me!"
Another elder responded solemnly, "Because this is to protect our Kekkei Genkai—the Byakugan—and ensure the Hyuga clan remains prosperous and continues unbroken through generations!"
Hizashi scoffed coldly, "Protect the Byakugan? Ensure the clan's everlasting survival? Fine words indeed! If you really wanted protection, then brand everyone with the Caged Bird seal! Let everyone learn the secret techniques of the Hyuga clan!
Yet what do you do instead? The Caged Bird seal restricts the Branch family's use of the Byakugan, and we—who must protect you from the Main family—aren't even permitted to learn the Gentle Fist techniques of our own clan. Those techniques are hoarded by the Main family alone.
Do you know how many Branch family members have died in battle? Many might still be alive today if they'd been taught the Gentle Fist techniques!
We don't mind protecting the Main family—they're our kin—but why must we be bound to them like this?"
"Why are we considered inferior to the Main family from birth? Why must we bear the Caged Bird? Why can't we learn the Hyuga clan's secret techniques?"
By the end, Hizashi Hyuga was practically roaring with fury.
After regaining his composure, Hizashi declared, "Starting today, this system ends. No more unjust divisions. From now on, there will only be the Hyuga clan—no Main family, no Branch family."
The seven elders' faces twisted with conflicted emotions as they began scolding Hizashi one after another.
Hizashi stared coldly at these seven chattering old men without uttering a word, until he heard one of them shout, 'Hizashi Hyuga! Do you want to destroy the Hyuga clan? Do you want to become a traitor to our clan?!'
A killing intent radiated from Hizashi's entire body as he entered the Gentle Fist form: "As the leader of the Branch family, I must fight for the rightful treatment my clansmen deserve. As for being called a traitor...I've already accepted that fate long ago!"
Hizashi charged toward the seven elders.
Perhaps it was because he had secluded himself within the Hyuga clan compound for so long, away from battle, but each of the elders fell with a single strike—each blow landing precisely on their vital points.
Just as Hizashi prepared to land the final blow on the last elder, an angry roar echoed from outside the ancestral shrine.
"Stop! Hizashi!"
Hiashi Hyuga, while defending against enemies outside the clan compound, noticed Hizashi's absence. He asked a member of the Main family where Hizashi had gone.
That Main family member had just happened to witness Hizashi heading toward the Hyuga shrine.
Upon hearing that Hizashi had gone to the ancestral shrine, Hiashi suddenly felt a terrible premonition. He hurried back immediately with his men to the Hyuga clan compound, arriving just in time to witness Hizashi killing the final seven elders.
When Hizashi heard Hiashi's voice, he hesitated for a moment, but still delivered the fatal blow to the last elder. All seven elders were now killed by Hizashi.
Hiashi's face darkened: "Hizashi, do you even understand what you've done?"
Hizashi turned around to face Hiashi. When he saw that the Caged Bird on Hizashi's forehead had vanished, Hiashi's pupils instinctively shrank.
Hizashi gave Hiashi a smile—one filled with bitterness, nostalgia, and relief: "Of course I know exactly what I'm doing, Clan Leader."
Hiashi was so furious his entire body trembled: "How could you do this...? How am I supposed to deal with this?!"
Hizashi sat calmly on the steps and looked at Hiashi as he spoke: "You're the clan leader—do whatever you believe is right. You weren't hesitant when you branded me with the Caged Bird and made me suffer endlessly, were you?"
Gazing up at the sky, Hizashi continued, "Do you still remember...?"
Back then when I was about to receive the Caged Bird, I was terrified. I held onto your arm, unwilling to go, but you hugged me tightly and offered to take the mark for me instead. Then, I was truly moved, feeling so lucky to have you as my older brother.
When I actually received the Caged Bird, I didn't feel any pain at all—because I knew my brother would always protect me. But... when exactly did we start growing apart?
It must have been the day you became the clan leader and head of the Main family. From that moment on, you always put the interests of the Main family first. My brother died that day—all that was left was the clan leader and head of the Hyuga Main family.
I know I've committed unpardonable crimes, so go ahead—kill me. I will accept it. However, from now on, the Branch family will no longer be puppets under your control. We will become Free Birds soaring through the skies."
Hiashi Hyuga gazed complexly at Hizashi Hyuga, who sat quietly on the steps.
Several Main family members standing behind urged Hiashi, as clan leader, to clean house.
Hiashi took heavy, deliberate steps toward Hizashi.
Hizashi kept smiling gently toward the sky, his thoughts drifting to Neji.
Free from the restrictions of the Hyuga clan's laws, Neji should soar very high now, shouldn't he?
Unfortunately—he won't live to see it.
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