Approaching the city.
Minato Namikaze lowered his voice: "Be careful when infiltrating. The other side has the Byakugan."
"If we're discovered, unless they show hostility, don't make the first move."
The other four responded in unison: "Understood."
"Karin, can you…" Among the squad, all were battle-hardened shinobi. The one Minato was most uncertain about was this girl from the future—possibly his "daughter."
She was well-dressed.
But… not very ninja-like.
Even though she had powerful chakra within her, she likely hadn't engaged in ninja activities for a long time.
"I don't think we need to sneak in. Just walk in openly," Karin lifted her head.
Minato was confused.
"Naruto already sensed you all," Karin looked off in a direction, a smile spreading on her face, "Kurama is coming."
Minato froze, thoughts flooding his mind.
The name "Naruto" struck a chord.
It was the name Jiraiya-sensei had been preparing for the protagonist of his new novel.
No doubt—
Whoever bore that name… was his child too.
So, not only did he have a daughter, but also a son?
Kushina had worked so hard…
He also marveled at Karin's sensory abilities.
But what stunned him most was "Kurama."
Was that a person's name… or the same Nine-Tails he knew?
He thought that through Karin, he'd already glimpsed a fraction of the future—
But…
All these chaotic fragments were turning his mind into mush.
Shibi Aburame raised a hand and released some insects. After a moment, he nodded: "Karin is right, someone is coming our way."
He couldn't help but ask, "Is your sensing range really that big?"
"It's the Kagura Mind's Eye, a technique of the Uzumaki Clan," Minato shook his head, trying to calm himself.
Karin nodded.
A crimson-black figure suddenly landed right on her head.
Everyone tensed.
Such speed!
This level of body flicker—
No one here could match it except Minato himself.
"Hah, it's Minato. How nostalgic," the newcomer greeted casually.
Minato narrowed his eyes, staring at the red fox in black kimono-like robes.
Though the size wasn't quite right and the outfit was strange—
That chakra was unmistakable.
It was the tailed beast, Kurama—the Nine-Tails.
"What a fascinating expression," Kurama sneered, baring its teeth with malicious glee, "I knew you'd react this way."
"Worth coming in person."
"You look confused, Minato."
It paused, then looked down at Karin: "Did you tell him about the future?"
Karin shook her head: "No."
She feared her words might impact the future. Meeting Naruto was a one-in-ten-thousand chance among countless possible destinies.
One wrong sentence might stop them from meeting in the future.
Kurama had no such concerns.
"You didn't tell him? That's great," Kurama chuckled, its tail swaying, "Minato Namikaze, do you want to know?"
"About the future."
"You and Kushina's…"
"Go on, beg me sincerely. If your plea moves me, I'll graciously tell you everything."
Kakashi couldn't hold back and gripped his short sword.
Choza Akimichi and Shibi Aburame began forming hand signs.
This damn fox…
Really asking for a beating.
Minato smiled and shook his head: "For those of us still in the past, it's better not to know too much about the future."
"Once this mission ends and you return to the future, I'll seal this memory as well."
Kurama clicked its tongue: "Still the same as ever."
"How boring."
It stopped looking at Minato, lay back on Karin's head, and glanced at the Byakugan-wielding man: "Hey, Hyuga guy, what's your name?"
"Hiashi Hyuga," he answered with a hint of formality in front of Kurama.
But even this took all his willpower to maintain.
"Hiashi, huh?" Kurama repeated the name.
The other version of itself from that world sent it a message.
It grinned widely: "So it's you."
"Interesting."
"Come on."
Kurama flicked its head and started walking forward: "I'll take you to the person you want to meet."
Minato and the team followed Karin.
But aside from the blond man who remained composed, the others looked more or less conflicted.
The future—
Seemed vastly different from what they imagined.
Ten minutes later, they arrived outside a meeting room.
Kurama headbutted the door open: "Naruto!"
"I brought the people back!"
Minato followed inside.
The room was filled with sunlight, casting a glow on golden hair and dazzling the eyes.
"Kushina…" he muttered instinctively, seeing that silhouette in the light—vague and fuzzy—but the face was unmistakable. He blurted out the name of his beloved.
That face looked almost exactly like Kushina's.
"Dad, you're here," Naruto greeted cheerfully.
Minato scratched his head: "Kushina and I aren't married yet. Being called 'Dad' feels a bit awkward."
Kakashi tilted his head.
He noticed that his teacher's son still didn't wear a Leaf headband.
But the white haori and black kimono beneath looked strikingly similar to Kurama's outfit.
"Dad, you'll probably seal this memory eventually," Naruto said with a smile, motioning them to sit. "So just get used to it for now."
Minato nodded: "As a father, knowing both my children can grow up strong is a blessing."
"It's just a pity…"
"I can't share this moment with Kushina."
Karin blushed and covered her face in embarrassment: "Uncle Minato, I'm not your child."
At least… not yet.
But she couldn't say that aloud.
"Karin is a clanswoman I encountered," Naruto said warmly, tilting his head. "Though she's not your daughter by blood, there's no harm in treating her like one."
"She's a good person."
Minato scratched his head: "Seems I misunderstood."
In the Leaf squad—
Hiashi Hyuga had been staring at the two Byakugan users since entering. Now, after the family reunion calmed, he couldn't help but ask: "Lord Minato, pardon the interruption."
"Are you two also Hyuga clan members from the future?"
One was a young woman with a smooth, unmarked forehead—clearly from the main family.
The other had the distinct "Caged Bird" seal—clearly from the branch family.
Most importantly—
The branch family boy seemed oddly familiar and gave off a strange sense of kinship.
Combined with what Kurama had said earlier—
He already had an answer.
"Yes," Neji Hyuga nodded.
Hinata looked at him nervously.
"We're future members of the Hyuga clan," Neji said, clenching his fists, trying to steady his emotions. "And I have something to ask you."
Hiashi nodded.
Neji took a deep breath: "What do you think of the Caged Bird Seal?"
"The Caged Bird, huh…" Hiashi lowered his head, his voice heavy, "It truly is the greatest pain and burden for every branch family member."
"I've also resented the main family for it."
"But you seem to have a good relationship with the main family?"
Neji didn't answer.
"The Caged Bird…" Hiashi finally spoke after a long silence, "It does trap us in a cage."
"But it also protects the Hyuga clan."
"The Byakugan is powerful, and easier to awaken than the Sharingan. Every village wants it."
"It's only because of the Caged Bird seal…"
"That our Byakugan self-destructs upon death, so we aren't hunted."
He took a deep breath.
"I don't know your name, or what you've been through."
"But don't hate."
"This is simply our responsibility as the branch family."
After hearing this, Neji slowly calmed.
He asked another question: "If one day Konoha faces a crisis that requires a Hyuga to be sacrificed, would you step up?"
Hiashi instinctively trembled.
Was this…
The fate awaiting him?
He clenched his fists, his face bitter: "If it's truly necessary to sacrifice one…"
"Then of course I would."
"But not for the branch family."
"I…"
"I'd do it for the village and for those I cherish."
Neji lowered his head, whispering: "I see…"
That was the same answer Hiashi gave him in his timeline.
In this matter, he hadn't lied.
"Should the Caged Bird be lifted?" Naruto asked casually.
Hiashi shot up, staring at Naruto in disbelief.
Lift the Caged Bird Seal?
Neji nodded decisively, without hesitation: "Of course."
"You know what that could cause?" Hiashi shook his head, alarmed and panicked.
Neji stood as well: "Of course I know."
He paused, walking to the window: "You said… the Caged Bird is both a restraint and a protection."
"But which is stronger—restraint or protection?"
"If it truly protects us…"
"Then why does the main family control it and our lives?"
"Why doesn't the main family bear the same seal?"
"Why…"
"Does it suppress the Byakugan's potential?"
Hiashi opened his mouth: "But lifting it might cause the branch family to rebel."
"The Hyuga clan could be destroyed!"
"You simply lack the power to change things, so you lie to yourself and find excuses to accept it," Naruto said calmly. "You can think that way, but you shouldn't force others to agree."
"The caged bird longs for the sky and freedom."
"There's nothing wrong with that."
Hiashi looked at Neji, then at Hinata, dazed.
As a main family member, Hinata sat uncomfortably in her seat.
And the ones looking at her…
Weren't just Hiashi—but everyone else in the room.
This includes Neji.
(End of Chapter)