Hizashi Hyuga froze upon hearing Chinya say that Kushina Uzumaki had found a way to remove the Caged Bird Seal.
Chinya picked up his teacup again, sipping slowly without interrupting Hizashi Hyuga's stunned silence.
The Caged Bird Seal had existed for so long without ever being removed precisely because it was unique and formidable.
Chinya believed there must have been others who once tried to undo it but likely failed.
Therefore, telling Hizashi Hyuga that there was now a way to remove the Caged Bird Seal naturally came as a shock.
Yet what surprised Chinya was when Hizashi Hyuga, after a moment of silence, said firmly, "No. We cannot do this—we'd become traitors."
Chinya furrowed his brows slightly.
Kushina Uzumaki also couldn't understand at all: "Why can't we do it?"
Kakashi stared at Hizashi Hyuga in astonishment too.
Earlier, Hizashi Hyuga's tone had clearly expressed his resentment over Neji Hyuga soon bearing the Caged Bird Seal—a mark that would allow the Main Family to control him.
Given the chance to finally remove the Caged Bird Seal, logically speaking, Hizashi Hyuga should be thrilled instead.
Chinya looked at Hizashi Hyuga with confusion, hoping for an explanation.
Hizashi Hyuga replied bitterly, "Although every member of the Branch Family resents the Caged Bird Seal, it is a tradition of the Hyuga Clan. As a clan member and head of the Branch Family, I cannot break these rules.
If Neji Hyuga's seal were removed, it could easily cause chaos within the Hyuga Clan. If that truly happened, both Neji Hyuga and I would become traitors to our clan."
After hearing Hizashi Hyuga's explanation, Kushina and Kakashi still didn't understand.
Chinya chuckled dryly: "Is it because of clan pride and belonging?"
Hizashi Hyuga thought Chinya finally understood him, so he said: "Chinya, it seems you get me."
But Chinya mocked: "I don't get you at all. On the contrary, I think you're incredibly foolish—absurdly so!"
Judging from Hizashi Hyuga's behavior up until now, he was a traditional and rigid person who had carved clan traditions into his bones.
People like him tended to fall into a certain pattern of behavior: foolish devotion.
This wasn't loyalty to any individual, but rather—as Chinya just mentioned—attachment to the clan's honor and sense of belonging.
Hizashi Hyuga was loyal to the Hyuga Clan itself.
People like Hizashi Hyuga feared change, so even when they recognized the injustice of their current situation, they would stubbornly try to maintain the status quo.
Stunned by Chinya calling him absurdly foolish, Hizashi Hyuga stared at him in disbelief.
Chinya put down his teacup and looked at Hizashi Hyuga's astonished face: "I admire your loyalty to the Hyuga Clan, Hizashi. But in my eyes, you're stubbornly narrow-minded and incredibly short-sighted.
Back when you said how unfair your situation was, I thought you'd want to change it if given the chance. But what I didn't expect was that when that very opportunity stood right before you, you chose to turn away."
"You keep talking about your concerns for Neji's future, convinced that under the Main Family's control, he has no freedom and no chance to choose his own destiny. But I offered him that choice, and you denied it for him without asking him.
"If you fear change and don't want Neji to change his fate, then what's the point of agreeing to let me become his teacher?
"You know exactly who I am. To many people, I'm a rebellious figure who cannot be controlled or bound.
"You desire change yet fear it at the same time. Do you believe that as Neji's master, I would protect him if members of the Hyuga Main Family ever tried to harm him?
"If that's what you're thinking, forget it. As a teacher, I naturally help my disciples when they face difficulties. However, if someone accepts injustice and submits to their suffering without resistance, then sorry—I will never lift a finger to help them. I'll simply act as though I never had such a disciple."
Hizashi Hyuga stared blankly at Chinya, lips trembling but unable to utter a word.
Kakashi lowered his head slightly. Although Chinya's words were harsh, Kakashi believed they were justified.
"A person who willingly accepts injustice has no right to receive help. After all, if they've already accepted their suffering, what's there to complain about?"
Suddenly, Neji Hyuga, in Kushina Uzumaki's arms, began to cry. Kushina quickly tried to soothe him.
Chinya spoke sternly to Hizashi Hyuga. "Lord Hizashi, don't blame me for speaking too harshly. In my opinion, you people have been groveling before the Hyuga Main Family for so long that you've forgotten how to stand straight—you've developed the mentality of servants.
"You resent the Main Family's tyranny, yet you lack the courage to resist. You curse them for not treating you like human beings, yet obey their commands like obedient lapdogs.
"I guess there's really no need for me to take Neji as my disciple anymore—it's pointless.
"With an upbringing like yours, Neji will grow into someone just like you—discontented yet spineless, afraid to fight back.
"I don't need a weak disciple like that. I'd feel ashamed to have one.
"Lord Hizashi, you should also understand how I got where I am today. If I had simply accepted my fate, do you think I'd be standing here now?"
Hizashi kept his mouth tightly shut, head bowed low, thoughts in chaos.
Most unbearable was the sound of Neji crying, which stirred both irritation and guilt deep within Hizashi's heart.
What Chinya had said wasn't merely unpleasant—it was outright verbal abuse aimed directly at him.
Yet Hizashi had no grounds to argue back because every word Chinya had spoken was true.
He did resent the current state of affairs, but lacked the courage to change it.
And if things continued this way, his son Neji would very likely become another version of himself.
Reflecting on the years since he joined the Branch Family, each and every day had felt like drowning in silence.
Back when Neji was born, during wartime—the period when Cloud Ninja and Sand Ninja allied together to invade Konoha—was when his wife gave birth to him.
Neji Hyuga's mother had barely rested for a few days before rushing off to the battlefield, because as a member of the Branch Family, it was her duty to fight in place of a member of the Main Family.
In the end, Neji Hyuga's mother fell on the battlefield.
At that time, Hizashi Hyuga harbored intense hatred toward the Main Family, but... that was all—just hatred.
He still had to risk his life for the Main Family, because he dared not resist.
Hizashi knew full well that even without the Caged Bird seal's restraint upon his forehead, he still wouldn't dare to rebel.
Chinya sighed, "Clan Head Hizashi, life is fleeting indeed. All our efforts are meant to make sure we don't waste this one precious life we have. Faith is a good thing, but only if what you believe in is worth sacrificing everything for. Think for yourself—what has your family truly gained from all those sacrifices?"
Hizashi's breath became uneven. He clenched both fists tightly, his face contorted with emotion.
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