Natsume subconsciously turned his head.
He met Hinata's beautiful white eyes directly.
Her small hands tightly clutched her clothes, her face flushed, but more than that, filled with anticipation.
Being begged by such a cute thing, let alone one thing—ten would be fine.
Natsume reached out and pinched her little face, smiling, "Go ahead."
Hinata immediately steamed up, but this time she didn't faint.
Perhaps because she was getting used to it.
She stammered out her confusion.
From a young age, Hinata had Hyuga Neji as her sparring partner. At first, their relationship was good.
But starting last year, after Neji was branded with the Caged Bird, he became especially distant.
And this morning, something happened that scared and confused Hinata.
During sparring, Neji accidentally used too much force and injured her.
A nearby main family guard immediately activated the Caged Bird and said, "Neji, remember your place!"
Neji screamed in pain on the ground.
Afterward, his attitude toward Hinata became even colder.
At three years old, she naturally couldn't understand what she saw.
When she asked her parents why, the answer was: "This is the fate of the Hyuga branch family. You don't need to delve into it."
"Are you hurt?"
Natsume asked with concern.
Hinata was slightly stunned, her face reddening again, and she shook her head.
"What do you think of the Caged Bird?"
Natsume patted her head and asked.
"Father said the Caged Bird is to protect the Byakugan from being stolen by outsiders."
Hinata, being a girl without much opinion, could only repeat Hyuga Hiashi's words.
This might have been true long ago.
But now, its additional meanings surpassed the original intent.
To be fair, as the main family, it was impossible to abandon the Caged Bird.
Because the benefits were too many.
One, it maintained the main family's superior status. Having been masters for so long, how could they become slaves?
Two, over so many years, they've oppressed the branch family too much. Without the Caged Bird, the consequences were imaginable.
Three, for safety, all dangerous tasks could be given to the branch family.
Of course, there were downsides.
Because of the restraints, because fate couldn't be controlled, the Hyuga branch family could never produce strong individuals.
And the main family was just a few people, with low probability.
Unless extremely lucky, the Hyuga clan would only weaken, becoming an ordinary ninja clan rather than one of the top in the ninja world.
For example, the Uchiha clan had many geniuses opening Mangekyo Sharingan, producing strong ones one after another.
But the equally renowned Hyuga clan was stagnating.
Besides the difficulty of evolving to Tenseigan, another reason was the Caged Bird's restraints.
Strong individuals are always free.
If no matter how hard you try, your life is in someone else's hands.
Then why bother?
Just rot away.
"Do you think that statement is correct?"
Natsume's question made Hinata's little face show confusion.
Logically, Father's words must be correct.
But Neji's screams from this morning lingered in her mind.
If it was really just to protect the Byakugan from leaking, why use the Caged Bird at other times?
Hinata remembered something even further back.
During one training, she suddenly heard Hyuga Hizashi's pained voice and Father's scolding.
She hadn't thought much then, but now it seemed it was because of the Caged Bird.
"I... I don't know."
Hinata subconsciously looked to Natsume, seeking his help.
The fact that she could say this meant he held an extraordinary place in her heart.
"Just because it's always been this way, does that make it right?"
Natsume patted her head and said, "You're the young lady of the main family, the future leader of the Hyuga clan. The Caged Bird is something you must consider. Whether it should exist is up to you to decide."
Hinata was silent for a moment, then shyly lowered her head, saying, "I... I can't do it. I won't be a good clan leader."
From birth until now, Hyuga Hiashi had never praised her.
Even if she was dumb, she knew she was terrible.
"You're still young. Whether you can or not, you'll know when you grow up."
Natsume reached out, lifted her chin, their eyes meeting, and said, "Besides, I can help you."
Hinata froze, stars of dizziness in her eyes.
The overwhelming heat on her face made her unable to think.
So she gave up thinking and elegantly fainted.
Natsume picked her up, placed her on the bed, and said, "Good night."
[Because of your actions, Hinata's fate has changed. You gain 99 fate points.]
Reverse Summoning Technique!
Natsume returned to his room again.
But he didn't sleep.
Because he had two more people to see.
This time, he didn't use Reverse Summoning, but sneaked out.
Natsume appeared at the Tanzaku Quarters Gunma Casino.
"Brother, happy birthday!"
Karin took out a book from behind and said, "I've mastered it all."
"Is this my birthday gift?"
Natsume's lips curved up as he smiled and picked her up.
"Yes."
Karin asked expectantly, "Am I being good?"
"Very good."
Natsume patted her red hair and said, "From now on, double the homework."
"Ah?"
Karin froze, looking at him in disbelief.
Are you a devil?
"Brother, no!"
Karin immediately grabbed Natsume's hand, showing big cute eyes, pitifully asking, "So much, I'll die. Can you reduce the homework a bit?"
"Hahaha."
Natsume laughed and said, "From now on, your homework is to learn ninja-related knowledge from your mom."
"Yay!"
Karin immediately got excited.
She had long wanted to become a ninja, but Natsume hadn't agreed.
"Brother, Mom's in the kitchen. Go find her."
Karin sensibly ran off to watch TV.
"You're here."
Hinae turned her head, glanced at him, and continued her actions.
She was chopping vegetables.
"I've eaten dinner."
Natsume stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and said, "No need to trouble yourself."
"I know."
Hinae nodded and said, "Last time we chatted, you said birthdays mean eating noodles, so I prepared a bowl for you. Not much, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Oh, you're making noodles for me to eat."
Natsume let go of her hand and smiled, "Since it's longevity noodles, I have to taste them well."
"It'll be ready soon."
Hinae put the noodles in the pot.
A few minutes later, a bowl of noodles was placed in front of Natsume.
He picked up his chopsticks, slurped a mouthful, and said, "Yours are always so delicious."
Hinae showed a serene smile, watching him with gentle eyes.
"Is there a gift?"
Natsume quickly finished, set down the chopsticks, and asked with a smile.
"There is a gift."
Hinae hesitated for a few seconds and said, "But you'll have to wait a while, until I successfully cultivate the Yin Seal, then I'll give it to you."
Yin Seal?
Natsume was stunned.
At first, he didn't understand, but from his vast knowledge in his previous life, he quickly grasped Hinae's implication.
The Yin Seal had many uses, one of which was repairing the body, including any part.
"I'm only ten."
Natsume reached out, pinched her cheek, and said, "You really are a bad woman, but I like it."
Hinae immediately lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed.
Actually, her idea was simple: to make herself useful in some way.
She didn't care how.