The original intention behind the Caged Bird Seal was good. It was a curse-sealing technique created by the Hyuga Clan to prevent the Byakugan from being leaked outside the village.
But as time passed and the social hierarchy within the clan became rigid, the Caged Bird gradually evolved into a tool the main family used to suppress the branch family.
Now, the possibility Orochimaru had proposed reignited hope in Hiashi's heart.
If Orochimaru's theory could truly be realized...
Then all the hatred and estrangement between the main and branch families could be erased.
And his nephew—Hyuga Neji—would finally regain his freedom.
He wouldn't have to look into the mirror every day, tears silently falling as he stared at the cursed blue seal on his forehead.
Hiashi could already imagine a future where the Hyuga lived in harmony—where kin took care of one another without the barrier of clan hierarchy.
Seeing the hope flickering in Hiashi's eyes, Orochimaru couldn't hide the smirk creeping across his face.
He was very interested in the so-called "reward" Hiashi had just hinted at.
"Patriarch Hiashi," Orochimaru said smoothly, "as long as I have sufficient research funding, I can begin cracking and modifying the Caged Bird Seal immediately."
"I've just returned to the village and haven't started delving into the forbidden techniques yet."
"So let's begin with the Caged Bird."
Hiashi simply waved his hand with a confident expression, as if to say: Take all the money you need—I'm ready.
"Lord Orochimaru, in that case, the Hyuga Clan will officially sponsor the Ninjutsu Academy."
"We'll start with a donation of five hundred million ryo. If Lord Orochimaru needs more after using that up, we Hyuga will continue funding you."
The entire conference room went dead silent.
Then, a soft buzzing filled everyone's ears.
How much?
Did he just say… five hundred million?
Even Uchiha Hikaru's ears rang.
That kind of money… not even the Uchiha Clan could cough up half a billion ryo in one go.
Are the Hyuga seriously this rich?!
No… I need to find a way to seize—no, assist with managing—the Hyuga's assets in the future…
Ugh. No—not seizing. Sharing their burdens. That's right.
Surely the Hyuga are suffering under the weight of such wealth, unable to spend it all. It would be cruel not to help them relieve that burden.
Yes. I must liberate this wealth…
But if I want to make it look legitimate, then... actually, it's not impossible.
What's wrong with calling him Father-in-law?
From now on, we can just keep things casual—I'll call Hiashi "Father-in-law," and he can call me "younger brother." Perfect!
Though... I'll have to wait a few years. Hinata and Hanabi are still too young. They need proper nurturing...
Bah! What do I mean by "nurturing"? It's not like that!
It's training! As fellow Dojutsu clans, we must strengthen the alliance between the Uchiha and Hyuga.
It's about unity! Collaboration! Mutual benefit!
Yes… that's it.
Uchiha Hikaru nodded solemnly, deeply moved by the righteousness of his own thoughts.
Orochimaru caught the nod and smiled meaningfully.
Nice.
Brother Kitty—no, Brother Hikaru.
He turned to Hiashi and spoke with deliberate politeness.
"If I were to reject Patriarch Hiashi's generosity, it would be incredibly disrespectful."
"Rest assured, once this meeting concludes, I'll begin cracking the seal immediately."
At that moment, many clan heads began silently contemplating whether their own bloodlines had any... inconvenient side effects.
Whether they might need Orochimaru's help.
Then, a young man sitting opposite Shiranui Genma slowly raised his hand.
He wore a scarf. His face was pale, his eye sockets shadowed, and his cheeks sunken. He looked so frail, it was hard to believe he was a teenager.
"Cough… cough, cough cough cough!!"
The harsh coughing echoed through the chamber.
Everyone had the same thought:
Is this kid about to cough himself to death?
"Ahem... Lord Orochimaru," the boy rasped. "Our Gekko Clan has a hereditary bloodline illness… Do you have a cure?"
"Whenever one of us awakens our clan's energy release ability… our bodies grow weaker and weaker... ahem…"
Uchiha Hikaru quickly raised his hand and cut in.
"Gekko Hayate, don't worry. The village won't abandon you."
"We'll address your clan's bloodline illness. But for now, you'll need to suspend use and training of your kekkei ninjutsu."
"I believe it won't be long before your condition improves."
A rare glimmer of joy spread across Gekko Hayate's pallid face.
"Ahem... thank you, Lord Hikaru…"
The Gekko Clan's hereditary illness prompted others in the room to start asking questions of their own.
Yamanaka Shikaku:
"Is it possible to use Mind Transfer without suffering backlash when disrupted mid-transfer?"
Aburame Shibi:
"Can we raise insects externally without using our bodies as hosts?"
Akimichi Choza:
"Can we practice Partial Expansion Jutsu without… gaining weight?"
The questions quickly grew stranger and stranger—until even Sarutobi Hiruzen chimed in with a straight face.
"Our Sarutobi Clan all grow thick beards, which makes it hard to attract wives. Could that count as a bloodline issue?"
SLAM!
Orochimaru slammed both palms on the table, his patience finally snapping.
"This is a Ninjutsu Academy! Not a damn health and beauty spa!"
"At present, we are only addressing the Hyuga's Caged Bird and the Gekko Clan's bloodline illness!"
"That's it!"
With that, Orochimaru stood up and stormed out of the meeting hall.
But the moment he passed through the doors and shut them behind him…
His entire expression changed—from anger to unrestrained glee.
Hehe~ This money is way too easy to earn~
Coming back to Konoha was the best decision I've ever made!
I, Orochimaru, love this feeling—the joy of being buried in ryo and not knowing what to do with it all~!
Eternal life? Pfft—who needs dreams when you're swimming in cash?
Suddenly, he paused.
Wait… it's already been a month. What about my path to immortality?
Damn it… I forgot to ask Hikaru again.
I'll bring it up after the next meeting. Can't risk dying before the research even starts. That would be tragic.
Back in the conference hall, with Orochimaru's dramatic exit, the Ninjutsu Academy proposal was considered closed.
His departure left the room unusually quiet, as everyone mentally reset and prepared for the final topic.
This time, no one spoke.
Tsunade raised the teacup on her right side and calmly took a sip.
Silence stretched out for ten long seconds.
Uchiha Hikaru glanced at her smiling face—and understood.
Looks like our Hokage is still stuck on the absurd questions everyone asked earlier…
Hikaru reached under the table and pinched Tsunade's thigh.
Hiss~!
A strange, almost ticklish sting traveled up Tsunade's leg. It was oddly electric—sharp, but not unpleasant.
In the next second, Tsunade blinked in surprise.
Wait—what was she forgetting?
…
…
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