Chapter 274 — The Third Way
What the Hyuga Clan cared about most was simple:
the Byakugan must never leak outside the clan.
If he no longer had the Byakugan, then the Hyuga Clan would have far less reason to keep him under control.
Hyuga Castle was extremely tempted.
He was already considering whether his new family could safely bring him to meet Uchiha Fugaku directly…
On his own, it was impossible.
He was blind—no vision, no guidance, not even a cane or a companion dog.
Finding the Hokage Building by himself?
Impossible. He'd sooner walk into a wall, or even off a bridge.
So he decided to wait.
Wait for Hyuga Iwa to return, and see if his first plan was possible.
If not, he would simply ask his elder brother, Hinata Morning, to take him to the Hokage Building and request an audience with Fugaku-sama.
He couldn't tell time anymore; he had no idea how long had passed when he finally heard his bedroom door open.
His heart tightened.
He pushed himself up, turning toward the sound.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Little Castle."
Hyuga Castle swallowed.
That voice belonged to his father — Hyuga Iwa.
"What did the Main Family say?"
Hyuga Castle asked quietly.
Hyuga Iwa hesitated.
"I… haven't spoken to the Main Family yet. I'll go tomorrow."
Hyuga Castle exhaled across the pillow and lay back down.
He wasn't as anxious anymore — because he now had a second path.
The Caged Bird had been removed for the surgery.
With no seal on him, the Main Family could no longer activate anything to restrain or punish him.
If they tried to force him to accept a replacement Byakugan and reapply the Caged Bird Curse Mark…
He would go directly to Uchiha Fugaku.
Worst case?
His identity as a transmigrator would be exposed.
Fugaku might have the Yamanaka Clan search his memories.
Not ideal — but still better than becoming a slave of the Main Family for the rest of his life.
His third option…
Was to defect from Konoha.
But the moment that thought appeared, he dismissed it.
His new family—his parents, his siblings—were all branch family members, all burdened with the Caged Bird Seal.
How could they risk sneaking him out of the village behind the Main Family's back?
They couldn't protect him forever.
And without eyes, he could barely walk normally, let alone escape.
Unless…
The door closed again.
Hyuga Iwa's footsteps faded down the hallway.
Hyuga Castle suddenly sat up slightly.
Was that impossible idea… actually possible?
Right now, the Hyuga Main Family's grip on the branch family was weaker than ever.
Konoha had already recovered from its previous weakness, especially after Uchiha Fugaku became the Fifth Hokage.
Hyuga Hiashi was busy with Hokage Advisor duties, rarely appearing in the clan compound at all.
He left early, returned late, and handled village affairs most of the time.
The other Main Family elders appeared occasionally, but their management was shallow, inconsistent.
So… was there a chance?
If his father, Hyuga Iwa, took him directly to Konoha Hospital and had a Medical Ninja transplant ordinary eyes for him…
And then quietly sent him out of Konoha Village…
Would the Main Family even have grounds to punish them?
He no longer had the Byakugan — nothing to leak.
Even if they punished his parents, the severity would be drastically reduced.
And sending him away resolved the issue entirely.
More importantly…
He wouldn't need to go to Uchiha Fugaku.
He wouldn't risk memory extraction.
He wouldn't risk exposing his transmigrator identity.
He wouldn't become a research subject or an experiment.
This might be his only clean exit.
Hyuga Castle trembled with excitement.
He finally saw his one escape route.
Now the question was: Would Hyuga Iwa agree to take the risk?
From his inherited memories, the original owner had a warm relationship with his family.
Hyuga Iwa and Hyuga Rin doted on him.
Hinata Morning adored him as a younger brother.
The original owner was talented—something the family was proud of.
They wouldn't want to see him condemned to a lifetime of servitude under the Main Family again.
Hyuga Castle clenched his fists.
He had to try.
He raised his voice and shouted loudly.
Footsteps hurried in the corridor.
The door slid open, and Hyuga Rin entered anxiously.
"Little Castle! What's wrong?"
Hyuga Castle hesitated for only two seconds before speaking decisively:
"Kaa-san… please call Father. I need to discuss something with both of you."
Hyuga Rin immediately froze, startled by how serious he sounded.
But without questioning him, she nodded.
"Alright. I'll bring him here."
She rushed out.
Hyuga Castle, lying on the bed, listened closely.
Soon, he heard her calling Hyuga Iwa.
Moments later, multiple footsteps approached — three people this time.
His father…
His mother…
And Hinata Morning.
Hyuga Rin spoke first:
"Little Castle, we're all here. What did you want to discuss?"
Hyuga Iwa added, "Son, are you alright?"
Hinata Morning stayed silent, but his breath quickened with worry.
Hyuga Castle inhaled deeply.
"Father… can you take me directly to the Hospital for eye replacement surgery?"
Hyuga Iwa froze.
"Didn't we say we're waiting for the Main Family's decision?"
Hyuga Castle shook his head.
"I already know what their decision will be. They'll force me to receive a replacement Byakugan, right?"
His resigned tone made Hyuga Iwa fall silent.
His son was right.
The Main Family would never allow a talented branch member to remain without the Byakugan.
And since the Caged Bird Seal was removed only temporarily to save his life, they would certainly reapply it afterwards.
Hyuga Castle continued softly, but firmly:
"Kaa-san, Father… I don't want the Caged Bird Seal on me anymore. Every time I think about having that ugly green curse mark on my forehead, I feel like dying."
Hyuga Castle had never actually seen the Caged Bird Mark himself — he transmigrated after losing his eyes and had only seen it through the original owner's memories.
But the impact of his words was real.
Hyuga Iwa stiffened.
His expression wavered.
It had been more than forty years since his own Caged Bird was placed on him.
He had nearly forgotten what that initial humiliation felt like.
But his son's words dragged the memory back.
Being ordered around by Main Family children…
Being scolded, beaten, treated like property…
Hyuga Iwa clenched his fists.
For the first time in decades, he remembered that bitter, burning shame.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics