Hizashi froze.
He stared at Hiashi in shock, his mind utterly blank.
He had never imagined that what he thought was a flawless plan would be seen through so easily by Hiashi.
How… How was that possible?
His thoughts tangled into chaos, and for a long while he didn't even know how to respond.
Hiashi's expression remained calm.
Looking at his dumbfounded younger brother, he did not press further. He merely stood there, silently waiting.
Time ticked away.
Only after nearly ten minutes did Hizashi finally let out a long sigh.
Meeting Hiashi's eyes, he spoke in a subdued, steady voice:
"Brother, you guessed right."
"I did send Neji away of my own accord."
"I'm sorry, but I had no choice."
"My own life is already ruined… but I don't want Neji to walk the same path as me."
"Freedom—who does not yearn for it?"
"I can dedicate everything to this clan. But Neji… I want him to live free."
Yes.
He had resigned himself.
Neji was gone, and with that, the burden in his heart had finally been lifted.
The rest, let it come as it may.
The worst case? His death. He had long accepted that possibility.
Hiashi, however, betrayed no change of expression.
He had already suspected as much; this only confirmed it.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke slowly:
"…I see."
"I wasn't lying earlier—I will keep this matter secret for you."
"As I said, I too despise the Caged Bird Curse Seal."
"But at the same time, the Byakugan is not like the Sharingan. Without the seal's restraint, the entire shinobi world would covet it."
"Every power would come from hunting."
"So, whatever you choose to do in the future, Hizashi, think it through carefully."
"If you wish to throw your lot in with the Uchiha, I won't stop you."
"But you must be certain: the Uchiha may not be able to protect you."
With that, Hiashi rose and walked out of the hall without another word.
Hizashi watched his brother's back retreat into the distance, his face twisted with bitterness.
Yes… he understood.
Hiashi's words left no room for doubt—he had already pieced everything together.
Maybe he hadn't been sure before, but with Neji's disappearance, the truth was plain.
His brother was as sharp as ever.
Yet, he felt no regret.
Neji was his son. For him, he would gamble everything.
Others might suffer under the seal, but Neji must never be bound by that cage.
For Neji's sake, he would bear it all.
Still… should he continue his dealings with Aya?
He hesitated.
Hiashi's warning had struck home. The Caged Bird Curse Seal was a poison, yes, but without it, could the clan truly guard the Byakugan?
If they allied with the Uchiha and sent more branch members into their fold—
Could the Uchiha really shield them from the world's hunger?
He did not know.
And so, Hizashi fell into silence, his thoughts in turmoil.
At last, he could only sigh bitterly and stumble out of the hall.
Meanwhile, on the Uchiha side—
At Fugaku's house, the inner circle had all gathered.
The atmosphere brimmed with excitement.
Yes.
Perhaps today's events would not shake the civilian populace. But among the great ninja clans of Konoha, they had already caused a storm.
After all, this was the Hyuga clan they had cowed—the strongest family besides the Uchiha themselves.
And now?
The proud Hyuga hadn't even dared to breathe a word of protest.
For the Uchiha, this was a resounding show of dominance.
"My friends, I am truly overjoyed."
"Today is a day to celebrate. With what we achieved, the Uchiha have finally turned the tide."
"At last… the Uchiha have risen!"
"And for all of this, we must thank Kai-kun."
"I raise my glass to you!"
Fugaku's face was alight with excitement.
Since becoming clan head, he had lived in constant unease, striving tirelessly for the Uchiha's resurgence.
But his ability fell short. Under his leadership, the clan had only run headlong toward disaster—the harder he tried, the worse it became.
In some ways, he was not unlike a tragic ruler of old.
Kai twitched at the corner of his mouth.
This clan head of his truly did not know how to speak well.
But… fine.
It mattered little to the grand picture—after all, Kai was the true power in charge.
So, he let it slide.
Taking the cup, he drained it in one gulp, then smiled:
"Clan head, you flatter me."
"None of this could have been done without everyone's efforts. This toast should be shared with all."
"My friends—let me drink with you!"
The room filled with cheer as everyone raised their cups.
And once the toasts were done, the feast began in earnest.
Hyuga Aya's eyes shone.
She was truly happy now.
Life here among the Uchiha felt nothing like the suffocating existence she had endured in the Hyuga clan. Here, she could finally breathe.
Looking at the man who had changed her life, she couldn't help but smile softly.
After several rounds of wine and dishes, Kai turned to Nara Hiroshi and asked directly:
"Hiroshi-kun."
"Tell me—do you think we can draw in some of the Hyuga branch family?"
"If we could add more Byakugan to our ranks, it would be a tremendous boon."
The chatter died instantly.
Everyone knew—it was time for business.
Hiroshi nodded.
His eyes flickered as he thought, then he asked:
"Kai-kun, tell me honestly—how difficult is it to undo the Caged Bird Curse Seal?"
"Is it possible to do so on a large scale?"
Everyone knew Kai could break the seal—but the details were still unclear.
If Hiroshi was to devise a strategy, he needed facts.
Kai replied at once:
"It's extremely troublesome."
"Undoing the seal on a large scale? Impossible."
"The strain on my eyes is too great. I can occasionally break one, but no more than that."
Hiroshi's expression remained calm.
It was what he had expected.
Without hesitation, he answered:
"Then there is a chance—but the odds are slim. Kai-kun, you must be prepared for that."
"With the Uchiha's current strength, the branch family might be tempted to defect, cowed into obedience for now."
"But the moment our clan weakens, those Hyuga will be the first to suffer."
"They know this, just as we do."
"Unless we resolve that risk, even if they desire freedom, they will not dare place their hopes in us."
"But do not worry."
"I am confident we can bring the Hyuga to our side—but it will take careful maneuvering. This will not be a matter of days."
"For now, I believe the most urgent issue is this, Kai-kun…"
"The Third Raikage, A… he will not be easy to face."
"Tell me—are you ready?"
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