Chapter 3: Caged Bird Seal
This world is so morbid and extreme; even love can push people into the abyss!
After knowing that Hyuga Yue chose suicide to prevent him from being branded with the Caged Bird Seal, Hyuga Tatsumi had been thinking about how to change Hyuga Yue's fate.
Talk no Jutsu?
Stop joking; Naruto's success with Talk no Jutsu was also something that happened after he won.
Hyuga Tatsumi racked his brains but couldn't think of a way. He used to change the fates of people with lower status and position than him, but Hyuga Yue's status, position, and strength were all higher than his, and his age was a factor; whatever he did would only be seen as child's play by Hyuga Yue.
Rubbing his temples, Hyuga Tatsumi suddenly had a thought; maybe he could do it this way... After thinking for a long time, he made up his mind to do something he wasn't very willing to do.
In the evening, Hyuga Yue and Hyuga Yo were discussing Hyuga Tatsumi joining the Ninja Academy at home, while Hyuga Tatsumi went alone to another more luxurious courtyard of the Hyuga Clan.
"Lord Hizashi, I want to see the Clan Head."
Hyuga Hizashi asked curiously, "What business do you have with the Clan Head?"
"I want to ask the Clan Head to help me brand the Caged Bird Seal."
Hyuga Hizashi was stunned, and Hyuga Hiashi, who was drinking tea in the courtyard, also looked over curiously upon hearing this.
"Why is that?" Hizashi asked in confusion. "Your lineage only has you as an heir now; there's no need to rush to brand the Caged Bird Seal, right?"
"Sister Yue has almost become an old maid for my sake; I don't want her to continue being in a difficult position. Branding the Caged Bird Seal can cut off her thoughts."
Hyuga Tatsumi looked sincere, but he was helpless in his heart. If he hadn't been unable to think of any other way to stop Hyuga Yue from committing suicide, he wouldn't want to do this.
Hyuga Hiashi spoke up, "Do your father and Yue both know about this?"
"Sister Yue doesn't know. My father has the same thought as me; he wanted to bring me to brand the Caged Bird Seal tomorrow, but I saw that he was very conflicted and in pain, so I didn't want to delay and simply came by myself tonight."
If I wait until tomorrow, it'll be too late; in just a few hours, Hyuga Yue will be a goner!
"This..."
Hizashi and Hiashi looked at each other, both somewhat moved.
"I respect your decision." Hyuga Hiashi gave Hyuga Tatsumi a solemn look and turned to Hizashi, "Take him to the Inner Courtyard; I will go report to the Clan Head."
"Yes."
Hizashi nodded, patted Hyuga Tatsumi's hair, and led him toward the Inner Courtyard.
Before long, Hyuga Tatsumi met the current Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan's Main House, the father of Hiashi and Hizashi, a Ninja with a quite imposing Aura.
"The Caged Bird Seal cannot be removed. Tatsumi, are you sure you've thought this through?" The Main House Clan Head carried the majesty of a superior, making one unconsciously straighten their posture.
"Yes, I've thought it through." Hyuga Tatsumi nodded firmly without the slightest hesitation.
"Very well, follow me."
The Hyuga Clan Head led Hyuga Tatsumi toward the Forbidden Land deep within the Main House. Hiashi followed along, while Hizashi stood guard outside.
After opening several doors engraved with Sealing techniques, they came to a dim Secret Room. There was no light here; even the lantern in Hiashi's hand couldn't illuminate it in the slightest, as if something was swallowing all light.
"Tatsumi, close your eyes; it will be over soon."
The Main House Clan Head's voice sounded in his ear. Hyuga Tatsumi did as told, hearing a rustling sound of forming Hand seals. Soon, he felt a tightness on his scalp, as if something was attached to his brain.
At the same time, his eyes hurt, and his Byakugan opened involuntarily. Now he saw it: a surge of blue Chakra emanated from a sphere in the center of the Secret Room, slowly enveloping the top of his head.
That was... a sapphire-blue eyeball with a cross-shaped pupil, emitting a mysterious light and full of pressure!
"Tenseigan?!"
Hyuga Tatsumi was greatly shocked. This eyeball wasn't large; compared to the giant Tenseigan on the moon in the movie version, it was like a firefly, but the Aura it emitted was extremely terrifying, perhaps not weaker than the giant Tenseigan.
After a while, the blue light dissipated, the Byakugan closed automatically, and the discomfort disappeared, but Hyuga Tatsumi's heart could not be calmed for a long time.
"Is it over just like that? From now on, I'm a caged bird?"
A bit of loss rose in his heart, but he soon felt relieved. I'm someone with a cheat; why fear a small Cursed Seal?
"But... was the Caged Bird Seal really invented by the Hyuga Clan? It looks quite high-end."
Thinking of the scene he just saw, he couldn't help but feel a trace of nervousness. If the Caged Bird Seal was created by the Hyuga Clan's Old Ancestor — Ōtsutsuki Hamura, breaking the Seal might not be that easy.
"Whatever, I'll take it one step at a time."
While he was lost in thought, Hiashi on the side had a look of regret: "With such great talent, it's really a pity to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal."
The Byakugan isn't something that can be opened at will; even Hyuga clansmen with pure Bloods must undergo hard Cultivate to possibly open it. Someone who opened the eyes at Hyuga Tatsumi's age is extremely rare. For such talent to have a flaw because of the Caged Bird Seal, how could one not feel regret?
"Hiashi, the Caged Bird Seal can only bind sparrows, not eagles," the Clan Head said slowly.
"Father, what does that mean?"
Not only was Hiashi curious, but Hyuga Tatsumi also pricked up his ears to listen.
Seeing them like this, the Clan Head opened his mouth, but finally shook his head and sighed: "Hiashi will naturally know after taking over as Clan Head. As for Tatsumi, if you are a true Genius, and can possess unmatched power in the future, you can find the answer yourself."
"What kind of strength is needed to find the answer?" Hyuga Tatsumi asked.
"Perhaps, something like the First Hokage."
"I will work hard!" Hyuga Tatsumi's eyes was incredibly firm.
"So full of youthful vigor!" The Clan Head praised and said to Hiashi: "Konoha is becoming more and more vibrant, while I'm starting to fall behind. Hiashi, grow up quickly; the Family needs a young Clan Head to lead it."
"Yes, Father. The war at the border is in full swing; I will go to the battlefield to temper myself in a few days."
The Clan Head patted Hiashi's shoulder and then Hyuga Tatsumi's hair, saying earnestly: "Since the establishment of the hidden villages, the Ninja World has been changing more and more. We old guys are a bit behind the times. The future of the Hyuga Clan still depends on you."
...When Hyuga Tatsumi returned home, the night was already deep. Seeing the Caged Bird Seal Cursed Seal on his forehead, Hyuga Yo and Hyuga Yue were both stunned!
"Tatsumi, woo woo woo..."
Hyuga Yue rushed over and hugged him tightly, tears flowing uncontrollably.
Hyuga Yo's eyes were complex. Although the decision had been made, seeing his exceptionally talented son actually branded with the Caged Bird Seal, he was still incredibly disappointed.
But none of that mattered. The sis-con was only disappointed for a second before being flustered by his sister's crying, only thinking about how to coax her.
"Yue, don't cry; this was Hyuga Tatsumi's own choice."
"Yeah, Sister Yue, it's okay."
Hyuga Tatsumi comforted her softly, while not forgetting to glare at Hyuga Yo. What do you mean my own choice?
Old man, do you know how hard it was for me to make this decision? You don't even know how to feel bad for me. If it weren't for me, you would have lost your dear sister tonight!
Hyuga Yo was baffled. After glaring back, he glanced at Hyuga Yue's side, as if saying: Kid, what are you glaring at? Since you're the one who made her cry, hurry up and coax her, or I'll beat you to death.
Hyuga Tatsumi was speechless and gave him a look to get lost, saying he would handle the coaxing.
Hyuga Yo rolled his eyes and left. With Hyuga Tatsumi's comfort, Hyuga Yue also slowly calmed down.
The aunt and nephew talked a lot that night—about love and responsibility, the past and the future—opening their hearts until Hyuga Tatsumi couldn't stop yawning.
After Hyuga Yue left, Hyuga Tatsumi stared blankly at a silver Light sphere that had dropped from her. Only he could see this Light sphere; it was the reward for changing someone's fate.
"A silver Light sphere. It's a different color from the previous rewards. Why is that?"
Previously, changing the fate of random extras only yielded white Light spheres; this was the first time he'd seen silver. Could it be that the reward differs based on the degree to which fate is changed?
After absorbing the Light sphere, Hyuga Tatsumi closed his eyes and felt the changes in his body. His body was rapidly becoming stronger, his eyes felt swollen, the Byakugan was continuously evolving in a certain direction, and the Caged Bird Seal Cursed Seal even seemed to loosen slightly.
"I wonder how many palms of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms I can strike now?"
Hyuga Tatsumi was eager to try. Ignoring the fact that it was late at night, he ran to the courtyard, struck a pose, and began practicing.
"Bang bang bang bang..."
The airtight palm wind blew away the fallen leaves on the ground. After finishing thirty-two palms, Hyuga Tatsumi was panting, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.
"Again!"
The sound of breaking air rang out again. Hyuga Tatsumi practiced with more and more enthusiasm, as if tireless.
"Now you can rest easy. This kid hasn't regressed; instead, he's become stronger."
At the edge of the courtyard, Hyuga Yo smiled at Hyuga Yue: "Yue, go find your own happiness!"