"Remove the Caged Bird?"
On the grass....
Hyuga Neji looked at Akira Ren, who had just said something astonishing, yet showed no excitement.
Staring straight at him, he spoke calmly:
"Over the long years, it's not like no one in the Hyuga clan has tried to remove the Caged Bird… but not a single one succeeded. Instead, every one of them paid with their lives…"
He simply didn't believe Akira Ren could do it.
After all...
No matter how strong the other party was, he was only ten years old.
There was no way he could undo a seal that had bound the Hyuga branch family for centuries—one that no one had ever escaped.
Perhaps—
Only someone at the level of the Third Hokage might have a chance.
But even then—
That was only a possibility.
Whether it could actually be done was another matter entirely.
"Mm, for ordinary people, it's indeed impossible to remove…"
Akira Ren nodded:
"Your seal isn't just connected to your optic nerves—it's also linked to your brain's neural system. As long as the caster forms a seal, it can activate instantly…"
"It can make you suffer unbearable pain—or kill you in an instant!"
"And it has more than one automatic trigger condition. If someone forcibly tries to remove the Caged Bird Seal, the complex formula will activate on its own!"
Earlier, he had already conducted a thorough examination.
This was indeed a terrifying, nearly unsolvable seal—
Despair-inducing.
Extremely complex and vicious—
Deeply tied to the brain's neural network.
Even a master of sealing techniques—
Willing to help a branch member remove it—
Might not succeed.
And the slightest mistake could lead to the subject's death.
"As expected of the disciple of the 'Medical Saint'…"
Neji looked at Akira Ren in shock:
"You just examined it briefly, yet you understood it this thoroughly!"
"But that only proves even more clearly… it can't be removed!"
He let out a bitter smile.
His expression dimmed.
If it were that easy to remove—
It wouldn't be called the "Caged Bird."
"From the outside, yes—it's very difficult…"
Akira Ren smiled faintly.
"But from the inside—it's much easier."
"Your Hyuga clan possesses the Byakugan, able to see through the body and observe chakra flow in 360 degrees… but very few of you are skilled in sealing techniques. The level just isn't there."
"And coincidentally—"
"I happen to know a special forbidden technique that allows my consciousness to leave my body, enter another person's body, and take control of it…"
Looking at Neji, whose pupils widened—
Akira Ren didn't explain further.
He simply smiled and asked:
"Want to take a gamble?"
If the other party was willing to trust him—
He didn't mind helping him break free from his fate.
"…"
Neji's expression shifted.
He could no longer remain calm.
Staring at Akira Ren in disbelief:
"You… can really do it?"
"Before I leave Konoha, if you've made up your mind, come find me."
Akira Ren shrugged.
Stretching lazily, he lay down on the grass—
Hands behind his head, eyes closed, resting.
"Wait… there's no need to think about it…"
Looking at Akira Ren—
Neji's expression flickered, then quickly turned firm:
"I trust you!"
"Please, Akira Ren!"
He stood up immediately—
Bowing deeply, filled with determination and urgency:
"Please remove the Caged Bird for me!"
"Even if it fails—you won't regret it?"
Akira Ren opened his eyes—
Looking at Neji's resolute face.
He hadn't expected him to decide so quickly.
After all—
This was a life-or-death matter.
Though Akira Ren was a renowned genius—
He was still only ten years old.
Anyone else wouldn't dare make such a reckless decision.
"Even if I don't try, my future is already predictable…"
Neji clenched his fists, voice low and firm:
"Rather than that—I'd rather take the gamble!"
"At least… in you, Akira Ren, I see a sliver of possibility!"
He knelt down—
Bow touching the ground:
"Akira Ren, please help me… From now on, if you ever need anything, I, Hyuga Neji, will not refuse!"
"Alright, no need to be so serious."
Seeing his resolve—
Akira Ren stood up.
Gesturing for him to sit cross-legged:
"We're friends. For me, this is just a small favor…"
"Wait, Akira Ren… shouldn't we change locations?"
Neji hesitated.
"No need to worry. No one will disturb us…"
Akira Ren smiled.
As he spoke—
He raised his right hand.
A small wooden carving appeared in his palm—
Transforming into a miniature version of himself that jumped out.
"This is…!?"
Neji's eyes widened.
"This is a mini wood clone I developed. Don't underestimate its combat ability…"
Akira Ren said with a grin.
Ever since his battle with Shimura Danzo—
He had the idea of creating a wood clone nearly as strong as a normal one, but miniaturized.
Over the past two years—
Through relentless effort—
He had successfully developed a mini wood clone with considerable strength.
Even when his soul left his body—
He could have the mini clone "reside" inside his body in advance and take control.
Because it directly controlled the original body—
It could exert far greater combat power than ordinary wood clones.
Even in unexpected situations—
It wouldn't be easily harmed.
Enough to ensure his safety.
"Relax completely. I'm about to take control of your body—don't resist."
Akira Ren reminded him.
The moment his spirit separated—
That palm-sized mini wood clone instantly burrowed into Neji's body.
"Shh—"
Under Neji's astonished gaze—
In an instant—
His vision blurred.
And he saw—
Akira Ren appearing within his mental world.
"—!"
That immense chakra—
Shocked Neji to the core:
"What terrifying power…!"
"Byakugan!"
Akira Ren, controlling Neji's body—
Activated the Byakugan instantly.
That 360-degree, blind-spot-free vision—
Was truly incredible.
The next moment—
He formed a hand sign.
Manipulating chakra—
He directed it toward the brain's neural system.
Within Neji's mental world—
As Neji watched in utter shock—
With unbelievably precise chakra control—
Akira Ren quickly surrounded and sealed off the Caged Bird Seal.
Temporarily disabling it—
Preventing activation.
Then—
From that complex, tightly interwoven seal—
He forcibly tore open a gap.
Bit by bit—
He began dismantling it…
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