Chapter 58: Neji: If You Do Not Spurn Me, I Am Willing to Acknowledge You as My Foster Father
"Clan Head, what exactly do you mean by this?"
"Why does Hyuga Makoto have the quota to recommend people for the Anbu within the clan? Isn't one Hyuga Makoto in the Anbu enough?"
"Clan Head, are you trying to destroy the Hyuga ancestral precepts?"
At the Hyuga Clan Head's estate, Hyuga Hiashi sat silently by the pond, reflecting on everything that had transpired during the Main House meetings recently.
He felt a massive headache coming on, and at the same time, his fists were starting to itch for a fight!
Back when the incident with Hizashi happened, it had already made him question the traditions of the Main House and Branch House.
Neji's various reactions also filled his heart with a fair amount of guilt.
What truly made him firm in his resolve, however, was what Hyuga Makoto had told him—words that mirrored Hizashi's final moments!
"The Village is already dissatisfied, and the rift created between the Main House and the Branch House needs to change..."
But even if he held such thoughts, the members of the Main House were extremely unwilling.
Especially those Elders; they truly presented a massive obstacle to him!
After Hyuga Makoto 'entrusted' the matter of Anbu recruitment to him, he began to test the waters.
The result was that the entire Hyuga Clan was thrown into an uproar!
Because Hyuga Makoto wasn't in the Village, the Branch House members maintained their restraint even though they were ecstatic.
But the Main House, especially those Elders, vented their fury upon him.
For a moment, he wondered if he had been set up by Hyuga Makoto...
However, his experiences during this period also made him thoroughly realize certain things.
"Have you lived on your high horses for so long that you can treat even your own kin with such indifference..."
Hyuga Hiashi sighed. He suddenly thought of the question Hyuga Makoto had asked him before leaving.
"Can regrets really be remedied?"
He had been asking himself this question repeatedly. He wasn't sure what Hyuga Makoto was actually thinking.
Perhaps it was about the Caged Bird Seal, or perhaps something else?
"Father..."
Just as he was lost in thought, a voice suddenly interrupted his train of thought.
Looking back, he saw a young girl who had appeared behind him at some point.
"Hanabi, why are you here? Are you not resting yet?"
He was quite satisfied with this 'new account' of his; at least in terms of personality, she was more suited for the Hyuga Clan.
"Father hasn't rested yet either..."
Little Hanabi spoke in a childish voice, hesitating for a moment before continuing.
"And, Big Sister hasn't come back yet."
"Hinata?"
Hyuga Hiashi knew the sisters had a great relationship, and Hinata usually took care of Hanabi in the evenings.
Calculating the time, he realized Hinata had indeed been out for quite a while.
Even if she had gone to find Hyuga Makoto, the fact that she wasn't back yet made him a bit worried.
"I know. You go back to sleep first; I'll go see how your sister is doing."
Thinking of this, Hyuga Hiashi simply stood up, intending to head over to Hyuga Makoto's place.
He actually had many questions in his heart that he wanted to discuss with Hyuga Makoto.
However, when he strolled over to Hyuga Makoto's house, he was instantly stunned!
"This is..."
...
"Hey, what exactly do you want to do?"
Inside Hyuga Makoto's house, Neji asked with a hint of displeasure.
At this moment, the bandage on his forehead had been unwrapped, and the mark of the Caged Bird Seal was incredibly conspicuous.
Hinata was observing the mark with curiosity. Although she had heard of the Caged Bird Seal, she was still young.
There were many things she didn't understand deeply, and as a member of the Main House, the Caged Bird Seal was even more foreign to her.
Hyuga Makoto was also silently observing from the side. This feeling of being 'watched like a monkey' made Neji very uncomfortable.
If it weren't for Hyuga Makoto, he would have exploded long ago!
"Don't be in a hurry, it's about ready."
Hyuga Makoto rubbed his chin, and suddenly he began to laugh.
"Speaking of which, I've always wanted to ask you a question. If someone could give you freedom—a freedom that breaks destiny in a certain sense—what would you do?"
"Freedom..."
Hinata looked a bit lost, but Neji's eyes widened!
Hyuga Makoto hadn't been in Konoha for a while, but many rumors about him had spread within the clan.
Neji had heard that because Hyuga Makoto's performance was exceptionally outstanding and the Byakugan showed immense value in the Anbu...
Hyuga Makoto now held the quota to recommend clansmen into the Anbu. Countless Branch House members were already driven mad with joy, secretly making preparations.
Even Neji himself, because of his decent relationship with Hyuga Makoto, had Elders from the Branch House proactively visiting him lately!
Now that Hyuga Makoto was saying this to him, could it be...
"Am I... qualified to enter the Anbu now?"
Neji's breathing became a bit hurried, but Hyuga Makoto gave a disdainful smile.
"You're not even a Genin; what kind of daydream are you having?"
"..."
"Please, you didn't think I wanted to recommend you to the Anbu, did you? Tell me you're not that naive."
"..."
Neji swore that if he weren't unable to win, he would have really made a move!
This guy's level of obnoxiousness was exactly as Naruto had described; he was a total bastard.
However, he kept comforting himself that at least he wasn't like Naruto, being called over to act as bait while fishing...
But no matter how hard he tried to endure, he felt his forehead throbbing.
"Alright, I'm done joking with you."
Hyuga Makoto shook his head, his expression turning somewhat serious.
"There are many ways to gain freedom. Joining the Anbu is one, but in the end, you'll still be trapped by the Caged Bird Seal, so..."
"Do you have some ideas regarding the Caged Bird Seal?"
Neji was stunned for a moment, followed by a face full of disappointment, which surprised even Hyuga Makoto.
"Yeah, isn't that the root cause?"
"It is, but I suggest you stop dreaming."
"Huh?"
"Countless Seniors in the clan have tried, and my father was no exception, but the final result..."
As for what the final result was, Neji didn't speak further, but the pain on his face was beyond words.
"Neji-niisan..."
Seeing this, Hinata wanted to offer some comfort, but she didn't know what to say.
"Forget it, let it be."
Neji sighed and gave a bitter smile.
"I will work hard and strive to get your recommendation for the Anbu. As for the Caged Bird Seal, if someone could truly do it, I would do anything!"
"Oh?"
Hyuga Makoto blinked and asked with slight curiosity.
"Anything? Are you sure?"
"That's right, even if it means death!"
Neji nodded seriously. As he spoke, he prepared to tie his bandage back on, but at that moment, Hyuga Makoto reached out his hand.
"You said it yourself."
Hyuga Makoto had a strange smile on his face, his fingertips already touching Neji's forehead.
In an instant, a strange burst of Chakra erupted, and Neji felt his head begin to swell!
"This is..."
Neji was a bit dazed; he felt a power continuously pouring into his body, into his Caged Bird Seal!
At this moment, he vaguely felt that the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead seemed to have undergone some change.
Almost instinctively, he activated his Byakugan, but in that same instant, he was completely dumbfounded!
"How is this possible..."
In his vision, the blind spot that was the hallmark of the Branch House Byakugan slowly disappeared.
Even vaguely, he felt the restraint on his forehead beginning to weaken!
"Why is it impossible?"
Just then, Hyuga Makoto's voice rang out leisurely.
"The Caged Bird Seal is a Seal, but in the end, it's also a Jutsu. If I can't break it, can't I still affect it or Seal it?"
Hyuga Makoto spoke very calmly because, for him, this truly wasn't difficult!
Being a Moon Ōtsutsuki, after mastering the Cursed Seal and the Yin Seal, there was already a high probability he could achieve this.
And now he also had Black Zetsu's knowledge of Yin and Yang Release, making it even simpler for him!
"Moreover, this exclusive mission coincides with my own thoughts, so..."
Even if he wouldn't promote it across the board for the time being, he could still make some attempts!
"Seal..."
Neji murmured, seeing the obstruction in his vision completely vanish and the restraint on his forehead feeling smaller and smaller.
His eyes, without him realizing it, began to turn red.
Freedom...
This was what countless Branch House members yearned for, and his father was the same.
But the moment the Caged Bird Seal was applied, their fate seemed to be frozen in place!
And now, the shackles of destiny seemed to have been pried loose.
The person prying those shackles was the very same person who had always cared for him during his most painful and darkest times!
For a moment, Neji's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
He didn't know if he was rejoicing for the visible freedom or if he was grateful for meeting an older brother like Hyuga Makoto.
However, before he could speak, Hyuga Makoto suddenly asked.
"Neji, do you remember what you just said?"
"I remember. Even if it means death, I..."
Neji nodded with utmost seriousness, but Hyuga Makoto gave a light chuckle.
"Forget about dying, but you know that an Elder brother is like a father, right?"
"?"
"So, shouldn't you hurry up and say: 'If you do not spurn me, I am willing to acknowledge you as my foster father'?"
"..."
"You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"
"..."
Hyuga Hiashi: "?"
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