The Hyuga Branch Family's residence was not brightly lit; the night air held a chill.
Thump... Thump...
A series of silent thuds echoed from the courtyard. A fair-skinned boy, his forehead bound and concealed by a bandage, stood in the yard, continuously striking a wooden post with fluid fist techniques.
However, as he struck, his dazed, youthful face gradually became twisted and distorted, gaining a hint of viciousness, losing its usual peacefulness.
The Gentle Fist in his hands also grew increasingly ruthless and violent. Each strike was without chakra, a self-mutilating method that gradually left his fists bruised and bloody.
The deeply indented marks on the wooden post's surface also began to show glaring bloodstains. It was less practice and more an outlet for pent-up emotion. Even so, he showed no signs of stopping.
Hyuga Neji's mind was consumed by the scene he had witnessed just days ago, the first time he had seen the Caged Bird with his own eyes.
It was like every other day for the past few years, going to spar with the Main Branch's young lady. By then, he had already been branded with that hideous cursed seal, but he simply didn't understand what it meant.
He naively believed it was, as other clan members said, a symbol of the Branch Family's "responsibility" to protect the Main Family.
Responsibility.
These two words held no real meaning for him. In his eyes, as an older brother, protecting his younger sister was simply what he should do. Even without this so-called "responsibility," he had done so every day in the past, cherishing Hinata as his sister.
Until that day, that moment.
He personally witnessed his revered father, clutching his head, his body convulsing, howling and screaming in agony on the ground like a dog. He once didn't understand why his father wouldn't take off his forehead protector, even in their own home. It wasn't until that moment, when the forehead protector fell from his father's forehead, revealing the branded cursed seal. Bulging veins, like centipedes, covered it, and the hideous blue cursed seal seemed to writhe. And that so-called Main Branch head, the man he was supposed to call "uncle," merely watched him and his father with cold indifference, mercilessly activating the cursed seal.
"This is but once," Hyuga Hiashi's Byakugan glowed coldly in the dim room, he said indifferently, "Do not forget your mission."
That was the first time Hyuga Neji saw the ugliness of the Caged Bird Seal, the first time he understood what the cursed seal truly meant to them. That so-called cursed seal could easily destroy their brain nerves, meaning that the Main Branch, wielding the cursed seal, held absolute power over the Branch Family's lives. Once a Branch Family member harbored ill intentions or rebellious thoughts, or failed to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, the Main Branch could use the cursed seal to execute them. And in everyone's mouths, this curse-like seal could only be escaped through death.
From then on, the once gentle Hyuga Neji became cold. His gaze towards Hinata was no longer that of an doting older brother, but one of hatred and disgust, like an enemy.
Crunch!
Hyuga Neji gritted his teeth, fiercely striking with his fists and palms. In his ears, he seemed to hear his father's advice once more.
"Neji, don't resent the Main Branch. The Caged Bird is not a curse, but a protective measure."
"I understand, Father."
"Our Byakugan is coveted by enemies. The Main Branch does this to protect the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands, for the future of the Hyuga family."
"I understand, Father."
"This is our mission as the Branch Family, and our destiny as the Branch Family. One day, you will understand."
"I understand, Father..."
Crack!!
Amidst the sharp screech of tearing air, the wooden stake finally succumbed to the strain and broke in half, wood splinters scattering like snow.
Hyuga Neji stumbled and knelt on the ground, looking down at his bleeding hand. His black hair covered his face as he murmured, "I understand, Father..."
But, I don't understand.
Why can the Main Branch members accept all of this with such peace of mind? By what right do the Main Branch members accept all of this with such peace of mind?! Those who harm their own kin, by what right do they ride on the backs of the Branch Family, complacently accepting everything, and by what right do they euphemistically call the Branch Family's sacrifices "destiny"?!
Click.
The door creaked softly, breaking the silence in the courtyard. The hazy yellow light from inside was turned on, and a figure gradually walked behind Neji, his broad shadow encompassing Neji's form.
"Neji..."
Looking at the child with his back to him, Hyuga Hizashi's expression was incredibly complex. In truth, after decades, even centuries of "inheritance," most branch children were instilled with the idea that "the branch family is born to protect the main family" from a young age. Almost no branch members would resist the Main Branch anymore. They delighted in the Main Branch's praise, feared its anger, and were saddened by its sorrow.
Hyuga Hizashi should have been like everyone else, implanting the master-servant concept into Neji from a young age, but he ultimately chose not to. Perhaps he had regretted it over the past three years, but whenever he saw the genuine, loving smile on Neji's face when he looked at Hinata, he was glad he hadn't done so. He didn't want Neji and Hinata's relationship to become like his and his brother's. He hoped that when the day came for Neji to receive the Caged Bird Seal, Neji would genuinely feel it didn't matter, and could treat Hinata like a brother, as he always had. In his opinion, given Hinata's personality, she would never use the Cursed Seal on Neji, and the two could still get along as they did when they were children.
However, Hyuga Hizashi also hadn't expected that single moment, his impulsive surge of killing intent towards Hinata, and everything that followed, would have such a profound impact and change on Neji...
"Father."
Hyuga Neji stood up, hiding his hands behind his back.
Hyuga Hizashi snapped out of his thoughts, gently stroked Neji's head, and offered a soft smile. "Neji, your Eighty-Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms are already very proficient. Wait a bit longer, and I can teach you advanced Gentle Fist techniques."
"Yes, Father." Hyuga Neji's expression was calm, showing no joy.
Seeing Neji like this, Hyuga Hizashi couldn't help but fall silent, sighing inwardly.
"Go treat your wound," he glanced at Neji's hidden hand. "Don't do this again next time."
"..." Hyuga Neji lowered his head, then spoke after a moment. "Yes, Father."
Watching Neji walk into the house, Hyuga Hizashi stood in silence for a long time. He had once tried to resist so-called fate, but now he already understood that fate was not a person standing in front of him, to be throttled at will. Fate had no weaknesses; it could advance or retreat, and neither he nor Neji could escape it.
"I just hope that as Neji grows up, he can let go of the resentment in his heart," Hyuga Hizashi whispered, as if talking to himself. "All the suffering he endures now will become a treasure that makes Neji even stronger."
As his words fell, just as he was about to leave, a scoff reached his ears on the wind.
"Truly pitiful," someone said. "Unfortunate people always create people more unfortunate than themselves."
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