After picking up Neji Hyuga, Chinya went back home first to get Uzumaki Sōnagi before heading toward the forest at the edge of Konoha Village.
On the grassy ground in the forest, Chinya, Neji Hyuga, and Uzumaki Sōnagi sat cross-legged facing each other.
Chinya said to both of them, "Before officially starting your training, I want to ask you a question—why do you want to train?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi answered first, "Because Mom and Dad wanted me to train, so I'm training!"
Chinya frowned and replied, "Wrong answer! If you didn't want to train, could Kushina and I *really* force you into it?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi's face scrunched up slightly as he said, "But... if I don't train seriously, Mom really will hit me. Doesn't that count for something?"
Chinya stiffened, clearing his throat awkwardly before saying, "Well, obviously it doesn't. Let me rephrase—I'll ask about your dreams for the future."
Holding up his small fist enthusiastically, Uzumaki Sōnagi declared, "My dream is to have unlimited shrimp tempura to eat in the future!"
Chinya couldn't hold back any longer. He smacked Uzumaki Sōnagi lightly on the head and roared, "I meant dreams you'd have *after* becoming strong—dreams like wanting to become the strongest ninja in the Shinobi World or protecting your family. Those are the kind of meaningful dreams I'm talking about!"
Rubbing his head, Uzumaki Sōnagi said with a pout, "But Mom always says Dad is already the strongest, and that he will protect us. Since you've already achieved those dreams, why should I make them my own?"
Rubbing his forehead, Chinya sighed, "Forget it. Asking you now is pointless anyway. How about you, Neji?"
Neji Hyuga thought deeply about their low status as members of the Branch Family within the Hyuga Clan, remembering how his father had suffered under Hiashi Hyuga—their very own uncle—because of the Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
With sharp eyes, Neji Hyuga stated firmly, "I want to change this reality. I refuse to accept being treated like second-rate trash from the moment I was born. I want to grow stronger—extremely strong. Like what Master just did on the clan grounds. Only then can I protect myself and Father!"
A faint, barely noticeable smile flickered across Chinya's face.
Chinya said solemnly to Neji Hyuga, "Your dream is good, but… do you understand the effects of the Caged Bird Cursed Seal?"
Neji Hyuga nodded, "I know it's a method used by the Main Family to control the Branch Family. When triggered, it causes unbearable headaches."
Chinya shook his head, "It seems Hizashi hasn't explained all the effects of the Caged Bird Cursed Seal to you. The headaches aren't the only effect—they're actually the most superficial one.
The real effect of the Caged Bird is even crueler than that. I think Hizashi couldn't bear to tell you such a harsh truth, which is why he only mentioned the headache part."
Confused, Neji Hyuga asked hesitantly, "Just the most superficial effect? Master, then what exactly is the real effect of the Caged Bird?"
Chinya answered, "The Caged Bird Cursed Seal can manipulate and damage a Branch Family member's central nervous system, thereby keeping them under control until the seal automatically dissolves upon their death. This mark seals the Byakugan ability and completely destroys the user's eyes and brain upon removal of the eyes or at the moment of death.
In other words, your lives are entirely controlled by the Main Family. That's why Branch members have such low status within the Hyuga Clan—like slaves.
To put it bluntly, the Caged Bird Seal on your forehead is basically a mark of slavery. That's why Branch members cover their foreheads with forehead protectors or cloth—to hide this shame."
Neji Hyuga stared at Chinya in stunned silence.
This truth hit Neji particularly hard at that moment.
"Our lives are completely controlled... only released when we die..."
Neji suddenly felt overwhelming despair and sorrow as he lowered his head. "So from the very beginning, was everything already decided? Is there really no way to change anything?"
Chinya scolded him sternly, "Don't get that look on your face just because you heard something unpleasant! You won't solve anything like this—it'll only cloud your judgment!
Start thinking for yourself! If everything was already decided from the start, why would your father risk everything just to have me become your teacher?
You've seen how your clan treats me—they treat me as an enemy. If there was absolutely no way to change things, sending you to me would be suicide—not just for Hizashi, but for you too!
Would your father ever hurt you? Neji, what's that head for? It's to think with—not to sit around feeling sorry for yourself!"
Hearing Chinya's reprimand, Neji trembled slightly.
Uzumaki Sōnagi even shrank back a bit—he had never seen his father act so strict before.
Neji tried hard to calm himself and think rationally.
His teacher was right—his father would never endanger him.
If the Caged Bird Seal could only be removed through death, then Hizashi Hyuga wouldn't have sent him to become Chinya's disciple.
Otherwise, going against the Main Family in such a way could provoke them into using the Caged Bird Seal to kill both you and me.
Given that premise...
Neji looked up at Chinya. "Teacher, does that mean... you can remove the Caged Bird Seal?"
Chinya nodded. "Looks like you're finally thinking straight. Yes, exactly because I can remove the Caged Bird Seal—and your father wanted to give you a choice, an opportunity to decide your own future path."
Neji frowned tightly. "Teacher... there's one thing I still don't understand."
"You may ask."
Confused, Neji asked, "If you could remove the Caged Bird Seal, why didn't my father ask you to remove it before?"
Chinya shook his head. "I did suggest it once, but your father refused."
"Huh? Why?" Neji asked, puzzled.
"Teacher can [Release the Caged Bird]. Father wanted me to [Release the Caged Bird], so why did Father refuse Teacher's help?"
Chinya hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your father only wanted you to have a choice — just not including himself in that choice. He is loyal to the Hyuga Clan, even though it's deeply flawed. Hizashi's loyalty to the Hyuga Clan comes from multiple angles.
His loyalty might come from his belief in loyalty itself, not because he thinks the Hyuga Clan deserves it. In other words, Hizashi is loyal because of his nature, not because the Hyuga Clan is worthy of loyalty.
Or it could be because of strong emotional ties—like family love, romance, or friendships. Those emotional ties might make it hard for Hizashi to break free from the Hyuga Clan, even if he knows they don't deserve his loyalty."
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