Chapter 270: Hizashi Hyuga's Decision
In the days that followed, the newly freed members of the Hyuga branch family began to secretly contact their fellow clansmen, those who harbored a similar resentment for the main family. After several more "unsealing" ceremonies, nearly a third of the branch family had been freed from the main family's control. They followed Saori's orders, suppressing their excitement and continuing to feign subservience, waiting for the day they could finally overthrow their oppressors.
The arrogant main family remained completely oblivious. They had ruled for so long, they could not even conceive of the branch family having the courage to defy their fate.
The entire Hyuga clan was now shrouded in a strange, tense atmosphere. Everyone believed that their plan was proceeding smoothly, but then, their activities were discovered by one person.
Not a member of the main family, but the current leader of the branch family: Hizashi Hyuga.
Hizashi had been in a foul mood lately. The usually kind and gentle man would now lash out at his clansmen for the smallest of mistakes, sometimes even resorting to harsh punishments.
The reason for his change was his son, Neji Hyuga, who had been born less than three months ago.
Neji Hyuga, one of the Konoha 12 from the original story, was a true genius of the Hyuga clan. Though his power had eventually been surpassed by the main characters, he had remained at the forefront of his peers. If not for the Caged Bird seal that had shackled his potential, he could have reached a level far beyond that of a mere Jonin.
And it was this very seal that had been branded on his forehead shortly after his birth.
As a father, to be forced to watch his son scream in agony, powerless to intervene... every one of Neji's cries had been like a knife to his heart. In that moment, he had wanted to stop them, to tear them away from his son. But with his brother standing beside him, and with years of ingrained subservience, he had done nothing but watch, tears streaming down his face.
After the ceremony, he had taken his unconscious son and, ignoring his brother's attempts at consolation, had locked himself in his room for three days, consumed by a self-loathing so profound it was a physical ache.
But the harsh reality of his situation had eventually forced him to abandon any thoughts of resistance. It was then that one of his trusted subordinates had informed him of the strange activities among the branch family members.
Hizashi had launched his own secret investigation and had soon discovered the truth. He had then gone to Saori's home to confront her.
Breaking the Caged Bird... how is that possible...? he thought, his heart pounding as he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
He took a deep breath and entered.
Saori was sitting at her desk, reading a document. She looked up, a hint of surprise on her face.
"Lord Hizashi. To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
"I..." He had rehearsed what he was going to say, but now, the words caught in his throat. He was afraid. Afraid that his hopes would be dashed, and afraid that if it were true, he would be forced to make an impossible choice.
On one side were the countless members of his branch family and his beloved son. On the other was the brother who had always been so good to him.
Saori, seeing his hesitation, understood. She stood, poured him a cup of tea, and said, "You've come to ask about the recent events in the clan, haven't you?"
He was relieved that she had brought it up. He took the teacup but did not drink, his eyes fixed on her, waiting.
"Yes," she said, meeting his gaze, her voice firm.
The teacup trembled in his hand, and hot tea spilled onto the floor, but neither of them noticed.
After a long, heavy silence, just as he was about to speak, she asked a question that cut him to the core.
"Your son's name is Neji, isn't it? Such a cute little boy."
"Yes... he is," he whispered.
"A shame that such a young child should be branded with a curse mark, forced to be a dog at the beck and call of others for the rest of his life," she said with a sweet smile that, to Hizashi, seemed utterly demonic.
He knew what she was doing. She was trying to turn him against the main family, against his brother. He hated not the words themselves—they were, after all, the undeniable truth—but the fact that he was so easily swayed by them.
If I join her... no. My brother has always been good to me. Neji... damn it!
"And Neji's children will also be branded with the same mark," she continued, her voice like a venomous whisper. "And their children's children. For generations, they will live and die as dogs for the main family... or perhaps they will die in battle, and save them the trouble..."
"Enough!" he roared. He sank into a chair, his head in his hands, his mind a maelstrom of conflicting emotions.
The silence stretched on. After a full fifteen minutes, his thoughts finally settled on the image of his son's first smile.
"I can help you," he said, his voice low and heavy, "but on one condition."
"Please, Lord Hizashi. Speak."
"My brother... after this is all over, I want you to spare his life. If you agree, I, Hizashi Hyuga, will do whatever you ask of me, without complaint."
Saori nodded, her expression serious. "You have my word. Even if we have to use force, I will spare his life."
"Then... you have my thanks," he said, bowing his head.
"Don't mention it. Now, let's remove that curse mark from your forehead."
"...Thank you."
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 100 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 30+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you!