The Caged Bird Seal—
Was the Hyūga clan's primary method of controlling the branch family.
This curse mark was directly connected to the brain's nerves.
With a simple hand seal, one could easily control a Hyūga branch member.
Countless gifted branch family shinobi—
Simply because they were born a few seconds later—
Were destined to protect the main family for life.
To die for them.
It wasn't that no one had ever tried to break the seal—
But without exception, all had failed.
"Neji… this scroll in your hand… can it really remove the Caged Bird Seal?"
Tenten stared at the scroll in Neji's hand, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Roar! Neji, this time you're truly going to spread your wings! No longer a bird in a cage—this is the power of youthful passion!"
Rock Lee clenched his fists, tears welling up.
He knew how talented Neji was.
But because of that cursed mark on his forehead—
He had always seemed burdened… suffocated.
From the bottom of his heart—
Lee was happy for him.
Hyūga Hiashi: "Neji, don't use it yet. After the viewing ends, hand it over to me!!!"
The unquestionable tone caused Neji's expression to turn cold.
"…Why?"
Hyūga Hiashi: "The Caged Bird Seal is of great importance. It is the foundation of the Hyūga clan's status as Konoha's strongest clan. You understand that."
The arrogance in his voice made it sound as though Neji's obedience was only natural.
Neji let out a furious laugh.
"Why? Why does the distinction between main and branch families still exist?! What other clan still uses such methods to control their own people?!"
"If you ask me—this kind of system, where clans enslave their own members, should have ended long ago!"
Hyūga Hiashi: "Insolence! Without the seal, the Byakugan would be leaked—is that what you want?!"
"Have you not seen how everyone covets the Uchiha's Sharingan?!"
"Might Guy, as Neji's teacher, I expect you to persuade him. Don't let him act recklessly!"
"…How laughable."
Nagato listened to Hiashi's words echo in his mind, a cold smile forming.
"If you've never experienced pain… how can you possibly understand it?"
Even now—
They still tried to use authority to suppress others.
Clearly, they were used to being masters.
But the viewing system—
Was truly terrifying.
Even the Caged Bird Seal—
He had studied it before.
And failed to破解 it.
Yet now—
An item that could remove it had appeared.
Something that should have been impossible—
Had become reality.
And more troubling still—
Tsunade felt completely different after taking the serum.
Before, she wasn't even worth serious attention.
Now—
She required caution.
And that man impersonating Uchiha Madara…
Also needed to be watched carefully.
Inside a cave—
Uchiha Obito had once again failed to obtain a reward.
He was on the verge of madness.
His gaze locked onto Black Zetsu, half-emerged from the ground.
The intensity of it made even Zetsu uneasy.
"Obito… why are you staring at me like that? I didn't answer correctly either…"
Unable to bear the pressure, Black Zetsu spoke.
Obito's voice was hoarse.
"Wake up the hundred thousand White Zetsu. I'm going to answer the questions and get the rewards!!!"
"What?! That's impossible!" Black Zetsu immediately refused.
"They're still in the cultivation stage! They can't be awakened yet—that's our trump card!"
Obito narrowed his eyes, killing intent flickering.
"If I get a revival item, Rin can come back immediately. Don't you want to see that?"
Black Zetsu cursed inwardly.
This Obito used to be easy to manipulate—
But the moment Rin was involved—
He lost all rationality.
At this rate, if he refused—
Obito would tear him apart the moment the viewing ended.
"Obito, calm down! I can't move right now—I can't awaken them!"
"…Didn't it not require that much effort?" Obito said coldly. "The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is right here. A slight activation is enough to restore the White Zetsu's consciousness."
"The viewing session has already started! Awakening them now is useless!"
"How would you know if we don't try?!"
Black Zetsu felt like crying.
Damn it.
No wonder people said the Uchiha were all madmen.
If this wasn't madness—
What was?!
In the forest—
Neji looked at Might Guy, his voice low.
"Sensei… is there something you want to say to me?"
Might Guy's expression was solemn.
He looked at his most talented student.
He knew Neji's pain.
He knew what had bound him all this time.
Suddenly—
He broke into a wide smile, flashing his bright teeth.
He shouted toward the chatroom:
"My student's choice is his own!"
"Youth is passionate—it burns brightly! A constrained youth cannot bloom into something beautiful! Neji, go and do what you want!"
"Your teacher will always support you!!!"
He raised a thumbs-up to Neji, his smile radiant.
At that moment—
Tears streamed down Neji's face.
Hyūga Hiashi: "Neji! The clan has raised you, invested so much into you—you must think of the clan!"
Neji clenched his teeth.
He removed his forehead protector—
Revealing the twisted Caged Bird Seal.
And shouted:
"The clan raised me—I can give everything in return! But I refuse to be bound by such an unjust curse mark!!!"
Refuse!
Why—
Was his father, Hyūga Hizashi, doomed to be branch family—
Just because he was born later than Hiashi?
Why—
Would the children of the branch family remain branch family forever?
Why?!
"I finally understand what that leader from the other world meant by equality!"
"Because what I'm facing right now—"
"Is injustice!!!"
"Injustice that exists from the moment of birth!!!"