"Freedom?"
Hearing the word "freedom," Natsu seemed somewhat dazed.
How many members of the branch house didn't dream of breaking free from their cages, soaring freely in the sky?
Unfortunately, such a reality was too distant.
Since the creation of the Caged Bird Curse Seal, all members of the Hyuga clan knew there was only one solution: death.
"The Hyuga clan, in the end, is a clan of dojutsu like the Uchiha clan, with most secret techniques relying on their own Kekkei genkai." Kiyoshi said calmly.
The Hyuga clan's main feature isn't curse seals, their entire skill tree is focused on Gentle Fist.
Only the Uzumaki clan had some connection, possessing not only vast life force but also world-renowned sealing techniques.
The so-called specialization of skills meant that since the Hyuga clan wasn't a professional curse seal clan, the curse seals they used weren't impossible to undo.
However, since the curse seal was implanted from a young age, it had long become integrated with the person over time.
If it is activated, the brain and eyes, the carrier of the curse seal, would be immediately destroyed.
Therefore, it was difficult to find suitable research materials in the ninja world.
The Hyuga clan, though seemingly weak, wasn't a pushover for just anyone to manipulate.
These were the biggest reasons why the Caged Bird Curse Seal hadn't been cracked until now.
But now that Kiyoshi had arrived, things were different.
With Mōryō's power, and his own talent, doing these things weren't difficult.
"As long as it's a technique, there's a way to solve it."
Kiyoshi's hand suddenly reached behind Natsu's head, putting the headband she had taken off back on.
"You... aren't you afraid I'll tell others?" Natsu was stunned.
Kiyoshi's actions were tantamount to a challenge to the Hyuga clan.
Even if he is from the Uchiha clan, once the clan leader finds out, he will do everything possible to pressure the Uchiha to hand over Kiyoshi.
The two major clans might engage in internal strife during this sensitive time of war.
"Yeah, I have to take extra precautions." Kiyoshi said calmly.
A scarlet flash appeared in his eyes, and his pupil power poured out.
His pupil power had been increasing steadily during this time. It was already mostly full.
Controlling a small Natsu was not a problem.
Kiyoshi implanted a suggestion in Natsu that she couldn't tell anyone.
He poured a lot of pupil power into her at once to ensure the duration of the genjutsu.
This was the only weakness of the Sharingan's genjutsu. It was necessary to infuse pupil power into the person under the genjutsu from time to time.
Otherwise, once the pupil power is exhausted, the effect of the genjutsu will disappear.
Natsu's eyes turned empty for a moment, then returned to clarity.
She immediately realized that Kiyoshi had cast a genjutsu on her.
However, Natsu didn't feel repulsed. On the contrary, she felt a sense of relief.
At least it meant that Kiyoshi wouldn't harm her.
"So... what exactly does Kiyoshi-san want?"
Natsu asked cautiously, lowering her eyebrows.
The temptation to break free from the Caged Bird Curse Seal was indeed great, but it depended on what she had to give in return.
Kiyoshi smiled slightly and took out a black blindfold.
"Well... some academic exchange, perhaps." Kiyoshi said indifferently.
When the power of the Uchiha and Senju are combined, it can create all things.
What if the Uchiha and Hyuga are combined?
Natsu glanced at the black blindfold, biting her lip without speaking.
Before coming, she had indeed considered how she would face Kiyoshi if he made such a request.
But now, besides the punishment from Ginka, there was also a temptation that made Natsu hesitate.
Without a doubt, the curse seal had loosened a bit. Natsu could clearly sense this.
So... what should she do?
In her hesitation, Natsu remembered Kiyoshi's disdain for the Caged Bird in the past and Ginka's various abusive actions.
She hated that dead, oppressive life like a stagnant pool of water.
Even if it was just for a moment, she wanted to feel a fleeting glimpse of freedom.
Kiyoshi caught the tangled look on Natsu's face, and the smile on his face grew stronger.
"Go close the tent flaps." Kiyoshi said.
Natsu was silent, lowering her head and doing as Kiyoshi ordered.
After returning, Kiyoshi had her put on the black blindfold.
"I heard that the Hyuga clan's Byakugan can see through objects, but relying on the Byakugan will decrease hearing ability. As classmates, I want to help Natsu-san become stronger." Kiyoshi smiled.
"Is... is that so?"
Natsu looked up at the blindfold in Kiyoshi's hand. Honestly, she didn't know what it was for.
If she wanted to, her Byakugan could penetrate this layer of cloth at any time.
As for Kiyoshi's explanation, Natsu felt that something was strange.
Looking at Natsu's apprehensive expression, Kiyoshi couldn't help but shake his head.
Too lazy!
Do ninjas only need to train because they have the desire to become stronger?
Of course not.
They must maintain the necessary training every day. Otherwise, their spirit will become lazy and their body will become dull.
If Natsu is like this, how can the Uchiha and Hyuga combine?
She probably won't be able to bear it for long before collapsing.
"Alright..."
Natsu put on the black blindfold obediently, standing uneasily.
After speaking, she could feel the sound of the wind moving. Then she was adjusted to face one end of the tent flaps.
Since they were going to train, the kind Kiyoshi summoned the behemoth to conduct customized and specialized training.
"Ugh..."
...
"Finally done."
Tetsu was panting heavily, but the energy in his heart pushed him to stand up.
"Homura, remember to tell me when the inspectors come."
Tetsu left these words and hurried towards Natsu's direction.
"That kid."
Homura shook his head.
He stretched, wondering when this day would end.
When there was nothing to do, they acted as logistics personnel here, and when something happened, they needed to go to the front line immediately.
This wandering, completely unseen future made Homura unable to see any hope.
"Haaa."
…
Time passed minute by minute.
Kiyoshi carefully observed what was different between the Hyuga and Uchiha.
Sometimes he would dispatch the behemoth to use its unique abilities to invade Natsu's chakra pathway system and explore the movement trajectory of her chakra.
To Kiyoshi's surprise, Natsu had a good talent for Water Release ninjutsu.
In just a short while, she could comprehend secret Water Release without a teacher.
Perhaps it was because Natsu didn't expect that she could learn techniques other than Gentle Fist, she was moved to tears.
Tears fell on the ground that had already become wet.
Kiyoshi was expressionless, strictly telling Natsu which routes along the chakra pathway system to take.
At this moment, the outline of a pair of hands appeared on the surface of the tent. It was imprinted on the outside of the tent, slightly raised.