"Kitazawa."
Konan saw him return and immediately rose to her feet.
"Sit," Kitazawa said as he walked over. "I need to think. Don't disturb me."
Konan understood at once. She sat down and gently guided his head onto her lap.
Kitazawa closed his eyes, his thoughts fully immersed in figuring out how to replace the Caged Bird Seal.
Summer vacation slipped by quickly, and before anyone realized it, a new semester had begun.
After breakfast, Kitazawa arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Many students of the Genius Class were already training.
He headed toward another training ground—one filled with wooden stakes, normally used for throwing weapons practice.
During the summer break, however, it had effectively become the exclusive training ground of Neji and Hinata.
Kitazawa stood quietly and observed.
Neji was practicing Multiple Arrows, while Hinata focused on Explosive Arrow.
Hinata's progress was noticeably faster.
After all, Multiple Arrows demanded an absurd level of control—reaching the stage of firing ten thousand arrows simultaneously was no simple task.
Once Hinata mastered Explosive Arrow completely, she would naturally move on to Multiple Arrows.
"Neji, come here," Kitazawa called.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Neji immediately stowed his bow and walked over. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," Kitazawa replied, shaking his head.
Neji froze for a moment.
"Stand still."
Kitazawa raised a hand, stopping just a centimeter in front of Neji's forehead.
Though confused, Neji complied.
The next instant, he felt a stream of chakra flow into his forehead.
It circulated several times inside his head.
Neji's confusion deepened.
Is something wrong with my brain…?
"It seems about right," Kitazawa murmured, nodding to himself.
He had spent an entire week researching how to replace the Caged Bird Seal.
Judging by this reaction, his method was correct.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Neji asked cautiously, "what are you doing?"
"You'll find out soon," Kitazawa said lightly. "Don't rush."
He extended both hands.
A far denser surge of chakra poured into Neji's head, flooding his senses.
Neji instinctively frowned.
There was no pain—but his body resisted on instinct.
If Kitazawa made even the slightest mistake now, the result could range from permanent brain damage to instant death.
A soft gasp escaped Neji's lips.
He felt movement near his eye sockets.
Kitazawa's chakra threaded through the area like strands of silk—terrifyingly delicate.
What… is this?
Neji wanted to ask, but held his tongue, forcing himself to endure.
Half an hour later, the chakra finally withdrew.
"That was exhausting," Kitazawa exhaled.
It felt less like ninjutsu and more like completing a complex surgical operation.
But that was only natural.
The Caged Bird Seal was an S-rank technique of extreme difficulty—so complex that it had resisted analysis for over a thousand years.
Without the system's assistance and the improved seal as a reference, even Kitazawa would have been helpless.
"Neji," Kitazawa said with a smile, "activate your Byakugan."
Neji was startled but obeyed immediately.
The moment his Byakugan activated, his breath caught.
Neji slowly lifted his head, staring at Kitazawa in disbelief.
There was no doubt.
Whatever Kitazawa had done during that half hour… it had rewritten something fundamental.
Neji had always believed the Caged Bird Seal was immutable.
Even when Kitazawa had once asked him to consider cracking it, Neji had treated it as nothing more than wishful thinking.
Yet now—
"It worked," Kitazawa said calmly. "How does the improved Caged Bird Seal feel?"
"Kitazawa-sensei…" Neji asked hoarsely, "How did you do this?"
"Luck," Kitazawa replied with a wink. "I just did a little research."
"…"
Neji was rendered speechless.
"The Main Family can no longer control you."
"…What?"
Neji froze.
More than his father's death, it was the seal itself—the fact that his life could be ended with a thought—that had fueled his hatred of the Main Family.
And now he was being told that control no longer existed.
The notion was so overwhelming that he couldn't tell if it was real.
"Kitazawa-sensei…"
It took him a long moment to recover. "This… this matter…"
He stopped, unsure how to continue.
"I know," Kitazawa said gently, reading his expression. "If you're free, attend the Hyūga Clan's next clan meeting."
Neji understood immediately.
Hiashi and the others were already moving.
"Go on," Kitazawa said, turning away. "Continue your training."
His goal had been achieved.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Neji bowed deeply, gratitude filling his voice.
Kitazawa nodded and left.
Neji tightened his grip on his bow.
He hadn't expected freedom to arrive so suddenly.
From this day forward, the Caged Bird Seal could no longer bind him.
Standing there, Neji felt something shift deep within him—a newfound clarity, confidence, and resolve.
Elsewhere, Kitazawa found a quiet spot and resumed practicing Wood Release.
Just before noon, Konan appeared before him.
"What is it?"
Kitazawa stopped his training and looked up.
"Asuma Sarutobi is looking for you," Konan replied.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
So… news about Mukade.
He nodded and headed straight for the ANBU office.
"Kitazawa."
Asuma stood as soon as he saw him and handed over a scroll. "This is everything we've gathered on Mukade."
"Thanks."
Kitazawa accepted it.
"It's nothing," Asuma waved it off, then frowned slightly. "But I'm curious—why are you interested in an ordinary Sand jōnin like him?"
By any measure, Mukade was painfully unremarkable.
"The situation hasn't been fully confirmed yet," Kitazawa replied vaguely.
Asuma didn't push. "Alright. If you need anything else, come find me."
"Mhm."
Kitazawa took the scroll and returned to his rarely used office—the one assigned to him as the Hokage's secretary.
He sat down and unrolled the scroll.
Just as expected, Mukade was still an active shinobi of Sunagakure and had not defected.
According to the original timeline, Mukade would later discover the Dragon Vein, rush to Rōran, and break the seal left behind by Minato.
Naruto and the others would then accidentally activate the Dragon Vein, triggering the time slip.
Mukade, however, was absurdly lucky.
He arrived several years earlier than Naruto's group, assumed the identity of Anrokuzan, and became a high-ranking minister of Rōran.
Yes—Anrokuzan.
A name that sounded suspiciously out of place.
After gaining power, he used the Dragon Vein to create a massive puppet army.
Kitazawa leaned back, deep in thought.
Looks like I'll have to guide him… just like I did with Yomi.
The plan was simple: inform Mukade of the Dragon Vein in advance.
Directly controlling him and forcing the seal open was tempting—but the butterfly effect could be disastrous.
Guidance was safer.
Mukade would do the work himself.
Kitazawa wasn't in a hurry.
For now, the Hyūga Clan and Kimimaro's system mission took priority.
Besides, the most suitable person to guide Mukade was Itachi.
Unfortunately, Itachi was currently in the Hidden Mist Village.
I'll wait until he returns.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin.
If awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan weren't so difficult…
Then he wouldn't have to rely solely on Itachi.
Sasuke was still too young.
Izumi, though close in age to Itachi, lacked the necessary talent.
As for the rest of the Uchiha—he barely knew them.
He shook his head and dropped the thought.
September arrived.
Konoha remained peaceful—but within the Hyūga Clan, undercurrents stirred.
Unlike the Uchiha, who held meetings at the Naka Shrine, the Hyūga Clan gathered in a massive conference hall within their compound.
Nine in the morning.
Hyūga Neji arrived on time.
Ordinarily, only officially registered shinobi could attend clan meetings.
But Neji was Hizashi's son—and a prodigy.
He was granted special permission.
"Neji."
Hizashi noticed him and gestured. "Over here."
"Thank you."
Neji took the seat beside him.
"I heard you defeated Hizashi," Iroha said curiously.
The Genius Class final exam had been closed to most observers.
Though he was a jōnin, Iroha hadn't been invited.
Still, the results had spread like wildfire.
"I won using ninja tools," Neji replied calmly. "Nothing more."
"A win is a win," Hizashi said with a chuckle. "Tools are strength too."
Iroha leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"So… between you and Hinata, who's stronger?"
Neji thought for a moment. "Overall? About equal."
Their Gentle Fist, archery, timing—everything was close.
Every spar ended with the same result: one side losing by a hair's breadth.
"Then work harder," Iroha said, patting his shoulder. "Beat her."
"…?"
Neji blinked in confusion.
"Iroha, why are you pushing him like this?" Hizashi sighed.
He understood Iroha's thinking.
With the improved Caged Bird Seal, the distinction between Main and Branch Houses would vanish.
The next Clan Head would be decided by merit alone.
But Hizashi felt that was too simplistic.
In his eyes, the real deciding factor wasn't Neji or Hinata—It was Kitazawa.
Their teacher.
And the future Hokage.
Just then, a ripple of noise swept through the hall.
Neji looked up—and froze.
Kitazawa-sensei?
Though he was a high-ranking figure in Konoha, he wasn't a member of the Hyūga Clan.
Why was he here?
Neji's mind raced.
The improved Caged Bird Seal…
Realization struck.
This clan meeting was going to shake the Hyūga Clan to its core.
"What's with the noise?"
Hyūga Hiashi's voice cut through the room. "Quiet."
"Hiashi," an elderly man—around seventy—spoke up slowly.
"What exactly is this about?"
He was Hyūga Teikyo.
"Elder Teikyo,"
Hiashi said calmly, "Today's clan meeting concerns Kitazawa, so we invited him to observe."
"Observe what?"
Teikyo frowned, irritation plain on his face. "Why wasn't I informed?"
"The matter arose suddenly," Hiashi replied evenly. "I hadn't yet had the chance."
Kitazawa's gaze flicked briefly toward Teikyo.
"Since everyone is present," he said lightly, "shall we begin?"
Teikyo's unease deepened, though he kept silent.
He was an elder of the Main House.
As long as he hadn't erred, even Kitazawa had no right to touch him.
"There is only one topic for today's meeting."
Hiashi announced, addressing the gathered clan members.
Several Branch House jōnin—already aware of what was coming—couldn't hide their anticipation.
"The improvement of the Caged Bird Seal."
"Hiashi!"
Teikyo shot to his feet. "Do you realize what you're saying?!"
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Those who hadn't been informed exchanged stunned looks.
"Elder Teikyo," Hiashi asked calmly, "what is the original purpose of the Caged Bird Seal?"
"To protect the Byakugan," Teikyo replied without hesitation.
The unspoken truth—control—remained buried.
"Exactly," Hiashi nodded. "Then let it retain only that purpose."
Teikyo stared at him as though seeing a stranger.
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"I am perfectly clearheaded."
Hiashi produced a scroll. "With Kitazawa's assistance, the Caged Bird Seal has been successfully improved."
"…?!"
Teikyo's eyes snapped to Kitazawa before he snatched the scroll and unfurled it.
As he read, his pupils shrank violently.
The Caged Bird Seal—modified?
Stripped of its control?
Reduced to pure protection?
Kitazawa's reputation as a ninjutsu innovator was legendary—but this?
"I refuse!"
Teikyo roared. "The Caged Bird Seal has endured for a thousand years! Even you, as Clan Head, have no authority to change it!"
"If I lack authority," Hiashi replied coolly, "then does the clan as a whole?"
Teikyo's grip tightened. "What do you mean?"
"We will hold a clan vote," Hiashi declared.
"If more than half agree, the improved seal will be implemented."
For a heartbeat, the room was silent.
Then—
"I agree!"
Hizashi leapt to his feet.
The floodgates burst open.
Voices followed—loud, emotional, unanimous.
"I agree!"
"Absolutely!"
"It's time!"
"This is madness!" Teikyo shouted, but his protest was drowned beneath the roar.
Cold panic crept into his chest.
This had been planned.
And he was the only one left in the dark.
Hiashi raised his hand.
Silence fell.
"Elder Teikyo," he said evenly, "the minority submits to the majority. Do you object?"
"You are destroying the Main House!"
Teikyo snarled.
"There will no longer be a Main House or Branch House," Hiashi replied.
"Only the Hyūga Clan."
"The Clan Head is right!"
Hizashi and the others shouted.
"Silence!"
Teikyo bellowed, fury twisting his face.
"You were born to the Branch family—and you will die the same! I'll remind you of your place!"
His hand snapped into a familiar seal.
The Branch House jōnin felt their hearts seize.
The activation sign.
"Elder Teikyo."
Kitazawa caught his wrist effortlessly.
"Do you know the penalty for attacking fellow shinobi of Konoha?"
"This is Hyūga business!"
Teikyo spat. "You have no right to interfere!"
"You're senile," Kitazawa said flatly.
Crack.
Bone shattered.
Teikyo screamed, clutching his ruined hand.
"You all saw it," Kitazawa said calmly. "He struck first."
No one disagreed.
Many of them had waited years—decades—for this moment.
"Die!"
Teikyo lunged blindly.
Kitazawa turned, seized him—
Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!
Roots and vines erupted from Kitazawa's arm, surging along Teikyo's body and binding him instantly.
"That's… Wood Release?"
Iroha whispered, eyes wide.
Even Hizashi stared in awe.
They knew Teikyo's strength—yet he had been utterly crushed.
"Hyūga Teikyo," Kitazawa said coldly.
"You have assaulted multiple shinobi and attacked me repeatedly. Under Konoha law, you are under arrest."
He glanced at Hiashi.
"Clan Head?"
"As head of ANBU, this falls under your authority," Hiashi replied without hesitation.
"Traitors!"
Teikyo screamed as ANBU appeared and dragged him away.
"You've betrayed the Main House!"
The doors slammed shut.
Silence reclaimed the hall.
The Branch House members felt as though they were trapped in a dream.
First—the Caged Bird Seal.
Then—Teikyo's arrest.
Impossible things, made real.
"Next," Kitazawa said calmly,
"I will replace your seals."
He formed hand signs.
Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Twenty clones appeared.
[System Mission: Help the Hyūga Branch Family replace the Caged Bird Seal]
[Mission Complete]
[Reward: 20% Byakugan Purity]
[Byakugan Purity: 80%]
[Special Ability Unlocked—Byakugan: Pressure]
[Byakugan: Pressure]
[Emits overwhelming pressure through the Byakugan, stunning surrounding targets]
[Effectiveness varies by target strength and mental resistance]
Kitazawa exhaled softly.
A new ability…
His mind immediately flashed to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Like Byakugan: Puppet Control, this was another divine-tier technique—perfect for overwhelming weaker opponents.
Knocking out a crowd with a single glance?
…That was undeniably satisfying.
Now, he thought, if only I could activate the Byakugan without visible signs.
He wondered when the system would decide to grant him that mission.
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