Hyūga Miwa offered a few comforting words, then rose and returned to her study to write a letter.
Though she was of the Main House, she had no face to say such things to Hyūga Hizashi directly.
After finishing, she sent a personal maid to deliver it.
Seeing the guest off, Hizashi went back to his room, opened the letter with a puzzled heart, and his face quickly went deathly pale.
To make it foolproof, Miwa had avoided the tone of an order, mostly speaking of the Branch family's duty, pleading, making promises, yet within those promises lurked a threat.
So long as Hizashi died in Hiashi's place, they would take good care of Neji. If he refused, what would become of Neji?
Hizashi swayed where he stood. Tears shimmered in his eyes and bitterness welled up in his heart.
He did not know if this was solely his sister-in-law's will or if both his elder brother and sister-in-law agreed, but it no longer mattered.
Duty as Branch Family, the bond of brothers—these were secondary. For Neji's sake, he had to die.
Poor Neji. His mother had passed away when he was very young. Only today—no, yesterday—had the Caged Bird seal been branded on him, and soon he would lose his father as well.
With no father to hold up the home, left alone, how hard would his days become.
Miwa said they would care for Neji from now on, but who can know the future.
She was not worth trusting. Was his elder brother?
He had no choice. Neji, you must live well.
Thinking this, Hizashi could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down as he crushed the letter in his hand.
After a long time he steadied himself, tidied his appearance, and went to Neji's room.
He sat by the bed like a statue, simply looking, until dawn, until Neji woke.
"Father, why are you here?" Neji rubbed his sleepy eyes, a smile on his handsome little face.
"You're up early. I came to check on you. Get ready, I'll make breakfast," Hizashi said with a smile unlike his usual sternness.
"Yes, Father." So young, Neji sensed nothing amiss and answered obediently.
Hizashi went to the kitchen and carefully prepared an abundant breakfast.
After they ate slowly together and cleaned up, he set off with a heavy heart for Hyūga Hiashi's residence.
Because the brothers had once been close, Hizashi could enter without announcement.
Hiashi had drunk himself senseless the night before and had not yet woken, so Hizashi sat in the sitting room to wait.
Before long, Kageyama Kogetsu entered with a servant guiding him.
Kageyama had come as Hiruzen Sarutobi's representative to apply pressure.
Kumogakure's envoy had been pressing Konoha without letup, so Konoha's leadership pressed Hiashi in turn.
As for why Kageyama came, first, Hiruzen believed the now famous Kageyama's presence carried immense deterrent force.
He had crossed blades with the long-renowned Third Tsuchikage Onoki on the front and withdrawn intact. Whether at the front or back in Konoha, this was a propaganda windfall—intimidate other powers, sap Iwagakure's morale, and prove Konoha's new generation was rising, three birds with one stone.
Second, because of old frictions, Hiruzen wanted Kageyama to seize the chance to "play the topic" and vent some anger.
The private struggle between the Hyūga clan and Kageyama was unknown to Hiruzen.
"Kogetsu." Hizashi stood and bowed slightly.
"No need to be so polite, Hizashi-senpai," Kageyama said with a pleasant look.
Times had changed. On the Kirigakure front he had been the one to bow; now the roles were reversed.
"It's the respect you deserve," Hizashi said gravely.
He too felt a pang. In just a few years a former subordinate had risen so far he could scarcely see the backdrop.
"We're old acquaintances. Sit, no need for ceremony," Kageyama said with a wave.
"Did you come to see Clan Head Hiashi about something?"
"Yes."
"Then you may have to wait a bit."
"I'm in no hurry. You first, Kogetsu."
After a few moments of small talk, Hiashi, still feeling the aftermath of his hangover, hurried in.
Seeing Hizashi, he forced an unnatural smile, then looked at the uninvited Kageyama.
"What brings you, Kogetsu?"
Kageyama spread his hands and smiled. "What else could it be?"
"I'm here on behalf of Konoha and the Hokage to urge you along."
"Kumo's pushing hard. The pressure on us is heavy."
Hiashi sat and sighed. "I'll resolve it as soon as possible."
"What a mess—kill a would-be intruder and somehow we have to take responsibility."
Kageyama, sounding likewise displeased, joined the gripe. "It is exasperating."
"But Kumo is far stronger than the Hyūga. They have no need to speak reason or sentiment."
"The Hokage and the others are weighing the economy, the military, the mood of the shinobi. They don't want to keep fighting."
"And your behavior yesterday really did fail to give any face."
"I'm not afraid to keep clashing with Kumo, but unfortunately I don't make the decisions."
"Circumstance rules men," Hiashi said after a pause.
"Do what you can to smooth things over for me, Kogetsu. I'll remember the favor."
Kageyama was about to answer when Hizashi rose and spoke first. "There's already a solution."
"Brother, use my life to calm this crisis for you, for the Hyūga, for Konoha."
Hiashi jolted, staring at him in shock. "How did you…"
So Miwa had gone to him. The bond between brothers was not so deep that he would volunteer to die.
Kageyama was surprised as well. He had killed the former Great Elder of the Main House, yet Hizashi still could not escape fate.
Was it the new elders' idea, or someone else's?
Thinking on the Hyūga system, such a solution seemed all too typical.
"Brother, say no more. It's the simplest and most effective way."
"No. How can I let my own brother die in my place?" Hiashi sprang up, face tight with anguish.
Kageyama had no interest in a display of brotherly affection. His eyes rolled once as he gave his view.
"To be fair, what Hizashi-senpai proposes is indeed the simplest and most effective."
"It will make Konoha look weak, but as I said, neither I nor you nor anyone here decides."
"Kogetsu, you…" Hiashi's face flushed red, agitation rising.
"Let me finish." Kageyama's expression turned stern and he pressed his hand down.
"If you can't think of another solution, then this is the only one."
"I know you feel guilty, but guilt won't solve the problem."
"From now on, treat Hizashi's son—your own nephew—as your own son."
"I suggest you formally take your nephew as your adopted son."
"And since he would be an adopted son, his status and treatment must match."
"Best would be to abolish your Hyūga Caged Bird seal and turn the Branch House into the Main House."
Neji, I can only follow the current and help you this far today.
In my past life watching the show, Neji's death was my greatest regret.
I've broken free in this world; I can at least lend a hand to someone even more shackled than I was.
Hiashi froze, stunned.
An adopted son has inheritance rights.
If the Caged Bird were abolished and the Branch became Main, there would be virtually no difference from a blood son.
Though the Hyūga had no method to remove the Caged Bird—the ancestors had never designed a release.
Hizashi's face lit with joy. White eyes flashed, as if a new world's door had swung open.
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