In that instant, Hyūga Hizashi felt boundless gratitude toward Kageyama Kogetsu.
Compared to freeing Neji from the Caged Bird, making him Main House, and ensuring his descendants would also be Main House, what was one life?
If it could truly be done, not to mention a single death—let him die over and over, let his soul be scattered—what of it?
He had to seize this, perhaps the only chance in Neji's life to change his fate.
He would grasp it at any cost, even if it meant tearing his face with his elder brother, even if it meant making a spectacle of things, even if it meant shaming the Hyūga.
Perfect—Kogetsu was here. Even if his brother or other Main House members flew into a rage, they would not dare act.
Right—he needed insurance for Neji.
If after his death they treated Neji poorly, or reneged, or buckled under pressure from the Main House, that would be disastrous.
Hizashi's mind had never felt so clear. A mountain of fatherly love pushed his wits to their peak.
He dropped to his knees.
"Brother, if we do as Lord Kogetsu has said, I will die willingly, without regret, with endless gratitude!"
He bowed prostrate until his brow touched the floor.
Hiashi's temples pounded.
According to his wife's suggestion, being kinder to Neji was no issue.
But adopting him, turning Branch into Main, and removing the Caged Bird—each step was bigger than the last, harder than the last.
Damn that Kageyama Kogetsu for proposing this.
Trouble—utter trouble.
Seeing Hizashi like this, if he refused, there would be no way but to tear their bond and force him to die.
As furious as he was, Hiashi could not show it.
If he showed it, what would Hizashi, Kageyama, and the Konoha leadership think?
He was pinned to the wall.
Deeds are judged, not hearts. He could not show his true feelings.
"Stand up, Hizashi."
"Not unless Brother agrees."
"…"
"Very well… adopting Neji is no great problem. I like the boy."
His wife would likely quarrel with him—this threatened Hinata's present and any future children's position.
"Turning a Branch into the Main House will be extremely difficult, but if we go all out, it isn't impossible."
Kageyama smiled and pressed the point. "To resolve this crisis quickly, I believe the Hokage will gladly support elevating Neji from Branch to Main."
"I'll state my stance first. I support it."
"I may not be Hyūga by blood, but I do have the Byakugan. Let's call me half a clansman."
"…"
Enough already. I'm cursed.
"Thank you, Lord Kogetsu!"
Still pressed to the floor, Hizashi shuffled and bowed to Kageyama as well.
"All right, the first two conditions aren't a big problem, but the third I truly cannot do."
"It isn't that I'm dodging it. When our forebears created the Caged Bird, they never designed a release," Hiashi said, troubled.
Hizashi's body slackened. He sagged to the floor.
If the Caged Bird could not be removed, he would always be under another's hand. At most he would be half a Main House member.
Neither Main nor Branch—an awkward place pleasing neither side.
Kageyama smiled again. "When I first obtained the Byakugan I studied your clan. I know the basics of the Caged Bird."
"I believe Clan Head Hiashi speaks truly."
"But the fact no method was developed before does not mean we can't develop one now."
"Don't flinch from difficulty. No technique in this world is flawless."
Even the Reaper Death Seal had a workaround found by Orochimaru.
Even if the Caged Bird binds the body and the soul, it isn't beyond release.
In the Fourth War, when Hizashi returned, the mark was still on his brow, yet Hiashi did not trigger it.
Was it shame, or did Edo Tensei's control override it?
"After this matter, the Hyūga can begin research at once."
"Don't worry, I know what you're about to say."
"You'll say the Caged Bird protects the Byakugan from theft."
"…"
Are you a worm in my belly?
This man knew the Hyūga too well. Had he always been watching?
As an enemy he would be hard to deal with. Unlike the snake Orochimaru, he was an eagle.
A snake's venom takes time. An eagle kills in one strike.
"If that's your concern, then improve the Caged Bird."
"Remove the life-and-death control and keep only the Byakugan-protection."
"Improving is easier than breaking. It will be simpler to achieve."
Hizashi's gratitude deepened. This truly considered him and Neji. It was highly feasible.
"Please, Brother, grant this."
"If you do, even in the Pure Land I will pray for you, my sister-in-law, and my niece."
Hizashi remained bowed low, at once humble and forceful, pressing Hiashi into a corner with no room to maneuver.
"With things said this far, what else can I say?"
"I can only agree," Hiashi answered with a helpless smile and a trace of grievance.
"Thank you, Brother. Thank you!"
"For Neji's adoption, this is momentous. I want the Hokage and the senior leadership to witness it," Hizashi said from his prostrate pose, head still down.
Hiashi's face darkened.
So he did not trust him, and wanted Konoha's leaders to witness it.
Since he was going to die, and for Neji's sake, he no longer cared for propriety.
Kageyama's brows lifted. He smiled broadly.
That was a sharp move, beyond his expectations.
"As you wish," Hiashi said after a long breath.
"Lastly, I want a deadline for researching the removal of the control function of the Caged Bird."
"Ten years. At most ten. By then Neji will be grown to the age to leave shelter and spread his wings."
"As you wish," Hiashi said, expressionless.
"Thank you, Brother."
"When I see our father and mother in the Pure Land, I will tell them how good you were."
Oh, appealing to the ancestors—Kageyama had not even thought of that. Hizashi had moves.
He nodded inwardly. Hizashi, too, was a genius—especially now, awakened.
Neji was a genius, and in the war when the brothers crossed hands, Hizashi had not been outmatched.
Hiashi's brow twitched. His feelings were complicated.
With such moves in succession, had Hizashi been born a little earlier, perhaps he would have been more suited to lead the Hyūga.
"Sigh… give them my regards."
"I will. I will."
Hizashi was elated, unafraid of death.
"Lord Kogetsu, I have one last shameless request. I hope you will accept."
"Say it. I don't know if I can."
Given their relationship, he felt he had already done more than enough. He could refuse with an easy heart.
And even if not easy, so be it. He was not a man who chased after easy hearts.
"I ask that Lord Kogetsu take my son as a disciple. Please grant this."
"…"
Still more?
Endless tricks?
I am truly beset by a pack of hounds.
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