"Food chain… what a cruel word."
Orochimaru stretched out his tongue, licking his lips. Suddenly a thought struck him, and he turned his head toward Hyuga Hizashi, asking,
"Hizashi, the Caged Bird was first made for protection. Why create a division between main and branch houses instead of putting it on everyone?"
Hizashi's stiff face showed a hint of hesitation. After a moment, he finally said,
"Only the main house has the ability to place the Caged Bird seal. No matter what, one person will always remain outside it. But the children of the branch house must have it carved in. Otherwise, when they reach a certain age, their Byakugan will be destroyed by chakra inherited from the previous generation…"
At this point Hizashi's face twisted with unwillingness and shame. Becoming branch family meant not only himself but also his children would carry on the fate of the Caged Bird.
Orochimaru, however, nodded. As an outsider, his view was calmer and clearer than Hizashi's. In fact, he felt a kind of admiration for the Hyuga ancestor who created the seal.
Setting aside the main house's control, the Caged Bird truly did offer complete protection for the branch house—both for the Byakugan bloodline and for their offspring.
Especially the latter. If the Byakugan were obtainable, kunoichi from other villages would hardly mind sacrificing themselves to breed that power.
Orochimaru guessed the Caged Bird directly acted on the soul through chakra—a soul-based ninjutsu, extremely advanced and worth studying.
"But the Caged Bird is too flawless, leaving almost no weakness. It blocks every other path for the branch house. Hizashi's wish really is a troublesome one."
Orochimaru glanced at Hizashi. Sharing part of Genie's power, he could see the glowing orb of Hizashi's wish inside him slowly dimming.
He turned back to Genie. "I really can't solve this. Do you have a better way?"
"No way."
Genie shrugged. "It's like 'world peace'—too big, too messy, too impossible to maintain. As a Genie, I never take these kinds of wishes."
"Then what do we do? Didn't you say Hizashi's wish could cancel out mine?"
"Simple. Have him change his wish. What do you think I am, bored enough to let you crush him like this for no reason?"
"…"
Night deepened. Cold moonlight fell over the fortress like silver frost.
Hearing Genie's words, Orochimaru spread his mouth into a grin, licking his lips as he let out a sinister laugh. He repeated himself,
"Hizashi, I won't perform the body enhancement surgery on you."
Hizashi lifted his head, blank eyes rippling with confusion and a hint of anger.
Yes, he already knew Orochimaru wouldn't do it, but why say it again now? Even if you are one of the Sannin, mocking people like this will come back to you someday.
"But I don't think you wanted the surgery just to get stronger."
Orochimaru smiled, his tone certain. "You wanted it because of the main house's attitude. You wanted to break free from the fate of the branch family."
Hizashi's body trembled, hope flaring again in his eyes. Could it be that Orochimaru intended to help him?
After the war with Kumogakure, Hizashi had seen more clearly what Orochimaru was capable of. He knew that if Orochimaru ever turned his hand against the Hyuga clan, it would be a massacre.
Gentle Fist? Taijutsu? Against Orochimaru's giant white serpent form, they were useless.
If Orochimaru really offered help, the situation of the branch family would surely improve.
"I can't help you. Once the Caged Bird is carved, there's no escaping the main house's control."
Hizashi froze, instinctively reaching toward his forehead protector—only to hear Orochimaru continue, "But I've heard you have a son."
"Thirty-five million ryo can't change your fate. But your son's might."
Neji!
A chill ran through Hizashi's heart like a bucket of cold water poured from above. He jerked his head up. "Orochimaru-sama, you have a way to protect Neji?"
In Orochimaru's sight, the orb of light inside Hizashi shone brighter than ever, glowing more fiercely than before.
"Is it really that easy? Can someone's wish be changed just like that?"
On the surface, Orochimaru smiled and nodded at Hizashi, but in his mind, he asked Genie.
Earlier, Genie used himself as an example to stress how high the standard was for granting wishes. But now, seeing it change so quickly, Orochimaru couldn't help but wonder.
"Of course, it's not that simple. Letting Neji escape the 'Caged Bird' is an extension of Hizashi's previous wish, so they're directly connected."
Genie sighed. "After all, people are not the kind to give up hope. If they lose it in one area, they'll try to make up for it in another."
Using Hyuga Hizashi as an example, that view on human nature sounded pretty convincing.
Orochimaru didn't respond right away. He looked at Hizashi with a sly smile. "I do have a way, but first, I need to see how talented your son is, and if he's worth the trouble."
There's no such thing as a free favor, and Orochimaru knew that well. Even if all he wanted was Hizashi's wish, he still needed a proper reason.
And taking on a gifted Byakugan disciple was clearly the easiest excuse for others to accept.
"But… Neji isn't even two yet."
Hizashi looked troubled. How could anyone tell talent from a child that young?
"That's between you and your son. Our agreement only lasts until he's marked with the 'Caged Bird.'"
Orochimaru gave a nasty grin. "Of course, there's another way I could do this right now. Want to try it?"
Hizashi shivered. He could feel the danger in Orochimaru's words and quickly said, "I'll make sure to teach Neji well."
"Good. Thirty-five million ryo. Once I change your child's fate, I'll collect it."
"…"
Hizashi walked away with heavy steps. Orochimaru turned to Genie. "I can't help but feel that you could've granted Hizashi's original wish."
"So what? The wishes I hate the most are those long, annoying ones."
Genie paused, then smirked. "Selfish wishes are easier to fulfill. They're more complete, and the feedback from them is better. Why wouldn't I choose that?"
Orochimaru stayed silent for a moment, then nodded.
Since he was the one carrying out the wish, he naturally wanted it to be as simple as possible.
"So, can you grant my second wish now?"
Orochimaru finally asked. He had been looking forward to seeing the Pure Land for a long time.
"No. Not until you pay your debt."
Genie turned him down without hesitation. "This is still a trick of the evil gods. I don't want you to become dependent on it."
"As for reaching the Pure Land, besides the Spirit Transformation Technique, you could try other jutsu."
"For example, Edo Tensei. I've heard it can also let you communicate with spirits from the Pure Land."
Orochimaru froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
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