The small road stretched ahead, winding beneath the quiet glow of the moon. The night air carried the fresh fragrance of grass, while a gentle May breeze caressed the earth.
Standing in the silver light, Uchiha Hayashi gradually let the smile fade from his face.
"Speak. What do you want from me, Himeji Hyuga?"
Himeji lowered her gaze. "Do you know about the Hyuga Main House and the Branch House?"
As expected, it was about this.
The Hyuga clan, descendants of the Otsutsuki, had long preserved ancient traditions. Yet with time, those traditions twisted into deep-rooted conflicts. If left unresolved, they would eventually erupt into disaster.
The current struggle was centered on the Main House and Branch House.
Hayashi's knowledge of the Hyuga clan was limited to what he had read in the manga, but he still gave her his full attention.
"I'm listening," he said seriously.
Himeji spoke slowly. "The Hyuga clan is an ancient family. The Byakugan is renowned as one of the three great dōjutsu. But it is different from your clan's Sharingan.
"During the Warring States Period, many tried to transplant the Sharingan, but most failed. Without Uchiha blood, the power couldn't be fully wielded. Worse, the rejection often damaged the user's body.
"But the Byakugan is different. A complete Byakugan can be transplanted and used without such rejection."
Hayashi recalled the Kirigakure shinobi who had later done exactly that.
Himeji continued, "Because of this, during the age of war, the Byakugan was coveted by many clans. To solve the problem, the head of the Hyuga clan married a princess from the Uzumaki clan. Using sealing techniques, she created a cursed mark—the Caged Bird Seal.
"It divided the clan into two: the Main House and the Branch House. All Branch members were branded with the seal.
"The Main House became the true heirs, while the Branch lived only to protect them, carrying the burden of servitude."
Hayashi frowned. "Then as the young lady of the Main House, you shouldn't have to worry, right? You're not branded with the seal."
Himeji nodded. "I won't be. But my second brother will."
Her voice grew heavier.
"Those marked with the Caged Bird are controlled by the Main House. Their brain can be destroyed with a single command, and the seal can only be lifted at death. It also protects the Byakugan by sealing it away if the bearer falls.
"This has long filled the Branch with resentment. Though their lives can be controlled, their hatred cannot. Once, some Branch members even rebelled, joining other clans to strike at the Main House. The rebellion failed, but the Hyuga clan was gravely wounded."
Her fists tightened as she spoke.
"To calm the Branch, a new rule was made: the heads of the Main and Branch Houses must always be close relatives, within three generations. Every few generations, a child from the Main House would be chosen to join the Branch, branded with the seal, and made its leader.
"This way, even the Main House's close blood would bear the same curse. It quieted the Branch, since their leaders still cared for the Main family."
Hayashi was impressed. The idea was cruel, but frighteningly effective. Human nature was a weapon sharper than any kunai.
Himeji's voice wavered.
"And now, in our generation, it begins again. My older brother has been chosen as the next head of the Main House. My twin, my second brother, has been chosen to lead the Branch. Soon, he will be branded with the seal."
"I see," Hayashi muttered. At last, he understood why Hizashi had become Branch head despite being Hiashi's twin. The Main House would always be too small if only one heir per generation was left unmarked. The cruel system kept the bloodline close but divided.
Himeji's Byakugan flared as her emotions surged.
"Why? Why must my family suffer like this? Ninjas live with cruel choices, but must my brother's fate be sealed by a curse? Don't we also bear the Hyuga name?
"My second brother will soon be branded. What should I do? You told me I needed to grow stronger. Then tell me, Uchiha Hayashi—if it were you, what would you do?"
Hayashi fell silent. Her question was not simple—it was tied to the meaning of life itself. In his previous world, such talk would've been met with laughter. But here, in the shinobi world, even the most carefree people like Naruto or Jiraiya would have taken it seriously.
Finally, he spoke.
"Himeji, you're too focused on the clan's traditions. What really matters is power. Without power, you'll always be constrained by rules, by fate.
"Weakness is the original sin. If you want to change your clan's future, you must first surpass your limits. Grow stronger, then stronger still.
"One day, your brother will become Main House head. Your second brother will lead the Branch, and perhaps die on a mission protecting him. Even if he survives, his children will inherit the curse. That is the cycle of fate.
"But if you become stronger—so strong you can't be ignored—then everything can change. If you reach the strength of Hokage, even the Hyuga clan will bend to you."
"Hokage?" she whispered.
Hayashi's eyes gleamed. "Yes. If you truly want to change fate, that's the path."
______
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