Naruto didn't finish his sentence, but Hinata already understood what he meant. Of course, she knew of Neji's dissatisfaction with her and his hatred for the entire Hyuga Main Family. However, what Neji didn't know was that she, too, loathed the system of the Main and Branch families.
"Neji, you… you're…"
Hyuga Neji stared at her coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Oh, isn't it Lady Hinata? What, have you come to discipline a servant of the Branch Family?!"
Hinata's face paled. "I-I didn't… Neji, I… I know you hate the Main Family, but in truth, I do too. The me of now is no longer…"
"Silence!" Neji interrupted her sharply. "As the young lady of the Main Family, how could you possibly understand my feelings?! You can freely choose your destiny, while I am merely a bird trapped in a cage for life!"
If it were the Hinata of old, she would have surely cowered and retreated. But this time, standing before Naruto, she refused to be timid any longer. She mustered her courage and took a deep breath.
"You-you're wrong, Neji. In the web of the Main and Branch Family system, we are all the same: birds bound by the cage of destiny. I never wanted to be the heir to the Main Family, but for my father's entrustment and expectations, I was forced to work hard from a young age. Only, I… I have never been able to meet my father's expectations. Perhaps I am weak, perhaps I am incompetent, but in any case, the current me has already lost to Hanabi and is no longer the heir to the Main Family."
Hyuga Neji's expression changed drastically! "You… what did you say?"
Others might not have understood the weight of Hinata's words, but Neji knew better than anyone. If Hinata had lost to Hanabi and forfeited her qualification as the Main Family heir, it meant that in the future, she, like him, would fall to the fate of the Branch Family! It didn't matter if they were sisters; even twin brothers, like his own father, met the same end. If this was true, then Hinata's future would only be as miserable as his own! In that instant, Neji's hatred for Hinata seemed to vanish. "You… is what you said true?!"
Hinata lowered her head, her face showing a mix of relief and sorrow. "Mm. If the Main and Branch Family system doesn't change, then in the future, I will also become a member of the Branch Family, just like you, Neji, branded with the mark of the caged bird. Our destinies are no different."
Neji was stunned. He had never expected such an outcome. "Hahahahaha, hahahahaha!" He suddenly laughed mockingly, looking up at the sky. "Good! Very good! Hinata, you will soon understand my feelings too! It's just a pity that I don't have much sympathy for you, because at least you enjoyed the blessings of the Main Family, unlike me, who was destined for a tragic fate from birth!"
Hinata didn't argue, nodding in agreement. "Neji, you're right. But… what I want to say is, what truly makes us suffer is not the Main and Branch Families, but the system itself, isn't it? I… I want to work with you to change this system."
Neji's heart trembled. *'Change the system?'* How could he not want that? No one wanted it more than him! But… it was impossible. "You and I? Change the system?! Stop dreaming, Lady Hinata! That is our destiny; no one can change it! In this life, from the moment we are born, there is no freedom to speak of. We are merely slaves to fate!"
Hinata shook her head firmly. "No, I… I don't think so. Although I am incompetent, I did escape the fate of becoming the Main Family heir. Moreover, I have also watched others desperately trying to escape their own destiny."
"Who?!" Neji demanded.
Hinata glanced at Naruto. Everyone understood what she meant.
"Uzumaki Naruto? That loser?!"
Naruto was furious again, but Rock Lee held him back. Ino frowned, watching the scene unfold, and didn't say anything; her delicate mind sensed that this was a crucial moment for Hinata and Neji to open up to each other.
Hinata spoke softly, but with pride in her voice. "Yes, it's Naruto-kun. Neji, you don't know yet, do you? Naruto-kun… he just defeated Sasuke!"
Hyuga Neji and Rock Lee's expressions both changed dramatically!
Rock Lee suddenly turned his head. "Naruto, you… you really…"
Naruto scratched his head and smiled. "That's right!"
Hyuga Neji had, of course, heard the name Uchiha Sasuke. In the entire Konoha Village, that name was known by everyone. Not only because of his unique background and tragic experiences, but more importantly, he himself was a truly talented ninja. At the Ninja Academy, he was the most admired and pursued by the girls, and all the other teachers and students praised him.
Hyuga Neji frowned. "That loser defeated Uchiha Sasuke?!"
Hinata's eyes shone, filled with the happiness and pride of being associated with his honor. "Yes. Naruto-kun also worked desperately hard, changing his fate of being seen as a loser by everyone. Doesn't this make it clear to you, Neji? People can change their own destiny!"
Hyuga Neji was indeed impacted. First, Hinata had lost her qualification as the Main Family heir; if the Hyuga clan system didn't change, she would eventually become a Branch Family member just like him. Second, that dead last, Uzumaki Naruto, had actually defeated the genius, Uchiha Sasuke! Could it be that the idea of destiny he had always believed in was truly wrong?! No… impossible… impossible!
He remained stubborn and obstinate, saying coldly, "Lady Hinata, don't think you can change me with just a few words! Your so-called changing of destiny is merely your own incompetence! As for Uzumaki Naruto, I certainly don't know how he defeated Uchiha Sasuke, but it's nothing more than dumb luck. If you want me to admit that destiny can be changed, then unless you can truly make the Main and Branch Family system… completely abolished!"
Hinata's heart trembled. "I… I certainly want to abolish it, but my strength alone is too weak. That's why I need you, Neji, to work together with me."
Hyuga Neji, however, stubbornly shook his head. "Such naive and childish words are only good for deceiving yourself! Hmph!" After saying this, he turned and left.
"Neji…" Hinata was helpless.
Naruto's mouth curled into a frown. "What an arrogant jerk! Hinata, don't mind him! Oh, that's right! The good results I got today are also thanks to you, Hinata, for helping me with my tutoring. How about I treat you to Ichiraku Ramen?!"
Rock Lee said, "What about me?!"
Naruto laughed heartily. "Lee also trained taijutsu with me, so of course I'm treating you too!"
Ino immediately stepped forward. "Me too, me too!"
"Ino? You didn't seem to help me, did you?!"
"Hey, don't I get a share just for being here, Naruto?!"
Naruto was in a great mood today and didn't fuss too much, laughing heartily. "Then let's all go together! The more, the merrier!"