Regarding the "Caged Bird" curse seal, as the head of the Hyūga clan, Hiashi was very familiar with it. He just didn't expect Yuki to claim the entire clan was marked by the "Caged Bird," since that seal was supposedly only for branch family members.
"I don't understand what you mean. The main family is never marked with the 'Caged Bird.' You shouldn't even make such a basic mistake."
"Father, the 'Caged Bird' of the main family isn't marked on the forehead—it's engraved in each of your hearts."
"In our hearts?"
"Yes, the clan's 'Caged Bird' is the 'Byakugan' itself, and it is also the most powerful curse seal binding the Hyūga clan."
What nonsense are you talking about? Though Hiashi didn't speak, that expression was written all over his face.
As everyone knew, the Hyūga clan's place among the great ninja clans relied mainly on the "Byakugan" and its immense strategic value.
This ocular jutsu provided teams with superior reconnaissance abilities, whether on the battlefield or during missions. Enemy numbers, strength assessments, and environmental changes were all laid bare before it, making it arguably the ultimate "support" tool.
But with such a powerful ability, why did Yuki call it a curse seal binding the Hyūga clan?
"Father, during past wars, did our clan often take to the front lines personally?"
"Relatively rarely. To protect the 'Byakugan' from being stolen by the enemy, branch family members primarily handled battlefield duties."
"Then, in small squads, are Hyūga members typically assigned to lead assaults or undertake extremely dangerous missions?"
"Of course not. Reconnaissance ninja are as vital as medical ninja. Naturally, they rarely charge into the fray or fall in battle! Ah… I see now!"
The moment he said this, Hiashi's expression changed dramatically, as if he finally understood what Yuki was implying.
Yes, precisely because the "Byakugan" held such high "strategic value," it had to be strictly protected. But it was this very protection that had prevented the Hyūga clan from producing a single Kage-level powerhouse all these years.
Throughout history, none of the Kage-level powerhouses grew up under protection. They may have stepped onto harsh battlefields at a young age or lived in environments where death lurked at every turn. Yet it was these very trials that propelled them to the pinnacle step by step.
A true powerhouse must endure countless life-and-death trials and overcome hardships unimaginable to ordinary people. What supports their ascent to the top isn't the protection of friends or family—it's the countless bones beneath their feet.
Succeed, and you rise; fail, and you die. The true failure isn't death, but failing to fight with everything you have. Perhaps nine out of ten who strive with all their might die along the way, but the one who survives is destined to be extraordinary. That is the path of the strong.
But what about the Hyūga clan? Because the "Byakugan's" strategic value was too high, the main family feared capture by other nations and didn't dare to risk life and death freely. The branch family, lacking access to the complete Gentle Fist techniques and bound by the "Caged Bird," was prevented from reaching their peak. Simply put, the main family was cowardly and afraid of death, while the branch family was treated as expendable.
So bluntly speaking, in a clan so fearful, hesitant, and careless, how could a Kage-level powerhouse possibly emerge? Just because their eyes were better than telescopes?
This was why Yuki said the main family had been poisoned from top to bottom by the "Caged Bird."
To protect the "Byakugan," they didn't dare to risk their lives—cowardice.
To protect the "Byakugan," they split the family—cutting off their own arm.
To protect the "Byakugan," they established countless rules and regulations—ultimately turning all clan members into mediocrities.
Compared to the branch family's curse seal, the main family's overprotective mindset was, in Yuki's view, the true "Caged Bird."
Seek only self-preservation, not progress.
Seek only to avoid blame, not to achieve merit.
After decades of this poison, the entire Hyūga clan was like a bird locked in a cage, its claws clipped, leaving only a pair of functional eyes. The most absurd part was that they had built this cage themselves and willingly stepped inside.
After listening to Yuki's words, Hiashi closed his eyes in contemplation for a moment before slowly saying, "But the 'Byakugan' is indeed coveted by many. If we relax the rules, how can we ensure the bloodline limit doesn't leak?"
"Father, the Uchiha clan's 'Sharingan' is also one of the Three Great Dōjutsu, alongside the 'Byakugan.' Do they have established rules or use curse seals to prevent the 'Sharingan' from leaking?"
"No… I've often wondered why they never seemed concerned about this. Now I understand—the Uchiha clan must be brimming with confidence. They're confident they can triumph over any opponent, so they've never even considered what to do if they fail."
As he said this, Hiashi couldn't help but wear a bitter smile. He had once ridiculed his old rival, Fugaku Uchiha, for not understanding the importance of protecting the bloodline limit. Only now did he realize he was the real fool.
Yes, the Uchiha clan possessed immense self-confidence, and that confidence had nurtured countless powerful masters within their clan—something the Hyūga clan lacked most of all.
They were confident that the Uchiha clan, with its long history, was the strongest in the ninja world. So, even in this era of peace, they raised their banner against Konoha, attempting to reclaim the rights the strongest clan deserved.
Though the Uchiha clan's plan ultimately failed, had it succeeded, they would have become Konoha's new rulers. Even if another thousand years passed, the Hyūga clan would remain nothing more than poultry raised within Konoha Village.
From this perspective, the Hyūga clan wasn't even worthy of being mentioned alongside the Uchiha clan, for the courage and vision of the two were not on the same level.
"Very well. It's settled—you'll go out to train, and I'll clear all obstacles for you."
When Hiashi picked up his teacup again, all traces of hesitation had vanished from his expression, as if the chains binding his heart had been undone.
"Thank you, Father. But what I'm doing will undoubtedly provoke dissatisfaction among some of the clan's rotten elements, so—"
"Hmph. Though I haven't informed anyone yet, I plan to abolish the main and branch family system within the next few years. Clashing with the elders is inevitable."
"Abolish the branch family system? Father, I never expected your ambitions were even greater than I imagined. Is this because of Uncle Hizashi?"
"Think what you will. In any case, now that I've released you from the cage, how far you can grow is up to you."
Seeing his father's resolute determination to undertake such a monumental task, Yuki secretly made a vow in his heart that day:
I will become the strongest in the ninja world—not just the next head of the Hyūga clan, not just a young master raised in a greenhouse. And I will achieve this, no matter the cost.
Afterward, the young master was like a bird freed from its cage, soaring recklessly into the dark, unknown skies. That flight lasted two full years.
During that flight, he constantly challenged opponents stronger than himself—bandits, rogue ninja, Genin, Chūnin, even Jōnin. Though he was often battered and bruised, he gained sharper claws and a will that never lost confidence, no matter the crisis.
However, two years later, when Yuki encountered Takuma and the others in the corridor, he knew his two years of hardship had not been in vain.
When Yuki returned to this "birdcage," a pampered domestic bird like Takuma seemed like prey awaiting slaughter in his eyes—an opponent he could defeat even without using his "stand," Kaguya-hime.
This was the decisive difference between a domestic bird crawling in a cage and an eagle soaring freely in the wild. No matter how strong the domestic bird, it was still a domestic bird; no matter how weak the eagle, it was still an eagle. Their willpower wasn't on the same level at all.
Now, as Yuki walked through the corridors of the Hyūga estate, he had completely shed the restrained demeanor of his childhood. His stride was solemn and weighty, his expression dignified—like a high and mighty emperor.
"Ah, Brother! Are you finally done?"
"Hey! Coming! Brother has plenty of time to spend with you today! Wahahahaha~~~~~~~"
Yet the moment he saw his adorable sister waiting for him in the clearing ahead, the seriousness on Yuki's face vanished in an instant, replaced by a grin so wide it was almost nauseating.
Honestly, it was hard to believe this was the same killer who had grabbed someone by the throat just moments earlier, judging by the way he now bounced and scampered toward his sister…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (Advanced Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)