The Hyuga Clan was divided into two branches: the Main House and the Branch House. Naturally, this meant two heads, Hiashi for the Main, and Hizashi for the Branch.
Compared to the Main House, the Branch House leader had one critical responsibility: to stabilize the emotions of the Branch members, to keep them loyal and obedient, ultimately to better serve the Main House.
Neji, being the only son of Hizashi, was set to inherit the role of Branch House head when he came of age. For that reason alone, his attitude toward the clan, especially the Main House, was of extreme importance.
While the Main House had the Caged Bird Seal to enforce control, they rarely used it outright. Even for punishments, they wouldn't usually go so far as to kill a Branch member.
The Caged Bird was more of a nuclear deterrent, its value lay in fear, not frequent use.
It was textbook psychology.
It's like a parent disciplining a child, just holding a bamboo stick is often enough to make the child behave. But if you use it too often, the child might not only grow resentful, but also numb to the fear.
The fact that the clan's two-tiered structure had survived this long without major rebellion meant that the Main House had become expert manipulators in this regard.
When Kei proposed the First Bird Theory last time, the clan elders agreed to punish a few Branch members as a symbolic gesture, but they never touched Neji.
That, too, was deliberate.
The Main House wanted Neji to remain compliant. They hoped he would one day take up his role and lead the Branch House to serve the Main obediently, not ignite rebellion.
When Kei arrived, Neji was in the courtyard, training hard with Gentle Fist.
Even through the walls, Kei could sense the boy's fatigue. The repeated thud-thud of strikes against the wooden post echoed with pent-up rage.
Neji was clearly pushing himself beyond reason.
Kei sighed softly.
He entered the courtyard alongside Haru.
Neji merely gave them a brief glance, his expression unchanged, and continued training as if they weren't even there.
Kei stepped in front of him with a smile.
"Endless training won't speed up your Gentle Fist mastery. Balance between effort and rest is the key to real progress."
Neji ignored him.
Sweat flew as he continued striking the post.
"Aren't you even curious why I'm here?"
Finally, Neji paused.
He glanced at Kei, then at Haru. His voice was cold:
"You're not welcome here. I have nothing to say to you."
"I figured," Kei said. "Even if I can't see, I can feel it, you really don't want me here."
"Then leave," Neji said flatly. "There's no reason for you to stay."
"I'm afraid I can't just walk away," Kei replied, letting a hint of weariness show on his face. "You know how it is. If I go back without finishing my task, I'll be punished."
"Neji, like it or not, we're family. You wouldn't want me to suffer for just following orders… would you?"
Neji's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Kei to be this shameless.
After a pause, he said, "…Then stay if you want."
Kei's smile returned. "Thank you. Since you're being so understanding, let's have a short chat. Just a few minutes. Think of it as doing me a favor."
"I have nothing to say. Don't waste your breath."
"Neji, we're not enemies. We should be friends, don't you think?"
Kei lifted a finger and tapped his own forehead.
Neji's gaze followed. Tied around Kei's head was a forehead protector, hiding the one thing he hated most, the cursed seal.
He frowned.
"Why do you insist on doing something so pointless? You could've just lied in your report and left."
Now… how do you deal with a child who's mature beyond his years and firmly set in his views?
Kei wasn't in a rush. He had a strategy.
"But Neji," he said gently, "isn't your constant training just as pointless? You still do it, don't you?"
That stopped Neji cold.
He stiffened.
Then stared at Kei with guarded eyes.
Kei smiled, unfazed. "I know what you're trying to do. You want to get stronger. You want to fight back. But Neji… that's not going to work."
"What do you know?" Neji snapped, his voice rising. "You don't understand anything! You're not like me, you don't even have the courage to keep your dignity."
"I know you're a psychologist," he said with contempt. "Maybe your little tricks can fool some kids, but you won't fool me."
"I never once saw you as a child, Neji," Kei said softly.
He stood up.
"You're incredibly mature, but sometimes, Neji, being too mature isn't a blessing. It's a burden."
Neji had had enough.
"You think your psychology nonsense can convince me?" he said angrily.
"That's not the point," Kei replied calmly. "The point is… psychology can give you another possibility. Something better than this."
"…If you're willing to trust me."
Kei paused.
Neji scowled. "Get to the point."
"All I ask is that you come with me. One outing. That's all it takes to prove I'm right."
"I don't have time to waste," Neji said coldly. "You get one chance, and it's right here."
Kei's smile deepened. "You're not going to solve anything by training in the courtyard. If you want real answers, you have to go beyond this place."
"I'd rather train alone."
"But why do you train? To get stronger, right? Strength is your goal. But training alone won't transform your heart."
Kei stepped forward, leaning slightly on his blind cane.
"You think you're calm. You think you're in control. But inside, you're angry. You're bitter. You're hiding it, but that won't fix anything."
Neji stared at him.
Kei stared right back.
Neji exhaled through his nose.
"At least I know that training makes me stronger."
"I'm not saying training is bad," Kei said. "But do you really think this is enough? That you'll become strong enough with just this?"
Neji fell silent.
Then Kei made his move.
"You want strength? Fine. Let's spar. Gentle Fist only."
"…What are you trying to do?"
"If you win, I'll leave and never bother you again. But if I win… you come with me. Let me show you another path."
"You think I'll lose to you?" Neji said. "Don't forget, you're older, but you're blind. No chakra. No vision. You're not even a match."
"Exactly," Kei said, smiling. "If you can't beat a blind man, maybe your training isn't working after all."
Neji clenched his fists.
"You think cheap provocations will work on me?"
Kei shrugged. "You're not… afraid, are you? Afraid that all your effort might be meaningless?"
"If you lose and still try to bother me again," Neji said coldly, "I won't be showing any respect next time."
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters