If going by the usual color quality, most Blue Traits would typically be followed by a Purple Trait.
Kiyoshi was unsure if the next level of Trait would be Purple, but its effect would certainly be much better than the current one!
*Knock knock.*
"Is Kiyoshi home?" A faint knocking sound came, accompanied by a familiar voice.
"Coming." Kiyoshi set the white snake down and went to open the door.
It was Natsu Hyūga.
He had just acquired a Blue Trait, and now he had another opportunity to increase his Dōjutsu power.
Life was becoming increasingly promising.
The door slid open, revealing Natsu Hyūga. She was carrying a basket, and her black maid uniform gently swayed in the breeze.
The moment she saw Kiyoshi, her shoulders visibly relaxed, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from her heart.
"That expression doesn't look like the last time." Kiyoshi leaned against the door frame, a slight, playful curve on his lips. "Happy to see me?"
Natsu Hyūga pursed her lips and said:
"Lady Ginka sent me."
Natsu Hyūga ignored Kiyoshi's teasing remark. She simply wanted to complete her task for Ginka Hyūga, which was to set up a meeting time between Kiyoshi and her.
Kiyoshi stepped aside to let her pass. Natsu Hyūga entered the courtyard with the basket, turned and closed the door, and quickly followed him.
This was Natsu Hyūga's first time visiting Kiyoshi's house, and she only noticed that it seemed somewhat rundown.
But soon, her gaze was drawn to a white snake coiled on the table.
The snake was small and delicate, its scales smooth. It was slightly curled up on the table, lazily flicking its tongue.
Kiyoshi sat at the low table, and the white snake slowly coiled around his hand.
There was only one cushion, so Natsu Hyūga had to kneel before Kiyoshi.
She lowered her head, took out the store-bought pastries, and said:
"This is Lady Ginka's apology gift for you. She also asked me to arrange a time for her to meet with you."
Kiyoshi lowered his head, stroking the snake's head. "Why didn't she come herself?"
"She was worried about missing you." Natsu Hyūga placed the gift box containing the pastries in front of the low table.
It was indeed likely to miss him; she had missed Kiyoshi several times herself.
Natsu Hyūga dared not imagine Ginka Hyūga's expression if she came several times only to find Kiyoshi not at home.
"Tsk, so lacking in sincerity?" Kiyoshi chuckled softly, looking up at her. His eyes inexplicably made Natsu Hyūga feel pressured.
"If she doesn't want to come, then don't bother."
"Kiyoshi, it's not like that, it's…"
Seeing Natsu Hyūga about to explain, Kiyoshi cut her off:
"My time is limited. I have no time for the prejudiced Hyūga clan. If there's anything, talk to our Clan Head."
Kiyoshi shook his head.
Natsu Hyūga's face was bitter, filled with worry.
She knew clearly that if she failed to return with a definite message this time, what awaited her would be more than just a reprimand.
Natsu Hyūga had personally witnessed Branch Family members having the Caged Bird Seal activated, the pain making them wish for death.
The thought of such punishment potentially falling upon her sent a chill down her spine.
"Kiyoshi-kun, what exactly will it take for you to agree?"
"Shouldn't you be asking that question to your Main Family lady?"
Kiyoshi couldn't help but smile faintly, looking at Natsu Hyūga, whose eyes seemed close to tears.
The Hyūga clan was one that had taken feudal rule to its extreme.
Besides the Clan Head's main lineage, there were many other branch lines, such as Kō Hyūga.
However, of the children born to the Main Family, only the eldest son could remain in the Main Family. A second son who couldn't be the successor would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
For example, Hiashi Hyūga and Hizashi Hyūga, the twin brothers, became Branch Family members simply because Hizashi was born a moment later.
He had to have the curse mark engraved on his forehead, becoming a Branch Family member.
All other Branch Family members, regardless of whether they were the eldest son, suffered the same fate.
Yet, this seemingly strict and hierarchical Hyūga clan also engaged in hypocrisy.
Which one of Hinata Hyūga or Hanabi Hyūga was subjected to the curse seal?
It turned Hizashi Hyūga, who became a Branch Family member for being born a few minutes later and died as a "stand-in," into a joke.
Natsu Hyūga lowered her head, biting her lip, waiting for Kiyoshi's response.
Kiyoshi did not rush to answer. He simply looked at her, the faint smile still lingering on his lips.
"Are you afraid of her punishing you?" He suddenly asked.
"...No." Natsu Hyūga quickly denied it.
The Hyūga clan rules were strict. If a Main Family member heard her gossiping, she would definitely be accused of insubordination and having grievances against the Hyūga clan.
"Did you know? Snakes shed their skin every so often, discarding the old layer to become stronger." Kiyoshi said.
Natsu Hyūga frowned slightly, not understanding why he suddenly brought this up.
Kiyoshi raised his head, looking straight at her:
"Can the Branch Family truly never change their fate?"
In the ninja world, there was a way to remove this curse seal, such as forcibly breaking it, destroying the brain and eyes, and then resurrecting the person.
Natsu Hyūga's breath hitched.
This was a topic that couldn't even be discussed!
Seeing Natsu Hyūga's expression change and her head lowered, Kiyoshi did not continue speaking.
He put down the white snake, picked up his tea with the other hand, took a sip, and continued:
"Forget it. Regarding Ginka Hyūga's offense, you can pay a small price to regain my forgiveness."
Kiyoshi stroked the white snake's smooth scales.
"What… what price?" Natsu Hyūga looked at Kiyoshi's dark eyes, her feeling of unease intensifying.
Last time, Kiyoshi made her expose the shame of the Caged Bird Seal.
What would Kiyoshi do this time?
"Don't be nervous." Kiyoshi began to examine Natsu Hyūga's attire.
Her conservative robe was covered by a white apron, making it look like a maid uniform.
The seemingly reserved and modest clothing did not completely conceal her figure.
The waist-cinching apron emphasized the curve of her waist. Although her posture was upright and restrained, the youthful form of her body was still inevitably revealed.
Sensing Kiyoshi's aggressive gaze, Natsu Hyūga's heart rate sharply accelerated. She instinctively tensed her body, her fingertips slightly curling, and she unconsciously pulled her skirt tight over her knees.
Her palms were subtly slick with cold sweat. The sticky sensation made her increasingly uneasy, yet she had nowhere to run.
If she refused, what would await her?
Once this thought appeared, it clung to her like a nightmare.
She couldn't refuse. Or rather, she dared not contemplate the consequences of refusal.
Natsu Hyūga had to consider this her last chance to speak with Kiyoshi.
Ginka Hyūga wouldn't care whose fault it was once she returned; she would only see Natsu as incompetent.
"Al-Alright, Kiyoshi-kun, I'll do anything within my ability." Natsu Hyūga was forced to say those words.
The moment she spoke, she instantly regretted it.
No one knew what Kiyoshi would demand.
But then she thought that she only promised what was within her ability, so there was nothing she could do even if he asked for something impossible.
However, Kiyoshi's next words still made Natsu Hyūga's face pale.
"Don't you feel a little warm?" Kiyoshi's gaze shifted to Natsu Hyūga, who was kneeling on the tatami mat.
Because she was kneeling, Natsu Hyūga's knees were together, and her lower legs were folded back, her delicate insteps pressed against the wooden floor.
The white apron completely concealed the lines of her legs, but the soft fabric still gently clung to her as she moved, faintly outlining the slender and shapely contour of her calves.
Her ankles were faintly visible, fair and wearing white socks.
"Is that so." Natsu Hyūga's voice was already on the verge of tears.
She clearly understood what Kiyoshi meant.
Ninjas received much education, which naturally included how to interpret gazes.
But this was nothing compared to the potential punishment from Ginka Hyūga.
Natsu Hyūga hesitated for a moment in her heart, finally closing her eyes with a sigh.
Then, slowly, she changed her sitting posture.
***
There was much scenery in the Hidden Leaf Village.
This was not the first time Kiyoshi had seen such sights.
Although he had already seen it with Samui, seeing Natsu Hyūga's look of both grievance and compliance today still brought him a degree of amusement.
This was different from Samui.
Natsu Hyūga, who had been raised under a rigid, feudal education since childhood, would find this matter extremely embarrassing.
The current Natsu Hyūga was still too young; there was no need to do too much to her for now.
Kiyoshi only wanted to tease her.
Once Ginka Hyūga arrived, he could deeply stimulate his Dōjutsu power.
A woman like Ginna Hyūga, who was voluptuous yet had a terrible personality.
She needed a righteous correction.
"I accept Ginka Hyūga's lack of courtesy. Go back and tell her I'll be available after the Chunin Exams next month." Kiyoshi chuckled, watching Natsu Hyūga hurriedly stand up and walk quickly toward the door.
Natsu Hyūga's steps were somewhat stiff. She paused at the entrance when she heard Kiyoshi's words, tightening her grip on her skirt's corner and rubbing her legs together, as if desperately trying to appear less flustered.
She bit her lower lip, suppressing all the swirling emotions, and felt regret.
But if she hadn't done this, she would have regretted it all the same.
She could only choose between bad and very bad.
She had no other options available.
Such was the fate of the Branch Family.
Natsu Hyūga walked slowly back to the Hyūga compound. It was as if all the strength had been drained from her body. Her steps were light, and her mind buzzed.
Normally, she would wear thick clothes even when going out, wrapping herself tightly to minimize exposed skin.
But today, she had…
Such lack of etiquette and shame made Natsu Hyūga's cheeks burn.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her collar, and meticulously straightened her already neat apron again, as if it were contaminated.
Finally, Natsu Hyūga went to report to Ginka Hyūga.
"Kiyoshi agreed. He's set the appointment for after the Chunin Exams." She knelt before Ginna Hyūga, her tone calm as if reporting a trivial mission.
Yet, only she knew the price she had paid.
If her clan members found out, there would be no way for her to marry within the clan.
Ginna Hyūga looked at her and nodded gently, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
"You did well." she said.
"Yes, Lady Ginka."
Hearing Ginna Hyūga's rare praise, Natsu Hyūga didn't know whether to smile that the matter was over.
Or cry over her sacrifice.
She could only hope that Ginka Hyūga and Kiyoshi would reconcile smoothly next month.
...
Natsu Hyūga walked slowly after leaving. When she reached the training ground, she ran into Tetsu Hyūga.
"Natsu." Tetsu Hyūga suddenly called out to Natsu Hyūga.
"What is it, Tetsu?"
"Did… did something happen to you?" Tetsu Hyūga noticed a faint sadness always lingering on Natsu Hyūga's face.
"What do you think of the Hyūga clan…?" Natsu Hyūga asked.
Tetsu Hyūga wiped the sweat from his forehead and immediately said:
"Of course, it's the greatest clan in the Hidden Leaf! Besides the Uchiha with the Sharingan, I can't imagine whose eyes are stronger than the Byakugan, and the number of Uchiha who awaken their eyes is far less than our Hyūga clan…"
Tetsu Hyūga's tone was filled with pride.
Even as a Branch Family member branded with the Caged Bird Seal, the mere thought of the Hyūga clan's reputation and powerful Bloodline made him involuntarily puff out his chest.
The Branch Family was still Hyūga.
Natsu Hyūga suddenly froze listening to Tetsu Hyūga's words.
Even that hateful person, Kiyoshi, would say things like, "I will miss soaring freely in the sky again, trying to peck open the cage door with my beak."
She looked at Tetsu Hyūga's unwavering answer and was speechless for a moment.
She wanted to tell him that the Hyūga clan was not as glorious as he imagined, but when the words reached her mouth, everything felt incredibly empty.
Tetsu Hyūga wouldn't understand.
He wouldn't understand everything she had gone through, nor her exhaustion and despair at this moment.
Ultimately, all this trouble was caused by Ginka Hyūga, yet Natsu had to go to great lengths to appease Kiyoshi to get him to agree to meet Ginka Hyūga.
And her going to Kiyoshi was actively commanded by Ginka Hyūga.
"I'm leaving, Tetsu." Natsu Hyūga abruptly interrupted the chattering Tetsu Hyūga.
"Natsu, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just a little tired." Natsu Hyūga shook her head and left directly.
Tetsu Hyūga stayed behind, watching Natsu Hyūga's retreating figure, feeling that the Natsu he knew seemed to have changed into someone else.
What exactly happened?
Tetsu Hyūga frowned.
But he instinctively felt it had something to do with Kiyoshi Uchiha.
He hadn't seen Natsu make any mistakes today, which meant she wouldn't be punished by the Main Family.
The only possibility was the reason she went out just now.
He remembered Natsu had also talked with Kiyoshi in a cave once.
The more Tetsu Hyūga thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.
***
A full half month passed.
Kiyoshi had been to Kushina's house several times during this period to exchange videotapes.
He had a premonition that the Nine-Tails was about to… rampage.
So Kiyoshi intentionally staked out the place where Kushina and Minato had previously argued.
After several days of staking out, Kiyoshi finally witnessed Minato Namikaze and Kushina having a disagreement.
He saw the two arguing about something, and then Minato Namikaze left with an apologetic gesture.
Kushina, however, remained where she was, pouting with anger.
She looked at Minato's gradually departing figure, seeming to hesitate about something.
"Looks like it's today." Kiyoshi thought.
He certainly couldn't defeat the Nine-Tails, but increasing Kushina's goodwill and seeing if he could get a Trait was still possible.
Not long after, Kushina walked forward, and the Anbu immediately came out to stop her.
But this time, Kushina did not go back. Golden chains erupted from her body, binding the Anbu.
She ran forward alone.
Kiyoshi followed her. He knew the destination ahead: Training Ground Three!
***
Read 30 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666