The setting sun cast long shadows.
A gust of wind blowing in from outside the courtyard lifted the hair on the forehead of the boy standing at the end of the corridor,revealing a pair of slightly hesitant white eyes.
"Yes."
Having spent thirteen years in this world, Shinji Hyuga nodded silently, his body slightly hunched, forcing himself to make a humble gesture toward the old man before him—one he still couldn't get used to.
"However, according to the rules of the Hyuga clan, I will hire you."
"Let's take a look——"
An elderly man sitting on the platform in the corridor pushed a document toward him.
Shinji knew what was written on it:
The Lifetime Appointment Letter for Hyuga Clan Ninjas.
A work contract suitable for a mediocre ninja of the Hyuga clan.
Six days on,one day off; meals and accommodation provided; and occasionally, when the head of the family is in a good mood, one might even be rewarded with some valuable little items.
The total salary was 30,000 ryo per month.
That was equivalent to 300,000 yen,or about 15,000 yuan.
The job duties were merely serving tea and water and doing odd jobs.He might also be assigned to trim the flowers and plants in the main family's huge mansion, performing tasks that were insignificant for a ninja.
To be honest, this was a highly coveted position that outsiders would fight tooth and nail for.
Shinji Hyuga had no reason to refuse.
He was a genin, a genin who had lost his teammates in last year's Chunin Exams.
He had failed to advance to Chunin in what was arguably the easiest Chunin Exams ever held in Konoha in year 48,and was utterly defeated even by a bottom-tier ninja like Obito Uchiha.
A career as a ninja was essentially a death sentence—
Shinji Hyugalacked the talent to be a ninja.
Continuing to be a ninja in Konoha year 49 carried far more risks than rewards.
At this time,
It was the third year since the outbreak of the Third Shinobi World War.
The battleground between Iwagakure,Konoha, and Sunagakure in the Land of Rain had taken shape.
Under the orders of the Third Mizukage,the Hidden Mist faction continued its westward expansion, invading smaller countries such as the Land of Waves, and was about to launch a major invasion of the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.
At this time,Konoha's main forces were deployed along the long battle lines of the three countries of Kawa, Ame, and Kusa. Facing the attack from Kirigakure, the eastern coastal battle line of the Land of Fire was in dire need of manpower.
As expected,Konoha would soon issue a mobilization order, requiring clan ninjas led by the Uchiha and Hyuga to go to the eastern coastal front to defend against the enemy.
Shinjivaguely remembered that in this war, the Hyuga clan's Byakugan was lost, resulting in heavy losses.
Continuing to serve as a ninja at such a critical juncture would likely result in being quickly transferred to this meat grinder-like battlefield.
At this time,Shinji Hyuga was merely a genin, and even with the name Hyuga, he was at best qualified cannon fodder.
But,
Looking at this contract in black and white,which practically bought out his entire future,
Shinjihesitated.
"Shinji Hyuga, didn't you hear what I said?"
"Yes,Elder, I'm listening."
The old man in front of the platform was silent for a moment, then said softly:
"Then sign it quickly,and then go and deliver this letter of appointment to the main family. After you come back, just focus on working for the main family. Also, you need to correct this habit of always bending your back."
"Your parents saved my life,and I won't hold it against them. But such disrespect in front of our family—do you want to experience being a Caged Bird again?"
Shinji Hyuga suddenly pushed the letter of appointment back, and after a long silence, spoke:
"I'm sorry,Elder. Perhaps I shouldn't sign it?"
"Not satisfied with the treatment?"
"No."
The old man paused for a moment, then frowned and looked at him: "What do you mean by that?"
"It's nothing.I just feel like I might not be able to bend down or kneel anymore."
Seeing Shinji begin to get up, the old man finally lost his patience and reprimanded him with a stern face:
"Do you even understand what you're rejecting?!"
"Yes!Shinji Hyuga, you have absolutely no talent as a ninja!"
"Even if you become a Chunin,a Jonin, or an elite Jonin, your situation will not change in the slightest!"
"As a member of a branch family,for the sake of the clan's continuation, you are born to bow to the main family, kneel before the main family, and serve the main family to the death—"
"Just like your parents!"
Shinji Hyuga pursed his lips and asked in return:
"What about the Hokage?"
"What would happen if I became Hokage?"
The old man suddenly laughed, a laugh of anger. He looked at the ungrateful Shinji as if he were watching some kind of joke, and then slowly raised his hand, forming an unsealed hand sign.
The next moment,
Shinjifelt a sharp pain shoot through his forehead, as if his head was about to explode, splattering red and white everywhere.
Immersed in this pain,Shinji Hyuga instantly lost all ability to resist.
He covered his head,trembling all over as he bit down hard, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth.
Even so,Shinji didn't utter a sound. He just stood there stubbornly like a rod, looking at the old man in front of him, baring his teeth and asking in a trembling, defiant voice:
"Elder...what would happen... if I became Hokage?"
Seeing this, the old man remained silent for a moment, then closed his eyes somewhat listlessly, released the hand sign, and scoffed:
"You'll never become Hokage.No matter how hard you train, you'll only ever be a regular genin. You know that better than I do."
"Go ahead and try it if you want to die."
Then, the old man turned his back on the platform, waved his hand, and finally left with a forlorn remark:
"Don't blame me for not warning you—"
"That old bastard,Hyuga Sosuke, is looking for a clansman who knows medical ninjutsu."
The pain of the Caged Bird comes quickly and goes quickly.
The more crucial reason was that the lonely old man,whom Shinji Hyuga had served for ten years, living and eating under the same roof, did not want to kill him.
Shinji's face was slightly pale. He swayed a few times and looked at the old man who had turned his back, having lost interest in talking.
He remained silent for a moment,knowing that the other person was actually...
He wanted to help him,but after enduring such humiliation—being strangled and treated like a pig or a dog—he simply couldn't utter a word of thanks.
Finally, he silently turned around and walked out of the magnificent mansion.
Like a bird breaking free from its cage,he leaped across the corridor and through the courtyard, striding out of the prison where he had lived for thirteen years.
Yes,
The old man's words were perfectly correct.
Having lived in this world for thirteen years,Shinji Hyuga could understand this with exceptional clarity—
He lacked the talent to be a ninja.
Without any innate cheat codes,
He had no distinguished or noble status.
It was as if he was born to become a servant of the main family,existing as a sparrow protected in a cage.
Only,
Even among caged sparrows,there will be exceptions—those unwilling to spend their lives pecking at rice.
And Shinji Hyuga,
Was such an alien.