Sign in From Naruto

Hyuga Hizashi arrived at the backyard of the main family's house. Earlier, during the talks, the Third Hokage and the Konoha high command had made a decision, and the elders of the Hyuga clan had agreed with the outcome.

Although it was difficult for his brother, the head of the clan, to accept it, it was the only way to dissolve the conflict between the Cloud Ninja Village and Konoha.

Most importantly...

He himself had not been forced to sacrifice his life for the clan but had volunteered to do so to protect Neji, his brother, his loved ones, and even Konoha.

Now, he only wanted to meet Neji one last time and then face his fate with dignity.

"Neji... There are so many birds flying today. They look so happy..."

Hyuga Hizashi raised his head and looked at the blue sky, feeling a long-lost sense of peace and freedom.

Yes...

Ever since he was branded with the Caged Bird Seal as a child and became a member of the branch family, he had been taught to live for the sake of the clan, no matter where he went.

Especially after seeing Neji grow up and display a talent unmatched by anyone else.

More than once, he had hated and cursed the main family in his heart.

But at least this time, it was a choice he made of his own free will.

It was a free choice.

"Hoo..."

Hyuga Hizashi took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

He didn't know if it was his imagination, but he felt that even the air here was fresher, filled with the scent of freedom.

"Neji?"

When he found Neji, however, he saw his son in an attacking stance.

In front of Neji was another teenager with black hair and eyes—clearly not a member of the Hyuga clan.

"Hah!"

Neji didn't believe Xu Fan's words at all.

Just a short while ago, his sister, Hinata, had been abducted by ninjas from the Cloud Ninja Village.

Now, seeing this stranger, he suspected that Xu Fan might have sneaked in as well.

Xu Fan looked at least six or seven years older than Hinata, so how could they be contemporaries?

Most importantly, when Hinata saw Xu Fan, she had directly chosen to flee.

Liar.

Neji lunged forward, slapping his palm toward Xu Fan's face in an attempt to subdue him.

It had to be said that Neji's movements were clean and sharp, and his entire demeanor was imposing.

Hizashi watched from afar, and every time he saw Neji display his talent, he felt a pang of pain.

Why...

Why wasn't Neji born into the main family?

Why did there have to be a main family and a branch family?

Why did there have to be the Caged Bird Seal?

Neji's talent far surpassed everyone else's, and at this age, there was no one in his peer group who could match him!

In front of Hyuga Neji, there was no enemy to speak of!

But as the eldest daughter of the main family, Hinata was...

Even Hizashi felt that his eyes could foresee the future.

Once the ninja world's conflicts resumed, Hyuga Neji would undoubtedly make great achievements in the war and become a hero of Konoha.

But...

Why?

Why did fate favor the branch family?

Hyuga Hizashi clenched his fists. He had originally planned to see Neji one last time and tell him that he had chosen to die willingly.

But now, watching Neji's stance, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

If only he could see Neji grow up with his own eyes.

To see the Caged Bird Seal become a thing of the past.

"Huh?"

However, what surprised Hizashi was that despite Neji's perfect angle, speed, and power, Xu Fan had only tilted his head slightly and dodged the attack.

This wasn't as simple as it seemed.

In addition to their formidable physical skills, the Hyuga clan's innate Byakugan was their greatest asset.

It allowed them to anticipate the enemy's movements and strike with precision.

But even without a dojutsu like the Byakugan, Xu Fan was able to clearly see through Neji's offense.

At this stage, although Neji had no equal among his peers and possessed the Byakugan, Xu Fan was on a completely different level.

Seeing Neji readjust his attack, Xu Fan simply stood still and condensed his chakra in his chest to boost his defense.

Boom!

Neji's palm struck Xu Fan head-on, but a majestic force recoiled back. A loud sound exploded in Neji's ears as the force sent him flying backward.

Neji, now airborne, flew more than ten meters before landing on the ground.

Xu Fan looked over and saw that Hyuga Hizashi had appeared at some point, and Neji had landed right at his feet.

Hizashi's face was filled with shock.

Even with the Byakugan, he hadn't been able to capture Xu Fan's movements.

From his perspective, Xu Fan had only tilted his head to dodge Neji's first move and then stood still.

Immediately afterward, Neji, who had gone all out, was sent flying backward.

Could it be that Xu Fan's move was too fast for him to catch?

But was that possible?

Even without activating the Byakugan, his dynamic vision was far superior to that of an average person.

The most exaggerated thing was that Hyuga Neji was the supreme genius of the Hyuga clan, and in all of Konoha, the title of "genius" was undisputed.

Even if Xu Fan looked a bit older than Neji, it was impossible for him to be so far ahead.

But the truth was, Xu Fan had not only defeated Neji but hadn't even made a single move!

"I haven't even exerted any force, and you've already fallen!"

"Father... Father..."

Neji lay on the ground, struggling to get up when he saw his father.

Had his father seen everything?

Neji clenched his fists, filled with frustration, and activated his Byakugan, ready to attack again.

But there was also doubt in his mind.

How had Xu Fan sent him flying?

How had he done it?

Just as Neji was about to continue his attack, Hinata, who had fled earlier, returned with a servant.

However, in the face of Xu Fan and Neji, Hinata still hid behind the door, not daring to come forward.

"Stop!"

Seeing this, the maid loudly intervened, trotting over with a baby girl in her arms.

Upon noticing Hyuga Hizashi, the maid hurriedly explained the situation, stating that Xu Fan was not an intruder.

"Hyuga Natsu and Hanabi?"

Xu Fan looked at the maid standing between himself and Neji and instantly recognized her identity.

She was the maid of the Hyuga main family and was responsible for taking care of the two-year-old Hanabi during this period.

From the looks of it, Hinata must have run to her and explained the situation.

Thinking of this, Xu Fan subconsciously glanced at Hinata, only to see her shrinking further behind the door, mustering the courage to nod at him.

Xu Fan couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air and muttered inwardly, "Hinata at this age is just too shy."