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The branch family head's residence was dimly lit, the night air carrying a chill.
Thud... thud...
A rhythmic sound of silent hammering echoed through the courtyard. A boy with pale skin and a forehead wrapped in bandages stood in the yard, striking wooden posts with fluid, flowing punches.
But as he struck, the expression on his once-innocent face gradually twisted into something grotesque — a cruel, feral look replacing its former peace. His Gentle Fist techniques became harsher, more brutal with every blow.
He didn't use chakra in these strikes. The self-inflicted punishment left his fists bloodied and raw, while deep gashes appeared on the wooden posts where they were struck again and again.
It wasn't training anymore — it was an outlet.
And still, he showed no sign of stopping.
Neji Hyūga's mind was consumed by only one thing: the first time he had ever seen the Caged Bird seal activated — just days ago.
Like every day before, he trained against the main house's young lady.
At that time, he already bore the ugly mark of the cursed seal, but he hadn't understood what it meant. He had naively believed it to be the so-called "responsibility" of protecting the main house — as other members of the clan had told him.
Responsibility.
Those words had no real meaning to him. In his eyes, protecting his younger sister Hinata was simply what a brother should do.
Even without this so-called "responsibility," he had done so every day — loving her as a sibling.
Until that day. That moment.
When he saw his revered father clutching his head, writhing in agony on the floor like a dog, howling in pain.
He had never understood why his father refused to remove his forehead protector at home.
Not until that moment, when the forehead protector fell off, revealing the cursed mark etched into his skin. The veins swelled like centipedes, and the hideous blue curse seemed to writhe and move.
And the so-called main house head — the man who should have been called "uncle" — merely watched coldly, without mercy, as he activated the seal.
"Just this once," Hizashi Hyūga said, his Byakugan glowing coldly in the dark room. "Do not forget your mission."
That was the first time Neji had seen the true ugliness of the Caged Bird seal. That was the first time he truly understood what it meant to them.
This so-called seal could easily destroy their brain nerves. It meant that the main house held the power over the branch family's lives.
If any member of the branch family showed disloyalty or overstepped their place, or failed in their duties, the main house could kill them with the seal.
And yet, to everyone else, this curse could only be escaped by death.
After that day, the gentle Neji vanished. The way he looked at Hinata changed — no longer filled with affection, but with hatred and resentment, like looking upon an enemy.
Creak!
Neji clenched his teeth and swung his fist again, the sound of his father's voice echoing in his ears.
"Neji, don't hate the main house. The Caged Bird is not a curse — it's just a protective measure."
"I understand, father."
"They are trying to protect the Byakugan from falling into the wrong hands. This is for the future of the Hyūga clan."
"I understand, father."
"This is our fate as branch members. One day, you will understand."
"I understand, father..."
Crack!!
With a final, shattering scream of tearing wood, the post finally gave way, splitting in half. Splinters rained down like snow.
Neji staggered and fell to his knees, lowering his head to look at the bleeding hand beneath him. His long black hair covered his face as he whispered, "I understand, father..."
But...
He didn't understand.
Why could the main house people accept this so calmly?
What right did they have to accept this so calmly?!
Those who harmed their own kin — what right did they have to sit atop the backs of the branch family, accepting everything as if it were natural? And what right did they have to call the branch family's sacrifices their "fate"?
Click.
The faint creak of a door opening broke the silence of the courtyard.
Behind him, the dim yellow light flickered on, casting a shadow over Neji's back.
"Neji..."
Hizashi Hyūga stared at his son from behind, his expression complex.
In truth, after decades — even centuries — of tradition, most branch children were raised with the belief that they were born to serve and protect the main house. Almost none dared to question or resist.
They rejoiced at the main house's praise, feared its anger, and mourned its sorrow.
Hizashi had been expected to instill the notion of master and servant in Neji from a young age, just like everyone else. But in the end, he never did.
Perhaps he had regretted it in the past three years. But every time he saw the genuine smile on Neji's face whenever he looked at Hinata, he felt grateful that he had made the choice he did.
He didn't want Neji and Hinata's relationship to become like his own with his older brother. He wanted Neji to feel, when the day came for the Caged Bird to be placed on him, that it didn't matter. That he could still treat Hinata like a beloved sibling.
In his eyes, Hinata's kind nature would never allow her to activate the seal on Neji. They could still live as they had in childhood.
But Hizashi had also never imagined that the incident — the sudden surge of killing intent toward Hinata — would change Neji so drastically...
"Father."
Neji slowly rose to his feet, hiding his hands behind his back.
Hizashi snapped out of his thoughts and gently ran his fingers through Neji's hair, smiling warmly.
"Neji, your Gentle Fist Style – Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms is already quite refined. In a little while, I can teach you the next level of Gentle Fist."
"Yes, father." Neji's expression remained calm, showing no joy.
Seeing this, Hizashi fell silent, sighing inwardly.
"Why don't you go clean up your wounds?" he glanced at Neji's hidden hands. "Don't do this again."
"... Yes, father." Neji lowered his head slightly before answering.
As Neji turned and walked into the house, Hizashi stood there in silence for a long time.
Once, he had tried to resist this so-called fate. But now he knew — fate is not someone standing in front of you, whose throat you can grab and choke.
Fate is unbreakable. It can push forward or retreat, and neither you nor I can escape it.
"I only hope..." Hizashi muttered to himself, almost as if speaking to the wind, "that as Neji grows, he'll be able to let go of his hatred. All the suffering he endures now will become the treasure that makes him stronger."
Just as he turned to leave, a soft scoff reached his ears, carried by the wind.
"How tragic," someone said, "the unfortunate always create those even more unfortunate than themselves."
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