Angry Hyūga Hiashi
Time passed quickly. Half a year later, Uzumaki Kushina's daughter, Uzumaki Cangna, was now two years old.
Chi Yu and Kushina had begun guiding little Cangna in chakra control and basic exercises. In the shinobi world, children developed early—especially those from prestigious clans.
Kakashi Hatake, for example, had graduated from the Academy at only five years old. His father, Sakumo, was said to have trained him from the time he could walk.
Cangna's training was supervised by Kushina herself. She insisted on it, claiming she wanted to experience what it felt like to teach a disciple of her own. Kushina had once passed down the Shishō Fūin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal's supporting technique) to Kakashi, but teaching a single sealing method hadn't satisfied her.
Now, though protected for years by Chi Yu, Kushina's strength was already comparable to a skilled jōnin. With her sealing techniques added in, she could easily be considered top-tier among them.
As expected, Cangna inherited the natural talent of both her parents. Despite Kushina's… less-than-elegant teaching style—Kakashi often had to ask Chi Yu secretly for clarification—Cangna progressed smoothly.
Chi Yu suspected this was only the beginning. His own inherited abilities might yet awaken in her as she grew.
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The Hyūga Clan
Meanwhile, inside the Hyūga Clan's ancestral hall, a different scene unfolded.
Hinata Hizashi stood in silence, holding his fainted son, Neji. A fresh white band was tied around Neji's forehead—the mark of the Caged Bird Curse Seal, branded onto him that very day by the clan elders.
Hiashi, the clan head and Hizashi's twin, approached and spoke gently:
"Hizashi, take Neji home. He will awaken soon. Care for him well."
Hizashi's eyes darkened. He said nothing, only cradled his unconscious son and walked out.
Ever since Hizashi had once gone to congratulate Chi Yu on the birth of his child, the clan elders had ordered him confined to the compound, forbidding him from leaving. His resentment only grew.
At home, Hizashi watched over Neji until the boy stirred awake, clutching his head in pain.
"Father… my head hurts…" Neji whimpered.
Hizashi rubbed his son's temples gently. He too bore the Curse Mark and knew all too well the agony it inflicted.
When Neji's breathing steadied, Hizashi spoke softly:
"Neji, do you remember what I told you about finding a master?"
The boy nodded. "Yes. You said my master would be Chi Yu—the Blood-Eyed Shura of Konoha."
Hizashi gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "No. Not of Konoha. Chi Yu belongs to no village. I am powerless, Neji. I could not stop the main family from placing this curse on you, just as it was placed on me. But your master is different. He has the strength to protect you where I cannot. Tomorrow, you will go to him yourself. I cannot leave these walls to take you."
Though only three, Neji was perceptive. He already knew his father lived under confinement. And he already sensed the truth—that the branch family were treated as little more than servants, regardless of their blood.
Once, Neji had asked innocently why the Hyūga divided their kin so cruelly. Hizashi had told him the truth, without sugar-coating it. Neji hadn't understood then—and even now, he still couldn't.
But Hizashi never expected him to.
"Neji," Hizashi continued, his voice heavy, "when you become Chi Yu's disciple, you will gain choices I never had. I won't tell you what path to take, only this: whatever choice you make, let it come from your heart. Make it one you will not regret."
Neji nodded solemnly. "I understand, Father."
Hizashi ruffled his son's hair gently. "Then walk a different path than mine…"
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The Confrontation
The next day at noon, after lunch, Hizashi handed Neji the address to Chi Yu's residence. Since the Hyūga elders had only confined Hizashi, not Neji, the boy was allowed to leave when he said he wanted to visit Konoha's main street.
No one suspected Hizashi's true intent.
But when Hiashi learned later that Neji had left the compound alone, he immediately stormed to Hizashi's home.
"Hizashi! What have you done? Why did you let Neji leave alone?"
Calmly, Hizashi picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and replied evenly:
"Neji is not confined as I am. Is there a problem with him walking outside?"
Hiashi's face darkened. "Don't play games with me. Did you send him to Chi Yu?"
Placing the cup down, Hizashi answered firmly: "It is time he met his master."
Fury overtook Hiashi. He seized his twin's collar, his Byakugan flaring unconsciously as he snarled:
"Do you realize what you've done? The Hokage is already purging Konoha of instability. Orochimaru has just defected. Kakashi, Chi Yu's disciple, has been pulled into ANBU. And now Chi Yu himself stands isolated, under suspicion.
"If you send Neji to him now, you're as good as telling the Hokage that the Hyūga Clan sides with Chi Yu! Do you want us to become the next Uchiha?!"
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