Getting on the Right Track
Chi Yu was taken aback when he saw Hyuga Neji's Byakugan activate.
He had awakened it at such a young age.
Yet, Chi Yu quickly understood the magnitude of the moment.
The Caged Bird Curse Mark had stifled many promising Hyuga prodigies, reducing their potential and turning true geniuses into mere mediocrity.
The fact that Hyuga Neji—burdened with the Caged Bird Curse Mark—had become a genius spoke volumes about his innate talent.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Chi Yu's lips.
The cage that had imprisoned the bird was broken. Now, the bird would soar freely, unconstrained.
Feeling the heavy weight lift from him, Hyuga Neji's voice trembled with emotion: "Thank you so much, Teacher!"
Chi Yu waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need to keep saying that. I will also teach you how to remove the Caged Bird Curse Mark yourself. Whether you choose to use it—or how you use it in the future—is entirely your decision.
"But heed my warning: until you have absolute strength, you must never reveal it. If you do, you will face the scrutiny—and possibly the wrath—of the entire Hyuga Clan, and perhaps even Konoha itself.
"Konoha relies on the Hyuga Clan, and knowledge of how to remove the Caged Bird Curse Mark would send the clan into chaos. Exposure would put you in grave danger.
"Your Curse Mark has been neutralized, but I have not removed the mark from your forehead. This prevents others from knowing that the curse has been lifted."
Hyuga Neji's small face was solemn. "I understand, Teacher."
Chi Yu tossed him a scroll. "This contains the Gentle Fist techniques. Memorize it, then destroy the scroll."
Clapping his hands, Chi Yu continued, "Alright, let's begin your formal training. Neji, prepare yourself. My teaching is strict, and cultivating the breathing method is painful. Kakashi was barely standing when he first practiced this technique."
He chuckled suddenly, as if recalling a private joke.
But Chi Yu's laughter sent a chill down the spines of Hyuga Neji and Whirlpool Cangna.
They instinctively sensed that the coming days would be far from easy.
---
Evening
Hyuga Neji dragged his exhausted body back to the Hyuga Clan Residence.
He had expected some difficulties upon returning, but to his surprise, he arrived without incident.
He went straight to his room, where Hinata Hizashi waited.
"Father."
Hinata Hizashi looked up in surprise. "Neji, what happened to your face? Why is it wrapped so tightly? Can you breathe properly like that?"
Hyuga Neji's expression was bitter. "The point is to make breathing difficult. It's part of the training."
Dizzy and lightheaded from oxygen deprivation, Neji was fortunate that Chi Yu had allowed him one night to adapt. Like Kakashi before him, he was only allowed to remove the mask for eating and drinking.
Tomorrow, the real ordeal would begin.
Hinata Hizashi looked at his son and smiled gently. "If your teacher says so, there is nothing to be done."
Neji pointed to the cloth covering his forehead. "Father, it has been undone."
Hinata Hizashi reached out and touched his son's forehead. "Undone, huh? That's good… it's truly good."
Relief, gratitude, and emotion filled his eyes.
Neji's muffled voice echoed beneath the mask. "Father, I don't understand why you refused."
Hizashi paused, then understood. A touch of melancholy in his voice, he said, "Neji, everyone has their own convictions. Consider me stubborn and inflexible. Study hard under your teacher. Do not end up like me. I firmly believe that you will become an exceptional ninja."
Neji met his father's gaze with determination. "I will never be like you, Father. And I will make you change your mind!"
Hinata Hizashi was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily. "Good. Then I'll look forward to it."
---
Training Days
Days passed, and the training of Hyuga Neji and Whirlpool Cangna became routine, strictly following Chi Yu's plan.
Two months later, Neji practiced his ninja sword swings while Whirlpool Cangna focused on basic Ninjutsu. Chi Yu supervised closely, correcting even the slightest mistakes.
Nearby, a small head peeked out from the grass, watching the training curiously.
It was Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto had been secretly observing for some time, though Chi Yu pretended not to notice.
Naruto's life remained harsh, much as it had been in the original timeline. He faced discrimination daily. Chi Yu occasionally visited to help—not with money, since Naruto could not easily spend it, but by providing food and support.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also visited sporadically, nurturing Naruto's will to persevere. Per his agreement with Chi Yu, he could interact with Naruto after reporting to Sarutobi, though Naruto was unaware of Chi Yu's true background.
Chi Yu sensed when Naruto was present—and, with it, the watchful eyes of Hiruzen Sarutobi through his Telescope Ninjutsu.
Whenever Sarutobi monitored, Chi Yu would have Neji and Cangna focus on basics, ensuring no advanced techniques were revealed. After all, Neji was now learning the Gentle Fist, a technique restricted to the Hyuga Main Family.
Yet this could not continue indefinitely, as it disrupted their training rhythm.
Chi Yu sighed. It was time for a conversation with Naruto.
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