Hizashi Hyuga calmly accepted the demand that he sacrifice himself in place of Hiashi Hyuga. He now sat on the tatami mat, waiting for Neji Hyuga to awaken.
When Neji awoke, he abruptly sat upright and, upon seeing Hizashi beside him, cried anxiously, "Father, you can't go through with this! The Hyuga clan isn't worth your sacrifice!"
Neji's eyes were red-rimmed with emotion, his voice thick with tears.
Hizashi sighed. "Neji, this was my choice. I have no regrets."
Tears rolled down Neji's cheeks. "Father…"
Neji had run out of words to plead with Hizashi.
Just then, a snake slithered out from Neji's sleeve and made its way across the table.
Staring at the snake, Hizashi's voice caught in his throat. "Are you… Chinya?"
The snake responded in Chinya's voice. "That's right. I'm sharing senses with this snake right now. Hizashi, if you die, you'll miss out on being part of Neji's future. Are you really okay with that? Okay with throwing away your life for unworthy people like the Hyuga, missing your child's growth?
"All I need is one word from you, and I'll help you—[Release the Caged Bird], help you leave Konoha, and join my organization.
"You're Neji's father, and Neji is my disciple. You once told me I was like a second father to him—that's exactly why I can't stand to see you throw your life away for nothing."
Hizashi replied firmly, "Chinya, no matter how much you or Neji try to persuade me, my answer has never and will never change."
Chinya fell into deep silence. After a long pause, he spoke again. "Why? Your loyalty toward the Hyuga clan is strangely abnormal. If you were truly loyal, you wouldn't have allowed Neji to train under me. There must be a reason behind it, right?"
This time, it was Hizashi who remained silent, casting a guilty glance toward the tearful Neji beside him.
Chinya continued solemnly, "Tell me, Hizashi. Neji is your son. He deserves to know. It's time you gave Neji an explanation—after all, he's about to lose his father."
Hizashi let out a deep sigh before speaking. "I didn't want Neji to know because I didn't want him carrying this burden. I wanted it to end with me.
"I am Neji's father, but more importantly, I am the head of the Branch Family. If the head of the Branch Family chooses to flee—to [Release the Caged Bird] and defect from Konoha—the other members of the Branch Family would face increasingly harsh treatment within the main branch.
"I already acted selfishly once regarding Neji. Because of that selfishness, the Branch Family began facing pressure within the main branch. I cannot afford to be selfish again.
"If giving my life can earn them a better place within the Hyuga clan, then I will go to my death willingly.
"But this is a responsibility borne by the head of the Branch Family. I don't want this burden falling onto Neji as well. That's why I didn't want Neji to know the truth."
Neji stared motionless at Hizashi, shocked to learn that his father had refused to [Release the Caged Bird] for such a reason.
Chinya also hadn't expected that Hizashi Hyuga's reason for refusing his help all along was because of the Branch Family.
After all, Chinya himself had no concept of clan loyalty, so he'd never considered that Hizashi's unwillingness to accept his assistance might stem from the issue of the Branch Family.
Chinya said earnestly, "Then, Hizashi, what if I can help those Branch Family members who wish to leave? What if I remove their Caged Bird seals and you could come with us?"
Hizashi shook his head. "That's impossible, Chinya. The Hyuga Clan has developed into what it is today not only because of the Caged Bird seal but also due to deeply ingrained ideological concepts.
Even if members of the Branch Family are dissatisfied with the system separating Main and Branch Families, they would still never consider leaving the Hyuga Clan entirely. In their minds, this is simply an internal conflict. No matter how unfair or harsh the Main Family may be, they cannot betray the Hyuga Clan itself.
Before any conflict between the Main and Branch Families arises, we're all still members of the Hyuga Clan. That sense of belonging—it's both our strength and our curse.
I used to share these very views. If you hadn't scolded some sense into me back then, I would've given up on Neji and made him fall into the same cycle that I was trapped in.
Therefore, even if they learn that the Caged Bird seal can be removed and that they could leave Konoha to escape the Main Family's oppression, they would still refuse. Instead, they would see me as a traitor.
Perhaps you think they're foolish, but as their clan leader, I cannot abandon them. That is my responsibility.
The reason I didn't tell Neji was that I was afraid he'd take on this burden the moment he found out—turning it into a weight he couldn't carry. I want Neji to remain free, which is why I don't wish for him to be bound any further."
Hizashi's words left Chinya unable to persuade him further or interfere anymore.
This was Hizashi's choice—to serve as the leader of the Branch Family and ultimately sacrifice himself for his clansmen.
Neji opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something, yet no words came out.
Hizashi ruffled Neji's hair gently and said, "I'm sorry, Neji. I know this must be difficult for you to accept, but there are things I must do—responsibilities I must bear. I cannot abandon them. I hope you understand me.
And I hope you won't feel any guilt over this—it was my own decision, unrelated to you. From now on, study diligently under your teacher and become a powerful ninja. A free one, like your teacher, soaring unrestricted through the skies.
This is my dream too. I hope that you, Neji, will fulfill this dream for me. Swear it to me, Neji!"
Tears streamed down Neji's face, and he could only choke out sobs, too overcome to speak.
Hizashi gripped Neji's shoulders tightly and locked eyes with his nephew. "Swear it to me, okay? Neji!"
Wiping away his tears, Neji finally managed to reply with difficulty, "I—I swear it, Father!"
A smile appeared on Hizashi's face as he turned to Chinya and said, "Then I'll leave Neji in your care, Chinya. The best decision I've ever made was having Neji become Chinya's apprentice."
Chinya bowed deeply toward Hyuga Hizashi, his senses still linked with the snake.
Chinya promised solemnly, "I'll give it my all to train and protect Neji. You can rest easy."
"Thank you, Chinya."
Finally, Chinya said to Neji and Hyuga Hizashi, "Neji... I'll come pick you up tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, you'll temporarily live with me. Well then, goodbye, Hizashi."
After speaking, Chinya reluctantly released his sensory link with the snake.
...
Meanwhile, the Elders of the Hyuga Clan had already sent someone to notify Hiruzen Sarutobi at the Hokage Tower.
Upon hearing that the Hyuga Clan had persuaded Hizashi to take Hiashi's place, Hiruzen immediately set off for the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
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