Hizashi Hyuga comforted the grieving Neji Hyuga.
He knew this decision would be unbearable for Neji to accept.
But for the sake of his clansmen, Hizashi couldn't afford to be selfish.
Neji asked again, his voice filled with reluctance and anger, "Father, is there truly no other way? Must you really take Uncle Hiashi's place and die? Father, can't you... just think about yourself for once?"
Neji didn't want his father to die. If only Hizashi would abandon the Branch Family members...
If he could just be selfish... Chinya would help Hizashi [Release the Caged Bird], and they'd leave Konoha together.
Hizashi shook his head helplessly. "Neji, the Branch Family trusts me. During the war, they followed me without question, charging ahead fearlessly even in the face of constant danger. I survived many crises thanks to them.
Neji, how can I be selfish? How could I abandon them?
If I chose to be selfish and left Konoha, I'd live forever haunted by regret, remorse consuming my entire life.
Our Branch Family cannot sever ties with the Hyuga Clan—it's our home. To be honest, this has always been my home too, never changing, even though the Main Family has always hurt us.
Because we're people trapped by tradition—including myself—I've always felt guilty about wanting to change your fate. I believed I betrayed the Hyuga Clan. I'm a criminal who harmed the Hyuga Clan.
That's why I want to walk to the very end as a true member of the Hyuga Clan. It's not only for the Branch Family… it's also my way of redeeming myself. My heart torments me, wondering whether I might do something to hurt you in the future."
Hizashi looked at Neji with deep self-reproach. "Neji, perhaps you think your father is great—but actually... your father has always been a coward."
At this moment, Hizashi completely opened his heart to Neji.
In truth, he'd always wanted Neji to see him as a great father.
But now...
Seeing Neji urging him to be selfish, Hizashi gave up that idea, revealing his true self to Neji.
Then, a voice called from outside the door: "Hizashi, The Third has arrived."
Finally, Hizashi ruffled Neji's head one last time. "I'm sorry, Neji. Then... farewell."
Giving one final, lingering look at Neji, Hizashi seemed to want to etch every feature of Neji's face into his mind.
As Hizashi stood up and walked toward the door, Neji's hoarse, choked voice reached him.
"Father, in my heart, you'll always be the greatest father—the one I admire forever. I promise you, I will live well. I'll follow my own heart and make decisions I'll never regret. I will become a powerful warrior, soaring freely through the skies, unshackled by fate."
Though hoarse and tearful, Neji's voice carried unprecedented determination.
Hizashi Hyuga turned around to look at Neji Hyuga and smiled. "Thank you, Neji."
After Hizashi left the room, Neji collapsed onto the ground like all his strength had abandoned him, gazing blankly in the direction Hizashi had walked away.
Inside a training hall on the Hyuga clan grounds.
Hiashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, the Hyuga elders, several ninja from both Main and Branch Families, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had gathered together in the training hall.
The Hyuga elders explained the entire situation before everyone present, then pompously declared, "To protect Konoha from war, our Hyuga Clan bears an inescapable duty."
Hiashi understood their implication and immediately spoke up, "If my own life alone could save the entire village, I would willingly make that sacrifice."
Perhaps truly remorseful or merely feigning guilt, Hiruzen slightly lowered his head.
One of the Hyuga elders suddenly interjected, "Wait just a moment, Hiashi! Don't decide so hastily! The Byakugan is Konoha's ace card. Protecting it has always been the Main Family's responsibility!"
Hiashi replied shamefully, "Yet we, who should have protected it properly, are dragging the village into the abyss of despair..."
The elder interrupted, "I understand what you're saying. That's exactly why we have the Branch Family. We will hand over Hizashi's body as your replacement—he has already agreed to this."
Frowning, Hiashi countered, "But the men of the Land of Lightning desire the power and secrets of the Byakugan itself. Once Hizashi dies, the Byakugan's power will be sealed. They won't accept such a deal!"
Another elder cooperated with Hiashi in explaining, "They probably think the same way. The Land of Lightning requested your corpse in exchange, so we will first appear to accept their demand and then offer Hizashi instead. Since they look nearly identical, the Land of Lightning won't have any grounds for complaint."
Within the training hall, members from both the Main and Branch Families stared in shock at Hiashi and Hizashi.
Main Family members were astonished that the Land of Lightning would dare covet their Byakugan.
Meanwhile, the Branch Family members couldn't believe Hizashi—their leader—was being offered as a sacrifice instead of Hiashi.
Still, these Branch Family members only felt surprise. In their minds, the very purpose of the Branch Family was to serve and sacrifice themselves for the Main Family.
It was only natural that Hizashi, who was the most appropriate choice, would now give his life for the sake of the Main Family.
The elder solemnly continued, "Through generations, we have preserved the Hyuga Clan's Kekkei Genkai this way. Even brothers must be forsaken without hesitation. This is the fate of the Main Family, the mission of the Branch Family, and ultimately, the destiny of every child born into the Hyuga Clan."
Hiashi and the elders worked seamlessly together—not only for Hiruzen's benefit but also to display to both Main and Branch Family members, deeply instilling within the clan the concept of the Hyuga's destined fate.
Seeing Hiashi seemingly hesitate, Hizashi lightly chuckled, "What's wrong with you, Lord Hiashi? You've always been so firm."
Hiashi looked at Hizashi, his own younger brother who was about to sacrifice himself. Although Hiashi had already learned the outcome and accepted it, his heart still felt heavy.
"Hizashi..."
Hizashi punched Hiashi in the stomach and whispered into his ear, "This punch is for betraying our childhood promise. If you truly value our bond as brothers, I beg you, treat the Branch Family members kindly. They are family too, not just assets to be used by the Main Family."
Hiashi collapsed to the ground, mustering all his strength to lift his head and gaze at Hizashi.
That promise they made as children...
A memory surfaced—one from long ago. His younger self and a young Hizashi, before the [Caged Bird] seal was carved into his skin, stood side by side beneath the setting sun.
"Brother, you don't have to worry about me. Even if I become part of the Branch Family, I believe you will protect me!"
"Hizashi, I promise you—I will change the fates of both the Main and Branch Families. I must!"
"I believe in you, Brother... I always have!"
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