"Sigh... Chinya, do you think Neji will ever move past this? He reminds me of Kakashi back in the day," murmured Uzumaki Kushina as she leaned against Chinya's arm inside the bedroom.
Back then, Kakashi had fallen into a long slump after the death of his father, Sakumo Hatake.
Now, Neji Hyuga had also witnessed the death of his own father, Hizashi Hyuga, and had grown increasingly silent, barely speaking at all.
Chinya shook his head. "Neji is actually quite different from Kakashi. Hizashi chose to die for his clan, while Sakumo-sama died betrayed by the very Will of Fire he believed in.
Kakashi back then was more confused—confused about how his father had been so loyal to Konoha yet met such an unfortunate end.
But right now, Neji isn't lost like that. Hizashi already explained everything to him; it's just that Neji can't accept the reality of his father's death yet."
Kushina sighed again. "I really don't understand what Sarutobi is doing. It was clearly Kumo's fault, yet they swallow their pride and act like victims giving explanations to the actual aggressors. I wonder what they're afraid of. It's truly weak."
A shadow flickered across Chinya's eyes as he replied, "As Orochimaru-sensei once said, Hiruzen Sarutobi is too obsessed with power. You've seen it yourself, Kushina. Right now, everyone in Konoha sings his praises, convinced that Sarutobi made the village stronger by allying with Kumo.
Yet Hizashi's matter has been buried by Sarutobi himself. No one even cares if Hizashi is alive or dead.
People like Sarutobi only ask others to sacrifice themselves when their own interests aren't affected. They never consider sacrificing themselves first."
...
It had already been a month since the death of Hizashi Hyuga.
After breakfast at home, Chinya took Neji Hyuga and Uzumaki Sōnagi to the Forestland as usual for training on yet another new day.
[Water Breathing: Fourth Form – Striking Tide!]
Neji launched a multi-stage attack forward resembling crashing tides, but halfway through the motion, his movements suddenly fell apart, his breathing became chaotic, and the sword technique stopped abruptly.
Neji dropped to his knees, hands pressed against the ground, panting heavily.
He'd tried the Fourth Form—Striking Tide—countless times already, but still couldn't get it right.
After regaining his breath, Neji prepared to try again.
At this moment, Chinya spoke up, "No matter how many times you try, you won't succeed."
Neji halted immediately, asking in confusion, "Why, teacher? I feel like I should be able to master this."
Chinya nodded and explained, "Indeed, judging from your movements, you should've mastered the fourth form long ago.
But as I've said before, Water Breathing requires total clarity of mind—calm thoughts, a quiet heart. Right now, though, your mind's all over the place. You're not focused.
At first, I didn't think you'd get caught up in this, but lately, I can tell something's really bothering you. I just don't understand what exactly is making you hesitate."
Neji set his ninja sword aside, clearly caught in inner turmoil.
Chinya stepped before Neji Hyuga and asked, "Speak up, what troubles you? Perhaps I can offer some guidance."
After a long pause, Neji finally spoke, "Teacher, what troubles me is... whether or not I should return to the Hyuga Clan grounds."
Chinya showed surprise. "Return to the Hyuga Clan grounds?"
Originally, Chinya had assumed Neji would never want to return to that place which held only painful memories for him. To his surprise, Neji was actually considering it.
Lowering his head, Neji told Chinya, "I've been thinking. Although most of the Branch Family members have already hardened their minds, perhaps the younger generation around my age haven't yet been *poisoned* by the Hyuga Clan's ridiculous doctrines.
If I could persuade them and change their thinking, they might follow my example and choose to resist fate, walking a completely different path.
However, this road seems extremely difficult. The Main Family of the Hyuga Clan won't tolerate such things happening, nor will the elders of the Branch Family. Perhaps I'd be leading them toward a path from which there's no return.
Plus, my father doesn't want me to carry this responsibility... I don't know if I should do this, because doing so might actually harm them."
Chinya stared at Neji silently.
He hadn't expected this to be what troubled Neji.
Neji wasn't restricting his concerns to himself but was instead considering his clansmen, hoping they could also live a different kind of life like he did.
A smile spreading across his face, Chinya replied, "Isn't this a good thing?"
Neji suddenly lifted his head to look at Chinya.
Meeting Neji's gaze head-on, Chinya continued, "Neji, your father doesn't want you to carry this responsibility because he doesn't want you trapped within the Branch Family because of him.
But what you're trying to do now is something extremely noble. You aren't harming them—you're giving them the choice to determine their own futures, just as your father did for you.
All men are born free. No one should decide another's fate—each soul must carve out its own destiny. Your clansmen are trapped in a *Caged Bird* existence known as the Branch Family, and you're planning to hand them the key to break free from that cage.
Whether they choose to stay upon receiving the key or decide to open the cage and leave—that decision belongs solely to them. You're not harming them; you're giving them a chance to reshape their destiny.
This path is indeed difficult, but even if, in the end, only one person chooses to walk away with you, Neji, you will have succeeded. Your father will also be proud of you.
Neji, in my understanding, a clan isn't defined merely by sharing the same Kekkei Genkai. Rather, a clan consists of people who share similar thoughts and spirits.
What should maintain a clan's heritage isn't external things like bloodline limits, nor should it be shackles like the Caged Bird seal—but ideas and spirit.
You're not betraying the Hyuga Clan; you're rebuilding a new Hyuga Clan."
"Neji, there's no need to feel lost anymore. If you want to do something, just go for it! Go find those clan members untouched by the old ways who share your ideals, and walk a different path together toward a new future."
Neji Hyuga's eyes shone with renewed light.
Neji Hyuga nodded firmly and said, "Teacher, I will do it! Even if this path is hard to walk, I still want to take it! I want to show my father in heaven a new Hyuga Clan, a new Hyuga Clan with no division between Main and Branch families, a Hyuga Clan free from that pitiful fate!"
Chinya encouraged Neji Hyuga by saying, "I believe you can do it. I will stand behind you, support you, and help those clan members who are willing to walk this path with you. So go ahead and do it, Neji."
With Chinya's support, Neji Hyuga found his direction once again.
Neji Hyuga continued his training and once again attempted to perform [Water Breathing: Fourth Form – Striking Tide].
This time, Neji Hyuga showed no hesitation whatsoever. His movements flowed like water, and with steady breath, he performed [Water Breathing: Fourth Form – Striking Tide].
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