An hour later.
Reassured, Hyuga Hiashi walked to an open plot on the west side of New Konoha.
Because Uchiha Jin had long foreseen that the Hyuga Clan would join, he had already mapped out the clan's future district in New Konoha several days earlier.
Of course.
For now the place was still nothing but empty ground.
The Hyuga would have to build their new compound themselves, though if they were willing to pay they could post a mission at the Village's task hall.
As for tonight…
New Konoha had merely provided new tents, the most basic bedding and supplies. The injured Hyuga had it better—they were already settled in New Konoha's Hospital.
"Clan head, you're back!"
"What does Lord Hokage Jin think?"
"What arrangements has he made for our Hyuga Clan from now on?"
"…"
The moment Hiashi returned, every Hyuga crowded around him.
Their eyes were full of bewilderment, worry, and fear, yet mixed with a faint trace of anticipation.
It couldn't be helped.
Although they had heard rumors beforehand, today was their first day in this New Konoha.
Coming to such an unfamiliar place, fear and anxiety were natural; that sliver of hope came from the news they'd gathered about New Konoha's attitude toward the Hyuga.
The Bird in a Cage must be removed!
So when they saw Hiashi return they all wanted to hear the details.
To that end,
Hiashi, knowing their concerns, hid nothing and bluntly told every clansman present exactly what New Konoha planned for the Hyuga.
Immediately afterward,
countless branch-house members were moved to tears, their eyes blazing with excitement.
Even though the Bird in a Cage still scarred their foreheads, they felt a freedom they had never before tasted.
Only the main-house members looked grim.
Watching the jubilant branch house, they longed to punish them with the cursed seal, but realizing this was New Konoha's territory they reluctantly swallowed their pride.
Yeah, right!
New Konoha did not recognize the main house's privileges. They could still discipline the branch members, yet New Konoha would just as readily discipline them.
Hyuga Hizashi's gaze was complicated.
He couldn't help touching the seal on his forehead and hurried to Hiashi's side.
"Brother…"
"Does this mean Neji won't have to be branded with the Bird in a Cage?"
His eyes were urgent—Neji was his son.
At five years old, Neji was scheduled to receive the seal right after Hinata's birthday, according to clan law.
But now?
Hiashi looked at his younger brother and finally nodded solemnly.
"Hizashi, don't worry."
"From now on, no Hyuga child will be branded with that hideous Bird in a Cage before graduating the Ninja Academy."
"Only after they graduate, leave the Village, and truly face the storms of the Ninja World will the question of the seal even arise."
"And even then it won't be compulsory; the choice will follow each person's own heart."
"Only those who fear death, fear being hunted, lack the mindset of the strong—only if they themselves ask for it will the seal be applied."
"If one possesses the heart of a strong warrior and is ready to brave the tempests of a Ninja's life, then naturally the Bird in a Cage is unnecessary."
"But likewise,
without the seal's protection the danger they face may increase!"
"If Neji chooses not to receive the seal, he must be prepared to grow through bloodshed; his risk of death will exceed that of ordinary Ninja."
"Do you understand, Hizashi?"
Hiashi spoke plainly.
Though the Hyuga and Uchiha were both dojutsu clans, the Hyuga were far more vulnerable.
The Sharingan was mighty, but transplanting it carried heavy after-effects—Kakashi was proof of that.
Once a Konoha prodigy, now exhausted after just a few Ninjutsu.
The Hyuga's Byakugan was a different story.
Anyone could transplant and use its basic functions, making it a coveted prize for every shinobi in the world.
At those words,
Hizashi's initial excitement froze.
Because of the seal he had lived as a slave, every main-house member treating him like a dog.
Even as head of the branch house he was powerless.
The main-house elders cared nothing for his title; if not for Hiashi's presence granting him slight face, his life would have held no dignity at all.
Raised under such harsh conditions, he'd never had time to imagine life without the Bird in a Cage.
Now everything was different.
Once the seal truly ceased to be an issue, he realized the outside world held its own perils.
"Brother, I…"
Hizashi fell silent at once.
The joy in his heart was instantly shattered by that harsh reality.
The other branch-house Hyuga felt the same.
Though thrilled to be free of the seal, they now faced a tempest: too many in the Ninja World coveted the Byakugan.
Seeing this, Hiashi patted Hizashi's shoulder and addressed everyone present.
"New Konoha needs strong warriors!"
"That is why Lord Hokage chose to intervene in our clan. Though losing the Bird in a Cage will increase our risks, it will also raise the chance of geniuses and mighty fighters appearing among us."
"True strength is forged only in bloodshed and storms!"
"So, Hyuga!"
"If you wish to become strong, then fight like the Uchiha—stake your lives on it!"
"Of course,
if you lack such ambition, then accept the Bird in a Cage and devote yourselves to ensuring the clan's future generations."
By now Hiashi had clearly thought it through.
He too wanted the Hyuga to grow as powerful as the Uchiha.
Therefore,
even if the path ahead is strewn with blood, he would walk it without regret!
His words ignited the desire for strength in every listener.
In an instant,
with the lifting of the Bird in the Cage, every Hyuga present blazed with brilliant light in their eyes.
That thing is called ambition!
"A strong warrior? I'll become one!"
"Just like the Uchiha next door—their might was bought with blood and sacrifice."
"We Hyuga are no less!"
"Fight, Hyuga!"