249Bird in a cageAI Model: gemini-2.5-flashChapter 249: Brother-in-law
Early morning.
Naruto woke up from his slumber.
He stayed in bed for a moment, and after counting down ten seconds, a knock sounded on the door.
"Naruto-kun, are you awake?"
"Come in."
"Eh?"
Seeing him still lying under the covers, Hinatapaused and asked, "Naruto-kun, do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Look at that.
What a wonderful wife.
If it were someone less hardworking, they would have long since become a kept man.
"You came at the perfect time."
Naruto stretched out his hand and said, "My hand is numb from sleeping too long; I need someone to help me up."
Hinata bit her lip.
What 'numb hand'?
Your hand is already stretched out!
She took two steps forward and grasped his hand, pulling slightly, but unexpectedly, she was pulled back and tumbled onto the bed.
Naruto held her, thinking he could sleep for another ten minutes.
In his previous life, he loved taking'second sleep' naps.
Especially before school.
Ten minutes felt like a whole night.
And you felt like you made a huge profit.
"Naruto-kun, about that..."
Hinata didn't want to push him away, but she was afraid of being discovered.
After all, they were currently in the Hyuga Compound.
"Your heart is beating very strangely."
Naruto's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "Let me give you an examination."
However, he didn't succeed.
Hinata quickly grabbed his right hand and said, "Father and the others are waiting for you for breakfast. If we delay any longer, there will be trouble."
"You're right, next time then."
Naruto considered that if he continued, he probably wouldn't be able to hold back.
After all, there was the 'Dragon Raising its Head' phenomenon in the morning.
Hinata backed up a few steps.
Naruto got up, put on his jacket, washed up, and came to the main hall.
Only Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hanabi were at the dining table.
"Naruto, come sit."
Hyuga Hiashi patted the spot to his left and said.
Hanabi snorted, hopped off the wooden stool, snatched Hinata over, and then made a face at Naruto.
Naruto blinked, paying no mind to his sister-in-law's jealousy.
He sat next to Hyuga Hiashi, directly across from Hinata.
Breakfast was quite simple.
Although he couldn't enjoy Hinata's cooking, the taste was still good.
"The Land of Fire has been a bit chaotic recently. Be careful if you go out on missions."
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly recalled the intelligence he received last night and offered the reminder.
Naruto paused. Since he mentioned the Land of Fire, it likely referred to the rebellion of the Oda Clan.
Sure enough, his future father-in-law then looked at him and asked, "Why hasn't your Tianming Organization made any moves yet? If you need help, just say the word. The Hyuga Clan still possesses some strength."
Hyuga Hiashi had attended the negotiation meeting between En Yui and Tsunade, so he knew that Naruto and Sasuke were members of the Tianming Organization.
The Oda Clan's rebellion directly threatened the current Daimyo, En Yui.
"En Yui will handle it."
Naruto replied truthfully.
The wink he gave Oda Masao was already enough.
When His Majesty leads the rebellion, the outcome is obvious.
There was absolutely no need for him to do anything else.
He founded the Tianming Organization and the White Lotus Sect mainly so he could be lazy.
If he had to do everything, he'd be exhausted to death.
If he triggered the achievement of 'dying from tireless devotion to duty,' would he go to the Pure Land to collect the reward?
When that time comes, would the Six Paths Sagelook at his soul, point at Ashura's picture, and ask, "Is this my damn son?"
Speaking of which, Naruto immediately sent a query to the System.
[Regarding the host's System and soul, they will not be detected by anyone.]
Receiving a response for the first time, a huge weight was lifted off Naruto's mind.
Does this mean Minato and Kushina don't know either?
Naruto quite liked these two characters in his previous life.
He wanted to save them, but he was worried that if his transmigration was discovered, it would be difficult to deal with.
Now that the System guaranteed it, he definitely had to bring them back to the living world.
It just so happens that Sasori's soul research could be useful.
"Was the Oda Clan rebellion within your expectations?"
Seeing how calm he was, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but guess and ask.
"Sort of."
Naruto replied ambiguously.
His father-in-law was quite traditional, so it was better not to let him know the truth.
Hyuga Hiashi was deep in thought.
He could only sigh that he truly was getting old.
He couldn't keep up with his son-in-law's way of thinking.
At this moment, he even had the idea of retiring early.
Looking at the original work, Hyuga Hiashi actually didn't do much; he was quite laid-back.
But because of that, he lived a long time.
He outlived several elders of the Main House, and the children born afterward were no longer subjected to the Caged Bird Seal.
Of course, this was also because the Hyuga Clandared not lay hands on the Hokage's children.
After eating.
Hyuga Hiashi returned to his study to relax.
Hanabi went to school.
Hinata went out to perform a mission.
Her sensei, Kurenai Yuhi, was on maternity leave, so now Hinata was the captain, leading the other two members to complete missions.
Shino Aburame and Kiba Inuzuka are currently Chunin, so they are quite diligent.
Under Tsunade's special permission, Hinata was already a Jonin.
In a few more years, when she was older, she could become a squad leader.
Strictly speaking, she could do it now too.
But leading a squad at fourteen years old...
Tsunade wasn't very comfortable with that.
Hinata was slightly better, but Naruto? She definitely wouldn't dare.
With his lawless personality and strength, having him lead three Genin...
Tsunade felt like she might be trying to age herself prematurely.
Naruto was happy to be relaxed.
Teaching little brats was nothing but trouble.
He would consider this matter after his own children were born.
Naruto teleported to Langya Pavilion.
Because of the Tianming Organization's occupancy, Langya Pavilion was reorganized.
The sky city was being repaired on a flat area not far away.
Concealed using Ninjutsu.
A laboratory was built underneath.
Primarily for Neji and Sasori's use.
Although both of their research focused on souls, their ultimate goals were different.
The second floor of Langya Pavilion was specifically reserved for Sasuke and his two doctors.
Naruto, motivated by concern for his teammates, first went up to the second floor.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Karin and Sakura Haruno wearing slightly inappropriate nurse outfits.
This was completely unlike their usual attire.
He couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
Did I walk onto the wrong set?
This isn't Hokage, this is Night Shift Ward...?
But honestly, they looked quite good.
It's just that a certain area was a bit small.
"Has your eye evolution been completed?"
Naruto noticed that Sasuke's eyes were not wrapped in bandages, and he couldn't help but ask.
"Almost there."
Karin answered for Sasuke, "But the eyes can be used normally now."
Naruto nodded slightly.
No wonder the three of you are playing dress-up.
After all, if he was blind, he wouldn't be able to see what they were wearing.
"Is something the matter?"
Sasuke showed a very faint expression.
If Naruto hadn't opened his Mangekyo Sharinganand gained vastly improved vision, he really wouldn't have noticed it.
Based on Naruto's understanding, the faint expression probably meant he found these two beautiful girls too annoying.
Naruto returned a look that said, "I understand."
"Karin and Sakura, the two of you can't stop researching Medical Ninjutsu while you're here, such as a new version of the soldier pill. I'm sure Sasuke would be very willing to try it."
"???"
Sasuke's face was full of question marks.
"If you need anything, just write a list for Merlin."
Naruto left the room satisfied.
He continued walking downstairs.
The lighting turned dim.
He didn't know why Sasori liked such a gloomy and cold environment.
You're not a real poisonous scorpion.
Naruto entered the laboratory.
Sasori was watching a humanoid puppet stretching its limbs.
Neji lay blankly on the operating table nearby, his eyes vacant, as if his mind had been controlled.
What's going on?
Naruto was a bit confused.
Just then, the humanoid puppet greeted him: "Naruto."
"Human Puppet?"
Naruto blurted it out subconsciously.
But then he felt it wasn't right.
He had previously told Sasori not to create those harmful Human Puppets again.
Simply put, a puppet made from a living person can utilize the abilities the person had in life.
The Third Kazekage is currently a Human Puppet.
"It's the Spirit Transformation Technique."
The humanoid puppet explained, "I am Neji."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
The Spirit Transformation Technique is the Ninjutsu of Kato Dan, Tsunade's former boyfriend, who shares the same surname as God Hand.
In simple terms, astral projection.
It allows one's soul to leave the body, attach to an enemy, control them, or enter their mental world.
"A pure soul body allows me to better understand the essence of the Caged Bird Seal."
Neji explained, then remembered something and said, "I need a member of the Hyuga Main House to help me complete the final experiment."
Naruto nodded.
This was something they had agreed upon a long time ago.
Speaking of the Byakugan, he remembered he still had one Byakugan eye.
It was the reward sent by Mei Terumī of the Hidden Mist Village.
He didn't know which Hyuga Main House member it had leaked from.
Normally, there is only one Main House member per generation.
But the previous generation didn't all die off.
Naruto had lived in the Hyuga Compound for a while.
So he was relatively familiar with the situation.
Although he hadn't met them, the Hyuga Clandefinitely still had two Main House Elders.
They usually didn't interfere, only appearing in times of crisis.
In the original work, it was thanks to them that Hyuga Hizashi went to die in place of Hyuga Hiashi.
Theoretically, if they wished, they could easily produce several Main House guards.
Neji returned to his body, and the humanoid puppet fell, losing its support.
Sasori was deep in thought and didn't react.
Naruto glanced at the humanoid puppet and asked, "Do you still want this?"
"You want it? Then take it."
Sasori said carelessly.
He had too many puppet creations in his lifetime.
Even Kankuro's puppets were just casual works of his.
Yet, they could still be called treasures by ordinary Puppeteers.
"Alright."
Naruto put away the humanoid puppet, planning to sell it to Kankuro next time for some materials.
Sasori was quite carefree.
But all his expenses were covered by the Tianming Organization.
And the quantity was huge.
Even the Five Great Villages would find it hard to afford.
"Can you make figurines?"
Naruto suddenly thought of a way to make money.
With Sasori's craftsmanship, making figurines should be simple, right?
Inject Chakra, and damn it, they can even move!
And not just simple movements; they could perform complex actions like real human dolls.
If this kind of figurine existed in his previous life, wouldn't it sell like crazy?
"figurines?"
Sasori encountered this concept for the first time.
"You can think of them as palm-sized humanoid puppets."
Naruto spread his fingers and explained.
"Oh, that's not difficult."
Sasori nodded and asked, "What do you want to make?"
"Make merchandise."
Naruto pulled out Jiraiya's interspecies reviewers guide or whatever it was called, handed it to him, and said, "Make me figurines of all the female characters in this novel."
Sasori didn't refuse.
Since joining the Tianming Organization, he had been quite happy.
He didn't have to run around doing missions; he just stayed home all day making puppets.
He had access to all kinds of materials.
"Wait a minute, isn't this..."
Neji noticed the novel's cover and subconsciously looked at Naruto with a strange expression.
"I haven't read it!"
Naruto quickly shook his head.
But then he immediately realized.
Brother-in-law, I didn't expect someone as ascetic as you to have read this kind of book?
Neji coughed lightly, realizing his slip-up.
He explained, "I just accidentally saw the cover."
"I believe you."
Naruto blinked and added, "However, you are definitely at the age where you can look for a girlfriend. I think Tenten is quite good."
A few seconds later, he was kicked out of the laboratory by his Brother-in-law.
"Fine, I'll go back to the Hyuga Clan to steal someone."
Naruto shrugged and reappeared at the Hyuga Compound.
He was wondering whether he should tell his future father-in-law.
Hyuga Hiashi probably didn't have deep feelings for the Main House Elders.
After all, they had indirectly caused the death of Hyuga Hizashi back then.
Moreover, they were absolutely staunch defenders of the Caged Bird Seal system.
Standing with the Branch House, naturally, they didn't want the Caged Bird Seal placed on them.
But the Main House members were certainly willing.
Why wouldn't they be willing to perfectly control one of Konoha's top clans with just a few people?
At the same time, they had a so-called legitimate reason: preventing the Byakugan from leaking out.
It certainly had its uses.
Over so many years, only one eye had leaked out.
But the strength of the Hyuga Clan was also completely restricted.
Look at the Uchiha Clan next door; their eyes can also be used instantly, yet geniuses appear one after another.
Where would the Branch House members who were subjected to the Caged Bird Seal find the motivation to grow stronger?
No matter how strong they became, their lives still belonged to others.
Naruto walked straight to the study and knocked on the door.
He felt that he didn't need to overthink things.
Because he was strong enough.
"Ah, it's Naruto."
Hyuga Hiashi put down the book in his hand and asked, "Is there something you need?"
"Neji is already a member of the Tianming Organization."
Naruto stated his purpose directly.
"That's good news."
Hyuga Hiashi was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
After all, the Caged Bird Seal was there.
The Branch House wouldn't betray them.
Organizations like Danzo's Root never recruited Ninja from the Hyuga Clan.
That thing was essentially an open informant.
He wasn't stupid.
"He has reached the final steps in researching the Caged Bird Seal."
Naruto's second sentence truly changed Hyuga Hiashi's expression.
Even the Main House had no Ninjutsu or method to remove the Caged Bird Seal.
He hadn't expected Neji to be secretly conducting this research.
"What do you think?" Naruto asked.
"I..."
Hyuga Hiashi hesitated to speak.
He personally disliked the Caged Bird Seal system.
Because of Hyuga Hizashi.
"Now is the chance to abolish the Caged Bird Seal."
Naruto said with a serious expression, "Only by completely escaping the cage will the Hyuga Clanproduce strong individuals capable of restoring its glory."
Hyuga Hiashi's body trembled.
In fact, Neji was a perfect example.
Before meeting Naruto, he was overly pessimistic and negative.
This mindset made it impossible to become a true powerhouse.
Not to mention the other Branch House members.
"I know the biggest resistance will come from the Main House Elders, so just leave it to our Tianming Organization to handle."
Naruto stated his ultimate goal.
Of course, this would only benefit the Hyuga Clanand cause no harm.
After all, it was his wife's clan; he had to help them out.
Hyuga Hiashi recovered his composure and asked, "If I don't agree, will you still do it?"
"You misunderstand me."
Naruto scratched his head and said with a sincere expression, "I'm not that kind of person."