Chapter 14: Caged Bird

Yuto bowed respectfully, standing with hands at his sides in front of two main family geniuses.

Even the strictest and most traditional elders of the Hyuga family could not find fault in his behavior.

"The Jewel of the Hyuga..."

Shinosuke Hyuga murmured softly, the shadows of the leaves obscuring most of his face, making his expression fragmented, "No wonder you're called The Hyuga's Jewel. I've heard of a prodigy from the branch family, but I didn't believe it at first. Seeing you in action tonight, you're indeed formidable." He paused, his voice suddenly becoming sharp,

"But the branch family cannot bear the title of the Hyuga's Jewel. That is the responsibility and honor of the main family! Yuto Hyuga, you have overstepped!"

'Do you think I want to carry the Hyuga name...? Ignorant pests,' Yuto mocked silently, but his face remained calm as he responded, "It's just the admiration of my village peers. I'm not worthy to represent the Hyuga family."

"It's good that you understand." Shinosuke's expression softened slightly, "The move you used to defeat Shuto Uchiha tonight, did you create it yourself?"

"Yes."

"Hand it over to the family's secret techniques room." Shinosuke's expression was as if he was saying, "Let's have grilled meat tonight" in a casual manner:

"As a member of the Hyuga, everyone has the duty to enhance the family's heritage. According to the rules, the branch family must submit their unique techniques to receive appropriate rewards. At the next family meeting, you may kneel behind me and the elders of the main family. If you continue to contribute, you'll have more opportunities like this. How about handing it over now..."

If it weren't for the tense atmosphere, Yuto would have burst out laughing.

'Countless nights of thoughtful pondering, enduring solitude and pain to develop a secret technique, and you think you can take it with a word? The reward is kneeling beside you?'

'I know, at family meetings, the closer a branch member is to the main family, the higher their status. But look at me - do I really look like a dog?'

Yuto blinked, trying to evade the trouble in front of him, "Sorry, Shinosuke-sama, the time set by the Hokage for reassembly is near..."

Shinosuke's face turned completely cold, "Yuto Hyuga, do you dare to defy family rules?" He stepped forward, veins bulging at his temples, "The main family is the master of the Hyuga, the branch family is the shield and sword of the main family... It seems you've forgotten your obligations as a branch member."

Sensing his thoughts, the main family girl Meiko Hyuga also activated her Byakugan, coldly staring at Yuto.

Yuto frowned, feeling uneasy. He had outshone tonight, hurting their ridiculous pride.

Before he could think of a solution, he heard rustling footsteps on the grass behind him.

Activating his Byakugan instantly, Yuto saw Naoto Hyuga approaching from behind through his 360-degree vision.

Obedient dog, Yuto sneered.

One against three, Shinosuke, Meiko, and Naoto. These Hyugas were not weak. If a real fight started, he would have to fight with all his might.

Main family rules? Ridiculous. Do they expect him to offer his face to be stepped on? Yuto wasn't that lowly!

The lone boy showed no expression, but his body roared with chakra, the Lion's Teeth subtly appearing.

However, the fierce battle Yuto anticipated did not happen.

In the dark garden, Shinosuke raised a hand to his mouth, sneering at Yuto.

That smile was as if he were crushing an insect.

The next moment, endless pain erupted from the depths of Yuto's eyes.

From his eyeballs to his optic nerves and entire brain, it felt like a rusty pair of scissors was shredding his flesh and nerves from the inside out. Needles, knives, fire, swords... No pain could compare to this torture.

Unable to resist, Yuto clutched his head, curling up in agony.

A hand suddenly appeared, it was Naoto, clamping Yuto's mouth shut, nails digging into his flesh, indifferent to his suffering, preventing any sound from escaping.

After an unknown period, Yuto stopped struggling.

Naoto released his grip, shaking off the blood—Yuto had bitten his tongue in pain.

Yuto, dazed, struggled to see clearly but found everything a blur.

"Can't see anything, right?" Shinosuke Hyuga approached, looking with interest, at Yuto's bloodshot eyes, "The Caged Bird, a perfected seal over a thousand years, not only destroys the brain and eyes upon death but also can be activated by the main family to destroy the brain tissue... Of course, even the most perfect thing has flaws..."

The main family boy leaned in, his pure white eyes filled with condescending malice, "For example, activating the Caged Bird often causes varying degrees of vision damage, some recover in days, some never. You might end up blind..."

A gurgling sound emerged from Yuto's throat.

Shinosuke leaned in to listen but couldn't understand, standing up disappointedly, "Bit your own tongue, huh? You sure can endure... But no matter how much you endure, how tough you are, what does it matter? You're just a branch member."

"Yuto Hyuga, remember, I'll say this only once."

Shinosuke Hyuga pointed at himself, then at Yuto's forehead protector, "I am a Hyuga, and you are a Hyuga, but we are not the same!"

"For a shinobi, the most important thing is where you're born."

With that, he left with Meiko Hyuga and Naoto Hyuga, leaving Yuto immobile.

The branch family boy clawed at the dirt, desperately trying to stand and chase after them.

Plans and timing didn't matter anymore; he just wanted to tear those three's throats with the Lion's Teeth, drenching himself in revenge's blood.

Sadly, no matter how he tried, he couldn't succeed.

The activated Caged Bird was one of the most torturous methods in the shinobi world.

In the dark garden, moonlight slowly spread. It took a long time for Yuto to regain some strength.

He shakily took out a hemostatic ointment from his pouch, roughly applying it to his tongue. The pain from the ointment was sharp but less than the Caged Bird's torment and nowhere near the burning anger and hatred in his heart.

Rustle, rustle.

Footsteps approached from behind, someone unexpectedly arriving.

"...You look terrible, kid."

A woman's voice reached Yuto's ears in the night.

The branch family boy turned.

A blonde woman held a wine jar, drunk, with a bold yet lazy demeanor. The unique vitality and sunny chakra of the Senju clan seemed to drive away the night's chill.

(End of Chapter)

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