This Naruto is a player.

Chapter 206 Caged Bird

"Come in, come in." Naruto opened the door and led Neji into the house.

The two settled down on the sofa.

Neji reached out and untied the headband that was tied to his forehead; there was still a layer of bandage wrapped around his head underneath.

The marks of the seal are only visible beneath the bandages.

Naruto realized that Neji had hidden that mark, which he considered a disgrace, very, very deep!

Now that they were alone, he carefully peeled off the bandages, revealing the mark.

"This is the seal."

Neji stared sincerely at Naruto with his Byakugan eyes, his deep voice utterly honest.

However, Naruto sensed a deep, hidden hatred in that tone.

He understands.

No matter who it is, when they are infected with this substance and their life is constantly in someone else's hands, they can't possibly be as lively and cheerful as before, right?

However, this was the first time Naruto had seen the seal in person.

It appears to be a bright green 'X' mark, with two equally bright green hooks pointing in opposite directions, the hooks pointing directly at the core of the 'X' mark.

After a moment of sensing, Naruto clearly sensed the flow of chakra within the seal.

"Is this the seal that protects your Byakugan from being stolen by other villages?" Naruto pretended not to know much about the inside story.

"Tch~~~ It's not just about protecting us!"

Upon hearing Naruto's words, Neji's lips curled into a cold smile, showing considerable disdain.

He trusted Naruto immensely, mainly because of the previous battle and the strength Naruto later displayed that far surpassed that of this world, which made Neji extremely admire him.

More importantly, Naruto's appearance overturned his lifelong belief in 'destiny'.

In his dark, directionless, and futureless life, a skylight was smashed open!
However, even with the light, Neji didn't know how to break free from his destiny!

Direction? Effort?
After the Chunin Exams, Neji once again fell into confusion.

Neji wanted to talk to Naruto, but because Naruto was too busy, Neji didn't have a chance to have a proper conversation with him.

Therefore, he seized the opportunity at this moment and spoke frankly and openly.

This was something he had never revealed to anyone before.

He stared intently at Naruto, wanting to tell Naruto everything and ask Naruto to help him find a way to break free from his fate and escape the future where he, like his father, was destined to die for the main family!
"Did you know? This seal has another name, it's called 'The Caged Bird'!"

"A caged bird?"

"Yes."

Neji nodded with unusual seriousness. He considered himself a bird full of talent, capable of soaring through the sky, but this seal was a cage imprisoning him!

He is a "caged bird"!
With a sigh of indignation, Neji then began to recount what he knew.

"Those who branch out of the family will be marked with this mark from a young age. Although this seal will destroy the Byakugan when the branch family member dies, it protects the branch family member from being coveted by enemies."

But inscribing this seal also means that those who branch out will be forever controlled by the main family!

"Control?"

Naruto looked puzzled, perfectly playing the role of the one being confided in.

Neji sighed, "Yes! Restraint."

At this moment, he recalled his childhood, after a sparring session with Hinata, when he thought he would be recognized again because of the talent he had shown.

To his utter surprise, instead of receiving praise, his father was severely punished by the clan.

My father hadn't done anything wrong, yet he was punished by the head of the clan with just a curse mark—no, just a thought.

With just one thought, her father, the man she respected, was left utterly powerless, clutching his head and writhing in agony on the ground.

And what about the main family members? They just watched coldly.

The image of his father's heart-wrenching cries of pain was deeply etched into his mind.

When that scene reappeared, Neji's eyes reddened.

But his voice remained calm, cold as a block of ice, "With just a thought from the main family, any branch family member possessing this 'Caged Bird' seal will be forced to surrender, writhing on the ground begging for their life. Because..."

The image of his once-mighty father begging for mercy flashed through his mind again, and Neji breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing the already boiling restlessness in his heart.

"Because this seal can directly damage brain and eye tissue, the pain is excruciating!"

Neji Hyuga had also personally experienced that kind of pain.

I absolutely regret ever being born!
"Is that so?"

Neji's description gave Naruto a better understanding of the 'Caged Bird' sealing technique, as well as the relationship between the Hyuga branch family and the main family.

Naruto's previous understanding of the Hyuga clan mostly came from Danzo's memories, but how could an outsider have the same profound experience as an insider?
Just by listening to Neji's tone and expression, and listening to his story, Naruto knew that the Hyuga branch family had been suffering under the pressure from the main family for a long time!
"not only that."

Thinking of his father paying for the life of the main family, which meant paying for the life of his uncle, the current head of the Hyuga family, Hyuga Hiashi, Neji could no longer restrain himself.

He was so angry that he laughed.

The laughter was agonizing, the laughter was sinister.

"The branch family, controlled by the caged bird, nominally bears the responsibility of protecting the main family!"

At this point, Neji almost gritted his teeth, and Naruto could sense his intense emotional shift.

"If the main family wants to, even if a branch family makes a mistake, it's just a matter of a word to make them pay with their lives!"

It really is just one sentence!

My father, Hyuga Hizashi, Hyuga Hiashi's younger brother! He died to pay for Hyuga Hiashi's life!

At this point, Neji's gums were practically raw from biting so hard!
My condolences.

That was all Naruto could say to comfort him.

“It’s alright,” Neji took a deep breath. “I’m used to it.”

Naruto glanced at him and thought his patience was truly remarkable.

No, it's the Hyuga branch family's incredible patience.

Even at this point, they did not choose to resist!

Perhaps there's a reason why his life is in the hands of the main family, but Naruto doesn't believe it.

The 'Caged Bird' seal has existed for hundreds of years, giving them ample opportunity to resist, or even escape.

But the reality is...
You're really good at enduring things!

They can tolerate even more than the lowest strata of society in the US!
Based solely on Neji's account, Naruto assumed that this was not a matter of 'main family' and 'branch family', but rather 'slave owner' and 'slave'.

That's really terrifying!

Naruto glanced at Neji, his lips moved as if he wanted to say that he knew the inside story, that Neji's father did not die in someone else's place, but rather chose to die voluntarily.

But he ultimately kept his mouth shut and didn't say anything.

After thinking about it, Naruto felt that he had done the right thing.

Explanation?

Pleading on behalf of one's future father-in-law?
Do not!
Naruto even wanted to add fuel to the fire!

Why?

Because the essence of the matter is not about who dies in whose place.

Behind every tragedy lies an even greater tragedy; it is all the fault of the ninja world and its system!

Take the Hyuga clan for example. Hyuga Hizashi's case is not an isolated incident. If Hizashi doesn't die because of this, he will die for the main family in the future because of other things.

As long as this kind of thing and the Hyuga clan's system exist, more people will die in the future for protecting the main family!
Are members of the main family destined for "nobility"?
The fate of separating from the family is also a fate!

Naruto's gaze had already passed beyond the Hyuga clan, reaching Konoha and the entire ninja world!
Is this something only Hyuga does?

Do not!
It's not just Hinata!
Every clan in Konoha has similar problems to some extent; the Hyuga clan is just one example.

After all, the clans in Konoha are incredibly powerful!
Even within the clan, ninjas only know about the clan and the head of the clan, but not about the Hokage or Konoha!
Family is paramount!
This reality must be changed!
However, according to the actual investigations conducted by Naruto's numerous subordinates...

In this vast ninja world, the existence of such clans is not limited to Konoha, but is widespread throughout the entire ninja world!
The existence of the family has transcended the shadows, the village, and may even transcend national boundaries!
It shares similarities with the "Five Clans and Seven Surnames" of ancient China.

This world may seem feudal. In fact, it is extremely feudal!

It's even worse than feudalism!
This is completely detrimental to the spread and development of Naruto Uzumaki's "Konoha New Era Sun Theory".

After the investigation, Naruto had the idea of ​​removing the clan's influence and control over the ninjas.

In his future plans, the family can exist, but it should never have such great power.

If someone can decide the life and death of other members of a clan with a single sentence, what's the point of having him as the sun of the ninja world?

Especially Hinata!
Hinata! Hinata!

Since becoming the 'Number One Clan in Konoha', they seem to have gotten a little arrogant!
The previous clan had immense power and prestige, and its members valued the clan's interests above all else, even more than the Hokage.
Uchiha!
What became of the Uchiha clan?
At this moment, Naruto has new thoughts about the demise of the Uchiha clan.

It is said.

During the Second Hokage's time, the silver-haired old man originally wanted to split up the clan, and even took the lead in disbanding his Senju clan and integrating them all into Konoha as an example.

To achieve his goal, Tobirama Senju relentlessly attacked the Uchiha clan, the most powerful of the clans!
Pity!
The plan wasn't finished before the person was gone.

The fact that the second generation could see this clearly shows that he was a remarkable person.

Unfortunately, the successors were all guys with little political understanding.

What about that old man from the third generation?
There has been absolutely no concrete action taken.

It's unclear whether they didn't understand the second generation's deeper meaning, or whether the second generation's actions had put the major families on guard, leading them to begin easing tensions with the major families in order to secure their positions.

Or, do you simply not want to do it?

As for the other disciple of the second Tobirama Senju, he only learned a little bit of the basics.

That's just the tip of the iceberg!

Danzo Shimura only learned a little bit of the basics; all he learned was to target the Uchiha clan ruthlessly!
However, they did not understand the motives behind the second generation's actions.

Danzo Shimura didn't understand, but Naruto Uzumaki understood it completely.

As a Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki wanted to break down the barriers between clans and make every ninja in Konoha serve the Hokage, free from the constraints and limitations of their clans.

Everyone exists for Konoha, not for their clan!

Since discovering this earlier, Naruto has been thinking about how to achieve this.

Fortunately, after meeting Hyuga Neji, Naruto found his 'pawn'.

cough cough.

Perhaps it's not the right word to use the term 'pawn' to describe this brother-in-law, but politics is just that ruthless.

A great change is about to take place!

In this new era, there must be new production and affiliation relationships. Therefore, Naruto chose to entrust Neji with the task of firing the first shot and taking down the commander of the clan.

"Hey~"

Naruto put on his acting skills, sighed deeply, and a crocodile tear rolled down his cheek.

"Neji, this is the first time I've heard your story. I never imagined that the Hyuga, the largest clan in Konoha, would have such a story within its ranks. Truly... truly."

Naruto tried to describe it for a while, but couldn't find the right words. Fortunately, Neji understood this feeling perfectly.

Neji was deeply moved to see that even a powerful ninja like Naruto was speaking up for him.

Naruto sighed and lowered his head, looking helpless. "It's all my fault. I had a chance to become Hokage some time ago, but because I was too young, more than half of the people didn't think I could do it, and in the end, Tsunade, that old woman, got the job."

Naruto subtly belittled Tsunade in his words.

He continued, "I swear, as long as I become Hokage, I will help you, help the Hyuga branch family, and change all of this!"

"But I'm not Hokage yet, I'm just a small Root leader."

Yes!

Tiny roots!
"That's a lot!"

Upon hearing this, Neji, who hadn't shed a tear even when talking about his father's death, burst into tears. "That's enough, that's more than enough!"

"No! It's not enough!"

Naruto stopped him, "I have to do something!"

No! It's not here.

"Neji!" Naruto suddenly shouted to stop him, "Go ahead and cause trouble! Go ahead and cause trouble!"

"Eh?"

"That's right, go ahead and cause trouble! But you have to do it in a planned and purposeful way, and at the same time, you have to secretly find people with similar problems and unite together."

Seeing Neji's puzzled look, Naruto continued to explain, "Once I become Hokage, I can only intervene in this matter if you cause trouble, and help your branch family resist the main family."

"so!"

Naruto patted Neji hard with both hands, "Before I become Hokage, try to find as many comrades as possible! At the same time, plan some small-scale disturbances to attract attention!"

"I have some connections with the Daily Ninja World, I can help you!"

The Ninja World Daily?
Naruto is very involved!

Take this opportunity to spread the conflict between the branch family and the main family throughout the entire ninja world!
Why?

All you see are the branch family and the main family! But some people see only themselves!

At this point, Naruto cautiously asked, "Are there any other branch family members who share your plight?"

Naruto's series of ideas were so wildly imaginative that Neji was still pondering them. Hearing Naruto's question, he replied blankly, "Yes, there are many more."

a lot of?

Naruto frowned. It seemed that the relationship between the main family and the branch family was more tense than he had imagined!
After a moment's thought, Naruto smiled and patted Neji on the shoulder, "Come on, let me remove the seal for you first."

"Ok!"

Upon hearing this, Neji's eyes lit up again.

Naruto Uzumaki is the man hailed as the God of Shinobi!

He hadn't heard much about Naruto before, but the Chunin Exams kept refreshing his understanding of him.

If there is only one person in the ninja world who can remove the seal on his head, then only this man can do it!

Neji looked at him expectantly.

Naruto Uzumaki is his only remaining hope!

Without the 'caged bird', he would never be bound by the main family again, and would become an independent, upright, yet very ordinary person!
This was the thing he had longed for most ever since he heard of his father's death and witnessed the horror of the "caged bird"!
Naruto placed his hand on his head, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed it.

Seeing Naruto frowning in thought, Neji asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? Is it difficult?"

is it hard?

For the rest of the ninja world, it's almost impossible!

But with Naruto's sealing techniques for making paper, and his incredibly precise chakra control, this kind of thing couldn't be simpler!
However, faced with such a simple situation, Naruto once again turned into a master of acting.

He frowned, his expression uncertain, and said, "It's a bit difficult! The chances of success are very, very small. If we force it, the probability of death is very high!"

Is that all there is to it?

Neji was immediately disappointed; the hope that had just been ignited suddenly vanished.

Even someone as powerful as Naruto wasn't entirely confident.

He, Hyuga Neji, a free bird, is he destined to be imprisoned by this "caged bird" for the rest of his life?
Just as Neji was about to resign himself to his fate.

Naruto's gentle voice rang out again, sounding like heavenly music to Neji's ears.

“However,” Naruto drawled, “I have a way to try that might increase the success rate.”

Neji's heart soared from the depths of despair to the heavens once more, and he felt a surge of intense gratitude towards Naruto. "Really?"

"Hmm, it's just to increase the success rate a little. Think it over carefully, do you want to do it?"

Naruto gave this suggestion.

"Yes! I want to do it!" Neji said with unwavering determination.

"Alright! Close your eyes, I'm about to begin!"

(End of this chapter)