Konoha Notes

Chapter 332 Caged Bird

When Sasuke came out of the Hokage's office, he realized what he had heard and what he had said.

I'll become Hokage?

Many people in the school wanted to become Hokage, and Sasuke had thought about it too, but Itachi was far superior to him, whether it was his father, his clan, or everyone else.

Even if he wasn't the older brother, there was still Shisui in the clan.

Therefore, even if he had thought about it, there were still people within his clan he needed to surpass.

but……

This was the opinion of the village's higher-ups, the person his brother respected most, someone even his father would yield to.

Sasuke walked down the corridor and saw Itachi standing quietly by the window.

“Brother,” Sasuke walked up to him, “you…knew about this all along?

"what's up?"

Doesn't my brother know...?

But didn't Mr. Shuji say that his brother also had higher expectations for him...?

"Tap, tap, tap—"

The sound of heels clicking on the ground rang out, quite clearly. Very few people would dare to make such a racket in the Hokage Building. Itachi, who was on duty there year-round, almost reflexively straightened up, his posture becoming even more upright.

The blonde woman strode past.

"Lord Hokage." Itachi bowed his head in greeting.

“…Hokage-sama.” Sasuke followed his brother’s movements.

"Mm." Tsunade nodded to the two of them in response.

Sasuke looked up at the word "gamble" on the back of the Hokage as he strode forward.

He hadn't felt it before, but after meeting the two people, he always felt that the Fifth Hokage, who held the title of Hokage, didn't seem to have a stronger aura than the person in the office.

"Let's go back, Sasuke."

"Yes, brother."
-
After entering the office, Tsunade kicked off her shoes, leaving them lying around by the door, and then walked barefoot to the large sofa, where she sat down cross-legged without any regard for appearances.

"Sasuke seems a bit distracted. What did you say to him?"

"This encouraged him to aim for Hokage."

Tsunade exclaimed, "Wow! Did he really mean it, or are you saying you really mean it?"

"The Uchiha clan will not agree to this if they don't change their habit of solving all problems themselves."

Solving all the problems on your own often means trying to pocket all the benefits. Unless you're one of their own people who has earned their approval, or an outsider who can convince them with their abilities, it's difficult to get a share of the spoils from them.

"If you've already promised them, and they don't get the job, or if problems arise, Kakashi won't be able to handle it."

“I’ve already spoken with Fugaku once, on the premise that the branch situation is resolved,” Shuji said.

"You can't even handle one police department properly, and you added a branch as a condition." Tsunade shook her head. "Have you collected the Nine-Tails' chakra yet?"

"The intensity today wasn't enough, and Kurama didn't seem to be breaking its seal or leaking chakra on its own." Shuuji wondered if it was because he was there.

But he was too lazy to think about it anymore, so he tidied up his desk and left.

"Going back?" "Going to the Hyuga clan. The main family is changing its heir."

"Changing the successor..." Tsunade yawned, looking somewhat uninterested. "In the decades-long history of the Hyuga clan, it seems like this has only happened a few times. Is that youngest daughter of Hanabi really that strong? That she could make Hiashi decide to change the successor?"

Shuji had already reached the door, his hand on the doorknob. He paused upon hearing this, seemingly considering how to answer. A few seconds later, he gave an answer that nearly made Tsunade choke:
"She is more outgoing than Hinata."

I met him by chance once when I was at the branch office, and I still remembered him.

My sister-in-law is so cute, and then... nothing more.
-
Neji didn't understand what being a caged bird meant before.

He accepted all the roles that fate had given him early on—protecting his cousin Hinata as an older brother, and guarding the main family as a member of the branch family.

He diligently cultivated himself and improved himself, taking it all for granted as a responsibility, even with a simple yet noble sense of mission.

Until that day, when my father screamed in agony under the caged bird, my uncle, who was always serious but not cold-hearted, did not tremble at all when casting the spell.

But this was just a side story.

His uncle committed murder, and his father died in his place, which completely changed his view of the main family.

Neji could no longer view Hinata through the eyes of an older brother, but rather from the perspective of the eldest daughter of the main family, that of a member of the branch family.

Her uncle killed someone because she was kidnapped, and the whole family suffered criticism and pressure in the village as a result. Her father paid for it with his life... So, was she worth all this sacrifice?

Cowardice, hesitation, even the most basic soft punches are weak and powerless.

Aside from being born as Hiashi Hyuga's daughter and the eldest daughter of the main family, what other value does she possess that makes so many people pay such a price for her?

Neji couldn't understand. Each time he was summoned to the main branch of the clan to spar with Hinata, this confusion and a growing sense of anger intensified. Watching her clumsy movements, sensing her weak will, he thought of his father…

Uncontrollable anger and murderous intent overwhelmed the dam of reason.

Then, he personally experienced the pain his father had endured.

The excruciating pain from the cursed seal acting directly on his nerves felt like countless red-hot steel needles piercing his brain simultaneously, instantly stripping him of all ability to think and act. Before his vision went dark, he could only see his uncle's cold, icy white eyes.

Since then, Neji has no longer been the main heiress's regular sparring partner.

He was formally summoned back to the main clan last year after injuring three exchange students from Kumogakure at the Ninja Academy. Clan head Hiashi did not reprimand him excessively, only asking him to be mindful of his actions and not cause unnecessary trouble for the clan.

Neji heeded the warning; he had no interest in tormenting the weak.

It is simply to prove that the deceased father still has value. His value is not reflected in the fact that he was murdered by the main family, but in himself as a son, even if he is a "caged bird", he can still reach the top of the clan.

This was the only thing he could do, and it was the only meaning of his survival.

After completing his training for the day, Neji adjusted his breathing and returned to his clan's territory.

Just as he was about to turn a corner and step onto the main road leading to the branch area, he suddenly stopped.

Not far ahead, outside the main gate of the main family residence, almost all the important members of the main family, led by the clan head Hyuga Hiashi, were gathered. They were dressed in formal family crest attire, their postures showing a respect and solemnity rarely seen by Neji, as they bowed slightly to bid farewell to a guest.

The guest had his back to Neji. He was tall and slender, dressed in a dark casual outfit. Even just his back view caused all the main family members, including Hiashi, to show an almost cautious attitude.

Neji immediately took a few steps back, completely concealing himself in the shadow of the corner wall, holding his breath, his pure white eyes silently gazing at the scene in the darkness.

This is already the second time.

The second time, I witnessed firsthand that these members of the main family, who were born into a position of great power and determined the fate of the branch family, would also show such humility and respect to someone.

(End of this chapter)