Naruto: The Caged Bird Cannot Confine Me - Feng Hou Qi Men

After the battle, they confirmed Feng Qi's will and became even more determined in their initial thoughts.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 24 S-Rank Rogue Ninja, Hyuga Fuuki!

A week later.

News of the devastating blow suffered by the main branch of the Hyuga clan in Konoha spread throughout the entire ninja world.

Not only the four most powerful nations, but even some smaller countries and ninja villages were taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

Both incidents occurred in Konoha, and both involved a clan with what was considered the "strongest" bloodline limit, leading many to draw parallels to the Uchiha Clan Massacre many years ago.

Various forces began to take action, secretly investigating the protagonist of this major event—Hyuga Fuuki.

The fact that the Byakugan could awaken special forms greatly shocked them, and they deeply remembered the name Hyuga Kazeki.

Naturally, Feng Qi was labeled a rogue ninja.

The highest level of danger is S-rank!

Affected by the severe damage to the Hyuga clan, the outside world gradually becomes turbulent.

Some countries with a blood feud with the Land of Fire are stirring up trouble, lurking in the shadows, looking for an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Meanwhile, the forces within Konoha Village were also struggling to maintain peace, experiencing various upheavals.

The most noteworthy event was that the Hyuga clan broke with long-standing traditions and announced the merger of the main family and the branch family!

The Caged Bird Seal used to bind the branch family members is quite important, and not all main family ninjas can access it casually.

After the "Night of the Clan Land," those in the main family who could activate the Caged Bird Seal had been almost all killed by Feng Qi.

Before the younger generation, who haven't fully matured, relearn the spell seal, the Caged Bird Seal is practically useless for the separation.

Faced with internal and external troubles and severe damage to its high-end combat capabilities, eliminating the rift between the main and branch families and joining forces to deal with the various difficulties ahead has undoubtedly become the best solution for the Hyuga clan at present.

The Hyuga main family is well aware that only by withstanding the crisis of extermination and restoring their former strength can they consider what comes next.

The Hyuga branch family, who had been confined like caged birds, suddenly gained the freedom to soar through the sky, a dream come true, and became one of the heads of the family. Naturally, they were quite cooperative.

Not to mention, within the family division, there were already many fools who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the family!

Although some turmoil occurred during this period, overall, the Hyuga clan managed to avoid being completely devoured after its disintegration.

However, they are completely out of luck when it comes to the title of "Konoha's strongest clan".

The newly merged clan territory was in dire need of rebuilding.

Inside the deserted Japanese-style building, Hinata sat blankly on the floor, her face gaunt and her eyes lifeless.

The sunlight outside the corridor was very bright, but it couldn't penetrate the dimly lit room because of the tightly closed door.

Just like the timid girl's heart at this moment, the surroundings were dark and lifeless.

The small courtyard outside the house.

Kurenai crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, occasionally glancing up at the locked door.

Since that incident, Hinata has shut herself off and hasn't stepped out of her room for several days.

As the teacher of Class 8, Kurenai Yuhi was quite worried about this, fearing that the usually well-behaved Hinata might not be able to bear the heavy blow and might do something rash.

She desperately wanted Hinata to get out of her pain, but she didn't know how to persuade her, so she could only stay there silently.

"Teacher Kurenai, Hinata hasn't eaten for a long time. Is it really okay for her to continue like this?"

Kiba Inuzuka frowned and couldn't help but ask.

As a fellow member of Team 8, he was very worried about Hinata's current situation.

The white dog, Akamaru, lying on his head, also looked distressed and let out two weak barks.

In contrast, Shino Aburame, who had her hands in her pockets, was much quieter, standing silently in place.

"Don't worry, Hinata isn't such a fragile child. She's stronger than any of us can imagine," Kurenai Yuhi said firmly, forcing a smile.

Can Hinata escape from this endless suffering?

She wasn't actually very confident.

"I heard that Naruto Uzumaki, that loser, is also going to the Land of Waves for a mission. I really hope Hinata can cheer up soon," Kiba sighed softly.

To his surprise, this subconscious remark seemed to have touched a nerve in Hinata's heart inside the room.

With a creak, the door, which had been closed for several days, was pushed open forcefully.

Hinata, who was thin and frail, walked out of the dark room.

Despite struggling to adapt to the suddenly intensely bright light, Hinata's eyes remained resolute as she forced them open against the glare.

Upon seeing Hinata slowly approaching, Kurenai and the other two immediately showed joy on their faces.

Kurenai slowly released her hands from Hinata's ample bosom, saying with a touch of heartache, "Hinata, you..."

"Red Teacher, I want to become stronger!" Hinata said earnestly, her words very brief.

In the depths of those clean, white eyes, there was less of the timidity of the past and more of a somber and mature look.

Having undergone a tremendous change in her mindset, she was no longer the girl who, under the protection of her family, spoke softly and weakly.

My desire to become stronger is stronger than ever before.

Even if it comes at a price, Hinata is determined to catch up with Hyuga Fuuki and confront him to demand why he did what he did, seeking "revenge" against him!

Otherwise, she would not be able to continue to uphold her ninja way!

Looking at Hinata, who seemed like a completely different person, Kurenai Yuhi remained silent for a long time, her complex thoughts finally turning into a sigh.

Perhaps this is the best possible outcome?

"No problem, now get ready for the grueling training!" Kurenai Yuhi said with a slight smile, her eyes narrowed.

"Yay! Class 8 has been revived!"

Oblivious to anything amiss, Kiba Inuzuka excitedly raised his fist, simply overjoyed at Hinata's return.

"Tooth, you'd better work harder, or you'll become our worst student."

Aburame Shino's words almost made Ya-Gan break down, and he turned around and launched into a tirade.

Noisy and boisterous behavior is almost a daily occurrence for all ninja teams. If it were Hinata from the past, she might have covered her mouth and been laughing like an idiot.

but now……

She stood there blankly, her delicate, fair face showing little expression.

Meanwhile, a hidden corner of the corridor not far away.

With her long hair cascading down, Hinata Hanabi slowly withdrew her gaze, finally putting her mind at ease after a long period of anxiety.

The sorrow deep in Xiaoxiao's eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by an incomparably resolute expression.

Fireworks walked with firm steps toward the training room deep within the clan's territory.

To avenge his father, and to protect the Hyuga clan and his beloved older sister.

She secretly vowed to become powerful enough to defeat Hyuga Fuuki and bring him back to Konoha!

The shock of family tragedy and Fuuki's defection led the two Hinata sisters, with their vastly different personalities, down the same path...

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 25 The Akatsuki's Attention

The former residence of the Hyuga branch family, the residence of Fuuki.

The day after the incident on the clan's territory, several ANBU ninjas arrived to investigate.

Over the next few days, village ninjas also appeared in the area where the rogue ninja Hyuga Fuuki had once lived.

After failing to gather any useful information, the place became desolate.

However, the flowers, plants and trees in the courtyard were well taken care of. After the heavy rain, all kinds of flowers bloomed one after another, exuding vitality.

The fragrance of the flowers remained, even stronger, but the clear birdsong of yesteryear was gone—the bird that once soared into the sky never appeared again after that day.

Hyuga Neji carefully put away the showerhead bottle and slowly walked to the corridor where he last saw Fuuki-nii and sat down.

Looking up at the empty bird's nest in the small tree in the yard, Neji's expression was quite heavy, filled with deep sorrow.

"Some people are born standing at the peak that ordinary people strive to climb. Bloodline is something that is difficult for human beings to shake in this world."

"However, fate can be changed. After all, we at least have the right to choose whether to die standing or live on our knees, don't we?"

"Don't think too much, just live according to your own will. If the sky falls, I'm still here to hold it up."

Unconsciously, the words that Feng Qi had once said echoed in his ears. Neji never expected that these words would come true so quickly.

"Perhaps back then, Brother Fengqi already foresaw what would happen to him?"

Neji muttered to himself, "He really did it, breaking free from the seemingly unchangeable cage and fate..."

From the members of the branch family who turned and left that day, he learned the truth about the eye gouging and also gained a deep understanding of the ugly faces of those clan elders.

He didn't have much affection for the main family to begin with, so he wasn't particularly emotionally affected by this.

If it were me, could I fight to the death like Brother Fengqi?

After a few seconds of contemplation, Neji slowly shook his head and sighed softly.

That's probably impossible...

Neji raised his hand to remove his headband, touching the Caged Bird Seal that he had once loathed and which was now worthless. His gaze gradually hardened.

"Brother Fengqi fulfilled his promise, shouldered everything alone, and unlocked the chains of the birdcage for the entire branch family."

"I should also do my best to live according to my own will, as he said!"

Thinking of the Hyuga clan, beset by internal and external troubles, Neji slowly stood up, stepped out of the courtyard, pushed open the gate, and walked towards the brightly lit street.

A confused and melancholy heart becomes more resolute because it has someone to rely on.

A temporary merger could not completely sever the class conflict. He made up his mind to take advantage of the temporary equality within the Hyuga clan to vie for the position of the new clan leader!