Naruto: The Tavern Speech Begins to Make the Land of Rain Great

Konoha Village, the territory of the Hyuga clan

A young man in a white robe was waving his hands, striking a wooden stake that was already somewhat damaged.

His figure swayed and moved lightly, his steps shifting nimbly.

The force of his hand movements was also considerable.

With each strike of his hands on the wooden stake, a thin crack appeared on it, accompanied by the use of chakra.

However, judging from the sweat dripping from his forehead, he had clearly reached his limit.

His hands trembled slightly from the prolonged attack.

Even the speed of the attack slowed down.

"Damn it, make it stronger!"

Hyuga Hizashi's tone was filled with resentment, which compelled him to squeeze out every last bit of strength.

He gathered his strength, slightly contracted his body, and then slammed his palm into the wooden stake.

"Bang."

The wooden stake was broken.

Hyuga Hizashi looked at his hands, which were already bleeding, but couldn't help smiling.

His strength has improved.

He felt he was one step closer to freedom.

He has now vaguely reached the threshold of becoming a Jonin.

However, the journey from touching to actually getting inside is always a long one.

The same applies to Hyuga Hizashi, who is of Chunin strength.

Even though he was just one step away from becoming a Jonin, Hyuga Hizashi did not slack off.

After practicing the boxing techniques, next...

It's time to train your eye-rolling skills.

Contrary to popular belief, the ability to roll one's eyes requires practice.

Once activated, the Byakugan grants the ability to see through objects, enough to see opponents several kilometers away.

However, to improve dynamic vision and hand-eye coordination, a lot of training is required.

The Hyuga clan, on the other hand, relies heavily on Gentle Fist, which combines the Byakugan with taijutsu.

This means that Hyuga Hizashi needs to spend a lot of time training his taijutsu as well as his Byakugan.

Hyuga Hizashi took a deep breath.

Roll your eyes, open!

A series of rugged lines suddenly appeared beside Hyuga Hizashi's eyes.

Hyuga Hizashi felt the world before him become incredibly clear.

He swept his gaze across the woods not far from the family compound, where he used to train.

Ok?

Is someone in the woods?

Hyuga Hizashi fixed his gaze on a figure hidden in the woods not far away.

The figure seemed to sense that his spying had been discovered and slowly walked out of the woods.

Hyuga Hizashi stared intently.

His golden snake eyes, long black hair, and pale face all spoke volumes about his identity.

This is…

"Orochimaru-senpai?"

"Hizashi-kun, that was excellent practice."

Orochimaru's eyes revealed a hint of interest in Hyuga Hizashi, as he had heard of this genius of the Hyuga clan long ago.

He also knew about the trivial matters of the Hyuga clan, after all, such things were not secrets among Jonin.

Hyuga Hizashi was born only fifteen minutes apart from his older brother, Hyuga Hiashi.

But those fifteen minutes determined who would become the branch family and who would remain the main family.

In Orochimaru's eyes, the Hyuga clan's system was extremely distorted and deformed.

The Hyuga clan possesses a cursed seal called Caged Bird, which places shackles on all branch family members.

This allows members of the main family to control members of the branch family, while also restricting the outflow of the branch family members' white eyes (a form of internal energy).

It can also prevent the Byakugan from being taken by the enemy when a member of the branch family dies.

Initially, this system was used to prevent the Byakugan from being lost, so that the Hyuga clan's Byakugan advantage would not be completely lost.

But gradually, this system evolved into a system of enslavement of families.

The so-called guardianship that the separated family carries is more accurately described as a consumable.

There's no need to consider costs, nor dissatisfaction or anger.

Dividing the family property is like using a useful tool.

Hyuga Hizashi, being born fifteen minutes later, became a member of the branch family and was also depicted as a caged bird.

Those fifteen minutes were a lifelong pain for Hyuga Hizashi.

He trained so hard precisely to break free from his bound fate.

He was like a bird trapped in a cage with its wings broken.

Longing for freedom.

Even if that so-called freedom is just a pipe dream.

Hyuga Hizashi understood that only by becoming stronger could he have a chance to experience that fleeting freedom.

He was willing to give everything for that ray of free light.

Even... it's life.

That yearning yet resentful look in his eyes was familiar to Orochimaru.

Because that look is extremely similar to his.

Orochimaru changed his mind because of the attraction between like-minded people.

He originally intended to recruit Hiashi Hyuga to join his negotiation mission to the Land of Rain.

And now...

Orochimaru licked his lips.

He took a liking to the young man in front of him who longed for freedom.

"Hishashi-kun, I have an S-rank mission. I wonder if you would be willing to participate."

Hyuga Hizashi was taken aback, clearly not expecting Orochimaru to come looking for him.

He bowed slightly, his tone ambiguous.

"Orochimaru-senpai, I'm afraid we should ask the elders in your clan about this."

Ah, what a flawless answer.

Orochimaru was already very familiar with the Hyuga clan's tactic of playing dumb.

Unlike the Uchiha clan, the Hyuga clan's actions are all characterized by gentleness.

Just like now.

Hyuga Hizashi's answer did not indicate whether he was willing or not.

Instead, they gave an unpredictable answer.

That way, you don't offend anyone.

Orochimaru did not like this style.

"Hitsashi-kun, do you know?"

Orochimaru wore a smile, as if the answer he had just received had not disappointed him in the slightest.

"I found a familiar feeling in you, a feeling called resentment."

Orochimaru slowly took a few steps forward until he could clearly see Hyuga Hizashi's eyes.

"This sense of resentment is often justified."

Some people are resentful because they faltered at crucial moments. Some are resentful because they were just one step away from success. Some are resentful because their lives will never lead to freedom.

free!

When Orochimaru mentioned the word "freedom," Hizashi's hands trembled slightly.

"Hitsashi-kun, am I right?"

Orochimaru's pale face held a hint of a smile.

"Hiashi-kun, I see a longing for freedom in your eyes."

"Is it this ugly system that has robbed you of the possibility of freedom?"

"You hate the main family."

Orochimaru's affirmative tone made Hyuga Hizashi unconsciously clench his hands, a hint of tension flashing in his eyes.

"Senior, please stop talking."

"Hishashi-kun, you don't need to be so wary of me."

Seeing Hizashi Hyuga's reaction, Orochimaru knew he had guessed correctly, and his words became even bolder.

"Because we are the same kind of people."

Orochimaru slowly reached out his hand toward Hyuga Hizashi's headband.

And hidden beneath this headband is his ugliest mark.

A caged bird.

Sensing Orochimaru's intentions, Hyuga Hizashi's pupils constricted and his breathing became rapid.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

He took a step back abruptly, but he was no match for Orochimaru's hand reaching for his forehead.

Orochimaru's hand stopped on Hyuga Hizashi's forehead, but he did not remove the headband.

Because he knew that beneath that headband lay Hyuga Hizashi's life of being bound.

"Hiashi-kun, your headband is askew."

He straightened Hyuga Hizashi's headband, making it more upright since it was slightly tilted.

"Hiashi-kun, I can lead you to freedom."

Orochimaru looked at Hyuga Hizashi, whose breathing was disordered and whose heart was pounding rapidly, and spoke.

"Join my team, and I will take you away from this oppressive and painful place."

"While it may not grant you true freedom, at least you will no longer be bound to this deplorable system in this tribal land."

"Work for me, Hizashi-kun."

Hyuga Hizashi's body trembled as he tried to regain his composure.

A moment later, a trembling voice came from Hyuga Hizashi's mouth.

"Orochimaru-senpai, I'm afraid we should ask the elders in your clan about this."

Although it was the same thing, Orochimaru knew...

This time it's a sure thing.

And the next talent in the team...

Orochimaru looked toward the Uchiha clan's encampment.

The reputation of that Uchiha genius has been making headlines recently.

Uchiha Fugaku, I'm coming for you!