Escape from Konoha.

Society is characterized by distinct classes and hierarchies.

Therefore, in Shiraishi's view, it is a normal trend for the Hyuga branch family to protect the Hyuga main family.

“If that’s all there is to it, it’s not a particularly unusual thing. But in order to make the branch family wholeheartedly protect the main family, and to prevent the bloodline of the Hyuga clan from spreading outside, the reason for controlling the branch family came about.”

"control?"

Shiraishi was taken aback.

“That’s right, control, true control.” Ruri glanced at Shiroishi and said seriously, “For the safety of the main family, the branch family must take the initiative to bear a curse mark called ‘Caged Bird’, which means that the main family holds the power of life and death over the branch family. Once a member of the branch family has any treacherous intentions, or fails to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of the branch family, the main family can use the curse mark to instantly execute the branch family member who possesses the curse mark.”

"..."

"In other words, Ayane's life and death are now in the hands of an outsider. If Ayane develops any dissatisfaction or murderous intent towards the main family members, they have the right to beat, scold, or even kill her."

Shiraishi, as if struck by a thought, said, "Then, could the location of the cursed seal be..."

“That’s right, the curse mark was planted on Ayane’s forehead. That’s why Ayane covered it with a cloth strip. Whether it’s for the greater good or to protect the main family in name, or to say that it’s the reason for the branch family’s existence, that curse mark is a genuine mark of a ‘slave’.”

Shiraishi fell silent.

A voice kept telling him that Konoha was a terrorist organization, and that such things were normal in terrorist organizations.

Although he was reluctant, Shiraishi found that there was nothing he could do.

This is the helplessness and compromise we face in reality.

For Ayane, having the mark of a 'slave' etched on her forehead was far more cruel than simply killing her.

Seriously, what a terrible era this is!

If this happened in a dark corner, Shiraishi could barely accept it, but the Hyuga clan's rule was actually public.

What does it mean to openly keep one's other half of the tribe as 'slaves' without any attempt to conceal it?

From here, Shiroshi looked towards the Shadow Rock of Konoha, which is carved with sculptures of the three Hokage of Konoha, symbolizing their great achievements.

Especially the First and Second Hokage brothers, who are known to the world as the ones who ended the Warring States period.

And after that?

The war continues.

There was no difference from the Warring States period; children were still sent to the battlefield.

Everything seems unchanged.

The only change was that the ninjas evolved from ninja clans into larger villages, establishing a system of one village per country.

Shiraishi suddenly felt that the existence of Shadow Rock was full of irony.

If this is all there is to being a family, then the Hyuga clan's traditions have always been incompatible with Konoha.

Such a ninja clan should not, in principle, be allowed to join the Hidden Leaf Village, which is dominated by the 'Will of Fire'.

The tradition of this clan is the best interpretation of negating the 'Will of Fire'.

If a family can't even cherish its own members, how can we believe that such a family will have the same belief in caring for the entire village?

Shiraishi had a big question mark on this issue.

In the end, he sighed and said nothing.

Having grown up alongside Liuli these past few days, he had almost forgotten that he was a 'heretic' to the village, someone who would become a 'traitor' sooner or later.

But the peaceful life made him almost forget his identity as a 'traitor' and he couldn't help but want to integrate into the village.

Thinking of this, Shiraishi broke out in a cold sweat.

Comfort leads to decadence.

From the very beginning, he had no intention of submitting to Konoha.

He was grateful to Konoha for teaching him ninja knowledge, but that was only gratitude for the instruction he received.

Chapter Nine: The Self-Cultivation of the Mastermind (Part 1)

In the days that followed, Shiraishi often saw Ayane living alone at school.

Suddenly, she had no friends, no desire for life, and her eyes were empty, like a walking corpse.

This is perhaps the true lifestyle of a 'slave'.

I doubt I'll ever be able to escape this shadow in my lifetime.

Shiraishi doesn't know what it feels like for a girl who clearly yearns for freedom to be labeled a 'slave' by her closest clansmen.

But it must have been filled with despair and pain that is hard for ordinary people to imagine.

After that day, Ayane's grades plummeted. Her homeroom teacher, Fujimura Taiga, didn't say anything to her, but could only offer some insignificant comfort and encouragement, telling her to focus on her studies and not to overthink things.

Although he wanted to help his students, the traditions of the Hyuga clan could not be changed by a school teacher like him who was nothing.

Fujimura Taiga understood this very well, and he also knew that even if he sought the help of the Third Hokage, there would be no way to solve this problem.

These powerful families in Konoha Village are like small villages.

Many of Konoha Village's rules don't apply to their internal affairs.

Bai Shi, however, saw things very clearly.

Words of comfort were of no use to Ayane.

The only way to comfort her is from another perspective.

Psychological trauma can only be healed with psychological medication.

◎

Torture one's body with pain has always been a good remedy for mental numbness.

Only through this physical pain can Ayane feel that she is truly alive.

I am still a person, not a 'livestock' kept by my family.

She doesn't understand the meaning of her family's traditions, nor does she want to understand them, nor is she willing to understand them.

Despite the adults' constant attempts to persuade her, saying that planting the 'Caged Bird' curse mark on her was for her own good and for the sake of the family's inheritance.

All her sacrifices were not meaningless, but valuable.

If that's the case, why don't the main family members sacrifice themselves? This question kept popping into Ayane's mind.

The more Ayane thought about it, the more she felt a dark emotion welling up inside her, a desire to destroy everything.

The hatred also began to intensify.

With this hatred and anger in her heart, her fair and gentle face became somewhat ferocious, with a hint of ruthlessness, losing its usual gentleness.

Using the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga clan to attack the wooden stake, her Gentle Fist gradually changed its flavor as she swung her fists. It lost all its rules and became a simple, ruthless outburst of anger.

Even with his fist bleeding and in excruciating pain, the pain showed no signs of stopping.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that she wanted to use this pain to distract herself from her mental numbness.

After a while, she stopped this self-harming way of venting her emotions, squatted down next to the wooden stake, hugged her knees with both hands, lowered her head, and covered her face with her long black hair. Only soft sobs could be heard.

As the sun set, the woods were shrouded in darkness.

It was almost dark.

The air in the forest had become somewhat chilly.

Dark green leaves drifted down onto Ayane's shoulder as she continued to sob softly.

Suddenly, the sound of slow footsteps came from the dim woods, which made her stop crying abruptly.

"So you were hiding here. Well, this place is indeed perfect for someone to lick their wounds alone."

Ayane recognized the voice, and couldn't help but look up at the person who had entered.

That was my deskmate—Chiba Shiraishi.

A truly ordinary person.

An ordinary student with unremarkable grades, an average student.

That's all there is to him.

Although her relationship with him was relatively harmonious before, she was no longer in the mood to pay attention to him, a complete outsider.

Why are you here?

Instead of addressing the other person with the gentle title 'Shiraishi-kun' as before, her voice became stiff and unfamiliar.

Ayane was puzzled as to why Shiraishi would come here, but she felt a sense of being spied on and having her secrets discovered, which made her very angry.

"There are many reasons, but more of them are drawn by the hatred and anger in your heart. I am actually the same as you."

A meaningful smile appeared on Shiraishi's face.

"Same as me?"

Ayane was stunned, not understanding what Shiraishi was talking about.

Shiraishi emerged from the darkness, a faint smile playing in his steady black eyes:

"Yes, I am just like you, a part of this twisted and unknowingly boring village. Even an insignificant part, a lowly thing whose fate is controlled by others."

Ayane gasped for breath.

Shiraishi's ordinary image suddenly transformed into that of a complete stranger in his mind.

It was like getting to know your deskmate all over again.

Is he expressing dissatisfaction and hostility towards the village?

Why would he have this idea?

But when Shiraishi said that, Ayane felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of empathy and pleasure.

"Aren't you confused?"

Bai Shi asked again with a smile.

Confuse?