"?"
Neji opened his eyes again, disbelief still lingering in his gaze.
'So fast!'
He hadn't even had time to feel anything, and it was already over?
"Try experiencing the Byakugan without the Caged Bird restriction."
Aoba didn't waste words. He knew how confused Neji must feel right now.
In truth, it was mainly because his understanding of the Caged Bird technique far exceeded that of Neji, even the Hyuga clan's overall knowledge on it seemed like amateurs compared to him.
After all, back when he had Hyuga Natsu research it, he had already dissected this thing inside and out completely.
If it were someone else doing this, they'd probably need to prepare in advance.
And as a branch family member, the clearest way to feel the existence of the Caged Bird, and the flaw it brought, was that under its restriction, compared to a normal Byakugan, there was that missing angle of vision.
Although it was just a tiny imperfection, making up for it required endless sweat from branch family members.
And even so, this weakness was enough to be fatal in many battles.
Neji immediately followed Aoba's words and activated his Byakugan.
Sure enough, that missing corner caused by the Caged Bird… was now completely filled in.
That feeling of having no blind spots at all made him a little unaccustomed to it for a moment. It didn't even feel real.
He had longed countless times to break free from this shackle, to see the world outside the cage.
But now that the shackle had truly been removed, the feeling rising in his heart was instead a hollow confusion.
Like the emptiness that comes after everything has finally been fulfilled.
The helplessness, regret, persistence, and self-comfort he had gone through for this goal over the years, along with the grievance of countless shattered hopes, all surged up at once.
He had already been on the verge of giving up on this goal.
Yet now, he had suddenly achieved it himself. For some reason, his usually calm and indifferent nature left him at a loss. He wanted to laugh but didn't know how, wanted to cry but couldn't quite do that either.
In short, his mind was a mess.
"Alright, Neji, go back and get used to it. Train well. Konoha will have many places that need you in the future."
Seeing that he hadn't come back to his senses for a long time, looking like someone who had just passed the imperial exam, Aoba couldn't help patting his shoulder.
Just in case something like a mental breakdown happened.
However, it turned out he had worried too much.
After all, having been completely suppressed by Hinata since childhood, Neji was quite outstanding when it came to handling pressure.
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Hokage."
After regaining himself, Neji suppressed all his emotions for the time being, carrying a faint sense of neither joy nor sorrow. Then he bowed deeply to Aoba in thanks and left the platform.
"Mm."
Not just him, the other branch family jonin behind him also showed complicated expressions after having their Caged Bird seals removed.
There was joy mixed with a sense of unreality.
This required a gradual process of adjustment.
After removing the Caged Bird from this group and informing everyone of the matter, this gathering, one that nearly all branch family members had attended, was about to come to an end.
The rest would have their Caged Bird seals removed in batches later on.
Although the gathering had been brief, the shock it brought to the Hyuga clan was very real.
A tradition that had lasted nearly a thousand years was abolished in a single day, and many people felt a bit emotional about it.
Neji also followed the crowd out in a daze. During this time, quite a few people tried to ask him how it felt after having the Caged Bird removed.
But he ignored them all, as if he couldn't hear anything around him.
Even now, he was still somewhat lost.
————
It wasn't until he returned home and saw his father's memorial tablet that he suddenly came back to himself.
By his ears, it felt as if a crisp sound rang out.
The sound of a cage opening.
As the corners of his mouth lifted, tears slid silently down his cheeks…
Now, he had to find a new goal.
———
With the Hyuga clan gathering over, Aoba also prepared to leave.
"Hinata, next arrange for this group to learn the technique to remove the Caged Bird. They're all elite jonin, they should master it quickly. And since there's no longer a main and branch family distinction, just take it step by step."
"Mm, I understand," Hinata nodded.
"Then I'll head back to the Hokage building first."
Aoba smiled, then leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I'll come find you tonight. Oh, and remember not to let that girl Hanabi come cause trouble again tonight."
"Mm…"
Hinata's delicate face, which had been serious just a moment ago, was immediately tinged with a faint blush.
Last night, in the middle of the night, Hanabi had suddenly said she wanted to sleep with her. She didn't even knock and just barged in.
At that time, she had only just finished her "interaction" with Aoba.
Her mind was still a mess, and she couldn't react at all to her sister suddenly bursting in.
Fortunately, Aoba reacted quickly, using a dojutsu to freeze Hanabi in place, giving her time to tidy herself up.
By the time Hanabi regained movement, Aoba had already left. Aside from Hinata's slightly flushed face, all traces were gone.
At first, Hinata thought Hanabi had genuinely just wanted to come sleep with her.
After all, it wasn't the first time Hanabi had come over for various reasons.
But after regaining movement, Hanabi immediately activated her Byakugan, looking around and touching things here and there, clearly searching for something.
How could Hinata not understand then? This girl had already guessed it and had been waiting outside for her chance.
Thankfully Aoba had reacted fast, otherwise her dignity as an older sister would have shattered in front of her younger sister.
And to maintain her authority as the elder sister, she made Hanabi experience her long-lost "sisterly affection" on the spot.
For the latter half of the night, Hanabi slept beside Hinata, pouting in grievance.
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