Not long after, Orochimaru smiled, giving an answer that finally put Tobirama's mind at ease.
"Success."
Then, without hesitation, Orochimaru summoned a massive python that slithered into the room and swallowed the prisoner's corpse whole.
True to his nature—and his belief in wasting nothing—Orochimaru had used the body as food for his snakes.
…
Shortly after, Orochimaru and Tobirama appeared in the main hall of Hyuga Hiashi's residence.
Hiashi looked both excited and anxious as he welcomed them. His gaze flicked between Orochimaru and the Second Hokage, and he subconsciously straightened up.
"Lord Second Hokage, why are you here as well?"
Tobirama studied Hiashi quietly. It truly wasn't easy for someone like him to emerge from the Hyuga clan—someone with the will to change a system that had chained his people for generations.
If the Hyuga continued the way they had, they would likely collapse within a few decades.
"I simply came to see how hyuga is doing. There's no need to be so formal."
"Besides, I'm no longer Hokage."
"You, as the Hokage's assistant, technically outrank me in the current structure. So relax a little, would you?"
Hiashi nearly choked on his own breath.
He wanted to retort. Badly. But he held it in.
'As if I'd dare relax… You founded the ANBU, created the Shinobi Academy, structured the ranking system, developed countless forbidden jutsu, and built the Police Force.'
'Your older brother was Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage and the God of Shinobi. You were the Second. Your grandniece Tsunade is the current Fifth Hokage. Her husband is the strongest shinobi in the world—the head of the Ninja Association and the Assistant Hokage.'
'And you yourself… you're Tobirama Senju. The man who once made a pact with the sea.'
'Even if I were born with the guts of ten men, I wouldn't dare treat you informally.'
"Ahem. I understand, Lord Tobirama."
"So… why are you both here today…?"
Hiashi's voice trailed off. He could barely conceal the mixture of anticipation and dread rising in his chest.
He wanted good news—needed it—but feared disappointment.
After all, it had been three years. He had funded Orochimaru's work multiple times, even gone against the clan's ancient edicts to secretly supply Byakugan from deceased branch members to further the research.
If the jutsu to break the Caged Bird Seal failed—and worse, if word of his attempts leaked—he would be removed from his position. Branded a traitor.
And he, Hinata, Hanabi… all of them would be sealed as birds in cages.
"Don't worry, Clan Head Hiashi. It's about the Caged Bird Seal," Orochimaru said.
"With Tobirama-sama's assistance, the technique has been perfected."
As he spoke, Orochimaru rotated his wrist and produced a dark blue scroll, presenting it with a flourish.
The instant Orochimaru spoke, Hiashi abandoned all pretense of formality. He lunged forward and snatched the scroll from his hands, eyes already scanning its title:
Pure Eye Seal
Without pause, he unfurled it, reading every line. As he absorbed the contents, his expression gradually softened. His brows relaxed. And tears, unbidden, began to stream silently down his cheeks.
He didn't stop reading until he'd taken in every word. When he finally rolled the scroll back up, his voice trembled.
"…Hizashi…"
"I finally found a way to set you free…"
Tobirama watched him quietly. There was nothing to say that could match the weight of that moment.
Still, he cleared his throat and spoke evenly.
"Hiashi, the casting of the Pure Eye Seal is extremely complex. It demands exceptional chakra control—though I doubt that will be a problem for the Hyuga."
"But the elders… they won't support you."
"I'll speak with Tsunade and have a mission issued under her authority. You'll be able to officially assign Hyuga personnel to learn the technique."
"Find someone you trust. Have them master the seal and begin by removing it from a select few. Once you show results, only then will you have leverage against those old bastards."
"This is an internal clan matter. The village can't interfere directly unless absolutely necessary. I trust you understand."
Hiashi's expression sobered. He nodded slowly.
"You're right, Lord Tobirama. I understand."
"This is no time to celebrate. Not while a single branch member still wears that mark."
"I will not rest until the last of them is free."
Not long after, Tobirama and Orochimaru left the mansion, leaving Hiashi alone in the living room.
He stepped outside, lifting his head to the night sky.
"…Tonight… the stars are unusually clear."
…
It was already midnight.
Hyuga Neji lay on his bed in a light sleep when a familiar chakra signature appeared in his room.
His eyes snapped open. In a single motion, he activated his Byakugan, veins bulging around his temples as he rose into a defensive stance.
But when he saw who it was, he froze in shock.
"Clan Head?!"
"What are you—?"
Hiashi walked calmly to Neji's bedside and sat down, a rare trace of emotion in his eyes.
"Neji," he said softly. "You don't need to call me 'Clan Head.' I'm your uncle. Just… call me uncle."
Neji blinked.
What's going on…?
Did you sneak into my room in the middle of the night just to ask me to call you "uncle"?
Still, after a moment of awkward silence, Neji replied stiffly, "…Uncle. Why did you come see me at this hour? Is something wrong?"
The word made Hiashi's expression soften. He hadn't heard Neji call him that in nearly ten years.
Even after he had explained the truth about Hizashi's sacrifice—after retrieving Neji from Root—things between them had remained strained.
"Neji… you're the only person I trust in the branch family right now."
"You are Hizashi's son. What I'm about to give you… you must not tell anyone."
"Act normal. Say nothing. This concerns the survival of the Hyuga Clan."
Hiashi's tone sent a chill down Neji's spine. For all his resentment toward the clan system, he had never wished true harm on Hinata, Hanabi… or even Hiashi himself.
"What kind of crisis would put the entire clan at risk…?"
"Orochimaru and Lord Tobirama showed me how to remove the Caged Bird Seal."
Hiashi reached into his robes and pulled out a copy of the scroll. He handed it directly to Neji.
"This is the Pure Eye Seal. It overlays and dissolves the Caged Bird Curse."
"This technique will remove the cursed seal from the brain… and restore the Byakugan."
"It even eliminates the blind spot embedded in the branch members' Byakugan—returning it to its original, unsealed form."
"This afternoon, we tested it on a death row prisoner in Konoha Prison. And now…"
"I need someone to learn it. Someone I trust."
"I wonder if you'd be willing—"
"I DO!!!"
Before Hiashi could finish, Neji interrupted him, his voice raw, eyes wet with tears he didn't bother to wipe away.
"I'll do it."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
He meant it with every cell in his body.
…
…
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