Just when Hiashi was feeling happy and proud of Neji, Neji himself didn't care at all. In this moment, what mattered to him wasn't praise—it was pushing past the limits of his vision, even if just a little further.
His Byakugan extended outward from the edge of the training grounds, its range gradually expanding.
His gaze landed on a tree near the edge of the field.
It was a tall, thick-trunked tree with lush foliage. At the point where trunk and branches met, there sat an oval-shaped nest, woven from hundreds of tiny twigs.
Inside the nest were several baby sparrows, craning their necks upward, beaks opening and closing wordlessly. Though he couldn't hear them, Neji could imagine their cries. They were hungry.
Next to them, an adult sparrow fed two of the chicks with tiny insects. But there wasn't enough for all of them—the last chick kept chirping.
Then, the sparrow spread its wings and flew off again.
Neji waited patiently until the sparrow returned, bringing more food for the last baby bird. Only when that final chick was fed did Neji deactivate his Byakugan and turn to Hiashi.
"…Uncle. Thank you."
He bowed low to the ground—not as a subordinate to the clan head, but as a boy expressing sincere gratitude to the man who had raised and guided him.
Hiashi immediately helped Neji up, tears welling in his eyes. The joy he felt now was no less than what he had felt when Hinata and Hanabi were born.
After a long pause, once both had calmed down, Hiashi's expression turned serious.
"Neji, for the next few days, you must act exactly as you did before. No one can know you've escaped the Caged Bird Seal. Keep the bandage on your forehead."
He continued.
"It seems Lord Tobirama has taken a strong interest in the firearms you and Tenten created. He's actively improving and refining them."
"It won't be long before the village organizes a field test—one requiring Hyuga clan members to use the improved weapons and report their findings."
"And since the test involves gathering a wide range of data, we'll need two or three hundred shinobi from the branch families. Especially you. As one of the weapon's creators, your presence is essential. You may even lead part of the operation."
Hiashi crossed his arms.
"The Hyuga clan has just over a thousand members in total. More than five hundred are deployed at the Land of Fire's borders or stationed outside the village."
"For this trial, we'll need at least two hundred shinobi. That leaves only about two hundred at home. Among the main family, less than a hundred are active—and many are elderly."
"You'll need to use the Pure Eye Seal to release the Caged Bird Seals on the branch members during the mission, one by one."
"With your current chakra reserves, you should be able to use the jutsu about ten times a day—but it's highly taxing."
"Lord Tobirama and Orochimaru will support you when possible, but their focus is on perfecting the firearms. Most of the work will fall to you."
"The trial should last about a month. Any longer, and the elders of the main family will grow suspicious."
"But once you return… it will mark the day the Hyuga Clan finally casts off its ancient chains."
Hiashi then handed Neji a copy of the Pure Eye Sealing Scroll—a backup prepared by Tobirama and Orochimaru earlier that day.
Neji took the scroll, nodding deeply.
"Understood, Uncle. I promise—I'll free every single branch member. I'll let them stand in the sunlight again, without shackles."
Hiashi nodded, satisfied.
"While you're gone, I'll keep the main family elders at bay as best I can. Just do what you must. Even if something goes wrong, the village will step in."
"…Though by then, things may look very different."
Those final words left Neji puzzled. Though brilliant and perceptive, he was still only thirteen or fourteen. While he'd seen glimpses of Konoha's darkness, he didn't yet grasp the complex web of political interests entwining the village's highest echelons.
Hiashi laughed at himself. No matter how gifted Neji was, he was still just a child. His earlier words had gone too far—he had unconsciously started treating Neji like an adult.
But then again… Neji had already taken his first step into that world. The moment he handed the firearms to Hikaru and entrusted them to the village, he'd stepped onto a much larger stage.
"Neji, what I'm about to say next has little to do with the Hyuga Clan," Hiashi said. "But it's very important—for you."
Neji immediately perked up.
"Yes, Uncle."
Hiashi took a breath.
"I know that ever since you were taken by Root and later rescued by Hikaru, you've admired him deeply."
"You even designed firearms after hearing how Hikaru trained Hinata and guided her toward long-range combat and archery. When you found out, you abandoned years of Gentle Fist training and restructured your entire regimen—only keeping Gentle Fist for close combat. Just like Hikaru said, 'Gentle Fist is for protecting yourself when the enemy gets too close.'"
"…Am I wrong?"
Neji glanced at the handwritten copy of Uchiha Hikaru's Sayings resting beside his pillow. His cheeks flushed red, but he nodded silently.
"…You're right. I really admire Master Hikaru. But it's just my own feelings. He never accepted me as his student…"
Hiashi shook his head.
"No, Neji. Hikaru only has four formal disciples: Hinata, Sasuke, Shino, and Hayate. But those arrangements were largely political—tied to alliances with key clans after the Sandaime stepped down."
"He never truly treated them as students. He guided them occasionally and checked their progress, but that was mostly out of courtesy and obligation."
"All of it was part of political exchange. Without support from the major clans, Hikaru couldn't have forced Hiruzen to step down so quickly. And even with that support, if it weren't for his talent and sheer will, it would've taken him years longer."
Neji clenched his fists slightly, frowning.
"That's not true! Master Hikaru isn't like that. He's not Danzo. He's not like Sarutobi—he—"
Hiashi raised a hand calmly.
"Relax. I'm not criticizing Hikaru. I wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking ill of him. He's the one who helped me secure my position as Hokage's advisor."
That seemed to calm Neji. He looked at Hiashi cautiously.
"…Go on."
Hiashi smiled.
"I said what I did to show you how capable Hikaru is—not just as a fighter, but as someone who can influence the world."
"For instance: Hikaru likes the Akimichi barbecue shop. He goes often. Now, everyone wants to eat there—because that's where Hikaru eats. Business doubled."
"That's the power of association."
"It's the same with you. Hikaru appreciated your work—he saw value in the weapons you and Tenten made. So he gave them to Tobirama and Orochimaru to develop."
"Just like that, you were placed under his protection. Even if the main family elders wanted to retaliate against you, they wouldn't dare."
Neji's eyes widened slightly.
"I get it now. A real connection—built not on words, but on action and shared value—can protect you. Can change your life."
"…The weapons Tenten and I made formed an unexpected, powerful link between me and Master Hikaru."
"That kind of connection… is priceless."
Hiashi nodded, his expression proud.
As expected of Hyuga's top prodigy—Neji understood perfectly
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