On the barren plain, after Hyūga Hirohito and the others hurriedly departed, only Uchiha Yuan and his three companions remained.
"Yuan, thank you—all of you."
Leaning against a large boulder, Hyūga Kagami sat down and looked at the three Uchiha before him, his tone filled with genuine gratitude.
Senju Gen's face was clouded with anger. "I've heard of the Caged Bird Seal of the Hyūga Clan, but I never imagined it would be so vicious. The Branch Family's lives are completely at the mercy of the Main Family."
Hearing this, Kagami could only offer a helpless, bitter smile.
Uchiha Yuan let out a quiet sigh. "It's an internal matter of the clan. Even the village has no right to interfere."
"But to target and bully you just because you lost to him once in a duel? Hmph, that's going too far."
Kagami shook his head, a trace of unwillingness flashing across his face. "That's only the excuse Hyūga Hirohito gives. The real reason is that during the clan's sparring matches, he almost lost to me."
At that, Uchiha Yuan frowned slightly, puzzled. "Kagami, from what I've seen, Hirohito isn't as strong as you. How could he have defeated you?"
Kagami's smile turned bitter. "He activated the Caged Bird Seal at the last moment."
"Despicable!"
"Shameless!"
Senju Gen and Hatake Haruka cursed out in unison.
Kagami continued, "Because of that, the elders of the Branch Family were furious, so the Main Family ordered Hirohito confined for three days as punishment. But ever since he was released, he's been making trouble for me."
Senju Gen said indignantly, "Kagami, I think you're far more suited to be part of the Main Family than that Hirohito."
Uchiha Yuan's tone grew heavy. "Gen, you've got it wrong. In my eyes, it's the entire system of dividing the Hyūga into Main and Branch Families that's flawed.
The Main Family are masters; the Branch Family are slaves whose very lives and deaths are controlled by others. Such a system is intolerable."
Gen scratched his cheek awkwardly. "But the Caged Bird Seal exists to protect the Byakugan. Without it, other ninja villages might have already stolen the Hyūga's bloodline."
"That's exactly the problem," Yuan replied. "If the seal is meant to protect the Byakugan, then why is the Main Family the one who holds the power to activate it—using it to control the Branch Family?"
He paused, then looked at Kagami. "I think the Branch Family doesn't resent the existence of the seal itself—but rather the fact that their lives are in the hands of others.
What do you think, Kagami?"
Kagami looked at Yuan, and for a moment, he felt a rare sense of kinship—someone who truly understood him.
Yuan was right. For the sake of the clan, Kagami could accept bearing the Caged Bird Seal as a member of the Branch Family. He would even lay down his life to protect the Main Family.
But to have his life and death controlled by someone else—
That, he could never accept.
Kagami's expression softened, and he gave a free, easy smile. "Yuan, it seems you were holding back during our last match. To be able to divert the force of Hyūga Hirohito's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms completely into the ground beneath you—that's incredible."
Yuan replied casually, "He was simply too weak."
After a pause, he asked, "Kagami, do you want to become stronger?"
Kagami nodded firmly, resolve flashing in his eyes. "I do."
"If you're willing, you can join us. We train after class, at the Hatake compound."
Kagami blinked, surprised, then glanced at Gen—he hadn't realized that Gen was now part of Yuan's group.
Then, with solemn determination, he nodded. "Of course I'm willing."
Two days later, at the Hatake compound.
Senju Gen and Hatake Haruka were sparring, trading blows in a fierce back-and-forth with no clear victor.
Not far away, Kagami stood at the edge of the training field, his Byakugan open as he observed closely. This was his first time attending Uchiha Yuan's private training sessions.
"Although Haruka has less chakra than Gen," Kagami analyzed, "his striking technique is far more refined. I'd say in another ten rounds, the match will be decided."
Beside him, Uchiha Yuan sat cross-legged, his sharp eyes tracking every flaw and opening in the duel.
"Three more rounds," Yuan murmured. "Looks like Haruka's going to win today."
As he spoke, Gen twisted aside, narrowly dodging Haruka's punch, then stomped down hard.
The ground cracked with a thunderous crash. Haruka staggered, losing balance.
Gen seized the chance—he flickered behind Haruka with a Body Flicker Technique, his hand slicing through the air like a blade, stopping just short of Haruka's neck.
But Haruka's figure burst into smoke—it was a clone.
The next instant, Gen felt his legs yanked downward.
He was pulled into the ground up to his neck.
Headhunter Jutsu.
Kagami deactivated his Byakugan, his face full of astonishment.
Both fighters had far exceeded his expectations—especially Haruka. Kagami hadn't even noticed when the clone had been formed.
Uchiha Yuan chuckled. "I thought Haruka would lose, but that combination of Clone and Substitution Techniques was perfectly executed."
At that moment, Gen and Haruka walked back over.
Brushing the dirt off himself, Gen muttered in frustration, "Haruka's swordsmanship is getting sharper and sharper. I had to focus entirely on defense, or I wouldn't have been fooled by that clone."
Yuan laughed. "A loss is a loss, Gen. No excuses."
Kagami stood, stepping forward. "Gen, I've long wanted to spar with you, but never had the chance.
How about we settle that today?"
Gen broke into a broad grin. "Hahaha, I've been wanting to see the power of Hyūga Gentle Fist for myself!"
That night, at the Uchiha compound.
The surrounding houses glowed warmly with lamplight, the chatter of clansmen drifting into the cool night air.
Uchiha Yuan walked down a secluded path toward a warehouse on the edge of the compound.
At the side door, he formed a quick hand seal. The air rippled, and a curtain of light appeared—like a waterfall made of chakra.
A barrier surrounded the entire warehouse. Stepping through the light gate, Yuan entered.
Inside, the rhythmic sounds of training filled the space.
In the center of the cleared floor, a group of young Uchiha stood in formation, in deep stances, their coordinated breathing forming a steady rhythm as they struck forward with precise punches.
"Big Brother."
At the head of the line stood Uchiha Daishi, punching with perfect form. Seeing Yuan enter, he immediately stopped and came over respectfully.
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