Chapter 256: A Path to Change

Neji's eyes widened in shock at Natsuro's words.

At this moment, Neji felt a flicker of fear toward Natsuro.

"Is this your true intention?" Neji asked sharply, his gaze piercing.

To place the Caged Bird Seal on the main family? But how? The Hyuga knew how to remove the seal, so even if the main family had it applied, it would be useless. To make the seal effective, its method of removal would need to change, and the Hyuga themselves must not have access to it.

And who would hold the power to control the seal? Likely the Hokage standing before him.

If this happened, there would indeed be no distinction between the main and branch families. Yet, the entire Hyuga clan would be subject to the whims of another... An outsider, no less.

Neji's thoughts were a storm as he looked at Natsuro. "If that's the case, is this truly your goal, Hokage-sama?"

Natsuro raised an eyebrow, amused by Neji's response. "My goal? Tell me, what do you think it is?"

In reality, Natsuro's goal was simple: to fix what he saw as flaws from his past life. Before, he lacked the power to act; now, he had the strength to shape things as he saw fit.

"Then forgive me for being blunt, Hokage-sama," Neji said, bracing himself, and shared his assumptions openly.

Natsuro chuckled at Neji's accusations. "Control the life and death of the Hyuga clan? You give me too much credit."

"Isn't that exactly what you're suggesting?" Neji countered, his tone tense.

"Of course not," Natsuro replied with a dismissive shrug. "If I wanted to control the Hyuga clan, I wouldn't need the Caged Bird Seal to do it."

As he spoke, Natsuro released a fraction of his formidable presence, his gaze locked onto Neji. "Don't you agree?"

In that moment, cold sweat beaded on Neji's forehead. He couldn't deny the truth in his words. The Hokage's immense strength was beyond the Hyuga clan's ability to challenge. If Natsuro had truly wanted control, there were far simpler and more direct ways to achieve it.

"Hokage-sama, you might not need such a method, but what about future Hokage? What if they are weaker or harbor ulterior motives?" Neji asked, forcing himself to maintain his composure under the crushing weight of his aura.

"That's a valid point," Natsuro admitted, withdrawing his oppressive presence. Watching Neji visibly relax, he continued, "But what if the Caged Bird Seal's ability to control life and death wasn't needed at all?"

Neji froze, stunned by the suggestion. He had never considered such a possibility. His entire life, the Caged Bird Seal had been synonymous with absolute control.

Natsuro leaned back in his chair and elaborated, "For the village, the seal doesn't need to do much. All it needs is to ensure that the Byakugan doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

"The ability to control life and death is entirely unnecessary for that purpose. In fact, the village would likely prefer to see that function removed entirely."

"Think about it: if the Hyuga clan leader and the Hokage ever clashed, and a branch member with the seal sided with the Hokage, would the Hokage trust them? Wouldn't the existence of the seal create doubts and divisions?" Natsuro asked rhetorically.

Neji nodded reluctantly, realizing the logic behind Natsuro's argument.

"Secondly," Natsuro continued, "the seal's restriction on the branch family's Byakugan abilities serves no purpose for the village either. The stronger the Hyuga clan, the stronger the village. So why limit your potential?"

Taking a sip of tea, Natsuro concluded, "Thus, the only useful function of the seal, from the village's perspective, is to destroy the Byakugan upon death. The other features are superfluous. In fact, having the main family exempt from the seal is contrary to the village's interests."

"However, the Hyuga clan has done an excellent job protecting the Byakugan thus far, with only one incident of leakage. The village has no reason to interfere with their internal affairs."

Neji fell silent. If the Caged Bird Seal could truly be reduced to its most basic form, perhaps it would be tolerable.

"What should I do?" Neji asked finally.

"That's for you to figure out," Natsuro replied casually. "I can only help you lift your own seal."

Seeing Neji's astonishment, Natsuro explained, "The Caged Bird Seal is an internal Hyuga matter. As long as they continue to protect the Byakugan, I have no authority to force them to change."

Natsuro's voice took on a teasing edge. "If you want to change the Hyuga clan, that's your responsibility."

Neji struggled to process Natsuro's words. His lifelong dream of removing the seal was now within reach. Yet the enormity of the task ahead left him dazed.

"Hokage-sama, didn't you suggest placing the seal on the main family? Why would you help me remove mine?" Neji asked, his confusion evident.

Natsuro smiled faintly. "Because as long as you bear the seal, no matter how strong you become, you'll never have the authority to change it. Only by freeing yourself can you gain the right to fight for that change."

Leaning forward, Natsuro added, "Once your seal is removed, you'll face a choice. You can either accept the status quo or strive to overturn it. That's entirely up to you."

"Besides," Natsuro said with a smirk, "even if you do nothing, your success will serve as an example for the branch family. They'll see that strength offers a path to freedom. And that, in itself, is a step forward."

Ultimately, there was little to lose. Helping Neji remove the Caged Bird Seal was not particularly difficult.

After all, he was the Hokage, a figure as commanding as the First Hokage himself. His word carried immense weight. Besides, this wasn't about abolishing the seal for the entire Hyuga clan, just for one individual.

Allowing Neji to remove his seal wouldn't impact the Hyuga clan significantly. Neji was a once-in-a-century genius for the branch family, how many others like him could possibly emerge? Even if some branch members were inspired to follow in his footsteps, it would only ever amount to a handful.

Moreover, even if Neji were to fall in battle and his Byakugan was at risk of being stolen, the Hokage who allowed the seal's removal would bear responsibility, not the Hyuga clan.

Additionally, the Hyuga wouldn't want to antagonize the Hokage over a single individual. For all these reasons, allowing Neji's Caged Bird Seal to be removed wasn't a contentious issue.

Neji remained silent, deep in thought. He pondered his next steps, exactly as Natsuro had outlined.

If his seal were removed and he chose not to take further action to change the system, only a small fraction of the branch family might direct their grievances toward him.

But did he have an obligation to fight for the freedom of all branch family members?

Neji understood, even without Natsuro's explanation, the monumental difficulty of such a task. If he accepted it, it would feel like carrying a mountain on his back.

Then, his thoughts drifted to his father. He remembered watching helplessly as his father writhed in agony, reduced to a pitiful state, his dignity shattered by the very seal they both bore.

Neji could never forget the bitterness his father harbored toward the Caged Bird Seal etched into him.

Taking a deep breath, determination filled Neji's eyes. For the first time since his father's death, they burned with purpose.

"I understand, Hokage-sama. I will do my best," he said firmly.

"Good. Regardless of what you decide to do, I will still help you remove the seal. But I do wish you success," Natsuro said, setting down his teacup with a small smile.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Neji replied earnestly. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"You're wondering why I'm helping you, aren't you?" Natsuro asked, recognizing the doubt in Neji's gaze.

"Yes. You have no obligation to assist me," Neji admitted.

"Well, in theory, you're right. But life isn't always about theory," Natsuro said, smiling. "I'm helping you because it's an idea I've had for a long time. I hope you can make it a reality."

"I will!" Neji clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with hope, the kind he had lost the day he watched his father suffer under the seal's curse.

Natsuro nodded approvingly. Whether Neji succeeded or failed, he now had a clear goal. Pursuing that goal would only make him stronger.

If Neji failed, Natsuro would still have a loyal and more powerful subordinate. If Neji succeeded, the benefits Natsuro had envisioned, the empowerment of the branch family and a fairer system within the Hyuga would come to pass.

After all, despite the Hyuga clan's vigilance, a single Byakugan had already slipped out of their control. A system less prone to fostering internal resentment could only benefit everyone involved.

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Chapter 257: Maybe Caged Birds can be Free?