Chapter 183: A Strong Heart
Chapter 183: A Strong Heart
Hearing Hiashi Hyuga's emotional remark, Mizuki only offered a faint smile and said nothing more. As the head of a great clan, it was natural for him to worry about his children, especially when matters of succession were involved. Offering some polite words was fine, but excessive flattery would feel inappropriate.
Seemingly unaware of Mizuki's noncommittal response, Hiashi continued, "It reminds me of Hizashi. I was only born a few minutes earlier, yet I became the main family head, while he was relegated to the branch family. And then there's Neji… sigh…"
To Mizuki's surprise, the Hyuga Clan Head was now confiding personal regrets. Regardless of mutual benefit, Mizuki was still an outsider—sharing these sentiments with him felt oddly intimate. And the topic itself left Mizuki unsure how to respond, creating an awkward silence between them.
Noticing Mizuki's lack of reply, Hiashi stood up.
"That's enough for today. It's getting late."
"Very well," Mizuki replied, rising and following him out.
Without any attendants, the two walked through the quiet inner corridors of the Hyuga estate—Hiashi ahead, Mizuki behind.
"Mizuki," Hiashi suddenly said, not turning his head, "do you think the Caged Bird Seal actually serves a purpose?"
"Huh?" Mizuki blinked. He couldn't see Hiashi's face from behind, but since this was the third time the topic had come up, it was clearly not rhetorical. It seemed Hiashi genuinely wanted Mizuki's opinion. In that case, he could answer.
"The Caged Bird—it's quite an apt name," Mizuki said thoughtfully. "It clips wings that could otherwise soar free. But it also protects from storms, predators, and the risk of broken wings. Some birds are content with such safety, unwilling to change. But there are always others with unshakable hearts that long for the skies. And when they finally break free of the cage, the brilliance they shine with must be extraordinary."
"So that's how you see it…"
"Forgive me," Mizuki replied humbly. "I'm still an outsider, and I don't know the seal in full detail."
"Hmm." Hiashi didn't continue the topic, and Mizuki quietly exhaled in relief.
The Caged Bird Seal was a complex issue. Even Mizuki dared not speak too much on it without thorough research. Still, based on what he did know, he had two working theories:
The first was a more optimistic guess: perhaps the seal had originally been well-intentioned—later misused through ignorance. In many power systems, it was common to weaken before strengthening. Think of Might Guy and Rock Lee, who wore heavy weights that, once removed, unleashed astonishing strength. What if the Caged Bird was once a form of "invisible weight" placed on the Byakugan—meant to challenge talented Hyuga to break through its limitations, transforming suppression into strength? Mizuki had once speculated that it might even be a half-complete technique designed to help evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan. But over time, the method was forgotten or misinterpreted, and the technique that once embodied ambition and growth became a tool of suppression.
The second theory, more disturbing, was that the Caged Bird Seal was meant to be a mechanism of control—essential for harvesting Byakugan from the branch family to awaken the Tenseigan. It ensured that the main house could maintain absolute power and suppress resistance. If the Tenseigan could be awakened by collecting enough Byakugan, then a system like the Caged Bird Seal would be the perfect way to restrain and control those meant to be sacrificed.
And sadly, Mizuki found this latter theory more convincing. Based on the current state of the Hyuga Clan—and the remnants of Hamura's lineage on the moon—it seemed all too plausible.
Eventually, Hiashi and Mizuki passed through the courtyard, and Hiashi even walked Mizuki to the front gate. This unexpectedly public display of respect left Mizuki a bit flustered.
"This is far enough, Clan Head. You're too kind," Mizuki said with a bow, preparing to leave.
"Hmm. Stop by again sometime—we'll talk more," Hiashi replied. Then, as if recalling something, he added, "I heard you'll be getting married soon, Mizuki…"
"Yes, it hasn't been widely spread yet. I didn't expect you to already know."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to offer my congratulations in person."
"You're most welcome, and it would be an honor to have you there."
After a few more polite words, Mizuki took his leave.
> Such openness… Is the Hyuga Clan signaling a shift?
The thought lingered in Mizuki's mind. With how openly Hiashi had associated with him, how tightly he was nurturing Neji, and how often the Hyuga were now appearing at public events—it was clear something was changing. Perhaps the Hyuga were tired of isolation and were beginning to reintegrate more proactively into Konoha's politics.
But without more evidence, Mizuki couldn't be sure. He set the thought aside and headed to Konoha's famous barbecue shop. He wasn't going home yet—there was still one more social event tonight.
"Mizuki! Over here!" shouted Yamashiro Aoba as soon as he walked in. "Finally! We've been waiting forever."
"Everyone's here already?" Mizuki looked around the packed table. "No missions tonight?"
"You're the one who called them, right?"
"Well, I invited a few," Mizuki admitted. "But I think someone invited extra guests without telling me." He glanced toward Anko Mitarashi, who was already seated, eagerly awaiting the food.
"Oh no… my poor wallet…" Aoba groaned. He was paying for tonight's feast, and the guest list had clearly grown out of control.
"You sure you didn't call her?" Mizuki teased.
"Of course not!" Aoba denied, though not very convincingly.
Before Mizuki could press further, Anko called out, "Hey, you two! What're you whispering about? Where's the meat? At least bring the sake already!"
"Go handle that, Aoba," Mizuki said with a chuckle. "I'll find a seat."
"You're the host—shouldn't you be entertaining people?"
"You're the one paying. That makes you half the host," Mizuki replied.
"Fine, fine…" With a sigh, Aoba went to call the waiter.
Mizuki sat down quietly. This gathering was his way of thanking those who had supported his promotion to jonin. It was also a celebration of surviving a chaotic period of missions and conflict.
Everyone present was familiar. Among the older generation, the legendary "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio sat together drinking and chatting. Kakashi was there too, glued to his Icha Icha book. Might Guy was absent, off on a mission. Asuma Sarutobi was present, sitting beside Kurenai Yuhi, who had just been discharged from the hospital and still looked quite pale. As for Anko… well, whether she'd been invited by Kurenai or had simply shown up for the food, Mizuki didn't care to investigate.
> Not a huge group, but good company, Mizuki thought.
Asuma was entirely focused on Kurenai. Anko was already tipsy and getting rowdy—Mizuki left her to Aoba.
"Mizuki, I heard you made quite a splash on your last mission," Kakashi said, lowering his book.
"Oh? Am I famous now?"
"Suppressing Shukaku directly—that's not exactly a small feat," said Shikaku Nara, raising his sake cup.
"I remember when the Fourth Kazekage tried to subdue Shukaku. It was not easy. You, Mizuki—you're something else."
"Well, it wasn't just me," Mizuki replied. "There were special circumstances. It cost a lot, and it wasn't exactly a clean fight. I wouldn't want to do it again."
With Sage Mode, he could battle Shukaku. Winning, though? That would take careful strategy. The fact that the Tailed Beast was uncontrolled and acting on instinct gave him a chance, but if not for a fluke chakra resonance, things wouldn't have ended so neatly.
"Whatever the reason, you got the job done," said Shikaku. "Bringing your team back alive after facing a Tailed Beast? That's no small thing."
He belched and set down his empty cup. Mizuki poured him another without comment. He already knew Shikaku was a lightweight who loved to drink. Yamanaka Inoichi, meanwhile, had a high tolerance but got emotional. Choza Akimichi just focused on meat.
"Thank goodness we have strong young ninja these days," Shikaku continued. "Otherwise, the village would be in deep trouble."
"You gonna say we're all old now?" Inoichi chuckled.
"Am I wrong?" Shikaku laughed, then took another drink. "My kid made chūnin recently. He doesn't go easy on me in shogi anymore…"
That got a laugh out of everyone. No one had expected Shikaku to be good at deadpan humor.
"Word of your mission's spread beyond the village," Kakashi added.
"Really?" Mizuki blinked. "I didn't think it was that big a deal."
He turned to glance at Kakashi—only to notice the man's food had disappeared. So had most of his sake.
> How'd he eat and drink so much without me noticing?
Mizuki admired Kakashi's stealth—even at the dinner table.
"What?" Kakashi asked, noticing the stare.
"Nothing." Mizuki let it go.
"Oh, one thing—you've got a bounty now. Black market. Not cheap, either."
"…Already?"
The thought of being hunted by greedy mercenaries made Mizuki shudder.
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