Chapter 33

The three of them quickly arrived at Kazumi's hospital room, where her parents were already present.

They didn't seem surprised by the arrival of Hoshikawa Haru and the others.

As her parents, they had a clear understanding of their daughter's circumstances—especially considering Hoshikawa Haru's high standing.

"Lord Hoshikawa," Kazumi's father, Hinata Takuya, bowed slightly, lowering his eyes in respect.

The woman standing beside him followed suit, offering a formal bow as well.

Hoshikawa Haru winced slightly. "Uncle Takuya, you don't need to call me that. Please, just use my name."

He had met Kazumi's parents a few times before, and they had always struck him the same way: extremely old-fashioned.

They were polite to a fault, especially in the presence of someone they viewed as having a higher status.

Perhaps it was a product of growing up in the Hyuga branch family—an upbringing where hierarchy and obedience were deeply ingrained.

Hearing Haru's words only made Hinata Takuya bow more respectfully. It was almost surreal to see a grown man humbling himself so completely before a child.

"Etiquette must be upheld. Please don't make it difficult for me, Lord Hoshikawa."

Seeing that there was no changing his mind, Haru decided to drop the subject and moved on.

"What happened? Why would someone from the main family activate the Caged Bird Seal on Kazumi?"

At the mention of the "Caged Bird," a flash of anger crossed Takuya's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, exhaling slowly.

After a brief silence, he looked at his unconscious daughter and began to explain.

"Every year, the younger generation from the main and branch families participate in a sparring match—supposedly to build camaraderie and strengthen bonds."

"In reality, it's a demonstration of dominance. The main family uses these matches to remind us where we stand. Everyone in the branch family knows this. We're expected to lose on purpose."

"But this time, Kazumi accidentally won. She defeated her opponent—someone from the main family."

"And unfortunately, that opponent happened to be the grandson of the clan's Fifth Elder."

"Being bested in public by a branch family member—especially a girl—was a grave humiliation for him."

"In a fit of rage, he lost all sense of reason and activated the Caged Bird Seal. And this…" he gestured helplessly toward the bed, "is the result."

As Takuya recounted the events, Haru's expression grew cold. He had heard about the arrogance of the Hyuga main family before, but this… this was cruelty disguised as tradition.

Uchiha Wang, who had been quietly listening, furrowed his brow in disbelief.

"What happened after that? The main family activated a curse seal in public without just cause? That makes no sense. Surely they had to explain themselves?"

Haru asked again. He couldn't believe the main family would be so reckless without at least offering some sort of justification. Even if they were arrogant, they weren't stupid.

But it seemed the Hyuga main family might truly lack reason.

Takuya's eyes dimmed, and his fists clenched tightly. He spoke with bitterness laced in every word.

"Not only did they refuse to explain, they accused Kazumi of insulting the main family. They said she needed to be disciplined."

The sheer injustice of it all made Haru's blood boil.

Uchiha Wang silently cursed. "Thank goodness I wasn't born into the Hyuga branch family," he thought. "Actually, scratch that. Thank goodness I wasn't born into the Hyuga clan at all."

Haru scowled. "So… we're just going to let this go?"

Takuya lowered his head, tears silently falling from his eyes. The answer was obvious.

To fight back meant risking everything—not just Kazumi's safety, but the well-being of the entire branch family. And if the main family chose to retaliate again… Kazumi's punishment might be even worse.

The room went quiet.

Hoshikawa Haru exhaled slowly and spoke with conviction. "No. This won't end here."

He looked at the unconscious Kazumi, his expression solemn, almost as if making her a promise.

Then he turned and walked out of the ward. The others followed behind.

Outside the hospital, Haru walked in silence, deep in thought. Behind him, Fujido Takatora and Uchiha Wang trailed closely.

"Wang," Takatora asked in a low voice, "what do you think the boss is planning?"

Uchiha Wang glanced over. "No idea. But I know one thing—he's not going to let this go."

It was a gut feeling—a kind of sixth sense that only men with conviction possess.

Takatora looked worried. "But… what if he goes up against the Hyuga clan directly?"

"Even the Hokage can't interfere with matters like this. It's internal clan business."

Though usually timid, Takatora had a sharp mind. He wasn't wrong.

The Caged Bird Seal was a deeply entrenched tradition within the Hyuga clan—part of their identity, their control system. Even someone like the First Hokage, Hashirama, couldn't meddle in such matters.

Unless, of course, the Hokage was someone like Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Wang raised his brows and gave Takatora a surprised look.

"Didn't think you had it in you to think that far ahead."

Takatora scratched his head, embarrassed. His face turned a little red. "I just don't want the boss to get into trouble."

Wang chuckled. "You're not wrong. But there's one thing you don't understand. The Hokage can get involved—if he has the right leverage."

Takatora looked even more confused.

Uchiha Wang stared ahead at Haru, eyes flickering. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"You really don't know how powerful Haru is."

Even though clan politics were a minefield and technically off-limits, Haru wasn't one to follow the script.

Wang knew that sometimes power isn't about doing things openly. There are always other ways to make change happen.

If direct force won't work, then use strategy. And Haru had plenty of that.

Suddenly, Hoshikawa Haru stopped and turned to face them.

"You two head back. I've got an idea."

Uchiha Wang shrugged. "Told you," he muttered to Takatora before turning to walk away.

After saying goodbye, Haru headed straight for the Hokage's office.

He couldn't officially interfere in clan matters—but this was Konoha. No matter how old or sacred your clan traditions were, you were still under the rule of the village.

And when it came to village matters, the Hokage always had the final say.

Hoshikawa Haru wasn't one to abuse power. But if someone dared to abuse him or someone he cared about? That was a different story.

He stood outside the office door for a moment, adjusting his expression. He pulled his lips into a pout, and made his eyes look slightly watery—like he was about to cry.

With that innocent, heartbroken look, he pushed open the door.

"Sensei!" he whimpered, stepping inside.

Hashirama looked up from the mountain of paperwork in front of him—and immediately saw through the act.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"What's this? You look like someone just stole your lunch. Who bullied you?"

"You're usually so composed—like a little old man—and now you're about to burst into tears."

His teasing made Haru roll his eyes internally.

Just say you want to laugh at me, old man, he thought bitterly.

He had no doubt Hashirama already knew exactly why he was here.

After all, several ANBU operatives were lurking just outside the door. It didn't take a genius to figure out who had ordered them there.