The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training hall as Indra finally let out a slow breath, his body still buzzing from the experience of activating his Byakugan. The new sense of sight had left him in awe, and yet, a lingering question gnawed at the back of his mind.
As his father motioned for him to deactivate his dōjutsu, Indra let the chakra flow disperse, and the world returned to normal. Colors reappeared, depth shifted, and the once-intricate details of chakra pathways faded from his vision.
Hiroshi studied him for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod. "You did well. With time, it will feel as natural as breathing."
Indra hesitated before speaking. "Father… can I ask you something?"
Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
Indra shifted, choosing his words carefully. "The Caged Bird Seal… why does it exist?"
A heavy silence followed.
For a long moment, Hiroshi did not speak. His sharp features remained neutral, but Indra noticed the slight furrow in his brow, the way his hands clasped behind his back a little tighter. Finally, he let out a quiet sigh.
"The seal," Hiroshi began, his tone measured, "was originally meant to protect our clan's bloodline. The Byakugan is unique among dōjutsu. Unlike the Sharingan, which requires a strong emotional stimulus to awaken, a pure-blooded Hyūga is born with the ability to activate theirs. This made our clan's kekkei genkai highly coveted by outsiders."
Indra nodded slowly. That part made sense. Unlike the Uchiha, who had to experience deep loss or stress to awaken their Sharingan, any Hyūga could access their Byakugan with the right training. That meant that even young children—those who couldn't yet defend themselves—possessed the power of the Byakugan.
"At first," Hiroshi continued, "the seal was created to ensure that our Byakugan would not fall into enemy hands. When a Branch member died, the seal would activate and erase their dōjutsu, making it impossible for foreign shinobi to steal and study it."
Indra listened carefully, but something about the explanation didn't sit right with him. "Then why does it cause pain? Why can it be activated remotely?"
Hiroshi's expression darkened slightly. "Because over time, the seal stopped being a tool for protection and became a tool for control."
Indra clenched his fists.
"The Main Family," his father continued, "began to use the seal as a method of enforcing their authority over the Branch Family. The ability to remotely activate it and inflict pain was never part of its original design. But as generations passed, those in power twisted its purpose, turning it into a leash rather than a shield."
Indra felt a surge of frustration, thinking back to Neji's story from his past life. Even now, in this world, history had unfolded in a similar manner.
Hiroshi glanced at him, reading his expression. "You disapprove."
Indra hesitated, then nodded. "It… feels wrong. Unfair."
A small smirk played at Hiroshi's lips, though there was no humor in it. "You sound like me when I was your age." He exhaled, his gaze shifting toward the far wall. "The truth is, Indra, there is no real difference between the Main and Branch Families. Strength is not determined by birthright. A Branch Family member, if given the same training and opportunities, could surpass any Main Family shinobi."
Indra thought about that. "Then why keep the system at all?"
Hiroshi's smirk vanished. "Because power does not like to share."
A deep silence settled between them before Hiroshi placed a firm hand on Indra's shoulder.
"Remember this, my son. Kindness is not weakness. Show respect to those in the Branch Family. Do not look down on them as many in our clan do."
Indra nodded, his mind racing with thoughts.
Before Indra could ask anything further, the sliding doors to the training hall opened with a smooth but deliberate motion. He didn't need to turn around to recognize the presence—he already knew that imposing posture, that ever-so-slightly judgmental aura.
Osamu Hyūga.
His uncle stepped inside, dressed in the formal robes of a Hyūga noble, his pale lavender eyes as cold and scrutinizing as ever. Though younger than Hiroshi, he carried himself with the rigid authority typical of the Main Family, his sharp features reminiscent of Hiashi Hyūga.
"Training the boy early, I see," Osamu remarked, his voice carrying a thin veneer of politeness, though Indra caught the underlying disapproval.
Hiroshi, ever composed, met his gaze evenly. "Discipline is best instilled young."
Osamu's eyes flicked toward Indra, assessing him with a single glance. "His form is unrefined."
Indra fought the urge to scowl. He had long since grown used to his uncle's dismissive attitude—Osamu rarely acknowledged him beyond the bare minimum, only ever offering critiques rather than encouragement.
"He is learning," Hiroshi countered calmly. "Every Hyūga begins somewhere."
Osamu scoffed lightly before shifting his attention back to Hiroshi. "The Elders request Indra's presence."
That caught Indra's attention. The Elders?
Hiroshi gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "Very well." He glanced at Indra. "Come."
Indra followed, keeping his thoughts to himself. Whatever this meeting was about, he had a feeling it wouldn't be something trivial.
Indra stepped through the grand wooden doors, his gaze sweeping across the vast chamber. The Elder Council Hall was unlike any place he had been before, a sacred space where the most important decisions of the Hyūga Clan were made.
The room was built in traditional Hyūga architecture—high ceilings supported by thick wooden beams, with intricate carvings of swirling clouds and blossoming plum trees decorating the walls. A long tatami mat covered the polished wooden floor, leading to the raised platform where his father, as the current Clan Head, would sit. The scent of aged wood and faint traces of herbal incense lingered in the air, giving the hall an air of solemnity.
But what truly commanded his attention were the people inside.
Two rows of Elders sat facing each other—one side occupied by Main Family members, the other by those from the Branch Family. The contrast was almost symbolic. Though the Branch Family had historically been treated as subordinates, Indra noted that his father's influence had begun shifting that balance. Under Hiroshi's leadership, select Branch members had been given seats in the Elder Council, a change that was undoubtedly met with resistance from the more traditional Main Family members.
His father really is trying to change things… Indra mused, his eyes briefly flicking toward the Main Family Elders, who sat with an air of quiet authority. Their expressions were composed, but he could sense the barely concealed superiority in their gazes. Meanwhile, the Branch Elders—while more subdued—held themselves with newfound dignity, thanks to the small victories his father had secured for them.
Indra took in the sheer number of people present. The Hyūga Clan was massive, easily numbering over a thousand members—one of the largest clans in the village. Unlike in the future, where the three Great Ninja Wars would severely reduce their numbers, the clan currently thrived, much like their fellow founding clans, the Senju and Uchiha. But not all Hyūga were shinobi.
That was another thing Indra had recently learned.
For the longest time, he had wondered how such large clans sustained themselves. Missions alone couldn't possibly fund a clan of this size, and the village only took a portion of their shinobi earnings. But the answer had come when he overheard one of his father's conversations with a clan official.
The Hyūga were not just warriors—they were businessmen.
The clan owned vast herb gardens, growing rare medicinal plants that were highly sought after. Their expertise in herbal medicine made them one of the leading suppliers of high-grade medicinal products, from healing balms to revitalizing teas. Unlike modern medicine, which didn't exist in this world, herbal remedies were deeply intertwined with chakra and natural energy, making them far more effective than what Indra had once known in his past life.
The majority of the Elders present weren't just strategists or former warriors; many were involved in overseeing the clan's business ventures. Nearly 80% of the Hyūga Clan's wealth came from their medicinal trade, with shinobi missions only accounting for a fraction. Even active shinobi within the clan contributed 10% of their mission pay to the clan, similar to how they paid a portion to the village itself.
Indra was pulled from his thoughts when his gaze landed on her.
Seated near an elderly man he faintly recognized was a girl around his age. Her presence was unexpected—children were rarely brought into council meetings unless there was a specific reason.
Indra studied her quietly. She had the same pale lavender eyes that all Hyūga shared, but there was a sharpness to them that set her apart. Her dark hair was neatly arranged, tied in a simple but elegant style. She sat with perfect posture, hands resting lightly in her lap, her expression composed yet observant.
There was something familiar about her—Indra couldn't recall her name, but he was certain he had seen her before. Perhaps in passing during one of the clan's gatherings.
Before he could ponder further, his father walked forward, taking his seat at the head of the chamber. Indra followed, seating himself at his right, the traditional place of the heir.
His uncle, Osamu, moved to join the Elders, taking his place among the Main Family representatives. His expression remained unreadable, though Indra could feel the weight of his gaze briefly passing over him.
The meeting began with formalities, acknowledging the presence of the Clan Head and the gathered Elders. Then, without much preamble, the true reason for Indra's presence was revealed.
One of the elders finally spoke.
"This is Asahi Hyūga," the elder's aged voice carried across the hall. "She is to be your fiancée."
Indra's breath caught for a moment.
He knew. He had known this was inevitable. A clan like the Hyūga, one that prized its bloodline above all, would never allow free choice in marriage. Unlike other noble families in his past life, where political marriages were about securing alliances, here, it was about survival. If Hyūga married outside the clan, the Byakugan would be diluted, weakening with each passing generation. Given how crucial genetics were in this world, the practice made sense. If the clan had allowed free marriage from the beginning, the Byakugan could have vanished in just a few generations.
Even so…
To hear it stated so formally, so decisively, made it feel real.
He kept his expression neutral, forcing himself to maintain composure, but a storm of thoughts whirled within him.
His father remained silent, watching him closely. His uncle, seated among the elders, had an unreadable expression—one of quiet amusement, perhaps even satisfaction.
Indra's fingers twitched slightly before he placed them firmly against his knee, hiding the momentary reaction.
His fiancée…
Asahi Hyūga.