After making arrangements with Karin, Zixu also had to start working on Chinano's art.
"Didn't you get any information about the Hyuga family in Konoha?"
The clone closed his eyes and shook his head. Those Hyuga people acted as if nothing had happened and just did what they were supposed to do. Perhaps they were confident in the Caged Bird Seal and believed that their Byakugan would never fall into the hands of outsiders?
He didn't know. Anyway, the clone didn't get any information about the Byakugan. Even Zixu didn't find any detailed records of Byakugan usage in Sarutobi's memory. Naturally, he also didn't know how to break the Caged Bird Seal. Being Hokage was just a title—it didn't make someone all-knowing or all-powerful.
However, he had learned some things about the Byakugan and the Caged Bird Seal from Sarutobi's memory. Normally, the Byakugan granted a 360-degree field of vision, but the branch family members who bore the Caged Bird Seal had a 1-degree blind spot.
This might not matter much in ordinary missions, but in a battle between masters, that 1-degree blind spot could be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. As long as this flaw existed, the branch family would never be able to match the main family, never able to rise to the top.
Zixu couldn't help but sigh at the ruthlessness of the ancestor who originally created the Caged Bird Seal. It was essentially a way to impose a hard limit on all branch family members—a genetic lock, so to speak.
The highest level a branch family member could ever reach was predetermined. That 1-degree blind spot was an insurmountable wall, just like the gap between the branch and main families.
Even if someone managed to temporarily override the seal's brain-destroying command and survive, they would still never surpass the main family. The Hyuga clan would always be ruled by the main family, and no matter how hard the branch family tried, their efforts would be meaningless in the eyes of their oppressors.
It was all preordained. It had always been this way. That's why Neji always emphasized the idea of fate.
Zixu's steps felt heavier. If he took Chinano away but couldn't ensure her clan's future, it would be irresponsible. But mistakes still needed to be punished.
Among those who had attempted rebellion, there were Hyuga clan members as well. So, Zixu treated them the same as the others—thirty lashes with the rod and punishment as "human generators."
Before he realized it, Zixu had arrived at the Hyuga clan's territory. The buildings here were arranged neatly. Even though they had left Konoha, the architectural style remained the same—uniform, solemn, and dignified.
Zixu spotted Chinano at the central training ground. Many Hyuga clan members were practicing Gentle Fist and other physical techniques. Civilians and ninjas who had performed well enough were allowed to learn alongside them.
Neji was currently teaching the branch family members how to master Rotation, a technique he had painstakingly developed on his own. Normally, only the main family was permitted to learn it, proving his extraordinary talent and worthiness of the genius title.
However, during his training, Neji had discovered that his Rotation had a 1-degree blind spot—an imperfection he couldn't correct no matter how hard he tried. Based on his calculations, this flaw theoretically shouldn't exist in the technique, which made him question whether it was due to his status as a branch family member.
"You're right. It's because you're a branch family member. The main family doesn't have this flaw. The Caged Bird Seal restricts you. That 1-degree blind spot is the 'gift' from the main family," Zixu said as he walked over and sat beside Neji, explaining the cruel reality of the Caged Bird Seal.
"I'm still searching for a way to break the seal at its root. That's why I'm here—to hear your thoughts. Do you… want to free the birds from their cage?"
Zixu's words immediately drew the attention of many Hyuga clan members, including Chinano, who quickly gathered around him.
The other ninjas who weren't from the Hyuga clan quietly left, while the civilians thanked them and excused themselves. It was best they didn't hear this conversation.
Once all irrelevant people were gone, Zixu continued in a lower, more restrained tone.
"The main family claims the Caged Bird Seal is meant to protect the Hyuga clan. The branch family is cursed with it so that if their Byakugan is ever removed, the seal will automatically erase it. If they are captured and tortured, the seal will kill them instantly, ensuring their Byakugan doesn't fall into enemy hands."
The surrounding Hyuga clan members nodded in agreement. They already knew this—so why was Zixu bringing it up now?
"This discourages outsiders from trying to steal the Byakugan by killing branch family members, supposedly keeping you safe while shifting all the risk onto the main family. The main family holds the secret to the Caged Bird Seal, which forces the branch family to protect them. Otherwise, the seal could spread and threaten the entire branch family. Am I right?"
Zixu carefully watched everyone's reactions as he spoke.
"You're correct," a middle-aged man in a high-ranking position replied in a low voice. Chinano stood beside him, nodding in agreement.
"If that's the case, then the solution is simple. Don't worry about whether the clan's reasoning is right or wrong. Once the Caged Bird Seal is removed, your safety will no longer be guaranteed. At that point, people will definitely start targeting your Byakugan."
"Even if there's a risk of being killed, do you still want freedom?"
After saying this, Zixu fell silent. He looked down at his nose, then at his heart, waiting for their response.
They had never considered this before. When they were caged birds, freedom was just a distant dream. But now that there was a real chance to break free, some of them hesitated.
Seeing this, Chinano clenched her fists, ashamed of her hesitant clansmen.
"If you're willing to live in disgrace, then when you face an enemy in the future, just reveal the Caged Bird Seal. The main family won't be so kind. Caged birds, caged birds… looks like some people have been tamed by the main family and don't even want to leave their cage," she said coldly.
Zixu motioned for Chinano to calm down. It was human nature to seek safety and avoid danger. Wanting to survive wasn't shameful.
"You all have time to think about it," he continued. "I'm still looking for a way to break the seal. But don't assume that I'll remove it for you the moment I find a solution…"
"What? So you plan to use the Caged Bird Seal to control us too? Tsk, I knew it! You're no different—" a hot-tempered young Hyuga snapped. But before he could finish, an older clan member quickly silenced him.
The others didn't speak, but their expressions said it all. Their gazes toward Zixu turned cold and wary.
"You misunderstand," Zixu said calmly. "What I mean is—I will only remove the seal if you're strong enough. Only those with the strength to protect themselves should be freed. Until then, assuming there are no unforeseen side effects, the Caged Bird Seal actually is a form of protection for you."
Having said his piece, Zixu left them to think. If some of them grew strong but still chose to keep the seal, it wasn't his problem.
For now, he had another goal—taking Chinano to further develop her Byakugan.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?
Visit this link:
Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03
Change (å) to (a)