"Freedom?"
Upon hearing the word "freedom," Natsu Hyuga felt a wave of daze wash over her. Among the Branch House, who didn't wish to become a bird breaking out of its cage, soaring freely through the sky?
Unfortunately, such a reality was far too distant. Since the creation of the [Caged Bird Curse Seal], all Hyuga knew there was only one solution: death.
"The Hyuga clan, in the final analysis, is a great ocular jutsu clan just like my Uchiha clan. Most of your secret techniques rely on your own Bloodline," Kiyoshi said tonelessly.
The Hyuga were not some great family that researched "Curse Seals"; their entire technology tree was poured into [Gentle Fist]. Only the Uzumaki clan held some expertise in that area, possessing world-renowned [Sealing Jutsu] in addition to their immense life force.
As the saying goes, every profession has its specialty. Since the Hyuga were not professional Curse Seal experts, the seal they applied was not impossible to break.
It was just that the seal was implanted from childhood, merging with the person over time. Furthermore, if a Branch House member were captured, the brain and eyes—the hosts of the seal—would be immediately destroyed.
Therefore, it was difficult to find suitable research materials in the ninja world. Though the Hyuga appeared weak compared to some, they were not a soft persimmon that anyone could squeeze. These were the primary reasons the [Caged Bird Curse Seal] remained unbroken to this day.
But Kiyoshi was here now, and that changed everything. With the power of Moryo and his array of Traits, achieving this was not particularly difficult.
"As long as it is a formula, there is a way to solve it."
Kiyoshi's hand reached behind Natsu's head again, tieing the ninja headband back into place over her forehead.
"Aren't you... aren't you afraid I'll tell?" Natsu asked, stunned.
Kiyoshi's actions were a direct challenge to the Hyuga clan! Even as an Uchiha, if the Head of the Hyuga found out, he would exert every ounce of pressure to force the Uchiha to hand Kiyoshi over. The two great clans could very well fall into internal strife at this sensitive moment during the war!
"True. I suppose I should add some extra insurance," Kiyoshi said flatly.
A flash of scarlet appeared in his eyes as ocular power poured out. Over this period, his ocular power had been steadily rising, nearly reaching its limit. Handling a minor Branch House member like Natsu was child's play.
Kiyoshi implanted a suggestion in Natsu, making it impossible for her to speak of this. He poured a significant amount of ocular power into her at once to ensure the duration of the Genjutsu.
This was the only weakness of Sharingan Genjutsu—one needed to periodically replenish the ocular power in the victim, or the influence would vanish once the power was exhausted.
Natsu's eyes went hollow for a brief moment before returning to clarity. She immediately realized Kiyoshi had placed her under a Genjutsu. However, Natsu felt no resentment; instead, she felt a sense of relief. At the very least, it meant Kiyoshi wouldn't kill her.
"So... Kiyoshi-kun, what exactly do you want?" Natsu lowered her gaze and asked cautiously.
The temptation of breaking the [Caged Bird Curse Seal] was indeed immense, but it depended on what she had to pay in return.
Kiyoshi smiled faintly and produced a black ribbon. "Well... just some academic exchange," he said calmly.
When the powers of Uchiha and Senju combine, one obtains all things in the universe. What if Uchiha and Hyuga were to combine?
Natsu glanced at the black ribbon in Kiyoshi's hand and bit her lip, remaining silent. Before coming here, she had considered how to face such a proposal from Kiyoshi.
But now, in addition to the fear of Ginka Hyuga's punishment, a powerful lure left her indecisive. There was no doubt that the curse seal had loosened slightly. Natsu could clearly sense it.
So... what should she do?
Amidst her hesitation, Natsu recalled Kiyoshi's previous disdain for the "caged bird." She thought of Lady Ginka's constant mistreatment and her life that was as stagnant and oppressive as a pool of dead water. Even if it were only for a moment, she wanted to feel the lingering glow of freedom.
Kiyoshi caught the look of conflict on Natsu's face, and his smile deepened.
"Go and close the tent flap," Kiyoshi ordered.
Natsu remained silent, lowering her head and following his command. Upon her return, Kiyoshi told her to put on the black ribbon.
"I've heard the Hyuga's Byakugan can see through objects, but relying on it too much can dull one's hearing. As former classmates, I want to help improve Natsu-san's strength," Kiyoshi smiled.
"Is... is that how it works?" Natsu looked up at the ribbon in his hand. To be honest, she didn't see the point. If she wished, the Byakugan could penetrate that fabric at any time. As for Kiyoshi's explanation, she found it somewhat strange.
Seeing Natsu's slack expression, Kiyoshi couldn't help but shake his head. Too lax! Can a ninja only train when they feel like getting stronger? Of course not. One must maintain necessary daily training; otherwise, the spirit withers and the body becomes dull.
If Natsu stayed like this, how could the Uchiha and Hyuga ever truly combine? She likely wouldn't be able to endure for long before collapsing.
"Alright..." Natsu obediently tied the black ribbon and stood there uneasily.
As she finished, she could hear the sound of movement. Then, her position was adjusted so she was facing the tent flap. Since they were training, the kind-hearted Kiyoshi summoned a one-horned giant beast to conduct targeted, customized, and special training together.
"Mmph..."
...
"Finally finished."
Tetsu Hyuga was panting with exhaustion, but a surge of determination pushed him to his feet. "Tokuma, remember to let the inspectors know for me when they come."
Leaving those words behind, Tetsu hurried off toward Natsu's location.
"That kid," Tokuma Hyuga shook his head. He stretched, wondering when these days would end. When there was nothing to do, they acted as logistics; when there was trouble, they were sent to the front lines. This blurred existence with no end in sight left Tokuma with little hope.
"Sigh." Tokuma sighed.
---
Time passed minute by minute.
Kiyoshi carefully observed the differences between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. Occasionally, he would direct the one-horned giant beast to use its unique abilities to enter Natsu's meridian system, probing the movement trajectories of her chakra.
To Kiyoshi's surprise, Natsu's talent for Water Style was quite good. In just a short while, she seemed to grasp her own secret Water Style without a teacher. Perhaps Natsu hadn't expected herself to master any techniques outside of [Gentle Fist], as she began to weep tears of gratitude. The tears dripped onto the already damp floor.
Kiyoshi remained expressionless, strictly instructing Natsu on which meridian routes to follow. At this moment, the silhouette of a pair of palms appeared on the surface of the tent, pressing against the fabric from the inside, slightly protruding.
***
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