"Clan leader…"
"Congratulations…"
Inside the Hyūga compound.
Between the main house and the branch house, an unbridgeable chasm existed.
On this neutral ground…
The members of both branches gathered.
Hyūga Hizashi, the younger brother of Hyūga Hiashi, also dressed in new clothes, stepped forward with other members of the branch house to congratulate his elder.
Beside him stood a young boy with a delicate face, seemingly indifferent to the adults' conversation.
"Father… she's so pretty…"
Neji looked up at his father, clearly referring to the eldest daughter of the main house—his cousin, Hyūga Hinata.
"…"
At his son's words, Hizashi's expression turned complex.
Because…
"In that case, Hizashi, entrust Neji and the other children to us…"
Hiashi, face emotionless, declared the fate of the children from the branch house.
They, along with others of the right age, would receive the Caged Bird Seal, losing their freedom forever.
Still unaware of his fate, Neji stepped forward joyfully.
His smile never left Hinata.
But she appeared melancholic.
Earlier, by discreetly activating her Byakugan, she had seen Natsu scolding Naruto outside the compound.
At first, she was happy Naruto had come—but seeing him walk away, humiliated, hurt her deeply.
"Natsu… why are you all treating Naruto-kun like that~?"
That scene… wounded her.
Shortly after.
Neji followed the members of the main house to their residence.
In a special room, after receiving the Caged Bird Seal, a dark green cursed mark permanently appeared on his forehead.
A white medical bandage was quickly wrapped around it.
Neji exited the room and rejoined his father.
Hizashi and his son then went to the training dojo of the main house.
Hinata took position and began training in Jūken under her father's supervision.
Watching the eldest daughter of the main family—lacking in talent yet granted everything—while his own son Neji, a prodigy, was made a slave…
Remembering his own experience…
The immense bitterness in Hizashi's heart turned into a faint murderous intent.
But this intent was perceived by his brother.
Before Neji's eyes, Hiashi activated the Caged Bird Seal.
Watching his father suffer, Neji, in tears, felt hatred for the main branch for the first time.
A seed of hatred was planted, waiting to bloom in the future.
Outside, the sky turned orange at dusk…
And in Hinata's Byakugan field of vision, Naruto was still there, waiting.
From morning… until evening…
...
That night.
After the festivities, the celebration of the Hyūga heir's birthday ended.
Hinata returned to her room, more gloomy than ever.
Darkness slowly spread behind the paper doors.
When the room was fully engulfed in black—
Hinata couldn't take it anymore. She stood up suddenly and rushed to the kitchen.
There, she grabbed a bag and stuffed it with all kinds of food.
Naruto-kun had stayed there—from morning until night.
"Naruto-kun…"
Wiping a tear, Hinata, bag in hand, ran out of the kitchen.
In the courtyard, the silver moon lighting the sky was suddenly obscured by clouds.
A thick shadow fell over the area.
Hinata barely took a few steps before bumping into a large silhouette.
"Ouch~."
Rubbing her head, she looked up…
And met a chillingly fierce gaze.
A few seconds later—
The bag fell to the ground.
Its contents spilled everywhere.
When the clouds parted, letting the moonlight shine once more—
Hinata and the shadow were gone.
Shortly after—
The lanterns of the Hyūga compound lit up one by one.
Shouts echoed.
Soon, multiple figures left the compound, rushing after them…