Naruto: Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan - Chapter 3
“What happened?”
“Nothing much, just a routine investigation.” Neiki brushed past Neji and walked straight into the kitchen.
“Is it because someone else went missing? Is Sister Tsukune also…” Neji trailed off.
He was smart. He had already figured out a lot based on Takizawa’s earlier questions.
Every so often, members of the Hyuga branch family would mysteriously disappear or be killed. This wasn’t frequent, but with the number of disappearances increasing every six months, many branch family members had sensed something. They sought help from the clan leader but received no response. They turned to the Hokage, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had sent people to investigate, but no clues were found.
The number of missing people continued to rise, and now it had reached those close to Neji.
“Do you like her a lot?” Neiki, lighting the stove, glanced at Neji.
“She’s always been kind to us, and she really likes you, brother…” Neji observed his brother’s expression.
Why does he seem not sad at all?
Is this the psychological fortitude of a ninja…
“Neji, listen carefully,” Neiki said indifferently, preparing dinner ingredients while starting his lecture. “It’s not that a ninja must be cold and heartless, but compared to ordinary people, the greatest difference in a ninja’s mentality lies in the word ‘?’ (endure).”
“To achieve goals, one must endure. To carry out plans, one must endure.”
“To avoid showing weakness to the enemy,” Neiki chopped potatoes, turning to emphasize, “one must endure the pain.”
Neji looked around. The room was just him and his brother, no so-called “enemies,” so what was the point of enduring pain?
“Brother, you’ve been lecturing a lot lately.” Neji didn’t argue; he rested his chin on his hands, feeling oddly comforted despite his sadness.
“I know you’re not listening now, but I’m not saying this for the current you.” Neiki said casually, throwing the potatoes into the pot, but his eyes flicked to a specific spot outside the window.
A crow perched on a power line pole, tilting its head as it watched him.
Persistent…
No concealment could go unnoticed before the Byakugan; the crow knew this. After a while, it flapped its wings and flew away.
“Why are you wearing such oversized clothes?” Neiki asked, noticing Neji’s uneasy expression.
Seeing Neji’s hesitation, Neiki smiled slightly:
“Got into a fight?”
Neji paused, then nodded quickly. His brother was thoughtful; lying would be easily seen through. It was better to let him mistakenly believe his injuries were from a typical “fight.”
Neiki was Neji’s only family, his pride, the honor of the Hyuga branch family, and one of Konoha’s Twin Prodigies.
Neji didn’t intend to tell Neiki about today’s events. Though Neiki was strong, he was still part of the branch family, bearing the Caged Bird curse. If Neji saw Neiki kneeling before Hyuga Ryo due to his curse, humiliated because of him, Neji felt he’d be consumed by guilt.
“Losing a fight isn’t a big deal. Just win next time.” Neiki’s nonchalant attitude eased Neji’s tension slightly.
“I… I will definitely get revenge!” Neji clenched his fists and said determinedly.
Though he had no idea how to counter the Caged Bird, maybe… he should endure for now?!
“Good, go train. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.” Neiki waved him off. As Neji left, Neiki’s gaze grew deep.
Neji’s lie was full of holes. The Gentle Fist: Lion Fangs technique he taught Neji was enough to defeat anyone in the Academy. How could he lose a fight with his peers?!
Moreover, the lingering effects of the Caged Bird were too obvious. Those occasionally reddened, twitching eyes couldn’t escape Neiki’s notice.
As a genius rising from the Hyuga branch family, Neiki had also experienced the humiliation of the Caged Bird imposed by disgruntled prominent family members. Those who once offended him were now corpses underground, their eyes serving as nutrients for Neiki’s evolving Byakugan.
“I’ve fully adapted to the third stage of the Byakugan. It’s time to prepare for the final stage.”
Neiki looked at the bird outside, his expression calm.
The evolution of his Byakugan now required more than just a pair or two of eyes…
His recent actions had drawn the attention of Konoha’s higher-ups and some individuals. In this world entirely of intelligent people, suspicions were beginning to focus on him due to his previous impatient actions. But Neiki didn’t care.
If his eyes didn’t require time to adapt to each stage of evolution, creating a painful hiatus, no one would have caught such a flaw.
Takizawa’s visit today was linked to the exposure of Tsukune’s body and following the clues.
Fortunately, the only significant oversight during this period was Tsukune’s corpse and Takizawa’s surprise inspection of his home.
—It wasn’t too troublesome.
With destiny approaching its final moment, Neiki’s heart grew more serene. Watching the steam rise from the pot, his memory drifted back to that night four years ago.
When his father, Hizashi, committed seppuku at home, Neiki was the first to enter. However, his father’s Byakugan, which the Caged Bird should have destroyed, turned into an essence and flew into his eyes.
That was the first time Neiki’s Byakugan evolved. He was blind for two days, and the clan thought it was from crying over his father’s death. Even the clan leader, Hiashi, came to comfort him.
But only Neiki knew he wasn’t that filial. He knew his father’s death was inevitable since he knew the plot after migrating. At the time, he was sad about losing his protector, but not enough to shed a tear.
When his father’s Byakugan essence entered his eyes, realizing his unique ability to absorb and evolve the Byakugan, Neiki couldn’t control his laughter even during Hizashi’s funeral!
Father.
If not for your death.
How long would it take for me to know I was born to kill you all?
His father’s death had shaken the once-locked door of his caged life, letting a beam of light in, revealing another path he could take.
The door remained closed.
The key would be forged with the blood of all his kin.
…
From that moment, the strongest spear to protect the Hyuga central family had already pointed towards the Hyuga clan.
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