The shinobi world was still curious about Hizashi Hyuga’s death.
So far, no one could see why his life deserved to be ranked among the twenty most tragic.
If simply dying in another person’s place was enough to make the list, then countless shinobi throughout history would qualify before him.
At that moment, the screen began revealing Hizashi’s past.
[Konoha Year 51]
[Konohagakure was in the middle of a grand celebration.
After years of conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure, the Head Ninja of Kumogakure had finally arrived to sign a peace treaty between the two villages.
Shinobi throughout Konoha, from jōnin to genin, took part in the festivities.
There was only one notable exception.
The Hyuga Clan.
Because on that very day—
Hinata Hyuga, heir to the main family, was celebrating her third birthday.
Hizashi Hyuga arrived at the main family’s residence with his four-year-old son, Neji.
He bowed politely toward the young girl.
“Lady Hinata is three years old today.
Congratulations.”
Hiashi nodded.
“Thank you.”
Neji looked at the shy little girl and smiled.
“She’s really cute, Father.”
Hizashi looked at his son for a moment.
A trace of pain flashed through his eyes.
Hiashi then spoke.
“Well then…
leave Neji to me, Hizashi.”
“Yes.”
Not long afterward—
the curse seal was branded onto Neji’s forehead.
From that day forward, he became another bird trapped inside the Hyuga Clan’s cage.
Afterward, Hizashi stood before his young son.
“Listen carefully, Neji.”
“You were born to protect Lady Hinata and to safeguard the power of the Hyuga Clan.”
Neji showed no resistance.
“Yes, Father.”
But when Hizashi looked at Hinata again, bitterness began to rise within him.
His son was far more gifted than she was.
Neji possessed talent that clearly surpassed the main family’s young heir.
And yet—
no matter how talented Neji became, he could never inherit the main family.
All because Hizashi himself had been born second.
Hiashi and Hizashi were twins.
Separated by only a brief moment at birth.
Yet that tiny difference had decided their entire lives.
Hiashi became the heir to the main family.
Hizashi was placed in the branch family.
And now his son had inherited the same fate.
Neji would spend his entire life protecting Hinata.
If necessary…
he would even be expected to die for her.
For one brief moment, Hizashi’s resentment overwhelmed him.
His gaze toward Hinata changed.
A trace of killing intent slipped out.
Hiashi immediately stepped in front of his daughter.
Then—
he activated the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
“AAARGH!”
Hizashi collapsed, clutching his head as unbearable pain tore through him.
“Father!”
Neji stared at him in panic.
“What’s wrong?!”
Hiashi’s expression remained cold.
“Go home.”
“I will overlook your disgraceful behavior today, Hizashi.”
“But only this once.”
His gaze hardened.
“Never forget the fate you and your descendants were born into.”
It was at that moment that Neji finally understood what the mark on his forehead truly represented.
For the first time, he understood the cage he had been born into.
And tears of anger and helplessness ran down his face.]
…
After watching the scene, many viewers still found it difficult to sympathize with Hizashi.
Some even thought less of him.
Whatever grievances he had against the main family, directing killing intent toward a three-year-old child was hardly admirable.
But there was another reason for their reaction.
Most people outside the Hyuga Clan had no idea what the Caged Bird Curse Seal actually meant.
Live Chat Group One soon filled with questions.
[Naruto Uzumaki: What’s that green X-shaped mark on Neji’s forehead?]
[Sakura Haruno: And why does the Hyuga Clan even have a main family and a branch family?
What does this “fate” of the branch family mean?]
Kakashi answered.
[Kakashi Hatake: That mark isn’t decorative.
It’s the Caged Bird Curse Seal placed on members of the Hyuga branch family.]
[Kakashi Hatake: A member of the main family can activate it with the appropriate hand seal and attack the victim’s nervous system directly.
The pain alone can incapacitate them, and if taken far enough, the seal can kill them.]
[Might Guy: And the seal remains with them for life.
Only death releases them from it.]
Neji’s response appeared next.
[Neji Hyuga: That’s not its only purpose.]
[Neji Hyuga: The seal also locks away the Byakugan when a branch-family member dies.
The Hyuga possess one of the most valuable kekkei genkai in the shinobi world, so countless people have tried to steal our eyes.]
[Neji Hyuga: The Caged Bird protects the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands.
At the same time, it ensures that members of the branch family exist to protect the main family and can never defy them.]
Sasuke immediately took issue with one part of that statement.
[Sasuke Uchiha: I sympathize with what happened to you, but the Byakugan isn’t the greatest kekkei genkai.
The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan is superior.]
Someone else suddenly interrupted.
[Deidara: Sharingan?
What a joke, hm!
True art is an explosion!]
[Ōnoki: Enough!
We’re getting completely off topic.
This isn’t the time to argue over whose kekkei genkai is better!]
[Kurotsuchi: Having someone else hold your life in their hands is already bad enough.
But knowing your son’s life will be controlled the same way…
I can understand why Hizashi became bitter.]
[Kankuro: It’s seriously unfair.
Hiashi and Hizashi are twins, but because one was born a little later than the other, their lives couldn’t have been more different.]
[Chojuro: Honestly…
Neji’s life seems pretty tragic too.]
Rock Lee stared at the screen for a long moment.
Then his message appeared.
[Rock Lee: I think I’m starting to understand why Neji believes so strongly that fate is decided from birth.]
[Rock Lee: But I still won’t accept it!
I’ll keep working hard and prove that fate can be changed.]
[Rock Lee: And one day, I’ll change Neji’s mind too!]