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Sasame turned to face Hinata, meeting her wide, pearlescent eyes.
Her small hands clutched the hem of her kimono, cheeks dusted pink—but beneath the shyness was a quiet determination.
How could anyone refuse such an adorable request? Even ten favors wouldn't be enough.
He pinched her soft cheek playfully. "Go ahead, ask."
Steam practically billowed from Hinata's ears, but this time, she didn't faint. Maybe she was getting used to him.
Haltingly, she explained her dilemma.
Since childhood, Hyūga Neji had been her sparring partner. At first, they got along well. But last year, after receiving the Caged Bird Seal, his attitude turned icy.
That morning, something terrifying happened.
During training, Neji accidentally struck her too hard. Instantly, a branch-family guard activated the seal, snarling:
"Neji, remember your place!"
Neji collapsed, writhing in agony. Afterward, he treated her with even colder disdain.
A three-year-old couldn't possibly understand. When she asked her parents, they dismissed it:
"This is the Hyūga branch family's fate. Don't dwell on it."
"Were you hurt?" Sasame's voice softened.
Hinata blinked, then flushed deeper, shaking her head.
"What do you think of the Caged Bird Seal?" He ruffled her hair.
"Father says... it protects the Byakugan from being stolen," she murmured, parroting Hyūga Hiashi's words.
That might've been true centuries ago. Now? Its true purpose was far darker.
Objectively, the main family would never abolish the seal. The benefits were too great:
Power. Once accustomed to ruling, who'd willingly become a slave?
Fear. Years of oppression meant the branch family would revolt without the seal.
Safety. Dangerous missions could be forced onto the branded.
But there were downsides.
The seal crushed potential. Why strive for strength when your life belonged to another?
With only a handful of main-family members, the Hyūga clan's decline was inevitable. Compare them to the Uchiha—geniuses awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan one after another.
The Hyūga? Stagnant.
The Tenseigan was already rare, but the seal ensured no branch member would ever surpass the main family.
True strength requires freedom.
"Do you think that's really why the seal exists?" Sasame asked.
Hinata's face clouded with doubt.
Her father's words should be law. But Neji's screams haunted her. If the seal was purely protective, why use it as punishment?
Another memory surfaced: Hearing her uncle, Hyūga Hizashi, howling in pain while Hiashi scolded him. Back then, she hadn't understood. Now, she knew—it was the seal.
"I... I don't know," she whispered, eyes pleading for guidance.
That she confided in him at all spoke volumes.
"A wise man once asked: 'Just because something has always been, does that make it right?'" Sasame cupped her chin. "You're the heiress. The seal's fate rests with you."
Hinata trembled. "I... I can't be clan leader. I'm not good enough."
Hiashi had never praised her. Even a child could see his disappointment.
"You're three. No one expects you to lead now." Sasame tilted her face up, locking eyes. "Besides, I'll help you."
Hinata's brain short-circuited.
Stars spun in her vision as her cheeks burned nuclear. Overwhelmed, she surrendered to blissful unconsciousness.
Sasame tucked her into bed. "Goodnight."
[Hinata's fate has shifted! Fate Points +99.]
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
Back in his room, Sasame didn't sleep. Two more visits awaited.
This time, he sneaked out manually, arriving at Shikkotsu Forest's Gambling Den.
"Big brother, happy birthday!"
Karin proudly thrust out a book—The Analects of Confucius. "I've mastered it all!"
"My gift?" Sasame grinned, scooping her up.
"Mm-hm!" Her eyes sparkled. "Aren't I good?"
"So good." He tousled her red hair. "Let's double your homework."
Karin froze.
...Are you a demon?
"NOOOO!" She clung to his arm, deploying Puppy-Dog Eyes Technique MAX. "I'll die! Can't it be less?"
Sasame laughed. "Fine. New assignment: Learn ninja skills from your mom."
"REALLY?!" Karin shot up, ecstatic. She'd begged to train, but he'd always refused.
"Mom's in the kitchen." She dashed off to watch TV, mission accomplished.
"You're here."
Uzumaki Ena didn't turn, focused on chopping vegetables.
"I already ate." Sasame caught her wrist. "Don't trouble yourself."
"I know." She set down the knife. "Last time, you mentioned birthday noodles. It's a small portion."
"Oh? You're making noodles for me?" His smirk widened. "For longevity? Then I'll savor every bite."
Soon, a steaming bowl sat before him.
One slurp later: "Yours are always the best."
Ena smiled softly, gaze tender.
"Where's my gift?" He set down the chopsticks.
"There is one..." She hesitated. "But you'll have to wait. After I master the Strength of a Hundred Seal, I'll give it to you."
Sasame paused.
...Huh?
Then it hit him.
The seal's abilities included cellular regeneration—restoring any body part.
"I'm ten," he deadpanned, pinching her cheek. "You're such a bad woman. But I like it."
Ena ducked her head, embarrassed.
Her logic was simple: She wanted to be useful to him.
Any kind of useful.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 110 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
(Give me all your power stones)