Chapter 170: Chapter – 167 Bounds
In the blink of an eye, one month passed.
This month Konoha and Kumo delegation conducted three negotiation meetings and finalized the terms for signing the peace treaty after which they officially held the signing ceremony of the peace agreement.
When the peace treaty between the two great powers was finally signed, a large-scale peace celebration was also held in the Village.
On this day, almost all the villagers took to the streets, enjoying the hard-won peace, the streets were crowded with people, and the whole village was cheerful and full of laughter.
But the atmosphere of the Hyuga Clan was not so good, as many of the families of the Hyuga Clan were gloomy and depressed, there was no cheerful atmosphere.
Under the leadership of Hyuga Hizashi, a group of Clansmen of the Branch family all came to Hyuga Shrine with a cold face.
Looking at his brother Hiashi, who was standing at the front of the Shrine, and Hyuga Hinata, the eldest lady of the Hyuga Clan standing behind Hiashi, her eyes dodging others, and she looked timid at first glance, Hizashi said indifferently, "Hinata-Sama is three years old today, Congratulation!"
As the elder brother and Patriarch, Hiashi nodded faintly, "Yes."
At this moment, the young Neji tugged his father's Kimono and said, "Otou-Sama, Hinata-Sama… …is a cute child!"
"Neji… It is your destiny to protect her, and to protect the Hyuga bloodline." – said Hizashi with an inexplicable expression as he rubbed Neji's forehead.
Neji was confused by his father's actions and asked, "What's wrong, Otou-Sama?"
"No… nothing." – Hizashi just turned his head to the side and sighed lightly.
Kuroto who was standing behind Hizashi just shook his head slightly.
Hyuga Hizashi has yet to tell Neji the meaning of the 'Cage Bird' curse seal, from this alone it can be seen that deep down in his heart, Hizashi cannot accept his son being engraved with the cursed seal.
But no matter how much unwilling he is for it to happen, the moment has finally come.
Hyuga Hiashi didn't seem to notice his younger brother's cold attitude or maybe even if he did, he didn't seem to care about it and said indifferently, "Leave Neji to me."
Hizashi bowed down before the patriarch and nodded, "Yes."
Watching the patriarch taking Neji away, Hizashi's face was gloomy.
No matter how much he rejected or resisted, but when this moment finally came, he had no way to prevent it from happening.
While Kuroto was watching everything happen, a member of the Hyuga Clan appeared in a corner on the wheelchair, his face had signs of vicissitudes and he appeared to be in his mid-forties with a strange calmness.
Noticing the middle-aged man in the wheelchair, Kuroto asked Hizashi who stood on his side, "Who is he?" – Hizashi who was somewhat absent-minded answered lightly, "He is Hyuga Aoki, another member of the branch family."
"Hyuga Aoki!?" – Kuroto was surprised, this name was very unfamiliar to him and even if he tried to recall, he could hardly remember this person, not to mention he has never heard others talk about him.
Noticing Kuroto's doubts, Hizashi explained, "It is normal that you haven't heard of him or know him, he has been stationed in Hyuga restriction Cell for the past few years and was released only a few days ago."
Kuroto was again surprised and asked curiously, "What did he do?"
"Dereliction of duty!" – after a short pause, Hizashi continued with a lonely expression, "In the third great shinobi war, he and his brother Aoba were the personnel responsible for protecting the members of the main family, however, they didn't fulfill their duty, as a result of which the Byakugan was stolen by the enemy, as a punishment for their mistake, Aoba was executed for his negligence and failure to fulfill his duty, Aoki was lucky enough to not be penalized with the death penalty because he had already lost his legs, however, he was imprisoned."
Hearing this Kuroto remembered that there was indeed the case of one Byakugan being stolen by the Kirigakure, but the matter is regarded as taboo to be discussed because it brought great shame to the Hyuga Clan, and since Kuroto was still very young at that time, so he isn't very clear of the old clan matters.
When he again turned to look at the position where Aoki sat on his wheelchair, Kuroto found that he had already left.
…
In the afternoon, the patriarch invited Hizashi, Neji, and Kuroto to his house.
In the practice room.
Hiashi-Sama was strictly instructing young Hinata-Sama in Hyuga-Style taijutsu while, Hizashi, Neji, and quietly sat at the side watching Hinata's training.
"Entire pace is messy…"
"Increase the speed…"
"What are you hesitating for? There should be no hesitation when you strike…!"
Scolding of Hiashi-Sama continued to be heard, he was like an extremely strict teacher, pointing out all of his daughter's shortcomings one-by-one.
The young Hinata didn't seem to have the courage to speak and could only nod timidly.
Young Neji looked at 'Hinata who was practicing tirelessly under her father's guidance with a faint smile on his face, it appears as if the first time he met his sister, he seemed to have fallen in love with his shy sister.
Hizashi glanced at his son who already had a white piece of cloth wrapped on top of his forehead and said lightly, "Neji, you must remember that it is your foremost duty to protect Hinata-Sama, this is your destiny, your fate!"
However, Neji didn't seem to realize the heavy tone of his father as his eyes were turned towards Hinata and he nodded, "Yes Otou-Sama!"
Neji's straightforward answer simply made Hizashi's heart more guilty as he turned towards Hinata and his expression became colder.
In the eyes of Hyuga Hizashi, the weak and timid Hinata is unworthy and inferior to his son, and yet Neji was engraved with the cursed seal of the 'Cage Bird' because of the incompetence of the father, on the other hand, Hinata, a timid and mediocre child was able to enjoy the privilege of being the head of the Clan just because she was born as the child of elder brother!?
At this moment, his heart was feeling incredulously guilty and he seemed to really hate his destiny and h=those that put his child under such a destiny, feeling this hate, Hizashi didn't realize it as driven by his instinct, the meridians around his eyes bulged and he activated the Byakugan subconsciously!
'Uh-oh' – thought Kuroto, as both he and Patriarch noticed the killing intent subconsciously leaking from Hizashi.
Having immediately discovered the source of killing intent, Patriarch released a soft sigh and muttered, "Stay down!"
In an instant, Hizashi's Byakugan deactivated and the 'Cage Bird' curse mark glowed greenish-blue.
"AHhhhhhhhhh….!!!"
Immediately following the glow of the Caged Bird Cursed Seal, Hizashi clutched his head with both hands and rolled over the floor in pain.
Neji was suddenly panicked and rushed towards his father, "O-otou-sama, w-what happened!?"
Although the young Neji didn't exactly understand what happened, it didn't stop him from crying because he could feel his father's pain, tears started flowing out of his eyes as he tried to ask his father.
Kuroto who sat on the side didn't do anything, watching all this happen calmly.
'Is it actually possible to activate the cursed seal without even the need for the specific hand seals?'
This is the first time he has seen the activation of the caged bird cursed seal, and Kuroto noticed that Hiashi-Sama activated the curse in an instant.
Moreover, the moment the cursed seal was activated, Hizashi's Byakugan was immediately sealed.
This clearly implies that even if the strength of the two people is the same, the members of the branch family clearly don't have any ability to resist in the face of the Hyuga Main family.
'If even Hizashi-sama couldn't bear the pain, and can only cry in agony so terribly, then the pain inflicted must be extremely harsh, and it really affects the brain nerves!'
Hyuga Hizashi is an elite Jonin, and like all other ninjas, Hizashi has also been trained from a very tender age to resist the pain, therefore, it wouldn't be wrong to say that his pain tolerance is very high, and if such a person could only wail in agony by clutching his head, must mean that it is really unbearable.
After a short while, the patriarch stopped the cursed effect and said lightly, "Go back, I will forgive your foolishness this time for stepping out of your bounds, remember not to make the same mistake again, you are a member of the branch family, accept this fact, the sooner you do, the less pain you'll have to go through!"
Leaving these words, Hiashi-sama led the panicked Hinata and left the training room…
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Read up to Chapter - 360 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations
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Alex_Clive
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Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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Chapter 171: Chapter – 168 With Friends
While walking on the road to home, the pale-faced Hyuga Hizashi said to Kuroto, "I showed you a disappointing site this time…"
Kuroto just shook his head slightly and said, "Sigh, it's alright Hizashi-Sama!"
Even though watching Hizashi-Sama suffer wasn't a very good sight, but Kuroto couldn't have done anything about it, besides, he also got to see the 'Caged Bird' in action, which could, in fact, be considered a new insight, it's just a pity that Kuroto didn't have his Byakugan activated at the scene. Otherwise, he could have made a clear observation of the chakra flow in the meridians of Hizashi-Sama, who cast the curse.
There was a long silence as the father and son duo, as well as Kuroto, walked side-by-side.
At this time, Hizashi finally broke the silence, "Kuroto-Kun, there is a favor I want to ask of you…"
"A favor? What's the matter?" – asked Kuroto in confusion.
Taking a glance at Neji, Hizashi finally made up his mind and said, "I hope that you can accept Neji as your disciple!"
Kuroto just smiled and waved his hand, "Hahaha, you are kidding Hizashi-Sama, right!?"
However, contrary to what Kuroto expected, Hizashi shook his head and said with a solemn expression, "No, Kuroto-Kun, I am perfectly serious, from what I understand about you, I believe you are the only person who could guide Neji to be a great Shinobi, a shinobi that the Hyuga Clan can be proud of!"
Kuroto's eyes widened in surprise, but after calming himself down, he asked with a serious expression, "But why, Hizashi-Sama? No matter how you look at it, you are more proficient in Hyuga taijutsu than I am, as such your teachings will be much better for Neji!"
While the two were talking, Neji looked at his father then looked at Kuroto, with a feeling of a little loss.
Hizashi stroked Neji's head lightly and continued with a sigh, "What happened today made me understand my lack of strength and calmness, especially the calmness you showed is what I Iack, my actions although subconscious and driven by emotions, were shameful nonetheless, however, you were calm Kuroto-Kun!"
Kuroto smiled lightly and said, "I wasn't calm at all, Hizashi-Sama!"
"No, Kuroto-Kun!" – Hizashi directly stared into Kuroto's eyes and said in a deep voice, "You can't hide it from me Kuroto-Kun, unlike others who try to gloss over the fears in their heart with a calm façade, your calmness is not a pretence, Kuroto-Kun, although I don't understand how you could be so calm in the face of the Cursed Seal, your calmness makes me understand what I lack, I don't wish for Neji to be like me, if bound by the fear of his heart, Neji wouldn't be able to develop into what he is truly capable of, therefore, I have come to believe that your guidance will be crucial for him on his path as a shinobi!"
Kuroto was silent upon hearing Hizashi-Sama's explanation.
Hizashi-Sama's feeling about Kuroto is more or less correct, but there is still one thing he fails to understand, or more like he may have overestimated Kuroto.
The reason for Kuroto's calmness in the face of the 'Caged Bird' is only because he has found a way to get nullify the cursed seal for quite some time already if that was not the case, and if his life would have still been bounded by the cursed seal, his mood may not have been any different than Hyuga Hizashi.
"You don't have to worry Kuroto-Kun, I will still be teaching Neji the basics of Hyuga Style taijutsu and most of our clan techniques building up a solid foundation, after that, I want you to be his Sensei to guide him on his path ahead as a shinobi, as well as let him understand and I also want you to teach him the meaning of Nindou!"
Glancing at Neji, Kuroto thought for a while and finally nodded towards Hizashi-Sama, "If you or Neji don't change their mind in the future, then… I will take Neji as my disciple!"
Hearing Kuroto's reply, Hizashi finally breathed a sigh of relief, "I am relieved!"
With that decided, Kuroto bid farewell to the father-son duo and slowly walked out of the territory of the Hyuga Clan.
Although it was near dusk already, the village was still lively and cheerful, the last few years of tension and sufferings were finally relieved when the peace treaty was concluded.
All the Izakaya, barbecue stalls, ramen shops were filled with the energetic and celebrating crowd.
Walking on the brightly lit street as he watched people drinking, beating, bickering, and laughing Kuroto thought to himself, 'It seems that everyone is really tired of wars!'
While passing by the street, there was suddenly a call from the second floor of an izakaya in the distance, "Ah, Kuroootooooo, here-here, this way!"
Kuroto turned to look upwards and found that Guy was calling him while energetically waving his hands back and forth from the windowpane, and beside him stood, Gekko Hayate and Mitarashi Anko.
Kuroto responded by waving his hand and walked over to the second floor of the said izakaya.
Taking his seat at the said izakaya, Kuroto noticed that it wasn't only Guy, Anko-chan, and Hayate, but there were also, Kurenai-chan, Kakashi, Genma, Ebisu, Morino, and others of the same generation.
Guy said, "Kuroto, I went to check at your house, but didn't find you there, where did you go?"
"Yeah-yeah, even Yui-chan wasn't at her home, c-could it be possible that you two were out on a d-d-d-date!?" – Anko teased from the side.
As soon as Anko's sentence was completed some of the people blushed, imagining the scene of Kuroto and Yui on a date.
However, Kuroto wasn't fazed by Anko's teasing as he was already used to it, "Not really, there were some Clan matters, so I was busy, and Yui too had to see through some things, so not this time." – After giving a small explanation, Kuroto asked curiously, "By the way, how come everyone gathered around this time, doesn't everyone have tasks to complete?"
It's already been many years since the companions of the same generation have graduated from the ninja academy and looking at them now, everyone has grown into splendid shinobi. Each one has their own problems and tasks they have to deal with but here, in the presence of friends, they can still act as carefree as ever.
"Cough-cough…" – after a short cough, Hayate replied, "Because of the peace celebration, except for the members who have necessary duties, most of us decided to take a rare holiday." – Ever since he injured his lungs in the third great shinobi war, Hayate has always looked weak and sick, even speaking is slightly difficult for him.
Anko put her arm over Hayate's shoulder and said with a smirk, "By the way, Hayate, what about Yugao? Why didn't you call her?"
Hayate blushed and after a moment of silence, he turned his head on the other side and said, "S-she is on a mission!"
"Is she really on a mission or did you not have the courage to call her?"
"That's *cough* that's not it!"
"Hahahahahah!!!"
Everyone laughed at Hayate's shy reaction. Because they are of the same generation, there are often no taboos or restrictions on how they act, therefore, things quickly became messier.
Sitting by the window, Kuroto looked at the brightly lit village, thinking to himself.
Kakashi approached and took a rest at the wall and muttered with some emotions, "Peace is really good, don't you think Kuroto!?"
Kuroto also nodded with a smile, "Yes, this celebration has eased everyone's accumulated tension and relaxed their spirit, maybe this atmosphere and those cheerful faces are exactly what truly represent peace!"
"I guess you are right about that!" – nodded Kakashi.
There was a short silence between the two, as this time, Kakashi looked around and noticed that nobody was paying attention, so he spoke with a light whisper, "Did you received the report? The Uchiha clan has been continuously trying to make contact with the Kumo envoys, for this reason, several conflicts have already occurred between the Uchiha and the Anbu!"
Kuroto has also been secretly paying attention to Kumo's movements and naturally received the report, "Yeah, I received the report!"
Kakashi was a little worried, "If this continuous, the rift between the Uchiha and the Village will continue to grow bigger and bigger to the point of no return!"
Even Kakashi has a deep bond with the Uchiha Clan.
His best friend and rival Uchiha Obito sacrificed himself to save him, then he also gave his precious Sharingan to Kakashi, while his colleague Uchiha Shisui has been bearing tremendous pressure by keeping the secret of his awakening of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Therefore, Kakashi really hopes that the Uchiha Clan can coexist peacefully with the Village.
Kuroto also sighed lightly thinking of the matter of the Uchiha Clan.
'You can resolve the Uchiha Clan, or deter them, but this issue will never be solved unless both sides are willing to accept the other, the curse of hatred has to be resolved and trust has to be born on the other side to accept the Uchiha!'
But with how the situation is progressing, any peaceful reconciliation of the Uchiha Clan and the Village seems to be impossible.
The problem now is not that the Uchiha Clan might initiate and Coup d'etat and seize the power, because, since the establishment of the framework of one-village-one-nation, Uchiha Clan has been fighting against the biased and unjust attitude they received at the hands of the Hokage faction.
Uchiha Madara may have become a rebel, but he did leave behind a lot of problems for the Uchiha Clan in Konoha, this unjustness and unfairness prompts the Uchiha Clan to want to take the position of the Hokage for a long time, but either because of the lack of the suitably strong person or no desire of their leader, they have always been unable to.
Now the real problem has appeared when the power of the Hokage faction that has always suppressed the Uchiha Clan has declined the most but the suppression has only increased more, but because the Uchiha Clan has not declined in strength so they don't want to be suppressed any longer.
The previous attitude where they could only sigh and try to coexist peacefully in the village has become unacceptable.
Therefore, there are only two solutions possible from a broader perspective.
Either strengthen the power of the Hokage faction so that the Uchiha Clan, like previous few decades, dare not act rashly.
Or weaken the Uchiha Clan, don't give them enough strength to realize any of their ambitions.
But the Uchiha Clan right now is like a nuclear, if Village tries to take any action against the Uchiha Clan to weaken them, the nuclear will explode and burn the entire village in its fury.
And if such a thing happens then, either village will exist without the Uchiha Clan or the Uchiha Clan will take over the Village, of course, it is possible that both the Village and the Uchiha Clan, cease to exist.
While Kuroto was thinking, the drunk Anko came towards him and started beating his chest, "Kuroto, I want to challenge you!"
Looking at her, Kuroto shook his head and said lightly, "Don't make trouble Anko-Chan, you have drunk too much!"
"Hic… I am not d-drunk, hic…!" – loudly banging the table with the Sake-bottle, Anko continued, "Y-you come with me… hic… to the practice ground where we used to train, I-I want… hic… to challenge you!"
Leaving that sentence, Anko jumped out of the window and disappeared.
Kuroto helplessly looked at her and said, "Sigh, I'll go and see what's going on with her!"
Kakashi asked, "Should I come with you?"
Kuroto just shook his head and jumped out of the window following Anko, he has a pretty good idea where this matter is going to go so involving Kakashi who is already struggling with his darkness, wouldn't a good idea to involve in it…
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Read up to Chapter - 362 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Alex_Clive
Alex_Clive
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
For P.A.T.R.E.O.N. Support:
https://www.p atreon.com/Milta_translations
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