Naruto: The Caged Bird Cannot Confine Me - Feng Hou Qi Men

In a dimly lit room in the Hyuga clan compound.

The clan leader, Hiashi Hyuga, sat facing several elders of the main clan, the atmosphere solemn and oppressive.

"Do we really have to do this?" Hiashi Hyuga asked in a deep voice.

"This is a necessary means to solidify the Hyuga clan's position as the strongest clan. In the current state of decline of the Uchiha clan, the emergence of the special Byakugan is a choice of destiny."

The elders of the main family opposite them were expressionless, and a photo of Hyuga Fuuki was placed in front of them.

“You just fought Feng Qi, so you should know what those eyes really mean.”

"Hyuga Kazeki is really lacking in ambition, and because of that incident, his loyalty to the main family is far from being unwavering."

"If that's the case, why waste those precious eyes?"

"Transplanting this talent to the exceptionally gifted Hanabi, the two will combine to create a legendary ninja in our Hyuga clan who will be no weaker than Uchiha Itachi, and perhaps even on par with Uchiha Madara!"

"It's just a matter of changing his eyes. As long as the bird in the cage is untied, it won't harm his life."

"For the future of the entire Hyuga clan, this is the most correct choice."

The elders of the main clan spoke eloquently, but in essence, it boiled down to one sentence: they would not allow a powerful figure like Feng Qi to exist within the branch family!

Although Feng Qi's current abilities are not enough to shake the main family, if he grows up and finds a way to break the Caged Bird Technique, their status will be hard to say...

Hiashi Hyuga's Byakugan lowered as he stared at the lazy, listless expression on Fuuki's face in the photograph, recalling the incomprehensible and intricate array diagram in the backyard.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally nodded slightly, acquiescing to the elders' suggestion.

……

Meanwhile, completely unaware of this, Feng Qi bid farewell to Hinata at the noodle shop entrance and, with his empty wallet in his pocket, returned to his residence in the Hyuga branch family.

This is a courtyard house of a decent size, with three bedrooms, a living room, and a small yard.

The yard is planted with many flowers and plants, and you can smell a faint fragrance of flowers as soon as you open the gate.

When he has nothing to do, Feng Qi sometimes spends some time tending to these flowers and plants, which brings some peace to his restless heart.

He's living a leisurely retirement life ahead of schedule.

The courtyard was quiet and peaceful; there was no one else in sight.

During a certain operation, the original owner's parents died on the dangerous battlefield while covering the main family's retreat.

That operation ultimately ended in failure.

The surviving original body suffered countless accusations and reprisals from its clansmen. Unable to bear this terrible blow, it chose to hang itself in extreme despair.

When he reappeared, he was already a carefree transmigrator named Hinata Kazeki.

This is what the elders of the clan were referring to as "that matter," and it is also the fundamental reason why Kakashi Hatake took special care of Fuuki.

Feng Qi gathered his thoughts, walked slowly to the corner of the yard, stretched, and lay down on the rocking chair placed under the tree.

As the sun sets, a cool breeze carries the fragrance of flowers.

Feng Qi rested his head on his arms, closed his eyes slightly, and quietly enjoyed this peaceful and serene moment.

It's not just about simply resting and recuperating; if someone from the Hyuga clan were present at this time and activated their Byakugan...

You can clearly see that Feng Qi, who is lying in the rocking chair, has an unusually high level of chakra circulation.

This is a special cultivation method that he comprehended after mastering the Feng Hou Qi Men.

By calmly communicating with natural energy, one can increase chakra at a rate far exceeding that of an ordinary ninja.

It's somewhat similar to "Sage Chakra," yet there are clear differences. Feng Qi named it "Qi Chakra," which can be considered one of his cheat codes.

To outsiders, it might seem like he was just giving up and doing nothing, but to Feng Qi, it was all part of his natural cultivation process!

Not long after I lay down, the tightly closed door was slowly pushed open.

Hearing the commotion, Feng Qi interrupted his cultivation and glanced to the side, only to be immediately met with a disdainful look from the newcomer.

His long brown hair was loose, tied into a small ponytail at the end, and his handsome face wore a cold and serious expression.

He is his cousin from the Hyuga branch family, Hyuga Neji.

"Brother Fengqi, I'm sorry to bother you."

Seeing Feng Qi lying on the rocking chair in the yard, Neji raised his hand to greet him.

"Neji, what brings you here so late?"

Feng Qi slowly sat up from the rocking chair.

As they were both from the Hyuga branch family, and their homes were separated by only one alley, he was much closer to Neji than to Hinata.

"Regarding that ninjutsu issue from last time, there are still a few things I'm not quite clear about," Neji said, scratching his head somewhat embarrassedly.

This Hyuga genius, who was always aloof and taciturn at the ninja academy, was much more candid and humble in front of Fuuki.

"Oh, so that's what it is. Well then, let's have a match first, just like before."

Feng Qi dusted off his hands, got up, and went to Neji's side.

The two were more like master and apprentice than cousins. During their time at the ninja academy, Feng Qi would help Neji answer his questions whenever he had free time.

Compared to Hinata, who is naive and innocent, he can also gain a lot of insights and improve himself by learning from Neji, the genius who inherited the Hyuga Taijutsu.

"Thank you, Brother Fengqi. Please give me your guidance."

Neji wasn't the type to express himself well. After remembering his cousin's kindness, he immediately activated his Byakugan and assumed the starting stance of the Hyuga Gentle Fist.

"Let's just attack."

Feng Qi waved his hand casually.

Bang bang bang!

As Neji launched his attack without holding back, waves of chakra swirled up fallen leaves, and the quiet courtyard echoed with the muffled thuds of palms striking flesh.

After the exchange.

The two brothers, sweating profusely, sat side by side on the veranda of the courtyard.

"Brother Fengqi, why are we born with the mark of being caged birds? Is our fate really predetermined from the very beginning?"

Neji lowered his head, his dejected expression revealing a deep sense of resentment.

The sparring session with Feng Qi inevitably reminded him of his father, who was unjustly dragged out to take the blame.

(Hiashi hasn't told Neji the truth yet.)

Only when he is with Feng Qi will Neji, this aloof genius, reveal the feelings he has been suppressing deep inside.

After all, they are all "pitiful people" deeply bound by the shackles of fate.

“Some people are born standing at the peak that ordinary people strive to climb. Bloodline is something that is difficult for humans to shake in this world,” Feng Qi said in a deep voice.

Hearing even Feng Qi, who had awakened a special Byakugan, say this, Neji clenched his fists, and his expression darkened even more.

Feng Qi glanced at Neji beside him, then looked up at the setting sun gradually disappearing behind the mountains in the distance.

"However, fate can be changed. After all, we at least have the right to choose whether to die standing or live on our knees, don't we?"

"Whether you're frowning all day or laughing heartily, life goes on. Human will is far stronger than a boring and laughable fate!"

Neji's Byakugan narrowed slightly, and he suddenly tilted his head back to look at the frank expression on Feng Qi's face.

After a few seconds of pause, he said thoughtfully, "So, Brother Feng Qi has always been in a lazy and indifferent state?"

Feng Qi: "..."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 8 Class

My dear little brother, you've gone off-topic!

The reason Feng Qi acted so calmly was simply because he was worried about being backfired by Feng Hou Qi Men and turning into a madman who desperately wanted the power to "cover the universe"!

"Ahem, my situation is a little complicated. Anyway, Neji, if you want to break free from fate, strive to become stronger."

Feng Qi maintained his facial expression and said in a deep voice.

The result was obvious; he didn't seem to be good at verbal persuasion.

"Becoming stronger..."

Neji touched the damned blue mark on his forehead. "So, can I escape this cage and fly to freedom?"

"No." Feng Qi ruthlessly shattered his hopes.

If the Caged Bird Seal were so easily broken, it wouldn't have become a powerful cursed seal used by the Hyuga clan to prevent the Byakugan from being stolen.

It's strange, really. If they're so afraid of having their eyes stolen, why don't the members of the main family put themselves in a cage too?

"Then what's the point of getting stronger?" Neji lowered his head again.

His long hair fell down, covering the listlessness and disappointment in his eyes.

A gentle breeze swept by, aptly stirring up the fallen leaves on the trees.

Fallen leaves are like lone boats on a vast ocean, drifting and swaying with the surging waves.

Feng Qi abandoned his usual nonchalance, slowly stood up, and a cold glint flashed deep in his calm eyes.

He stretched out his arm, his index and middle fingers joined together, and precisely caught a leaf drifting in the wind.

Chakra quietly gathered at his fingertips, and with a powerful flick, the fragile fallen leaves shot out like kunai, deeply piercing the roots of the tree exposed on the surface of the soil.

This is called "fallen leaves returning to their roots".

After making this gesture, Feng Qi calmly spoke and asked in return, "What if you are powerful enough to make everyone who holds the key to the birdcage disappear?"

He was not the kind of bloodthirsty thug with deep-seated hatred, but he was by no means a puppet at the mercy of fate.

As I said before, if all is well, then marry a beautiful wife and live a leisurely and comfortable life watching the ninja world change.

If the main family wants me to be their scapegoat, then I'll risk it all!

He didn't have the same awareness as Hyuga Hizashi. Even though he was locked in a cage where he could be controlled by others, he still thought about sacrificing himself heroically.

Neji's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his cousin from the branch family beside him.