Naruto: The Information Broker from the Uchiha Clan.

Chapter 223 Naruto and Hinata

"Hinata, what's wrong?"

Naruto was a little puzzled, because Hinata didn't seem very happy all day.

After that incident, Naruto would walk Hinata home every day after school at the Ninja Academy.

However, recently, Neji, who is a year older, has also been traveling with them. Sasuke, on the other hand, disappeared as soon as school was over today because Itachi came back.

"Naruto...-kun..."

Hinata stammered.

Neji, who was standing nearby, then spoke up: "Is it because of Brother Huang?"

Hinata nodded: "Neji-nii... Elder doesn't listen to my explanation."

Neji replied, "It's not your fault. At that time, neither Father nor the clan head could stop it. Hinata was too young to do anything."

Completely confused, Naruto looked at the two of them, scratched his head, and asked, "What are you two talking about?"

Neji turned to look at Naruto: "Yesterday, as the eldest brother of the branch family, in front of Hinata-sama... he was provoked by the elders to activate the Caged Bird Seal."

Naruto was taken aback by these words.

Neji already knew what the cursed mark on his forehead was from the last time at the barbecue restaurant.

In order to prevent Hinata from developing this condition on her forehead, Naruto set his sights on becoming Hokage.

"We're all from the same family, there's no benefit in doing this..."

Naruto clenched his fist as he spoke in a low voice, but Neji's mocking laughter interrupted him.

"hehe……"

"How could there be no benefit?"

Neji gave a bitter smile: "It seems I've provoked Hiashi-sama and Father-sama's recent actions. My purpose is to make the branch family members realize their place by showing them the pain of Akira-sama."

As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto realized the key point.

As the son of the Hokage, the Naruto of today is very different from the Naruto in the original story.

Under the tutelage of Minato, Kushina, Rin Uzumaki, Itachi, and Yun, although their personalities remained carefree, their sensitivity to many things had become much stronger.

"Has Dad made any moves too?"

Neji nodded and replied, "Without the Hokage, the clan head and Hizashi-sama probably wouldn't have taken these actions."

At that moment, Naruto reached out and put his hands on Neji and Hinata's shoulders: "Don't worry, if Dad doesn't succeed, the day I become Hokage, I will definitely abolish this thing! Trust me!"

Hinata blushed slightly, but still nodded firmly.

While Neji didn't utter any sarcastic remarks, he still sighed and said, "The Hokage's support is crucial, but the internal problems of the village and clans cannot be resolved with just a few words."

As Neji spoke, he seemed to have thought of something, then looked at Naruto and smiled, "However, it's also possible that this matter will be resolved before you even become Hokage..."

"Smack."

He slapped Naruto's paw off Hinata's shoulder: "Lady Hinata hasn't agreed to your request yet, so please don't make such frivolous moves..."

Naruto rubbed his hand in pain and muttered, "Hinata is going to be my wife, so Neji will be my brother-in-law... Oh well, I won't argue with my brother-in-law."

Unfortunately, their muttering was a bit too loud. Neji glared at Naruto, and for a moment, sparks flew between their eyes.

A slightly flustered Hinata quickly blocked their view, but the thought of her wife made her blush instantly.

"Naruto... Naruto-kun, wife... this term... is acceptable... in the future..."

In a barely audible voice, Naruto grabbed Hinata's hand and asked, "Hinata, does that mean you've agreed?"

"Buzz..."

Just like a steamer boiling over, Hinata, whose hands were being held, suddenly swayed precariously.

Neji, who had been ignored, got angry and grabbed Hinata, quickly swatting away Naruto's paw.

"I'm home."

Those three simple words immediately silenced Naruto, and indeed, they had arrived at the gates of the Hyuga clan's territory.

Without a reason to protect him, there's no way he could possibly go in with her...

Naruto scratched his head, waved, and said, "See you tomorrow, Hinata... I'll ask you again tomorrow."

Tomorrow? Do you really need to ask such a strange question tomorrow?

promise?

You won't agree?

But it seems like both I and Naruto are too young...

If I graduate... will we be able to get married?

A series of questions popped into Hinata's mind, and her already flushed face seemed to grow even hotter.

Finally, unable to withstand it, Hinata fainted.

"Naruto!!!"

Amidst roars and a flurry of activity from Neji and Naruto, Hinata finally woke up.

In the end, Naruto was also driven away by Neji. He had no way to resist the pressure from his brother-in-law.

……

When Neji and Hinata returned to the Hyuga clan's territory, they clearly noticed the heavy atmosphere within the clan.

"Was that Tokuma who just came back?"

"It's him, but..."

"I remember he had a cursed mark carved on his forehead when he was a child, how come...?"

"The cursed seal has disappeared!"

"Has it been lifted? But to be so bold as to expose your forehead like that..."

"The elder has already let him go, and the sect leader and Lord Rizashi have also gone together."

"If there's a way to break the curse, wouldn't it be better to keep it a secret? But... I acted impulsively!"

"Are you hiding this to start a war with the main clan? Do you want to betray the Hyuga clan's rules?!"

"Huang...do you want to go through that kind of pain again yesterday?"

"Or rather...would you rather your descendants, your sons or daughters, also have that kind of mark carved on them?!"

"Let's go! We'll go together!"

"No matter what, nothing can happen to Tokuma!"

"He touched upon the most fundamental principles of the main family; we cannot stop him..."

"You've probably forgotten who his teacher was, haven't you?"

"Lord Yun..."

……

Whispers arose from all around them, and Neji and Hinata exchanged a glance.

The caged bird has been freed?!

Is it Tokuma-nii-san?

If it's Tokuma-nii, then only Master Yun could achieve this level of skill.

With that thought in mind, Neji immediately headed towards the clan's council hall.

Hinata, seeing this, followed. Tokuma was from the branch family, and she was worried something might happen to him.

……

Inside the council chamber of the Hyuga clan.

At this moment, Hyuga Hyuga, Hyuga Hyuga, and Hyuga Hizashi are all present.

As an ancient family, the council chamber is still lit by old-fashioned candlelight.

Under the light, Hyuga Hiten, as an elder, asked, "Tokuma, where did the curse mark on your forehead go?!"

Tokuma raised his head slightly and replied, "As a gift for the Chunin Exams, you helped me remove the cursed seal of the Caged Bird."

teacher?

It really is that Uchiha!

Ritian couldn't help but recall several years ago...

It was this same person who forced the Hyuga clan to choose the most sacrificial method to end that incident.

Now, the other party, posing as Tokuma-sensei, is once again trying to interfere in the internal affairs of the Hyuga clan.

Uchiha... Cloud!

After a moment of silence, Hiashi spoke up, "While it was indeed a bit overstepping, as a teacher, I believe that Tokuma already possesses the power to protect the Byakugan."

The explanations were rather weak and unconvincing.

At this moment, Japan's football team was also caught off guard.

The sudden removal of the caged bird from Tokuma's forehead implies more than just a problem involving Tokuma alone.

The caged bird was easily freed, and this method that the clan had used for many years to control the division of the family was now useless.

From the moment Tokuma appeared, everyone in the branch family knew how to break the curse.

"Lord Sect Leader..."

Ritian's voice slowly rang out, and then he said in a deep voice, "The rules of the Hyuga clan for thousands of years are intended to protect the clan and ensure its long-term continuation. This has been proven over the past thousands of years."

"Uchiha Kumo's power is indeed formidable; his ability to break the cursed seal on the Caged Bird further demonstrates his strength. But..."

"But these are the rules of the Hyuga clan, and he's just an Uchiha!!!"

At that moment, Hyuga Hiten was enraged. He stood up and shouted, "What right does an Uchiha have to unilaterally release the cursed seal of the Hyuga branch family?! What right do they have?!"

With a roar, Hyuga Hiten turned his gaze to Hiashi: "The head of the clan should know very well what will happen after this situation occurs!"

Rizu frowned slightly.

Once the seemingly intractable situation of the caged bird was resolved, the restlessness of the family splitting up was already imaginable.

Along with this will come resistance from the division of the family.

When the cursed seal that could kill at any moment is gone, the main family loses the ability to control the branch families.

Then... the hatred that had been suppressed in the minds of the branch family for many years would quickly ferment due to the disappearance of the cursed seal.

Hiashi hesitated for a moment: "As a disciple of the Cloud Sect, that should be the reason..."

However, this explanation clearly did not satisfy them.

As an elder who was once deposed by the sect leader with the help of external forces, he has regained power due to the actions of the Hiashi brothers over the past year.

He knew very well where his power came from: from the old rules and system of the Hyuga clan.

If one day the old rules are truly broken, then as an old man, without the control of the clan elders and the curse seal, he is nothing!

"Hizashi..."

The elder met the gaze of the sir standing to the side.

Then he asked in a deep voice, "As a member of this branch family, I think you should know what the responsibilities of a branch family are..."

When asked this question, Hizashi replied without hesitation, "Protecting the main family with one's life is something that the branch family members have always kept in mind."

Hyuga Hiten nodded slightly, then looked down at Tokuma: "Members of the branch family must protect the main family with their lives. In order to prevent enemies from obtaining the Byakugan, the Caged Bird Seal was created."

"Tokuma...do you still remember your mission as a member of the branch family?"

Tokuma raised his head with ease, looked around, and then his gaze was filled with determination and solemnity.

"No one in the branch family has forgotten the principle of protecting the main family with their lives. But... that is not a reason for being a caged bird!!"

!!!

In an instant, Hinata Hyuga's gaze was fixed on him.

For the first time, murderous intent emanating from their own kind surfaced all around.

After a long silence, Hyuga Hiten finally spoke, "Do you know what you're saying, Hyuga Tokuma?!"

The name he uttered through gritted teeth seemed to be a reminder to Tokuma, a reminder of the significance of the Hyuga surname.

"Haven't they become this arrogant now that they're no longer threatened by being caged birds?"

"So...they can't be trusted."

"The family's rules, established over thousands of years, will not be allowed to be broken by someone like this!"

"He's simply relying on his teacher's power, but even if it's Uchiha Kumo, what right does he have to change the Hyuga clan's rules!"

"If the caged bird is still alive, let's teach him a lesson now!"

……

"Bang."

Amid the murmurs, the doors to the conference hall were suddenly pushed open.

Not knocking beforehand is unthinkable for the rule-abiding Hyuga clan.

The members of the branch family filed in, each standing behind Hizashi and giving Tokuma a supportive look.

The Japanese team frowned slightly as they watched this scene; it was all happening too fast...

At such a fast pace, the conflict between the main family and the branch families is bound to arise.

As the head of the clan, what he wanted was not just to change the rules, but more importantly, to ensure that the Hyuga clan remained in chaos.

"What...do you want to do?!"

A furious shout rang out, and Hyuga Hiten looked behind Hizashi: "So, are you planning a coup? Forgot your mission and turned your attention to the main clan? Are you trying to rebel?"

The members of the branch family behind Hijiki looked at each other in bewilderment, and after a moment, a middle-aged man stepped forward.

"Elder, we do not intend to rebel, and we have always remembered our mission."

"But we cannot accept entrusting our lives to the main family, and suffering excruciating punishment even for the smallest things!"

Is that unacceptable?

Hyuga Hiten's gaze fell upon the middle-aged clansman, and the next moment...

"Buzz!"

With the hand seals formed, the curse seal on the caged bird was instantly activated.

"ah!!!"

With a splitting headache, he let out a painful howl and could only roll around on the ground for a while.

"Stop. I told you to stop!"

Under Hiashi's furious roar, Hyuga Hiten finally stopped.

But this scene also filled the eyes of the branch family members behind Hizashi with hatred.

Ri Cha quickly helped the middle-aged man to the back, then looked up and asked, "Elder, I want to know what Huang's father did wrong?"

Under the questioning voice, Hyuga Hiten stared intently at Hizashi: "Disrespecting the main family and attempting to erase your own destiny. Isn't that enough?"

At this moment, Tokuma, his eyes equally bloodshot, stood up and asked in a deep voice, "Then, as someone whose cursed seal has been removed, shouldn't I be killed outright, Elder?"

Hinata Hite frowned slightly.

The guy in front of me is not Huang!

Behind him stood Uchiha Kumo, a presence that no one could ignore.

……

(End of this chapter)