I, Naruto Uzumaki, don't need your approval.

"Hinata, I'm glad you have this idea, but I won't agree to it."

After saying that, the clan elder gestured for several guards to walk towards Hanabi. He was not worried that Hinata would hold a grudge against him after becoming the head of the clan; people's thoughts can change.

Hinata felt helpless as the branch family guards passed by. She had done her best without rebelling against the family, but neither her father nor her grandfather were willing to listen to her advice.

All of this is because of her cowardly nature.

Because of her cowardice, she was bullied by the village children from a young age. She didn't dare to tell her father about the bullying, afraid of seeing the disappointment in his eyes, and could only solve the problem by running away.

When he got lost in the snow, it was Naruto who lent a helping hand and saved him.

When he was bullied by children, it was Naruto who chased away the bullies. However, although he continued to train hard, he could never change his cowardly nature.

Even though she knew Naruto was hiding something from her, she didn't have the courage to ask him or follow him.

Now that he's an adult, he still doesn't have the courage to stand up against the main family and protect his weak younger sister. Perhaps it's this cowardice that led Naruto to leave him.

After a flashback of her time with Naruto, Hinata turned around and stepped forward, blocking Hanabi's path.

A resolute look appeared on her young face, and she said in an unquestionable tone, "I will not allow you to carve the ugly caged bird mark on Hanabi's forehead."

Chapter 216 I Also Want to Take Control of My Destiny

“I will not allow you to carve the ugly caged bird mark on Hanabi’s forehead.”

Hinata's shout caused the branch family guards to instinctively take a half step back, hesitatingly glancing at the main family elders beside them. This was a struggle between the main family members, and had nothing to do with them, the branch family members.

The elders of the main family ignored Hinata's reprimand and continued to signal the branch family guards to advance.

The branch family guards dared not make a move. They glanced at Hyuga Hiashi in the distance, but they were more concerned about the head of the family's attitude. They could not afford to offend the highly respected elders, nor could they afford to offend the young and strong head of the family.

Taking advantage of the moment when the guards of the branch family were stunned, Hinata picked up Hanabi and ran towards the outer edge of the dojo.

Before long, Hinata and Hanabi were caught up by the branch family ninjas who had realized what was happening, and they were blocked in their path from the front and the back.

Hinata put down the fireworks and glanced at the branch family guards in front of her. This branch family uncle was a special Jonin.

Her strength was far superior to that of a young girl like her who hadn't even graduated from the ninja academy yet, but since she had made the decision to rebel, there was no turning back. She didn't want to be as cowardly as before.

Hinata adopted a Gentle Fist stance and quickly approached the branch family Jonin. After activating her Byakugan, she unleashed her Eight Trigrams Domain.

The branch family jonin looked helpless. Although Hinata was quite strong, she was still far inferior to him, a jonin, and her body was full of weaknesses.

However, it won't be easy to win over Hinata without harming her.

After activating his Byakugan, the Jonin from the branch family stepped forward and was surprised to find that Hinata's strength was no less than his, but her skills were still somewhat immature.

Could it be that the young lady was hiding her true strength just now, and that she is actually at the level of a Chunin?

At this moment, the elders of the main family and Hiashi Hyuga also arrived at the scene. They did not intervene in the battle, but wanted to see just how much strength Hinata had hidden beneath her frail body!

Seizing Hinata's opening, the branch family Jonin struck a blow that missed its mark. Taking advantage of Hinata raising her arms to defend herself, he instantly appeared behind Hinata, ready to subdue the young lady.

"Bagua Palm - Reversal of Heaven!"

With a soft shout, Hinata spun around like a top, the spiraling airflow blocking the branch family Jonin's sneak attack and knocking him back more than ten meters.

"Return! Hinata has mastered the Return!"

Hyuga Neji's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected his cousin to have mastered the main family's secret technique, Rejuvenation. Rejuvenation was one of the most difficult techniques in the family.

Not only that, after using the Rejuvenation Technique, Hinata jumped to the side of the branch family Jonin and pressed her against his neck.

Hiashi Hyuga, who was watching with his Byakugan activated, and the elders of the main family could see clearly that what was pressed against his neck was not a kunai or a similar weapon, but a sharp bone spike.

As members of the Hyuga High Command, they knew very well that this was an ability possessed only by the Kaguya clan.

A very special bloodline limit, the Corpse Bone Vein.

Although the Kaguya clan is a distant relative of the Hyuga clan, and they were related hundreds of years ago, it is still somewhat astonishing that they possess both the Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse) and Byakugan (White Eye) bloodline limits.

After exchanging a glance, Hyuga Hiashi and the main family elder understood each other's eyes; a flame called ambition was burning within them.

Hinata, the instigator, was unaware of this. She slashed the neck of a Jonin from the branch family and coldly said, "You've already lost, but I don't want to kill you. You'd better get out of here."

The branch family Jonin nodded hurriedly, and only after creating some distance did he notice the bone spur on Hinata's arm, his eyes widening in horror.

Stared at by a Jonin from the branch family, Hinata looked at her palm with a puzzled expression. When she saw the extremely sharp bone spur, her eyes widened in confusion.

Hinata looked at the diamond-shaped mark below her neck and fell into deep thought.

When did I acquire this ability? Was it because the pendant disappeared?

However, the item was delivered by Naruto-kun, and it still has Naruto-kun's scent on it. Naruto-kun wouldn't harm me, so there won't be any problems.

Hinata gave up thinking about it and stopped caring about these trivial details.

Just as Hinata was about to escape from the Hyuga clan's territory with Hanabi, Hiashi and the main branch elders of the Hyuga clan blocked their way and said calmly:

"Hinata, stop fooling around. Have you forgotten what I've always taught you?"

Normally, Hinata might have given in, but wanting to be willful for once, she deliberately imitated Naruto's tone and said, "Father and Elder, are you going to listen to my advice?"

The elder of the main family said expressionlessly, "Hinata, as long as you are willing to become the successor to the head of the family, I can agree to any other conditions except that Hanabi must be marked with the Caged Bird Seal."

Can you find Naruto?

Hinata glanced at the elder of the main clan and said with great dissatisfaction, "Since Elder Grandfather insists on this, Hinata can't go against the rules of the Caged Bird Seal. How about we have all the clan members except for my father and me get the Caged Bird Seal?"

The elder of the main family was stunned, his face turning grim. Hinata actually wanted him to become a member of the branch family!

Seeing the changing expressions on the faces of the elders of the main family, Hinata knew that her plan had worked. This plan originated from a joke played by Naruto, using an even more outrageous request to achieve the original demand.

"Why is Elder Grandpa not saying anything? Didn't you say you would grant Hinata a request?"

After saying this, Hinata revealed a cunning smile, staring intently at the elder of the main family.

The elder of the main family was ashen-faced, but when he saw Hinata's smile, he felt inexplicably afraid. How could Hinata, who was usually obedient, honest, and somewhat timid, have become so strange?

Normally, he wouldn't care about Hinata's words, but Hinata possesses both the Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku, two major bloodline limits. The combined effect of the two on her strength is not as simple as one plus one.

If the Hyuga clan is to regain its former glory, Hinata's power is indispensable.

Thinking of this, the elder of the main family snorted coldly and said to Hiashi Hyuga, "Hiashi, keep your daughter in check. I will not interfere in the affairs of the head of the family, but the Caged Bird is the rule that allows the Hyuga clan to live and thrive."

"If it weren't for the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan would have long since followed in the footsteps of the Senju and Uchiha. Don't forget, there are still those people in the ninja world!"

After the elder of the clan stormed off, Hiashi Hyuga breathed a sigh of relief and looked at his two daughters.

At this moment, Hanabi, who had survived the ordeal, walked to Hinata's side, looked at the bone spur in Hinata's hand, and whispered:

"Why did you defy Elder Grandfather for my sake? If they also revoke your position as heir, you will become a member of a branch family like me."

Hinata glanced at Hanabi and patted her head: "I don't want you to be branded with the mark of the Caged Bird, and I don't want to disappoint him again. I also want to take control of my own destiny."

Chapter 217 The Retirement of the Third Hokage

Having overheard Hinata and Hanabi's conversation, Hiashi Hyuga looked up at the sky.

After issuing an order to the branch family to forbid the publicizing that Hinata had awakened the Shikotsumyaku, Hyuga Hiashi looked at his eldest daughter and slowly said, "Hinata, come with me."

Hinata watched Hiashi Hyuga's retreating figure without changing her expression and followed him to the main family's old residence.

Sitting on the ground, Hiashi Hyuga stared intently at Hinata and asked slowly, "Hinata, when did you awaken the Shikotsumyaku? Do you remember?"

Hinata shook her head: "Father, I don't know."

Hinata didn't want to tell her father about the pendant and wanted to use it as an excuse to get away with it.

Hiashi Hyuga scrutinized Hinata for a while, realizing that Hinata was definitely hiding something from him. He sighed softly and said, "Your awakening of the Shikotsumyaku bloodline must be related to Naruto, right?"

Hinata's eyes darted away: "No... I haven't seen Naruto-kun in a long time."

When Hiashi Hyuga saw this, he immediately understood everything. Hinata's Shikotsumyaku bloodline was definitely related to Naruto. That boy who dared to leave Konoha at such a young age always reminded him of the Fourth Hokage.

"Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you..."

After letting out a soft sigh, Hiashi Hyuga's expression turned serious: "However, Hinata, are you prepared to become the heir to the main branch of the family?"

Hinata clenched her fists, raised her head and said, "Father, can't we really give the inheritance to Hanabi? Hinata has no interest in becoming the head of the family."

Hiashi Hyuga shook his head: "From the moment you revealed your Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit, even if you wanted to give up the position of heir, you couldn't. The future of the Hyuga clan rests on your shoulders."

Hinata's expression darkened: "Father, is there really no other way? You probably don't want to see Hanabi marked with the Caged Bird Seal, do you?"

Recalling what had happened over the years, Hinata understood that her father did not want to see her and her sister marked with the Caged Bird Seal, otherwise he would not have delayed the decision on the successor.

Hiashi Hyuga smiled and said, "It's not that there's no way. I've always wanted to abolish the Caged Bird system, but I don't have the power or prestige. If it were Hinata, she might be able to abolish the Caged Bird system in the future."

"Me?" Hinata was still a little unsure of herself, and her voice unconsciously became softer.

Hiashi Hyuga nodded: "Hinata, I am very satisfied with your performance today. With both the Shikotsumyaku and Byakugan, your strength will not be inferior to the Sannin in the future. The obstacles to changing the Caged Bird system will definitely be much smaller."

After a pause, Hiashi Hyuga continued:

“Starting today, in addition to the Ninja Academy courses, I will also teach you how to become the head of the clan and how to use the power of the Shikotsumyaku. You have always wanted to protect Hanabi, haven’t you?”

"Naruto will be very happy to know that you have become the head of the clan."

After a moment's thought, Hinata nodded; she did not want to become the head of the Hyuga clan.

But if she could protect her younger sister and gain Naruto's approval, she would be willing to give it a try. It would be too cowardly to always hide behind others.

……

The news that the Hyuga clan had confirmed its heir to the main branch quickly spread throughout Konoha.

Aside from the fact that it was surprising that Hinata, the eldest daughter, would inherit the position of head of the main family, rather than Hanabi, the news did not cause much of a stir in the village.

The Hyuga clan has always maintained a low profile and remained mysterious, so confirming a successor is not a big deal for them.

Even though a few observant people noticed that Hanabi wasn't marked with the Caged Bird Seal, they didn't pay much attention, considering it nothing more than a power struggle within the Hyuga clan.

With the Fifth Hokage planning to reform various departments, it's only natural that the Hyuga clan would also undergo changes.

The young girl who usually spends time with Hinata notices a change in Hinata. Hinata, who has always been quiet and reserved, seems to have become more cheerful, and her demeanor is also changing.

"Hinata, have you forgotten about that fox? You look much better."

"No, I'm the same as before."

Hinata didn't notice any of this; she was just lying on the table, sleeping soundly.

After being groomed as the heir of the main family, she barely had time to rest, only able to use her class time slightly, just like Naruto did back then.