374. The Name of Freedom

As chaos erupted in the shrine, more and more clan members rushed to the scene.

When they saw Hizashi, the clan leader's younger brother, standing over the eldest elder in a pool of blood, their minds went blank.

What was happening?

Was this some kind of nightmare?

A branch family member, daring to trample the most revered elder of the main family underfoot?

Was he seeking death?

For a moment, the gathered branch family members were filled with confusion.


Yet, among them, some who had been punished by the eldest elder or harbored resentment toward the main family secretly felt a glimmer of satisfaction.

As the chaos intensified, Hiashi, the clan leader, grew increasingly grim.

He couldn't help but shout at Hizashi, "What has made you like this, Hizashi?"

Hiashi stared intently at his younger brother, who now seemed completely unfamiliar—arrogant, cold, and exuding a terrifying aura of darkness!

In his memory, only members of the Uchiha clan had ever given him such a feeling.

To this, Hizashi couldn't help but grin.

"Rather than asking why I've become like this, you should realize that I've always been this way. It's just that you've never truly seen the real me."

The veins around his eyes bulged as he spoke, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear:

"Because I want to know...

Why should the main family stand above us?

Why should the branch family serve the main family?

Why must the branch family be branded with the Caged Bird Seal?

Why do you monopolize the Hyuga clan's resources without ever setting foot on the battlefield, while we risk our lives for scraps?

Why are we denied the chance to learn advanced techniques?"

At this point, Hizashi tilted his head and asked a question that struck at the very soul:

"My dear brother, you don't honestly think that every branch family member is born to be the main family's dogs, do you?"

Hizashi's impassioned speech instantly struck a chord with the surrounding branch family members, who clenched their fists.

Because everything he said was true—not a single word was exaggerated!

Every sentence touched on the deep-seated grievances and frustrations of the branch family!

If not for the Caged Bird Seal on their foreheads, the entire Hyuga clan might have erupted into rebellion on the spot!

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense...

Hiashi, realizing the gravity of the situation, knew he couldn't let this continue.

As the clan leader, he had to act.

He immediately shouted, "Enough, Hizashi!

The Caged Bird Seal isn't a tool to control you—it's a way to protect you!"

Unfortunately, this weak rebuttal only made Hizashi shake his head with a cold laugh.

"Stop spouting such foolish lies...

If the Caged Bird Seal is truly meant to protect the Byakugan, then why don't you, the main family, bear it and join us on the battlefield?

This so-called 'protection' is nothing but an excuse to control the branch family and keep us as your slaves for life."

Hizashi's blunt honesty left the main family elders speechless.

The truth was, the main family enjoyed far greater resources and power than the branch family.

If the Caged Bird Seal was truly about protection, it would make more sense for the main family to bear it and lead the branch family into battle.

But why didn't they?

Because they were cowards, afraid of death.

This wasn't a secret, but no one had ever dared to say it out loud.

After all, every branch family member bore the Caged Bird Seal.

The slightest hint of dissatisfaction would bring down terrible punishment.

Over time, they had been tamed...

Though resentment simmered beneath the surface, they had no choice but to obey.

But today, Hizashi had finally spoken up!

The main family elders, knowing they were in the wrong, grew visibly uneasy.

The second elder, next in rank to the eldest elder, stepped forward, forming hand seals, and declared, "There's no need to waste words on this traitor. Let me activate the Caged Bird Seal and teach him a lesson!"

With that, he channeled chakra and activated the seal.

In the next moment, Hizashi, who had been so defiant, was struck as if by lightning.

His pupils dilated, his hands clutched his head, and his face twisted in agony as he let out a blood-curdling scream.

It was as if a knife were twisting in his brain!

The sound of his suffering caused the surrounding branch family members to loosen their fists, their faces filled with sorrow.

Fear, dread, worry, and despair quickly overwhelmed their hearts.

It seemed the branch family would never be a match for the main family...

Was their fate truly to be the main family's dogs for life?

As Hizashi's screams echoed, a deep sense of hopelessness consumed the onlookers.

Seeing Hizashi writhing in pain and the others cowering in fear, the main family elders wore satisfied smiles.

"Hmph, I thought this brat had grown some backbone."

"Daring to attack the eldest elder—this time, I'll make sure you suffer!"

The second elder let out a sinister laugh, pouring all his energy into activating the Caged Bird Seal.

It was clear he intended to kill Hizashi.

But his laughter soon died.

Because Hizashi, who had been screaming in agony, suddenly lifted his head and lunged forward like lightning.

Before the elderly second elder could react, Hizashi's fingertips struck several vital points on his body.

Chakra, sharp as a blade, pierced through his pressure points.

Blood gushed out, and the second elder's wails replaced Hizashi's screams.

Everyone was stunned.

Both the main and branch family members were utterly baffled.

How had Hizashi endured the excruciating pain of the Caged Bird Seal to launch a counterattack?

Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, Hizashi tossed the second elder, who had always held himself so high and mighty, to the ground.

Then, with a heavy stomp, he crushed the elder's aged face!

Warm blood dripped down Hizashi's face, the veins around his eyes bulging, his cold aura making him look like a demon straight out of hell.

"Ha...

Hahahahahaha!!"

Suddenly, Hizashi covered his mouth with his hand and let out a spine-chilling laugh.

His shoulders shook, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of madness!

Amid this terrifying laughter, Hizashi ripped off the white cloth that had been wrapped around his forehead since childhood.

Only then did everyone see that there was no Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.

Its smooth surface bore a different name—

Freedom!