Naruto Birdcage

In the evening, the sky began to drizzle lightly.

Makoto was summoned to the residence of Hyuga Hiashi.

The living room was lit with warm yellow lights, but there was no one in sight.

"Has Makoto arrived?"

The voice of Hiashi came from the study.

"Yes, Lord Hiashi."

"Come in."

Makoto took off his shoes at the door and quietly stepped inside.

The study door was open, and he could see Hiashi bending over the desk, writing something with a brush on a sheet of rice paper.

"Have you had dinner?"

Hiashi asked without looking up.

"Not yet."

"Then let's eat together."

"Huh?" Makoto's eyes shifted slightly, then he pretended to be surprised.

"What's wrong?"

Hiashi asked, glancing up at him.

"Well... isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Makoto hesitated.

"How can I dine with Lord Hiashi?"

"What's the problem? We're from the same clan.

There's nothing wrong with having a meal together."

"Thank you, Lord Hiashi. I'll accept your kind offer."

After saying this, Makoto quietly stood to the side, no longer speaking, as he watched Hiashi continue to write with his brush.

After a while, Hiashi let out a long sigh, put down the brush, and picked up his work to examine it carefully.

He looked at Makoto and pointed to his work, asking.

"What do you think?"

Makoto had been watching from the side, and judging from Hiashi's writing, it seemed like he was still a beginner—his calligraphy was just average at best.

Makoto recalled that the Third Hokage seemed to really appreciate calligraphy.

"It's impressive."

"Do you know calligraphy?"

Hiashi asked, a little surprised.

"No, but Lord Hiashi's work must be amazing."

Hearing Makoto honest and straightforward words, Hiashi couldn't help but smile faintly.

"You really know how to speak."

He walked out from behind the desk and made his way toward the study door.

The two walked and talked, with Makoto trailing half a step behind Hiashi as they exited the living room and walked along the pavilion corridor toward another part of the courtyard.

On the way, Hiashi asked questions about everyday matters, seemingly showing concern for Makoto.

The rain was getting heavier, and although the two were sheltered under the pavilion, the occasional gust of wind blew rain droplets onto them, making them feel cool and damp.

Before they reached the other courtyard, a young woman dressed as a servant was standing there with two umbrellas, waiting for them.

Makoto recognized her—it was Hyuga Haruka, Ayano's maid.

"Lord Hiashi," Haruka greeted with a bow and handed one of the umbrellas to Makoto, while holding the other one to shelter Hiashi.

At this point, Makoto understood—when Hiashi had said they would eat together, he had meant they were going to Ayano's residence.

Ayano's residence was much larger than Ayari's, as she was the future wife of the clan leader.

The treatment of servants, like Haruka, apart from the main branch of the clan, was something only Ayano could enjoy.

Makoto had been to Ayari's house many times, but this was his first time visiting Ayano's.

The furnishings inside were clearly much more luxurious, and there was a faint fragrance in the air.

"Hiashi."

"Mm."

"Makoto is here."

"Lady Ayano."

"Don't be so formal, I've told you to just call me Ayano-nee."

Ayano, dressed in casual homewear, smiled gently at Makoto.

"I'm not sure what your taste is like, so I made a few dishes I'm good at.

Please try them and let me know if they're to your liking, Don't hold back."

"I wouldn't! It's my honor to eat food made by Ayano... nee."

Makoto quickly replied.

On the dining table, there were three or four small plates, and the dishes looked visually appealing.

They weren't particularly lavish but seemed more like a simple family dinner.

But it made the atmosphere feel more intimate.

Makoto thought this to himself, though his expression showed a bit of nervousness.

Hiashi took the seat of honor.

Haruka had left at some point, and it was unclear where she had gone.

Ayano began serving Makoto, gently telling him not to stand on ceremony and to treat the place as if it were his own home.

"How does it taste?"

"It's delicious! I haven't had such good food in a long time."

Makoto said with a satisfied expression.

"Ayano-nee, your cooking is amazing!"

"You're living on your own now, right? If you ever need anything, feel free to ask.

The clan will do its best to meet the needs of our members." Hiashi said.

"If you're short on living expenses, we can provide you with extra."

"No, no, it's completely enough."

Makoto quickly put down his chopsticks and said.

This was indeed true.

As the Hyuga family was a prominent clan in Konoha, even the branch family members enjoyed a very comfortable standard of living.

"You went to the hospital today, right?" Hiashi asked again.

"Yes."

"How were the results of the check-up?"

"The doctor said I'll be fully healed in another week."

Hiashi nodded.

"Your surgery is also scheduled around this time."

When the topic of the surgery came up, Makoto suddenly lowered his head.

Hiashi's gaze shifted slightly as he asked.

"What's wrong?"

Makoto forced a smile and said.

"It's nothing, really."

"Are you worried about the surgery? Don't worry, the surgeon is an experienced jonin, there won't be any issues." Hiashi reassured.

"I trust the village's medical technology, I'm not worried about the surgery." Makoto replied.

"Then what are you worried about?" Hiashi continued, his tone calm.

Makoto seemed to hesitate for a moment, before stammering.

"I heard the eyes that are going to be used for my transplant belong to some of the clan's very accomplished predecessors...

I'm just an ordinary chunin, and I might tarnish the reputation of these predecessors' eyes."

Hiashi had been watching Makoto expression as he spoke.

If the boy was pretending, his acting would be too sophisticated.

How much scheming could a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy possibly have?

Hiashi felt much more at ease in his heart and smiled gently.

"Don't worry. Just the fact that you risked your life on the battlefield to bring back intelligence is enough to deserve these Byakugan.

Lord Hokage himself has praised you, saying you've accomplished things that many adults would struggle to do."

"I'm just doing my duty." Makoto said.

Hiashi responded with satisfaction.

"The Byakugan passed down in our clan is not for display.

Even if the person whose eyes were destroyed today wasn't a ninja, the clan would still unhesitatingly offer him a replacement.

If the family cannot earn the trust and reliance of its members, then it will soon face its downfall."

"Moreover, you've contributed to the village and earned honor for the family.

The clan will never let you suffer even the slightest injustice!"

Makoto was moved upon hearing this. "Lord Hiashi!"

"Makoto, you are the future pillar of our Hyuga clan.

We are the family with the oldest history in the ninja world.

Our ancestors once enjoyed supreme glory, and we should always remember the heavy responsibility of reviving the family.

This burden is one that young people like you must bear in the future."

Makoto suppressed his excitement and replied.

"Yes, Lord Hiashi, I will certainly remember!"

Hiashi nodded in satisfaction.

At this moment, Ayano smiled lightly from the side, saying.

"Goodness, why so serious during dinner? Makoto, you should eat more."

As she spoke, she even took the initiative to serve Makoto some food.

"Thank you, Ayano-nee."

Makoto had already been filled up with the expectations that Hiashi had placed on him, but seeing this, he still focused on eating seriously.

The rain outside grew heavier, accompanied by thunder and flashes of lightning.

The light in the room was warm, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

If Makoto were any younger, they might truly seem like a family.

"Have another bowl."

"No, Ayano-nee, I'm already full."

"You're at the age where you should be growing, how can you eat so little?"

"Actually... I ate quite a bit of snacks before coming here."

Makoto said, a bit embarrassed.

Seeing his earnestness, Ayano couldn't help but smile faintly.

"Alright then, but eat less of those things in the future. They're not healthy."

"I understand, Ayano-nee."

After Makoto offered his farewells, Ayano gently escorted him to the door and handed him an umbrella.

"The rain is heavy, be careful on your way back."

Makoto bowed to both of them, then opened the umbrella and stepped into the dense rain.

Once Makoto figure disappeared into the heavy rain, Ayano turned and returned to the room.

Hiashi was still sitting there.

"Well? Are you reassured now?" Ayano asked.

"I never really worried about what thoughts he might have." Hiashi replied calmly.

"He's just a child. Even if he has some grievances against the main family, how much trouble can he really stir up?"

"I was worried about the older members of the family.

What if they use him to create some trouble?

It would be best if we didn't have direct contact with him, and once his eye replacement and the curse are done, everything will return to normal."

Ayano responded. "Looks like we were overthinking it."

"I hope so. The Hokage has been hinting that I should go to the front lines.

It's wartime, and staying in the rear too long might lead to criticism.

Hopefully, this issue will blow over soon."

Hiashi said as he slowly stood up.

"I should go as well."

"Take it slow on your way."

"Get some rest early."

Hiashi also left with an umbrella, and the room became silent.

Outside the door, the night was cold and desolate, with heavy rain pouring down.

Ayano sat alone at the dining table, looking at the food that had hardly been touched—she hadn't eaten a bite.

She glanced at the spot where Makoto had sat; his bowl was empty, having been cleaned out completely.

She picked up the dishes he had used and casually threw them into the trash bin next to the table.

"Haruka."

"Yes, Miss Ayano."

"Clean up, but be quiet. I'll go to sleep first."

.......

The thunder that had rumbled all night finally quieted down in the morning.

Water droplets continued to fall intermittently from the eaves, and several shallow pools had formed in the courtyard.

The air held a chill, and a hint of rosy light appeared on the distant horizon.

A terrified scream startled the entire Hyuga clan.

Makoto slowly walked out of the door and looked in the direction the sound came from.

Spi followed, rubbing against his legs.

Makoto held it in his arms, gently stroking its fur.

"It's dawn."

End of chapter

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