Last night, heavy snow fell without pause, blanketing the entire world in white. An ancient tree, its branches weighed down by snow, swayed weakly in the cold wind, radiating desolation and sorrow.
Konoha Training Ground
"Byakugan—activate!"
With a soft shout, veins bulged at the corners of Neji's eyes as his pure white pupils gleamed faintly.
His field of vision expanded into a full three hundred and sixty degrees, the world turning starkly black and white.
Falling snowflakes, sparrows perched on bare branches—even villagers hurrying along the street a hundred meters away—everything appeared with crystal clarity.
"Eight Trigrams: Twelve Palms!"
Neji moved in an instant, swift as a startled rabbit. Thin streams of chakra surged through his tenketsu and into his arms. The short blade in his hand whistled through the air again and again, and every snowflake within three feet of his body was shredded apart.
"Hmph!"
He exhaled a long breath, white mist drifting from his lips as fatigue spread through his small body.
The Gentle Fist was the signature taijutsu of the Hyuga Clan, giving it an overwhelming advantage at the genin, chūnin, and even jōnin levels.
But if one wished to go further—to reach Kage-level strength—it was far from enough. Against opponents who wielded Susanoo, Tailed Beast power, or Sage Mode, Gentle Fist alone simply could not bridge the gap.
That was why, from the moment he transmigrated into this world, Neji had begun searching for another path.
Combining the Byakugan with sword techniques was the result of a full year of experimentation.
After all, cutting someone down with a blade was far more efficient than poking their chakra points.
Neji focused inward, gazing at the status panel that floated within his mind—the cheat he'd received upon transmigrating.
Name: Hyuga Neji
Talent: Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence
(Effort always yields results; suitable for both ordinary people and geniuses.)
Age: 4
Bloodline Limit: Byakugan Lv.1 (241/500)
Chakra Level: Genin
Chakra Nature: Yin, Fire, Earth, Water
Taijutsu: Eight Trigrams: Twelve Palms Lv.1 (154/500)
When Neji was three years old, his original self had died at the moment the Caged Bird Seal was implanted—and Neji seized that instant to take his place.
As their souls merged, Neji awakened the Byakugan on the spot, shattering the Hyuga Clan's historical record for the earliest awakening.
Hyuga Hiashi immediately ordered that the Caged Bird Seal be implanted in him the following year.
For now, at least, Neji was still free.
He unconsciously rubbed his smooth forehead, a trace of sorrow rising in his chest.
In the original story, Neji independently created Eight Trigrams: Rotation and became a jōnin at fifteen. In terms of talent, he was no less gifted than Kakashi, Minato, or even the Sannin.
And in this life, he would be even stronger.
The Byakugan could evolve—into the Tenseigan, the Jōgan, or perhaps something even more terrifying.
Given enough time, Neji was confident he could reach Six Paths–level power, or even ascend to a new bloodline realm altogether.
But in half a month, it would be Hinata's third birthday.
And on that day, the Caged Bird Seal would be placed upon him.
Once branded with the seal, no matter how extraordinary one's talent, they would be nothing more than a servant—a disposable sacrifice. Even being resurrected through Edo Tensei would not free them from its control.
Worry flickered through Neji's luminous white eyes—far too heavy for a four-year-old child.
If I stay in the clan, I can't escape the fate of the caged bird.
If I defect from Konoha… even ignoring whether I could succeed—how would I survive in the cruel ninja world?
The Byakugan was an invaluable bloodline limit, its strategic value surpassing even the Sharingan.
A four-year-old wandering the shinobi world, marked by such distinctive eyes—Neji's fate would be ten times more miserable than Nagato's.
After long contemplation with no answer in sight, Neji sighed softly and left the training ground.
Villagers along the street noticed him and began chatting animatedly, their words filled with admiration.
Neji hid his worries deep in his heart and put on a shy smile for them.
To contend with the Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Main Family had aggressively publicized Neji's genius. Nearly half the village now knew that the Hyuga had produced a prodigy no less talented than Uchiha Itachi.
For Neji, that reputation was not without benefit.
Being labeled a genius would earn him better treatment during his time in Konoha.
Am I really destined to become a caged bird?
If I perform well enough, maybe I'll receive more lenient treatment within the clan… maybe.
He smiled bitterly.
Without realizing it, he was already approaching the Hyuga Clan compound.
---
"Father… Tokuma… where are you? And where am I?"
Hyuga Hinata looked around blankly.
It was her first time leaving the clan compound, and everything felt new and fascinating—
At least, it would have been, if she hadn't gotten lost.
"Huh?"
Hinata suddenly noticed three older boys playing in the snow nearby.
Without thinking, she trotted over.
"Hey, look! A little kid!"
"Why are her eyes white?"
"A monster!"
The three boys quickly surrounded her, staring curiously.
Hinata trembled, clutching her scarf tightly as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Is she gonna cry?"
"Haha, what a coward."
"What do you think—if we stuff dirt into her eyes, will they turn white?"
Their childish curiosity carried an unthinking, terrifying cruelty.
Their noisy voices drifted into Neji's ears.
He paused and turned his head.
Three boys, about five or six years old, surrounding a small, soft-looking girl in the middle.
Hyuga Hinata.
In the original story, she was the young lady of the Main Family whom Neji would one day protect even at the cost of his life.
Seeing Hinata—weak, frightened, and helpless—Neji frowned.
According to his memories, Hinata had secretly slipped out on the night of her third birthday, gotten lost, and been bullied by three mischievous children.
But something felt wrong.
Did I remember incorrectly?
Neji stood still, lost in thought.
A cold wind brushed against his face, making him shiver.
Hinata was the Main Family's heir—how could she possibly be without hidden guards?
For a child not yet three to escape the heavily guarded compound was as difficult as Neji himself defecting from Konoha.
And yet she just happened to appear directly along his path back?
There were no coincidences.
If a Branch Family member witnessed the Main Family's young lady in danger, they were obligated to rush to her aid immediately—even at the cost of their life.
Even a moment's hesitation could bring unimaginable consequences.
With that in mind, Neji rubbed his eyes, pretending he had only just recognized her.
His expression changed drastically as he shouted at the boys:
"Let go of that girl!"
"Another white-eyed monster!"
The leader barked an order, and the three rushed him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Against children who hadn't even entered the Ninja Academy, Neji dropped them effortlessly, one punch each.
Crying, the boys scrambled to their feet and fled.
Neji stepped forward and gently helped Hinata up.
Still sobbing, she wiped her tears and whispered,
"Neji-nii-san… don't look. It's ugly."
Neji looked into Hinata's clear white eyes and saw his reflection.
"Lady Hinata, the Byakugan is our clan's bloodline limit. You should be proud of these eyes."
Hinata blinked, her watery eyes filled with confusion.
She wasn't even three yet—words like clan and pride meant nothing to her. But she was sensitive to emotions.
Neji's words perfectly reflected the position of the Branch Family.
And yet, they made her feel strangely distant.
Almost instinctively, she sensed it—
A sorrowful, heavy barrier had already formed between herself and Neji.