Naruto: The Teaching System - 173 (Patreon)

Chapter 173: No Matter What Happens in the Future, At Least Now You Should Live Like a Young Person

Beside the waterfall behind Hokage Rock, the bonfire flickered with the wind, constantly sparking flames that danced in the darkness.

A young man with a black headband tied around his forehead stared blankly at the cascading waterfall, lost in contemplation.

"Fate... everything has been predetermined from the moment of birth."

Hyuga Neji said in a low voice that barely carried over the sound of rushing water.

"If you truly believed that, you wouldn't have come here tonight." Sawada's voice suddenly appeared behind Neji with quiet authority.

Hyuga Neji's pupils contracted sharply. Just as he was about to turn around, he found that Sawada was already sitting beside him with casual ease.

"I just..."

Hyuga Neji opened his mouth to refute, but under the gaze of the man before him, he couldn't say any dishonest words.

"Just what?" Sawada picked up a nearby branch, stirred the bonfire with practiced movements, and asked with gentle patience.

Hyuga Neji closed his eyes and didn't respond, his jaw clenched with internal struggle.

"You should know that the curse seal can only be on your forehead, but it cannot set up a cage in your heart."

Seeing Neji like this, Sawada couldn't help but sigh with genuine sympathy.

"Cannot let there be a cage in the heart..." Hyuga Neji only felt that this sentence left him particularly confused and disoriented.

"I actually don't know the truth of what happened back then either."

Sawada glanced sideways at Neji with honest admission. To say he knew nothing would be underestimating Neji too much.

But when he said he didn't understand the truth, he really didn't understand.

After all, Hiruzen was only called over after the Hyuga Clan had handled everything.

This wasn't an excuse but a fact.

After all, considering the suddenness and urgency of the situation at that time, his master might still have been busy handling border affairs.

Moreover, handing over Hizashi's body, to put it bluntly, directly damaged Konoha's dignity.

There was another point: because the Hokage of Konoha Village was the leader, the tradition of high autonomy for ancient clans never changed.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be the so-called main and branch families.

From the Hokage's perspective, during wartime, he would want countless experts in the village.

Even if these experts all belonged to certain families, after the war ended, they could find ways to balance things.

But they wouldn't do things that killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.

If Hiruzen really demanded that the Hyuga Clan hand over Hizashi, countless families would defect from the village the next day.

Now the Uchiha Clan...

If it weren't for the current head, Fugaku's son, possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan, plus the existence of Shisui, who leaned toward the Hokage, do they really think the Uchiha Clan would obediently accept this?

However, now Uchiha Fugaku should have already resolved these unstable factors within the clan.

Sawada pulled his wandering thoughts back and looked at Neji beside him with renewed focus.

"I think perhaps the moment your father died was his freest moment."

Sawada said while pointing two fingers at Neji's covered forehead.

For a caged bird...

Wasn't resistance using one's life to pursue freedom?

Hearing this, Neji clenched his fists, his tone icy, "How could someone forced to die in someone else's place possibly feel 'freedom'!"

"Please don't say such things! This is desecration of the dead!"

Sawada lowered his gaze, paying no attention to Neji's words.

After all, this young man before him...

At this moment, veins bulged around his Byakugan, his eyes full of hostility, yet tears flowed from the corners of his eyes.

That stubborn expression, forcing himself to look fierce, yet tears kept dripping onto the ground.

"Someone who dares to actively seek death cannot be said to have been forced to die in someone else's place."

"Neji, are you willing to let those slanderous rumors become reality?"

Sawada's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled gently, "That would be the greatest desecration of your father."

Neji knelt on one knee, pupils contracting, his body swaying slightly, "I..."

Yes, if he said his father was forced to death by others, wouldn't that be pure desecration of his own father?

"I think the only thing your father didn't consider, or rather, didn't fully consider, was you."

Sawada sighed and reached out to pat Neji's head with paternal gentleness.

It wasn't that he wanted Neji to change his mind, but this young man... shouldn't keep growing up like this. No matter what happens in the future, at least now, he should live like a young person.

Just like Naruto and the others now.

One could only say that Neji was indeed Neji. Even at this point, he still maintained his composure and didn't cry like a child.

After a long silence, or perhaps after the tears had dried up, Neji slowly raised his head.

The Byakugan that had been full of hostility just moments ago had now returned to calm, looking at Sawada.

"Sawada-sensei, I want to become your disciple!"

After saying this, Neji directly knelt down and bowed his head to Sawada with complete determination.

"Stop..."

Sawada quickly reached out to stop him, but halfway through, he saw the expression in Neji's eyes.

That stubbornness and confusion are unique to young people.

Thud.

A dull sound came from the bonfire area.

Sawada slowly lowered his outstretched hands and looked at Neji with his head bowed.

On the ground there, blood was slowly flowing out.

"Get up, I agree."

"Just as I said that day, I very much hope that in the future you can become a force that drives this change."

"Before that, I will do everything I can for you!"

"Thank you, Sensei!"

After Neji said this, he slowly raised his head.

Perhaps because the movement was too sudden, or perhaps because of the blood on his forehead, when Neji raised his head, the black ribbon tied around his forehead quietly slipped off.

What should have been the dark green caged bird symbol seemed to have been pierced by blood, becoming incredibly dim.

Neji straightened his back, looked at Sawada, and said slowly, "Sensei, please take care of me from now on!"

"Ah, if you slack off, you'll have endless homework."

Sawada grinned and laughed heartily.

[Detected that 'Hyuga Neji' is willing to form a master-disciple relationship.]

[Detecting trust level...]

[Detected that Hyuga Neji's current trust level is maximum, obtained 'Caged Bird' seal technique cracking.]

[Successfully accepted Hyuga Neji as a disciple and obtained the perfect reward: Hamura's Blessing (one-time use).]

Under the dark night sky, Sawada wore a white haori over black undergarments, slowly walking out of Konoha's gates.

Closing the panel, Sawada temporarily ignored the special reward.

Everything would be handled after he returned.

Besides, wasn't he supposed to show off his muscles this time?

Then, he would first collect some interest for his newly accepted beloved disciple.

"Sawada, what's wrong?"

Kakashi keenly noticed Sawada's difference and turned to ask with obvious concern.

Might Guy beside him also rushed to Sawada's front, anxiously grabbing his shoulders, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Feeling the pain from his shoulders, Sawada couldn't help but grit his teeth.

He smiled bitterly and said, "Guy-senpai, I'm fine, but if you keep shaking me like this, something really will happen!"

"Hahaha, good that you're fine!" Might Guy quickly let go and then vigorously patted Sawada's back.

Kakashi beside him couldn't help but shiver. The force with which Might Guy patted Sawada would probably leave him aching all over if it were him.