"Now that it's done, it's time to find someone to test it."
In the dim corridor of a silent laboratory, Satori Hyūga stood deep in thought, holding the goggles. He was ready to seek out a new test subject.
This time it was the final product, so using lab mice would no longer suffice.
Moreover, the jutsu he had been experimenting with was somewhat different from the Caged Bird Seal technique.
Finding a Branch House member to personally test this had become an urgent necessity.
"Let Chonghuo try it. He's held resentment toward the Caged Bird Seal for a long time now, hasn't he?"
After careful consideration, Satori settled on a suitable candidate—Chonghuo Hyūga.
As a Branch House member, he had once criticized Satori for being indifferent. Clearly, he loathed his status as a Branch House member.
Although defeated by Satori, deep down, Chonghuo likely still resisted being dominated and commanded.
He doesn't appear in the original series; most likely, he either died in battle or was executed by Main House members for insubordination.
Other than these two possibilities, Satori couldn't think of a third explanation.
The sun dipped below the western horizon, casting the sky into twilight as the clouds grew darker.
At the Ninja Academy, students began streaming out of school in small groups.
Chonghuo was on cleaning duty today, so he remained at school, watching his friendly classmates leave.
While holding the mop and broom, he swept up the garbage when a familiar voice rang out.
"Chonghuo, come over here for a moment."
Chonghuo lifted his head and saw none other than Satori Hyūga, who should have already left.
"Lord Satori, you haven't left yet?"
He looked at Satori in surprise, puzzled as to why he was still there—he was certain he had seen Satori leave earlier.
Satori said, "This is my Shadow Clone. It remained here specifically to wait for you."
"I need your help verifying something. Come with me."
Upon hearing Satori's request, Chonghuo instinctively approached him and followed him into a secluded classroom.
It was the obedience expected of a Branch House member.
It also reflected his respect and admiration for Satori.
Among their generation, Satori was the strongest—a prodigy with profound wisdom.
What impressed Chonghuo most was that Satori never used his Main House status to oppress the Branch members.
Although restricted by his Main House identity from teaching them advanced Gentle Fist techniques beyond the Sixteen Palms, Satori generously shared the unique Iron Fist technique with them at minimal cost.
Because of this, among the younger generation of the clan, they were quite powerful and always carried themselves proudly.
After all, strength commanded respect in the ninja world.
Chonghuo respectfully looked at Satori and asked, "Lord Satori, may I ask what you need me for?"
He tried to imagine how he could possibly help Satori, but couldn't come up with any reason.
In terms of ability, he was no match for Satori.
As for wealth, he earned far less than Satori.
As for intelligence, there was no need to even mention it.
Even Might Guy had praised Satori's exceptional intelligence, saying he was the most intelligent person he'd ever known.
Satori Hyūga took out the pair of goggles he had prepared beforehand and handed them to Chonghuo Hyūga.
"Put these on your head. I need to run a small test."
Chonghuo looked at the strange goggles in his hands but asked no questions. Instead, he simply placed them on his head.
Goggles were quite popular among ninjas, and many students followed the trend by wearing them too. However, fewer young members of the Hyūga clan wore such things. After all, they were a composed and reserved clan who disdained flashy accessories. Plus, they possessed the Byakugan—an eye capable of seeing everything—so they had no need for something inconvenient like goggles.
"Satori-sama, I'm ready," Chonghuo said.
Satori looked at Chonghuo, now fully equipped, and his face grew serious. He quickly began forming hand seals with his palm.
As Chonghuo watched Satori perform the familiar hand seal technique, a flash of fear involuntarily crossed his eyes. It was a deep-seated fear rooted in the very core of his soul, causing his body to tremble unconsciously.
Perhaps every Branch House member was well-acquainted with this hand seal technique. Whenever a Branch House member went against the Main House, the Main House would enact punishment by activating the Caged Bird Seal, driving the victim to long for death over life itself.
Chonghuo once saw his father collapse onto the ground screaming in agony as he was tortured by a Main House member. His father had been a hardened man who never so much as groaned, even under grievous injury. But under the torment of the Caged Bird Seal, he screamed and cried out constantly, until even his inner strength crumbled.
From that day forward, the mighty image of his father had shattered forever.
Since then, unshakable fear and hatred had taken root in Chonghuo's heart.
Now, seeing Satori forming hand seals, his old fear flared up once more.
Feeling uneasy, he wondered if he had offended Satori somehow. Or had Satori's true cruel nature finally surfaced after their recent time together?
While he stood there trembling in dread, anxiously waiting for the Caged Bird Seal to descend and mercilessly torment him, surprisingly, nothing happened at all.
Chonghuo's eyes widened in confusion, unable to understand what was happening.
He turned to Satori. His eyes reflected both hope and dread.
"Satori-sama, what is this?"
Seeing that the suppression seal had successfully taken effect, the heavy stone in Satori's heart finally lifted.
Looking at Chonghuo, still shaken from fear, Satori patted his shoulder with a smile and said, "Scared you a bit just now, didn't I?"
"I'm sorry about that. This is my experiment… my research."
Upon hearing the words 'experiment' and 'research,' Chonghuo's heart stirred, and he pressed eagerly for more information.
"This is... this is..."
He wanted to ask but hesitated, fearing his assumption might be wrong, so he couldn't bring himself to say it all.
His face betrayed the storm of inner conflict, his eyes reflecting both hope and dread.
Satori smiled slightly and said, "It's just what you're thinking."
"This is a sealing formula I specially researched to counter the Caged Bird Seal. It can protect Branch House members from unjust harm at the hands of the Main House."
At those words, Chonghuo froze in place.
"Chonghuo, we are both of the Hyūga Clan. As blood-bound brothers, we should not be subjected to the harsh treatment of the Caged Bird Seal."
"You may see me as a Main House member, but I deeply empathize with the suffering of Branch House members. That's why I secretly sought ways to counter the Caged Bird Seal."
As he spoke, Satori Hyūga grasped Chonghuo Hyūga's arm and locked eyes with him.
"You'll stand behind me, unwavering in your support, won't you?"
Stunned by what Satori had just revealed, Chonghuo felt lightheaded from the staggering revelation.
He had never imagined that someone from the Main House would genuinely care for Branch House members.
That explained why Satori showed equal kindness to all—Main House or Branch House alike. He truly saw Branch House members as family.
Overcome with emotion, Chonghuo's eyes welled with tears of gratitude.
"Lord Satori, I am willing to lay down my life to follow you!"
...
...
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