Naruto Birdcage

The weather grew colder, signaling the arrival of winter.

Makoto couldn't help but put on an extra layer of clothing.

What was especially unfortunate was that Ayari was no longer wearing a skirt, so he couldn't see her long legs anymore.

The two of them were strolling through the market, and Makoto followed behind her, carrying a bag, lost in thought.

"Makoto, can you cook eggplant?" Ayari suddenly asked.

"Yes."

"What about fish?"

"Yes."

"How do you know how to do everything?"

Ayari turned around, holding an eggplant in one hand and a fish that was still wriggling in the other.

"How about we have these two for dinner tonight?" she asked with a smile.

"Sure." Makoto smiled faintly.

The fish was briefly cleaned by the vendor and placed into a bag, along with the other ingredients and seasonings, all of which Makoto carried in his hands.

Ayari, however, seemed quite relaxed.

She even ran over to the street corner to buy two cans of soda.

After opening one, she took a sip and made a very satisfied sound.

She tossed the other can to Makoto, but forgot that he didn't have a free hand to catch it.

Realizing this, she saw the soda slip from her grip.

"Makoto, watch out!"

The can of soda flew straight toward Makoto's head.

If it hit him, it could leave quite a bump.

But just as the soda was about to hit his forehead, it seemed to be stopped by some invisible force and instead fell directly into the bag he was holding.

Ayari was surprised by the turn of events. "What happened?"

Makoto calmly replied, "A bit of chakra control. If you want to learn, just call me 'Sensei' and I can teach you."

Ayari rolled her eyes at him. "Nice try."

With that, she turned and walked ahead, sipping her soda contentedly.

Occasionally, she stepped carefully on the pavement, but other times she bounced around, humming a tune, and spun around as if dancing in place.

It was a pity she wasn't wearing a skirt—her movements would have been even more graceful.

"Makoto."

"Hm?"

"Do you know what it feels like to get married?"

"Managing household chores, dealing with life's messes."

Ayari chuckled. "You're just a kid pretending to know everything."

Makoto didn't argue and simply said, "If you know I don't understand, why ask me?"

Ayari smiled without replying, her gaze drifting toward the distant horizon as she walked slowly forward.

After a moment's thought, Makoto asked, "Are you thinking about getting married?"

Ayari turned her head to look at him. "I'm getting married soon."

"With Lord Hizashi?"

Ayari chuckled, "Who else could it be? You?"

Makoto nodded. "Sure, I wouldn't mind."

Ayari gave him a disdainful look.

"You? A little brat thinking you could marry me?"

Makoto replied, "Lord Hiashi and Lady Ayano aren't married yet either."

Ayari countered, "Which is why I have to get married before them. That way, my and Hizashi's child can protect the future of the main family."

After she spoke, her gaze drifted forward, a hint of melancholy in her expression.

Makoto suddenly recalled what Hizashi had said to him in the hospital that day.

Hizashi, Hiashi, and the Ayari sisters had grown up together, and although their fates had diverged, the bond between them should have been exceptionally strong.

"Do you want to get married?"

"Why are you asking again?" Ayari chuckled.

"You didn't answer earlier."

"There's no such thing as wanting or not wanting. It's something that was decided a long time ago," Ayari said as she walked.

"Lord Taikei told Hizashi and me yesterday that we should start preparing for our wedding."

In the Hyuga clan, to maintain the purity of their bloodline, marriages were traditionally arranged within the clan.

For those of special status, their marriage was decided directly by the clan.

Especially now, with the Hyuga numbers dwindling, there was even greater need to focus on growth and continuity.

Ayari suddenly turned to glance at Makoto, who was slightly behind her, noticing he was also looking at her.

She smiled and asked, "What is it?"

Makoto replied calmly, "Nothing. I just don't want you to get married, that's all."

Ayari chuckled softly, then fell silent for a moment before laughing again and saying.

"I don't think Natsu has much interest in Hakumen, so you've still got a good chance. Make sure you seize it."

"By the way, have you finished those books? If you have, I'll find some more for you."

"Alright."

"Let's hurry home then. I'm starting to get hungry. I want to try your cooking again."

"Alright."

After finishing her soda, Ayari tossed the empty can into a nearby trash bin.

As she walked ahead, she began to feel slightly uneasy.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Makoto was watching her from behind, a feeling she hadn't noticed earlier.

Yet, each time she glanced back out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Makoto's gaze was simply fixed quietly on the setting sun in the distance.

Night fell.

After dinner, Makoto was already preparing to rest when Hizashi suddenly came to visit.

"Lord Hizashi, what brings you here so late?"

Since their conversation at the hospital, Makoto no longer bothered to feign respect in private with Hizashi.

Spi, lounging on the sofa, also glanced curiously at this infrequent guest.

"I'm getting married to Ayari soon," Hizashi said.

"I know."

"My marriage was decided long ago—it's not something within my control." Hizashi continued.

"Did Lord Hizashi come specifically to explain this to me?" Makoto said with a faint smile. "I'm truly flattered."

Hizashi frowned slightly and said, "That day... what you said to me, I'm genuinely grateful."

"Are you grateful that I let you stay in the cage?"

"Staying in this cage... is still better than being a stray dog." Hizashi said slowly.

Such self-deprecating humility surprised Makoto a little.

Makoto walked to the sofa and sat down, gesturing to the seat beside him.

Hizashi walked over and sat down, watching as the young man poured him a cup of tea.

Unable to hold back, Hizashi asked, "Makoto, do you hate this system?"

Makoto handed the tea to Hizashi and said indifferently, "Have I ever said so?"

Hizashi frowned. "Don't you want to break free from these shackles?"

"I already have."

"All you've escaped is a single seal, but the main family still exists.

Sooner or later, they'll brand the Caged Bird Seal on you again!"

"When that time comes, I'll have my own solution."

"You…"

Makoto watched as Hizashi opened his mouth, seemingly about to speak but left speechless.

He countered with a question: "Does Lord Hizashi hate this system?"

Without hesitation, Hizashi began, "Of course, I…"

But the words stopped abruptly after just a few syllables.

If he truly hated this system, how could he have previously sought after the privileges of the main family's status?

To say such things now in front of Makoto would only make him look ridiculous.

He sat there in silence, saying nothing, and after a long pause, he suddenly drained the cup of water in one gulp.

Letting out a heavy breath, Hizashi finally spoke:

"Makoto, you've seen through me."

"What I hate is my father. Even though my brother and I share the same mother, everything was given to him."

"I hate my brother. There isn't a shred of brotherly affection in his heart! He so easily and shamelessly treats me as his servant!"

"I don't hate this system. I only hate the fact that I lack freedom! If I were in the position of the main family, I certainly wouldn't change a thing."

"But the reality is that I'm not the main family; I'm part of the branch family. And because of that, I must do everything in my power to change it!"

As Hizashi finished speaking, a faintly twisted expression crept across his face.

Makoto listened with a calm expression.

"Lord Hizashi's answer is truly unexpected."

To so freely and openly reveal his darkness and desires—this was nothing short of pledging allegiance to him.

Or rather, it was a gesture of submission to the soon-to-be Hokage, Orochimaru, standing behind him.

Hizashi, however, had no interest in wasting time with pleasantries.

He got straight to the point.

"Makoto, I know you have grand ambitions.

You must want to change everything, to reshape this clan."

"Makoto, let's do this together! Whatever you and Lord Orochimaru plan, I'm willing to help!"

"As long as I can rid myself of these chains, whether it's Ayari, Natsu, or even the main family's status—everything will be yours!"

Makoto, however, remained unmoved, even finding Hizashi's words somewhat foolish.

After all, the things that were destined to be his—he would claim them, without exception, regardless of anyone's promises.

"If Lord Hizashi is so sincere," Makoto said with a faint smile, "then why not offer a token of loyalty?"

End of chapter

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