Desolation of the Caged Bird

It rained on that fortuitous day.

The heavens rumbled, dark clouds obscured the night sky, and the beat of raindrops on rooftops played like the heavy drums of a band of performers declaring the arrival of a benevolent Emperor. The wind howled. Massive, pained howls, like a dozen injured wolves stuck in traps meant for their ursine superiors. Howls like laments for the injustice of their situation, and the bitterness and indignation and futility of their plight.

Flashes of lightning streaked the sky, illuminating darkened recesses of corners where street mice and alley cats parleyed to evade nature's fury. Shinobi dashed from rooftop to rooftop, their steps muffled by the torrent, just as civilian feet splattered against puddles, lips cursing and eyes darting in search of shelter.

Aged bones creaked and the minds within them commanded lips to suck in cold air. Windows were locked shut and oil lamps and lanterns emerged from their resting spots to once again begin their sempiternal task of abating the darkness.

In spite of the rain, within a particular clan, the downpour did not dissuade any spirits. The air was charged, as though a weary lightning cloud had descended for a moment's rest.

The spirits of the members of the branch clan were high. They lined up within the main corridor, one after the other, young and younger, old and older, each and all prepared for the fate that awaited them.

Before, today would have been an accursed day. It would have been a day they loathed would arrive. For some, they'd feared the day worse than their death.

Yet, it was such no longer.

Hope had been restored. Dreams and ambitions had been made into reality. Many believed, if the fate of one of their own could be changed, then destiny was no longer a recalcitrant mistress. Fortune was no longer a cruel master.

"We will now begin the 11th Caged Bird Ceremony."

It was a ceremony in name only. The older ones amongst them were old enough to have had parents and grandparents even older, who'd told them of how grandiose the event used to be. 

Those old ones heard only of tales of a time when the event would be attended to with music and merriment, sake, and budōshu. They'd heard only through the grapevine of a time when those who would be branded were honored and celebrated for their sacrifices. A time lost to history and misery and war and death.

Eleven Ceremonies seemed small, yet, as they would only ever be branded upon the coming of age of a young heir, eleven Ceremonies meant eleven generations. A generation lasted fifty years, or, in times of peace, seventy years.

Alas, times of peace were few and far between.

Two sets of sliding doors opened, and a young boy dressed in formal robes emerged. The hearts of the members of the branch clan gathered were moved by his appearance. It had been two weeks now since the boy reversed his fate, and sightings of him had been scarce. Many had feared some ill befell him, yet, seeing him arrive well made them happy.

The elders were the next to arrive, as was the Head of the Clan, Hiashi. Many averted their eyes from Hiashi's cold gaze, but those who did not realized something was different. The man seemed unusually irritated, if not somewhat outright infuriated. 

A few shot glanced towards the young girl with raven hair amongst them, who could not match the man's gaze, and pondered if she was the reason for his expression.

A moment later, the previous Clan Head Hideyoshi entered the hall, and the man seemed extraordinarily pleased with something, which made those who were aware of his character nervous.

The elders all took their places on their seats, sitting in order of importance. The Clan Head sat at the center, and the Heir sat to the right. 

"Retrieve the ceremonial ink."

At the Clan Head's command, a massive steel pot was provided. Ornate and covered with layers upon layers of seals and tags, it was not moved without difficulty. The pot was placed in front of the Clan Head, and the ones carrying it bowed as they departed.

"Present the ceremonial quill."

Another individual brought forth a strange, wooden quill. Everyone could sense the chakra emanating from the object, which gave off an air of danger. Many sucked in deep breaths at the malevolent feeling, reminding them that this was indeed a Juinjutsu — a cursed and Forbidden Technique.

The wooden quill was placed in the hands of, the Clan Head and he turned, to the surprise of everyone, to the new heir.

"This pot contains the ink that has been mixed with the blood of all the past Clan Heads. It is with this blood that we engrave the Caged Bird Seal. Your blood is supposed to be added to it upon the day that you become the Clan Head…"

There was an uneven sound that emerged from Hiashi's throat.

"But as the elders have unanimously voted, it shall be added today, and you shall perform the ceremony in my stead."

His words brought absolute silence. Thunder crashed outside, as though the heavens were equally responding to the announcement, and all the Branch Clan members were left speechless.

"As you command, uncle."

Many of them held their reservations. The older ones amongst them were the most cautious. This was a Juinjutsu. The slightest mistake could mean death or worse. Entrusting such a duty upon a boy who was merely four years of age seemed risky.

Yet, how could they voice their reservations? To do so would be to admit they had no faith in their hero. It would be to affirm that they did not believe him up to the task. 

If they, a court of his own peers doubted him, how would the Main Clan view him? 

The majority stayed silent, deciding to let fate take its course. They watched as the boy pricked his finger against the pen, and a drop of his blood poured down into the ceremonial pot. 

The pot stirred. A sizzling and hissing sound emerged, as did crackling and popping. As the sounds died, the Elders collectively nodded in approval.

Hiashi declared with a cold, sharp voice: 

"You may commence the engraving."

Neji bowed towards his uncle, then he turned, with a princely aura to those who stood in wait.

"Who would have the honor of being first bound in service to the future Head of this clan?"

With the confidence in his voice, the doubt in the hearts of many faded. A young man was the first to step forward, bowing on one knee in front of the young Neji.

"I would, Neji-dono."

"What is your name?"

"Isshin, Neji-dono."

The young heir made a strange movement with his hands. To some, it seemed like a handsign, yet, others had never seen a handsign such as that one before. Nor had they seen one perform a handsign whilst holding a quill.

There was a flourish of a movement. A glint of steel. Then, Neji was once again still, like undisturbed water.

"I thank you, Isshin, for your dedication and sacrifice. You bent on one knee as a man of no renown. Now, rise, as a proud warrior and a noble defender of the Hyūga."

Isshin rose his head, confused. "Neji-dono?"

Neji smiled.

"The process is done."

There was a clamor of noise. The elders, sitting began to grumble. The only person not grumbling was Hideyoshi, who sat there, grinning as though he knew a secret that no one else did. The Clan Head turned towards Neji, his brows thin.

"What is the meaning of this, Neji?"

"I do not understand, Uncle."

"This is not the time for frivolous jokes. Your task is to engrave the seal by —"

"I know what my task is, Uncle," Neji announced clearly. "And I have done so."

"You have… engraved the seal?" 

"I have."

Everyone stared at the boy as though he were speaking a different language. They all turned towards Isshin, and indeed, no one could see any sign that he'd been branded.

"I cannot see it."

"Then," Neji pointed to his eyes. "You are not looking."

At once, everyone understood. And at once, everyone activated their Byakugan.

Collective gasps echoed throughout the hall. There, upon the brow of the young boy named Isshin, was an ephemeral, green seal that could be seen as clear as day. The seal was not that of the Swastika as they'd been accustomed to.

In its place was a single Kanji:

鳳.

"This… word," an Elder spoke. "Fire… bird?"

"Phoenix, elder," Neji bowed. "The word means Phoenix."

He turned to the rest of the elders, bowing even more politely until his eyes could not be seen. 

"My grandfather tasked me to master the method to engrave the Caged Bird Seal within a week. However, I managed to do so within a day, and, upon doing so, I was struck with an epiphany which I brought to him."

Everyone turned to Hideyoshi, who was simply nodding and stroking his beard, confirming Neji's words without a single utterance.

"If the goal of the Caged Bird Seal is to protect our eyes, then, why must it be carved so into the scalp, thus that our enemies may know whose eyes they are free to take and whose they cannot?"

Neji shook his head.

"My father has worn a headband all his life, whereas I have never seen my uncle wear one. If the mere act of covering one's head hints as to who is branded and who is not, does that not defeat the purpose?"

There were numerous begrudging murmurs.

"My grandfather, being wise and capable, said he had also long thought of this problem, and asked if I sought to improve it. With his guidance, I was able to make vast improvements to the seal." 

Neji rose his head, before his hands raised as though he were a messiah bringing salvation.

"Henceforth, as long as one does not have the Byakugan, they will be unable to tell who is a Branch Clan member and who is not!"

Another clap of thunder arrived, letting the announcement sink into the minds of everyone present. The Branch Clan members could not believe their ears any more than the elders could, yet, the proof remained. Several individuals turned off their Byakugan and turned it on again to confirm that it was indeed true.

Only someone with the Byakugan could see the seal.

"Unbelievable!"

"It's true! It's really true!"

"This, this is a miracle!"

Those in the branch clan forgot themselves and began to celebrate, jubilating loudly. 

Their fate had not been changed, yet, the framing of it had. For they had seen others who bared their marks upon their skulls like sins or shameful wounds, taking to eternally covering a part of themselves.

Now, such a thing would no longer be their lot.

There were those amongst the Elders who looked slightly disgruntled with the change. Yet, they had no justification to refute it. Such a thing would make it far more difficult for their enemies to steal their eyes. To be against it was to be against the betterment of the Clan.

Hideyoshi let out a bark of laughter. 

"It is indeed the start of a new era of the Hyūga!"

"Hah, Hideyoshi, so you planned this?"

"Still playing tricks at your old age—"

"No wonder he's been so happy lately—"

A large harrumph broke through the merriment.

"Does it still work as intended?"

One grumpy female elder spoke up, her voice tart.

"Seeing as how Hideyoshi was supervising you, I don't believe he'd do anything unnecessary. I just want to ensure that the seal has not changed in any way other than visually."

"What did you say, Kazuhiko?" Hideyoshi turned to the elder, hissing as he did so.

"I am only expressing my concern about making changes to our long-established Juinjutsu —"

"Who are you doubting? Me or my grandson? If it is him you doubt, then do not worry, I supervised him. If it is me you doubt…"

Hideyoshi's killing intent peaked.

"Have you forgotten who I am?"

The air was suffocating with the sheer bloodlust of an experienced shinobi. The younger ones in the Branch Clan went stiff with terror. Kazuhiko recoiled, sweat dripping down from her brow.

"F-forgive me, I-I misspoke…"

The woman went silent, shrinking like a defeated mouse. All the other elders who wanted to voice their complaints wisely swallowed them. No one would dare doubt Hideyoshi's skills. The younger generation may have forgotten, or they may not be aware, but the man had been a prodigious monster in his own right.

Hyūga Hideyoshi may not have a wartime legacy as great as the Sannin, the Salamander, or Hatake Sakumo, but he'd been a force to reckon with all the same.

No one would dare offend him.

"Continue the ceremony!" Hideyoshi barked a laugh. "To a new era of the Hyūga!"

The young heir bowed formally to his grandfather, before turning to the rest of the members of the Branch Clan who'd been yet to be branded. He smiled in a kind and gentle manner, bequeathing himself as a benevolent lord.

"Who shall step forward next?"

One by one, the members of the Branch Clan stepped forward of their own will, all to be branded. A process that was once long, painful, and arduous had been truncated thus that it could happen in a breath and the individual would feel not a single thing. 

Even the Elders who'd previously had their reservations were now openly in support of this new means. If the Branch Clan were no longer unwilling to be branded, it would smooth relations and reduce any risk of resentment from them. Many turned to Hideyoshi, nodding at the man's effective genius, and at the same time, their estimation of the young Heir grew. 

A process that would have taken a whole day was shortened to a single afternoon, and, eventually, the last person to be branded remained. The hall fell uneasily silent, as many shot side glances toward Hiashi, pondering if the man would interfere. 

The young raven-haired girl stepped forward uneasily. The former heiress of their clan did not make for an impressive sight. Not only was she clearly meek of character, but she also did not have the eyes of a leader. When standing in front of Neji, the comparison between the two was like night and day. The girl could not even meet his gaze, and she shook like a frail leaf caught in the midst of the turbulent storm brewing outside.

For a moment, Neji glanced at the girl and paused. No, it was more apt to say he froze. He quickly caught himself and regained his regal bearing, but everyone had seen the momentary hesitation. Some even shook their heads, sighing at the unfortunate situation. Those in the Branch Clan believed he'd hesitated because of the conflicting feelings he must have towards seeing his cousin, the girl whose position he'd taken. There must have been some sort of turmoil going through his mind.

The seconds passed in silence, and the moment drew longer. Everyone could tell from the expression on his face: 

He did not wish to brand his cousin.

"Neji," Hiashi's voice coldly cut in. "Continue the ceremony."

"Uncle, are you certain?" Neji turned to the man. "I'm certain we can make an excep —"

"Continue the ceremony."

The man's tone broke no room for argument. Neji turned to his cousin, a bitter smile on his face, before he took in a deep breath, and spoke to the girl. 

"Are you scared?"

"N-no, N-Neji-nisama — I —"

His hand landed on the girl's shoulder. She went stiff. Then, he smiled, shaking his head as he did so.

"There is nothing to be scared of. You may be joining the Branch Clan, but you are still my flesh and blood. My father is your father, your father is my father. No one will treat you unfairly, and I shall ensure you grow to be strong and courageous."

Neji's eyes closed into a smile.

"We cannot fathom the whims of fate. Today, I may have taken your position, but if any ill were to befall me in the future, it is you who will stand tall and lead this clan. For that reason, I hope you do not harbor any ill will. Yet, even if you do, I understand."

The girl shook her head furiously. "N-no, N-Neji-sama — I — I c-couldn't p-p-p-possibly h-h-harbor any ill w-will." 

"That is good. You are my dear cousin, after all."

Neji turned to the Elders, and then his gaze turned to those who'd been branded, with his eyes suddenly possessing a fiery hot intensity.

"Should anyone make life difficult for you, tell me at once. I will kill them myself."

His declaration made many people take sharp breaths. The Elders were stunned by the sudden ruthlessness in his gaze, as were those of the Branch Clan. They'd only ever seen him as a kind and benevolent soul, so hearing that he would murder someone took them by surprise.

No one looked more surprised than Hiashi, who had a fish-out-of-water expression. He'd clearly not been expecting those words. Whispers moved around the Branch House, each one coming out faster than the prior.

"Neji-sama truly loves his family!"

"How terrifying! He must mean it…"

"To be so kind to her! He truly is amazing!"

The girl herself was stunned. Her eyes went wide, and she quickly bowed.

"I-I w-w-w-would not wish to t-t-trouble you, N-Neji-nisama…"

"It will be no trouble at all."

Neji smiled.

"Now, are you ready, cousin?"

"H-hai."

"This will only take a moment."

With a strange handseal and a flick of his wrist, the branding process was started and completed all at once. Neji moved his hand atop the hair of his cousin, ruffling it with clear fondness.

"It is done."

The girl bowed even deeper.

"T-thank you, N-Neji-sama."

Neji smiled, but his smile seemed strained. He turned back to the elders, bowing once more. Hideyoshi's grinning face could be seen amongst the lot. Hiashi addressed the newly branded Branch Clan members.

"Henceforth, those of you who are yet to become shinobi are to make it your utmost priority, so you may begin contributing of funds to the clan. Those who are lacking in combat skills or desire other endeavors may make a formal request to my brother, Hizashi once he returns from his mission, and you will be assigned to either the farm division or the trade division." 

With a clash of thunder and a flash of lightning, the final announcement came. 

"The 11th Caged Bird Ceremony is now concluded."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Excellent work, Neji-kun!"

"Indeed, you've done well —"

"Thank you Elders. I am afraid I must return to my quarters for much-needed rest."

"Of course, of course!"

"Rest as long as you need!"

Zi Wuji departed the hall, and as soon as he did, his smile and pleasant expression dropped immediately. His entire body was screaming. His chakra reserves, in particular, were running nearly empty. No, it was better to say that it was emptied out and was now completely dry. He'd been using his physical essence as a substitute to keep him moving, but that was a temporary measure, and he truly did require rest.

As he moved towards his room, his grandfather approached him, also leaving the hall.

"Well done, boy. You've gone above and beyond my expectations."

"I thank you, grandfather."

The old man stroked his beard, before giving him a sharp look.

"I did not expect you'd lie so blatantly in front of the Elders, you brat. When did you come to me with improvements? To think you'd have the guts to invoke my name to give validity to your work. Did you not fear I'd deny any involvement?"

Zi Wuji smiled.

"But you really did aid me, grandfather."

"Hoh? I did?"

"I could only make those improvements because I studied the seals on the door of that secret cave. You were the one who showed me the secret place, so I had to give you your due credit, grandfather."

His grandfather paused. "You studied the works of an Uzumaki Fūinjutsu Master… and copied them?"

"I improved them," Zi Wuji corrected. "Her work was only so-so."

"Haha! Hahahaha!"

Hideyoshi laughed until his voice nearly went hoarse.

"Indeed, I thank you, my boy. In the past few weeks, you've given me more joy than anyone has in the past fifty years. Yes, truly…"

Hideyoshi smiled again.

"Tell me the truth, Neji-kun. There are other improvements are there not?" 

Once more, Zi Wuji simply smiled.

"Hahahaha! Good! Good!"

His grandfather patted him on the back.

"Do not tell me what they are. I look forward to finding out myself."

"Ah, that reminds me, grandfather, regarding the Clan techniques you gave me —"

"Not today," Hideyoshi shook his head. "I have enjoyed enough sweet surprises for one day. I do not wish my teeth to rot. Tomorrow, tell me your progress. For now, I can see you are nearly empty on chakra. Go, rest. You have earned it."

"As you wish, grandfather."

Zi Wuji departed from the old man and made his way back into his bedroom, exhaling tiredly as he did so. He'd expended a significant amount of chakra to apply those seals, and, he'd not just done it for the sake of making Hideyoshi happy.

No, Zi Wuji was no altruist. There was nothing he did that did not benefit him in one way or another. He would never take an action that he stood nothing to gain from. Except, of course, in cases of pride, but this was not such a case. 

There was meaning to the fact that he'd branded them all with the symbol for 'Phoenix.'

I now have seventy-nine extra-lives. Hah… Am I not already immortal at this point?

His major 'improvement' to the seal was an insidious one. He'd recreated a devious technique that had belonged to the Clan Master of the Blood Hand Sect, called the Cardinal Kindred Sacrifice Technique. 

He had been an ancestor of a powerful clan, who'd settled down in a remote area, founded a family and village, and had that village grow to over ten thousand individuals. After which, he returned to reap his spoils by sacrificing every last member of his family to massively boost his cultivation and gain ten-thousand souls — ten thousand lives.

It was one of the reasons the Blood Hand Sect was one of the most feared Demonic Sects in the Lower Rain World. It was also the reason they managed to rise to prominence. When the Clan Master had ten thousand lives, it made killing him a nigh-impossible feat.

Zi Wuji had stolen this technique from the Blood Hand Sect himself, during the numerous years he spent searching for a means to break the bottleneck of his cultivation. Of course, he'd had neither the patience nor the desire to use it back then. He'd been an orphan, and his lifespan would not be long enough for him to reap the full benefits. 

It was a different story now.

To his disappointment, there had only been seventy-nine members of the Branch Clan who'd yet to be branded. The last branding had taken place when his uncle was three years of age, so, it was expected that the number would be scarce. In fact, seventy-nine was already amazing, considering it had only been about two decades since the last Caged Bird Ceremony. 

Still, the mark would work as intended. Whenever one of the seventy-nine individuals died, their 'cultivation' would transfer directly to him. However, as they did not have any cultivation, the technique was reworked such that their chakra would be transferred instead, as would their soul. It would be kept as a 'reserve.' That way, were he to encounter a killing blow, that 'reserve' soul would be consumed rather than his own.

However, there was one unfortunate caveat of the technique.

They had to die before he could reap the benefits.

Zi Wuji was not worried. He had plans. Before he turned twelve, he intended to ensure all seventy-nine of them would see the grave. 

Well, not all seventy-nine.

There was an outlier he didn't expect. The only hiccup in his plans.

His cousin.

Zi Wuji bit his lip harshly.

To think I'd meet someone with this world's equivalent of the True Yin Heavenly Physique… and she happened to be under my nose all along.

Zi Wuji couldn't let her die. Under any circumstances, he had to ensure she would not die.

What was her name again… Hinata?

Hinata. A seemingly unassuming name, yet, her condition was not unassuming whatsoever. From a cursory glance, he'd deciphered she possessed a stupidly obscene amount of Yin Chakra. The sheer amount of Yin Chakra was something he could feel emanating from her. 

He was momentarily surprised others could not feel it, but, he remembered not everyone had been training their ability to sense and manipulate Yin Chakra as he had.

She was the embodiment of absolute femininity. There was not a single trace of masculine energy in her bloodstream. Not a single ounce of it whatsoever could be found in her chakra.

In the Rain World, a woman who possessed such a rare state would be considered blessed with the True Yin Heavenly Physique. A rare, innate, bodily structure that granted them absolute power over yin-related aspects and elements. Such women could either become the purest of fairies whose mere presence chased away demons, or the most dangerous of seductresses and temptresses who could lead empires to ruin.

They were also heavily prized for Dual Cultivation, as they had nigh-infinite Yin Energy to reap from.

However, it brought a problem. Zi Wuji did not want to brand her. Rather, there were problems with branding such a person. Alas, he hadn't been able get out of the situation. If he suddenly changed the seal, others would notice. If he decided to use the 'unimproved' version instead, others would question it. As such, he'd been forced to brand her all the same.

Were she to die, and were he to gain her chakra, the flood of raw, pure yin chakra would completely throw his own body into chaos. It would change him on a fundamental level.

In the worst-case scenario, taking her chakra would immediately turn him into a woman.

In the best-case scenario, if he didn't suddenly grow breasts or lose his manhood, he'd become a highly effeminate male. The kind many would mistake for a woman all the same.

Regardless of whether it was the worst-case or best-case scenario, he would no longer be able to utilize his Yin Peculation Art, which relied on high levels of masculine energy to derive power from feminine energy.

As such, he'd meant his words when he said that if anyone were to give her trouble, he'd kill them. He'd invested too much to suddenly have his progress be halted by transforming into a woman. That aside, it'd be extremely hard to explain such a transformation to these bumpkins, who considered the dull scribblings of Uzumaki Mito to be the work of a 'master.'

I must take precautions.

Rather than rest to recover his chakra, Zi Wuji began the process of writing and drawing numerous seals on a piece of paper. Then, once he was done, he folded the paper into the form of an ornate origami rabbit. The entire process took him scarcely any time, though, he took care to make it look as realistic as possible. 

As the rain pounded outside, it muffled the sounds of his work, and he took a knife to his hair, and cut out a single, long strand, before placing it beside the origami rabbit. Finally, he utilized the last remnants of his chakra to perform the Transformation Technique.

The hair turned into a long, sturdy twine, and the origami rabbit transformed into a beautiful bluish-purple jade pendant, with the same rabbit engraved atop. He completed the final steps, putting together the twine and the pendant before he was claimed by exhaustion. 

This should do for now.

Zi Wuji pocketed the jade rabbit pendant, climbed into bed, and waited for sleep to claim him. Come morning, he would do what needed to be done.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"This is her?"

Two men cloaked in black from head to toe stood in a room, their bodies letting off light steam as they peered into an empty apartment, save for only one girl, sleeping soundly in a bedroom. 

"The intel said that the Clan Head only has one daughter. Raven hair. About two or three years old."

The first man took a glance around the room and frowned.

"Something is off. Be on your guard."

"Why? It's like you said, the Hyūga bastards are too reliant on sight. With such a heavy thunderstorm, those guards didn't even notice us sneak in…"

The second man sighed.

"Sensei, you could have done this as a solo mission. I don't know why they had to force me to tag along as well."

"We can't dismiss the possibility that the Yellow Flash has those accursed kunai of his within every major Clan. If he does appear, your summons are the only way we'll make it out alive." 

The first man re-examined the room.

"This makes me uneasy. There are no guards around her. More so, if she's the Heiress, why isn't she living with the Clan Head?"

"I don't know. But, look, see? No mark on her head, just like the source said. That means she's from the Main Clan, right?"

"I suppose."

The first man grunted. 

"Fine. Grab her and let's get out of here."

The second man brought out a large sack and a piece of tape. He rapidly taped the girl's mouth shut, just as she woke up, then immediately threw the bag over her head.

"Raikage-sama is going to be pleased."