Chapter 8

Since that day, Baisei felt that his relationship with Ruri had become very strange.

Although on the surface things seemed no different from usual, they still passed notes in class and continued their training as usual at night, Ruri seemed to have reverted to the way she was when they first met—silent and cold, rarely speaking.

A few days passed like this.

Baisei went to school as usual that day, but just before the first class started, he noticed that Ayane, who usually sat to his left, had not arrived.

This seemed very strange to Baisei.

As a member of the branch family of the prestigious Hinata clan, Ayane, although not as high in status as the main family, still adhered to the behavioral norms of a prestigious family and would never do something like skip class or be late.

It wasn't until just before the first class ended that the sound of footsteps was heard outside the door.

A girl with long, straight black hair that reached her waist stood there.

Ayane stood alone at the door, silent, biting her lip as if trying to bite through it, with an aura of sadness and despair surrounding her.

Strangely, Ayane had a white ribbon tied around her forehead, which, while not unattractive, seemed a sudden and jarring change.

Before this, Ayane had never worn such a showy ribbon on her forehead.

The homeroom teacher, Mr. Fujimura, glanced at Ayane. He was about to scold her, but upon sensing the deep despair and sadness emanating from her, he sighed lightly, as if he knew something, and said calmly, "Come in, and remember not to be late next time."

Ayane nodded and, under the curious and puzzled gazes of her classmates, walked to her seat and sat down.

"Good morning, Baisei-kun."

Ayane tried to greet Baisei as usual, but her smile was forced, and tears streamed from her eyes uncontrollably.

Without waiting for Baisei's response, she buried her head on the desk, as if being seen in this state was a source of shame, inviting ridicule and contempt.

Indeed, this happened, and the other students looked at her with strange eyes, whispering and pointing, as if they knew something.

But the students who didn't know the truth were just curious and worried about Ayane.

Baisei, full of questions, wisely did not ask.

Ruri, however, glanced at Ayane over Baisei's shoulder and did not speak.

—Ruri, do you know what happened to Ayane?

Because their relationship had grown closer, he had dropped the "classmate" suffix.

He passed a note with this question to Ruri.

As a member of a prestigious family, Ruri must know something.

—What else could it be? Of course, it's the "excellent" tradition of the Hinata clan.

The word "excellent" was in quotation marks, clearly filled with sarcasm.

The "excellent" tradition of the Hinata clan?

Baisei didn't know what it was, but Ayane's condition must be related to this "excellent" tradition of the Hinata clan.

What exactly is it?

Unable to come up with any reasonable explanation, Baisei gave up.

At lunchtime, Baisei and Ruri were eating their bento together.

"Hey, Ruri, what is this tradition of the Hinata clan you mentioned?"

Unable to resist his curiosity, Baisei asked.

Ruri was silent for a moment before answering, "This isn't a secret among the ninja clans, and most chunin and jounin in the village have heard about it. The Hinata clan has had a tradition since ancient times that is very hard to accept. It's the distinction between the main family and the branch family."

"Is there a problem with the distinction between the main family and the branch family?"

"The branch family must bear the responsibility and duty of protecting the main family."

"That's quite normal, isn't it?"

Baisei couldn't understand.

The lower status protecting the higher status, although not very fair, is a stable "social" structure.

Society is hierarchical.

Therefore, in Baisei's eyes, the branch family of the Hinata clan protecting the main family was a normal trend.

"If it were just that, it wouldn't be anything unusual. But to ensure the branch family's loyalty to the main family and to prevent the bloodline of the Hinata clan from spreading outside, there is a means of controlling the branch family."

"Control?"

Baisei was surprised.

"Exactly, control, real control." Ruri glanced at Baisei and said seriously, "For the safety of the main family, the branch family must bear a curse seal called 'Caged Bird.' This means the main family has control over the life and death of the branch family. If a member of the branch family has any rebellious thoughts or fails to fulfill their duties, the main family can use the curse seal to instantly execute the branch family member."

"..."

"In other words, Ayane's life and death are now in the hands of an outsider. If Ayane ever develops resentment or murderous intent towards the main family, the main family has the right to beat or even execute her."

Baisei, thinking of something, said, "Then, the location of the curse seal is...?"

"Exactly, the curse seal is on Ayane's forehead. That's why she covers it with a band. Whether it's for the greater good or the nominal protection of the main family, the curse seal is a real 'slave' mark."

Baisei fell silent.

A voice in his mind kept telling him that Konoha was a terrifying organization, and such things happening in a terrifying organization were normal.

Although he was repulsed, Baisei realized he could do nothing.

This was the helplessness and compromise of reality.

For Ayane, having a 'slave' mark on her forehead was more cruel than being killed outright.

What a terrifying era this is!

If such things happened in the shadows, Baisei could勉强 accept it, but the rules of the Hinata clan were public.

Treating half of their own clan as 'slaves' openly, without any concealment, what does this mean?

Baisei looked at the Hokage Rock, where the statues of the three Hokage of Konoha were carved, symbolizing their great achievements.

Especially the First and Second Hokage, who were known for ending the Warring States era.

What happened after that?

The war continued.

There was no difference from the Warring States era; children were still sent to the battlefield.

Everything seemed unchanged.

The only change was that the ninja clans formed larger villages and established the one country, one village system.

Baisei suddenly felt that the existence of the Hokage Rock was full of irony.

If this is what a family is, then from the beginning, the tradition of the Hinata clan was incompatible with Konoha.

Such a clan, in theory, should not be allowed to join the Konoha Ninja Village, which is guided by the 'Will of Fire.'

This clan's tradition is the best interpretation of the denial of the 'Will of Fire.'

If they cannot cherish their own clan members, can they be trusted to care for the entire village?

Baisei put a big question mark on this issue.

In the end, he sighed and said nothing.

These days, growing together with Ruri, he had almost forgotten that he was an 'outsider' to the village, someone who would eventually become a 'traitor.'

But the peaceful life made him almost forget his identity as a 'traitor' and want to integrate into the village.

Thinking of this, Baisei was drenched in cold sweat.

Comfort leads to decline.

From the beginning, he had no sense of belonging to Konoha.

He was grateful to Konoha for teaching him ninja knowledge, but it was only gratitude for the education.