56 The Uzu Vault
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tenjho Tenge
AUTHORS NOTE: About Sasuke; he's still in Rice Country under Guren's protection. I'll get back around to him eventually.
[ ] signifies hand signs
{ } signifies a foreign language
Last time:
Tiger Tree Village…
Hours later a young woman named Uzumaki Kanna returned to the Uzu Quarter with her latest kill. She was the greatest hunter in the Uzumaki Clan and was absolutely fearless. Her outgoing, friendly personality was a shocking contrast to her miserly, arrogant twin brother Menma.
Kanna was a red-orange haired, green-eyed girl of 16 years. She mainly wore green and teal clothing with a red Uzumaki swirl on her chest. Her specialty was kunai and a Tsurugi named Kaze no Hashi (Wind Edge) that had been passed down from she and Menma's direct ancestor who served under Ashina-sama on his quest but had stayed behind due to injuries.
Theoretically the Kaze no Hashi should have gone to Menma but it refused to accept the black haired boy as his Master so it was (very controversially) passed down to Kanna who mastered it beautifully. When the redhead returned from her hunting trip, she was shocked to learn from her friends that a group of four nobles including an Uzumaki clansman had travelled up the Tiger River from the outside on some sort of mission.
That was when Kanna ran into Menma's elderly female advisor Michiko. "Ah, Kanna-sama. Have you heard the news?"
"If you mean our guests from outside the Tiger River then yes." said Kanna. "I heard one of them is an Uzumaki like us."
Michiko grinned through her squinted eyes. "Naruto-sama isn't just an Uzumaki. He's the Prince of our line and carries Ashina-sama's legendary blades."
Kanna's green eyes grew huge as she was a sword nut. "He carries the Shippuuhime and Kurimuzo-kougou?!"
Michiko sighed. "Kanna-sama; Naruto-sama is close to your age and is handsome. You should meet him. I think he would make a fine suitor for you."
The redhead cringed. "He couldn't be any worse than the weaklings that I've been with on the last few dates with…" She looked at Michiko. "Can he fight?"
The older woman shrugged and smiled. "He brought Menma-sama to his knees through pure killing intent. I nearly passed out."
Kanna brightened up. "In that case I might be interested in this Naruto-sama. Is he friendly?"
"He seems very kind and humble actually." said Michiko. "From what I've seen he is much like the legends say Ashina-sama was." She winked. "Make sure to meet him. Good ones often escape quickly you know."
The redhead nodded. "I'll give him a tour of the Tiger Tree Village…"
…
Chapter 56
Fire Country, Port City
Jiraiya and Karin arrived at Port City and soon were on a boat to Uzu Island. "So, we're going to my Mother's homeland…" said Karin wistfully. "I know it's nothing but ruins now but I've always wanted to see it. I wonder what it was like before Mother fled. She said she was really young and her parents put her on a boat with other children to escape. It always made her sad to talk about it, so I rarely asked."
The Toad Sage replied, "I heard a lot about the place from Sarutobi-sensei but I've never been there to be honest. I wanted to go there to learn about fuinjutsu after seeing Uzumuki Mito-sama at work but sadly I never got the chance. In retrospect I wonder if Uzumaki sealing arts aren't out of my league anyway. Your cousin Naruto's abilities totally exceed mine. Those black seals are beyond me."
"His fiancé Hikari-chan seems very determined to learn them." said Karin.
Jiraiya nodded. "Considering she is both his future wife and his protégé the Uzumaki Seals are hers to learn. I've pretty much decided the fuinjutsu books in Naruto's library are your family's secrets…not that anyone else in Konoha could understand them anyway…"
…
Uzu Island
It was about a day's voyage by boat to Uzu Island and Karin and Jiraiya's trip was uneventful. Arriving at the remains of the port where the ships for Teams 7 and 10 were docked; Asuma's Team 7 was ashore waiting when The Toad Sage and Karin arrived.
Asuma waved and said, "Welcome to Uzu, Jaraiya-sama! Team 10 is standing by at the vault."
Jiraiya waved in return. "Good to see you Asuma. Lead the way, we have work to do."
Karin looked around at the silent desolation and sighed sadly. In her mind she secretly wished that there were houses or signs of life left but Uzushiogakure was more like looking at a mass grave than anything else. It was quiet and dead as a tomb…
Sakura asked, "Are you okay Karin?"
The redhead shook her head sadly and said, "This was my Kaa-chan's homeland. I never dreamed it had turned to dust."
…
Uzu Medical Vault
Ino was sitting and meditating at the site of the vault when she sensed Uzumaki Karin's powerful chakra. The wind seemed to pick up in the area as Karin approached and a seal matrix suddenly sprang to life when Karin stepped near the circle. The Yamanaka heiress felt the spirits rising to meet one of their long-lost children.
Karin felt the power soar as she made contact with the edge of the sealing ring and knew exactly what to do despite the fact she'd never done fuinjutsu in her life. She drew a kunai and cut her palm before drawing an Uzumaki swirl upon it.
Then Karin gathered her chakra in her bleeding hand and said "Uzumaki fuinjutsu: Blood Lock Unseal!"
Everyone gaped in awe as adamantine sealing chains*① sprang from Karin's back and the awakening of the red haired kunoichi's power knocked everyone but Jiraiya back a couple of steps. Karin's chains cut a perfect circle in the ground and burned the earth and debris away from the metal vault below.
A metal door was on the vault with an Uzumaki swirl engraved upon it. It opened silently at Karin's touch revealing a staircase down. Karin slumped back from the exertion, but Jiraiya ran over and caught her before the redhead collapsed.
Jiraiya smiled at Karin and said, "Well done Karin-chan! It seems your ancestors guided you the whole way. Are you alright?"
Karin said tiredly, "I'm exhausted Jiraiya-sama. Give me a few moments to sit. What were those chains…?"
"Those were adamantine sealing chains." replied the Toad Sage. "It's an Uzumaki sealing technique that is unique to the Uzumaki Clan. I think you used them instinctively like the blood seal you used to open the vault. Believe it or not, Naruto's Mother Uzumaki Kushina could use them too."
Sakura came over and ran a medical diagnostic on Karin. "Looks like you are okay Karin-chan. Wow though! I was knocked over by the power you unleashed. That was amazing!"
Ino said, "The spirits here seem to be at rest now Karin. I think your ancestors have been waiting a long time for you to arrive."
Karin felt immense relief. "Thank you for telling me, Ino. I felt their words travelling through me. It was like they poured their lives into protecting this place until an heir came to set them free."
"We should head into the vault and start searching for the cure to the Withering." said Sai.
Asuma held up a hand. "Hold on there Sai. Karin-san should be the first to enter. It belongs to her clan after all. Let's let her rest a little bit."
…
After Karin recovered a few minutes, the group slowly descended into the vault and found the staircase led to a large storage vault of countless compounds as well as a library of medical books containing a vast amount of medical knowledge.
Interestingly, the lighting worked because it was powered by the seals on an inside the vault itself. The massive chakra influx from Uzumaki Karin earlier charged the lighting seals to capacity so the whole vault was brightly lit.
Asuma saw stars in Sakura's eyes at the thought of gaining new knowledge (she was training under Kato Shizune and Tsunade when she wasn't on missions). The bearded Jonin said, "Go to it Sakura. Just tell the rest of us what to do."
Sakura nodded happily. "Yes sensei. Let me look over the card catalogue." She turned to Ino. "Come on partner; let's do this. Shikamaru, I can use your brain power too. Anko-sensei and Karin, you know medicinal and poisonous herbs. You can help. The rest of you are gophers so try not to get in the way until you are needed."
Jiraiya laughed and said, "She's definitely taking lessons from my Tsunade-hime." Turning to Asuma, Choji, Emi and Sai he added. "Let's stay out of the way kids."
…
Hours later, Sakura and Shikamaru were the only ones still going at full steam due to sheer brain power. "There were ten known variations of the poison that caused the Withering over the years." read Sakura from the copious notes they'd compiled. "The jaundiced spot only appeared on the final and most lethal three versions. They were the most powerful poisons ever created by the Ikari Ninja Clan."
Shikamaru picked up from there. "The Ikari ninja specialized in nothing but poisons during the era of Warring Clans and fought the Uzumaki almost constantly for a century. When Uzumaki Ashina-sama returned from Ōrora with the medicinal plant known as the Dragon Flower, a cure was developed and the Ikari were hunted to extinction by the Uzumaki."
Sakura nodded and continued. "The cure for the poisons all require the Dragon Flower so they kept them growing in the greenhouses all year round. Most importantly the Dragon Flower must be fresh to be used in making these elixirs. The powdered form of the cure was found to change its qualities as it ages so extreme care must be used with the dosages."
"We have copied down all ten of the mixtures for the various cures of the withering and have a small amount of the powdered form of the Dragon Flower." said Shikamaru. "All of the other plants and compounds can be found in Konoha from what Sakura remembers. That's the best we can do without the Fifth Hokage or Shizune coming here themselves."
"What do you all think?" asked Sakura.
"I think you kids have done an outstanding job." said Jiraiya. We need to send these back to Fire Country as quickly as possible with the information and the powdered form of the Dragon Flower you've found. It's the best we can do for now."
,,,
Konoha, Hokage's Office
Tsunade was shocked when a Messenger Toad arrived with a book's worth of copied material on the Withering and a vial of the Dragon Flower's powdered form. She also received a note from Sakura:
Tsunade-sama-
I believe all off the compounds and herbs for the Withering can be found in Konoha's greenhouse except the Dragon Flower. The mixture of the powdered form of the Dragon Flower is something that I believe only you and Shizune senpai have a chance of figuring out. The vial is dated at forty years old. We await further instruction before we set sail for home.
-Chunin Haruno Sakura
…
Shizune, Doctor Akira and Tsunade quickly studied the cure and found that Sakura was correct. Everything they needed was indeed found in Konoha. They worked feverishly to formulate a proper ratio of the Dragon Flower but without a basis to go on it was anyone's guess.
Doctor Akira suggested that they rehydrate a powder sample to see how it reacted to the other chemicals in the compound. Given the fact it was already forty years old they had little to lose.
…
ANBU Medical Lab
Hours later; Akira was irritated. Not only was his wife Yano (a retired med nin) there to watch, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyūga Hanako were there as well. If that wasn't enough, Four ANBU guards were also on station per Tsunade's orders. Worst of all, everyone was being nosey about what he was doing.
"Look here;" said Akira grouchily. "All I'm doing is hydrating a forty-year-old sample of powder that probably will have the potency of food coloring. For the love of the kami; give me some room to work!"
Placing a few cubic centimeters of sterile water in a test tube, Akira carefully measured the amount of Dragon Flower powder necessary for one dose of the cure for the Withering and mixed the two in a beaker. The water turned red like blood and Akira said, "Well, it's just as I expected. We have colored water. Over the last forty years the powder has simply lost its potency." He sighed. "I believe it's safe to say that-"
Then disaster struck.
Red smoke and noxious fumes filled the room too fast for the eye to follow and an ear spitting roar shook the building. The screams of the eight occupants in the room lasted for seconds but seemed like hours to those outside the ANBU Medical Lab.
Team Aka was on guard duty outside the lab and Gazeru and Lynx went to rush in to rescue the others but ANBU Dove yelled, "DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!" as ANBU Bear blocked them.
Lynx said, "But Dove-"
"Whatever gas is in there is deadly." said Dove sadly. "We have to wait for the fumes to clear before we can check for survivors…"
…
ANBU Medical Bay
Tsunade was beside herself. The entire Yamanaka Clan had been knocked senseless by 'psychic feedback' and the four ANBU guards were already dead. ANBU Dove had literally saved the day because the gas that was unleashed by the Dragon Flower's powdered state would have killed most of the ANBU in the halls before it dissipated.
Hiruzen, Hanako, Akira and Yano had been at point blank and were undergoing changes that Tsunade and Shizune could not explain. In desperation Tsunade used a Creation Rebirth scroll on Sarutobi to stabilize him. Seeing his vital signs steady she immediately ordered the same done to Hanako, Akira and his wife Yano.
They were still covered in blood and Tsunade ordered them to be rinsed of just in time to see the healing chakra from the scrolls finish working. Hiruzen coughed and saw Tsunade hovering over him with her hands blazing with green chakra. "Hang on Sarutobi-sensei!" she said. "You've got to stay strong!"
Hiruzen wheezed out, "I saw a dragon…" and fell unconscious again.
Hyūga Hanako was talking to Shizune in a delirious state. "He's waiting for Team Kuro. He knows they are coming…"
Yano and Akira were making equally nonsensical comments. It was a nightmare for Tsunade and her staff. Afterwards, Tsunade collapsed from overdoing it due to the Withering and the massive amounts of healing chakra she used. Fortunately her apprentice Shizune was quick to act and was able to give her Master a major chakra infusion before Tsunade became critical.
Now Kato Shizune and the ANBU medical staff were exhausted… "I wish the first and Second Hokages hadn't returned to the pure land last week." she said. "We could have really used their help."
That's when she heard Tsunade say weakly, "You did a superb job Shizune-chan. I'm proud of you."
Shizune looked up and saw an obviously tired Tsunade looking at her from her hospital bed. The straw blonde was smiling at her. "Tsunade-sama, you're awake!"
Tsunade grinned and said, "All thanks to you. Tell me what happened after I blacked out."
The black-haired young woman sighed and said, "The cause of death of the four ANBU guards was rapid de-aging. They literally melted into nothing."
Tsunade was both horrified and fascinated as a medic. "What about the others? Did they survive?"
"The Creation Rebirth scrolls you used and the fact that they were all very elderly saved them." explained Shizune. "Believe it or not, they've all been de-aged into their twenties physically. They would have melted back into nothing too if you hadn't thought of those scrolls."
Tsunade did a double take, "Hanako-sama and Sarutobi-sensei are both in their twenties? Are they mentally intact?"
"We don't know yet Tsunade-sama." replied Shizune. "Doctor Akira and Yano a young too. They are showing all the physical signs of being healthy young people in their prime."
"…And the Withering?" asked the Fifth Hokage.
Shizune smiled. "Hanako-sama and Hiruzen-sama show no signs of it. At least in their cases, the Withering has been cured though it was at a terrible cost."
…
Hyūga Hanako awoke feeling better than she had in decades. 'I haven't felt this good in years!' she thought. 'No aches or pains; whatever happened was agonizing but now I feel wonderful. Am I dead?'
Hanako felt someone holding her hand and looked to her right. She saw Hiashi there. He gave her a warm smile and asked, "Kaa-san, how are you feeling? I can't begin to tell you how beautiful you look right now."
She said, "That's a rather strange thing to say to your Mother Hiashi-kun. What's with my voice? I sound different."
"That's because you're around twenty again Kaa-san." answered Hiashi. "By some miracle your youth has been restored. You are around the same age as when you had Hizashi and I."
Hanako looked worried. "What about Hiruzen-kun and my teammates Akira and Yano?"
"They are young too." said Hiashi. "You don't know how happy I am for you." He gently kissed her forehead and said, "I love you Kaa-san."
She put her hand on his cheek and saw there were no wrinkles or veins showing on her hand or arm. She gave Hiashi a radiant smile and said, "I love you too my son." 'Is it possible that this is permanent? Am I really getting a second chance at life?' Hiashi handed her a mirror and Hanako saw she was completely rejuvenated. "This is unbelievable!" she said looking at her beautiful face and shiny, jet-black hair. "I'd forgotten how hot I was when I was young…"
At that point Hiashi sweat dropped…
…
Hiruzen likewise woke up feeling incredible and wondered why. He saw Shizune come in to check his vitals. The black-haired medic smiled brightly, "Sarutobi-sama, you've awakened. I need to run some tests and to check your memory."
What happened Shizune-chan? asked Hiruzen. "The last thing I remember was Akira mixing up that powder and then nothing but white-hot pain. I must have blacked out."
"You don't remember waking up talking about a dragon?" asked Shizune.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment and replied, "I have no idea. -I remember hearing Hanako-chan screaming! Is she all right?!"
Shizune chuckled. "She is better than all right Sarutobi-sama. We are still trying to figure it out but all four of you in that room were de-aged and would have died were it not for Tsunade-sama's quick thinking and Naruto-kun's incredible fuinjutsu."
"…And the ANBU?" asked Hiruzen dreading the answer.
Shizune shook her head, "All four of them were dead before we were able to help them. They were too young to survive long under those conditions. On the positive side, both you and Hanako-sama are cured of the Withering."
…
Doctor Akira was being checked over and was asking questions about the powder he'd been mixing. "Dammit, what happened Nurse? Where's my Yano? Was she hurt? What took place? Where's Tsunade? I need to know what happened with that compound."
"Do shut up Akira-kun." said Yano from the next bed over. "You are giving me a headache."
He quickly looked over at Yano who had her youth restored. His eyes grew as big as saucers when her saw her youthful face and brown hair. "Yano-chan?" he asked in awe. "Wh-what?"
ANBU Dove came in and said, "Doctor Akira; it's good to see you so lively. Let me run a diagnostic for Shizune. You don't know how lucky you are…"
…
Hokage's Office, days later…
Tsunade said, "The four of you are in perfect health. I'm elated for you and at the same time disgusted that you are all younger than Jiraiya and I. It goes without saying that the nature of your rejuvenation will remain an S-Class secret and considered an accident. There is no way we could duplicate the process anyway so forget about it Akira."
The (young) Doctor Akira deflated a bit and said, "What do you suggest we do then Tsunade? We are in our twenties again."
The Fifth Hokage smiled and said, "Youth is wasted upon the young Doctor Akira. You once told me that the one regret you had in your life was never having children. Perhaps you and Yano should embrace this little miracle and do just that."
Yano and Akira hugged each other. "That's a very profound idea." said Yano.
Tsunade nodded. "As for you Sarutobi-sensei, I believe that both you and Hanako-sama deserve a little time off to enjoy your children and grandchildren's reactions. I'll expect you both to report back next week as my advisors though. You have a lot of work to do."
…
Yamanaka Residence
Ino had returned to Konoha with her team and was enjoying some down time with her family. Inoichi said to his daughter, "Be glad you were out on a mission when the psychic blast came out of ANBU Headquarters. For a brief moment I felt some kind of higher being touched my mind. Then it was gone."
"It sounds like something similar to the spirits that touched my mind when Karin freed them." said Ino. "The experience was both euphoric and terrifying at the same time. I think there are some things that we aren't meant to dabble in Daddy."
Inoichi hugged his daughter. "You grow wiser my child. I think that trip to Uzushiogakure helped you grow up a bit."
The blonde kunoichi said somberly, "Seeing that place would make anyone feel older. The Uzumaki Medical Vault is on par with the one here in Konoha according to Sakura. I wonder if it will be possible to recover it. Uzumaki Karin wants it moved so the contents are available to help others."
"That's a matter for Uzumaki Naruto to decide when the time comes." said Inoichi. "As much as I'd like to go there and pack it all up, it isn't ours to take. That's straight from the Hokage."
"What happened at ANBU Headquarters?" asked Ino. You mentioned a psychic blast of some sort and rumors are flying around about the Third Hokage being young again. What was going on while I was gone?"
"I wish I knew." replied Inoichi. Commander Dragon put a lock down order on the whole affair. Usually secrets that are on that level get leaked pretty quickly but not even the Jonin Council has a clue…"
…
ANBU Headquarters
Commander Dragon was talking with Tsunade about recent events. "The medical lab has been completely sterilized per your orders Hokage-sama. ANBU Team Aka and all the others involved have been sworn to silence. Truthfully, they don't know much anyway. All the data we were gathering on that mystery powder was obliterated by that red gas and Doctor Akira can't remember a thing about what happened. He's fit to be tied you know."
Tsunade grinned. "Let Doctor Akira stew. He'll just have to accept that he's been blessed with a miracle. As a medic I understand his fascination with the whole thing but there are lines we aren't meant to cross. This is one of them. He'll get over it eventually…or not"
ANBU Dragon sweat dropped behind his mask. 'How can Tsunade-sama be so cavalier about an elixir of youth?' "There is also the matter on Summoning Island with the Uzumaki kunoichi's spirit…"
"That's ANBU Fox's area." said Tsunade. "I'm afraid the Black Seals are beyond even Jiraiya's comprehension. They are simply on layer of encoding on top of another. Pull ANBU Gazeru off of the Black Seals for now. Until Fox returns we aren't getting anywhere anyway."
…
Natsume Clan Home
Hyūga Hanabi was gaping at her (now young) Grandmother Hanako. Hiashi had escorted his Mother home and both Hanabi and Natsu were absolutely floored. Hanako smiled and pivoted once. "What do you ladies think?"
Hanabi hugged Hanako and said, "Are you really all better now Obaa-chan? You look so amazing like nee-chan!"
Natsu looked at Hiashi who said, "Kaa-san has indeed had her youth restored. She's just as beautiful as when I was a child."
Natsu said, Hanako-sama, this is too much to believe! I'm so amazed. Were it not for Hiashi-sama vouching for you I would be in denial! How did this happen?"
"It was an accident. We aren't sure what took place." answered Hanako truthfully. "Even Tsunade is baffled. Whatever happened I'm happy. Hiruzen-kun and I are both young again and I couldn't be more pleased."
Hanabi cheered. "That means more double dates with Konohamaru-kun!"
Hiashi's eyes widened and his head pivoted mechanically to Hanabi. "What do you mean daughter?" he asked in a brittle voice. "What's this about the Honorable Grandson?"
"Konohamaru-kun is my boyfriend!" said Hanabi with a blush.
The Hyūga Clan head looked at his Mother and asked, "Kaa-san; what have you been teaching my daughter?"
Hanako smiled in a crafty way. "I'm teaching her to be a proper Lady. She and young Konohamaru-kun make quite a cute little couple. Wouldn't you agree?"
Hiashi was beside himself. "I trust you've laid down some house rules?"
The Hyūga Matriarch had amusement in her eyes. "They are seven years old Hiashi-kun. Nothing inappropriate is going on. Besides, Hiruzen-kun and I are watching over them."
"That's what I'm worried about…" replied Hiashi.
That was when Neji showed up along with Team 9. He wasn't wearing his headband and was shocked to see Hiashi there. "Ummm…Hello Hiashi-sama. Is Obaa-sama here?"
Hanako peered around her son's larger frame and said, "Neji-kun, I'm so glad you've come. I was just telling your Uncle about my health. Do come in and bring your Team."
Neji promptly fainted. When he came around; he saw his Grandmother eagerly speaking to his Team about her restored youth.
Gai was totally floored. "This is what the Power of youth is all about! Like a phoenix, you have risen from the ashes Hanako-sama. I can only hope to achieve such a feat someday!"
Hiashi was over to the side looking dismayed at Gai's incessant ranting about youth. He turned to the now awake Neji and asked, "Tell me nephew, how is it you Caged Bird seal is missing? It is supposed to be impossible to remove."
Neji was sweating and said, "Uzumaki Naruto developed the Rising Sun Seal to remove it. After that; Hinata-sama ordered that the Caged Bird be abolished for all time."
Now Hiashi wanted to faint. "Have any of the other Branch House members had this Rising Sun Seal applied?"
"…All of them have Hiashi-sama." said Neji. "The Caged Bird is set free. Never again will a Hyūga of either branch be enslaved."
Hiashi sighed. "I guess the writing was on the wall. Hinata-chan said she would unite the houses whether I approved of it or not. How long has it been since the Caged Bird was removed Neji-kun?"
"It was around the time of the Uchiha's trial." replied Neji. "I'm sorry we had to keep it a secret Uncle."
Patting his nephew on the shoulder, Hiashi said, "I hope this has changed your views on the matter of fate." Seeing Neji nod; he continued by saying, "I'm proud of you Neji. I know your Father Hizashi is too."
Natsu said, "My whole world view has been turned on its head. Hanako-sama is young and beautiful and the Caged Bird seal is gone. What are we to do Hiashi-sama?"
"I'll tell you what I'll do." said Hiashi authoritatively. "I'm declaring the Caged Bird abolished and the houses united even if it is just a formality at this point. Neji-kun, Kaa-san; will you join me? I believe a celebration is in order."
"That's a fine idea Hiashi-kun." said Hanako. "I'm sure the remaining Elders will be abhorred." The amusement in her eyes was telling. "I can't wait to see the looks on their wrinkled old faces."
"You are going to take every advantage of being young aren't you Kaa-san?" asked Hiashi.
"Why shouldn't I?" asked Hanako rhetorically. "I believe Team 9 as well as Hiruzen-kun and Konohamaru-kun would enjoy coming as well."
…
Hyūga Clan Compound
That afternoon, Hiashi ordered that am informal banquet would be held for the entire Hyūga Clan the coming weekend and that the Akimichi Clan would be catering the event. It was a bit of a shock to the normally conservative Hyūga but what the Clan Head said went so they didn't question it. It was also stated that the entire clan was required to attend if possible.
…
On Saturday, Neji was a bit apprehensive about inviting his Team but in the event but even the Hokage was in attendance with her husband Jiraiya-sama and their daughter Mito.
The appropriate speeches were given to greet all of the guests attending the banquet but few actually knew why the dinner was being held to begin with. After several courses were served Hiashi rang a small bell to get everyone's attention. He said:
"As you all know it has been the dream of our heiress Hinata-sama to unite the houses and banish the Caged Bird Seal forever. Tonight, I am here to sign that into Clan Law. The Hyūga Clan is no longer divided and is now one greater house as it was meant to be. Former Branch House members, I ask that you please remove your bandannas that covered the Caged Bird Seal before the Rising Sun set the Caged Bird free."
Neji stood up and was the first to remove his headband. He was followed by Hyūga Hoheto and slowly the rest of the former Branch Family revealed they were indeed free thanks to the Rising Sun.
The first to start clapping was Senju Tsunade and soon the entire compound was filled with thunderous applause from all present. It was truly a momentous occasion and all but a few traditionalists were more than happy to see the Caged Bird Seal was gone at last…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*① Adamantine Sealing Chains -This is a fuinjutsu that is characteristic of the Uzumaki clan. Users produce chains made out of their own chakra, which typically emerge from their torso. Users control the chains as they extend outwards from their body, most commonly to wrap around targets and restrain them. The chains are extremely durable, enough that even Kyubi would struggle to destroy them.
I hope this chapter held some surprises for everyone. For those concerned, I'm not planning to make some fountain of youth appear. As most have probably guessed there is something supernatural afoot. See you next time. Blue out 9/30/23
