Hearing Hinata Hiashi's sigh, Mizuki just smiled and said nothing. When the head of a large family considers the problems of his children, especially when it comes to the issue of heirs, it's okay to say a little flattering, but it's a bit inappropriate to say too much.

As if not noticing Mizuki's perfunctory response, Hyuga Hiashi continued, "This reminds me of Hizashi. I was also born just a few minutes earlier, and became the main family, while Hizashi became the branch family, and there was also Neji, alas..."

At this time, the head of the Hyuga family actually confided his inner thoughts, which surprised Shuimu. No matter how they were related, after all, he was just an outsider, and it was not good to tell these things to himself. Moreover, this topic was difficult for Shuimu to follow. So the atmosphere gradually became dull.

Seeing Mizuki didn't say much, Hinata Hiashi also stood up.

"Let's stop here today. It's getting late."

"That's fine."

Mizuki, who was speaking, also stood up and followed Hinata Hiashi out.

Without anyone accompanying them, Hinata Hiashi and Mizuki walked one after the other in the quiet corridor of the courtyard.

"Mizuki Jonin, do you think something like a bird in a cage is really useful?"

Hinata Hiashi, who was walking in front, suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Looking at Hinata Hiashi who didn't even turn his head, Mizuki couldn't see his expression for the time being. However, since he brought it up again and again, it must be not just a polite remark, but he really wanted to hear Mizuki's opinion, so it didn't hurt to say it.

"The name of the caged bird is actually very descriptive. The caged bird's wings are locked, but it is also protected from storms and threats from predators, and it does not have the risk of losing its wings. There are always some birds that are content with the status quo and refuse to change. However, there are always some hearts that cannot be locked and tirelessly yearn for the sky. When they are able to break through the cage with their bodies, the brilliance they bloom must be very gorgeous and dazzling."

"So this is what Mizuki Jonin thinks."

"I'm sorry to make you laugh, I just said it casually, but after all, as an outsider, I don't know much about caged birds."

"Yeah." After that, Hinata Hiashi didn't ask any more questions, and Mizuki breathed a sigh of relief.

The issue of the bird in the cage is actually very complicated. Even Shuimu doesn't dare to say too much about the issues involved. Without careful research, nothing can be said. However, judging from the current situation, Shuimu has two guesses that he thinks are more reliable.

First of all, it is a positive guess that the original intention of the bird in the cage was good, but later generations were ignorant and used the wrong method.

Regardless of which power system, the method of suppressing first and then promoting is widely adopted, such as the surprisingly heavy weights carried by Might Guy and Rock Lee. When the weights are taken off, the surge in strength is an important means to break through the bottleneck of strength. If the bird in the cage is regarded as an "invisible burden" added to the Byakugan, when a genius can break through this bondage, the baptism of the soul and the sublimation of strength are definitely not to be underestimated. Shuimu once boldly speculated whether this was a semi-finished product that was developed in order to upgrade the Byakugan to the Samsara Eye independently. Because the method of use was lost and even misinterpreted by humans, this training technology has become a pathetic thing like the bird in the cage. A magical skill that carries dreams has become a shackle that kills hope. There is nothing more regrettable than this.

Another more unbearable speculation is that the caged bird is indeed the key to opening the Samsara Eye. The existence of the caged bird greatly strengthens the control of the main family over the branch family. In other words, if the main family wants to harvest a large number of Byakugan from the branch family to open the Samsara Eye, then the branch family cannot gather much resistance. This speculation is much darker and more unacceptable. The caged bird is like a slave collar, which collects a large number of Byakugan cultivated by the branch family and uses them as bait to open the Samsara Eye.

What's more regrettable is that of the two possible guesses that are closest to the truth, Mizuki is more inclined to the latter. From the current situation of the Hyuga family and the situation of the descendants of Otsutsuki Hamura left on the moon, there is no doubt that the latter is more convincing.

Next, Hyuga Hiashi and Mizuki walked through the mansion. Hyuga Hiashi even sent Mizuki to the gate. This high-profile approach made Mizuki feel a little flattered and uncomfortable.

"Let's stop here. Master, you are so polite." Mizuki said goodbye to Hinata Hiashi and prepared to leave.

"Well, come and talk to Mizuki Jonin next time when you have time." Hinata Hiashi seemed to remember something and stopped Mizuki who was about to leave and said, "I heard that Mizuki Jonin is going to get married soon..."

"Yes, it hasn't spread yet. I didn't expect that the head of the family already knew about it."

"Well, if you don't mind, please let me go and congratulate Mizuki Jonin as well."

"You are welcome. Please do me the honor of meeting you."

After exchanging a few words with Hinata Hiashi, Mizuki turned and left.

"Such an undisguised display of their relationship with me shows that the Hyuga family is also dissatisfied with the situation of the village and the family. They have recruited Hyuga Neji, who has great potential, to consolidate the family's power, have close relationships with Konoha's elite jonin, and have increased the frequency of public activities. Now they are even appearing in public places such as their own weddings. Such active participation in Konoha's public activities, does this situation imply that the Hyuga family's attitude is about to change?"

Mizuki had no idea about the transformation of Hinata Hiashi, so he had to put it aside for the time being and came to the famous barbecue restaurant in Konoha. He did not go home directly, but came here, of course, because today's social activities were not over yet.

"Shui Mu, this way, this way." As soon as he entered the door, he was discovered by Yamashiro Aoba, "Finally you are here, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

"There are quite a lot of people here." Shuimu looked at the huge barbecue table, which was already full of people. "Don't you have any tasks?"

"Isn't that the person you called? Mizuki?"

"Ah, I did invite a lot of people, but some of them came uninvited." Mizuki gestured to Mitarashi Anko who was sitting in the middle waiting for the barbecue to be served.

"Oh, no, my wallet." Shancheng Qingye's face fell immediately. He was the one paying today, and with so many people, it seemed that his wallet would be empty again.

"It really wasn't you who shouted?" Mizuki looked at Yamashiro Aoba who had an exaggerated expression. He didn't expect that this guy would also have the ability to perform facial expressions.

"Hehe, how could that be?" Yamashiro Aoba flatly denied it, but to Mizuki it seemed that he was a little lacking in confidence.

As the two were talking, Mitarashi Anko was already getting impatient waiting.

"What are those two over there mumbling about? Why hasn't the barbecue been served yet? At least bring up the wine first..."

Seeing this awkward situation, Shuimu said softly: "Qingye, go and do your work, I'll just find a seat by myself."

"This time you organized it and I paid for it, so shouldn't you be the one taking care of it?"

"The one who pays is also half the owner, so you should come..."

"Okay then." Yamashiro Aoba had no way to deal with Mizuki's behavior of shifting the blame.

Watching Yamashiro Aoba calling the waiter to take the order, Mizuki found a seat and sat down. He chose to fulfill his promise this evening mainly to thank these people for taking care of him, especially for their great efforts in recommending the promotion of jonin. In addition, it was also a celebration that the frequent conflicts during this period had finally come to an end.

After such a busy time, it was not easy for everyone to have a chance to get together for a drink. Today, everyone was relatively present. The older generation of Ino-Shika-cho was the person with the highest status. The three of them formed a small circle, drinking and chatting. Hatake Kakashi did come, but he sat next to Mizuki, holding "Intimate Paradise" and reading it non-stop. Might Guy didn't come because he had something to do. He originally wanted to call Shiranui Genma and Bizu Reito, but because the mission was not in the village, Sarutobi Asuma was there, and even Yuhi Kurenai, who had just been discharged from the hospital, was with him. She was still in a very bad complexion, but she was able to accompany him to drink. She was really a heroine. As for Mitarashi Anko, whether she was called by Yuhi Kurenai or Yamashiro Aoba, Mizuki didn't want to go into it.

"If you think about it this way, there aren't that many people."

Looking at the people gathered in a circle, they were all familiar with each other. Even the senior Ino-Shika-cho and the next generation of successor jonin leader Asuma Sarutobi were present. However, the shy bearded man was completely focused on Kurenai Yuhi who was drinking while sick. The only one who was more lively was the more nervous Anko Mitarashi. After drinking a little wine, she was out of control. However, this little trouble was left to Aoba Yamashiro to deal with.

"Mizuki, I heard that you seemed to have stole the show in the mission a few days ago." It seemed that Hatake Kakashi had finished reading the novel, put away the book in his hand, turned to Mizuki and said.

"Oh? Am I considered somewhat famous now?"

Nara Shikaku, who was sitting on the other side, interjected while holding a wine glass, "Being able to suppress Shukaku head-on, isn't that famous?"

As he said this, he drank the wine in the glass in one gulp and then exhaled the alcohol.

"Even if I add Choza and Kaiichi, I can't guarantee that I can defeat Shukaku. I will most likely end up losing. You are really amazing. The Yondaime Kazekage back then also had to work very hard to suppress the runaway One-Tail Jinchuriki. The young are really to be feared."

This is actually quite fair. In the ninja world, the two most unwelcome enemies are immortality and unlimited chakra. Even if the combat power is not bad, they will eventually be dragged into a protracted battle and exhausted to death. The tailed beasts, which have almost unlimited chakra, are a nightmare for ordinary ninjas. There are many masters in this world who can compete with the tailed beasts, but there are very few who can really defeat the tailed beasts, even Shukaku, the one-tailed beast whose combat power is almost the bottom among the nine tailed beasts.

"This is a bit of a special reason. Being able to reseal Shukaku was a big price to pay, and the process was full of twists and turns. I can only say that the result is pretty good. If it happens again, it will be terrible."

Mizuki, who is in Sage Mode, is not afraid of fighting Shukaku, but he needs to use his brain to win. He has a good chance of winning against Shukaku, who is not controlled by a human pillar and fights on instinct. If the chakra resonance had not occurred last time, which led to frequent accidents, he would not have been able to reseal the tailed beast so smoothly.

"Any special reasons? No matter what happened, he was able to face the tailed beasts and complete the mission, and finally brought the team back safely. Whether it's strength or luck, it's all amazing..."

Nara Shikaku burped as he spoke, and then put down his glass. Mizuki beside him smiled without saying anything, picked up the wine pot, and filled Nara Shikaku's glass. In fact, Mizuki discovered last time that Nara Shikaku was not a good drinker, but he really liked drinking. Yamanaka Inoichi was easily drunk, but he could drink quite well. As for Akimichi Choza, he was obviously more interested in barbecue than drinking.

It seems that because he had been drinking, Nara Shikaku, who is usually a bit lazy, seems to have a lot to say.

"With so many things happening recently, it's a good thing that there are so many powerful younger generations in the village who have stepped forward, otherwise it would be terrible."

"Lu Jiu, shouldn't you say next that we are all old?"

Yamanaka Inoichi interrupted with a smile.

"Isn't it?" Nara Shikaku said as he took another big sip of the wine in the cup. Then he seemed to remember something and continued, "That kid in my family, ever since he became a Chunin, he doesn't even show mercy when playing shogi..."

This sentence made everyone present laugh. No one had noticed before, but Nara Shikaku, who was drunk, actually had a talent for telling jokes.

"You've been in the spotlight this time. I've heard people talking about you when I was on a mission outside." said Hatake Kakashi who started the topic.

"Is this true?" While in Konoha Village, he didn't realize it, but he didn't expect that he had gradually become a celebrity outside.

Said, Shuimu looked back, but...

"How come Kakashi has eaten all the barbecue in front of him? And he drank a lot of the wine in the glass?"

Mizuki was very impressed by how Hatake Kakashi could take advantage of his distraction to finish his meal without making any noise. No wonder the Seventh Genin Team hadn't seen Kakashi's face for many years.

"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked, feeling uncomfortable being stared at by Mizuki.

"Nothing." Although Mizuki was curious about how Kakashi quickly concealed his expression and ate all the food, he didn't have that much curiosity because he already knew his true face.

"Well, there is one thing you have to be careful of. There is already a bounty on you in the underground black market, and the price is not low..."

"No way, it's only been a few days?"

Mizuki felt uncomfortable at the thought that his head would be targeted by a bunch of bounty hunters who wanted money more than his life.