41. Revealing The Dark Nature of The World

41. Revealing The Dark Nature of The World

"Think about it more carefully. I want to be honest with you. If you agree to work with me in the future, some of the steps or experiments we might need to take for some of my planned research certainly might go against the medical ethics of you or your parents, for example, and against the general societal norms.",

"However, I want to remind you again that I didn't save you out of my kindness today, or that I didn't have anything better to do. I saved you because of your potential and value for my plans. If you disagree, then you are irrelevant to me, and who will save you in the future if such a situation happens again?",

"Could that girl, or some other Main Branch member, randomly target you again for a slight mistake? What would happen to your brain at that time if the Cursed Seal Comman stayed activated for much longer? I'm not saying all this to be mean but to make you understand that power is everything in this world.",

As Hikari spoke these words, his demeanor was calm yet intense, his gaze fixed on Hinome with unwavering seriousness.

Hikari's expression softened slightly when mentioning the potential dangers Hinome could face without his protection, not out of pity, but as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of their world.

"And if you promise to follow me from now on, I promise that I will help you get more power and not find yourself in such a situation ever again, and rise to the top of the ninja world alongside me.",

"Think everything through. You have to rely only on yourself in this world at the end of the day. And on our joint research journey, we will share the information toward power needed for that goal together.",

However, when he talked about the potential violations of medical ethics and societal norms, his eyes betrayed a flicker of resolve, indicating his willingness to push boundaries for the sake of greater achievements.

This was not a decision he took lightly, but a calculated risk he believed was necessary for progress and power. His words were spoken with a conviction that resonated in the quiet of their secluded meeting spot.

It was a moment of honesty, with Hikari laying bare the challenges and rewards that lay ahead, should she choose to join him.

As Hinome listened to Hikari, she thought deeply about what he was saying. Hikari's straight talk made her see that maybe seeking power and strength, even if it meant bending some rules, wasn't such a bad idea.

What had happened to her parents, who were sent to the front lines and died, without any say in the matter, not controlling their own destinies similar to what also happened to her today and recently, which she was also powerless to resist, made her question the beliefs she grew up with—about always doing good and helping others without expecting anything in return using her medical knowledge.

Since the loss of her parents, Hinome had learned to fend for herself. Hikari's insistence on self-reliance also resonated with her life lessons deeply.

So, when Hikari finished speaking, Hinome paused to gather her thoughts before responding. Her voice was firmer now, a sign of her newfound resolve.

"I've thought about it...", She said, "I see what you're saying, and the risks involved. But after everything I went through when and after losing my parents, I see that sticking to the old ways isn't enough. If being with you means I won't be helpless again, then I'm in. I'm ready to follow you and learn from you as well...",

While declaring this, she felt that it wasn't just agreeing to work with Hikari, but that she was also choosing a new path that promised her strength, independence, and the chance to make a difference in a new way. She felt like it was worth it.

Meanwhile, Hinome's curiosity about Hikari also grew as she listened to him. How could a boy of just six years speak with such maturity about life, power, and breaking societal norms?

His plans were far-reaching, his understanding of the world seemingly beyond his years.

'It seems that this girl thought about... That way to get rid of the Cursed Seal inside the clan...', The thought crossed Hikari's mind that Hinome might be considering the traditional and only known method within the Hyuga clan for a Side Branch member to be freed from the Cursed Seal—marriage into the Main Branch... With him in this case...

Following such a union, if the Patriarch allowed it in the first place, then he would also set up a top-secret ritual to remove the Cursed Mark for the member of the Main Branch family.

Hikari had, in the past, attributed the practice of Main Branch members marrying into the Side Branch as a means to circumvent the consequences of inbreeding, a matter of practical and genetic importance to the Hyuga clan.

The rationale behind this practice was clear: by selecting Side Branch members with the most desirable kekkei genkai genetics and the highest Byakugan "purity," the Main Branch could mitigate the risks of genetic defects that might arise from too close interbreeding.

This strategic pairing not only safeguarded the clan's health but also ensured the continuation of its most powerful traits keeping the Main Branch's genetics ahead of the Side Branch forever.

With the Hyuga clan encompassing roughly a thousand members across both branches, the selection process for these unions was vast, providing a wider genetic pool from which to choose than only from inside the Main Branch.

There were only about 100 Main Branch members at any given time—approximately 10 from each lineage—to engage in such unions. This limitation was also strictly enforced to maintain the delicate balance between the Main and Side Branches and to preserve the clan's hierarchical structure.

Therefore, those personal unions with the Side Branch were the only logical choice. It was a ten times bigger genetic pool to choose from, therefore the risk of genetic defects was quite lowered by that point.

Furthermore, to diversify the gene pool and minimize inbreeding problems even more, the Side Branch itself was occasionally allowed to marry talented civilians, thereby integrating new blood into the clan.

This process required the explicit approval of the Patriarch, who was actively involved in such matters. Far from being a mere formality, the Patriarch played a proactive role, constantly on the lookout for civilians with potential talents that could benefit the clan. The focus was on individuals who had no affiliations with other clans and who had 'clear' backgrounds.

These civilians, once brought into the fold through marriage, did not become full Side Branch members, with Cursed Seals, but their offspring did. This fact, however, did not dissuade many from pursuing this path. The allure of the benefits provided by the clan, coupled with the increased chances of survival and prosperity under the Hyuga name, was a compelling incentive.

Such practices were not unique to the Hyuga clan. Other major shinobi clans, including the Uchiha, engaged in similar strategies to ensure the vitality and strength of their lineages. These measures were essential to prevent genetic defects and maintain the health and capabilities of the clan members.

While Hikari pondered how to clarify the misunderstanding without causing further embarrassment, Hinome's bangs slid further down, concealing her eyes as she slumped slightly on the bench.

The blush of embarrassment didn't fade from her face, instead, it seemed to deepen as she grappled with her own thoughts, 'A decade later... that's around the age people consider for marriage, isn't it? Oh no... Does Hikari-sama think... is he suggesting something like that to me?',

Her mind raced, tying together Hikari's words with the traditional way the Cursed Seal could be removed, leading to her misinterpretation that Hikari might be hinting at a future marriage proposal.

This thought sent waves of shock and confusion through her, as she tried to make sense of the situation while dealing with the embarrassment of her assumption.

After a moment of contemplation, Hikari let out a sigh and once more leaned in closer to Hinome, mindful of the sensitivity of the information he was about to share.

His proximity caused Hinome's blush to intensify, yet the need for discretion made it necessary, "Ahem... What I meant was not... that traditional method... There is another way...", He clarified.