Electing a new clan head—such a thing had never occurred in the Hyuga Clan, not in the memory of any branch family member.
Part of the reason was that the Main House had long restricted access to historical records. For decades, branch family members had lived in ignorance, their only purpose to serve and protect the Main House, unaware that a change of leadership had once taken place centuries ago.
Not just the branch family—even among the Main House, few remembered such a precedent. After all, not everyone had the time to comb through ancient scrolls.
But today's events had ignited a flame within the Hyuga Clan. For the foreseeable future, peace would no longer be an option.
Unless they could eliminate the source of the upheaval.
Both the First and Second Elders shared the same thought almost simultaneously. Though unspoken and extreme, this idea—removing her—seemed like the best way to restore order and bring the clan back on track.
Their eyes narrowed as they looked at Kiyo Hyuga's tall, upright figure. Despite being fellow Main House members, the idea of opposing her shouldn't have crossed their minds. But for the clan's future...
"Your killing intent is too obvious, Elders," Kiyo Hyuga said calmly. Even without activating her Byakugan, her pale white gaze alone made the two elders look away instinctively.
"Veteran shinobi can sense killing intent. How pathetic that Main House members can no longer even mask it."
As she finished, members of the branch family under the Fourth Elder instantly activated their Byakugan. Their muscles tensed, bodies slightly crouched—like leopards ready to pounce. A single command from Kiyo, and they would rip the First and Second Elders apart.
Even the young Neji Hyuga clenched his fists, ready to strike at any moment.
The rest of the branch family bowed their heads slightly. Some, even from the Elders' own factions, looked at them with doubt.
Hiashi Hyuga sighed internally. The divide in loyalties was clear. Even in a clan rooted in tradition, the core shinobi instinct to follow strength could not be erased. And right now, the strongest person in the clan was undeniably Kiyo Hyuga.
Staring down those energized Byakugan, the Second Elder, Soun Hyuga, shouted in anger, "What do you think you're doing!?"
"No need to be nervous, Second Elder. They're not like you. Unless you move first, they won't attack."
Kiyo then turned her head slightly toward the central seat. The five Main House lines sat in a semicircle before the rest of the clan, with Hiashi Hyuga, as clan head, at the center.
"Kiyo Hyuga, you—"
The Second Elder tried to question her, but she ignored him. That stubborn relic had no place in her vision. Once the reform began, if he couldn't accept it, he would become part of the clan's outdated history.
"Clan Head, don't you have anything to say?"
Everyone turned to Hiashi. Until now, he had remained silent, seemingly trying to avoid confrontation. This disappointed many among the branch family.
Say something…
Hiashi exhaled softly, then looked at Kiyo. "Kiyo, why do you want to become the head of the Hyuga Clan?"
"To reform it."
Kiyo replied without hesitation. "Just like when the Warring States era ended and the former head boldly led the Hyuga into Konoha, now the ninja world is showing signs of great change. If the Hyuga remain stuck in outdated traditions, we'll end up like the Uchiha."
"Of all the ancient clans, only the Hyuga have yet to face such upheaval. If we don't reform, when the crisis comes, Clan Head, will you have the resolve to lead and protect your people?"
That final question caught Hiashi off guard. His eyes met Neji's, squatting silently behind Kiyo. Whatever words he had in mind were now stuck in his throat. Even if he felt them, he couldn't say them in front of Neji.
The Main House was supposed to preserve the Byakugan, the branch family to protect the Main. But if he voiced that now, the branch families would lose all faith in him.
With Kiyo standing there like an uncut gem, if Hiashi couldn't act, he would surely disappoint them all.
Hiashi said nothing, but the First Elder couldn't hold back: "The Hyuga have lasted a thousand years because of our structure. If your reforms cause internal chaos or bloodline dilution, will you take responsibility?"
"I will."
Kiyo's voice was firm. "If something goes wrong, I, as the initiator, will take full responsibility—even with my life, I will correct it."
"Nonsense. When the time comes—"
"What would you do if you did become clan head, Kiyo?"
Hiashi cut off the First Elder, sensing Kiyo's determination. If the argument continued, today might become a replay of the Uchiha's fall.
Even though Kiyo promised Tsunade a bloodless revolution, nothing was ever that simple. At best, a few deaths might be unavoidable. Tsunade had already sent Kakashi's ANBU squad and Kimimaro's Root unit to monitor the Hyuga compound.
No matter what happened, the conflict must not spread to the village. If needed, the Fifth Hokage herself would intervene.
Calmly, Kiyo said, "Abolish secret technique restrictions. Any clan member with a Byakugan should be free to learn all of our taijutsu. Right now, we need strength—not hoarding techniques until we die. As for the outdated caste system between Main and Branch, I'll discuss that with the clan in time. And lastly... once our strength grows, I'll present the final reform."
Just abolishing secret techniques and the caste system was enough to shock everyone present. Even members of Kiyo's own faction hadn't expected this.
This wasn't just reform—it was complete reconstruction.
"Kiyo Hyuga, you—"
Swish.
Kiyo vanished in an instant. A heartbeat later, she stood behind the First and Second Elders, one icy palm on each of their necks.
"My tolerance for you has limits. I promised the Fifth Hokage a bloodless reform. But a few deaths that don't threaten the village? She won't mind."
"Remember this—ninjas ultimately rely on strength to convince others."
Blue chakra flared faintly in her palms. With minimal effort, she could snap their necks.
Trained as the Main House heir, Kiyo had always been assertive. She believed true succession came only with power. But after the incident with Hyuga Mirai, she began to question the caste system dividing Main and Branch.
In her heart, she believed that without that division, her story with Mirai could have ended differently.
That belief sparked her drive to reform. And the changes in the ninja world only solidified her resolve.
If it was to be done, it would be done completely. No one would stand in her way.
That speed...
Hiashi and the branch members were stunned. Kiyo had moved faster than they could react. Those who had gone to war with her weren't surprised—they knew the strength of the Fourth Elder's line. In fact, many of them were excited.
If fighting broke out, they would join her.
More than just her own faction had activated the Byakugan. Members from the Third and First Elders' lines had as well. They weren't resisting—they looked ready to follow.
Some even reached into their ninja tool pouches, fingers grazing kunai or signal flares. It was as if a civil war might erupt at any second.
"Enough, Kiyo."
Hiashi's voice was firm. If he didn't act now, a bloodbath would unfold in his own home.
"I understand your resolve. And you have earned the clan's respect. But preserving the Hyuga legacy is also my duty. So let's settle this between us—one-on-one."
Hiashi's voice was solemn. "I don't want to see clan members turn on each other. The Hyuga must not fall into civil war. Let our battle end this dispute."
Kiyo slowly relaxed her palm. A branch member quietly pulled his hand back from his pouch.
"Clan Uncle Hiashi, you mean... a duel between us?"
"That's right. Strength is also a measure of leadership. This will keep the conflict contained. I'll formally announce it to the clan. What do you say?"
With a serious tone, Hiashi awaited her answer.
"It's a bit childish... but I accept," Kiyo said, standing up from between the elders. "Since you haven't fought in years, and while you are experienced in Gentle Fist, this might seem unfair. So how about this—"
"You and the First and Second Elders, together. If I even appear to lose, I'll accept being made a Branch member—or die for the clan, as you wish."
As she spoke, Kiyo rolled up her training clothes and slowly unwrapped a bandage, revealing a pair of metallic wrist weights.
At a glance, each was several millimeters thick. The metal wasn't clearly iron or steel. When Kiyo removed them and dropped them to the floor—
Boom!
Crack!
The wooden floor splintered. The impact left a hole, and cracks radiated outward.
The Hyuga weren't short on money. The flooring in Hiashi's home was the best in the Land of Fire. Yet a single weight from Kiyo crushed it like paper. Judging by the sound, each wristband must weigh hundreds of pounds.
These were specially made by a master from the Land of Crafts, commissioned by Zosuke Hyuga. After learning that Hyuga Mirai had once trained using weights, Kiyo adopted the method herself.
"It's decided then. Third Elder—what about you?"
Kiyo rewrapped her arms and turned to the Third Elder.
He was one of the few non-ambitious Main House members, though still a staunch traditionalist. But if he joined the fight, Kiyo would still be confident.
"Ahem... I haven't fought in years. I don't think I'm suitable for this."
The Third Elder coughed awkwardly. He truly hadn't fought in a long time, managing clan affairs instead. If he went up, he might not make it back down alive.
Hiashi spoke. "Two hours from now. First training ground inside the clan compound."
"As you say, Clan Head."
Kiyo turned to leave. Neji and many branch family members stood and followed—not just from her own line, but from several others.
"How dare she... How dare she!! Clan Head, we should—"
"Enough, Second Elder. Use your Byakugan and look around."
Hiashi sighed, cutting off the Second Elder's futile rant. If he hadn't defused the situation earlier, it would've spiraled out of control.
"When did this happen...?"
The Second Elder activated his Byakugan—and saw the compound was already surrounded by branch family members in full shinobi gear, ready for battle.
If Hiashi hadn't acted...
"Go prepare, First and Second Elders," Hiashi said before returning inside. He needed to make arrangements for his family.
After he left, the Third Elder stepped forward and lifted one of the dropped wristbands. His hand sank slightly under its weight.
"It's a mix of leadstone and thunderstone," he muttered. "At least five hundred pounds."
Wearing those weights, and with all her war experience, Kiyo Hyuga's strength may have already surpassed anything they had imagined.
(End of Chapter)