"How is my grandson?"
The Eighth Elder of the Hyuga clan looked anxiously at the medical ninja treating Hyuga Sosuke.
He hadn't dared to wake his grandson for all this time.
Using his Byakugan to see inside, he noticed damage in Sosuke's chakra pathways—injuries that ran from the inside out. Even healing techniques had no clear way to fix them.
"It's quite complicated," the medical ninja explained while gently applying yang chakra to warm Sosuke's body.
"Sosuke-sama's injuries are very severe. The culprit not only severed his arm but also damaged the internal Chakra Pathway. Full recovery will take at least six months, possibly even a year."
There was no denying it—
Had the Hyuga clan made a serious enemy this time, to be attacked so viciously?
"Damn it!" The Eighth Elder snorted coldly, his face filled with anger.
In his heart, he was already imagining tearing Hyuga Neji apart.
Damn that slave from the branch family, daring to harm their lord like this. Ten branch family members could never match one main family member.
Hyuga Neji must pay!
"Why is Sosuke still unconscious? Why hasn't he woken up yet?" Sosuke's mother looked at her son, still in a deep coma, worry etched on her face.
Though she hated Neji as well, her most pressing concern now was when her son would regain consciousness.
The medical ninja examined him again before speaking.
"He may have fallen into a coma because of extreme pain, which has also affected his mind. I suggest keeping him unconscious for now. Forcing him awake could damage his soul."
The medical ninja answered the group's questions carefully, though he couldn't hide his own feelings.
It was clear this man hated Hyūga Sōsuke with all his heart.
"Damn it. How much pain did Sōsuke suffer back then? That damn culprit!" Hyūga Sōsuke's father slammed his fist against the wall, barely able to contain his rage.
His poor Sōsuke... what kind of torment did he endure to end up like this?
It was all because of that Hyūga Neji. He deserved to die—no, he had to die!
If it weren't for Hyūga Hiashi being here, he would have already stormed into Neji's home and killed the entire family. No, he'd make sure they lived a fate worse than death.
Even Neji's mother, for failing to discipline her son and not making him recognize his true place, would pay the price.
But—
Though they were furious over the pain their son suffered, the torment Neji endured from "caged bird seal" was far worse than any physical pain.
And none of the main family had truly experienced that kind of soul-crushing agony.
Eighth Elder, without holding back, glared at Hyūga Hiashi and growled, "Hiashi, will you keep protecting that brat Neji? He was so cruel to his own clan. He can't be spared anymore!"
Hearing about his grandson's suffering, the Eighth Elder's anger was uncontrollable.
"Eighth Elder, please don't be rash. Besides, Sōsuke is still unconscious, and we can't be certain Neji caused his injury. There may be others involved," Hyūga Hiashi replied firmly.
"Moreover, even if Neji did do it, the fault isn't his alone. The branch family members aren't slaves to the main family."
"Is this what the clan leader thinks? Does he want to see our main family members bullied?" Eighth Elder sneered angrily. He looked at Hyuga Hiashi and said, "If everyone were like Hyuga Neji, then where would the dignity of our clan be?"
"If even the branch family members can bully the main family, how can the Hyuga clan still intimidate outsiders?"
His words were passionate and resolute.
Yet, no matter how much he said it, how could those useless main family members like Hyuga Sosuke possibly intimidate outsiders?
In truth, it was the branch family members—those fearless warriors willing to die—that upheld the honor of the Hyuga clan.
They—
Were just useless brats living under the protection of the branch family.
"Clan leader, Hyuga Neji must be punished!"
"Hyuga Neji must be punished!"
"Clan leader!"
"Clan leader."
The Hyuga main family began pressuring the leader, demanding justice for their rights.
No matter what, being bullied by the branch family was absolutely unacceptable.
Some branch family members who had come to the scene lowered their heads silently.
Although they felt a strange satisfaction seeing Sosuke's miserable state, they dared not argue against the main family.
To openly oppose them would surely bring the wrath of the Hyuga clan.
Hinata's small hands gripped Hyuga Hiashi's tightly, full of nervous tension.
She worried about Neji, but with the elders discussing matters, there was no chance for her to speak up. More than that… she silently wished her father would refuse these unreasonable demands.
Now she wanted to hurry and notify Neji, telling him to quickly go hide!
Otherwise,
Brother Neji might be in danger!
Under the attention of the clan members, Hiashi Hyuga's expression suddenly grew serious. In a deep voice, he said, "Don't talk about this matter for now. We'll deal with everything after Sōsuke wakes up."
In the end, Hiashi Hyuga still compromised. After all, he was a member of the main family and had to consider the clan's interests.
What they could do now was to buy time — let Neji go out for some training. Once this matter died down, he would allow Neji to return.
By then, he could find a way to clear Neji's name, and at worst, Neji would face only some punishment.
But right now,
If they let the main family members confront Neji recklessly, those furious clan members might end up in serious trouble — even risking their lives.
"Clan Leader, you're clearly taking sides…" Eighth Elder glared angrily. In his eyes, Hiashi was openly favoring Neji from the branch family.
"Enough. It's settled. We will handle this once Sōsuke wakes up!" Hiashi looked at everyone with determination in his eyes. "For now, none of you may lay a hand on Neji!"
"Hiashi… you…" Eighth Elder stared at the clan leader, unable to believe that Hiashi would make such a decision — siding with someone from the branch family!
"It's settled then. We wait until Sōsuke wakes up," Hiashi said slowly under everyone's watchful eyes. "Disperse. Eighth Elder, take Sōsuke to get treated."
Though the Eighth Elder and the others were dissatisfied, under Hiashi's authority, they had no choice but to gradually disperse.
Hiashi began to leave as well, heading toward Neji's home. Hinata hesitated for a moment, then quietly followed.
On the other side of the village!
Genya's pupils gradually returned to their original shape as he slowly stood up. "Let's go."
From what he observed just now, Neji was clearly not in any life-threatening condition. He would let Neji handle things on his own.
In fact, Neji had carried a sense of inferiority ever since joining him.
Genya never bothered himself with certain matters and always gave Neji enough respect.
But if Neji ever faced something he couldn't solve, then Genya wouldn't hesitate to be harsh.
"Genya-sama," Hikari quickly followed behind.
As they passed by the Uchiha hospital, Genya suddenly stopped and looked back at Hikari.
"Hikari, you told me some time ago that the Shikotsumyaku cell serum has already been successfully refined?"
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