The day after returning from Konoha Hospital, Hyuga Hiashi received a commendation order from the Hokage Building.
However, this commendation did not bring him the slightest comfort.
The handwriting on the letter was clear.
— In recognition of Jonin Hyuga Shinma's merits during the Bloody Night incident and his annual mission performance, he is hereby promoted by Hokage's order to a new branch of the Hyuga Main Family, his Hyuga Branch Family status is revoked, and his direct descendants are exempt from the Caged Bird Seal.
Almost the instant he saw this commendation order, Hyuga Hiashi's mind went blank for a moment, and his first reaction was not fear, but anger.
"How dare a mere Hyuga Shinma forge a Hokage's order?!"
"Hiashi-sama?"
The Anbu Ninja still standing before him frowned slightly, a small question mark appearing on his forehead, and reminded him coldly.
He was still here, after all.
"..."
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly realized, subconsciously looked up at the other party, the letter in his hand crumpled into a ball, but cold sweat broke out on his palms and back.
Clan matters are handled by the clan.
This was an unwritten rule that Konoha's Shinobi Clans tacitly followed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also from the Sarutobi Clan, and Konoha had been established for over fifty years; no one had ever dared to interfere so openly in the internal affairs of a Ninja Clan, not even Senju Tobirama, who merely nibbled away at them in stages.
With his meager prestige, how dare he, and how could he do such a thing?
He had just shown him goodwill, hadn't he?
On what grounds, exactly?
Just because he led Konoha to victory in the Second and Third Ninja World Wars?
Because of his Sarutobi Clan's internal Ninja army?
Because of the internal prestige he gained from defeating the Uchiha Clan?
Because he and his old friends held the largest group of civilian Ninja in the Village?
Or because he was currently the highest combat power in this Village?!
What right did Hiruzen Sarutobi have to challenge the Hyuga like this, using their clan rules, which had been followed for hundreds of years, as a stepping stone to subjugate Ninja Clan forces?
At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi wanted to let out a long cry, roaring and slapping the Anbu Ninja who was coldly staring at him out the door, to let Hiruzen Sarutobi know that he, the Hyuga Clan Head, was not to be trifled with.
But in the end, after taking two deep breaths, a strained, pale smile appeared on Hyuga Hiashi's face:
"Third Hokage's commendation of Shinma is, of course, from an impartial heart."
"However, I wonder if you could convey to Third Hokage that this commendation, after all, involves the internal traditions of the Hyuga and is of great importance, requiring thorough discussion in a family meeting, and cannot be lightly granted for now..."
The Anbu Ninja opposite him maintained a calm demeanor: "Given the heavy losses suffered by Konoha in this incident, all parties mentioned in this commendation have already been listed on the Hokage Building's achievements board."
"Hiashi-sama."
"It is probably too late to request a change now."
Although he was explaining so carefully at this moment, the Anbu Ninja's gaze never left the crumpled commendation order in Hyuga Hiashi's hand, his sight subtly carrying a hint of sharpness.
The Hokage's orders cannot be defied.
No matter who the opponent is.
Under this gaze, Hyuga Hiashi gradually reined in his smile, and with heavy movements, accepted the commendation order.
"I understand."
The Anbu Ninja opposite him nodded slightly, and with a mere flicker, disappeared from his sight.
When Hyuga Hiashi looked up again, a fierce glint suddenly appeared in the center of his pure white pupils.
The thoughts that had been cast aside yesterday suddenly exploded in his mind.
The Uchiha's internal strife, the biggest beneficiary, Shisui and Root's alliance and betrayal... Countless thoughts flashed through his mind at this moment, but his heart grew heavier.
If this commendation order were to be implemented, would the future Hyuga Branch Family still obey the orders of the Main Family?
If there was an option to start a new branch and allow one's descendants to become Main Family members, who would refuse the olive branch offered by the Hokage?
The Hyuga Clan, originally the most solid fortress of Ninja Clan power, would inevitably collapse without a fight under this order.
This dangerous future left Hyuga Hiashi no choice but to be cautious.
"Someone!"
As these thoughts gradually clarified, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly raised his head, his voice stern.
"Present."
A Branch Family Guard flashed out from the doorway.
Hyuga Hiashi's tone was calm, yet increasingly heavy: "Summon Hyuga Shinma."
"I want to ask him properly..." Hyuga Hiashi's voice gradually became gritted, word by word, "What exactly is going on."
"Yes!"
The Branch Family Guard immediately bowed in response.
However, in a corner that Hyuga Hiashi, completely consumed by anger, did not notice.
The Branch Family Guard's gaze inadvertently swept over the commendation order.
His gaze was fervent... "Bang!"
Almost the instant Hyuga Hizashi appeared at the entrance of the Clan Head's courtyard, a dull thud of a table being struck came from inside the main hall.
A hint of disdain flickered in his eyes, but he still strode in, his face maintaining an expression of bewilderment.
As soon as he entered, he saw that the four Main Family Elders and Hyuga Hiashi were all present, sitting upright in the center of the main hall, with a crumpled envelope placed in the middle.
'It seems Kabuto-kun has succeeded.'
This thought flashed through Hyuga Hizashi's mind, and his steps quickened a bit.
"Hyuga Shinma—!"
He had just stepped into the main hall and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when the Great Elder on the right suddenly roared, glaring at him with wide, angry eyes:
"What exactly have you done?!"
Having been undercover within the Hyuga Clan for many years, Hyuga Hizashi was already accustomed to switching between two identities. Without the slightest hesitation, he knelt down, his voice carrying a clear hint of bewilderment:
"Great Elder, this is...?"
"You dare say you don't know?"
The Third Elder's voice was heavy, and he sternly reprimanded with a pained expression: "As the dignified head of the Branch Family, how dare you collude with outsiders to harm the clan? Is this how you fulfill your role as Clan Head?"
"Speak!"
"What conditions did you negotiate with Hiruzen Sarutobi on the night of the Bloody Night incident!"
In their view, if Hyuga Shinma had not already made promises to the Hokage Building, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's judgment, it would have been impossible for him to grant such a favor and interfere with the Hyuga Clan's succession issues.
For them, who held and only held Main Family status, this was a fatal blow!
Hyuga Shinma's expression grew more perplexed, but he still quickly said as instructed: "After the mission that night, Third Hokage only summoned me to discuss personal matters, mainly concerning family and life..."
"Shinma-kun."
Just as he was elaborating on the discussions that night, Hyuga Hiashi first frowned slightly, then his expression quickly softened:
"Before you is the commendation order issued by the Hokage Building."
"Its content is to promote you and your descendants to the Hyuga Main Family, exempting you from the Caged Bird Seal punishment."
"I hear it was even Lord Danzo Shimura himself who proposed this at the Hokage Building, which led to this order before you..."
Upon hearing this, Hyuga Shinma first froze, then a look of ecstasy suddenly bloomed on his face, which he then struggled to suppress. He immediately bowed deeply, not daring to look up.
"Thank you, Clan Head-sama!"
However, his heart was perfectly clear.
What Hokage Building order, what Danzo Shimura proposal.
If it weren't for Lord Aizen's planning and the early placement of Yakushi Kabuto as a spy in Root, how could Danzo Shimura, with his usual capabilities, have come up with such a drastic measure as the 'promotion order'?
However, from his current expression and his trembling movements, there was no sign of fakery.
Hyuga Hiashi, whose words had been interrupted, lowered his eyelids slightly, a hint of anger flashing, but he quickly suppressed it and continued:
"However, as the head of the Branch Family, you must also understand the clan's difficulties."
"If such chaotic orders become rampant, and the Hyuga Clan's Main and Branch Family tradition is broken, do you truly believe you can retain your current position as the head of the Branch Family?"
Hyuga Shinma was just a Branch Family member.
Moreover, he was a Branch Family member with whom he had little kinship.
Even when dealing with Hizashi back then, Hiashi was capable of decisively using the cursed seal torture due to a hint of killing intent from him. Now, suppressing an ordinary clan member, there was no sentimentality whatsoever.
Though still playing the good cop, his tone sounded cold to others.
One must know that not only were the Main Family Elders present, but also a group of Branch Family Guards outside the courtyard.
Listening to their Clan Head's words, which were rational to the point of being cold, everyone's hearts couldn't help but feel a chill.
Naturally, there was also a subtle sense of desolation.
Between the Branch Family and the Main Family, there was a vast difference, like that between a master and a servant.
And it was predetermined from the moment of birth.
"I am willing to relinquish my position as head of the Branch Family!"
As if unwilling to give up this slim hope, Hyuga Shinma's voice in the main hall almost carried a plea.
Despite being a top Jonin and the head of the Branch Family, he was now wagging his tail begging for mercy like a dog:
"As long as the Elders are willing to exempt my descendants from the Caged Bird Seal, whatever the outcome, Shinma is willing to accept it."
The meaning of this statement was already very clear.
He was willing to sacrifice his own life to secure the hope of his descendants becoming Main Family members.
As long as there was a glimmer of hope that would allow him to cross the divide between servant and master, even death, how terrifying could it be?
"Nonsense."
However, these words, which were utterly earnest, failed to stir the slightest ripple in the hearts of the five people in front.
Hyuga Hiashi also seemed to have finally lost interest in playing the good cop, his voice gradually growing colder:
"Shinma-kun."
"Please go to Third Hokage yourself and have this chaotic order revoked."
"Clan Head-sama!"
Hyuga Shinma suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief.
"Hmph!"
The Great Elder, who was most enraged, immediately joined two fingers and activated the Caged Bird Seal jutsu.
The next moment.
"Ah ah ah ah ah—!"
A piercing low growl suddenly echoed throughout the entire courtyard.
That almost wailing sound caused all the Branch Family members who heard it to involuntarily lower their heads, clenching their fists so tightly that their fingernails almost dug into their flesh.
Until the end, Hyuga Shinma, seemingly drained of all strength, knelt with difficulty, drenched in sweat.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at him coldly:
"Go, Shinma-kun."
"If you can't get it revoked, then you don't need to come back."
"..."
Hyuga Hizashi knelt on the ground, maintaining a posture of holding his head, but there was no ripple in his heart; instead, he found it somewhat amusing.
Look, Hyuga Clan.
This is our Hyuga... the Hyuga that belongs only to the Main Family.
But the more he thought so, the more genuine and sorrowful his feigned expression became.
He didn't know if it was for himself, or for this clan that was rotten to the core.
However, it didn't matter.
He tremblingly picked up the crumpled letter, and with difficult steps, walked out of the courtyard, passing by Branch Family Guards who, like him, were from the Branch Family.
His peripheral vision swept over the white pupils of the people around him, which were filled with a deep fire.
Lord Aizen once said.
Only the Hyuga themselves can burn down the entire Hyuga.
And what he could do was to be a torch, igniting an insignificant spark.
"Lord Shinma?"
A familiar child's voice sounded in his ear.
Hyuga Hizashi's body paused slightly, almost failing to maintain his weak steps, and he slowly turned his head.
What came into view was a boy with a bandaged forehead.
It was Hyuga Neji.
His hands were still stained with blood from his recent training.
However, the look in his eyes as he looked at him carried a hint of pity, as if they shared the same plight:
"Just punished...?"
The moment he saw Lord Shinma's back, Neji couldn't help but feel as if he was seeing his father, who had suffered the Caged Bird Seal in front of him years ago, whether it was an illusion or not.
Moreover, Lord Shinma, who had taken over as Clan Head in recent years, had not neglected to care for him due to his status and circumstances.
Thus, Neji almost naturally blurted out the question.
Hyuga Shinma looked at him, managed a smile, and his still warm large hand gently ruffled the boy's long hair:
"Don't worry, Neji."
"It's nothing."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Hyuga Neji couldn't help but lower his head, yet he clenched his fists tightly.
Hyuga Hizashi took in this scene completely, and the motivation in his heart grew even stronger.
Don't worry.
Soon, this family will be fine.
As long as... we completely excise these tumors that are clinging to our flesh and blood!
Hyuga Hizashi looked towards the distant mansion, his gaze growing firmer.