Uchiha Madara's long-term manipulation of the Third Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village left an extremely deep impression on Uchiha Obito.
Even now, he still remembers the shock and anger he felt when he accidentally learned from White Zetsu that the Third Mizukage had been under the control of Uchiha Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan for his entire tenure.
From then on, he often thought about doing something similar himself.
His original target was Yagura, who had only recently taken office, but since Hyuga Hiashi had now walked right into the trap, it was better to strike while the iron was hot.
Watching Hyuga Hiashi's expression gradually change from disbelief to calmness and obedience, Uchiha Obito felt an indescribable sense of pleasure.
So, this is what it feels like to toy with someone in the palm of your hand?
"Lord Head!"
At this moment, guards from outside, having noticed the commotion, rushed into the Head's residence from all directions.
Uchiha Obito's expression tightened, and his figure quickly vanished into the dust.
Several Hyuga guards gathered in the courtyard, their faces filled with disbelief as they saw the dust on the Head's body and the huge crater on the ground.
Only a few short seconds had passed from the sound to their arrival.
Had the opponent already escaped from the Head's grasp?
This was the Hyuga Compound, right in the center of Konoha.
Who exactly was the enemy?
"It's nothing."
Facing the concern of the Branch Family Guards around him, Hyuga Hiashi spoke calmly, his gaze towards these Branch Family members even carrying a hint of vigilance, his tone cold:
"It was someone from the Branch Family extremist faction."
"They struck when I was unprepared and then immediately fled."
"Everyone present, do not leave for now. Immediately confirm each other's identities and remember names."
Hyuga Hiashi said, taking a deep breath, his gaze as sharp as a blade sweeping over everyone in front of him:
"The enemy might be among you."
"?!"
The surrounding Branch Family Guards were stunned by these words, then looked at their companions, their expressions unconsciously showing a hint of wariness.
Who would have thought that a routine mission could turn into such trouble?
However, they did not notice.
At this very moment, the look in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes was not suspicion of a potential enemy, but a deep, instinctive malice towards a certain type of person.
The Mangekyo hypnotic will planted by Uchiha Obito in Hyuga Hiashi had extremely magnified the malice in his heart towards the Hyuga Branch Family.
His figure hidden in the night, he silently watched the scene unfolding before him, his gaze cold, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.
Let them make a fuss.
The bigger the fuss, the better.
After all, everything is within my grasp.
Uchiha Obito was very confident... and reality unfolded exactly as Uchiha Obito had envisioned.
From the next day, Hyuga Hiashi, using the reason of preventing extremist attacks, began to live in seclusion, rarely appearing before his clansmen.
Immediately after, an unprecedented purge began within the Hyuga Compound.
First, several Hyuga Branch Family Guards were arrested for spreading rumors that the Head was under the influence of a powerful genjutsu, their crime being rebellion and betraying the clan.
A few days later, gatherings organized by several Branch Family members, for which no evidence of rebellion could be found, were also completely cleared out, and the organizers were likewise sentenced to death.
Subsequently, even private complaints were forbidden. Branch Family members serving as servants or attendants who were caught expressing dissatisfaction towards the Main Family would be immediately arrested.
Within the entire Hyuga Compound, there was an atmosphere of extreme paranoia.
Throughout this entire process, Hyuga Neji silently recorded everything.
After finding the correct path of resistance, under the high pressure within the compound, he seemed to have reined in his previous confrontational attitude. Only his communication with Anbu became increasingly close, and his training became even more diligent.
Because he was still under review, entry and exit from the compound were forbidden, so he naturally couldn't attend the Ninja Academy. His training during this period was confined to his home, giving him much more time.
Gradually, he developed the habit of writing a diary.
However, it wasn't for expressing his innermost thoughts, but rather more like a sporadic record of his daily life.
[October 3rd: Six executed, crime of clan betrayal]
[4th: Three executed, crimes of clan betrayal and seditious propaganda]
[5th: One executed, ten severely punished, crime of malicious public propaganda]
[6th:...]
As the diary filled with line after line of records, the atmosphere within the Hyuga Compound became increasingly harsh. There were only scattered pedestrians on the streets, and most people stayed with their families, only going out when absolutely necessary.
More and more bizarre crimes appeared in the diary.
Eventually, even speaking loudly at home could be deemed suspicious of clan betrayal. Those Branch Family members who worked in various service roles within the Main Family residences all took leave, and when they had to go to work, they tried to keep as much distance as possible from the Main Family members.
It must be said that, although its outline was unclear in daily life, when it truly needed to exert its power, the authority held by the Hyuga Main Family, which controlled the life and death of the entire clan through the Caged Bird Seal, was indeed terrifyingly vast.
This was evident from the increasingly close contact between Anbu and him in recent days.
But even living in such an atmosphere, Hyuga Neji felt a faint excitement in his heart.
Even children knew very well.
Within the limited population and area of the Hyuga Clan compound, this kind of high-pressure purge could absolutely not last long.
The longer it lasted, the clearer the suffering suppressed in the hearts of the Hyuga Branch Family members would become.
He was looking forward to the arrival of the final day... Clearly.
A truth that even a child could understand was naturally clear to many adults.
However, the Main Family Elders gathered at the Elder's home today all looked distressed.
"Great Elder."
"You have the highest seniority here; even Hiashi wouldn't dare to ignore you."
"This matter, it's best if you bring it up."
The Hyuga Great Elder, seated in the center, immediately bristled.
The position of Great Elder had been passed down for so many years, and this was the first time he felt this seat beneath him was so hot.
Yet, what they said was true.
Finally, the Great Elder sat dejectedly in his seat, letting out a long sigh:
"If this old man isn't mistaken..."
"The Head, indeed, fell under a genjutsu."
"Judging by the fluctuations of Chakra, it should be a very sophisticated Sharingan genjutsu."
Hearing this conclusion finally spoken, the Elders present immediately became indignant:
"I knew those red-eyed people had ill intentions! Look!"
"Exactly! As early as the day those few Branch Family Guards were executed, I noticed something was off with Lord Hiashi."
"What an incredible genjutsu, to be able to manipulate someone's mind to such an extent and maintain it for so long..."
The Main Family Elders chattered, but no one was willing to bring the topic to the point.
Finally, the Great Elder, clutching his temples, said impatiently: "Quickly decide, who will raise an objection to Third Hokage!"
"..."
Instantly, the entire main hall fell into an abrupt silence.
Everyone looked at each other, then down at the ants, but no one was willing to answer.
"Sigh."
The Great Elder let out a long sigh, but couldn't expel the frustration in his heart.
It was well known.
Just a few days ago, their clan had rejected Hiruzen Sarutobi's request, causing the Sandaime to lose significant face in front of many Shinobi Clans.
Less than half a month later, the Hyuga Head fell under a Mangekyo Dōjutsu.
If there weren't some hidden machinations, some collusion... was that even possible?
Wasn't this clearly a heavy counterattack from the Hokage Building against their Hyuga Clan?
To use genjutsu on the esteemed Head in the Hyuga Clan, where Byakugan were everywhere.
Who came up with such a malicious plan?
Too arrogant!
Could that monkey-faced junior, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also be under a Mangekyo genjutsu? And this kind of tit-for-tat doesn't seem like his usual way of doing things...
Everyone was at a loss.
But no matter the current situation, the problem was stuck here.
The Hyuga Clan was truly unwilling to deepen its conflict with the Hokage Building, and even less willing to be propped up by other Shinobi Clans to launch a desperate charge against the Hokage Building.
Others would benefit, while they would suffer; who couldn't see that?
Moreover, what if the Sandaime directly targeted them next time?
With the Head hypnotized and several Main Family members leaderless, this was even more true; there was no one who could hold things together.
Whatever the original purpose of the distinction between the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family, at least a thousand years later, under long-term protection and isolation, most Main Family members had become useless individuals who, apart from procreation, only knew how to eat, drink, and be merry.
They were all people who valued their own safety above anyone else's life.
Looking through the entire Main Family, only Hyuga Hiashi, the Head, seemed somewhat capable.
The Great Elder couldn't help but sigh deeply again.
Just as everyone was racking their brains for a plan, someone suddenly spoke:
"What if we send several Main Family heirs to jointly request an edict from Lord Daimyo...? How about that?"
Almost as soon as these words fell.
Everyone's gaze converged on the Fourth Elder.
"Hmm?!"