Hiashi walked toward Hizashi with a heavy heart.
What Hizashi had done was utterly unforgivable, especially under pressure from the Main family to eliminate such internal betrayal.
As clan leader and head of the Main family, Hiashi had no choice but to act—even though Hizashi was his own younger brother.
Hiashi said solemnly, "Hizashi, why didn't you speak to me first? If you had told me, perhaps we wouldn't have come to this."
Hizashi gave a slight smile. "If I had spoken to you, would you have stood by me? No, you wouldn't. Knowing your nature, you'd have locked me away instead, because you are still a follower of these rules.
But starting today, you'll be the one with no choice left. A bird that has escaped the cage will never let itself be caged again, Brother!"
[Soft Fist stance]
Just a few more steps, and Hiashi could strike down Hizashi.
Hizashi himself stood there awaiting death.
In Hizashi's eyes, his fate had already been decided.
Yet just when they were within a single step of each other, figures flickered into view behind Hizashi.
Dozens of Branch family clansmen from the Hyuga clan appeared—and among them was Neji.
The Branch members had located Neji and informed him of what Hizashi intended to do. Neji immediately followed these clansmen back.
Furrowing his brows tightly, Hizashi scolded, "Didn't I tell you earlier to go fight our enemies? Why have you returned?"
One Branch family member replied firmly, "We couldn't do it! The head of our family is fighting for our future—we can't possibly abandon him!"
Another clan member declared decisively, "The Caged Bird seal binding us is gone. Since they insist on maintaining the division between Main and Branch families, why don't we simply split the Hyuga clan in two? Let them keep their outdated traditions by themselves!"
Others chimed in agreement, shouting, "That's right! We don't want to remain in this kind of Hyuga clan any longer!"
Neji looked serious as he spoke to Hizashi, "Before, I believed destiny could not be changed. But today, I want to stand alongside you and change it together, Father. I've always admired you deeply—please let me stand at your side!"
Hiashi's face darkened. "Are you planning to betray the Hyuga clan?"
"Don't put it so harshly. You forced us into this. We are also members of the Hyuga clan. To us, Hiashi, you are no longer our clan leader—your words mean nothing to us!"
"Head of the Family," another Branch member declared firmly, "this time we won't obey your orders. We won't retreat even a single step. They are not the ones we wish to protect—no longer our comrades. Anyone who tries to kill our leader is our enemy!"
All the Branch family members of the Hyuga clan removed their Forehead Protectors, and the Caged Bird Seals on their foreheads all vanished. They assumed battle stances, clearly ready to fight the Main family to the bitter end.
"You..."
Hizashi Hyuga couldn't say he wasn't moved, but he certainly didn't want to see a split happening either.
Neji assumed the Gentle Fist stance and said to Hizashi, "Father, this is our resolve. You've already done so much for us—now let it be our turn!"
Hiashi's face turned livid with rage, and he now felt somewhat at a loss as well, since everything had come so suddenly.
Moreover, the Main family had always been smaller in number than the Branch. Even though they had the secret techniques of the Gentle Fist, they lacked battle experience, and without that experience, they might not even be able to overpower the Branch family.
Without the Caged Bird Seal, they now had no other means to counteract the rebellious Branch members.
Hizashi looked toward Hiashi, then glanced at the Branch family members and Neji standing behind him. He made his decision and spoke out: "Hiashi, right now the Main family is at a disadvantage. Make your choice—should you insist on maintaining the current system between Main and Branch families, then from today onward, there will be two Hyuga clans in Konoha.
But if you promise to abolish these systems, then there will still be only one Hyuga clan. You will remain the clan leader, but from that point forward, there would no longer be any distinction between Main and Branch families—everyone would be equal as members of the Hyuga clan!"
"Hyuga Branch Head!"
The Hyuga Branch members wanted to persuade Hizashi further; they had intended this moment to separate from the current Hyuga clan entirely, forming a new one under Hizashi's leadership. Right now, they trusted none of Hiashi's Main family members at all.
Hizashi spoke solemnly, "I am not doing this to cause a split within the Hyuga clan! Although there are distinctions between the Main and Branch families, we are still one clan, still ninja of Konoha!
If you still recognize me as your clan leader, then listen to me! Our conflict lies solely in those unjust rules! If they agree to change them, there is no need for us to go our separate ways!"
Hiashi stared at Hizashi, cornered by the situation.
For Hiashi, Hizashi's two choices essentially amounted to just one.
Because if the Hyuga clan were to split, he himself would become the villain responsible.
Compared to the clan's systemic issues, such a division would be far more severe.
Hiashi let out a deep breath and said, "Clearly, this isn't the time to discuss such matters. Let's first get through the current crisis together, and deal with this issue afterward. How does that sound?"
Hizashi nodded. Indeed, now was not the time for debate—the Hidden Leaf was still caught in turmoil and they needed to join the battle immediately.
So Hizashi agreed, "Agreed."
A Hyuga Main Family member behind him said unwillingly, "Clan Leader..."
Hiashi Hyuga's voice was firm. "Face reality. The Hyuga clan absolutely must not split! As clan leader, I command all clansmen to reinforce the battle immediately!"
Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga each led their clansmen to reinforce the battle.
...
At Konoha, where Deva Path was stationed.
Jiraiya stared at Deva Path in disbelief. "You... could it really be...? Yahiko! So you're alive after all! But your appearance, and those eyes... what exactly happened?!"
Deva Path spoke expressionlessly, "Did you see a trace of Yahiko in me? No wonder you were his former teacher. But Yahiko has long been dead. The one standing here is Deva Path!"
Jiraiya anxiously questioned, "Answer me! What happened exactly? Why do you have Nagato's eyes? Where is Nagato?!"
"What difference would it make if you knew?"
[Universal Pull] sent a massive boulder hurtling toward Jiraiya.
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