Anyway, return to Konoha was quick. Seijuro would show the information to Sakumo before saying,
"This is what we have found."
As Sakumo read the mission report, his brow would furrow. To think that Danzo was this...
He would 100% have to call a clan meeting with every clan in the village. Ah, this was proving very tiring—and the two elders would definitely get stripped of any kind of power they had left, since this info clearly incriminated them too.
So yeah.
"Amazing job as always, Fox," the Kage would say, to which Seijuro nodded.
"Your payment has been deposited into your bank account. Come back in a few weeks—I'll need your help for something," the man said calmly.
Seijuro nodded. It 100% had to do with the Hyūga seals.
Oh well. None of his business—for now.
Checking how much he was paid... like 10 million ryō. How nice. As if that would actually make a dent in his bank account. Though, he could use some of that money for his sensei.
Hm, there was some of that good wine going around—apparently, it was like a hundred years old. Though, Seijuro could make better. Take some regular wine, summon the Reaper, and have like 300 bodies lined up. Each body counted as a year.
Yes, this was the technique his clone had used to gain the Rinnegan. With 40 bodies, he sped up the process of awakening it by 400 years. Though, if he found a way to refine said technique, he could have the wine age by the remaining lifespan of the person. So, if they had 60 years left, 60 years would be sped up for the wine instead. That way, he'd need to capture fewer people.
Mastering that technique sure would be a small pain in his behind—but he could do it.
Anyway, the wine was ass, in his opinion. But heh, he could still buy some and send it to her. 'Cause why not? She was practically married to booze at this point.
Didn't stop Jiraiya from trying some dumb shit. Oh well, he got beat.
Next up—if we ignored all the clan and politics stuff (that I will not be writing for reasons):
Time skip: 3 months later.
So... it's been a while. And while Sakumo had called him over to design some new seals, the Hyūga elders weren't on that type of timing, so that was a no.
Unfortunately, over the last three months, more and more Hyūga had been found dead—without their eyeballs. All of them... branch members. And all of their bodies in pristine condition. Their chakra was practically full—i.e., they didn't even get the chance to fight.
At the small dining table, Seijuro and Mikoto sat close—shoulders brushing, plates half-empty.
Mikoto placed a piece of fish into his bowl and smiled faintly.
"You've been quiet today."
Seijuro paused mid-bite. "Hmm. Just thinking."
Her eyes softened. "About the Hyūga, right?"
He gave a slow nod, chewing thoughtfully. "Hard not to. It's a mess."
Mikoto's gaze lingered on her bowl. "It's horrible... being hunted like that. For your own bloodline. Even kids. The branch family doesn't even get to choose." She looked up, worry in her eyes. "But now that the seal's been exposed, doesn't this mean... maybe they'll finally be free? Isn't that good?"
Seijuro's expression didn't shift immediately. He swallowed, then exhaled deeply.
"It should be good," he said quietly. "But it's not that simple."
Mikoto tilted her head. "Why not?"
Seijuro set his chopsticks down and leaned back slightly. His eyes wandered toward the window, where the sunset painted the sky orange and gold.
"The Hyūga seal isn't just about preventing eye theft. That's the surface reason. Beneath it... it's a political leash."
Mikoto blinked. "A leash?"
Seijuro nodded.
"The seal enforces obedience. The side branch members are born into servitude. They can't disobey orders. They can't rise above the main house. If they do, their minds can be paralyzed. Their eyes destroyed. Instantly."
She looked horrified.
"So... the main family can just do that?"
"They've always been able to. And they've used it," Seijuro said bluntly. "It's never talked about openly, but behind closed doors? That power is the backbone of Hyūga hierarchy. It keeps the side branch in line. Makes them... compliant."
Mikoto's voice trembled slightly. "But without the seal working like that anymore..."
Seijuro looked directly at her. "The main family loses their control. The hierarchy collapses. And without fear holding the system together, the side branch might push for equality. Or revenge."
She stared at him, quiet. Understanding reached her.
"So it's not just the seal being broken," she whispered. "It's their entire political structure."
He gave a slow nod. "Exactly. And that terrifies the elders. If they can't control the branch house, they might become the minority. They might lose power. Influence. Purpose."
Mikoto folded her hands in her lap.
"That's awful..."
Seijuro leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
"Now... they're faced with a problem. They either remove the control imbued into the seal..."
"...or watch their clan get hunted down."
A/N just as planned.
Probably fully eradicate anyone who share Danzo ideology next.