Hyuga Hiashi's tone was glacial.
There was no room left for discussion. He cut off all paths with a single statement.
Two choices.
Either they walked away, or he did.
With his strength, even if the Hyuga clan truly collapsed one day, he was confident he could still live well.
As Aya had once said: in the end, this world only bows to power.
And Hiashi had power. That alone kept him untouchable.
The main house elders, however, were dumbstruck.
Yes, Hiashi had other paths to take. But they? They had none!
What now?
Panic spread in their eyes. They had no intention of surrendering their authority, yet with Hiashi staring them down in disdain, they had no choice.
Reluctant, bitter, but helpless—they finally caved.
"Fine, I agree."
"I… have no objection. Let's leave it at that."
"I also approve."
…
One after another, the elders spoke.
They had no other option.
They might lord over the branch family, but against Hiashi's overwhelming strength, their posturing was meaningless.
And as beneficiaries of the current system, they also didn't want the clan to fall apart. So unwilling as they were, they chose compliance.
"Good." Hiashi's voice remained cold.
"In that case, go back. From now on, enjoy your lives. Clan affairs are no longer yours to meddle in."
"And one more thing."
"The elders who were gravely injured today—see them in the hospital. Hire the best medical-ninja available. The clan will cover the expenses."
No wasted words.
The decision had been made, and they had bowed their heads. There was no need to waste more of his time.
The main house elders' faces soured. They were stifled with anger.
But against Hiashi's dominance, they had no replacement, no choice.
Unless one day, a new powerhouse rose from their side.
But that was a fantasy.
Their lives had been too soft, too sheltered. True strength was forged in blood and fire. The main house had lived far too long in comfort—they had lost their edge.
Breeding a true powerhouse from them? Impossible.
And so, choking on their frustration, they gave Hiashi one last resentful glare, snorted coldly, and left.
Hizashi spoke up once they were gone:
"Branch family members, you should leave as well. Go to the hospital and focus on healing. The clan will cover the expenses."
He referred to the branch family's own treasury.
The Hyuga's finances were split—the main house and branch house did not truly share resources.
As head of the branch family, Hizashi had the right to allocate theirs.
The branch elders bowed in silence and departed.
Unlike the main house, the branch had no mind for politics. Bound by the Caged Bird Curse Seal, they only wished for one thing: to live quietly, without drawing the main house's ire.
That alone was enough.
Just then, a branch family member rushed in, dropped to one knee, and reported:
"Clan Head! Lord Hizashi!"
"The maid tasked with watching over Lord Hizashi's son reports—your child has gone missing!"
"She claims she only stepped away for the restroom. When she returned, the child was gone."
The man's voice trembled with fear.
This was no ordinary child. Hizashi was not just any branch member—he was the branch head, and his elder brother was the clan head.
For his child to vanish? A catastrophe.
Worse still, the boy had never been branded with the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Panic was inevitable.
Hizashi's brows furrowed. But in his heart—he exhaled with relief.
So it worked.
After a pause to think, he nodded slowly.
"I understand. You may withdraw."
"Yes, sir!"
The man did not linger. Whatever happened next was above his station. He had already washed his hands of it.
When the messenger left, Hizashi stood silent for a long while before finally speaking, his tone hesitant:
"Brother… about my son, Neji… I think perhaps…"
His mind raced, scrambling for a way to cover up.
But before he could invent an excuse, Hiashi cut him off.
"Enough, Hizashi."
"No outsiders are here. There's no need for us brothers to pretend."
"If I'm not mistaken, you deliberately let Neji go."
"Yesterday, Aya came to see you. I assume the two of you reached an agreement."
"Don't deny it—I don't care. I only want you to know one thing: Hizashi, you can trust me."
"As your brother, I would never harm you."
"The Hyuga have rotted this far. The main house is useless. And all of it—all of it—is because of the Caged Bird Curse Seal."
"I've long wanted to abolish it, but my hands were tied."
"Because of the Byakugan."
"If we remove the seal entirely, we cannot protect the Byakugan."
"Unlike the Uchiha's Sharingan, the Byakugan has immense strategic value in war. The Sharingan only becomes truly formidable at three tomoe, and the Mangekyō even more so—levels outsiders cannot steal."
"But the Byakugan? As long as someone has chakra and trains as a shinobi, they can awaken it with ease."
"Even a weakling, with a Byakugan, becomes a prize in enemy eyes."
"That is why the Sharingan needs no protection. But the Byakugan does."
Hiashi's gaze sharpened.
"I tell you this so you understand."
"Hizashi, be honest with me."
"If Neji's disappearance was your doing, I will treat it as though nothing happened. He is my nephew. I would never brand him with the seal. Let him grow up free, and with Uchiha protection, I can rest easy."
"But if not—"
His voice dropped, a blade of steel in the air.
"Then I will go straight to Sarutobi Hiruzen. I will take the Hyuga under the Hokage's wing."
"And Neji—no matter what—I will take him back."
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