Chapter 191: Gekokujo
Everyone immediately gasped in shock. For a moment, complete silence reigned as they all stared foolishly at Neji surrounded in the middle.
Neji looked left and right, saying firmly:
"I know doing this will definitely kill many people, but this is the price we must pay."
"Gekokujo has never been easy. If unwilling to sacrifice, success will forever remain impossible. We'll remain oxen and horses for the Main House our entire lives—even our descendants will be dragged in."
Everyone exchanged glances, all taking deep breaths before nodding heavily.
"Neji, you're right. This sacrifice—we'll pay it!"
"Even if we all die on the charge forward, we're unwilling to continue being slaves for the Main House."
Neji nodded with satisfaction, explaining further:
"The Main House holds the Caged Bird curse seal. Once activated, we have absolutely no room to resist."
"But the curse seal activates one-on-one—it cannot simultaneously target large groups."
"This is our opportunity!"
"When we act, we charge together."
"The Main House has few numbers. Even simultaneously using the Caged Bird curse seal, they can't possibly strike down all of us."
"Other comrades shouldn't worry about those hurt by the Caged Bird curse seal—just focus on killing those Main House members."
"As long as the Main House dies, the Caged Bird curse seal naturally becomes ineffective."
"This is our foundation for success. We must take this risk."
"As long as we kill quickly, we'll definitely achieve final victory."
"Good! Let's do it!" Everyone rubbed their fists together excitedly, beginning to discuss specific details.
One person suddenly said: "But besides the Main House, there are also those Branch House members protecting the Main House!"
"They're not our people. Moreover, the Main House treats them much better than us. Pulling them to our side is nearly impossible."
"Then kill them!" Neji's face flashed with killing intent as he said decisively: "Those not our friends are our enemies!"
"Starting tonight, we not only assassinate Main House shinobi—even those lackeys close to the Main House cannot be spared."
"The more we kill now, the less pressure during the coup."
"I'll have White Zetsu accompany you. Do it cleanly—leave no traces."
White Zetsu surfaced from underground, waving at everyone. "When the time comes, just call me once. I'll naturally emerge to handle the aftermath."
After greeting them, he sank back down, giving numerous Branch House members more confidence in success.
Neji added:
"Additionally, on the coup day, I'll bring powerful forces to help us achieve our goal."
"Oh, enemies from outside the village—ah no, reinforcements from outside the village?" Everyone asked excitedly.
"You needn't ask about this. You'll know when the time comes." Neji waved his hand, unwilling to explain clearly.
These days, with consecutive successes, Neji's prestige grew heavier. Everyone trusted him greatly. Seeing his confidence, everyone stopped asking and continued discussing coup task assignments.
Until nightfall, everyone had to disperse and return home to rest.
The second day, another squad went missing within the clan grounds, making the Main House increasingly frantic.
"This time all missing are Branch House shinobi, proving the enemy doesn't only target our Main House but the entire Hyuga clan."
"Could it be that Uchiha Yasushi? But we have no grudge with him!"
"Not necessarily Uchiha Yasushi. Remember those mysterious shinobi who took Clan Head Hiashi and Miss Hanabi? I suspect it might be them!"
"But who exactly are those people? We have absolutely no clues!"
"That person also had Byakugan. Shouldn't they be our own?"
"Our own? Hmph, our own are more dangerous! Don't forget—the Tenseigan's synthesis materials are Byakugan!"
"Hiss..." Everyone gasped, looking at each other.
After a long while, someone asked: "Speaking of which, what's the situation with Lady Hinata?"
"We've already consumed so many Byakugan. Can we actually synthesize that so-called Tenseigan?"
Hearing this, Hyuga Hishi also frowned deeply, sighing:
"Lady Hinata's age is still too young. Though we can clearly feel eye power increasing, it still hasn't reached qualitative change."
"How much longer we must wait, I also don't know!"
"Perhaps the next moment will succeed. Perhaps we must wait another three to five months."
"We have absolutely no data in this area. How would we know exactly how much eye power is needed for qualitative change?"
While speaking, chaotic footsteps sounded outside. Someone knocked and reported:
"Lord Hishi, something happened with Lady Hinata! Her eyes seem to be 'awakening.'"
"What?!" Everyone first startled, then greatly rejoiced. Who had time to care about clansmen disappearing? They hastily swarmed from the room, running toward the clan head's residence.
After entering the main room, they saw a wide medical bed placed in the room's center. Medical equipment surrounded all four sides. Several medical shinobi were there recording data in detail.
The Hyuga clan's chakra was relatively inert. Besides taijutsu, they were mediocre in other aspects—very few could practice other jutsu concurrently.
So the Hyuga clan had few medical shinobi with generally low skill levels. These medical shinobi caring for Hinata were all borrowed from the village to help.
A pair of eyes comparable to the Rinnegan—the Tenseigan—was quite important to the village. The medical shinobi provided were all very excellent personnel.
Hinata lay in the medical bed's center, her body covered with various wires. Both arms were filled with IV drips containing various nutrients and other things even Hyuga Hishi couldn't understand.
After entering, Hyuga Hishi first hypocritically expressed concern for Hinata, then turned to ask the supervisor:
"Wasn't there no change previously?"
"How did awakening suddenly happen?"
"Are you certain this change is transforming in a good direction?"
The supervisor pointed to the side, introducing:
"Mainly because the war ended. The village assigned another highly skilled medical shinobi to help."
"This Yakushi Kabuto is the village's newly promoted special jonin with excellent accomplishments in both medical arts and taijutsu."
"After examining Lady Hinata's body, he provided a new medical plan."
"Under this new medical plan's effects, Lady Hinata's eye power absorption speed suddenly accelerated many times. She quickly reached today's qualitative change critical point."