Hyūga Kuanren's words made Kagami pause.
He turned and answered calmly,
"Kuanren-sama, Lord Hiashi and Lord Hizashi are aware that I came to see Yuan."
Kuanren's expression stiffened slightly.
"Since you've seen him, you may return now."
His gaze shifted to Uchiha Yuan, a provocative smile forming.
The meaning was obvious.
I may not be able to defeat you… but I can still make things unpleasant for you.
He had no leverage against Yuan.
But he could control Kagami.
If Yuan interfered, Kuanren could easily claim he was disciplining a Branch House member—an internal Hyūga matter.
Clan affairs were beyond even the village's interference.
And Yuan, as an outsider, would have no standing at all.
Yuan understood this instantly.
He remained silent, meeting Kuanren's gaze with icy indifference.
He knew Kuanren wanted him to intervene.
Once he did, the matter would escalate into a clash between two great clans.
Even if Hiashi and Hizashi knew the truth, for the sake of Hyūga prestige they would have to express public outrage.
A trivial matter would spiral into a Hyūga–Uchiha dispute.
In truth—
Yuan did not fear that outcome.
The Uchiha clan would likely praise him for humiliating the Hyūga.
The village would scold him, yes—but he had already struck Danzō.
What difference would that make?
And for the village, discord between the Hyūga and Uchiha was hardly undesirable.
Still—
Yuan restrained himself.
Because of Kagami.
If he caused the Hyūga to lose face, Kagami would bear the consequences.
Within the rigid Hyūga hierarchy, a Branch House member blamed for disgracing the clan could face severe punishment—
Even death.
Kagami spoke steadily.
"Kuanren-sama, Yuan is my closest friend. He leaves the village soon. I wish to bid him farewell properly."
Kuanren scoffed.
"To avoid suspicion upon the clan, I order you as a Main House member—step back. Immediately."
Kagami held his gaze.
The hesitation faded from his face.
"I do not believe speaking with Yuan will cause the village to suspect the Hyūga."
He added quietly,
"I am but an insignificant Branch House member."
"Hmph. At least you know your place."
Kuanren's expression hardened.
"And yet you dare question my command?"
Veins bulged around his eyes.
His hands formed seals.
The Caged Bird Seal activated.
Kagami collapsed to his knees instantly, clutching his head, screaming in agony.
His face twisted in unbearable pain.
Yuan's restraint shattered.
He lunged toward Kuanren—
But three Branch House bodyguards appeared instantly before him, palms striking in unison.
Their coordination was seamless.
Six palms formed an impenetrable net.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yuan's outstretched hand was halted.
"Hmph."
His fingers shifted into a sword-like gesture.
Lightning-fast, he tapped each guard's wrist.
Numbness exploded through their arms.
Their formation broke.
Yuan flicked his finger—
A burst of force struck Kuanren.
Kuanren stiffened in shock.
His chakra scattered violently.
The Caged Bird Seal deactivated.
Kagami's screams ceased.
He collapsed forward, drenched in sweat, gasping as though dragged from drowning.
Kuanren stared at Yuan in disbelief.
Then fury surged.
"Hyūga Kagami! Did you teach our Gentle Fist to an outsider?!"
To the Hyūga, point-sealing techniques were synonymous with Gentle Fist and Byakugan mastery.
Seeing his chakra disrupted, Kuanren assumed betrayal.
Yuan laughed coldly.
"Hyūga Kuanren, point-sealing is not exclusive to the Hyūga."
"This is my own creation—the Meridian-Severing Technique."
Kuanren snapped back,
"Uchiha Yuan! Are you interfering in the Hyūga's discipline of its Branch House?"
"I have no interest in your internal matters," Yuan replied sharply.
"But I will not stand by while you brutalize Kagami."
A violent aura erupted from him.
The air grew heavy.
Hyūga members felt a suffocating pressure.
Kuanren's face paled.
He had momentarily forgotten—
The man before him was known throughout the shinobi world as Konoha's Ferocious Tiger.
"Yuan… withdraw your killing intent."
Kagami's weak voice cut through the tension.
He rose slowly, still trembling.
Yuan's aura bursting forth at the Hyūga gates could easily be interpreted as provocation.
Yuan's gaze softened slightly.
But the storm had already begun to gather.
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