Not long after Aoran left, Hizashi also departed from the training grounds.
This was the first time he had shown his face for this matter; from now on, it would be up to these "uncles" to handle it themselves.
Hizashi had just reached his front door and hadn't stepped inside when he heard someone call him from behind.
It was a member of the Main Family who shared the same face as Hideaki: Hyūga Shūto.
"Lord Hizashi, the Clan Head wishes to see you."
Although Hizashi enjoyed high prestige among the Branch Family, Shuto clearly felt his status as a Main Family Disciple was superior.
When speaking to Hizashi, he showed no respect.
After delivering the message, he didn't wait for Hizashi to respond and simply walked away.
Hizashi didn't mind Shuto's behavior, as most Main Family Disciples acted this way.
He at least had the status of the Clan Head's younger brother, which made things slightly better; if it were any other Branch Family member, the attitude would have been worse.
Hizashi glanced in the direction Aoran had departed.
[As expected, they came to inquire.]
...Hizashi stepped into the Main Family Courtyard. The flagstone path, smooth as a mirror, stretched beneath his feet. On either side were meticulously pruned pines and cypresses, and the air was filled with a palpable sense of settled majesty and subtle ancient charm.
The ubiquitous Family Crests and stone lanterns marked by the passage of time constantly reminded people of the weight of lineage inheritance and the strict order maintained here.
Compared to the Branch Family side, the Main Family's layout appeared very somber, instinctively making anyone who entered feel oppressed.
Besides the arrangement of houses, the low number of people on the Main Family side was also a very important factor.
A thousand years ago, although the Main Family had fewer members than the Branch Family, the difference in numbers wasn't significant.
The relationship between the Main Family and the Branch Family wasn't so tense either.
Later, the Main Family gradually evolved so that each line had only one Main Family Successor, while all other descendants became Branch Family members.
The Main Family gradually became fearful of death, especially after one member had an eye gouged out on the battlefield during the Second Great Ninja War; since then, the Main Family never went to war again.
They gradually became parasites that sucked the life out of the Branch Family.
Currently, the Main Family has a total of forty-three members, while the Branch Family numbers over seven hundred.
However, life for the Branch Family was not easy, as the Main Family's various tactics had divided the Branch Family into several factions.
Some hated the Main Family, some were subservient to them, and others were simply indifferent.
Although the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan and the Sharingan were equally renowned, the Hyuga's Byakugan leaned toward utility and had limited potential.
The Branch Family was also imprisoned by the Caged Bird Seal. Hizashi had considered a way out for the Branch Family, but sadly, he couldn't find one.
After various thoughts spun through Hizashi's mind, he entered the Main Family's compound.
"Lord Hizashi, please wait a moment while we go and announce your arrival."
Hizashi, who had reached the doorway, stopped at the sound of the Guard's voice.
He nodded slightly, showing no displeasure.
Although Hiashi was his older brother, they had long since lost any semblance of brotherly affection.
In recent years, Hiashi had used every occasion to display the dignity and authority of the Main Family.
"Lord Hizashi, please follow me."
After the Guard announced him, he came out and led Hizashi inside.
Soon, Hizashi saw Hiashi sitting formally inside the room, accompanied by the Great Elder beside him.
"Clan Head, Great Elder."
After bowing, Hizashi stood below them.
Hiashi glanced at the Great Elder, and seeing that the Great Elder had no intention of speaking, he turned to Hizashi and asked:
"Why did you take Aoran under your wing? Has his sanity recovered?"
Evidently, Hizashi's unusual actions had become known to the Main Family.
Given the sensitivity of Aoran's identity, Hiashi immediately inquired about it.
Hizashi had clearly prepared his response in advance.
He replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "After Masahiko died in battle, Aoran fainted due to the immense shock."
"But after he was sent home, he was kidnapped by Konoha personnel and placed among the Living Experimental Subjects intended for Orochimaru."
...A look of surprise flashed in Hiashi's eyes, and the Great Elder beside him also raised his head.
"Continue."
"Yes."
Hiashi and the Great Elder naturally knew about Orochimaru being forced out of Konoha, but they were unaware that Aoran was among the "subjects" Konoha intended to use to frame Orochimaru.
"...Aoran recovered his sanity due to the stimulation, and Orochimaru discovered his identity, thus abandoning the use of those Disposable Materials."
"And by this, he saw Konoha's true colors and subsequently left Konoha."
At that time, Aoran had just transmigrated. After realizing his predicament, he used his eloquence to persuade Orochimaru and traded some intelligence for certain items.
Hizashi knew about these events, which was why he favored Aoran's mature mind.
"Furthermore, Konoha disregarded the interests of the Hyuga this time by directly Negotiating Peace with Kumogakure. I worry that Konoha will try to weaken the Hyuga in the future."
"I keep Aoran by my side, firstly, because he is a Key Witness to this incident, and secondly, so that he can serve as a bridge for communication between us and the Uchiha in the future."
Upon hearing this, the Great Elder couldn't help but nod slightly, appearing quite satisfied with the Branch Family's actions.
Hiashi, however, let out a cold snort: "Why didn't you inform me about such a major matter?"
Hizashi gave a wry smile: "Aoran possesses the bloodlines of both the Uchiha and the Hyuga."
"The relationship between the Uchiha and the village is already tense. If they use Aoran as an excuse to start a feud with the village, the Hyuga Clan will immediately be pushed onto the Uchiha's side."
This made a lot of sense. If the Uchiha held Konoha accountable for this, and Aoran was provided by the Hyuga, the Hyuga would naturally fall out with Konoha and be forced to ally with the Uchiha.
This ran contrary to the Hyuga Clan's long-standing Non-Intervention Policy.
"Furthermore, we don't know how Orochimaru might retaliate. Whether Aoran being here is a blessing or a curse remains uncertain."
"I intended to wait and observe before making a final decision."
"It was only when the Ino–Shika–Chō protected Orochimaru's people that I decided to keep Aoran."
Hiashi's expression softened slightly after hearing this: "Now that Aoran has recovered his sanity, how is his talent? Can he awaken the Sharingan?"
Hizashi seemed momentarily stunned, then said helplessly, "He's only 13 years old; it's impossible to tell if he can awaken the Sharingan yet."
Hiashi nodded. Although the Uchiha had Shisui, a genius who awakened the Three Tomoe at 13, most other people didn't awaken their eyes so early.
The Great Elder's thoughts were different; his concern was solely Aoran himself: "What is Aoran's attitude toward the Hyuga Clan?"
Hizashi showed a smile:
"Today, I have already introduced all of Masahiko's friends to him, specifically to deepen his bond with the Hyuga family."
The Great Elder nodded in great satisfaction: "Good. Your actions this time are excellent. You may leave now."
"Yes, Great Elder." Hizashi knew the matter was settled for today. After bowing, he withdrew.
Only after he left did Hiashi speak:
"Hiruzen Sarutobi actually wanted to drag both our clans into the mess just to deal with Orochimaru."
"Should we perhaps inform the Uchiha?"
The Great Elder slowly shook his head: "The timing is too sensitive right now. If we communicate too frequently with the Uchiha, it will trigger a strong backlash from the Third Hokage."
"Although he hasn't been able to interfere with our clan these past few years, we also haven't been able to reach the Konoha Leadership."
"We have no idea how much Hidden Power Hiruzen Sarutobi truly possesses."
"But judging by his actions against Orochimaru this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi has considerable ambition."
"After Aoran returned to the clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi has likely been waiting for us to react."
"It's highly possible he is waiting for us to contact the Uchiha right now."
"Orochimaru serves as a Warning."
Hiashi's face changed slightly: "He intends to make a move against the Hyuga Clan?"
A profound light flashed in the Great Elder's eyes:
"As long as we make no reaction, he won't find any excuse to deal with us."
"Doesn't Konoha want to negotiate peace with Kumogakure?"
"As long as the Hyuga Clan continues to maintain an attitude of resistance, Kumogakure will naturally make exorbitant demands."
"In any case, the ones who suffer the loss won't be the Hyuga."
"The Branch Family has lost so many people over the years, and their resentment is huge. We must set an example so that the Branch Family's grievances are shifted onto the Third Hokage."
"This makes it easier to manage the Troublemakers in the Branch Family."
"The foundation of the Hyuga Clan's existence is our control over the Branch Family; everything else is secondary."
Thinking of the Branch Family's reaction when the peace negotiation news arrived, Hiashi nodded in deep agreement.
"I understand, Great Elder."
...