"Hurry up!"
Uchiha Fugaku urged in a low voice, his tone filled with urgency.
"Pack quickly! We're moving back to the old clan grounds. Get rid of anything useless, and don't dawdle!"
"We're running out of ink!"
"This is an order personally approved by the Fourth Hokage! We can finally return to our ancestral land!"
On this day, the Uchiha clan grounds were bustling with activity. Everyone in the clan was happily packing their belongings. As soon as Uchiha Fugaku returned from the Hokage Building, he immediately called a clan meeting.
This clan meeting was free of any rebellious arguments, consisting only of clear instructions issued by the clan leader.
Fugaku informed the clan members of several decisions announced by Aoki, including the news of moving back to their original clan grounds. Upon hearing this, all the clan elders immediately abandoned any thoughts of opposition and instead cooperated fully—even if they had concerns in their hearts, they understood the benefits of joining the Konoha Military Police Force. This was an opportunity to completely change Konoha's perception of the Uchiha clan.
While the entire clan was busy preparing for the move, a small group of dissatisfied clan members quietly gathered. Pairs of crimson Sharingan eyes coldly observed everything, and the complaints and grievances of this group were heard and recorded in full by those lurking in the shadows.
Uchiha Fugaku watched this scene, his brows instantly furrowing, and his earlier good mood vanished completely.
He snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain, and his determination to protect the current situation of the Uchiha clan grew even stronger. He quickly walked over to the clan member responsible for assigning tasks and said in a low voice, "Pass on my orders."
"Clan leader!" the clan member immediately bowed in response.
"Notify Uchiha Inabi and the others," Fugaku's voice was icy, "that the border mines belonging to our clan within the Land of Fire have been attacked. Have them lead a team to deal with it."
The clan member who received the task didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a routine mission to protect the clan's assets, and quickly relayed the order to Uchiha Inabi and the others. This group immediately packed their belongings, gathered sufficient supplies, and set off in haste.
As proud Uchiha, they would never allow anyone to covet the clan's interests. Little did they know that once they left, they would never return.
The Uchiha clan's grand relocation movement caught the attention of the other clans in Konoha. The major noble clans discussed it among themselves, speculating on how the Uchiha clan could return to their original grounds and pondering the Hokage's intentions.
Among them was Konoha's old and powerful clan—the Hyuga clan.
Hyuga Hizashi advised, "Brother, we must visit the Fourth Hokage as soon as possible. The fates of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans are right before our eyes. This Fourth Hokage's methods of wielding power are even more forceful than the Third's. We must show goodwill early on."
Hyuga Hiashi, the leader of the Hyuga clan, frowned as he pondered his brother's words. The Hyuga clan had always remained neutral, never taking sides no matter who ascended to the position of Hokage. They contributed when needed and provided supplies when required, never involving themselves in factional struggles. However, the current situation left him no room for hesitation.
Seeing Hyuga Hiashi hesitate, Hyuga Hizashi grew anxious in his heart. He understood that encountering a Hokage as assertive as Aoki might be the perfect opportunity to change the unjust main and branch family system of the Hyuga clan, and a glimmer of hope ignited within him.
In truth, the Hyuga clan had always prided themselves on their substantial family wealth, not inferior to the Uchiha, yet their position in Konoha remained awkward. When Uchiha clansmen walked through the village wearing their clan emblem, even ordinary Konoha civilians would feel a sense of wariness. Yet, the young lady of the Hyuga clan could be bullied by ordinary children—this stark contrast spoke volumes about the disparity in the circumstances of the two clans.
Due to the actions of the Uchiha Clan, the other clans of Konoha also began to move. The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, as longstanding allies of the Hokage, were the first to go together to the Hokage's office to express their loyalty to Aoki. Following their lead, the various large and small clans of Konoha also followed suit, coming one after another to pledge their allegiance.
On this day, the two Hyuga brothers came to request an audience. Aoki got straight to the point without any pleasantries, asking directly, "Do you wish to change that ridiculous main and branch family system of the Hyuga clan?"
These words struck the brothers like thunder, leaving them both stunned, their eyes filled with shock yet also harboring an undeniable anticipation.
Hyuga Hiashi, as the clan head, bore the responsibility for the entire clan but had long been dissatisfied with this main and branch family system. As for Hyuga Hizashi, his heart surged with wild joy, feeling that this Hokage actually shared the same thoughts as he did.
"Hokage-sama, please guide us!" Hyuga Hiashi bowed respectfully, his attitude extremely reverent.
Aoki gave a slight nod, then turned to Sakumo Hatake beside him and said solemnly, "Today, White Fang will accompany you two to the Hyuga clan grounds to help you thoroughly resolve this issue of the main and branch families."
Speaking of the Caged Bird Curse Mark, a playful smile appeared on Aoki's face. "Only the Hyuga would do something so foolish as to cripple themselves. If not for this curse mark restraining them, the branch family would have rebelled long ago. This vast Hyuga clan is nothing but an empty shell."
He handed the choice back to Hyuga Hiashi. "How to decide is entirely up to you."
With that, Aoki lowered his head to deal with the documents in his hands, leaving Hyuga Hiashi standing there lost in thought.
After a long while, Hyuga Hiashi's gaze fell upon the Caged Bird Curse Mark on Hyuga Hizashi's forehead, and he had already made his decision.
"I understand! I will follow the Hokage's orders! White Fang-sama, please come with us to the Hyuga clan grounds!"
Hearing this, the corner of Aoki's mouth lifted in a satisfied smile—Hyuga Hiashi had chosen correctly.
Sakumo Hatake acknowledged the order and immediately followed the two Hyuga brothers, setting off toward the Hyuga clan grounds.
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Fugaku-sama requests an audience!"
At that moment, an Anbu messenger pushed open the door, breaking the quiet of the office.