Swish~~
In an instant, the entire Hyuga clan's council hall fell into a brief silence.
Then, almost everyone's gaze turned simultaneously toward Hyuga Aomatsu.
Those eyes carried a mix of emotions—curiosity, delight, scrutiny, condescension, and even blatant disgust and contempt.
The curious and delighted gazes naturally came from the branch family members.
In their eyes flickered a glimmer of hope, as if they had spotted a ray of light in the darkness.
Aomatsu's words ignited a long-lost anticipation in their hearts.
They wished what he said was true.
They longed for the "Caged Bird Seal" that had bound them for so many years to be lifted.
They yearned to finally break free from the chains of fate.
The proud and disdainful gazes, on the other hand, came from the main family.
They remained lofty, their eyes full of contempt for the branch family.
To them, the branch family were nothing more than subordinates of the main family, destined to live under the "Caged Bird Seal" curse forever.
Even with Aomatsu standing boldly and claiming he had freed himself from the curse, they maintained their arrogance, as if his words were nothing but futile struggles.
"Heh… then tell us, what price did you pay to temporarily break free from the 'Caged Bird Seal'?" the Great Elder spoke slowly, his voice deep and cold.
His expression was calm, as if he had seen through everything.
He was certain that whether it was Hyuga Neji or this suddenly appearing Aomatsu, breaking the seal, even temporarily, required an enormous sacrifice.
A sacrifice no ordinary clan member could bear.
The moment the Great Elder finished speaking, the atmosphere grew even heavier.
The scrutinizing gazes sharpened, as if trying to see right through Aomatsu.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for his answer.
Aomatsu straightened his back, his eyes firm and confident.
His gaze swept across everyone present, finally settling on the Great Elder.
There was a trace of melancholy in his tone, yet it carried unwavering certainty:
"This is the 'Lotus Mark' modified based on the 'Caged Bird Seal'. This Lotus Mark has no side effects. It can even absorb external chakra, nurture soul and eyes, and strengthen the Byakugan!"
His voice echoed through the hall, each word striking with weight.
In the eyes of the branch family members, a spark of hope ignited, while the faces of the main family grew even darker.
"Not only that!" Hyuga Aomatsu continued, his tone brimming with barely contained excitement.
"As everyone knows, our branch family members' Byakugan has always been incomplete due to the 'Caged Bird Seal'. But with this 'Lotus Curse Seal,' the flaw of the 'Caged Bird Seal' is completely eliminated!"
"Our Byakugan can now observe the world with a full 360-degree view, without any blind spots! Not only that, with this 'Lotus Curse Seal,' we might even surpass the main family's natural talent!"
His words hit the hall like a massive bomb, stirring up a wave of chaos.
The branch family members could no longer contain their excitement. They crowded around, voices overlapping as they asked eagerly:
"Aomatsu, is what you're saying true? Can we also break the 'Caged Bird Seal'?"
"Really? Who helped you change the seal?"
"We are all branch family members. Tell us who helped you modify the curse!"
"What method? Tell us quickly!"
The branch family members' eyes shone with longing. Their voices trembled, as if they were grasping at the last lifeline.
Those eyes, once drowned in numbness and despair, now glimmered with hope again.
However, at this thrilling moment, sudden cries of agony erupted among the branch family.
Panic spread instantly, and the crowd scattered. Three branch family members lay on the ground, clutching their heads, rolling in pain, their screams tearing through the hall.
It was then that the branch family members realized—they were still on the main family's territory.
The Hyuga clan remained firmly under the control of the main family elders.
Demanding the method to remove the 'Caged Bird Seal' in front of the main family elders was, without a doubt, a direct challenge to their authority.
"Your lives and those of your family are in the hands of the main family. The 'Caged Bird Seal' is an ancestral law of the Hyuga clan. No one is allowed to speak of removing it again, or the consequence will be the same as these people on the ground!" The great elder's voice was icy and commanding.
To give them a warning, the Great Elder pushed the 'Caged Bird Seal' to its absolute limit.
Within mere breaths, the three branch family members' souls were heavily damaged. They fell to the ground, convulsing, unable to stand again.
The remaining branch family members fell silent, lowering their heads, too afraid to even glance at the Great Elder.
The fear and helplessness in their eyes extinguished the flickering flame of hope they had just felt.
"Heh… what a load of ancestral nonsense! Your so-called traditions are nothing but a way to protect your own interests, afraid we might escape your control!"
Hyuga Aomatsu sneered, his voice filled with unrestrained anger and ridicule.
"This 'Lotus Seal' could make us stronger, yet you block us for your selfish gains. It's ridiculous! You people are the real pests of the Hyuga clan!"
His words struck like a sharp blade into the hearts of the main family elders. Their faces instantly turned grim, and a flicker of murderous intent crossed their eyes.
The Great Elder snorted coldly. "Do you even know what you're saying? Do you understand the consequences of challenging the authority of the main family?"
"Of course I do. Aren't you trying to kill me anyway?" Aomatsu met the Great Elder's gaze without fear, his eyes unwavering.
"But even so, I will bring you down. You parasites no longer deserve to lead the Hyuga clan. If you continue ruling, the clan is doomed to fall!"
"If that's the case… then it's better to overthrow you sooner rather than later!"
Originally, Aomatsu had only intended to take his family and leave this painful place behind, but witnessing the main family's actions had filled him with pure rage.
Damn it!
If he did not resist, the rest of the clan would have no hope at all!
Even as a branch family member, he had fire in his blood. "Then so be it. I, Hyuga Aomatsu, will tear apart this hypocritical Hyuga clan!"
"Hyuga Aomatsu!"
At that moment, the Eighth Elder, who had been confronting Neji, reacted. Hearing the familiar name, he turned to look.
He immediately recognized him as the subordinate he had sent with Hyuga Choryū to hunt Neji. But now, Aomatsu had returned—not only that, he bore the Lotus Seal!
If he's back, then what about his son, Hyuga Choryū?
Thinking this, the Eighth Elder swiftly appeared before Aomatsu, locking eyes with him. "Where's Choryū?"
****
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