"Eighth Elder, aren't you going too far? Neji is still one of the Branch Family. How could we ever raise our hand against him?"
At that moment, Hyūga Sanmei stepped forward, his tone heavy.
"Our enemy should be those who threaten the clan itself. I will not agree to this!"
As one of the leaders of the Branch Family, Sanmei felt he had no choice but to stand up, even at a time like this.
Ah—
But the moment his words fell, he clutched his head in agony and collapsed, rolling on the floor.
The unbearable pain of the Caged Bird Seal surged through him. He wasn't Neji, nor Neji's mother, who could resist it with sheer willpower.
"You have no right to defy my orders!" Eighth Elder's voice was sharp and unyielding as he looked down at Sanmei. "Besides, Hyūga Neji is no longer part of the clan!"
"Ah—!" Sanmei groaned, clutching his head, but his voice still held firm resolve. "Exiling someone should never be done this way! Even those of the Branch Family have their dignity!"
Despite the pain stabbing into his very soul, Sanmei forced himself to speak against the Eighth Elder.
"Hmph. Then enjoy the pain to its fullest." Eighth Elder snorted coldly, before his eyes swept over the others. "What about the rest of you? Do none of you wish to act?"
His gaze fell on the Branch Family shinobi, his words carrying the weight of a threat.
The Main Family members also turned their eyes toward them. If they refused to obey, then together, they would activate the Caged Bird on them all.
The Branch shinobi hesitated for a moment, then finally looked toward Neji. "Neji… we're sorry."
With Sanmei's fate as a warning before their eyes, they had no choice. Offering Neji an apologetic glance, they began to surround him.
"Hmph. You're all as disgraceful as ever." Neji's cold eyes swept over Eighth Elder and the Main Family disciples at the front.
"But even if it's the whole clan… I alone have the strength to face you all."
As his voice faded into a murmur, he stepped forward.
Chakra surged violently within his body, and his figure burst into a radiant blue glow.
A circle of the Eight Trigrams appeared beneath his feet, engulfing everyone inside it.
Those trapped within felt like mere ants caught in the pattern of the trigrams.
With the fusion of his body and chakra, combined with the Byakugan, Neji's strength had reached a new level.
Facing so many members of the branch families attacking him, he didn't panic in the slightest.
He almost had the entire situation under control.
"What… what is this?" one of the branch family members asked, curiosity and confusion in their voice as they looked around the Eight Trigrams.
"Isn't this just the domain of our Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms?" another replied.
"No way… our domain only covers about a meter around the body. How can this one engulf all of us?"
"Is it even possible to extend it this far?"
"Should we retreat?"
Hesitation filled the group. Shock and disbelief showed clearly in their eyes. Some wanted to escape, while others still wanted to attack.
"Eight Trigrams Palm!"
At Neji's command, countless palm marks appeared on each person.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each of them received a mark and was sent flying, spitting blood.
In just a few breaths, every branch family member present had been injured.
"What… what is this? How is he so strong?" the main family disciples thought, a chill running through their hearts at the sight.
This… this can't be possible!
Just a few breaths, and all of them were already injured?
Had the branch family members not tried their best?
No… that's not it.
In this area, the Eight Trigrams domain, they could all sense an overwhelming, terrifying danger. It was incredibly strong, and… if they were caught inside it, they probably wouldn't even be able to defend themselves!
"Damn it… how did Neji, this useless brat, get so strong?"
Hyuga Sosuke's hands clenched around his wheelchair, but his eyes were filled with a grim ferocity.
Neji's displayed strength had already exceeded their expectations—no, it had surpassed everyone's predictions. If Neji attacked them, could they even hold their ground?
The more they thought about it, the colder they felt.
Neji, free from the caged bird, was too strong.
"You useless brat… completely worthless!" The Eighth Elder looked at the fallen branch family members and cursed angrily.
It seemed Neji heard the elder's scolding. He slowly lifted his head and met the Eighth Elder's gaze. "Next, it's your turn!"
As he spoke, Neji stepped forward.
With that single step, the main family members began to retreat. Some even tried to use the Caged Bird Seal to urge the branch family behind them: "Damn it! Get up and attack! Stop him!"
But no matter how they used the Caged Bird, the branch family behind them just lay on the ground, completely still.
As if they were dead.
Even if they had the strength to fight, they remained motionless on the ground.
Attacking Neji now felt like forcing themselves against their conscience. With such a perfect opportunity, how could they not lie down? Besides, they truly couldn't beat Neji!
Neji was far too strong. Even if they charged at him, it would be like serving him a meal.
"Kill these main family members!"
Yet, some of those enduring the Caged Bird's torment had a flash of murderous intent in their eyes.
He hoped that Neji could kill the main family members of the Hyuga.
From that moment on… the branch family and the main family would be one. No, from now on, the Hyuga would have no main family distinction, and there would be no more caged birds.
"Fifth Elder, take the younger generation of the main family and leave first. I'll deal with this reckless boy myself," the Great Elder said, looking at the murderous Neji. He knew this battle was inevitable.
So, he wanted the next generation of the main family to leave first. If Neji went berserk and tried to kill the younger main family members, they wouldn't be able to stop him.
When the Fifth Elder heard this, he immediately signaled the younger main family disciples to retreat with him, leaving the rest behind to fight Neji alongside the Great Elder.
In the rush, they forgot Hyuga Sōsuke, who was sitting in his wheelchair.
Sōsuke called out anxiously, "Take me with you! Take me with you!"
Neji now hated him completely. If Neji wanted to kill him and his grandfather couldn't stop him, the result would be… gone.
"Don't worry. Not a single one of you will escape today!"
A playful glint flashed across Neji's fierce face. His chakra surged once more, and the Eight Trigrams beneath his feet shone brilliantly.
Another Eight Trigrams appeared above him, but this time, interwoven with blue energy.
The two trigrams rotated and mirrored each other.
The area around him became Neji's domain. From the Eight Trigrams, chains of bones spread out like steel whips with sharp blades.
The Eight Trigrams completely covered Neji's courtyard.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Anyone trying to escape Neji's Eight Trigrams was bound by the bone chains. If they were strong, multiple chains would attack, and occasionally, a powerful strike would slam down, sending them flying back.
For a moment, all the main family disciples who had come to attack Neji's mother were trapped within the Eight Trigrams, like caged beasts.
Such a commotion drew the attention of the entire Hidden Leaf Village and gripped the hearts of everyone who saw it.
****
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