Seeing that Hiashi Hyūga still seemed eager to speak, Satori Hyūga turned his gaze directly toward Ten'yō Hyūga, the clan leader of the Hyūga Clan.
In the end, the final decision naturally rested with Ten'yō.
Thinking about it, Satori's eyes slightly narrowed.
If Ten'yō was willing to cooperate, then everything would be fine. But if not, he would have no choice but to take other, less elegant measures.
Whether through forceful implementation or even splitting the Hyūga Clan apart, Satori had already promised Chonghuo and the others; he would see this matter through to the end.
If necessary, he would split off and form a new branch of the Hyūga Clan, leaving the stubborn old-timers behind while leading a faction out on his own.
Right now, money was something Satori had in abundance; arranging for several clansmen to settle down would be a breeze.
"Clan Leader, what do you think?"
"Shall we remove the 'Caged Bird Curse Seal' and grant freedom to the Branch House members, or shall they continue living like caged birds, trembling in fear within their cage?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, everyone present immediately shifted their gazes onto the clan leader, Ten'yō Hyūga.
Currently, the clan leader had yet to express his stance—the decision awaited his verdict.
Frowning deeply, Ten'yō glanced at the crowd, feeling as if he were being roasted alive over an open flame.
On one side lay the perfect opportunity to evolve the Byakugan into the Tenseigan—but that would require giving up the supreme authority held by the Main House.
On the other side lay maintaining the outdated and crumbling system.
These two choices left Ten'yō, the clan leader, deeply torn.
Before him stood two diverging paths. A new road lay within reach, yet he could not foresee what lay ahead should he step forward.
Would the Main House and himself as the leader be completely abandoned? Or would the Hyūga Clan face outright destruction?
In an instant, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"I—I believe…"
Once a wise and resolute man, Ten'yō now found himself trapped between personal interests and clan reform, caught in a painful dilemma.
He had always considered himself a decisive leader, doing everything for the sake of the clan. Yet today, he realized that, in truth, he was just an ordinary man—flawed and corrupted by power.
Watching how long Ten'yō hesitated without making a decision, Satori subtly gestured in the Elder's direction.
The so-called Elder had long since been replaced by someone loyal to Satori.
This person bore an almost identical resemblance to the former Elder, shared the same bloodline, and harbored deep resentment toward the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
He spoke in the Elder's tone, saying solemnly, "I believe what Satori said is correct. The Caged Bird Curse Seal has become an obstacle for the Hyūga Clan. Reform must happen now."
"The Hyūga Clan, a prestigious family in the ninja world, should not live in fear of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. It's an utter disgrace."
"In the Elder's name, I propose we abolish the Caged Bird Curse Seal and instead carve only protective eye seals."
With the Elder having spoken first, Sounmei Hyūga—who also served as one of the elders—immediately voiced his support.
Seeing this, others followed suit as well.
Except for a few stubborn fools who had been too deeply indoctrinated to change, nearly everyone raised their hands in agreement.
After all, if the revered Elder himself had voiced his support, naturally everyone else would back the idea too.
Moreover, aside from the Main House, most Branch House members felt resentful about the restrictions of the Caged Bird Seal.
No one wanted to carry a cursed seal on their forehead that controlled their life and death.
The Elder's statement sent a shiver down the spines of many senior family members as well.
After all, the Elder had always been a staunch supporter of the Caged Bird system. For even him to abandon it showed just how outdated the Caged Bird Seal had become.
If the fake Elder found out, he would probably just smile faintly.
He wasn't truly the Elder anyway—he was merely a Branch House member who despised the Caged Bird Seal.
He was simply following orders, not caring whether this matter was good or bad.
With support from over eighty percent of the upper ranks of the clan for replacing the Caged Bird Seal, Ten'yō Hyūga's inner turmoil finally found clarity.
Another had already made the decision for him. Though he didn't know if it was right or wrong, at least the first step had been taken.
At this point, Ten'yō Hyūga let out a long breath and cast the final vote.
"Then let's proceed with Satori's plan—replace the Caged Bird Seal and give every member of the Hyūga Clan the opportunity to awaken the Tenseigan."
Finally, he whispered silently to himself.
Everything for the sake of the clan.
Hiashi Hyūga sensed the mindset of the entire clan and his father's submission, feeling utterly hollow inside.
But he also knew that from this day forward, the supreme power and status of the Main House would fade away forever.
"Will this truly bring prosperity and glory to our clan?"
Hiashi had no answer to this question.
However, when he turned to look at his younger brother, Hizashi Hyūga, realization dawned upon him.
Hizashi, as a Branch House member, wore an expression of genuine joy and happiness on his face.
A smile he hadn't seen since childhood.
The tide of public sentiment could not be defied.
At this thought, Hiashi abandoned any notion of resistance within himself.
Seeing this, Satori Hyūga smiled slightly.
For Satori, being able to peacefully eliminate the outdated Caged Bird system without bloodshed was a favorable outcome.
After all, he too was a member of the Hyūga Main House and didn't want chaos to erupt.
Once the upper ranks reached an agreement, the middle management swiftly carried out the orders.
Layer by layer, the command spread down, sending shockwaves through the lower-level members of the Hyūga Branch House.
Numerous Branch House members working outside rushed back home upon receiving summoning orders from the clan.
Hyūga Shingyu—an ordinary Branch House member—was conducting patrol duties along the border of the Land of Fire.
On this particular day, he gazed solemnly at the letter in his hands, his emotions in turmoil.
All of this began half a month ago.
Many Branch House members previously stationed elsewhere had already been recalled to the clan under various pretexts.
Today, he too had received a transfer order from the clan, commanding him to return immediately.
To the members of the Hyūga Branch House, the clan's orders were absolute.
Regardless of what a Branch House member was doing—even during top-secret missions—they must prioritize obeying the clan's commands.
Otherwise, the Main House had the authority to use the Caged Bird Seal to punish or even torment them.
Hyūga Shingyu removed his Konoha forehead protector and touched the grotesque Caged Bird Seal on his forehead, his eyes filled with repressed fear and pain.
"I don't know what's happening within the clan, but they're recalling members on a large scale."
His expression was complex. He really didn't want to go back to that rigid, rule-bound clan.
Too stifling. Too twisted. Too painful.
Facing the mighty Main House, Branch House members were always expected to bow their heads and stand ready to obey at a moment's notice.
It was as if their very birth and existence were solely for serving the Main House.
But people outside the clan weren't like this...
...
...
...
Hey everyone, I've started a new novel titled *Hokage, This Orochimaru Really Isn't Cheating the System*—hope you'll check it out!
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