In the dense forest of Konoha.
Mirai Uchiha effortlessly eliminated the last remaining member of the Sarutobi Clan.
[DING! Congratulations, Master! Successfully acquired reward: +1 Chakra!]
As the notification rang out, Mirai Uchiha clapped his hands together. "Wood Release: Sea of Trees Birth!"
The ground surged and trees sprouted wildly.
The sea of trees engulfed every single corpse of the Sarutobi Clan strewn across the ground without a trace left behind.
Not even a single trace remained.
[System Interface!]
With a thought, a semi-transparent interface appeared before Mirai Uchiha.
[Name: Mirai Uchiha]
[Physique: 6688]
[Spiritual Power: 6673]
[Chakra: 6703]
[Kekkei Genkai: Mangekyo Sharingan! Magnet Release: Gold Dust! Scorch Release! Shikotsumyaku (Dead-Bone Pulse)! Boil Release! Genjutsu – The Art of Sensory Control! Byakugan! Wood Release! Rinnegan!]
[Ninjutsu: … Fire Release: Roaring Flame Technique!]
[Other: … Senju Sage Body! Superhuman Strength! Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art!]
[Dojutsu: Amaterasu! Sarutahiko-no-Kami! Ame-no-Koyane-no-Kami! Susanoo! Tsukiyo-himuka! Kotoamatsukami! Kamui! Six Paths Technique! Limbo: Border Jail! Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star!]
Looking at his three-dimensional attributes, Mirai Uchiha revealed a satisfied expression.
At this stage, the Sarutobi Clan didn't yet have the so-called three thousand ninja.
The number of ninja within the clan was roughly around one thousand.
The rest were regular clan members along with elderly, infirm, and sick people, totaling approximately four thousand individuals.
Together they contributed more than three thousand attribute points.
Once all his attribute points reached six thousand, Mirai once again awakened a new Rinnegan eye technique.
Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star!
This technique could summon meteors directly from outer space for large-scale attacks.
In the canon, Madara Uchiha used this very technique to completely break the morale of the Allied Ninja Forces.
Onoki and the others nearly perished trying to stop the falling meteors...
"Not a bad ability either."
Mirai murmured softly.
To him personally, Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star wasn't especially powerful, but against weaklings, it was like godlike power.
That visual impact was unparalleled by any other ocular techniques.
For someone aiming to unify the ninja world, Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star was definitely a worthy ability.
It was also impressive enough to display his might in front of others—highly prestigious.
In the end, the Sarutobi Clan did leave behind something worthwhile before vanishing from this world.
After briefly sensing his inner power, Mirai turned and walked toward the village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane—DIE!
Sarutobi Clan, Shimura Clan, Mito Gate Clan, Tenkin Clan – annihilated!
Operation to eliminate Konoha's F4 – successfully completed!
---
Three days later.
Inside the Hyuga Clan compound, nearly all Hyuga clan members had gathered at the clan's shrine.
They wore the solemn expressions typical of the Hyuga. Even though the clan assembly had not yet begun, no one spoke among themselves.
Under this quiet and solemn atmosphere, Hiashi Hyuga slowly walked to the central position.
No sooner had he sat down when several Main House elders asked in confusion, "Hiashi, why did you suddenly call for a clan meeting?"
Hiashi first swept his gaze across everyone before finally settling on Neji Hyuga standing in the corner.
Feeling Hiashi's gaze on him, Neji nervously clenched his fists.
The strange words Hiashi had spoken to him that day continued swirling in his mind.
He had a vague premonition about what Hiashi intended to do.
This made him even more anxious.
Even the clan leader would struggle to remove the Caged Bird Seal from a Branch House member...
At that moment, Hiashi's voice rang out, "I've called this meeting today to discuss the matter of the Caged Bird Seal."
"The Caged Bird Seal?" Several Main House elders frowned slightly, puzzled. "What is there to discuss?"
All the Hyuga below exchanged confused glances, wondering what exactly Hiashi was planning.
After a brief pause, Hiashi decided to get straight to the point: "I have decided to abolish the Caged Bird Seal system. The new generation within our clan will no longer be branded with these seals."
"Once they come of age, our clan will no longer distinguish between Branch House and Main House."
As Hiashi finished speaking, the shrine fell into complete silence.
Everyone stared at Hiashi with wide eyes full of shock.
Even Neji found himself breathing heavily at this moment.
He had originally thought Hiashi had summoned this meeting just to help him escape the fate of receiving the Caged Bird Seal.
He never expected Hiashi would completely abolish the Caged Bird Seal system!
How reckless!
"Hiashi, have you gone mad?!"
"The Caged Bird Seal is the ultimate safeguard for protecting the Byakugan. It has ensured our survival for centuries."
"How dare you do this!"
Several Main House elders recovered from their shock first. They pointed angrily at Hiashi with glaring eyes.
This bastard was trying to destroy their very foundation!
Faced with the challenging questions from the Main House elders, Hiashi Hyūga remained calm and responded in a deep voice, "The power of the Byakugan indeed tempts envy, but that should never serve as justification for enslaving our own clan members."
"In the ninja world… none of the powerful clans possessing Bloodline Limits have ever developed such distorted systems as ours within the Hyūga Clan."
"Since I was young, I've seen too much darkness and tragedy within our clan. Such things absolutely must not be passed down to the next generation!"
Seeing Hiashi Hyūga's unwavering stance, several Main House elders angrily stood up. "Hiashi, are you trying to rebel?!"
"The Caged Bird Seal also serves as protection for the Branch House. It ensures that Branch House members remain safeguarded during missions, preventing them from becoming targets of those filled with greed."
Facing the elders' excuses, Hiashi let out a cold snort.
"Even the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan possesses far greater power than the Byakugan, yet they've never imposed any restrictions upon their ninja who awaken it."
"And now I ask you—do you truly refuse to abolish the Caged Bird Seal system to protect the Byakugan, or merely to preserve your own privileged status?"
Upon hearing Hiashi's words, the previously lifeless expressions of many present Hyūga clan members showed for the first time signs of surprise, panic, excitement, and apprehension.
Their long-dormant hearts began stirring again.
Most of those present belonged to the Branch House—they knew all too well what it felt like to have one's life controlled by others, and how unbearable it was to suffer endlessly simply because of another's whim.
If the next generation could avoid the same fate as theirs, it would truly be a blessing.
Thinking about this, people looked toward Hiashi with a completely new look in their eyes for the first time.
"Y-You… You…"
"Hiashi Hyūga, you're leading the Hyūga to ruin! We will impeach you from the position of clan leader effective immediately!"
"Bring them in!"
Several Branch House ninjas directly loyal to these elders instantly stood up and silently walked behind their masters.
Though they longed deep inside to support Hiashi, facing the long-standing authority of the Main House, they ultimately chose submission.
Under the intimidation of the Caged Bird Seal on their foreheads, they had no right to choose at all.
Hiashi was the clan leader, but not a single member from the Main House faction supported his ideas.
Therefore, seven or eight out of ten attending Hyūga clan members stood behind the elders, waiting silently for the elders' next command.
Seeing the stark imbalance of power between both sides, several Main House elders smirked.
"Hiashi, you acted recklessly."
"You'll reflect deeply in the holding cells from now on."
"Starting today, you'll be stripped of your status as clan leader."
"And your family, your children, will all bear the mark of the Caged Bird Seal because of you!"
Upon hearing this, Neji Hyūga's face revealed a look of disappointment.
As expected... everyone's fate has been decided from birth. Even the clan leader cannot forcibly interfere.
It's truly a pity for the clan leader...
Neji felt a bit sad.
After everything today, he had finally come to understand Hiashi's inner will.
The resentment he once held toward Hiashi had now completely vanished.
He could have remained at the peak, calmly enjoying his supreme authority—but now he found himself in such a predicament...
Thinking about this, Neji unintentionally raised his head to glance at Hiashi, only to find the latter still wearing a confident expression.
For some reason, a sentence Hiashi had said that day suddenly came to mind—
"I went to seek help from a very powerful person..."
Neji wondered aloud, "Just who was that powerful figure the clan leader mentioned?"
"If even the clan leader has been taken captive, who else could possibly change the outcome?"
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