After returning to the clan's territory, Hyuga Soushu didn't accept Hizashi Hyuga's invitation to have a drink at the Main House mansion. Instead, he took his leave and went his separate way back to his long-abandoned home.
This time away from home had lasted quite long. Weeds in the courtyard had grown as high as his waist, and the windows and eaves were covered in thick cobwebs.
Soushu first channeled chakra through his body to clear away dust and spider webs inside and outside the house. Then he used his kunai to cut back the overgrown weeds in the garden before finally stepping into the main hall, relighting incense before his ancestor's portrait, and sitting cross-legged on the meditation cushion before the offering table.
Inside the Main House mansion, the head of the Hyuga clan observed Soushu's every move with his white eyes. Nearly an hour passed before the clan leader slowly withdrew his gaze toward his younger son, Hizashi, who knelt in a corner trembling with apprehension.
"You say he refused your invitation?"
The clan head asked slowly.
"Yes."
Hizashi quickly bowed in reply.
"What does he want? How do you plan to comply with his demands?"
The clan leader questioned again.
"Everything will be decided according to the family's interests, and I shall abide by the will of the Main House."
All Hizashi could offer was this vague response.
"You don't want his Ninja Force, correct?"
Shaking his head, the clan leader showed visible displeasure with his younger son's answer: "You know full well this decision came from the family leadership, yet still, you side with Soushu."
These words carried considerable weight. Sweat began dripping down Hizashi's forehead, and his body started trembling slightly.
"Hmph!"
This cold snort from his father instantly drained color from Hizashi's face, as cold sweat poured down like heavy rain.
To him, it felt dangerously close to the warning signs before activating the Caged Bird Curse Seal for punishment.
Despite being the second son, Hizashi received no special privileges from his status. Instead, strict discipline shaped him into someone obedient and cautious, never daring to harbor even a single inappropriate thought.
Especially after experiencing the near-brain-rupturing pain of the Caged Bird Curse Seal, Hizashi's fear of his father became permanent.
"Five hundred ninja—that is a non-negotiable condition!"
The clan head sternly reprimanded: "Hizashi! Who gave you the audacity to actually negotiate peace with just a mere Branch House ninja? Are you trying to make decisions for the Main House?"
"Or perhaps, like that little brat, you've also been blinded by illusory power and prestige, no longer respecting the authority of the Main House?"
"Hizashi, reflect upon yourself!"
"You are my son, and I don't wish to cast you aside or punish you harshly, but you must understand what is acceptable and what is not."
Under his father's scolding, Hizashi's posture slumped lower and lower until eventually, he nearly touched the ground in abject submission.
Such was the nature of the Hyuga clan—rigid in etiquette, outwardly gentle and aristocratic, yet devoid of familial warmth and obsessed with the twisted pride of the Main House.
Kneeling on the ground, Hizashi Hyuga did not immediately receive his father's order to rise, so he remained in deep prostration to show that he had already admitted his mistake.
Creak
At that moment, the sliding door of the room was pushed open, followed by a familiar voice: "Father."
The newcomer was none other than Hiashi Hyuga, the legitimate heir of the Hyuga Clan, and once the deeply respected older brother of Hizashi.
The only real difference between them was a slight gap in their time of birth. Yet now, their situations were vastly different.
One knelt on the floor, begging forgiveness from his biological father in a way that almost seemed self-degrading; while his older brother, whose appearance was nearly identical and who was less than half an hour older, could stand proudly before their father and speak openly. That world of difference filled Hizashi with unbearable resentment.
But what could he do?
In fact, even now, Hizashi had to force himself to maintain a respectful expression, lest his father or elder brother detect the deep hatred flashing across his face.
The Hyuga Clan Head let out a cold grunt, causing Hizashi to shudder once more.
[Caged Bird!]
Without any warning, the Hyuga Clan Head activated the Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal right in front of his eldest son, Hiashi!
"Ahhhh!!"
Hizashi, still kneeling on the ground, immediately let out a scream of agony, clutching his head and rolling around violently.
This level of pain, almost equivalent to having one's skull explode, was beyond what any ordinary person could endure.
Though newly arrived before his father, Hiashi Hyuga was similarly shocked. He didn't say anything outwardly, nor did he glance even once at his younger brother, writhing and crying in torment at his feet.
It was one of the requirements for an heir within the Hyuga clan: as a Main House member, one must suppress all unnecessary emotions and place the continuation of the Hyuga Clan and the dignity of the Main House above all else.
Even if they shared blood, one must possess the decisiveness to impose punishment when needed. This ability was the most basic quality expected of a clan leader.
Thus, Hiashi Hyuga chose to ignore his younger brother's suffering.
"What an unrefined failure!"
After Hizashi had screamed in agony for nearly thirty seconds, the Hyuga Clan Head finally ceased activating the cursed seal. It took another ten minutes before Hizashi could finally catch his breath.
He just didn't get it—what the hell had he done this time?
"Clean yourself up, then go bring Soushu Hyuga here."
Only after his second son struggled back to his feet did the Hyuga Clan Head coldly add, "If even you, the Branch House Head, cannot bring him here, then you are utterly incompetent!"
"Yes, Father."
Tears streamed down his face as Hizashi bowed deeply one last time. Slowly, he rose to his feet and backed out of the room—a place filled with nightmares.
"Do you have a report to give?"
The Hyuga Clan Head turned to his legitimate heir and asked, "Also, has the decision from the Ninja Clan Summit been officially announced yet?"
"Twenty minutes ago, the Subdivision Bill passed by the Ninja Clan Summit was delivered in print to all Jonin currently stationed in the village," reported Hiashi Hyuga respectfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi is determined—he doesn't even want to leave room for any chance of remedy.
The Hyuga Clan Leader immediately deciphered the Third Hokage's intentions: "It seems that Sakumo's return has brought him considerable threat."
With the Subdivision Bill circulated to every Jonin in the village, its passage seemed all but certain. Choosing this very moment—right after Sakumo Hatake's return to the village—created an enormous headache for tomorrow's Jonin Unit meeting.
Under these completely unfair regulations, would the civilian-born Jonin choose to grit their teeth and accept? Or would they directly challenge the decision made at the Ninja Clan Summit?
If they accepted, the direct election of the Hokage by the Jonin would be rendered meaningless—the entire process would just be another puppet show manipulated behind the scenes by the Clans.
Conversely, if Sakumo advocated for abolishing the bill during the meeting, it could trigger structural fractures within Konoha, causing the delicate balance of power to collapse completely and become irreparable.
Hiashi Hyuga fully understood these implications, yet maintained a composed silence, waiting quietly for the Hyuga Clan Leader's response. After all, he himself had played no small part in fueling this situation during the Ninja Clan Summit discussions.
"There's no need to continue discussing this matter. Come sit down and wait together for that young brat, Hyuga Soushu!"
After some contemplation, the Hyuga Clan Head casually pointed toward a nearby cushion, choosing to change the subject. Hiashi once again bowed respectfully before slowly taking a seat.
They waited… and waited another hour.
Just as the Hyuga Clan Leader's expression began clearly showing impatience, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed across the tatami floor outside.
"He's arrived!"
Hiashi let out a quiet sigh of relief. If his younger brother, Hizashi from the Branch House, had failed to bring Hyuga Soushu before them, he wouldn't have wanted to imagine what kind of punishment his brother might face.
Swoosh!
At that moment, Hyuga Soushu slid open the shoji door directly and appeared before the two important figures from the Main House. Right behind him stood Hizashi, appearing completely drenched in sweat with an exhausted look.
"Clan Leader, Hiashi-niisan, good day," Hyuga Soushu greeted politely.
"Please, take a seat." Surprisingly, the Clan Leader's face had completely shed its former impatience, instead offering a slight smile as he kindly gestured toward a small cushion across the table. "Have you paid respects to your parents since returning home?"
"Thanks to the Clan Leader's concern, I've already offered incense at their altar." Hyuga Soushu grinned widely, though his eyes showed no trace of warmth. "You're still thinking about such minor details despite having so much to handle—truly touching!"
He certainly remembered clearly how his parents had died!
"That's good to hear!" Faking ignorance with a satisfied nod, the Clan Leader responded calmly, "Although housing ancestral remains at home for worship runs counter to our traditional clan customs, we can overlook this lapse as a gesture of filial piety."
What elegantly spoken words indeed! So polished, so dignified—what a performance!
Hyuga Soushu showed no sign of anger on his face. Instead, he sat confidently across from the Clan Head, meeting the gaze of this highly authoritative leader of the entire clan.
"Being summoned at such an unusual hour, could there be any dissatisfaction on your mind?"
After pouring himself a cup of tea, the Hyuga Clan Head broke the silence with deliberate calm: "Under normal circumstances, the walk from the Main House to your private residence should only take three to five minutes. Yet Hizashi took a full hour. I'm sure quite a lot happened during that time, right?"
"Is that so?"
Soushu gave a nonchalant shrug and replied briefly, deliberately avoiding giving a direct answer to the Clan Head's question.
Meanwhile, Hizashi Hyuga, who had just settled onto a cushion in the corner near the door, felt his heart seize—nearly fainting from anxiety.
"[One's surroundings shape one's spirit; nurture shapes one's body.]"
The Clan Head remained unfazed, offering a smile laced with quiet arrogance, as if looking down upon all living beings. "It appears that having served so long as Chief Commander, Soushu's bearing has truly evolved over time."
Though his voice remained mild, the killing intent simmering beneath grew ever stronger.
Unfortunately, he couldn't kill Hyuga Soushu—or else the consequences would be extremely severe.
"You're wrong!" Soushu snapped, shaking his head vehemently. "I am still me—I have never changed!"
"If you think of me as nothing more than a pretentious dog, then clearly, you've misjudged me!"
Hiashi, seated beside the Clan Head, immediately felt startled!
This analogy was something their father had once said long ago—directly in front of the two brothers! And the subject being evaluated back then was none other than Hyuga Soushu!
Then the question arose—who could have revealed this?
Lifting his head, Hiashi met his younger brother Hizashi's equally astonished gaze.
It wasn't him!
Through eye contact alone, the two brothers immediately understood—it wasn't each other who had disclosed it.
Then...
Immediately afterward, both brothers lowered their heads, falling silent like frightened birds.
If neither of them had revealed it, then Soushu must have some hidden means of surveillance—or their father intentionally let it slip. There were simply no other possibilities left!
"What impressive methods," the Hyuga Clan Head slowly nodded, his expression becoming increasingly kind and amiable. "No wonder you're the descendant of the rebellious faction—you truly possess both courage and wisdom!"
Although there was a trace of amusement in his tone, the Clan Head's eyes turned colder.
"Wearing the village's Forehead Protector during your meeting with the Main House—you were implying something through your identity, weren't you?"
"No, no, no!" Waving his hand repeatedly, Soushu reached up and loosened the forehead protector strap while explaining. "I just think these forehead markings look rather unbecoming!"
"Huh!"
As Soushu removed his Forehead Protector, both the Hyuga Clan Head and Hiashi were instantly taken aback.
As for Hizashi sitting behind Soushu, although he couldn't see the mark due to his limited angle, from his father and elder brother's expressions, he could guess what was happening.
His heartbeat began to quicken.
Could the caged songbird really find a way to break free from its bonds and fly freely into the sky?
"What do you think?" Soushu asked. "Isn't it rather unbecoming?"
"Ha ha ha..."
Hyuga Soushu wiped the cold sweat from his brow and grinned as he spoke.
"You!"
The Hyuga Clan Head's expression kept shifting, as if he wanted to kill him immediately but couldn't make up his mind.
The Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal, supposedly designed to protect the clan's Kekkei Genkai while actually used to control Branch House members, was the most effective means that allowed the numerically smaller Main House to dominate the much larger Branch House. This fact was common knowledge.
When activated, no matter how powerful a Branch House Jonin might be, they could do nothing but perish under unbearable agony induced by the seal. This had been an iron rule for thousands of years.
Although there were always secret rumors circulating within the Branch House about breaking free from the Caged Bird Seal to become a true [Hyuga Tengu] and other such legends, the Clan Head who had inherited the Main House's secrets through generations understood clearly that these were merely myths.
In fact, this so-called legend had originally been spread by the Main House itself, simply to give the Branch House a glimmer of hope to hold on to. In reality, there was absolutely no possibility of breaking free from the curse seal!
Therefore, when he saw Soushu openly displaying his forehead — smooth with only some faint bluish traces where the original Caged Bird Curse Seal should have been — he instantly realized something was terribly wrong!
Should he really go ahead and kill him?
The Hyuga Clan Head wavered, caught between fury and uncertainty.
After all, Soushu was one of the most capable figures to rise during The Great Ninja World War!
Daring to reveal his forehead before everyone like this meant he must have prepared another move! Whether taking immediate action or parting ways permanently, neither choice would be good news for the Hyuga Clan!
"Huuuh..."
Soushu let out a satisfied breath. He even turned his head slightly, winking at Hizashi Hyuga while deliberately showing off his smooth forehead.
"This is truly a turning point!"
Hizashi's mind went blank.
"Dare to defy death!"
At that moment, the Clan Head suddenly lunged forward, his right palm striking straight toward Soushu's heart!
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