Chapter 201: The Hyuga Clan is Suffering Big Time!
Konoha Village, Hyuga Clan Compound.
Although the center of the conflict was still far away, the distant explosions and tremors were clearly audible, and the ominous glow of fire reflected in the night sky.
Hyuga ninjas, faces grim, assembled quickly. Byakugan activated, they vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
"Main Family, Branch Family, set up defenses according to plan immediately!" Hiashi Hyuga issued orders from the center of the compound.
The insect swarm soon flooded into the Hyuga grounds, their numbers suffocatingly vast. These insects rapidly weaved through the defensive lines formed by Branch Family members, rushing straight for the ninjas in the crowd who did not bear the "Caged Bird" seal.
Although Branch Family members were also attacked, the swarm seemed more inclined to use acid or physical impact to "clear" the Branch members blocking their path, rather than expending energy to capture or kill each one.
Their goal was the Main Family, whose Byakugan would not automatically destroy upon death or capture.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
"Rotation!"
Hyuga ninjas swung their Gentle Fists, trying to block the swarm. Soft white chakra flowed between their palms, striking the insects.
However, an invisible force appeared again. The field emitted by the swarm interfered with chakra flow. The Gentle Fist became sluggish and weak; attacks that should have been fierce turned soft, failing to inflict effective damage. The high-speed spinning defense of Rotation was also hard to maintain, chakra consumption skyrocketed, and its range and intensity were severely discounted.
Although the Byakugan could see through the swarm's internal structure and chakra flow, their erratic movement speed and chaotic chakra characteristics made them incredibly difficult to deal with, reducing efficiency drastically.
Many Branch Family ninjas, whose observation of the battlefield was calmer than the Main Family's due to their long careers on the front lines, quickly realized the truth. Through their Byakugan or direct observation, they saw that the swarm's true target was the Main Family.
Ironically, the "Caged Bird" seal now made them secondary targets. They began to hesitate, stepping back, some even looking for escape routes. This instinctive reaction in the face of death exposed the deep-seated rift between the Main and Branch families.
"What are you doing?! The Branch Family must protect the Main Family!" several Main Family members and elders shouted sternly, their eyes cold and arrogant.
Facing the Branch Family's retreat, they formed hand seals without hesitation.
"What do you think you're doing! Get in there!"
The curse seal activated.
Branch Family ninjas felt needle-like agony in their brains, as if countless threads were tearing at their nerves. The pain instantly overwhelmed their fear and hesitation, forcing their bodies forward uncontrollably.
Eyes flashing with grief and helplessness, they were forced into a battle they knew they couldn't win, and knew they weren't the primary targets of. This was coercion from the Main Family, a tragedy etched deep in their souls.
The battle was exceptionally brutal. Main Family members and forced Branch members fell in droves under the swarm's targeted attacks and chakra interference. But the casualty rate of the Main Family was still significantly higher. The swarm pounced on Main Family ninjas at all costs, using acid, claws, and high-frequency sound waves for a comprehensive strike. Branch members died because they were forced in, or caught in the crossfire while trying to protect the Main Family.
The Main Family bled on the front lines, while the Branch Family was forced to die on the flanks or rear.
Hiashi Hyuga fought in the center of the battlefield. As the strongest Hyuga, he displayed astonishing strength. Even with his chakra interfered with and Gentle Fist weakened, he held his ground in the swarm relying on his tempered taijutsu skills and the Byakugan's precise anticipation.
Every strike hit the insects' vital points, his Gentle Fist chakra oscillating at a special frequency to counter the interference. Although his Rotation range wasn't at its peak, it could still briefly clear the surrounding insects.
As the clan head, he tried to block the alien torrent with his flesh and blood, striving to win a chance of survival for the clansmen behind him.
However, he alone couldn't fight the entire flood.
His Byakugan clearly captured Main Family members falling one by one, and Branch members struggling and dying in vain under the curse seal's restraint. He saw Hinata and Hanabi in the distance, protected by a few surviving Branch members, but they were also in imminent danger.
A huge sense of powerlessness almost suffocated him. There were too many insects. Even if he killed the batch in front of him, more surged from behind. Acid corroded his body, and high-frequency sound waves made his ears ring and head spin. The sluggishness of his chakra grew stronger; he knew he couldn't hold on much longer.
His vision blurred… Before it faded, he tried his best to look in that direction.
Hinata…
Hanabi…
My daughters…
The Byakugan, eyes that carry the glory of the Hyuga Main Family… eyes that also bring countless heavy responsibilities…
Hizashi's figure flashed through his mind. And Neji's eyes… eyes filled with resentment.
I couldn't protect Hizashi…
And I couldn't… give Neji true freedom.
Guilt… gnawed at his heart like insects. But now… now all that remained was… a desire for them to live.
Survive… my daughters must… survive…
The light in his Byakugan dimmed, and his body was instantly swallowed by the surging swarm. Hiashi's fallen figure looked so tragic and insignificant in the sea of insects.
Hiashi Hyuga, Head of the Main Family, KIA!
In the distance, Hinata witnessed it all.
Her father's towering figure fell, the Main and coerced Branch members fell in swathes, and the clan grounds had turned into a hell on earth. Immense grief and fear instantly drowned her, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Her Byakugan was still active. In her vision, the swarm seemed to consciously avoid the Branch Family, rushing straight for Main Family members. Those Branch members trying to flee the Main Family area were completely ignored as long as they didn't block the swarm's path.
She finally fully understood: this was a plundering targeted at the Hyuga Main Family's Byakugan!
"Can I really… do nothing?" She lowered her head, tears blurring her vision. Hanabi pulled tightly at the corner of her clothes behind her.
Just then, Naruto's figure surfaced deep in her mind. The boy who always got up after falling, the presence who had encouraged her throughout the Chunin Exams.
I… can't retreat anymore.
I won't go back on my word.
Because that is my Ninja Way!
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Tears still flowed, but her eyes gradually became firm.
"Father has done everything he could. It's my turn."
She looked back at Hanabi and whispered, "Hanabi, don't be afraid. Big sister is here."
Hinata wiped her tears, Byakugan still active. Her voice no longer trembled, her movements no longer hesitated. She knew she had to lead her clansmen to survive.
Just then, a familiar figure appeared near her.
Neji Hyuga. covered in wounds, chakra disordered, clearly having just come from a fierce battle. His Byakugan also captured the tragic state of the clan grounds.
"Neji-niisan! Run—!"
Hinata shouted at Neji with all her might. "The enemy isn't targeting the Branch Family! This is a Main Family matter! Run! For yourself! And for that—freedom—you yearn for… Survive!"
She knew Neji's resentment towards the Main Family. She didn't want the "Caged Bird" destiny to swallow him too.
Hearing this, Neji's body shook violently.
The cold tombstone of his father Hizashi, the cruel oppression of the Main Family… And Hinata's kindness and weakness since childhood… and his promise to protect her when they were small.
He gritted his teeth, facial muscles twitching, undergoing an intense internal struggle.
Run away? Leave Hinata here?
No.
In this moment, he made a choice.
Out of his own will. Not because the "Caged Bird" compelled him to protect the Main Family. But because she was his cousin, family he couldn't abandon.
He walked towards Hinata and Hanabi, standing in front of them. Byakugan active, even injured, those eyes were still sharp.
"Who wants your charity of freedom?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
But his body's action had already declared his determination.
Hinata wiped her tears and stood firmly beside Neji, facing the impending… catastrophe together.
Deep underground in Konoha Village.
A damp air permeated the space. This was the territory of "Root."
Danzo Shimura stood in the shadows, his right arm hidden under bandages. Opposite him, a figure carrying an iron case and wearing glasses stood quietly.
Kabuto Yakushi.
The reflection on his lenses hid his eyes, his tone gentle:
"Lord Danzo, long time no see… It's time to return the eyes stored with you to Lord Orochimaru, isn't it?"
"Including, of course, the matter of the orphanage director back then…"