"We still haven't identified the assailant. No traces were left at the scene. The attacker might have fled, or they may have perished alongside Danzo."
Hiashi said with grave tone.
"I understand. Thank you, Hiashi-sama."
Neji gave a slight bow and left Hiashi's house, his expression conflicted.
If no traces of the assailant remained, it meant Sasuke's identity hadn't been discovered. However, Hiashi's suggestion that the two might have perished together gnawed at Neji. After all, Danzo, as the leader of Root, must be formidable, so there's a high chance Sasuke didn't escape unscathed.
Returning to the place where he had encountered Sasuke the previous night, Neji waited patiently.
As the seconds turned into minutes and then hours, Neji's unease grew.
He could only console himself, 'Sasuke was a Missing-nin, so it was impossible for him to return to Konoha openly.'
Yet as the sun dipped below the horizon and midnight approached, there was still no sign of Sasuke.
'Sasuke had appeared at this exact time the night before. Why wasn't he here now?'
'If he had successfully killed Danzo and fled, wouldn't he have returned to share the news?'
"Stay calm. Keep it together!"
Neji cheered himself up in his heart, but until the sun rose, Sasuke still did not appear.
"This can't be happening…"
Neji clenched his fists tightly, Sasuke's words echoing in his mind: "If I die, remember to kill Itachi. Avenge Naruto!"
Tears traced down Neji's weary face as the haunting echoes faded.
'Naruto was gone, and now Sasuke too.'
The relentless string of tragedies had pushed Neji to the brink of collapse.
'I can't delay the reform any longer!'
At last, Neji made up his mind.
He knew that the longer he hesitated, the more unstable his emotions became.
He was determined to push forward with the reforms to resolve the Hyuga Clan's issues. After that, he would use Hiashi's connections to gather information on Itachi and avenge both Naruto and Sasuke.
Without Naruto, he wouldn't have been reborn into the person he was now.
Neji couldn't rest until he repaid this debt of gratitude.
Having resolved himself, Neji returned to the branch family's quarters and gathered those closest to him.
"Neji, why do you look so haggard? Did something happen?"
One of the Hyuga Clan's member asked.
Neji waved his hand and replied, "It's nothing. I've decided to move the plan forward!"
"What?"
The group was taken aback, "Move the plan forward? But we haven't even reached out to many of the others yet. There's no need to rush!"
Neji said firmly, "I know it's rushed, but I can't wait any longer. Gather the branch family's members into groups. I'll visit them all personally."
After saying this, without giving anyone a chance to object, Neji left immediately.
His condition was indeed poor. He hadn't eaten or rested for nearly two days.
To ensure he could effectively meet with and persuade the branch family's members, he knew he needed to recover quickly.
After eating, Neji suppressed all distracting thoughts in his mind and forced himself to fall asleep. When he awoke, it was already evening.
Knock, knock, knock!
Knocking sound was heard from his door.
"Come in!"
Neji spoke up.
The door opened, and a Hyuga Clan's member entered.
Taking out a list from his sleeve, the Hyuga Clan's member said, "Neji, given the tight schedule, not all branch family's members could be gathered. However, we've managed to rally about 80% of them. To avoid detection, we've divided them into ten groups, with each gathering at a separate location. You can start when you're ready."
"Good!"
Neji took the list and looked at it, and soon had a plan in mind.
With a single step, his figure suddenly vanished.
Before long, he arrived at an ancient residence, the closest gathering point. Inside, a group of Hyuga Clan's branch family's members were chatting and sipping tea, clearly unaware of the gravity of the situation.
Upon entering the room, Neji got straight to the point, "Everyone, time is short, and I can't explain everything in detail. I have only one request."
"Ah, so you're the one who called us here, Neji. Go ahead, what's this about?"
The gathered branch family's members held Neji in high regard. To them, Neji wasn't just the son of the Clan Head's brother, but also a rare genius of the Hyuga Clan and a pivotal figure among the branch family.
After carefully choosing his words, Neji spoke in a deep, serious tone, "I hope you will all join me in overthrowing the main house! We are all members of the Hyuga Clan, sharing the same bloodline. I believe there should be no distinction between the main family and the branch family. Only by treating everyone equally can the Hyuga Clan truly prosper!"
Upon hearing this, there was an uproar below.
"Neji, you can't say things like that! If Clan Head finds out, you're done for."
"But honestly, I think Neji has a point."
"He's different from us. Neji is a genius. Sometimes, I wish he had been born into the main family. He could have led the Hyuga Clan to a brighter future."
"Stop dreaming. We're all marked with the Caged Bird. We'll never escape the main family's control. It's our fate!"
Listening to the mixed reactions, Neji took a deep breath and said, "I don't know if any of you are loyal to Clan Head, but for the sake of the Hyuga Clan, I'm willing to take that risk!"
As he said that, he slowly removed his forehead protector.
When Neji's forehead was revealed, the room fell into a stunned silence as the gathered members gasped audibly.
Because Neji's forehead no longer bore the mark of the Caged Bird.
Seeing their shock, Neji explained, "By chance, I managed to remove the Caged Bird. This is why I believe there's hope to defy the fate of the branch family. While I can't remove your Caged Bird, I promise that with a successful reform, the branch family's chains will eventually be broken!"
Yes, Neji's plan was simple: show his forehead, proof that the Caged Bird was gone, to inspire the branch family's members. This demonstration was critical to convince them that reform was achievable.
Initially, Neji had planned to reveal this to a few trusted branch family's members first, gradually building momentum for the reform in a more secure and steady manner.
However, in his current state of urgency, he opted for a riskier but faster approach.
He couldn't be certain if there were any spies among the group who might report to Hiashi. But his overwhelming desire for revenge against Itachi and justice for Naruto and Sasuke left him no other choice.
Waiting any longer would only allow his inner turmoil to consume him entirely.
As Neji observed the hesitant and conflicted expressions of the group, he spoke earnestly, "All of you bear the Caged Bird. You know how unbearable it is. I can't remove your Caged Bird, but I can guarantee this: if we succeed, your children and grandchildren will live free lives. If we're fortunate and Hiashi knows a way to remove the Caged Bird, you may also gain your freedom."
As soon as these words came out, a woman with a big belly stood up and said, "Neji-sama, I am willing to join the reform!"
Perhaps it was the greatness of maternal love. For her child's future, this pregnant woman was willing to risk everything.