Change often demands sacrifice.
The internal conflict within the Hyūga clan quickly spread throughout Konoha, drawing widespread attention. Among those who were most delighted by this turmoil were the Uchiha clan.
In the past, when the Uchiha suffered heavy losses, the Hyūga never missed an opportunity to mock them.
The tables have finally turned—now it was their turn.
Outside the Hyūga Main House, a massive crowd gathered—a hundred-person procession assembled, surrounding the entrance.
"Head Hyūga Yuki, what are you planning to do?"
The gatekeepers were so terrified they could barely stand at this unprecedented scene. Since the establishment of the Branch Family, nothing like this had ever happened before.
"Let them in."
A cold voice came from inside the gates. Immediately, the two guards turned around and saw Clan Leader Hyuga Zuo of the Main House and many elders already gathered together.
What's going on? Is the Hyūga undergoing a major change?
Hyūga Yuki bowed deeply outside the gate before slowly stepping through the Main House's entrance, while the elderly man from the Branch Family—Uncle Yohei—was gently led inside, supported by others.
Though he belonged to the Branch Family, he had practically devoted his entire life to the clan—no one dared to slight him.
Even amid the chaos, Hyuga Zuo treated him with deep respect, personally pulling up a chair. "Uncle Yohei, please sit down."
"Thank you kindly, Clan Leader," Yohei replied as he sat.
He looked around at the tense atmosphere and let out a soft sigh.
With him as the focal point, members of both the Branch and Main Families faced off.
Seeing this standoff, Hyuga Zuo felt helpless.
After speaking with Akaba, he had shifted his focus toward village affairs, continuously negotiating with the leadership. None of them expected the Branch Family would rise up like this.
So many people rising against them—it was extremely difficult for the Main House!
He scanned each face until his gaze landed on Hyūga Yuki. Calming himself completely, he asked quietly, "Are you against the Main House too?"
"It isn't that we want to rebel—it's because the Main House leaves us no room to live."
Hyūga Hito clenched his teeth and stood up first.
He was all in—nothing else mattered. If it came down to it, death was acceptable.
Hyuga Zuo ignored him and turned his gaze to Yuki instead.
The two of them were actually brothers.
However,
Three or four years apart had left them without particularly deep emotional bonds. Seeing Yuki standing there now, he couldn't help feeling momentarily disoriented.
He swallowed hard and asked, "Yuki, are you against me too?"
"Clan Leader, what does 'opposition' even mean? Should the Main House always dominate the Branch Family, leaving us powerless, enslaved and forced into servitude? Furthermore, we haven't attacked—we've only come en masse for discussions and petitions. In your eyes, is any action slightly disagreeable automatically considered rebellion?"
Hyūga Yuki spoke indifferently.
He had imagined this moment countless times, yet when confronted directly, all his worries suddenly dissipated.
"Clan Leader, the Branch Family doesn't want rebellion, but our clan's system indeed has issues," said Uncle Yohei.
"The existence of the Main and Branch Family systems aims to ensure safe transmission of our bloodline—they weren't created to enslave our own people. You've misunderstood," an elder interjected to explain.
Who could possibly believe these words?
Facing rows of indifferent, icy glares, he couldn't help but feel nervous after speaking, immediately stepping backward a few paces.
"Born into the Branch Family, no matter how talented or strong you may be, you're still just a caged-bird slave — unable to access the true secret techniques of the Byakugan through self-discovery, and facing great dangers in the attempt."
"Also, elder, why aren't you part of the Branch Family, Zuo? Is it because your strength surpasses ours, or your bloodline is more noble?"
Yuki's questions left many elders speechless.
Bloodline...
They all shared the same clan lineage. Setting aside the distinction between Main and Branch families, where was there any real nobility?
"Let's go to the meeting room first. We're all members of the Hyūga clan. If we have matters to discuss, let's sit down calmly rather than getting so worked up."
Zuo pondered for a while, gradually beginning to understand.
Neither Yuki nor Yohei had completely burned their bridges — clearly their purpose wasn't truly to remove the Caged Bird seals. They both knew full well those seals could never be broken.
Therefore, their true intentions were worth careful consideration.
Of course, his words were meant not just for the Branch Family, but also for the elders from the Main House present.
No one understood these people better than him.
Stubborn and self-righteous.
"Thank you, Clan Leader."
The meeting room couldn't accommodate everyone. Representatives from the Branch Family were selected to enter together with the Main House members.
Fueled by resolve, they walked in without fear.
The moment they stepped through the meeting room door, several elders' expressions changed dramatically: "This is a time of war, yet you engage in reckless behavior disregarding our greater objectives! You're utterly foolish, being manipulated like puppets by Sakuma's brat!"
"Elder! I said earlier that everyone should calm down and sit together as equals without clinging to Main family status."
Hyuga Zuo spoke coldly, "Or perhaps my authority as Clan Leader has lost its weight?"
"But..."
"One more word, and I'll strip you of your elder position."
Zuo stated frostily.
Hyūga Yuki and Yohei simultaneously revealed slight smirks. Cowards who pick on the weak — they've disgraced our ancestors and shamed the Main House.
These pests were precisely what had led the Main and Branch families to this unfortunate situation today.
"I've seen my fair share of manga, so I know what's going on. Let me speak plainly — what is it you really want?"
Zuo demonstrated rare firmness, his attitude distinctly different from usual. At such a critical moment for survival, continuing games of balance and manipulation would only trap themselves.
"The purpose of the Main family is supervision and inheritance. Then why should bloodline determine one's right to inherit?"
Yuki knelt respectfully.
"These are ancestral rules passed down through generations, ensuring orderly transmission through hierarchy. This prevents bloodshed and sacrifice during power transitions."
Zuo responded.
"So according to you, regardless of talent or gift, whoever was born first gets to be Clan Leader, elders, high-ranking officials, enjoying various privileges, while Branch family talents can only remain seated below, enslaved?"
Yuki's words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
Some elders became furious, wanting to challenge them immediately, but the recent warning from Hyuga Zuo remained fresh in their minds, preventing any rash actions.
An elderly man tapped the table slowly, speaking measuredly: "Yuki, don't paint everyone with the same brush. Some elders have indeed made significant efforts for the prosperity of our clan."
Seemingly defending the elders, yet those two words — 'some' — carried profound implications.
Who exactly is "some people"?
Figure it out yourself.
"Very well, I understand your point. Whether or not Sakuma Akaba and his manga exist, these things would eventually happen anyway—it's just happening earlier now. Then let's settle everything at once."
Hyuga Zuo said coldly, "You oppose the Elder system. So let's be clear—abolish the Clan Leader role entirely and rank Elders solely by strength. The capable rise, the weak fall. How does that sound?"
"That works."
An elder from the Branch Family slightly nodded.
"As for the succession of the Clan Leader, that must remain unchanged. Otherwise our clan will surely descend into chaos."
Hyuga Zuo continued.
Although the other elders felt somewhat uneasy, they weren't overly worried. After all, compared to the Branch House, the Main House still held an advantage.
The Byakugan eyes of the Branch Family had limitations, and they hadn't mastered the most fundamental secret techniques.
However—
"Clan Leader, actually there's no need for such trouble. Since there's only one heir within the Main House, aside from the confirmed successor, everyone else should be branded with the Caged Bird. That way, there won't really be any distinction between Main House and Branch Family—only the Clan Leader of the Hyūga clan remains."
Hyuga Yuki coldly chuckled.
"Clan Leader, this… this is…"
The elders were shocked.
Branding everyone in the Main House with a Caged Bird?
Then even the Elders and their lineages would share the same fate as everyone else.
They—these elders—were all descendants from the original Main House bloodline generations ago!
"Clan Leader, absolutely not! The distinction between Main House and Branch Family is wisdom passed down through our clan for a thousand years—we cannot abandon it!"
Elder Fukasaku's face paled in panic.
They were the ones who imposed the Caged Bird upon the Branch Family. Nobody understood its horror better than them.
If we don't agree, we absolutely cannot agree!
"Why not? Did I say anything wrong, Elder? As you mentioned before, we must consider the overall situation!"
Hyuga Yuki said with a smile.
Everyone outside from the Branch Family was his bargaining chip, as were those warriors fighting on the battlefield.
At this moment, the hearts of the Branch Family had finally united as one. He was determined to fight for the greatest benefit possible.
"Hahaha! Yuki speaks well. From now on, there's no need for this Main House or Branch Family nonsense. We're all members of the Hyūga clan. Why distinguish at all? Isn't it better for us all to protect the Clan Leader together?"
The old man laughed heartily.
Thanks to Hyuga Yuki's words, he, despite his advanced age, could laugh so joyfully today.
Hyuga Yuki had struck the nail right on the head!
Hyuga Zuo fell silent for half a moment.
Since there was no possibility of removing the Caged Bird, why not simply brand every person without one—including everyone except the Clan Leader—with it?
Once only the Clan Leader remained unmarked while everyone else carried the seal, naturally the distinction between Main House and Branch Family would disappear completely.
And then who became Elder wouldn't matter anymore.
Because everyone under Heaven would bear the same mark. No one would be inherently superior. Naturally, ability would determine rank—those capable shall ascend, the weak shall descend.
But the problem was, with so many people in the Branch Family, how could they prevent the Clan Leader from being sidelined?
Fingers interlocked tightly, Hyuga Zuo weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally opened his eyes. "Fine," he said. "We'll do as you suggest."
"No! No! Zuo, you've lost your senses. You're shaking the very foundation of our clan."
Elder Fukasaku had gone mad, beginning to babble incoherently.
Branded with the Caged Bird?
Absolutely unacceptable!
He rose—but before he could channel his chakra, someone appeared right behind him.
With a single palm strike, blood sprayed like a geyser.
Elder Fukasaku was dead. Already old to begin with, struck directly in the heart by Hyuga Zuo's Gentle Fist, there was no way he could survive.
"I will personally apply the Caged Bird seal on every Elder and their entire bloodline. Anyone who opposes this can step forward now."
Hyuga Zuo closed his eyes.
No one dared resist, because those who did were already dead.
Cruel, yes—but it was the optimal solution.
At this moment, he felt unexpectedly conflicted inside, unsure how to put it into words, especially toward The Third and Sakuma Akaba.
Was this also part of your plans?
Would the Hyuga clan truly weaken if everyone bore the Caged Bird seal?
That doesn't necessarily mean that.
To ensure the Byakugan wasn't leaked, the Main Family had always avoided frontline combat. It was usually the Branch Family putting their lives on the line.
From the village's perspective, the Hyuga hadn't weakened at all.
The Byakugan possessed by the Branch Family had inherent flaws, so while the clan's overall strength indeed decreased somewhat, it was manageable.
"The Third… Sakuma Akaba… you've won."
He sighed silently in his heart.
Then rising, he announced, "Inform everyone—starting today, except for the Clan Leader and heir apparent, every member shall bear the Caged Bird seal. Correspondingly, previously restricted secret techniques, once exclusive to the Main Family, will now be made available for all clan members to learn."
"Yes!"
Unlike the Elders whose faces turned pale as death, Hyuga Yuki felt completely relaxed and was very pleased with this outcome.
Secret techniques unrestricted, all Elders forced to bear the Caged Bird seal—starting today, Elder positions would be earned through competition.
Of course,
it didn't mean there weren't any regrets—like how the Caged Bird seal still hadn't been completely abolished.
Yet bringing up such points would not only earn no agreement from Hyuga Zuo, but might provoke retaliation instead, with the Main Family uniting to wipe them all out entirely.
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