"What did he just say? We should join Root?" The Hyuga ninjas could hardly believe their ears.
"Did I hear that right—Anbu and... Root?"
"That's right. He wants us to join Root. Danzo's organization?!"
If the Elder trying to overthrow Hiashi was shocking, this revelation stunned them even more. For the shinobi of the Hyuga clan and other high-ranking ninja, Danzo and his Root organization were no secret.
Some had even encountered Root shinobi during missions—emotionless, ruthless, and absolutely obedient. They would complete any task, even if it cost their lives. Danzo showed no mercy. No one liked Root. No one wanted to become a part of it.
Danzo had once approached various ninja clans, seeking talented young shinobi to join his organization. But he had never dared to approach the Hyuga or Uchiha clans directly.
Uchiha and Hyuga were the most prestigious clans in Konoha. Unlike others like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Inuzuka, or Aburame—who could be subtly pressured or coerced—Hyuga and Uchiha stood above.
Even with the Third Hokage's unofficial support, Danzo never openly forced either clan.
But now... the Hyuga Elder had actually said it aloud.
If Yemen became clan head, they would hand over Hyuga shinobi and force them into Root.
"Did you say the Third Hokage wanted us to join Anbu and Danzo's Root?" Naraku's voice was cold, his eyes steely.
"And you agreed to that?"
"It wasn't my fault! He forced me—it was all the Hokage!" The Elder panicked, trembling under Naraku's gaze.
"Bastard!" the Hyuga shinobi exploded.
"When you wanted to overthrow Hiashi, did you not stop to think you were forced a little?"
"This old snake wants us to join Root?!"
"Is he insane?! Doesn't he know what Root is?!"
"Joining Root is the same as dying!"
They all knew the truth. The Elder had used them to leverage a deal with the Third Hokage.
They had all heard the rumors of Root's inner workings. Once inside, the first step was the cursed seal—engraved on their tongues. A seal that would kill them if they ever spoke of Root or Danzo.
Then came the brainwashing.
Endless brainwashing—until you lost your emotions. Until you forgot who you were. Until you became nothing more than a tool for Danzo's ambitions.
Even death was better than that.
If the Bird in the Cage stripped Hyuga of freedom, Root erased identity.
Some of the present Hyuga were drenched in cold sweat.
Had the plan succeeded today, they would've been sold off and sent into Root like cattle.
"This old man deserves to die!"
"They treated us like merchandise!"
"Kill him! He must die!"
The crowd surged with rage. If Yemen had succeeded today, their fate would have been sealed.
"Do any of you have anything else to say?" Naraku raised his hand, pointing at the Elder and Yemen.
"No! Don't kill me!" The Elder threw aside his dignity, dropping to his knees. "I'll accept the Bird in the Cage! I renounce my status—just don't kill me!"
"No one wants you to live," Naraku said coldly. With a palm strike, he ended the Elder's life.
Even if they had sealed him, someone from the branch would have eventually killed him. He had betrayed them all.
"Finally!"
"Good! Kill him!"
"This old bastard is finally dead!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Now it's your turn," Naraku said, turning to Yemen—the second instigator.
The Elder had clearly informed Yemen of the deal with Root. He wasn't innocent.
"No, it has nothing to do with me! It was my father and the Hokage!" Yemen panicked and ran toward the Third Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, save me! Please—pu–!"
Yemen's eyes went wide as the Third Hokage stabbed him in the chest.
"Shut up! When did I ever make such a deal with you?" the Hokage said, his face emotionless.
"You're really something, Hokage-sama," Fugaku muttered, stepping back with a smirk.
The Third Hokage remained stoic. "Don't misunderstand. I was only here to help eliminate a traitor. As for the deal? Complete nonsense!"
He had no choice now—he had to deny it all.
"You're lying!" shouted one of the Hyuga shinobi.
"Do you think we're fools? You came here to support Yemen as the new patriarch!"
"You wanted us to join Root!"
"Get out, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"
"Get out of the Hyuga Clan!"
Fury boiled over as Hyuga shinobi began throwing stones and debris at the disgraced Hokage.
"You...!" Sarutobi was speechless, his robes now dirtied by branches and dust. His dignity shattered.
Unable to withstand the storm of anger and humiliation, the Third Hokage and his Anbu left in shame.