This made it difficult for common Ninja to rise.
Just looking at the so-called Konoha 12, almost all of them were second-generation, and you knew what was going on.
And Di Yan, after taking control of Konoha, the first thing His Majesty the Emperor would do was to dismantle and reorganize these Ninja Clans one by one, reallocating resources.
As for whether doing so would force these Ninja Clans to betray… in reality.
Di Yan never worried about the loyalty of these Ninja Clans; after all, they had never been loyal to His Majesty the Emperor.
When Konoha underwent reform.
When common Ninja truly benefited.
Naturally, a large number of people would stand with His Majesty the Emperor… bowing down to His Majesty the Emperor and being grateful to His Majesty the Emperor.
And in the Ninja World, common Ninja were the most numerous… There's an old saying back home, "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world…"
…Scoop.
77 Hinata and Hanabi sleeping together? Killing a chicken to warn the monkeys;
On the way to the Hyuga Clan Estate, the atmosphere was a bit subtle.
Hyuga Hanabi puffed out her little cheeks.
Her pure white Byakugan glared angrily at Di Yan, occasionally glancing at her older sister Hinata with a wronged expression.
For her, at such a young age and extremely dependent on her sister, a "sister-con" as she was.
In the past few days, her sister had been monopolized every night by this so-called "brother-in-law."
Leaving her all alone.
This was an unbearable "betrayal."
Di Yan noticed her unconcealed little emotions and found it quite amusing.
He deliberately reached out and squeezed Hanabi's soft, baby-fat cheeks, teasingly saying:
"What, little Hanabi is jealous?"
"How about, you join us tonight? I don't mind having you sleep with me."
Hanabi was, after all, young and simple-minded.
She actually took him seriously.
Her eyes instantly lit up, and she turned to ask Hinata expectantly:
"Sister, sister! Can I really?"
Sleep together?
Hinata didn't know what she thought of, but her face instantly turned bright red, even her earlobes flushed.
She was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
She tugged hard at Hanabi's sleeve, her voice like a mosquito, stammering and unable to form a complete sentence:
"Hanabi! Don't… don't talk nonsense… this… this kind of thing…"
Watching the reactions of this pair of sisters, one innocent and naive, the other shy and mortified.
Di Yan's displeasure that had arisen due to the Hyuga Clan's disobedience was considerably diluted.
A genuine, playful smile curved on His Majesty the Emperor's lips.
Amidst the lighthearted chatter (mainly Di Yan laughing, Hinata blushing, and Hanabi bewildered).
The group had arrived outside the main gate of the Hyuga Clan Estate.
That ancient and imposing gateway.
Symbolized the Hyuga Clan's long heritage and pride.
However, the smile on Di Yan's face vanished the moment he set foot here.
Replaced by a cold majesty.
He didn't even spare the gateway a glance, simply waved his hand casually.
"Surround it. Not a single fly is allowed out."
At the command, hundreds of black-clad Ninja who had followed surged forward silently like a black tide.
In an instant, they completely surrounded the vast Hyuga Clan Estate, making it impenetrable.
A chilling killing intent permeated the air.
Clashing with the tranquil atmosphere of the Hyuga Clan Estate.
With such a large commotion, the Hyuga Clan had clearly already noticed.
Led by the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, a group of main and Branch Family key members had already gathered outside the Hyuga Main Family residence to "greet" them.
But when they saw Di Yan directly send troops to surround the entire clan estate without a word.
Everyone's expressions instantly changed.
A chorus of suppressed gasps and exclamations rose from the crowd.
Panic spread rapidly like a plague.
The battle that had overthrown Konoha and stained the plaza with blood a few days ago was still vivid in their minds.
The ruthlessness and power of His Majesty the Emperor had long been deeply ingrained in their hearts.
This formation, clearly, boded ill!
Hyuga Hiashi's heart was in his throat, and cold sweat seeped from his back.
As the clan head, he naturally knew how risky and "traditional" the decision made by the Main Family Elder Council was.
But he could not defy the collective will of the Main Family.
At this moment, he could only brace himself, forcing a smile that was barely respectful onto his face.
He stepped forward, bowing:
"Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga Clan, respectfully welcomes His Majesty the Emperor."
Di Yan's gaze swept over Hyuga Hiashi, and over the Hyuga clansmen behind him, all with varying expressions.
That characteristic, gentle yet inscrutable smile returned to His Majesty the Emperor's face.
"Clan Head Hiashi, there's no need for such formality, and everyone, there's no need to be nervous."
His Majesty the Emperor's tone was relaxed, as if he wasn't the one who had just ordered the encirclement, "I am here today for a small matter that I wish to 'discuss' with the Hyuga people."
Saying this, he naturally stepped forward.
As if he were the master of this place.
Hyuga Hiashi and the others dared not stop him.
They could only lower their heads, respectfully leading Di Yan into the Hyuga Main Family residence.
Everyone arrived at a spacious and traditional Japanese-style reception room.
Di Yan unceremoniously walked directly to the head seat and sat down.
Hinata and Hanabi subconsciously wanted to stand below with Hiashi and the others.
But Di Yan gestured with a look.
Having them sit on either side of His Majesty the Emperor.
This subtle gesture made the eyelids of all the Hyuga high-ranking members twitch.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at his two daughters, so well-behaved in front of Di Yan, and felt a bitter taste in his heart.
Di Yan sat kneeling comfortably in the main seat.
His gaze calmly swept over the Hyuga Main Family elders and Hyuga Hiashi, who were sitting upright below, looking nervous.
The smile on His Majesty the Emperor's face remained gentle, but the words he spoke instantly dropped the temperature of the entire reception room to freezing point:
"So, now who will tell me…"
"Who gave you the courage to defy my command?"
Silence… The entire reception room was utterly silent.
After a long silence, Hyuga Hiashi bit the bullet and spoke:
"Your Majesty, forgive me, this… it's not that the Hyuga are unwilling to obey Your Majesty's command, but it is a matter of last resort."
Di Yan said nothing, just looked at him, signaling him to continue.
Hyuga Hiashi gritted his teeth and added: "I wonder if Your Majesty knows about the Hyuga's Caged Bird Curse Mark?"
Seeing Di Yan's expression turn subtle, Hyuga Hiashi dared not speak any more nonsense and quickly explained:
"To many, the Caged Bird Curse Mark is a shackle that binds Branch Family members."
"But in reality, the Caged Bird Curse Mark is actually a safeguard that protects the Hyuga clansmen."
"With its existence, the Hyuga Clan's Bloodline Limit, the Byakugan, is prevented from potentially leaking out."
"And Main Family members do not have the protection of the Caged Bird Curse Mark, so… so the Hyuga Main Family absolutely cannot go to the battlefield."
"This is also to protect Konoha's Bloodline Limit from leaking out."
After Hyuga Hiashi finished speaking, he cautiously observed Di Yan's expression.
Listening to Hyuga Hiashi's seemingly well-reasoned, yet in fact, rigid and traditional explanation.
Di Yan's face still wore that inscrutable, gentle smile, and he even nodded in apparent agreement.
"Hmm… The importance of the Byakugan, I naturally know."
"Worrying that Main Family members going to the battlefield would lead to the Bloodline Limit leaking out, it sounds… somewhat reasonable."
Hyuga Hiashi saw that Di Yan seemed to be persuaded.
The taut string in his heart relaxed slightly.
Secretly relieved that His Majesty the Emperor seemed capable of listening to reason.
"This is easy to solve!" Di Yan's tone shifted, "Then just engrave the Caged Bird Curse Mark on all Main Family members, wouldn't that work?"
At these words, the entire Hyuga Clan fell silent.
What kind of joke was that?
If the Main Family were branded with the Caged Bird Curse Mark, what would be the difference between Main Family and Branch Family?
This thought popped into almost every Main Family member's mind.
They all stared, dumbfounded.
Seemingly shocked.
And a few Hyuga Branch Family members couldn't help but turn to look at the expressions of the Main Family members, seeming somewhat expectant.
"Your… Your Majesty must be joking."
Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"Joking? I'm not joking."
Di Yan's gaze swept over the Hyuga Main Family members, "Others can die, why can't the Hyuga Main Family die?"
"This…"