After entering the deeper chamber inside the Forbidden Section, Hiashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The vault that stored the Scroll of Bird Cage Juinjutsu wasn't opened by the intruder, it means that the scroll was not stolen, this is a blessing in the misfortune.
After making sure that the scroll was not stolen, Hiashi further observed the vault to check if someone tried to steal this scroll.
The size of the vault is not very big because there are not many things that are secretive enough to be stored here.
The scroll of Bird Cage Juinjutsu is the only one.
This vault is locked using a very complex seal. Only the Patriarch and some of the senior Elders of the main Branch can release that seal.
After his careful observation, Hiashi found traces of tempering on the seal, which means that some did try to break it.
Which is the cause of the alarm being triggered. Although they failed what's important is that someone really tried to break that seal. Meaning their goal of breaking into the forbidden section was indeed related to Bird Cage.
Looking away from the vault, Hiashi further checked the other areas of the library.
And soon he discovered that the shelf recording the millennium years long history of the Hyuga Clan have been turned over.
He walked quickly to the shelf and soon noticed that three scrolls were missing. What's more, all these three scrolls record the secrets of Byakugan as well as Bird Cage Seal.
"The purpose of the intruder is very clear, although he failed at obtaining the exact thing he needed, he did obtain some resources…" – muttered Hiashi.
Finally confirming that nothing else was touched or stolen, Hiashi walked out of the forbidden section to the outer hall.
By now, a lot of people have gathered outside. Some were examining the corpses of Hyuga Asahi as well as the two guards of the Branch Division.
When they saw the Patriarch coming through, one of the elders asked with a light murmur, "Is the scroll of Bird Cage Juinjutsu safe?"
Hiashi nodded lightly.
After getting an affirmative reply from Hiashi, the elders of the Main Family breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though they know that breaking the seal of the vault is almost impossible, so it is very unlikely that that intruder managed to steal the scroll, but they couldn't help but worry, because if that scroll really gets stolen then it would be very problematic.
This is because the thief will get a method to control the lives of all members of the Branch division, which is a serious threat, and this makes the Elder shudder.
At this time, Hiashi walked towards the corpse of Elder Asahi and asked, "What is the cause of Elder Asahi's death?"
One of the shinobi of the branch division lifted the collar of Hyuga Asahi's revealing a bite mark on the neck, and said, "Judging from the bite mark, it should be from the venom of a snake."
"And the two guards?" – asked Hiashi.
Another brach shinobi said, "Same reason."
Hiashi frowned, 'From a snake?'
At this time, one of the Elder ordered, "The members of Branch Division leave the forbidden Section for now!"
Hizashi asked angrily, "What do you mean? Do you suspect that we of the Branch Division are responsible?"
When faced with Hizashi's question, this very elder was silent, but his eyes clearly showed his doubt and distrust towards the Branch Division.
Needless to say, the intruder may have failed to steal the scroll of Bird Cage, he did plant a seed of doubt and suspicion between the Main family and the Branch Division.
When Hiashi thought that the Intruder did break into the forbidden section for the scroll of Bird Cage, his expression turned cold and he ordered, "Hizashi, leave!"
In the face of his Hiashi's words, even Hizashi was helpless, and he had to lead the members of the Branch Division and leave the forbidden section.
After all the members of the branch division were gone, Elder Haruto questioned Hiashi, "The scroll of Bird Cage is safe, but was something else stolen?"
Hiashi didn't conceal it and told everyone that some of the scrolls recording the history of Byakugan and Bird Cage are missing, as well as the fact that someone tried to break the seal of the vault.
Elder Haruto muttered, "So the objective was indeed the scroll of Bird Cage!"
Another Elder, named Hyuga Kazuto said, "I checked the list of visitors, no one outside of Hyuga Clansmen has entered the Residential Area of Main Family today, so the intruder has to be someone of the Branch Division!"
Hiashi shook his head, "It couldn't be so easy… do not forget what happened with my elder daughter a few years ago…"
Hiashi is not blindly covering the Branch Division, because if it really was someone of the Branch Division, then he would have been easily neutralized by Elder Asashi using Cage Bird. After all, as long as the members of the Branch Division are nearby, there is always a resonance that those with control over Bird Cage can perceive. So Elder Asahi must have perceived that particular member of Branch Division coming close as well as the death of the two guards.
So the possibility of the Branch Division can be ruled out, at least the one directly responsible for the death of three can not be a member of Branch Division.
At this time, Elder Aito who was observing the body of Elder Asahi said, "Someone who can instantly kill Elder Asahi as well as two guards, and also uses snakes… don't these things remind of someone?"
Hiashi's face changed, "You mean Orochimaru?"
Alder Aito nodded, "Yes, Orochimaru. Do not forget that Orochimaru attacked you at the time of his defection, I think everyone remembers that, right?"
Orochimaru did attack and stole some of Hiashi's cells before his defection. But Hyuga Clan didn't make too big of an incident at that point just informed Sandaime and Yondaime of that event.
Hiashi asked Elder Aito, "Do you suspect someone of the Branch Division to be working with Orochimaru? Because he couldn't have sneaked here without being unnoticed."
Elder Aito nodded, "Do not forget, Hyuga Kuroto was under Orochimaru so it is possible that he is still working with Orochimaru."
Hiashi thought about it a little then shook his head, "I am sure it couldn't have been Hyuga Kuroto, but someone else of the branch division may be working with Orochimaru. Hmm, although the culprit being Orochimaru in the first place is very less likely. But we can not ignore the matter that there is indeed a traitor in the Clan, this very traitor might be the same person who was responsible for helping those shinobi of Kumogakure sneak inside and almost kidnaped Hinata…"
The elders all thought about it and then nodded, "Indeed, at that time to it was Hyuga Kuroto who saved Hyuga Clan from big trouble… so it has to be the traitor."
After pondering for a while, Hiashi said, "I trust Hizashi and he wouldn't be the culprit either. Moreover when this incident happened Hizashi was with me, so he can be ruled out. I will have Hizashi conduct an investigation."
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Read up to Chapter - 580 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations