"What happened, Master Ke?"
As soon as Hiashi Hyuga entered the courtyard, he saw Hyuga Ke, who had taught him ninjutsu, chanting a spell.
A large number of branch family ninjas were clutching their heads in pain and lying on the ground.
The Caged Bird seal had been activated.
"Young Master, they have committed an act of insubordination. I am following the clan leader's order to punish them lightly," Hyuga Ke replied while maintaining the seal at the door.
"Insubordination?"
Hiashi Hyuga was taken aback. This was almost unbelievable.
Since the introduction of the Caged Bird seal, the branch family had automatically split into two factions.
One faction became staunch defenders of the main family, while the other, despite hating the main family, remained obedient.
"They attempted to attack the clan leader."
"How is that possible?"
Hiashi Hyuga found it hard to believe. "Where is my father?"
"In the meeting hall."
Hiashi Hyuga immediately headed towards the hall.
From a distance, he saw a middle-aged man kneeling in front of the hall door.
"Uncle Sosuke?"
Hiashi Hyuga was shocked. He quickly moved forward to help him up but was refused.
Hyuga Sosuke's upraised palm was bleeding.
Judging by the wounds, it seemed they were caused by his fingernails digging into his flesh from clenching his fist too hard.
"How could it be like this?"
Hiashi Hyuga felt a growing sense of foreboding.
Hyuga Sosuke was a loyal defender of the main family and had always been kind to him.
"Young Lord…"
Hyuga Sosuke opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing.
The main family lineage was important.
Losing even one member was an unbearable loss.
Thinking this, he suddenly fell silent.
What did he amount to, really?
Pitiful. Instead of caring for his own branch family, he was more concerned about the main family's well-being.
Pathetic.
"I'm going to see my father!"
Hiashi Hyuga stood up and rushed into the hall.
Unexpectedly, it was not his father at the center, but an elder he had seen before in the main family.
"Greetings, Elder. Greetings, Father."
After greeting them, Hiashi Hyuga couldn't wait to ask, "What happened today?"
"Hiashi, sit down."
The elder pointed to a seat and briefly explained the situation.
Hiashi Hyuga was at a loss for words.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Everyone present had grim expressions.
"This behavior cannot be tolerated!"
The elder broke the silence, "If we yield now, other branch family members might follow suit."
"But if we don't yield, the branch family might revolt."
Hiashi's father, Kazushi Hyuga, shook his head, "Even with the Caged Bird seal's suppression, the risk of an uprising remains."
The elder sighed, "Send the unmarked branch family children."
"Elder!"
Hiashi Hyuga stood up suddenly. Branch family children typically received the Caged Bird seal at the age of three, meaning they were suggesting handing over one or two-year-old children.
The ruthlessness of this suggestion was overwhelming.
"Shut up! Do you want me to go myself?"
"I didn't mean that."
Hiashi Hyuga took a deep breath, "Handing over branch family children will only worsen the situation. I suggest this matter be decided by the Hokage."
"Perhaps that's a good idea."
Kazushi Hyuga, prompted by Hiashi's suggestion, realized they were used to handling family matters internally, without outside interference.
But this was different.
"Elder, do you remember Sosuke mentioning Hiruko?"
"You mean this was instigated by Danzo Shimura? But the method is too crude, obviously a setup."
"Regardless of whether it's a setup, our Hyuga clan's ninjas were captured in battle. It's only right that the Hokage gives us an explanation."
"You're right, Kazushi, go discuss this with the Hokage."
"Hiashi, come with me to the Hokage building."
Kazushi Hyuga stood up and called for Sosuke, heading to the Hokage's office.
They quickly reached Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
Surprisingly, it was not an Anbu who opened the door, but Haruki.
"You're here."
Haruki let them in, "I've already informed the Hokage about the forty Hyuga ninjas."
"Kazushi, this is your fault."
Hiruzen Sarutobi reproached, "Why didn't you report this to me? Are the Hyuga not part of Konoha's ninjas?"
"Apologies."
Kazushi Hyuga felt a warmth in his heart. The Hyuga clan's support of the Hokage was not in vain.
"I will get to the bottom of this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his pipe.
Moments later, the door opened.
Danzo Shimura walked in with a dark expression, "Hiruzen, why did you send Anbu to investigate Hiruko?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him.
The tension was palpable.
Danzo Shimura felt an unprecedented pressure.
His face showed a slight change.
He had almost forgotten the man before him was known as the strongest Hokage.
"Danzo, you should know that experiment was halted. Did you instruct Hiruko to continue?"
Danzo Shimura was silent for a moment and then looked at the others in the room.
"I don't understand."
"Enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's aura was intimidating, "I've tolerated a lot from you, but you're openly breaking rules and jeopardizing Konoha's safety!"
Danzo Shimura's heart trembled.
What was going on?
Apart from the so-called Will of Fire, he had done many things in secret but never provoked such a reaction from Hiruzen.
And never in front of outsiders.
"Look at what you've done!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed. Danzo's reaction seemed genuine.
"Impossible!"
Danzo Shimura opened the scroll and, seeing its contents, even his usual composure couldn't prevent him from exclaiming.
"Although I instructed Hiruko to study Wood Release, there's a long way to go before success. Besides, how could my methods be so obvious?"
In an effort to clear his name, Danzo began to explain.
"Are you certain it wasn't you?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
"Absolutely not! Hiruzen, when have I ever lied to you? Everything I do is for Konoha!" Danzo Shimura said passionately.
Haruki glanced at the two of them.
Such acting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was using this to secure the Hyuga clan's loyalty and to check Danzo's growing arrogance.
And Danzo Shimura quickly cleared his name in a few words.
Hiruzen might even be hesitating now.
After all, his plan was too hastily devised, with significant flaws.
"Who is this mysterious person?" Hiruzen Sarutobi wondered, "Since the death of the First Hokage, no one has inherited Wood Release. How did he learn it?"
"Could it be from…"
Danzo Shimura immediately stopped, remembering the presence of others.
"I'll handle this. I'll bring him back."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. Based on the scroll's description, this mysterious person's strength might rival his own.
And Danzo… how many secrets had he kept from him?