After briefly skimming the list, Sarutobi Hiruzen threw it in front of Danzo.
"You're telling me members of your Root organization targeted Reiki? Is that reasonable?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, his tone heavy.
"Third Hokage, this incident was indeed due to my lax supervision over my subordinates," Danzo admitted, his voice low. "I will tighten their management to ensure this never happens again."
Danzo, knowing he was in the wrong, didn't offer much defense. Although Hiruzen's visit included a harsh beating, it was better than facing Tsunade or Biwaku—if they had come, Danzo might not even have had a chance to explain.
"It had better stay that way," Hiruzen warned. "Danzo, I don't want this to repeat itself. And I hope you understand exactly what I mean."
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen vanished. The Root members who had been standing by rushed in to help Danzo up, while the medical ninjas began treatment.
After they finished, Danzo's face remained grim. "Tell Orochimaru to come see me. And all of you, keep a low profile for now."
"Understood, my lord," they responded before disappearing.
---
The next evening, Reiki and the others returned to the village.
"You should all rest first," Morishita said. "I'll hand in the mission report, and we'll regroup tomorrow."
"Reiki, about what happened…" Morishita began.
"I know," Reiki interrupted. Tsunade already had her hands full managing the medical ninjas, gambling, and drinking. There was no need to bother her with these matters.
"Alright. Asuma, come with me to see Lord Hokage," Morishita said, nodding approvingly at Reiki. He knew he could rely on him.
"Hyuga-sama, let's head to the Hyuga compound," Reiki suggested. They would likely need to gather again soon, so he decided to visit the Hyuga clan first.
"Of course," Hyuga replied, a hint of joy in her voice as she led Reiki towards the Hyuga compound.
---
The next day, Morishita relayed that there would be no immediate gatherings and that repairs would continue in the village, so Reiki stayed at the Hyuga compound.
By noon on the third day, the courtyard of Hyuga Momori was filled with over 40 members from the branch families, seated in orderly rows.
"Why did the patriarch call us here? Is something going on?"
"I'm not sure, but since we're all from the branch families, it can't be good."
"The main family hasn't gone on missions recently, and I haven't heard of any incidents."
The gathered branch members exchanged anxious whispers. They knew their role within the Hyuga clan was to be the shield of the main family. But when the reality of that role was staring them in the face, it was still frightening.
Hyuga Momori's commanding voice cut through the murmurs. "You are all Jounin and Chunin of the branch families. I gathered you here today to tell you: from now on, there will be no distinction between the main family and the branch families. I will release you from the caged bird seal!"
The courtyard fell into stunned silence at those words.
"Release the caged bird?!"
"Is the patriarch really saying we'll be free of restrictions?"
"Can this be true?"
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd, though most were too stunned to react.
"Hyuga Hizashi," Hyuga Momori called out, looking at his son. Hizashi stepped forward, removed his forehead protector to reveal the cursed seal, and kneeled respectfully.
As the representative of the branch family and the patriarch's son, he had known about this in advance.
"Calm your mind," Hyuga Momori said, forming the necessary hand signs. His chakra-infused palm pressed against Hizashi's forehead, and the cursed seal gradually faded.
Five minutes later, the caged bird seal on Hyuga Hizashi was gone.
"It's true—the patriarch is freeing us from the caged bird seal!" one member whispered in awe.
"But why now?"
"It doesn't matter why. Finally, we're free…"
The courtyard buzzed with mixed emotions—relief, disbelief, and joy.
Just then, the heavy wooden doors of the courtyard creaked open, and five elders walked in, their expressions grim.
"The elders are here."
"This could be bad for the patriarch."
The branch members exchanged worried glances. Challenging the centuries-old rule of the caged bird seal was unprecedented, and the elders were known as its staunch protectors.
"Baisen, what have you done?" the lead elder, Hyuga Qisi, snapped, his voice sharp. "Have you been the clan leader for so long that you've forgotten the rules of the Hyuga clan?"
Hyuga Momori met their stares without flinching. "Rules are made by people, and they can be changed by people. If there's a better way forward, why cling to outdated practices?"
"A better way?" another elder retorted. "Can you guarantee the clan's safety without the caged bird seal? If our bloodline limit is studied and exploited, it could spell the end of the Hyuga clan!"
Rules were called rules because they were unbreakable. The elders had come with the intent to depose Hyuga Momori.
"If you're here to challenge my decision, then let me show you why I made it," Momori said, glancing at Reiki, who stood nearby. He had originally come to witness the lifting of the caged bird seal but had not expected the confrontation with the elders.
One elder's eyes widened in recognition as he spotted Reiki. "Him? A mere boy—what can he possibly show us?"
The elder suddenly lunged at Reiki, chakra forming into two slender, lethal spears in his palms—a variation of the Gentle Fist technique designed to pierce at a distance and disrupt the body's meridians.
The attack was deadly, aimed straight at Reiki.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 420 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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