The Next Morning
At dawn, the plaza in front of the Konoha administrative building was packed with tens of thousands of villagers.
Uchiha Mirai led Minato Namikaze and the other Konoha higher-ups to the balcony atop the Hokage Tower.
Below, at the front of the crowd, the Konoha ANBU escorted dozens of Sarutobi clan members into view. Slowly, they were paraded out before the curious and puzzled crowd.
The Sarutobi clan members, eyes brimming with tears, began confessing their crimes aloud.
Conspiring to incite rebellion, attacking the village, aiding rogue ninja in their escape—these offenses were all admitted without hesitation.
When they finished, the expressions on the villagers' faces turned to outrage.
"These bastards… they're just like Hiruzen Sarutobi, corrupt to the core!"
"An evil clan like this deserves no mercy. They should join Hiruzen in hell!"
"The village forgave them, and yet they repay us with betrayal? Even in these troubled times, they had the audacity to conspire with the enemy. Unforgivable!"
After allowing the crowd to vent their anger, Uchiha Mirai stepped forward and addressed them.
"Last night, the rogue ninja causing trouble in the village were subdued. Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the leader of the insurgents, has also been executed. There's no need for further concern."
"What should we do with those who, out of selfishness, would rather betray the village than sacrifice for its protection?"
The crowd responded to Mirai's call with a thunderous roar: "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The deafening chant pierced the skies. With a wave of Mirai's hand—
Shunk!
Shunk!
Shunk!
In an instant, the heads of the Sarutobi clan members rolled to the ground.
"Long live the Fourth Hokage!"
"Glory to Konoha!"
"Justice is served! A clan like theirs deserves the same fate as the Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans!"
Amid the villagers' cheers, the execution concluded.
Behind Mirai, the clan leaders who had come to observe stood silently, not daring to make a sound.
The Sarutobi clan's downfall filled them with unease.
A once-powerful clan of nearly a thousand ninja and over two thousand members had been destroyed in a single night, their reputation left in ruins.
Mirai's ruthless methods left them cold with fear.
And yet… it was clear Mirai had invited them to witness this event to send a message: a reminder to tread carefully.
From Konoha's founding, these clans had grown accustomed to their influence. But now, a shared understanding had begun to form among them: From now on, in Konoha, we must learn to keep our heads down.
...
Later, in the Hokage's Office
After parting ways with the clan leaders, Mirai returned to his office.
He glanced at Hyūga Hiashi, who had quietly followed him in. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Hiashi, what is it?"
Hiashi replied in a somber tone, "Lord Hokage, I'd like to request your help in reforming the Hyūga clan."
"Oh?"
Mirai's eyes held a hint of curiosity as he looked at Hiashi, waiting for an explanation.
"Because of Hizashi's sacrifice, I've long harbored resentment towards the Hyūga clan's division into the main and branch families," Hiashi began. "But even as the clan head, I lack the power to abolish this system."
"Hizashi's death weighs heavily on me. With your support, perhaps we could finally change things."
After listening, Mirai nodded slightly.
Hiashi had raised a similar concern back when he chose to side with the Uchiha clan against Hiruzen Sarutobi. Mirai had promised to assist him.
Originally, Mirai planned to address the issue after uniting the ninja world. But since Hiashi had brought it up now, he decided to deal with it without delay.
"Go ahead and convene a clan meeting," Mirai said calmly. "I'll be there."
Hiashi's face lit up with gratitude.
"Yes!"
...
The Hyūga Clan's Estate
Returning to the Hyūga compound, Hiashi stepped into the traditional courtyard. His wife was seated, basking in the sun while cradling their young daughter.
At the center of the yard, a boy of about three years old was practicing punches, his small fists striking the air with determination.
Sweat soaked the boy's face and body, and the bandages wrapped around his fists were stained with blood. Despite his age, his pale, featureless eyes held a cold, detached expression.
Seeing this, Hiashi sighed.
After composing himself, he pushed the door open and stepped into the courtyard.
"Neji, you're overdoing it again."
At the sound of his voice, everyone in the courtyard looked up.
Spotting Hiashi, Neji immediately straightened and bowed deeply.
"Clan Head."
Hiashi's voice softened. "Neji, while it's true that training in our clan's Gentle Fist style isn't particularly harmful to the body, you're still too young for such intense practice. This level of exertion isn't good for you."
Lowering his head, Neji replied with respectful indifference, "My mission in life is to protect Lady Hinata. Only by becoming stronger can I fulfill my purpose. That is the meaning of my existence."
Hiashi's expression turned pained.
"Neji, you don't have to—"
"You don't have to bring up my father and mother." For the first time, Neji interrupted him.
"All of us are bound by fate from the moment we are born.
"Lady Hinata is destined to lead the clan, while I, as a branch family member, am fated to bear the Caged Bird Seal and protect her with my life."
"Clan Head, if you're acting out of guilt over my father and mother, there's no need. We are all merely walking along the paths laid out by fate. There's nothing to dwell on."
Hiashi felt a deep ache in his heart.
To hear such words from a child's mouth…
The death of Neji's father, followed by his mother's despair, had stolen his innocence.
Hiashi's wife sighed softly and retreated indoors, carrying Hinata with her.
Walking over to Neji, Hiashi placed a hand gently on the boy's head.
The unexpected gesture made Neji freeze. In his mind, the stern Clan Head had never shown such tenderness.
"Neji," Hiashi said quietly, "today, I sought the help of someone very powerful.
"Rest assured, I will not let you remain a caged bird. You will have a future, one different from your father's.
"This is the least I can do to atone. I hope it will ease the burden on your heart."
"There's a letter your father left for you. Once you've learned to read, I'll give it to you."
With that, Hiashi turned and walked away.
The soft spring breeze carried a hint of warmth. From the withered branches of a willow tree, a single green bud emerged, swaying gently.
In the empty courtyard, the boy stood motionless, his face streaked with tears that he didn't notice had fallen.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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