198 Chapter 198: Hyūga, Hand Over One Hundred Pairs of Byakugan!
A night passed.
As the morning sun rose, heralding a new day, the bright sunlight bathed Konohagakure. Yet, it failed to bring warmth or hope. Instead, the light seemed eerily cold, casting a chilling pall over the village.
The stench of blood hung heavily in the air of Konohagakure, assaulting the senses of its inhabitants.
Numerous bodies littered the streets, stained with blood.
They were members of the Sarutobi clan.
In just one night, this clan, the largest in Konoha with a population surpassing three thousand, was annihilated. From elderly individuals in their seventies to children as young as three, no one was spared.
The scene resembled a horrific tableau of hell.
This was a bloody purge executed by the Fifth Hokage, Danzo, under the pretense of quelling a coup. His cruel methods sent chills down the spines of many.
This event was destined to become a dark chapter in Konoha's history.
With the Sarutobi clan's grim fate as a lesson, no one in Konoha dared to contemplate challenging Danzo's rule.
The residents had no choice but to accept their reality.
On the streets of Konoha, Hyūga Hizashi, leading a group from the Hyūga Security Division, patrolled the village. Their efforts were crucial in maintaining the village's daily order.
Last night, the Hyūga clan had staunchly supported Danzo. Their loyalty was rewarded, having placed their bets on the winning side.
It was clear to anyone observant that Danzo would come to rely heavily on the Hyūga clan, bringing them unprecedented power and influence in Konoha.
The Hyūga clan members were brimming with excitement for the future. However, Hizashi, the clan leader, remained composed, driven solely by his desire to maintain peace in the village.
Soon after their patrol, they returned to the Security Division headquarters.
"Captain, representatives from the four major ninja villages are here. They are waiting in your office," reported a clan member.
Hizashi's brows furrowed in confusion. What would representatives from the four major villages want at the Security Division?
He entered his office and recognized a few familiar faces: Iwagakure's elite shinobi Kurotsuchi, Kumogakure's Two-Tails jinchuriki Yugito Nii, Sunagakure's elite shinobi Temari, and Kirigakure's Ao.
All were prominent figures from their respective villages.
"What brings you here?" Hizashi inquired, sensing that something was amiss.
Indeed.
"Hasn't the Fifth informed you? We're here to oversee the Security Division. Starting today, for the sake of better maintaining Konoha's peace, the leadership will be established by representatives from the four major villages," Kurotsuchi remarked with surprise.
Yugito Nii added, "Every three months, one of us will assume the role of Division Head. But don't worry, you'll still be the Captain, and the roles of your subordinates will remain unchanged."
Hizashi's temper flared.
Before he could voice his discontent, Temari interjected, "Captain Hizashi, if you have no further questions, you can start briefing us on the division's operations. We need to fully understand the current situation."
Hizashi, suppressing his anger, turned on his heel and stormed out.
Ao, the "Byakugan Killer" who had lost his precious Byakugan the night before, had received word that the four major ninja villages were demanding Byakugan from Konoha. Judging by Hizashi's reaction, he seemed to be unaware of this development.
Poor soul.
---
Hizashi made his way to the Hokage's office, intent on confronting Danzo.
Upon reaching the entrance, he was greeted by two ANBU guards, "Captain Hizashi, the Hokage has been expecting you. Please come in."
Could it be an explanation about the Security Division? Hizashi pondered as he entered the office.
Danzo stood by the window, his back to Hizashi, appearing to be lost in thought. Neither the Hokage nor Hizashi spoke for several moments.
Breaking the tense silence, Hizashi began, "Hokage-sama, regarding the Security Division..."
However, Danzo cut him off, "You've met the representatives from the four major villages, haven't you? Work with them and continue maintaining the peace in Konoha."
Danzo spoke nonchalantly, seemingly dismissing the importance of the Security Division. "I summoned you for another critical matter."
Finally, Danzo faced Hizashi, his gaze piercing.
"What is it?" Hizashi asked, taken aback.
"The Byakugan of the Hyūga clan is not only the foremost dojutsu in Konoha but is also renowned throughout the shinobi world. Konoha is fortunate to have the Hyūga," Danzo suddenly praised.
Caught off guard, Hizashi chuckled bitterly, "Thank you for the compliment, Hokage-sama. But the Byakugan... compared to the Uchiha's Sharingan, it's nothing."
Danzo responded, "Don't underestimate your clan's worth."
Danzo's gaze shimmered as he comforted, "If the Byakugan wasn't powerful, the Raikage wouldn't have gone to such lengths to kidnap Hinata years ago. And the Mist Village values the Byakugan they've obtained on the battlefield. The fact is, the entire shinobi world covets the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan."
Wait a moment.
From Danzo's words, Hyuga Hiashi detected something amiss.
His expression shifted, and he sternly asked, "Lord Hokage, what are you trying to say?"
With no more ambiguity, Danzo stated, "For the peace of the shinobi world, the Byakugan shouldn't be held by Konoha alone. It should be distributed amongst the Four Great Ninja Villages. This is a clause in the peace treaty agreed upon after discussions with the Four Kage."
Impossible... such a thing?!
Hiashi's eyes widened in shock.
As he tried to process, Danzo, calm as ever, continued, "Regarding the numbers, Iwagakure demands forty pairs, Kumogakure wants thirty pairs, while Sunagakure and Kirigakure each request fifteen pairs. In total, precisely one hundred pairs of Byakugan. I believe this is a number the Hyuga Clan can afford."
A hundred pairs?
"Impossible!"
Hiashi immediately rejected the idea, incredulous, "Even if we were to agree, the main branch of the Hyuga doesn't have that many. Where would we find a hundred pairs of Byakugan?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed, his stance firm, "There might not be enough in the main branch, but what about the branch family? With hundreds in the Hyuga clan, each born with the Byakugan, surely a hundred pairs isn't too much?"
Seeing Danzo's serious demeanor, Hiashi responded, "Lord Hokage, you must know that within our clan, the branch family is marked with the Caged Bird Seal from a young age. This seal not only suppresses some capabilities of the Byakugan but also triggers upon the user's death or if the eyes are removed, destroying the eyes and brain. This is why the Byakugan rarely leaves our clan."
Danzo waved off his concerns, "Then simply remove the Caged Bird Seal, right?"
Hiashi was stunned.
Approaching him, Danzo questioned, "Controlling the branch family using this seal, limiting their abilities... don't you think this method is cruel and heartless? Let me be blunt, Hiashi. The reason the Hyuga can't surpass the Uchiha is because of the Caged Bird Seal. It has suppressed numerous talents within the clan. It should have been abolished long ago."
Hiashi, angered by Danzo's apparent advocacy for the branch family, retorted, "So, your suggestion is to remove their Caged Bird Seals and then pluck out their Byakugan? Isn't that even more cruel?"
"Cruel? There are crueller possibilities," Danzo threatened, "If the Hyuga doesn't provide the Byakugan, I might have to let the Four Great Ninja Villages take them by force. By then, the Hyuga's fate might not be much better than that of the Sarutobi."
"You!"
Hiashi, unable to contain his anger, glared at Danzo with intense killing intent.
Instantly, several Anbu Black Ops appeared, surrounding Hiashi, ready to strike upon Danzo's command.
Feeling the odds against him, Hiashi realized his situation was dire.
"Everyone, stand down."
At that moment, Danzo motioned for the Anbu to leave.
He then sighed and earnestly told Hiashi, "Hiashi, I'm trying to help you. If you don't hand over the Byakugan, even I can't guarantee the Hyuga Clan's safety against the Four Great Ninja Villages. But if you do, it might be a temporary blow, but in the long run, it's beneficial. The Hyuga can use this opportunity to initiate internal reforms, abolishing the Caged Bird Seal. It's progress, isn't it? Think about it and give me an answer in three days."
Having said that, Danzo turned his attention back to the window.
Hiashi, in silence, took his leave from the Hokage's office, heavy-hearted.
Half an hour later, Hiashi returned to the Hyuga compound. Passing by the dojo, he caught sight of Hinata and Neji sparring.
"Hinata-sama, if you need a sparring partner, I can step aside," Neji remarked, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
But the ever-innocent Hinata pleaded, "Please, Neji-niisan."
Seeing her persistence, Neji sighed, "Alright, let's begin."
As they sparred, Neji eyed Hinata with a growing animosity. He internally questioned the meaning of his existence – just to protect and potentially sacrifice everything for her?
*Why should I, a member of the branch family, suffer this fate? Why should my father die for the clan?*
Neji's resentment boiled within him.
He ceased holding back against Hinata, launching a fierce assault that she struggled to defend against.
"What's the matter, Lady Hinata? You're the heir to the main family, yet you're this weak? Can you truly bear the weight of the Hyuga clan's destiny?"
As Neji jeered, he aimed a powerful palm strike at Hinata's chest. If it connected, she'd undoubtedly be injured.
Suddenly, a blur intervened. Hyuga Hiashi, the clan head, appeared before Neji, grabbing his wrist and flinging him away with force.
Neji crashed to the ground, dazed. As he tried to regain his bearings, Hiashi activated the Cage Bird Seal.
"Ah!"
Neji screamed in agony, clutching his head and writhing in torment. Tears streamed down his face, and the blue cross-shaped seal on his forehead – the Cage Bird Curse Seal he desperately tried to hide – was now exposed for all to see.
Hiashi's expression was stern, but Hinata's pleas softened him.
"Father, please, it was my idea to spar. Please spare Neji!"
After a moment's hesitation, Hiashi released the curse seal's influence.
"Neji, how would you feel if I were to remove the Cage Bird Curse Seal from you?"
Neji, still recovering from the pain, was taken aback, unable to process the unexpected question.
Hiashi sighed and left the training grounds, his thoughts heavy.
...
"Clan Head!"
Upon returning home, Hiashi was immediately approached by numerous clan members, all voicing their concerns about the recent oversight of the police department by representatives of the other major ninja villages.
"This is too much! The police department belongs to the Hyuga. We can't let others step all over us. The village is already saying the once-proud Hyuga are now bowing down to the other villages like obedient dogs!"
As the elders vented their frustrations, Hiashi remained silent, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Enough!"
He roared, silencing the room. He ordered everyone out, seeking solitude.
After some reflection, Hiashi summoned the main family members for a meeting, revealing everything to them.
"Give up a hundred Byakugans? What a joke!"
One particularly hot-headed elder immediately voiced his vehement objections.
However, Hiashi silenced them all with a single, pointed question:
"If that's the case, to save the Hyuga clan, are you, members of the main family, willing to give up your Byakugans?"
The room fell into a tense silence.
The next morning, an announcement echoed through the clan compound, summoning both the main and branch families to the central square for an urgent assembly.
Many speculated it was related to the police department issue.
However, the actual announcement took everyone by surprise.
Hiashi, taking a deep breath, stepped onto the podium. As he faced the sea of his clanspeople, he solemnly declared:
"Starting today, the Hyuga clan will abolish the millennium-old Cage Bird system. There will no longer be a distinction between the main and branch families!"
