Chapter 90

"Enough, Koharu."

The Third Hokage, unable to listen any longer, intervened.

"There's no use in getting angry. If Shinki's puppets are truly as Orochimaru described, then we need to control them."

"And how exactly do we control them?" Utatane Koharu retorted, her tone edged with frustration. "Tsunade won't support us, and Hyuga Shinki has already refused to hand over the puppets."

Without the core secrets behind the puppets, simply possessing them would be of little value. The Third Hokage and his advisors were more interested in the ability to replicate and produce the puppets independently.

As for the rest, the F4 group didn't even consider it. If Hyuga Shinki had the knowledge to create such advanced puppets, it was only logical that Konoha should possess those secrets as well.

"I'll handle it."

The Third Hokage exhaled heavily, the smoke from his pipe curling around him as he contemplated his next move. He knew that Tsunade was out of the question. If Shinki wouldn't hand over the puppets and their secrets willingly, other methods would have to be used.

For example, leveraging the influence of the Hyuga clan.

That night, the Third Hokage paid another visit to the Hyuga clan. His last visit had been to issue a warning; this time, he came seeking cooperation in obtaining the puppets and their secrets.

No one knew what he discussed with the Hyuga clan head or what promises were made. The following day, the Hyuga clan dispatched a team to the front lines as part of the reinforcements.

Among the team members was a representative from the main family, which made the purpose of their visit clear: pressure Shinki into compliance. If he remained obstinate, they would resort to using the Caged Bird seal.

The Third Hokage had promised the Hyuga clan significant benefits in return. Knowing that even Konoha's leadership was tempted by Shinki's unique puppets, the Hyuga clan couldn't deny their interest. But they also couldn't afford to antagonize the Third Hokage and the entire F4 group. The fate of the Uchiha clan was a stark reminder of what could happen to those who opposed them.

Tsunade and Shinki were unaware of these developments. Although Tsunade had taken over as head of the Anbu, the organization was still undergoing restructuring, and the Third Hokage had approached the Hyuga clan privately to avoid any leaks.

He planned meticulously. Once the Hyuga clan secured the secrets, he would offer Tsunade certain concessions to keep her placated. He believed that, despite her anger, she wouldn't stir up trouble during wartime.

Two days later, reinforcements arrived at the camp. Almost immediately, the Hyuga team separated from the main force and made their way to the medical quarters.

In his private lounge, Shinki was engrossed in a book he'd borrowed from Orochimaru, reading with keen interest.

"Squeak!"

The door opened abruptly, and several figures stood in the doorway. Shinki looked up, eyes narrowing.

Well, well.

It didn't take much to figure out why they were there.

A team from the clan, led by a member of the main family. The main family wouldn't come to the front lines unless absolutely necessary, and certainly not to fight.

Hyuga mingshi, the main branch representative, stepped in with an expressionless face, followed by the branch family members who closed the door behind them.

"Hyuga Shinki, why don't you stand up and show respect?" mingshi demanded, eyes sharp with authority.

Custom dictated that branch family members should acknowledge the main family with formal greetings. Shinki didn't move, not even a flicker of compliance crossing his face. Instead, he regarded mingshi with an amused expression.

"I'm afraid I don't have that habit," Shinki said, his voice light, as if he were speaking to a fool.

The audacity!

mingshi was momentarily stunned. Then his face flushed with rage, turning a mottled purple.

This insolent wretch!

mingshi, accustomed to deference and obedience, decided that Shinki needed to be put in his place before he completed the mission assigned by the clan leader. He reached for the power of the Caged Bird seal to inflict pain and force submission.

"Kneel!"

Just as he tried to activate the seal, the word seemed to echo back at him, not from his mouth, but from the air around him.

Suddenly, mingshi's body locked up. He couldn't move, paralyzed by an unseen force. The same went for the rest of the branch family members present. They stared, wide-eyed, at Shinki as though he had transformed into a monstrous being.

*Thud!*

The pressure became unbearable, and mingshi and the others fell to their knees. Shinki stood and walked over, his fingers extending toward mingshi's neck. He gripped it firmly and lifted the older man off the ground, eyes cold but amused.

"You know," Shinki said with a half-smile, "people from the main family sure are lazy. A waste like you can only thrive under the protection of your privileged status."

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