Chapter 199: The Tragedy of the Hyuga

*Abolish the Cage Bird system? No distinction between the main and branch families?*

Upon hearing Hiashi's announcement, the gathered Hyuga clan didn't erupt in jubilation as expected. Instead, they fell into a stunned silence, with expressions of shock and disbelief.

Being from the branch family, they were conditioned to believe that their destiny was to serve and protect the main family, at the risk of their own lives.

Now, suddenly being told they're free from the oppressive Cage Bird Curse Seal, disbelief permeated the air.

"Clan Head, are you serious? This isn't some kind of joke... right?" Hyuga Tokoro, a Jonin, asked, representing the collective astonishment of the crowd.

Instead of responding verbally, Hiashi gestured for Neji to come forward. In a symbolic act, he removed the bandage from Neji's forehead, revealing the absence of the familiar cursed seal.

Witnessing this, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Neji's curse seal... it's gone…"

"Clan Head is serious! He really intends to remove the Cage Bird Curse Seal from all of us!"

The Cage Bird Seal not only suppressed the full potential of the Byakugan but also gave the main family control over the lives of the branch family. This curse had been the root of the clan's internal discord for generations.

And now, Hiashi, the one who benefited most from this system, was willingly dismantling it.

"Long live the Clan Head!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, especially from the branch family members who were deeply grateful to Hiashi.

Acknowledging the cheers, Hiashi gestured for silence.

"I understand many of you may have believed the Cage Bird system was designed to ensure the branch family's subservience. However, its primary function was to protect our clan and deter outsiders from coveting the Byakugan. Now, I want you all to think carefully and voluntarily decide whether to keep or abolish your own curse seal."

The crowd was taken aback.

The Cage Bird Seal was for their protection?

This didn't sit well. They believed Hiashi was reconsidering.

Seeing their reactions, Hiashi sighed inwardly.

*Remember, this was your choice.*

After a headcount, only a small fraction chose to retain their seals, either out of loyalty or indifference due to their age. The majority, however, opted to free themselves from the curse.

A long queue formed. Hiashi personally removed the curse seal from each member, returning to them a freedom they had long desired.

"It's finally gone. That wretched seal."

"Mom, my curse seal is gone. My classmates won't mock me anymore."

"My Byakugan no longer has blind spots. This feels amazing!"

"..."

The clan members expressed their joy freely, discussing their newfound liberation.

Exhausted after removing seals from hundreds of clan members, Hiashi took a moment to breathe, his chakra nearly depleted.

However, there was one more matter to address.

Seeing the jubilant faces, Hiashi's expression turned somber. He raised his voice, addressing everyone:

"As per the peace treaty signed between Konoha and the four major ninja villages, Konoha must hand over one hundred Byakugans as war reparations. This means one hundred members of the Hyuga clan must sacrifice their eyes for the peace of the village. It's time to determine who those individuals will be."

His words echoed like a thunderbolt on a clear day, plunging the square into another tense silence.

Whispers and murmurs of disbelief filled the air.

"What? How can this be?!"

"A hundred Byakugan? Even with all the main family members, we won't even make up a tenth of that number. Are they targeting us, the branch family members, for this?"

"So that's it! All this while, Hiashi freeing us from the Cage Bird Curse Seal wasn't out of kindness, but to take our eyes!"

The branch family members quickly realized the intentions behind Hiashi and the main family's actions.

In response, Hiashi calmly stated, "I've said it before, the Cage Bird was to protect you. You chose to forsake it."

His words did little to appease the disgruntled branch family members.

In the past, the Cage Bird Curse Seal ensured the branch family's compliance. But now, things were different. The branch family no longer bore the seal and vastly outnumbered the main family. Their suppressed resentment boiled over, seeing this as an opportunity for rebellion.

And so, chaos ensued.

"We won't give up our Byakugan!"

"Let's take the main family's eyes first, let them experience life without the Byakugan!"

Angry shouts filled the air.

Facing the uproar, Hiashi sighed, having anticipated this. He had prepared backup.

Suddenly, thousands of shadows rushed into the Hyuga compound, surrounding the dissenting branch family members. It was the elite of the Konoha ANBU and shinobi from the four major ninja villages.

The two sides clashed fiercely. Perhaps due to the overwhelming numbers or the cautionary tale of the Sarutobi clan, the branch family's resistance was swiftly crushed.

Over forty Hyuga members lost their lives in the chaos. And with the Cage Bird Curse Seal removed, their Byakugan remained intact post-mortem.

"Extract those eyes, and for the rest, we'll draw lots. Those who draw the short end will gouge out their own eyes," Hiashi coldly ordered.

At this point, those who had chosen to retain their curse seals, showing loyalty to the main family, couldn't help but feel a sense of vindication.

Being subservient was preferable to being blind.

Under the watchful eyes of the ANBU and shinobi from the four villages, hundreds of branch family members lined up for the grim lottery. Those who drew a safe lot breathed sighs of relief, while the less fortunate were paralyzed with shock, many collapsing on the spot.

With a series of agonizing screams, over fifty Byakugan were extracted, fulfilling the count of a hundred.

"Take them away," Hiashi commanded, observing the blindfolded clan members.

He handed over the collected Byakugan to the ANBU, stating, "For Konoha, the Hyuga clan is willing to make any sacrifice. I hope these hundred Byakugan satisfy the Hokage and secure peace for the village."

His tone was heavy with resignation.

The ANBU captain responded, "The Hokage wishes to convey his gratitude for the Hyuga clan's contribution," and then ordered the removal of the Byakugan.

Soon, the square was almost empty, save for a few lingering figures.

Neji, having witnessed everything, was paralyzed with horror.

It wasn't until Hiashi approached him that he managed to stutter, "Cl-Clan Head..."

Recalling Hiashi's recent decisions, the young Neji took a fearful step back. The ruthlessness Hiashi displayed had deeply shaken him.

Looking down at Neji, Hiashi's gaze softened briefly, "From today, your potential is unhindered, free from the Cage Bird's chains. And if you wish to learn the main family's secret techniques, I will teach you. Remember, there's no longer a distinction between the main and branch families in the Hyuga clan. So, prove your worth, and show me if you have the potential to surpass Hinata and lead the Hyuga clan into the future."

Hiashi's words stemmed from two reasons: Neji being the son of Hizashi, for whose death Hiashi still felt responsible, and Hinata's perceived inadequacies as a successor.

Hiashi knew that the Hyuga's future would need to be entrusted to someone even more exceptional than himself to survive in an increasingly brutal shinobi world.

If Hinata couldn't rise to the occasion, then Hiashi or another could take the position of clan head.

All was done for the sake of the clan.

The news of the Hyuga clan surrendering a hundred Byakugan eyes spread throughout the Hidden Leaf Village that day, shocking all its shinobi and villagers.

The Byakugan, with abilities like telescopic vision, X-ray vision, and keen insight, was invaluable for reconnaissance, tracking, and combat. Once a unique asset of the Leaf's Hyuga clan, that posed significant challenges to enemies, its exclusivity was now a thing of the past.

As the hundred Byakugan were distributed among the major ninja villages, many new "Byakugan Assassins" emerged, reminiscent of Ao.

For the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hyuga's plight was just the beginning. After this event, other prominent families in the village were also demanded to hand over their secret techniques, summoned beasts, and any other valuable assets. The Leaf's famed clans were virtually ransacked by Danzo and the four major ninja villages, suffering enormous losses.

Anxiety permeated the village. As nights passed, countless shinobi and villagers would lie awake, reflecting on the current state of the village.

Many began to realize that the Leaf's fate had been sealed ever since the day the Uchiha clan severed ties and left. It turned out that it wasn't the Uchiha who needed the Leaf, but the other way around.

...

The Fourth Great Ninja War.

Apart from the Hidden Leaf, the Hidden Rain also emerged as a loser. Shortly after the four major villages occupied the Leaf, news arrived:

The Hidden Sand was invaded by the Hidden Rain forces, and their one-tailed Jinchuriki, Gaara, was captured.

The Hidden Waterfall's seven-tailed Jinchuriki was taken by the Akatsuki.

Additionally, the roaming four-tailed Jinchuriki, Rōshi, from the Hidden Stone was also attacked by the Akatsuki.

Connecting the dots, the Akatsuki's objective was clear: to capture all the Tailed Beasts.

Fortunately, the Akatsuki leader, Pain, was ambushed and killed by Dan earlier. Otherwise, the Akatsuki might have already gathered all nine Tailed Beasts.

The leadership of the Five Great Nations convened an emergency meeting. They unanimously concluded that the Akatsuki and the Hidden Rain posed a significant threat to the world's peace.

In response, a new Allied Shinobi Forces was quickly assembled, setting out from the Hidden Leaf to launch a full-scale assault on the Hidden Rain.

Within half a month, the entire Land of Rain was occupied, with widespread devastation. The Allied Forces successfully invaded the Hidden Rain Village, effectively dismantling the Akatsuki's base.

The Akatsuki's reign over the Rain came to a somber end.

However, even after scouring the Hidden Rain Village and the entire Land of Rain, the Allied Forces could not locate the captured Jinchurikis.

Remnants of the Akatsuki, along with the Jinchurikis, had fled, leaving an impending threat.

At the border of the Land of Rain, Konan stood outside a cave, gazing into the distance.

She could never return to the always-raining nation that held her life's memories.

Upon her return to the Hidden Rain after the war, she waited in vain for Nagato. She had to face the brutal truth: Nagato was dead.

During this period, the Hidden Rain ninjas completed their mission, bringing back the one-tailed Jinchuriki from the Sand. However, Kakuzu, only loyal to money, betrayed Konan after hearing of Pain's death. Konan anticipated this and escaped his clutches.

Drawing her gaze back to the cave, three young figures lay sleeping: a blond boy with six whisker-like marks on his face, a red-haired boy with the kanji for 'love' on his forehead, and a dark-skinned girl with teal hair.

They were the nine-tailed Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki, the one-tailed Jinchuriki, Gaara, and the seven-tailed Jinchuriki, Fū.