Chapter 95

The Hyuga clan leader seethed internally. *No privileges? Sarutobi Hiruzen, you are the greatest privilege in the village!*

He knew full well that the Third Hokage's instructions were a pretense, a thinly veiled attempt to pressure Tsunade without taking direct responsibility. When they needed support, promises were abundant; when things went awry, the pretense began.

Though the Third Hokage may not have intended to be dismissive initially, the Hyuga clan leader saw it as deliberate. The Hyuga were being stonewalled.

Expressionless and simmering with anger, he left the Hokage's office.

"*Sigh...*" The Third Hokage exhaled deeply, unable to comprehend why the situation kept spiraling out of control.

The village had merely wanted some puppets and to unlock the secrets behind their construction.

But now, things were getting more tense and complicated by the day.

He glanced at the window and questioned himself: *Am I wrong?*

*No! I am not wrong. Everything I did was for the village!*

"Summon the two representatives from the Elders' Council."

If the path through the Hyuga clan didn't yield results, he would need another approach.

Within the Hyuga compound, tensions flared in the main courtyard.

"How could the Hokage do this? It's a betrayal!" 

"If Hyuga Shinki is the primary suspect, he should be apprehended and interrogated immediately!"

"Hyuga Mingshi was a disgrace! He couldn't even control a branch family member!"

The elders of the main family shouted angrily, incensed by Seishi's failure. As a member of the main family, wielding the power of the Caged Bird curse mark, failing to control a branch family member was a shame of the highest order. 

What aggravated them further was that Shinki, a branch member, dared to defy them and kill a main family member. It was an affront to their status and the strict order of the Hyuga clan.

Naturally, the main family elders could not accept the Third Hokage's lukewarm response. To them, it was a betrayal.

"Clan leader, I propose that Hyuga Shinki be arrested and interrogated. The main family's honor and dignity cannot be trampled upon!"

"Yes, we must also retrieve the Byakugan. We cannot allow it to fall outside of the clan's control."

The elders spoke fervently, none more so than Mingshi's father. If the village had offered substantial compensation for Seishi's death, they might have been placated, but the Hokage's offer had felt dismissive, an insult.

The entire Hyuga clan bristled with anger.

*Fine. So this is how you're playing it? Do you think the Hyuga clan is so easily appeased?*

"I will personally handle this matter," the clan leader finally said. "The losses are heavy, but this incident has revealed who we can truly rely on."

His gaze swept over each elder's face.

"Clan leader, are we just letting this go?"

"What else can we do?" The clan leader's tone was cold. "Do you expect the Hokage to provide a satisfactory explanation? Or would you rather spread this shameful affair to the public and tarnish the clan's reputation?"

The elders fell silent at his pointed questions.

Even Minghsi's father was quiet. Though he mourned his son, public exposure would bring disgrace to the main family and could incite the branch family to unrest. Too many bore grudges against the main family.

The elders' greatest fear wasn't external embarrassment but internal rebellion.

Shinki had shown that a branch member could kill a main family member. Why wouldn't others with deep-seated resentments think the same?

Seeing the room settle, the clan leader continued, "Don't forget how deep the divide runs between the main family and the branch family. If others take inspiration from this, it will lead to endless strife."

How should this be resolved? Every path seemed blocked, suffocating them all.

"Tomorrow," the clan leader said, pausing. "I will go to the front-line camp myself to speak with Shinki. We must ensure the Byakugan does not leave the clan. It is our heritage, and this precedent cannot be set."

The elders were speechless. The clan leader intended to resolve this peacefully and retrieve the Byakugan, not seek retribution.

A branch family member killing a main family member was unforgivable, yet they dared not act rashly. Any move against Shinki would invite Tsunade's ire, possibly even the Third Hokage's intervention.

Many were eager to see the Hyuga falter; they simply hadn't found the chance—until now.

The news of the clan leader's intended visit reached the Anbu and quickly made its way to Tsunade and the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage chose not to respond.

*How many times will this go on? Do they think I have no limits?*

Tsunade, who once would have stormed the Hyuga compound at such news, now saw no need for that level of drama.

"Summon the elders of the Hyuga clan and inform them we need their cooperation in an investigation."

The Hyuga clan prided itself on discipline, unlike the Uchiha, but even they had skeletons in their closet. The Anbu had sealed files concerning unresolved cases tied to tensions between the main and branch families.

"Yes, Minister," the Anbu agents responded.

With the order in place, the Anbu moved swiftly. Tsunade scoured the archives, unsealing the relevant files.

*If you can't restrain yourselves, I'll cool you down.*

The Anbu informed the Hyuga clan that their elders were required for questioning. Once the agents departed, panic spread within the compound.

"Summon the clan leader immediately! He must return!"

The urgency was unmistakable. As soon as the clan leader left, the Anbu arrived with orders—this was no coincidence. It was a targeted move.

Barely two hours after leaving, the Hyuga clan leader was recalled due to the clan's frantic calls.

He had no choice. The Anbu had detained all main and branch family elders, causing chaos. As the leader, he couldn't afford to be away.

"Minister, the Hyuga elders have been brought back."

"Good. Send them to the interrogation room. There's no need for questioning—just detain them."

Tsunade, eyes on her documents, didn't even look up as she gave the command.

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