Naruto Birdcage

Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Slander! This is slander! Lord Hokage, do you also believe that the Hyuga are cowards afraid of death?!"

Hiashi's face was filled with anger as he questioned the Third Hokage.

"Hiashi, it's not what I think—it's what some people in the village have started to believe. Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

"You're well aware of the current situation.

Our comrades are fighting and bleeding on the front lines, yet you, as the head of the Hyuga clan, remain at the rear, doing nothing.

Rumors are bound to arise.

Hiashi, you must consider the bigger picture and not give the villagers more reason to doubt."

"But with such an incident happening within our clan, how can I just leave?!" Hiashi couldn't help but protest.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned calm and stern:

"What, do you think your clan's affairs are more important than the life and death of the village?

A single death in the Hyuga clan is an earth-shattering event, while the sacrifices of those comrades on the front lines are insignificant?"

This accusation was heavy, and Hiashi's face grew visibly strained.

"I wouldn't dare!"

Sarutobi's eyes flickered slightly, and his expression softened again.

"Hiashi, I understand the Hyuga Clan faces difficulties.

The village will stand by you.

I will thoroughly investigate the murder of Hyuga Hitsuo.

I will not allow the perpetrator to roam free within Konoha!"

Hiashi stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

"I understand. Thank you, Lord Hokage!"

Sarutobi nodded with a hint of relief.

"In two days, a supply convoy will depart from the village.

Go back and make your preparations."

After Hiashi left, the smile on Sarutobi's face gradually faded.

Still too young, Hiashi… he thought.

Revealing your emotions so plainly on your face—do you lose your composure so easily over the death of a single clansman?

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window behind his desk, his deep gaze fixed on the village scenery outside.

If Minato were this young, how would he deal with those old schemers…?

If the war ends smoothly, how could I ever feel at ease stepping down…?

......

Hyuga Clan Grounds.

Hiashi returned to his residence and saw his father and Ayano already there.

The two were kneeling in the center of the living room, seemingly waiting for him.

Hiashi entered, glanced at his father seated in the main position, and silently knelt down beside him.

The elderly Hyuga Taikei, with his wrinkled face and white hair, leaned on his cane and glanced sideways.

"You look quite disheveled, Hiashi."

Hiashi slowly closed his eyes, while Ayano, sitting opposite, wore a worried expression.

Hyuga Taikei asked slowly.

"What has caused you to lose your composure?"

Hiashi's eyes snapped open, his voice laced with anger.

"The Byakugan is a clan secret; there's no way an outsider could know about it.

I suspect those old geezers from the Branch Family are getting restless!

I'm preparing to investigate this matter thoroughly, but now the Hokage wants me to head to the front lines, saying there are already rumors in the village.

It must be the Uchiha stirring up trouble!"

Hyuga Taikei sighed deeply upon hearing this.

"You disappoint me, Hiashi."

Hiashi let out a cold snort.

"With such an incident happening in our clan, as the clan head, I will bear full responsibility."

But Hyuga Taikei shook his head.

"It's just a pair of dead eyes—lost means lost.

But your current demeanor… do you still carry the bearing of a clan head?

If the Branch Family sees you like this, if the Uchiha see you like this, they will only hold you in greater contempt."

Hiashi's eyes widened in shock.

"But that's the Byakugan!

Our Hyuga clan has always strictly controlled the leakage of our bloodline.

How can we just let it be lost like this?!"

Hyuga Taikei said calmly.

"And what if it's lost?

Without the bloodline of our Hyuga clan, another family with the Byakugan will never emerge.

At most, the ninja world will simply have a few more individuals possessing the Byakugan."

Hiashi fell silent, his expression grim.

Hyuga Taikei continued.

"What's wrong? Do you see this as a disgrace?"

Hiashi remained silent.

Hyuga Taikei said calmly.

"If this is so unbearable for you, why not simply give up your position as head of the Main Family?"

Anger flared in Hiashi's heart, but he forced himself to suppress it.

"What do you suggest we do now?"

Taikei replied.

"Go to the front lines. The current war is intense, and the strength of the Hyuga clan is needed."

Hiashi frowned deeply and asked. "And what about the affairs of the clan?"

"The Hokage will likely look into the matter, won't he?"

"He said he would thoroughly investigate."

"Then let Lord Hokage investigate."

"But…"

"What?" Taikei shot him a sharp glance, cutting him off.

"Are you afraid the Hokage won't find anything, or are you afraid he will find something?"

"…"

"You treat this as a scandal. Are you worried that if word spreads, it will tarnish the dignity of you, the great Clan Head of the Hyuga?" Taikei's eyes narrowed as he questioned him.

Hiashi remained silent, his face dark and expressionless.

"Hiashi, is the name of the Hyuga Clan so fragile in your eyes?"

"Are you not aware of the Uchiha's reputation among the villagers?

Yet, despite all the rumors and whispers over the years, has anyone ever been able to shake their position?"

"Let the villagers talk however they want.

The key is how the Hokage sees you.

Do you want him to think you're someone who only cares about your clan and disregards the life and death of the village?

Have you considered the consequences of that?

Do you think being quietly mocked by villagers on the streets is more severe than losing the Hokage's trust?"

Hiashi's eyes flickered, his face shifting between light and dark expressions for a long time.

Finally, he took a deep breath and said.

"I understand. I was foolish."

Taikei nodded slightly before asking. "How is that child?"

Hiashi replied. "I personally tested him last night. There's no problem."

"There may be no problem now, but we cannot guarantee the future.

With the Byakugan theft incident, that child might already be seen as a variable in the eyes of the Branch Family." Taikei said calmly.

"He must develop absolute loyalty to the clan.

While you're away on the battlefield, Ayano should pay more attention to him."

Ayano, who had been standing beside them, quickly lowered her head and replied.

"Understood."

Taikei then spoke to Hiashi.

"Hiashi, you are the head of the Hyuga clan.

You must understand that maintaining the stability of our clan is the most important thing!

You cannot let the family fall into internal strife!"

"I know."

Taikei sighed softly and muttered to himself.

"Chaos is the abyss..."

"The abyss that opens its mouth wide and devours everything... When I die, give him my eyes."

"Lord Taikei!" Ayano exclaimed in surprise.

"But he's just a Branch Family member.

How can he be worthy of the eyes of the Main Family!"

Taikei furrowed his brows slightly.

"What, do you think Branch Family members are born inferior to the Main Family?

Your sister shares the same blood as you, yet she's in the Branch Family.

It's this kind of mentality that has deepened the rift between the Main and Branch Families."

Ayano immediately lowered her head, no longer speaking.

"Go and prepare. Be careful on the front lines. It's not like the village.

Every achievement you make there will be far more important than uncovering the killer in the village.

As for the affairs of the clan, I will handle them."

End of chapter

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