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"Enough with the 'Clan Leader'—just get out of here."
The Grand Elder waved his hand at the others, signaling them to scram and stop bothering the clan leader.
Seeing this, the elders could only get up and leave one by one.
The hardline stance the Hyūga clan had maintained for years was thus broken, and they were among those forced to compromise.
The elders' retreating figures looked somewhat despondent and helpless.
In the meeting hall, Hiashi remained with his head down. The Grand Elder said nothing either. The two just sat quietly.
No one knew how long passed before the Grand Elder finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Clan Leader, were you serious about the coup?"
At this, Hiashi, who had kept his head down, looked up.
When the Grand Elder saw the coldness in Hiashi's eyes, his eyelids twitched.
He seemed to have asked something he shouldn't have.
"Grand Elder, do you think I would joke about such a thing?"
"It doesn't seem like it..."
The Grand Elder smiled bitterly and shook his head. "But Clan Leader, have you thought about what would happen to the clan if a coup actually occurred?"
"Severe losses." Hiashi answered immediately, without hesitation.
"But I believe Kazuki would spare some of the clan's heritage for Hinata's sake. However, most of the clan members, I'm afraid..."
He really was serious!!!
The Grand Elder had previously wondered if Hiashi was joking or just putting on an act. He no longer doubted.
"Why?"
"Because I am the clan leader. I am responsible for all clan members, whether Branch House or Main House elders. That's why I chose to dispose of the Third Elder and the others. I am willing to lead the clan to take risks, even if we ultimately fail." Hiashi spoke decisively.
"With Hinata there, the clan's heritage won't be broken. That's enough. At least Kazuki won't punish Hinata and Hanabi."
Have we put too much pressure on the clan leader?
Flipping the table, going to extremes.
Hiashi was the clan leader. He couldn't ignore the opinions of the Main and Branch House elders. Because he was the clan leader, responsible for all clan members. He was the one in the most difficult position.
"It seems this old man is truly getting old."
The Grand Elder said nothing more. He shook his head and left the meeting hall.
Executing several elders – in the past, that would have been a monumental event for the Hyūga clan.
But now, it was nothing.
If they were executed, they were executed. No big deal. Whether Branch House or Main House, the clan's heritage wouldn't be broken.
It just meant Hiashi had set a precedent.
A very bad precedent for the Hyūga elders.
If they still wanted to act up as before, they'd have to consider whether their necks were hard enough,
whether the village could find leverage against them, whether the clan leader would get angry and dispose of them.
The forces surrounding the Hyūga compound withdrew.
Quickly.
This made the Hyūga clan members, who had been living in fear, breathe sighs of relief.
They had never imagined that being forcibly confined to their homes would be so agonizing.
Living in constant fear, terrified that the village would use any excuse to come after them.
Now, they could finally catch their breath.
Many people lost sleep that night, including Kazuki.
But Kazuki was different: he'd read too many documents, his head was a mess, he simply couldn't sleep.
The next morning.
Many villagers noticed new announcements from the village.
The announcements covered many things, roughly explaining the Hyūga's issues, informing the villagers that the village and the Hyūga clan had always been in friendly negotiations, working together to resolve conflicts.
The false news earlier was completely fabricated by spies from enemy villages, aiming to damage the relationship between the village and the Hyūga clan.
The announcements also mentioned the Sarutobi clan. Though the Sarutobi had their own issues, it wasn't as bad as the rumors made it out to be.
Such announcements were effectively backing the Hyūga and Sarutobi clans.
The difference was that the Hyūga were the focus, while the Sarutobi were just mentioned in passing.
"Damn spies! So despicable! Spreading fake news like that! Good thing we reacted quickly."
"I hope they catch more spies this time. Keep these pests from harming our village."
"Iwagakure and Kirigakure are truly despicable, sending spies to harm us."
"Compared to the spies, I'm more concerned about whether the Hyūga's problems have been resolved."
"The Main House won't target the Branch House anymore, right?"
It was impossible to clear their name overnight. They had to slowly guide the villagers, making them realize they were wrong, and make their thinking move in the direction the Hokage's office wanted.
That way, even if the Hyūga's reputation couldn't be restored to its former glory, at least it wouldn't be too bad.
Even if people still pointed fingers, it was better than being a rat crossing the street. Compared to them, the Sarutobi clan was worse off.
"Were you serious about the coup?"
In the Hokage's office, Kazuki glanced at Hiashi, who was sitting beside him drinking tea.
"I was serious."
Hiashi slowly nodded. "If I didn't take it seriously, how could I make others believe me?"
"...."
You bastard.
Kazuki was speechless.
Others flip tables to scare people. You, Hyūga Hiashi, flip tables for real.
"Don't let it happen again. This kind of thing is no joke." Kazuki reminded Hiashi.
Once is enough.
No, not even a second time.
Hiashi dared to be serious because he knew the clan elders wouldn't dare.
No matter how loudly he shouted, he was shouting alone. Even if discovered, Kazuki wouldn't punish him or target the Hyūga clan.
That was his courage.
If the Third Hokage were sitting here, Hiashi wouldn't dare do this.
Otherwise, even if the Third Hokage accepted the Hyūga's negotiations, he would never let his guard down. He would keep watching the Hyūga.
"You can handle the apology yourself. Go find Shikaku later and have him send people to maintain order."
The village had issued announcements to clarify. Now, Hiashi, as clan leader, would represent the elders, publicly apologizing to the Branch House members and the villagers – with full sincerity.
In the past, a major clan leader publicly apologizing was unimaginable.
Now, almost no one dared to stop Hiashi.
The clan elders responded with silence. They neither opposed nor supported. And they couldn't swallow their pride to do such a thing, so the clan leader had to do it personally.
For Hiashi, as long as the clan's problems and conflicts were resolved, as long as the clan's heritage could continue, what was a public apology?