The signs of conflict between the main and branch families of the Hyuga Clan were becoming increasingly clear. Hiashi Hyuga hadn't expected that Hyuga Mirai's words before leaving would so effectively stir up the branch family.
In the past, whenever the Caged Bird Seal gesture was shown, branch family members wouldn't dare speak back. Now, when the second elder used it, it only provoked resistance.
If this issue isn't resolved, a situation similar to "Uchiha Itachi" might play out within the Hyuga Clan.
Not all members of the Hyuga Clan possess the Byakugan. Some branch family members have bloodlines so diluted they can't awaken the Byakugan at all. These individuals are usually assigned external duties to maintain clan businesses. Their lack of Byakugan makes them safer outside the village, and their descendants' blood is even thinner.
These members are more closely tied to the branch family in status and blood, and they are numerous. If a split occurs, the main family might lose all outside business operations—especially since, without the Caged Bird Seal, main family members become walking bounty targets once they leave the village.
"Believe it or not, none of the main family has ever heard of the eyes Hyuga Mirai possesses. I swear this as clan head. If such eyes existed, how could those of you living with the main family not notice any signs?"
Hiashi spoke solemnly to the branch members. His sincerity contrasted with the second elder's oppressive tactics, and gradually, the tense atmosphere began to ease.
A sincere explanation from the clan head was far more acceptable than threats using the Caged Bird Seal. Hiashi also had a good reputation—after all, the clan had enjoyed over a decade of stability under his leadership.
Hiashi continued, urging unity within the clan and, in front of everyone, issued an order forbidding arbitrary use of the Caged Bird Seal by the main family. This served as both explanation and appeasement, calming the branch family for now.
However, despite temporarily backing down and halting public discussions, the branch members had already resolved to report everything to the Fourth Elder upon her return.
Everyone knew that the Fourth Elder took great interest in all matters concerning Hyuga Mirai.
Once the branch members had left, only Hiashi and the three elders remained in his home.
Even the branch family's attendants and guards were dismissed far away.
"Elder, with all your experience, do you truly know nothing about Mirai's eyes?" Hiashi asked. He had personally witnessed the Rinnegan's power that night—how it freely switched between Byakugan and another form, how its range spanned from the Uchiha compound to the Hokage Rock, and how the black orbs that appeared behind him shook Hiashi to the core.
What he'd told the branch members was true. If the main family had known of such power, they would've done anything to obtain it.
Wouldn't Hiashi, too, want to control such strength and restore the Hyuga Clan's glory as under Hyuga Tennin? If he had Mirai's power, neither the Cloud Village nor Konoha's leadership could have forced him to sacrifice his brother, Hizashi.
The elder shook his head. "Hiashi, most of the main family's legacy is passed down orally. There are some ancestral notes, but during the last clan relocation, Zomi Hyuga—old as he was—seemed to have gone through those records. Maybe he found something."
The elder suddenly recalled Kiyo Hyuga's grandfather. Ever since passing leadership to his granddaughter, he had focused on managing clan affairs, almost acting as her assistant so she could focus on training and clan leadership.
"Their line is heretical within the main family—betrayers of our centuries-old legacy!" Second Elder Zongyun Hyuga fumed at the mention. The two lines had once been close, but after Hyuga Mirai from Zomi's line killed his heir, relations soured rapidly. Despite Zomi paying a heavy price, there was no reconciliation.
Under Kiyo Hyuga's leadership, they refused to give an inch. When provoked by Zongyun, she struck back fiercely. Were it not for clan rules, one of them would've died already.
"I'll go speak with Zomi Hyuga. As fellow main family members, he won't want to see the clan split," the elder sighed. After the Uchiha Clan's devastation, was it now the Hyuga Clan's turn?
If Konoha's upper echelon weren't so preoccupied lately, someone would've already intervened. Those brilliant blue eyes stirred even their hearts—let alone anyone else's.
If the main family had a clue, they'd be the first to research the Byakugan.
Meanwhile, the Sarutobi clan had quickly filled the ANBU ranks, taking over three squad leader positions. Now, only Kakashi wasn't from the Sarutobi clan.
The Uchiha incident damaged Konoha's ANBU and Root divisions the most. There was also the destruction of the Hokage Rock and the death of an advisor, though Koharu Utatane's passing seemed to have been quietly ignored.
Neither Hiruzen Sarutobi nor Danzo mentioned her afterward. She was buried alongside other ANBU without ceremony.
Koharu had been chosen by the Second Hokage to represent civilian shinobi. She was the only Konoha elder not born into a ninja clan. Unlike Homura Mitokado, who used his power to grow his family, Koharu had used hers mainly to funnel village funds into her family's trade group.
But without strong ninja to protect them, her small family would surely suffer after her death.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Shin'nosuke summoned Mitokado, the one-armed Danzo, key department leaders, and clan heads. He then announced Hiruzen Sarutobi's final order.
"By the Third Hokage's command, from today, Homura Mitokado and Danzo are relieved of all duties. The Logistics Department will be temporarily led by its current deputy. All Root members are hereby merged into the ANBU. The ANBU's top mission is to locate Princess Tsunade and bring her back to serve as the Fifth Hokage."
"Mitokado and Danzo are to be placed under house arrest by the ANBU until the Fifth Hokage takes office and makes a final decision."
After reading, Shin'nosuke handed the scroll around for verification.
No one could take his word alone; such a decision required confirmation.
Once everyone confirmed it bore Hiruzen's handwriting, they were surprised by how decisive the Third had been—removing two high-level officials and disbanding Root in one move.
But on reflection, Root had to go. The Nine-Tails' jinchuriki had defected. Though officially blamed on a misunderstanding, it was clear that for Kushina to flee with Naruto, the real story must have been grave.
If Mitokado and Danzo weren't punished, Minato's friends and loyalists would never accept it.
"This is impossible—I've given everything to Konoha!" Homura's face was full of disbelief. Danzo's dismissal was one thing, but why him too? He had sacrificed everything—even an arm. Yet Hiruzen had done this?
"It ends here, Elder Homura. I'll have ANBU escort you home. Elder Danzo, the ANBU will take over Root shortly. Until the Fifth Hokage returns, you'll both remain at home," said Shin'nosuke, then immediately summoned two ANBU squads to escort the elders.
Danzo said nothing throughout—until he left.
He turned to Shin'nosuke. "As expected of Hiruzen."
He had used this chance to push all the blame onto others and expand the Sarutobi clan's power. Danzo had only realized the ANBU's numbers the previous day.
Still, Root wasn't so easy to absorb. Most public members were already dead. As for those in the shadows, even Hiruzen couldn't command them—only Danzo could.
After dealing with Homura and Danzo, the clan heads were somewhat satisfied. Danzo's actions had been intolerable, and Tsunade was widely seen as the best candidate for Fifth Hokage.
But Tsunade had been gone a long time. Her last visit was during the Nine-Tails' rampage.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio had already received word from Nara Shikaku. They would act in unity, so they also supported Tsunade's return.
After discussion, each clan agreed to help stabilize the village so ANBU could spare more hands to find her.
"This power... no matter how many times I see it, it's flawless," Orochimaru muttered in Otogakure, eyes full of fascination. The sheer destructive force surpassed all ninjutsu.
"According to Mirai-kun, this is an evolution beyond the Byakugan—like the Mangekyo Sharingan is to the Sharingan. It's the peak of ocular power, a gateway to the Six Paths."
Orochimaru contemplated further. His village had a few Byakugan—surgically transplanted from the main family. Kimimaro could use them perfectly, but Orochimaru still felt it was impossible to reproduce the awe-inspiring eyes of Hyuga Mirai through Kimimaro.
Researching Mirai directly would be ideal, but no one would willingly share such fundamental secrets. The fact that Mirai had told him anything about the Rinnegan's abilities and origins was already generous.
It was like Orochimaru's own incomplete Kekkei Genkai: the Yamata Technique. He hadn't even revealed that yet. Maybe once perfected, he'd flaunt it to Sasori or Mirai.
"Maybe I should capture a few main family Hyuga for research…"
Orochimaru considered it. He needed to weigh Mirai's attitude. But seeing how detached Mirai seemed from the main family, as long as he didn't touch Kiyo Hyuga, Mirai likely wouldn't care.
(End of chapter)