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The Hyuga Clan assembly hall was currently filled with people. Those eligible to attend the clan meeting were either members with Jonin-level skill or elders with high status and prestige. Occasionally, highly talented young people, like Neji Hyuga, were allowed to observe.
The moment Hiroyuki Hyuga appeared, the lively atmosphere in the hall instantly became quiet and suppressed. There was a sense that a storm was brewing. But Hiroyuki Hyuga didn't believe this tension was directed at him. He was certain of victory. Even if Hiashi Hyuga didn't relent, the longer he stalled, the more his prestige would suffer. The person benefiting most from this was Hizashi Hyuga. In the past few years as a Hokage Advisor, he had received high praise both inside and outside the clan.
Hiroyuki Hyuga's final recourse was to replace the clan leader. If Hiashi Hyuga didn't cooperate, he would unite the others and nominate Hizashi Hyuga for the position. Of course, Hiroyuki Hyuga would only do this as a last resort. After all, Hizashi Hyuga was from the Branch House. Making him the clan leader would embolden the Branch House, making them difficult to control in the future. Unfortunately, apart from Hiashi Hyuga, there was no one else capable in the Main House. They couldn't possibly make Hinata Hyuga the clan leader, could they? What would be the point of that?
While pondering, Hiroyuki Hyuga noticed something was off. Hinata Hyuga, who almost never attended clan meetings, was actually here?
Hiroyuki Hyuga smiled and took his seat next to Hiashi Hyuga.
"Elder," Hiashi Hyuga greeted him with a nod.
"Let's begin," Hiroyuki Hyuga said with a slight chuckle. He wanted to see what kind of trouble they could cause today.
Hiashi Hyuga's gaze swept over the people in front of him. Having been informed in advance, most of them were calm. Only a few whose acting wasn't up to par looked restless. But it wasn't a big deal. The long history of obedience and the existence of the Caged Bird Seal made it inconceivable to Hiroyuki Hyuga that betrayal would occur in the Hyuga Clan. He had once scoffed at the Uchiha Clan's internal strife. He believed that such conflicts arose when even the greatest power lacked restraint.
"The agenda for today's clan meeting is simple," Hiashi Hyuga began to say slowly. "It is to discuss the abolition of the distinction between the Main House and the Branch House."
"Hiashi!" Hiroyuki Hyuga suddenly stood up, staring at him in disbelief. "Do you know what you are saying?!"
"I am saying it precisely because I know what it means," Hiashi Hyuga said in a calm tone.
"You, you, you!" Hiroyuki Hyuga's body trembled with anger. But he quickly realized something. He said coldly, "If you think you can use this tactic to hit back at this old man, you've made a huge mistake." Hiroyuki Hyuga assumed that Hiashi Hyuga's sudden extremism was meant to scare him into giving up on placing the Caged Bird Seal on Hanabi Hyuga. Because this agenda item was impossible. The Branch House had the Caged Bird Seal; their lives were in the hands of the Main House. Discussing its abolition was utterly ridiculous, like a weasel paying respects to a chicken.
"I am not that bored," Hiashi Hyuga shook his head and said.
Hiroyuki Hyuga didn't believe him at all. He glared at the crowd, his eyes predatory. In the past, pressured by the Caged Bird Seal, they would have lowered their heads in fear. They wouldn't even dare to speak, let alone discuss this.
"I believe the Clan Leader makes perfect sense," Hizashi Hyuga said, looking up. "The division between the Main House and the Branch House is not conducive to the development of the Hyuga Clan."
"Hizashi!" Hiroyuki Hyuga instinctively clenched his fist. "Don't forget your place!"
"My place?" Hinata Hyuga suddenly spoke up. "What place? Is Uncle Hizashi not a member of the Hyuga Clan?"
"He is merely Branch House," Hiroyuki Hyuga frowned. "You are Main House. You should understand the difference better than anyone."
"Why should there be a difference within the same family?" Hinata Hyuga countered. "We share the same bloodline, and Uncle Hizashi is my father's own brother."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hiroyuki Hyuga's face contorted in anger. "This is a tradition of the Hyuga Clan that goes back a thousand years! Who are you to question it?"
"Just because it has always been this way, does that make it right?" Hinata Hyuga's expression was calm. "The Caged Bird Seal was created to protect the Byakugan, not for you to use it to issue orders within the clan."
"Impudence!" Hiroyuki Hyuga slammed his hand onto the table. "As a member of the Main House, publicly questioning an elder! Do you still want to be the heir?"
"When you can't argue your point, you resort to tradition and seniority," Hinata Hyuga sighed. "With an Elder like you, how can the Hyuga Clan ever prosper?"
"Hiashi!" Hiroyuki Hyuga was enraged. "If you won't discipline your daughter, I will do it for you!"
"A clan meeting is a place for discussion." Hiashi Hyuga looked at the rapidly breathing Hiroyuki Hyuga and said with a smile, "If you believe Hinata is wrong, then correct her."
Hiroyuki Hyuga froze, his mouth opening and closing, unsure of how to reply. Finally, he roared, "The Caged Bird Seal is the foundation of the Hyuga Clan! No one can change it for any reason!"
"The Caged Bird Seal will naturally not change its original purpose, but its redundant functions are unnecessary," Hinata Hyuga argued methodically. "The shackles binding the Hyuga Clan should be removed."
"Insolence!" Hiroyuki Hyuga completely lost his composure. "Hiashi, revoke her heir status!"
"On what grounds?" Hiashi Hyuga remained unperturbed.
"What grounds do you need?" Hiroyuki Hyuga looked at him, his voice sharp. "Every word she has spoken is grounds! Such blatant insubordination—how is she fit to be the next Clan Leader?"
"You really are resorting to sophistry," Hiashi Hyuga agreed with Hinata Hyuga's earlier point. But it was more than just that. Hinata Hyuga's performance just now had utterly astonished him. He never expected her to mature to the point where she could argue logically with the Elder. He could imagine how exceptional Hinata Hyuga would be in the future. Even without the control offered by the Caged Bird Seal, no one in the Branch House would be able to shake her position. As for future generations, that wouldn't be his concern. By then, he would be nearing his grave. The children must look out for themselves. He felt a sense of clarity now.
Hiroyuki Hyuga suddenly realized something. From the start of the meeting until now, Hiashi Hyuga's attitude was completely different from before. In other words, the father and daughter had planned this in advance.
"Very well." Hiroyuki Hyuga was so angry he laughed. "It seems I underestimated you both."
Seeing that he understood, Hiashi Hyuga spoke. "Since this is a clan meeting, we will abide by the will of the majority."
Hiroyuki Hyuga took a deep breath. A fight would put him at a disadvantage, and internal strife in the Hyuga Clan would only benefit outsiders.
"Then let's vote." Hiroyuki Hyuga's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Let's see who will support the nonsensical rambling of a twelve-year-old girl." As he spoke, he raised his finger—a sign of preparing to activate the Caged Bird Seal. This was clearly a threat.
Hiashi Hyuga glanced at him, unconcerned. The Caged Bird Seal had already been replaced, and the original control method was naturally obsolete. He smiled and said, "If you support the abolition of the Main House and Branch House distinction, please raise your hand."
As his voice fell, every hand in the room shot up simultaneously.
"Have you gone mad?!" Hiroyuki Hyuga stumbled back in shock. "Do you truly believe the Main House can remove the Caged Bird Seal for you?"
But no one answered, and no one lowered their hands.
"A bunch of fools!" Hiroyuki Hyuga didn't hesitate and immediately activated the Caged Bird Seal. But the scene he expected—Branch House members collapsing and clutching their heads in agony—did not occur.
"What's going on?" Hiroyuki Hyuga instinctively looked at Hiashi Hyuga and tried again, but it was useless. "What did you do?!"
"Everything is for the sake of the Hyuga Clan." Hiashi Hyuga announced calmly, "The distinction between the Main House and the Branch House is abolished starting today."
"You can't do this!" Hiroyuki Hyuga's eyes were bloodshot, and he lost all reason. Without the Main and Branch Houses, he would lose his power as an Elder. He instinctively lunged at Hiashi Hyuga.
Just then, an extremely powerful surge of chakra, like a cannonball, smashed into Hiroyuki Hyuga. His body was sent flying, crashing into the wall, raising a cloud of dust.
Hiashi Hyuga instinctively looked at Hinata Hyuga. What was that punch from a distance? He had never seen it before, and the force was incredible. Although Hiroyuki Hyuga was old, he was still a Jonin. He not only failed to react but couldn't even withstand a single blow and had already fallen unconscious.
"Hiroyuki Hyuga attacked Father, which violates the Hidden Leaf Village's laws. Send him to the Anbu to await the Hokage's judgment," Hinata Hyuga said in a calm tone.
Everyone paused slightly. Hiashi Hyuga was the current Clan Leader. Hinata Hyuga's command was undoubtedly an overreach of authority, especially handing Hiroyuki Hyuga over to the Hokage. This was unprecedented.
Hiashi Hyuga smiled upon hearing this. "Do as she says." He could guess the reason. It must have been Sasame's instruction. Although it pained him to lose a pair of Byakugan, what else could he do? He didn't want to lose anything more. Fortunately, after all these years, the Hyuga Clan had an extremely thorough understanding of the Byakugan. Even if Sasame obtained it, he wouldn't gain significant results. Ao of the Hidden Mist Village was the best example; he used the Byakugan as merely an enhanced version of his sensory ninjutsu.
Hiashi Hyuga waved his hand. Two young men immediately appeared, lifted Hiroyuki Hyuga, and left the hall.
The clan meeting didn't end. After abolishing the Main and Branch House distinction, there were still many matters to deal with. But Sasame had no interest in listening further. It was, after all, internal Hyuga Clan business. Any information he might gather was meaningless.
Sasame put on his clothes, affectionately patted Black Cat for her hard work, and said, "You have the day off." Black Cat stumbled to her feet and vanished from his sight. Sasame dispelled the barrier and left the Hyuga Clan compound. As for Hinata Hyuga, he would check on her in the evening.
In the Hokage's office, Kurenai Yuhi frowned. She smelled that familiar scent again.
"Lord Hokage, you really should take a shower," she said, her voice slightly sour. "If anyone else notices, rumors will start to spread."
"As a matter of fact, I was just about to take a shower," Sasame shrugged. "It's just that you happened to show up."
Kurenai Yuhi glared at him. His indifferent expression irritated her. What a scoundrel! But the most annoying part was that she liked this scoundrel.
"Care to join me?" Sasame asked, stopping at the door and issuing an invitation. Unfortunately, Kurenai Yuhi immediately rejected him.
The sound of running water began. Kurenai Yuhi sat on the sofa, feeling a bit restless. Why is the soundproofing so bad? She frowned, considering whether she should complain to the construction crew. A moment later, Kurenai Yuhi blushed and spat softly. She was certain Sasame was doing it on purpose.
However, the torment didn't last long. The door opened, and Sasame, already dressed, stood before her. His hair was still wet, though; he hadn't dried it. Kurenai Yuhi instinctively stood up. Realizing what she had done, she pursed her lips.
"I hate to trouble you, big sis Kurenai," Sasame said with a smile, handing her the towel as she walked over.
Kurenai Yuhi walked behind him and began to dry his head. Her pressure was just right. Sasame squinted and sighed, "Big sis Kurenai, with you around, I feel like I'm going to be spoiled into a useless person."
Kurenai Yuhi paused, then smiled. "That means I'm very capable."
"Indeed," Sasame agreed. "I've experienced that firsthand."
"That's enough," Kurenai Yuhi pushed his head away. "Why are you suddenly complimenting me?"
"To get a reward, of course." Sasame tilted his head up and looked at her. "I just finished showering. Want a taste?"
Kurenai Yuhi froze, then her face flushed bright red as she realized what he meant. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and slowly lowered her head. Sasame watched her delicate face as it finally met his. Her hair draped over him, tickling slightly. It also carried the scent of roses. Sasame thoroughly savored the taste, inside and out.
After three minutes, Kurenai Yuhi grabbed the towel and rushed into the room. Her face was bright red, and she was panting as she hung the towel on the wall. Kurenai Yuhi pressed her hand against her heaving chest. She didn't leave until she had calmed down.
"What's that expression for?" she asked, seeing Sasame wearing a look of deep satisfaction. She couldn't help but glare at him.
"The expression of being captivated by big sis Kurenai," Sasame said casually.
Kurenai Yuhi pouted. Her lips were a little numb right now. She walked over and picked up a file from the desk. "This is the list of candidates for the Chunin Exam. See if there's anyone who should be removed."
"Alright." Sasame's eyes lit up as he saw Kurenai Yuhi return to her sharp, professional demeanor. The seamless transition between the two roles was quite impressive.
He opened the file. At the very top were the Konoha 12. They were arguably the strongest batch of Genin in the Hidden Leaf Village's history, to the point where "Konoha Genin" became a meme in his past life. In addition to them, there were many other Genin, totaling seventy-two people. That was a respectable number.
"Let them all participate," Sasame said casually. Although most of them would just be filling out the numbers, they should still go and gain experience. The standard for the joint Chunin Exam was quite high, but the standard for their own village wouldn't be so demanding. Anyone who performed well during the exam could be promoted on merit. It didn't need to be like the original joint Chunin Exam, where only Shikamaru Nara was promoted to Chunin. That was simply unnecessary.
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