Within the Hyuga Clan's Main House estate, the Council Hall stood silent and imposing.
The atmosphere was solemn, heavy with authority.
Clan Chief Hyuga Qishi sat upright at the head of the hall, eyes closed as though resting, yet his presence alone commanded reverence. Below him, seated on either side, were three white-haired elders with stern, weathered faces—the true power holders of the Hyuga Clan.
At the very end of the hall, Hyuga Hiashi knelt on one knee. He had no right to speak. He was there only to listen.
"The Third Hokage has lost his mind!" one elder suddenly roared, slamming his palm against the table. "He removed Hanzo from the Hidden Rain, and now he's gone and killed the Third Kazekage! Does he intend to ignite a Second Great Ninja War?!"
"Exactly!" another elder snapped, eyes burning. "The Second Hokage hasn't been gone long. Konoha has enjoyed peace for only a handful of years, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen schemes again and again. How can we feel secure under such leadership?"
Hyuga Qishi remained silent.
The third elder spoke next, his voice low and grim. "This is not the time to argue ideology. The Third Hokage clearly has no intention of maintaining stability. We must consider how to preserve the Hyuga Clan's strength should chaos return."
At those words, Hyuga Qishi slowly opened his eyes.
Cold light gleamed within them.
"After that disobedient Hyuga Mao died," he said flatly, "his son, Ki, has begun influencing the Branch House. Some among them are starting to treat him as a symbol."
His gaze sharpened.
"Once seeds of unrest take root, they must be removed immediately."
"Find a reason and have him die," he continued calmly. "If he volunteers for the front lines, all the better. Who else will protect the Main House if Branch members grow delusions of equality?"
"The Clan Chief speaks wisely," the first elder nodded. "Didn't Hiashi 'instruct' that boy again today at the training grounds?"
Hyuga Hiashi bowed deeply at once. "Yes, Elder. The arrogance of the Branch House must be suppressed. Otherwise, the Bird in a Cage will lose its meaning."
"Well done," an elder praised coolly. "Continue showing them no mercy. And discipline your younger brother as well—he has begun voicing complaints."
Hiashi clenched his fists beneath his sleeves but said nothing.
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the hall.
A servant knocked, entered only after permission was granted, and knelt quickly, voice urgent and subdued.
"Reporting to the Clan Chief and honored elders—a visitor has arrived."
A ripple of displeasure moved through the hall. The elders frowned, and Hyuga Qishi's brow furrowed slightly.
At this hour?
With the village on edge, the Hokage occupied, Danzo away, and the Sannin scattered on missions—who would dare involve themselves with the Hyuga Clan?
Hyuga Qishi activated his Byakugan.
His gaze pierced through walls and stone, reaching the front gate.
The elders followed suit.
They saw… a child.
A slightly stocky boy, around ten years old, with unremarkable chakra reserves.
Beside him stood another Hyuga child.
Hyuga Qishi withdrew his gaze at once, irritation flickering across his face as he glared at the servant.
"You panic over a mere child?"
The elders glared as well, their pressure bearing down on the trembling messenger.
"But—my lord," the servant stammered, bowing lower. "He claims to be Sawada Hiroki."
Silence fell.
Instantly, the expressions of the three elders changed.
"Sawada… Hiroki?" one elder repeated, disbelief trembling in his voice.
"The one rumored to have killed Sunagakure's Kage-candidate, Rasa, during the Chunin Exams?"
"But his chakra is negligible," another elder muttered, unease creeping into his eyes. "How could a child with such reserves kill a Kage-level opponent?"
"Rumors or not, the Third Hokage allowed this news to spread," the third elder said slowly. "There must be truth to it."
"Then why is he here?" someone asked.
Hyuga Qishi raised a hand, silencing them.
"Calm yourselves," he said evenly. "If he truly is Sawada Hiroki, then we will hear what he wants—directly."
"Let him in."
The servant withdrew at once.
Moments later, the doors opened again, and Hiroki was escorted into the Council Hall.
Hyuga Qishi examined him the way one might inspect an object for value, his gaze cold and dismissive.
"Speak," he said slowly, his tone steeped in arrogance. "What business brings you here, Common Brat?"
Hiroki blinked.
Surprised.
This old man… dares speak to me like that?
Even the Third Hokage addresses him politely—yet this Hyuga elder calls him a "Common Brat"?
Does he truly believe himself superior to the Hokage?
Hiroki suppressed his irritation. He hadn't come to trade insults.
He stepped aside, revealing the boy behind him.
Hyuga Itsuki shuffled forward, head bowed, body trembling. Bruises and old wounds marred his arms and neck.
"I'm here for my classmate," Hiroki said flatly. "He has suffered unjust treatment within the Hyuga Clan. His parents were allegedly abused as well. I want to know if this is true."
The elders' expressions changed instantly.
"Insolent!"
The hot-tempered elder slammed the table again, his chakra surging outward like a crushing wave.
"You dare question the Main House in the Hyuga Council Hall? Who gave you such nerve, Common Brat!?"
The oppressive aura pressed down—but Hiroki didn't so much as blink.
It felt no stronger than a passing breeze.
He had already killed Jonin of this caliber.
Behind him, Hyuga Itsuki shuddered and instinctively hid behind Hiroki's back.
"Hahaha…" another elder laughed dryly, eyes filled with mockery.
"So this is the famed Sawada Hiroki? I expected something more impressive. Turns out you're just a newly graduated academy brat, drunk on slogans and delusions of heroism."
"You think yourself a savior? You dare interfere in our clan's internal affairs under the excuse of 'classmates'?"
"And who granted you that authority?"
At last, Hyuga Qishi spoke again, his voice glacial.
"This is Hyuga law—passed down through generations. Outsiders have no say."
Without looking at Hiroki, he addressed Hiashi.
"Dispose of that branch child immediately. Let it serve as an example, lest others believe they can borrow outside influence to defy us."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Hyuga Itsuki.
"You claimed you had already broken his spirit. Yet here he is, seeking outsiders. Your failure is noted."
Then, finally, his eyes settled on Hiroki.
"As for you, Common Brat—leave while we still excuse this as childish ignorance."
"Do not meddle in the affairs of Konoha's strongest clan."
"Otherwise—"
[Ding—]
[Detected connectable computer: "Hyuga Qishi"][Temporary link established]
[Additional connections detected…]
[System processing…]
[Brain Overload — Initiating]
Thump.Thump.Thump.Thump.
The hall fell into absolute silence.