At another location outside the compound, another Anbu squad was intercepted by Hyūga clansmen. However, compared to the Hokage's direct Anbu, the three members of this Anbu squad were noticeably more aggressive and impatient in their language and attitude when communicating with the Hyūga ninjas.
"We are Root, and we need to enter and investigate the situation. No one is to obstruct us!"
Dressed in standard Anbu gear, the three-man squad intercepted by four Hyūga clansmen radiated impatience. They stated their identity plainly, believing it should grant them unobstructed passage.
However, to their disappointment, the Hyūga ninjas had no intention of letting them through.
"Apologies, gentlemen, but the Main Family's order is to prevent anyone from getting close to the compound."
"Regardless of whether you are Anbu or not, you are not permitted to approach!"
By this time, the intercepted ninjas were not just this three-man Root squad. Many other ninjas who had arrived earlier had also been stopped. These Konoha ninjas now stood watching from a distance, and upon hearing that the new arrivals were Root members, they all looked over curiously.
The news that the enemy had been eliminated was relayed by the Hyūga ninjas. However, there are always those who seek excitement, no matter the era. Even after becoming adults who wield "supernatural power," the urge to spectate never completely fades.
"Are you Hyūga... preparing to disobey Lord Danzō's orders?!"
The three Root Anbu spoke hostilely, immediately placing a massive accusation upon the Hyūga ninjas. Hearing the Anbu's words, the ninjas watching from the periphery sensed that drama was about to unfold.
"We are only carrying out the mission given to us by the Main Family!"
The Hyūga ninja who responded was clearly an experienced veteran, refusing to take the bait. However, the moment he finished speaking, the three Root Anbu suddenly drew their swords and immediately charged toward the Hyūga compound from three different directions.
"Ninjas approaching the compound will be treated as enemies by the Hyūga!"
The Hyūga Branch Family elites' expressions hardened at this sight. They moved quickly, simultaneously shouting warnings to the onlookers and moving to intercept the Root ninjas. The two groups immediately clashed.
The sound of the fighting spread, and more and more ninjas rushed toward the location after sensing the commotion. Among them were ninjas genuinely worried about Konoha's safety, purely curious spectators, and, of course, a few foreign spies trying to fish in troubled waters. Everyone had different intentions, but their actions were identical: rushing toward the sound of the battle.
"What happened?"
Kakashi and several Anbu ninjas also rushed to the scene. Seeing the ninjas fighting in the street and the onlookers, Kakashi asked a colleague in confusion.
"Root and the Hyūga Clan are clashing."
"Heh, exciting! What a show!"
The Anbu belonged to different internal factions, so their stances naturally varied. The Anbu from the Hokage's faction heard the commotion. Knowing the identity of the Anbu fighting the Hyūga, they had no intention of intervening. Instead, they watched the unfolding drama. The Anbu who answered Kakashi even had a hint of schadenfreude in his tone.
Kakashi looked at the fight, noticing that the Root ninjas were already retreating under the siege of the Hyūga clansmen. One of the Root Anbu had been struck on a chakra point and was fighting using only one arm.
It was four against three, so the Hyūga Clan had a numerical advantage. Still, their opponents were from the Root organization, famously known for being "nothing but elites." However, the Root elites were unable to resist the power of the Hyūga Clan's bloodline limit.
The battle lasted only five or six minutes before concluding with all the Root ninjas captured. The Hyūga did not need ropes to restrain the men.
During the fight, the Anbu struck by the Gentle Fist had their chakra points sealed, rendering them unable to fight.
The Root ninjas were discarded in a corner by the wall, where the Branch Family members kept watch over them, treating them like objects. The Root ninjas were elites, yes, but the Branch Family ninjas left behind by Hiashi to form Shinichi's foundation were also elites!
While the upper limit of the Byakugan bloodline limit was often criticized, that was only when compared to cheat-level ninjas like Jinchūriki or Mangekyō Sharingan users.
Compared to ordinary ninjas, the Hyūga Clan's starting point was often the ceiling others struggled to reach in a lifetime of effort. Even Root ninjas, who underwent brutal training, couldn't compete with Hyūga ninjas without possessing powerful secret techniques.
Similar situations were happening in other areas. For reasons unknown, the Root ninjas seemed to have collectively received some instruction.
Five Root squads tried to force their way into the Hyūga compound under the pretense of "investigating." However, all fifteen Root ninjas were intercepted by the Hyūga ninjas and detained outside the compound.
Hyūga Shin, who was stationed in the center, naturally received reports of the captured Root ninjas attempting to force entry.
The old man's wrinkled face crumpled further. Hyūga Shin sensed a profound dissonance in the Root's actions. Why did these Root members want to force their way into the compound? Were they trying to discover something? Or were they trying to prove something? Were they trying to prove that the Hyūga's current defenses were weak and easily broken? Or were they trying to assert Root's authority with the claim, "Danzō's express permission—act first, report later"?
A haze of confusion shrouded Hyūga Shin's mind. Just as he struggled to understand, Hyūga Shinichi, standing behind him, suddenly spoke:
"Great-Grandpa, don't overthink it."
"The Mist ninja who broke into the compound was likely sent by Consultant Danzō."
"If you think about it... Isn't it foolish for that person to clearly wear a Mist ninja headband?"
"Lord Danzō was probably trying to display his muscles to us Hyūga."
"It just... didn't succeed."
Although Hyūga Shinichi had stayed by the dojo entrance, he missed nothing that happened outside.
The Branch Family ninjas hadn't avoided Shinichi when reporting to Hyūga Shin, so Shinichi knew all the relevant information. Unlike Hyūga Shin, Shinichi did not filter his perception of Danzō. He viewed Danzō as an enemy and was capable of making the worst malicious assumptions about his intentions. Shinichi's guess was already close to the truth.
"Danzō?"
"How is that possible?"
Hyūga Shin clearly didn't believe it. He couldn't fathom why Danzō would target the Hyūga Clan.
However, Hyūga Shin never considered that for a Hidden Village, and for the high-ranking officials within that village who were intoxicated by power, an overly strong ninja clan in itself was a huge problem.
The Senju, the Uchiha, the Hyūga...
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