Chapter 15 — Walk This Road to the End
The Uchiha Clan had Naka Shrine.
And the Hyūga Clan—whose lineage was just as ancient—had its own sacred hall, Tametsu Shrine.
Of course, unlike the Uchiha's shrine, Tametsu Shrine didn't conceal any secret stone tablets or world-shaking mysteries. It was simply a family shrine, moved and rebuilt many times across the centuries, its original divine relic—the Jewel Branch—long lost to history.
The deity worshiped there also differed:
the Uchiha honored the Sage of Six Paths, the father of shinobi;
the Hyūga revered the mythical goddess of creation, U no Megami.
Just as the Uchiha used Naka Shrine for their clandestine councils, the Hyūga held all major clan meetings at Tametsu Shrine.
When Hyūga Ritsu arrived at the shrine's training hall—a vast, polished floor that could hold a hundred people—over thirty had already gathered. They sat in neat rows according to their status, kneeling formally on the wooden planks.
"Clan Head!"
Voices rose in unison as Ritsu entered.
"You all came quickly."
Without hesitation, Ritsu strode to the raised platform at the front, where a row of cushions awaited. Taking the central seat—the one reserved for the clan head—he sat cross-legged, calm and unshakable.
Within twenty minutes, the entire upper echelon of the clan had assembled. Nearly a hundred jōnin and special jōnin filled the hall—half of them full jōnin, the rest special-rank.
And even that wasn't all of Hyūga's might.
The Third Great Ninja War still raged across the nations, and Hyūga shinobi were deployed to nearly every front. Former clan head Hyūga Hiashi had taken fifteen elite branch jōnin east to the front lines. Their strength as a clan was staggering—Hyūga stood among the true pillars of Konoha.
When the last of the murmurs died down, Ritsu's voice cut cleanly through the heavy air:
"The time's up. Everyone who should be here is here."
He let his pale gaze sweep across the kneeling crowd.
"There are things I didn't have the chance to say earlier. Now, as the acknowledged head of this clan, I'll make them plain: from this day forward, certain things in the Hyūga Clan will change."
Silence. Only Ritsu's voice echoed through the hall.
Dozens of sharp white eyes turned toward him, intent and waiting.
"First," he said, "the Main House–Branch House system ends today. There will be no more division of main and branch. Children not yet branded will remain free of the Caged Bird Seal. Those who already bear it need not despair—"
He paused, then continued, steady and confident.
"I've already said this once: I will commission my teacher to study a proper release technique. The forbidden method I used to erase my own mark was taught to me by him, but it's dangerous—too complex and unstable to replicate. Still, my success proves it's possible. One day, we'll find a way to lift the curse safely for everyone."
No one spoke, but in those unblinking eyes, faint light began to stir.
"Second," Ritsu went on, "the clan cannot be run by one person alone. The old Main House elders are gone—save for a few stragglers—and the seats must be filled anew. Therefore, I will appoint six elders to help govern the clan."
He stopped, head turning slightly toward the entrance.
"Arima."
"Clan Head," came the clear reply.
"We have guests. Go and welcome them—bring them here."
"Yes, Clan Head!"
Arima dashed out, quick as a spark.
Ritsu's tone didn't waver. "While he's gone, we'll begin the nominations. I'll start. I nominate Hyūga Hizashi—his skill runs deep, his reputation is strong, and he deserves one of the six seats."
The hall stirred.
A few jaws slackened; then countless envious glances flicked toward Hizashi. So this was the reward for kneeling first! If they'd known, some thought bitterly, they would have done the same without hesitation.
Hizashi himself was stunned.
He hadn't expected such a gift—he hadn't supported Ritsu for power or prestige, only for his son's future. But after a few seconds of silent thought, he accepted. For himself, and for Neji, he had no reason to refuse.
Ritsu's voice carried once more:
"Each of you will speak in order of rank. You may recommend others—or yourselves. If there are more than six candidates, the top six by vote will be appointed. In the event of a tie, I'll decide personally."
It was a simple, pragmatic system.
Not perfectly fair—many Hyūga jōnin and special jōnin were still deployed on distant fronts—but necessity left no room for idealism.
And for the first time in the clan's long history,
change—real, irreversible change—had begun to take shape inside the Hyūga.
Hyūga Ritsu needed capable people—now.
The clan was headless, the structure in ruins. The only way forward was to appoint a leadership first; if problems arose later, he could always make adjustments.
"I nominate myself—Hyūga Hizashi."
Hizashi was the first to speak.
As the former clan head's younger brother, his standing among the Branch House was the highest by default, and his voice carried weight.
Once the first stone was thrown, the rest followed easily.
One after another, names were called out—each belonging to an exceptional jōnin of the Branch family, some seasoned veterans, others promising young blood.
By the end of the process, eight candidates stood before them.
After counting the votes, the two lowest were eliminated.
The final six were:
Hyūga Hizashi, Hyūga Takashi, Hyūga Shinichirō, Hyūga Isamu, Hyūga Karin, and Hyūga Tenma.
All of them were recognized elites within the clan—battle-hardened, skilled, and respected.
The eldest, Hyūga Takashi, was forty-four; the youngest, Tenma, only twenty-two.
"Then it's settled," Ritsu declared.
"Hyūga Hizashi, Hyūga Takashi, Hyūga Shinichirō, Hyūga Isamu, Hyūga Karin, and Hyūga Tenma are hereby appointed as elders of the Hyūga Clan."
No ceremony, no scrolls, no seals.
Just a single, decisive statement.
It was as informal as it could get—almost like a makeshift council hastily pulled together in a village hall.
And yet—
with nearly a hundred jōnin and special jōnin kneeling in silent acknowledgment, this "makeshift council" held real power.
"Now," Ritsu continued, rising to his feet, "everyone can rest for a bit. Our guests from the village have arrived. Elders, come with me. We'll meet them together and formally inform Konoha of the changes within our clan."
He turned toward the door and strode out into the rain.
Hyūga Hizashi followed at once, no hesitation in his step. The other five elders exchanged quick glances, tightened their jaws, and stood as well.
At this point, there was no turning back.
Whatever road Ritsu chose to walk—they would follow.
To the end.