The Hyuga clan compound was located in a quiet corner of Konoha. High walls separated it from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, creating a world of its own.
Everything here exuded an ancient and solemn aura.
From the layout of the courtyard to the rigorous attire of the clansmen, and the uniform, serious, and expressionless faces they wore.
When Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Kagami, accompanied by ten Root ninja exuding a chilling aura, appeared at the gate of the Hyuga compound, the Hyuga guards' faces changed, and they immediately stepped forward to block them.
"Lord Danzo, Lord Kagami, may I ask what brings you two here?" Although the guard's tone was respectful, his eyes were filled with wariness and rejection.
Danzo didn't even bat an eyelid. He just snorted coldly and walked straight in.
The two guards wanted to stop him, but the almost tangible killing intent emanating from Danzo forced them back again and again, rendering them speechless.
Uchiha Kagami nodded apologetically to the two and quickly followed.
Inside the Hyuga clan's reception hall.
The current patriarch of the Hyuga clan, an old man with white hair and beard, his face covered in wrinkles, looking as if he were on his last legs, sat upright.
Behind him stood a boy who looked no more than ten years old. He had handsome features and calm eyes. He was the future head of the Hyuga main family, Hyuga Hiashi.
The old man's cloudy eyes watched Danzo stride in, followed by the Root ninja emitting a dangerous aura, and his brows knitted tightly together.
"Advisor Danzo, may I ask what is the meaning of this grand entrance into my Hyuga clan compound?" The old Hyuga patriarch's voice was aged but full of vigor, carrying the authority of one who had been in power for a long time.
Danzo ignored him. He walked to the guest seat next to the main seat and sat down boldly. Uchiha Kagami sat down beside him.
"Hyuga Kaede."
Danzo finally spoke. He couldn't even be bothered to use the title "Patriarch" and called him directly by name. "I came here today to talk to you about the Will of Fire."
The old Hyuga patriarch was stunned.
The Will of Fire?
"Let me ask you, why did your ancestors follow the First Hokage to establish Konoha?"
"This... naturally, it was to end the chaotic Warring States Period and find a place for the clansmen to settle down and live in peace," Hyuga Kaede answered subconsciously.
"Well said."
Danzo nodded, then his tone shifted abruptly, becoming icy cold. "A place to settle down and live in peace? Yet today, on the very Hokage Avenue that I personally built, a member of your clan, a main family member, tortured a branch family member to death with a curse mark over a minor argument!"
"Tell me, is this the way your Hyuga clan settles down and lives in peace?!"
Hyuga Kaede turned pale at the question, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.
He had just heard about this incident, but he hadn't expected Danzo to come knocking on his door personally, and with such aggression.
"This matter... this matter was just an accident! It was that branch family member who spoke rudely to the main family member and refused to be disciplined..." he tried to defend.
"Accident?"
Danzo sneered and slammed the table. "Torturing a fellow clansman to death on the streets of Konoha! You call that an accident?!"
"Are you telling everyone in the village that your Hyuga clan's family law is above the laws of Konoha?!"
"You are showing no respect for the Military Police Force responsible for the village's security! No respect for me, an advisor! And even... no respect for Lord Hokage!"
A massive aura erupted from Danzo, pressing down on the old Hyuga patriarch so hard he could barely breathe.
Hyuga Hiashi behind him was so scared his face turned pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
He had never seen anyone dare to speak to his father in such a tone.
Pressed breathless by this barrage of questions, the old Hyuga patriarch could only stammer, "I wouldn't dare... I have absolutely no such intention..."
Seeing that the atmosphere had reached a freezing point, Uchiha Kagami, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"Patriarch Kaede, Danzo is also overly concerned about the peace of the village, so his words are a bit intense."
Uchiha Kagami's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze, slightly easing the tense atmosphere in the room.
Hyuga Kaede looked at Kagami gratefully, as if he had grabbed a life-saving straw.
However, Uchiha Kagami's next words plunged him into an icy abyss.
"However, what Danzo said is not without reason."
Uchiha Kagami sighed and said in a tone of regret, "Main family and branch family, the Caged Bird... these are internal affairs passed down by the Hyuga clan for many years. We outsiders shouldn't say much."
"But when such internal affairs begin to seriously affect the harmony and stability of the village, then it is no longer just a family matter of your Hyuga clan."
Uchiha Kagami's gaze swept over Hyuga Kaede and landed on Hyuga Hiashi behind him.
"Patriarch Kaede, forgive my bluntness. The system of main and branch families might have been necessary in the Warring States Period. But in today's peaceful era, it has become a tumor. It is constantly creating hatred, dividing your clansmen, and alienating your relationship with the village."
He had always detested this unequal system.
"Therefore, I suggest."
Although Uchiha Kagami's voice was gentle, the weight of his words was as heavy as Mount Tai. "Abolish the system of main and branch families, abolish the Caged Bird curse mark. Let every Hyuga child equally enjoy the dignity and rights of a Konoha ninja."
"This... this is absolutely impossible!"
Hyuga Kaede stood up excitedly without thinking, shouting in rebuttal, "This is an ancestral system passed down by my Hyuga clan for thousands of years! It absolutely cannot be abolished in my hands!"
He knew that once this system was abolished, the authority of the main family would be gone, and the entire Hyuga clan would fall into great chaos.
"Ancestral system?"
Danzo, who had been watching coldly from the side, spoke again.
His voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling coldness.
He no longer looked at Hyuga Kaede, but turned his gaze to the young, future heir behind him.
Danzo slowly picked up the cup of cold tea, blew on the non-existent dust on it, and then said in a casual tone, "Old Patriarch Hyuga, that child behind you is your son, right?"
His gaze fell on Hyuga Hiashi.
"I see that although he is a bit young, there is a heroic spirit between his brows. If he were to take over the position of patriarch now, with our help, I'm sure he would be more than capable."
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