"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."
Danzo's words instantly pierced through the hard shell of "ancestral system" that the Hyuga patriarch had put up.
"With our help... more than capable..."
Hyuga Kaede's body trembled violently, and for the first time, an emotion called fear appeared in his cloudy eyes.
He understood.
He completely understood the undisguised threat in Danzo's words.
If he didn't agree to abolish the main and branch family system, then Danzo, who was known for his ruthlessness, would not hesitate to use his best methods to support his son, Hyuga Hiashi, to take his place.
At that time, what would become of him, the stubborn old patriarch?
Would it be an "accidental" death from illness, or death on the spot...
Hyuga Kaede didn't dare to think further, a chill rushing from his spine to the top of his head.
He stared deadly at Danzo, but couldn't say a single word.
He wanted to get angry, wanted to reprimand the other party for subverting the Hyuga clan, but looking at Danzo's gloomy eyes that seemed capable of swallowing everything, all his courage was drained away.
Hyuga Hiashi, sitting behind his father, although young and not fully understanding the hidden meanings in the adults' conversation, could clearly feel that his father was afraid.
The father who was like a god in his heart, representing the highest authority of the Hyuga clan, was now as frightened as a startled quail in front of this gloomy man.
Seeing that the atmosphere had reached an extremely oppressive point, Uchiha Kagami, who had been playing the good cop, spoke up again at just the right time.
"Patriarch Kaede."
Uchiha Kagami's voice was still gentle. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if the conversation that could reshape a major clan in an instant was just casual chatter.
"Although Advisor Danzo's words were direct, his starting point is also for the sake of the village and the future of the Hyuga clan."
He put down the teacup, his tone shifting, beginning to pave a way out for Hyuga Kaede.
"Actually, our visit this time, besides seeking justice for the unfortunate branch family member who died, is also to seek a deeper level of cooperation with the Hyuga clan."
Cooperation?
Hyuga Kaede looked up, his eyes full of confusion.
"Patriarch Kaede, you also know that the Konoha Construction Team, which Advisor Danzo is now responsible for, is carrying out the village's renovation project in full swing."
A sincere smile appeared on Uchiha Kagami's face. "However, the volume of the project is simply too large. For example, are the depth and direction of the newly built underground sewers precise? Is the foundation of the new building solid? All these require a huge amount of manpower and resources for surveying and quality inspection."
"And these things, for the Hyuga clan who possess the Byakugan, are as easy as turning over a hand."
Uchiha Kagami's gaze became fervent.
"Imagine if the ninja of the Hyuga clan could participate in the construction of the village. Use your eyes to supervise the quality of every project, to discover hidden dangers that are invisible to the naked eye."
"This will not only greatly improve construction efficiency and ensure project quality, but also let all the villagers see that the Hyuga clan is using its ability to tangibly protect everyone's safety."
"Isn't this achievement, this reputation, much more meaningful than closing your doors and guarding that so-called main and branch family system?"
Uchiha Kagami's words shone like a light into Hyuga Kaede's heart, which had become dim with fear and stubbornness.
That's right...
If the Hyuga clan could play an irreplaceable role in the construction of the village.
If the power of the Byakugan could be displayed to all villagers in a peaceful and positive way.
Then the status of the Hyuga clan in the village would inevitably rise.
This... this might really be an opportunity.
An opportunity for the Hyuga clan to break away from its past image of seclusion and isolation and truly integrate into Konoha.
"As for your worry about the Byakugan being leaked after the abolition of the Caged Bird curse mark..."
Uchiha Kagami seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "Advisor Danzo has already considered this point."
"We will commission the village's top medical ninja and research experts to develop a brand-new protective curse mark specifically for the Hyuga clan."
"This curse mark will not cause any harm to the clansmen. It will normally be in a dormant state and will not have any impact. Only when the clansman dies, or the eye is forcibly transplanted, will it automatically trigger, instantly destroying the nerve tissue within the eyeball, ensuring that the secret of the Byakugan is never leaked."
"We respect the inheritance of the Hyuga clan, but protection should not come at the cost of the clansmen's dignity and freedom. This is Advisor Danzo's meaning."
These words were reasonable and well-founded, combining kindness with authority.
It gave the Hyuga clan an opportunity to enhance their family's reputation that they couldn't refuse, and also solved their most fundamental worries.
Hyuga Kaede looked at the two men before him, one playing the bad cop, the other the good cop, coordinating seamlessly.
He knew he had no choice left.
Choose to cling to the rotten ancestral system and be physically removed from the biosphere by Danzo.
Or choose to go with the flow, seize this opportunity, and lead the Hyuga clan towards a new future of co-prosperity with Konoha?
The answer was self-evident.
After a long time, Hyuga Kaede seemed to age ten years in an instant. He slumped back into his chair and said in a hoarse and tired voice, "...I understand."
"I will... convene a clan meeting to discuss the abolition of the main and branch family system, as well as the Caged Bird curse mark."
"I hope... Lord Hokage and the advisors will keep their promise."
A satisfied sneer finally appeared on Danzo's face.
He stood up, didn't say another word, and turned to walk out the door.
Uchiha Kagami also stood up and bowed deeply to Hyuga Kaede again.
"Patriarch Kaede, you have made a wise decision."
"I believe history will prove that your choice today was correct."
With that, he also turned and left.
In the empty reception hall, only the father and son, Hyuga Kaede and Hyuga Hiashi, remained.
"Father..." Hyuga Hiashi called out softly, looking at his father's desolate back.
Hyuga Kaede did not answer, but simply waved his hand, signaling him not to speak.
The setting sun slanted in through the window, shining on his wrinkled face, making him look incredibly aged.
An old era had ended.
But a brand-new era was about to begin.
The caged bird would finally soar into the sky.
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