"I've already said it—we're all family. Why kill each other?"
"Think carefully about what I said before. Honestly accept the Caged Bird curse mark. Becoming the head of the branch family isn't such a bad choice either."
"And they can continue living peacefully with their relatives, friends, lovers, and brothers, just as they did before. Isn't that right?"
"In the name of the Great Elder, I guarantee that as long as you do not rebel, the main family will never use the Caged Bird curse mark again."
"Well?"
The Great Elder and the other elders looked mockingly at Hiashi, Neji, and the other branch family ninja. Their smiles were more hateful than those of devils and demons!
Hiashi clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into the flesh of his palms as scarlet blood dripped from between his fingers.
Thud!
Behind him, Hyuga Ganmen dropped to his knees amid the crowd with a loud bang.
He slammed his forehead against the ground, his despairing, furious roar deafening.
"Great Elder! Please spare my wife and my parents!"
"I... I'm willing to accept the Caged Bird mark again."
Ganmen's voice began as a shout, but gradually fell quieter.
When his words reached the Great Elder and the other main family ninja, satisfied expressions immediately appeared on their faces.
"Good, very good. You used to be one of the most disobedient branch family ninja. Who would have thought that today, you would be the first ninja to return to the embrace of our Hyuga clan?"
"You've returned from the wrong path. You can still be taught."
The Great Elder's venomous words continuously stabbed at the nerves of Hiashi, Neji, and the other branch family ninja.
Vicious! Too vicious!
In a daze, Ganmen pushed through the crowd before the shrine. Under everyone's gaze,