Members of the Hyuga Branch Family watched as Konoha's Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, entered the grand residence of the Hyuga Clan's head.
The Hyuga Branch Family members who supported Neji Hyuga hurriedly notified Takashi Hyuga and Second Elder. They suspected that Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to join forces with the head of the Hyuga Main Family to punish Neji Hyuga by using the Caged Bird Seal.
No matter how they looked at it, branch family members like themselves who harbored rebellious intentions—especially Neji Hyuga—were unforgivable in the eyes of the main family.
It would have been one thing if they did not know, but now that they did, they likely would not hesitate to use the Caged Bird Seal to kill Young Master Neji.
Those people from the main family... they had seen through them long ago.
"It must be Danzo Shimura and Hiruzen Sarutobi colluding to deal with Young Master Neji." Danzo Shimura immediately took the blame.
In truth, Danzo Shimura had been severely injured last night and was currently receiving treatment at Root's base. He had not yet thought of a way to deal with Neji Hyuga.
"Damn it, we never should have let Danzo Shimura go back yesterday. We should have killed him in the forest," one Hyuga Branch Family member said viciously.
"Enough. That was Young Master Neji's order." A levelheaded branch family member's eyes glinted with intelligence. "We still can't be certain that Hiruzen Sarutobi came to see Hiashi Hyuga in order to use the Caged Bird Seal against Young Master Neji."
"Everyone, contact your relatives and ask around. Remember, keep it discreet. Don't expose yourselves." A Hyuga Branch Family member laid out the proper response.
"I believe the Caged Bird Seal cannot do anything to Young Master Neji. Instead, we should focus on protecting ourselves