Hyuga Split

Konoha.

This day was like an earthquake, but upon reflection, everyone realized that the Hyuga Clan had split apart during this upheaval, part of the Uchiha Clan's territory had been seized, and Danzo had been suspended from his post.

For the village, Konoha's second- Noble Houses can be said to have officially disintegrated and split into two groups, falling directly from the top of the Noble Houses to the same level as the Ino-Shika-Cho.

Although the Hyuga Clan, after its split, is stronger than the Ino-Shika-Cho single family, both the Branch Family and the Main Family, it is no longer as overwhelmingly powerful as it once was, and its strength is only limited.

Currently, the Uchiha Clan is the only top-tier Noble Houses in Konoha, but they have always been marginalized.

It seems that only the village's higher-ups benefited, and the split within the Hyuga Clan signified that the rulers' control over the village had become even stronger.

The Hokage Meeting Room.

Sarutobi smoked his pipe until noon, when the unrest was finally brought under control, and he summoned all those involved.

The head of the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Hiashi, and the elders, along with Hizashi Hyuga from the Branch Family, arrived, along with Uchiha Yoru, the Seventh Division Captain who was ordered to act during this turmoil.

The person in question sat upright in front, but the Hyuga Branch Family and the Main Family seemed to be clearly separated, sitting on either side, while in the very center were Uchiha Yoru, the captain of Orochimaru's Seventh Division Captain, and the head of the Uchiha clan.

The heads of various clans and the Jonin from Konoha Village were also Jōnin; this time, almost all of Konoha High Command officials had been gathered.

This time, Konoha High Council F4 were missing the important Shimura Danzō. Seeing this, Uchiha Yoru kept his head down, making it impossible for others to tell what he was thinking.

"Since you're all here, let's talk about how to resolve this matter."

After exhaling a cloud of smoke, the Third Hokage surveyed the crowd with a dignified expression before asking them a question. At the peak of his power, his aura as Shinobi Hero was still terrifying, directly overwhelming everyone.

In the oppressive and somber atmosphere, after a long silence, Uchiha Yoru lowered his head and spoke in a deep voice.

"Third Hokage, I only received orders from Teacher Orochimaru, and these orders were issued in the name of Root. As a member of Konoha, I carried them out almost without thinking. This was my mistake!"

First, he offered a heartfelt and sincere apology, then Uchiha Yoru solemnly declared, "From this day forward, I, Uchiha Yoru, will certainly learn from this lesson. Any order issued by Root, even if it is in Teacher Orochimaru's name, I will carefully consider it! If I am truly unable to make a decision, I will immediately inform the Hokage-sama."

Uchiha Yoru's voice echoed in the Meeting Room. This was the first time that the Konoha High Command had met this recently controversial figure. Beneath Uchiha's unique handsome appearance, there was less arrogance and more affability, but his sincere apology made those who understood secretly curse the little fox.

What apology? This is clearly shirking responsibility, completely absolving yourself of all blame, and even dragging the Root party into it.

After Uchiha Yoru spoke, the Uchiha clan head Fugaku, also spoke in a stern, stiff voice. "The Uchiha Clan's territory is indeed quite large, which seems to have attracted the envy of some people. Furthermore, even though the Uchiha have moved to the edge of the village's forest, some people are still uneasy and have even sent the Hyuga Branch Family branch family to monitor them."

"The Uchiha clan's territory welcomes all Konoha ninja to come and live here. After all, Lord Danzo personally allocated a large portion of land to the Uchiha!"

Uchiha Fugaku's words were barbed and sarcastic, directly revealing the Hokage's targeting and distrust, and even implying sarcasm. "You're not at ease? Well, I'll just open up the clan territory. Come on then."

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage coughed lightly twice, glancing subtly at Fugaku, and pondered to himself that perhaps Danzo's Root Danzo actually done something good this time, dividing the Hyuga Clan while simultaneously planting a spies within the Uchiha Clan —truly killing two birds with one stone.

Hyuga Branch Family sided with Orochimaru? In his eyes, Orochimaru is his disciple, so isn't this just another sword he can use?

"Ahem, I understand the Uchiha Clan head's anger. After all, Root did indeed go too far in this matter. On Danzo of Uchiha, I apologize to the Uchiha Clan and am willing to compensate them."

The Third Hokage, a seasoned political veteran, appeased the Uchiha with a single sentence, without paying a cent, perfectly demonstrating what it means to get something for nothing.

Hizashi Hyuga coughed lightly, instantly drawing everyone's attention. This time, everyone was filled with curiosity, after all, this was the protagonist.

Hyuga Hizashi Hyuga calmly met everyone's gazes, and then began to speak in a surprisingly calm tone.

"Gentlemen, I won't go into the details of how long the Hyuga Branch Family Caged Bird Curse has lasted. The Caged Bird Curse has plagued the Branch Family for so many years, with each generation having Branch Family who are unwilling to be enslaved by fate and who have been secretly gathering strength to rebel..."

Hyuga Hizashi Hyuga began to slowly recount the tragic fate of the Branch Family, as if telling a story, causing everyone to frown. Indeed, the fate of the Branch Family was quite tragic.

"Finally! Some time ago, we, the Branch Family, made a breakthrough in our century-long struggle against our destiny. We broke the Caged Bird's fate, and we are overjoyed! But we are also filled with fear. We, the branch Branch Family, fear how to get along with the Main Family, whether to go to war, and whether the Hyuga Clan will decline or perish?"

"Although the fated feud Main Family and the Branch Family has lasted for over a hundred years, we are all Hyuga! We are all of the same bloodline, so we chose to escape our cage. In order to survive, we turned to Root, and you all know what happened next. Lord Orochimaru, the Root Deputy Commander who inherited the Will of Fire, enthusiastically helped us."

Seeing Hizashi Hyuga's grateful expression, everyone secretly cursed him, thinking, "What nonsense! What 'eager to help you'? There's clearly something wrong with what he's saying."

You broke free from your Caged Bird Branch Family? Nobody believes that.

And what about Orochimaru? He's currently at the border, and besides, the orders he gave last night were from Root. Although Orochimaru has that authority, it's clear that nobody believes him.

Even some intelligent people narrowed their eyes as they listened to Hizashi Hyuga's explanation, as if the dots were connecting in their minds.

The Root cracked the Caged Bird, and then used the feud between the Main Family and the Branch Family to directly split the Hyuga. As for Orochimaru, he was probably just someone who studied Caged Bird Orochimaru at most in this upheaval.

Hyuga splitting the Hyuga clan and causing the Branch Family to relocate, they then turned around and took advantage of the Uchiha Clan. He was another perfect spy, tsk tsk, such methods are clearly something only Danzo could come up with.

Hizashi Hyuga didn't mention Shimura Danzō, but everyone attributed it all to this high-ranking official hidden in the shadows of Konoha.

The Darkness of Konoha! It truly lives up to its reputation! At this moment, all the Jōnin who thought of this felt a chill in their hearts, while the major clans became even more wary. Danzo was too ruthless; they had to be careful in the future.

After Hizashi Hyuga speaking, he solemnly performed a Shigeza (a form of kowtow) before Uchiha Fugaku, his forehead slamming heavily into the ground.

"Uchiha Clan Head! I am deeply sorry for this! But the Hyuga Branch Family truly had no other choice. Please forgive us, Clan Head Fugaku!"

Good grief, you not only occupied part of someone else's territory, but also monitored them, and now you want their forgiveness?

At this moment, everyone looked at Uchiha Fugaku with pity. If they didn't forgive him, it would be heartless, and the Uchiha's reputation would be even worse. If they agreed, they would not only lose territory but also be monitored. For a moment Uchiha Fugaku pretended to have a grim and ugly face.

"Hehe, in my opinion, Hizashi, you should lead your clansmen to stay here for now. We can discuss the clan land later. As for the Uchiha Clan, the village will definitely compensate them."

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, managed to seize the opportunity. He appeared to be smiling and trying to resolve the matter peacefully, but he was actually quite cunning. The Hyuga branch family 'Hyuga Branch Family presence on Uchiha Compound served as a check and balance, as well as a surveillance force. This time, he couldn't help but want to give Danzo a thumbs up. Well done!

However, Uchiha Fugaku felt extremely frustrated, but inwardly he sneered, thinking, "This time, the Uchiha are probably going to win."

Uchiha Fugaku let out a frustrated snort. Although he didn't agree, he had no choice but to accept it. Although he was somewhat unwilling, he thought of something else: Orochimaru now had the power of the Hyuga Clan Branch Family. It seemed that the Fifth Hokage was determined to get it.

However, Uchiha Fugaku was unaware that the Konoha High Command had already devised a plan to deal with Orochimaru.

"Thank you, Clan Chief Fugaku! Thank you Hokage-sama!"

Hizashi Hyuga respectfully thanked the two, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He and Fugaku had the same thought: in his heart, Root had been made to take the blame this time, and from now on they could only rely on Orochimaru.

Everyone was plotting. The Uchiha and Hyuga Branch Families shared the same goal: to have Orochimaru take over. However, the Hokage Faction believed that with Orochimaru out of the picture, the Hyuga branch Hyuga Branch Family would be their tool, their eyes and ears, used to monitor and check the Uchiha Clan.

Finally Hyuga Main Family, the Third Hokage feigned a worried expression, shook his head, and sighed, "This is originally a matter of the Hyuga Clan's internal affairs, and I shouldn't interfere. However, I still don't want to see the Hyuga Clan turn against each other with weapons. I wonder what the Hyuga Family head thinks?"

At this moment, everyone looked towards the Hyuga Main Family. The elders of the Main Family had extremely ugly expressions, and Hyuga Hiashi, barely suppressing his anger, gritted his teeth and said, word by word, "The Hyuga Main Family and the Branch Family are connected by blood, and we do not want to see rivers of blood flowing! But Hokage-sama, Root overstepped its bounds this time?"

They've come at us!

They went straight to the point, which is what everyone is concerned about and what all the major families want to know: whether the Konoha High Command will really interfere in family affairs. If this happens once, it will happen again.

Each family silently gazed at the Third Hokage of the family. If they were not given a satisfactory answer this time, they would likely band together for mutual support when facing certain tactics employed by the Konoha High Command, such as the removal of members from Root.

At this moment, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned and looked at everyone with a solemn expression, saying in a deep voice, "Everyone! I was truly unaware of the Hyuga Clan, let alone that Root was involved. The moment I learned of it, I Shimura Danzō from his duties pending investigation."

"And didn't Hizashi just say that the Konoha High Command has never interfered in the Caged Bird incident? I can guarantee that."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been blatantly lying, stood up and solemnly bowed to the main branch of the Main Family, saying apologetically, "As for Root's secret instigation of the Hyuga Branch Family, I will definitely investigate to the end and make Danzo give the Hyuga Clan an explanation!"

Good heavens, Sarutobi's methods are incredibly smooth. Danzo all the bad guys, while Sarutobi himself appears all magnanimous and righteous.

"I hereby solemnly declare!"

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed the aura of Shinobi Hero. A powerful pressure of Chakra swept through the entire Meeting Room. He shouted in a firm and resolute voice, "Aside from my identity as Hokage, I am also the head of the Sarutobi Clan. The rules of Konoha cannot be violated! No one can interfere in the internal affairs of any clan before any clan violates the village's regulations! Not even me!"

This can be considered a solemn declaration from the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi: this matter ends here and he will never do it again.

Everyone understands that this is a guarantee; if the higher-ups dare to interfere again, then a crisis of trust will arise among the major families.

The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi, led Konoha to victory after victory in the Shinobi World War. Although he suffered Third Shinobi War defeats and was driven into the Land of Land of Fire, for which he resigned once, it must be said that no one in Konoha has ever achieved the prestige of the Third Hokage.

This solemn guarantee does have some credibility.

For a moment, all the clan representatives fell silent. In their judgment, even if the Hyuga Clan's actions were not the work of the Konoha High Command, the Hokage had probably chosen to remain silent. In the end, Danzo took the blame, and the Third Hokage made their statements, which they reluctantly accepted.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage was cursing Danzo in his heart. "Danzo, you've made me clean up your mess again. If it weren't for how well you did this time, I would have punished you severely."

Looking at this situation, Uchiha Yoru lowered his head, but his heart was filled with joy.

After what happened today, it will be much more difficult for the Konoha High Command to deal with the Uchiha in the future. After all, if they were to deal with the Uchiha again, what happened today would be a blatant slap in the face.

And then there's the Hyuga Branch Family. Thinking of this, Uchiha Yoru sneered even more. This sword wasn't prepared for the Konoha High Command; it was prepared for himself.

The Hyuga Main Family were all incredibly frustrated; they were the ones who suffered the most. Hizashi had even claimed that it was their Branch Family that had broken the Caged Bird, though they all knew it was nonsense. But what could they do?

This is a family matter for the Hyuga. They can either accept the Hokage's mediation or resolve it in their own way. After all, there has been a rule since the founding of Konoha that the village cannot interfere in the internal affairs of any clan unless the clan violates the village's rules.

Right now, the Hyuga Main Family either chooses to wage war internally, resulting in bloodshed, or regardless of the outcome, the decline of the Hyuga Clan is inevitable.

They could either swallow this bitter pill and at least preserve the strength of the Main Family, or they could quietly develop for decades and have a chance to recover their current strength.

Similarly, the Third Hokage remained unmoved, saying either the Hyuga Main Family would accept it, or they would simply abandon the matter and let the others fight it out themselves.

Ninjas aren't just about fighting and killing; at their level, they've become adept at understanding human relationships and social dynamics.

"Hiashi!" The Great Elder of the Hyuga Clan spoke in a hoarse voice, looking much older than before. It was clear that the blow he had suffered was too great, and he was utterly exhausted.

When Hyuga Hiashi saw the Great Elder's exhausted and weak appearance, he showed a complicated expression.

"Hiashi, the Hyuga Main Family's prestige is entrusted to you. Do not let the Branch Family overshadow the Main Family."

After offering a weak word of comfort, the Hyuga Great Elder stood up abruptly, his face flushed, and roared, "Hyuga Main Family! Branch Family! We are bound by blood! The Caged Bird is not some kind of destiny, but a form of protection! Now that the Branch Family has decided to leave, the Main Family still remembers our brotherhood!"

"Hyuga Main Family! May the Branch Family enjoy great success in the future!"

This loud shout almost used the last of the Hyuga Great Elder's strength. His face was flushed and his eyes were red. This was humiliation!

However, everyone was filled with admiration. This Great Elder had endured all the humiliation and chose to let the head of the family continue to shoulder the responsibility. This elder was also in a state of near exhaustion, a final burst of energy before death.