Now.
Fugaku was twenty-eight years old, powerful, and rich in battle experience.
He had already married and had a child. His wife, Mikoto, was a civilian genius with formidable strength, and their first child was named Uchiha Itachi, who was one year old.
However... something felt strange to Fugaku.
The Hyuga Clan had always been the type to protect itself wisely.
Now the Hyuga Clan's future Clan Head, Fugaku already possessed a certain breadth of vision. Yet the more he thought about it, the more hesitant he became. He was keenly aware of the ostracism the Uchiha Clan faced within the village.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other village higher-ups... Fugaku did not know whether he should intimidate them or win them over.
"Miya... you can talk more with Hyuga Shin." Uchiha Fugaku spoke to this newly risen Three Tomoe shinobi within the clan.
"Mm, Big Brother Fugaku. I will." Uchiha Miya answered honestly.
"Let's go."
Uchiha Fugaku led the others away, bringing this visit to an end.
However.
Afterward, shocking news arrived for Uchiha Fugaku.
Kumogakure had sent a declaration of war.
Although the war had already begun, this declaration undoubtedly escalated it once again.
The Third Raikage stated bluntly in the declaration that his son, A, had been killed by your Hyuga shinobi. Hand over that shinobi, or Kumogakure would fight Konoha to the bitter end!
"Hyuga Shin, the Main Family has summoned you."
Hyuga Family training grounds.
Hyuga Shin was training in Gentle Fist as usual.
But someone came to summon him.
"..." Hyuga Shin felt somewhat uneasy, but he still went over.
Along the way, the other Branch Family Members all looked toward Hyuga Shin's back.
After Hyuga Shin left, they began whispering among themselves.
After arriving at the Main Family's residence.
Hyuga Shin met the Hyuga Clan Head—a middle-aged-to-elderly man with graying temples and a slightly stooped back. Hyuga Hiashi was seated beside him.
He did not see Hizashi Hyuga.
Hyuga Shin followed every bit of etiquette and sat down on the cushion.
"Clan Head, may I ask why you summoned me?" Hyuga Shin asked gently.
The Hyuga Clan Head stared at Hyuga Shin.
Many thoughts flashed through his mind.
He thought of how the one who had made such a grand showing was a Branch Family Member, of Hyuga Shin's image as a good-natured man over the years, and of the news the village had received this time.
"It is normal to harbor killing intent toward an enemy on the battlefield," the Hyuga Clan Head began. "You are still young. You do not yet understand the Hyuga Family's way of survival."
The Hyuga Clan Head's tone was neither harsh nor gentle. It carried a trace of authority.
Hyuga Shin: "?"
He did not understand.
Still, Hyuga Shin listened obediently.
"Shin, tell me... you passed out, is that right?" the Hyuga Clan Head asked.
"Huh? Mm, mm... yes. When I was fighting A, I seemed to have passed out. When I woke up, A was lying on the ground, unconscious." Hyuga Shin answered.
"Did you really pass out?! Shin!!" Suddenly, the Hyuga Clan Head activated the Byakugan!
A feeling of oppression descended upon Hyuga Shin!
At the same time.
A technique that was a nightmare for every Branch Family Member appeared—
Caged Bird!
The secret technique the Hyuga Main Family used to control the Branch Family: Caged Bird!
"Ugh?!" Hyuga Shin felt an intense, searing heat erupt from the Byakugan in his eyes!
He began rolling on the floor!
Moreover, his Byakugan became impossible to activate!
"Arghhhh!" Hyuga Shin let out a scream of agony!
Before him.
The Hyuga Clan Head and Hyuga Hiashi sat upright, watching this scene!
Behind the screen, a group of Hyuga Main Family elders also calmly watched everything unfold!
"I see."
Amid the Sea of Corpses and Blood.
Su Nuo stroked his chin as he observed Hyuga Shin's suffering.
"This curse seal is divided into two parts. One is placed on the eyeball, while the other is placed on the brain's nerves."
"Even if the eyeball is torn out, the curse seal can still control the Branch Family Member."
"Moreover, once activated, it can destroy both the brain and the eyeball."
"So this is Caged Bird..."
Everything was within Su Nuo's calculations.
Hyuga Shin's battle record was indeed impressive.
But.
He was a Branch Family Member.
Moreover, his battle report sounded too much like he was "bluffing."
What did he mean by saying he had passed out, and that when he woke up, the enemy was already lying on the ground?
There were only three possibilities.
First, he had fallen under a genjutsu.
Second, Hyuga Shin was lying.
Third, something else had happened.
The first two possibilities were the most likely.
After examination, Hyuga Shin had not fallen under a genjutsu. That meant it was the second possibility.
Hyuga Shin was tortured until he was barely alive.
He did not know how much time had passed, nor did he know why he had suffered all this.
The praise he had received during the day stood in stark contrast to the torment he suffered at night.
In the end, Hyuga Shin passed out.
And no matter how many times he was questioned, Hyuga Shin's answer was always: "I passed out."
At the Hyuga Main Family's residence.
The Clan Head, the future Clan Head, and the Hyuga elders discussed the matter.
"The son of the Third Raikage of Kumogakure was killed, and the Raikage is enraged. I fear he will vent his anger on our Hyuga Family."
"Why don't we... voluntarily hand Hyuga Shin over?"
"No! The war has only just begun. How is this any different from surrendering?! Idiot!"
"Even so, we cannot let the Hyuga Family stand at the center of the storm!"
"We absolutely cannot kill Hyuga Shin outright or hand him over openly. We must make some arrangements first."
Hearing the elders of the clan discussing handing over Hyuga Shin, Hyuga Hiashi gradually could not bear listening any longer.
He was still a young man, and he was indeed one of the more open-minded members of the clan. Unable to hold back, he called out, "Father! Uncles! Let me say something!"
"What is it, future Clan Head...?" an elder asked.
"Hyuga Shin is a good child, and he has always been loyal to the Main Family! He has never harmed anyone! This time, he rendered a great service and even saved someone from the Sarutobi Clan. Isn't that a good thing for our Hyuga Clan as well?"
"Everything you said is true, but Hyuga Shin is a Branch Family Member. Besides, past loyalty does not mean he is loyal now. You saw his explanation yourself: he said he passed out, and then an A who was at least at jonin level simply passed out in front of him? He says he handed the unconscious A over to Kumogakure, but Kumogakure claims A was already dead at that time!"
"This could very well be a scheme by Kumogakure! Unbelievable... Are we really going to deal with our own clansman because of the enemy's anger, even though he is a hero who shed blood for the Hyuga Clan?"
"This is the Branch Family's mission! Branch Family Members are born to make sacrifices for the clan! Once we grow stronger, we will naturally help the Branch Family grow stronger as well. This is our Hyuga Clan's way of survival: the trunk is the main body, while the branches and leaves are secondary. Future Clan Head, you are no longer a boy. You should understand the Hyuga way of survival!"
Hyuga Hiashi clenched his fists, rendered speechless...
Before you continue