The Hyuga Main Family's days were numbered

"That's impossible!"

Hyūga Ningde frantically Hand Seals, injected Chakra, and activated [Caged Bird Seal: Devour], only to find it had no effect time and time again.

After trying more than ten times, he finally realized that the [Caged Bird Seal] method was ineffective, and fear immediately overwhelmed him.

Neji Hyuga's tense body gradually relaxed. He and the Hyuga Branch Family around him stared in disbelief at their own bodies, then at the Main Family Hyūga Ningde, who was dumbfounded.

A look of understanding appeared in Neji's eyes. It turned out that the Fifth Hokage had asked him to break down the Main Gate because he had already broken the seal of the Caged Bird Seal.

The other Hyuga Branch Family Ninja looked puzzled; some's doubts gradually turned into hope, while others' turned into anger.

But regardless of their emotions, they gradually regained the vitality of living people and were no longer puppets or living dead.

Hyūga Ningde's nightmare came true; that proud head that always looked down on the branch family Ninja had drooped down at some point.

He was so terrified that his whole body trembled, yet he mechanically activated [Caged Bird Seal - Devour] over and over again, as if he knew nothing else.

Neji Hyuga the first to react. He suppressed the trembling in his body and swung his arms as he walked toward the Hyuga Main Family who wanted to kill him with the Caged Bird Seal.

Neji did not intend to kill Hyūga Ningde. The Fifth Hokage was standing behind him, and no Konoha Ninja was qualified to kill someone in front of him without asking permission.

Therefore, the Genin Neji Hyuga only intended to give the Chunin Hyūga Ningde a good beating.

Just then, Hyuga Hiashi rushed over and immediately shouted, "Neji, how dare you disrespect the Main Family?"

Upon hearing the voice of the Hyūga Clan Leader, Hyūga Ningde was overjoyed, even reverting to his arrogant demeanor and raising his head once more, looking down at Neji with disdain.

But Neji Hyuga seemed not to hear Hyuga Hiashi's words and still swung his palm at Hyūga Ningde, but his attack was blocked by Hyuga Hiashi.

Extremely disappointed, Hyuga Hiashi angrily rebuked, "Neji Hyuga, how dare you be so disrespectful! You have truly disappointed me!"

"You are nothing like your father; you have completely lost all your manners!"

The angry and disappointed Hyuga Hiashi didn't notice that the surrounding Hyuga Branch Family Ninja were all watching Hyūga Ningde, staring at his Hand Seals hand seals, confirming that his repeated attempts to use [Caged Bird Seal: Devour] had indeed failed.

Once these Ninja made a definite judgment, they would shift their gaze from Hyūga Ningde to Hyuga Hiashi, who was scolding his nephew.

Their eyes were so dangerous, as if the Elite Jonin Hyuga Hiashi was merely prey.

At this moment, more and more Hyūga Ninja arrived, including Hinata Hyuga and Hanabi Hyuga; all the main branch Ninja of the Hyuga Main Family had arrived.

Seeing that the time was right, Shazo deactivated his [Invisibility Technique] and walked into the crowd, reaching out to pull Neji Hyuga back from Hyuga Hiashi's grasp.

He looked at the astonished Hyuga Hiashi and sneered, "So, the Hyūga Clan Leader's method of managing the clan is to disregard all causes and consequences; as long as the branch family attacks the Main Family, it's the fault of the branch family Ninja."

"Clan Leader Hyūga, do you do this when handling Konoha's affairs?"

Upon seeing Shazo, the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja all knelt on one knee and bowed, shouting loudly, "Fifth Hokage!"

The crowded people suddenly shrunk, leaving only a bewildered Hyuga Hiashi and the Hokage Hyuga Main Family Ninja had no concept of Hokage standing alone in place, looking so frail.

Realizing his mistake, Hyuga Hiashi quickly knelt on one knee and protested, "No, Fifth Hokage, I wouldn't do that when handling Konoha affairs."

Shazo Zuo nodded. "Not bad. The fact that you can say that proves you're not hopelessly stupid. At least you know what's right and what's wrong."

"Then why, when dealing with internal Hyūga clan affairs, did you immediately reprimand Neji even though you knew the fault didn't lie with him? Didn't you feel awkward about that?"

Hyuga Hiashi replied respectfully, "This is a tradition of the Hyuga Clan; the Hyuga Clan has always done so."

Shazo laughed and asked, "It's always been like this. When did it start?"

"Did your Hyuga Clan ancestors designate the Main Family and branch family for their children from the very beginning?"

Hyuga Hiashi speechless. They didn't even know their ancestor was Hamura Otsutsuki, so how could they know such detailed information?

Shazo continued, "Most importantly, is it right to always do things this way?"

"Even if it was right in the past, is it still right now?"

"Hyuga Hiashi, I urge your Hyuga Clan to abolish the Main Family and branch family system, and completely seal off the use of the [Caged Bird Seal]."

"Clan Leader Hyūga, are you willing to accept my orders?"

Shazo's direct and unambiguous approach left Hyuga Hiashi's mind reeling, completely unable to react.

Hyuga Hiashi couldn't react because his extreme recognition of the Fifth Hokage's authority clashed fiercely with his accustomed system of the Main Family families, shaking his worldview.

But the other Hyuga Main Family were different. They were incompetent and cowardly, and simply stayed in the Hyūga Residence, acting arrogantly and domineeringly. They firmly believed that the rules of the Hyūga were greater than the authority of the Fifth Hokage.

So they all spoke up, "Lord Hokage, the Main Family family are traditions of the Hyuga Clan. Even though you are the Hokage, you cannot interfere in the affairs of our Hyuga Clan."

Shazo retorted, "Who says the Hokage can't interfere in the Hyuga Clan's internal affairs? Did you make that rule?"

The Hyuga Main Family was speechless, completely unable to answer.

Another Hyuga Main Family fabricated, "That's exactly what the Third Hokage did!"

Shazo sneered, "Is your brain filled with water? I, the Fifth Hokage Shazo, have always maintained that the Third Hokage made many mistakes, and I have no respect for his principles."

"Besides, even the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, still forced Hizashi Hyuga to his death. So forcing someone to their death can be considered non-interference?"

Shazo's expression suddenly turned serious, and he shouted, "Stop your wild fantasies! You're all out of your minds, so self-righteous. Do you really think the Hyuga Clan is a village within Konoha?"

The Fifth Hokage unleashed his full power, Hyuga Main Family Ninja instantly transformed from proud little roosters into cowering quails.

These adult Hyuga Main Family, having never experienced life-or-death trials or even rigorous training, possessed mental fragility far exceeding Shazo's imagination.

Just by showing a little bit of seriousness, these guys were already terrified. Some knelt on the ground without any regard for their image, while others even prostrated themselves on the ground.

Look at those Hyuga Branch Family Ninja, they all remain expressionless. Even Hinata Hyuga, that "cowardly" Genin, only turned slightly pale.

Not only the Ninja, but also Hanabi Hyuga, a girl who had just started school, had a slightly pale face, but did not seem to be frightened.

Shazo hadn't expected these guys to be so fragile; he was even a little worried that he might have killed a few of them.

After a long silence, the Fifth Hokage suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha, Hyuga Hiashi, look at what you've done with the [Caged Bird Seal]!"

The Hyuga Main Family who were protected are all useless trash, not even as good as little girls.

"Can such a Main Family really serve as a trump card to ensure the continuation of the Hyuga Clan?"

As the Clan Leader, Hyuga Hiashi had long known that these Main Family could only rely on the Caged Bird Seal to bully others within their own group. At this moment, he could only forcefully explain, "Fifth Hokage, the Caged Bird Seal is a means to protect the Byakugan from being lost."

Shazo chuckled coldly, "Is that so?"

"Hyūga Clan Leader, why are there punishments and instant-death seals as means of protection?"

"This [Caged Bird Seal] looks like a punishment seal, and I feel it's even worse than the [Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu] from the Root."

"Most importantly, you haven't even guaranteed that the Byakugan won't be lost. After all, the Byakugan Ninja 'Ao' is the signature Ninja of Kirigakure."

Hyuga Hiashi argued, "Lord Hokage, while the Caged Bird Seal Caged Bird Seal n't guarantee 100% protection against losing the Byakugan, you can't deny its value based on that."

"Since the founding of Konoha, the Hyuga Clan has only lost this one Byakugan. Compared to the Hundred Plans of Sharingan lost by the Uchiha Clan, this is enough to prove the value of the [Caged Bird Seal]."

You know what, Hyuga Hiashi's statement makes a lot of sense, and even Shazo couldn't refute it.

Yes, the Great Wall didn't completely stop northern nomadic tribes from raiding southwards, but does that mean it lost its value?

Shazo never told lies that were easily exposed. He nodded and said, "The Hyūga Clan Leader is right, the value of the [Caged Bird Seal] is beyond doubt."

Neji Hyuga and the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja around him suddenly looked gloomy, while the Hyuga Main Family who were slumped on the ground were filled with joy.

Shazo glanced at the Hyuga Main Family, his sharp gaze imbued with powerful Genjutsu, which terrified them into becoming complete cowards.

Then the Fifth Hokage Hyuga Branch Family Ninja and said loudly, "However, the danger of the Caged Bird Seal cannot be ignored. I will not tolerate the Hyuga Main Family using the Caged Bird Seal to coerce and harm the Hyuga Branch Family again, because you are Konoha Ninja!"

"All Konoha Ninja will be under my protection, the Fifth Hokage!"

Shazo looked at Hyuga Hiashi: "Hyūga Clan Leader, I demand that you hand over all the information on [Caged Bird Seal]."

"The village will organize manpower to study this data and develop a [Caged Bird Seal] that contains no punishment or harm functions, to protect the Byakugan, and even the Sharingan."

"Furthermore, I will classify the [Caged Bird Seal: Devour] technique, which can kill, as a forbidden technique. Anyone who dares to use this forbidden technique will be considered to have attacked the Hokage."

"No!"

Shazo's request undoubtedly struck at the heart of the Hyuga Main Family. Among these spineless individuals, someone actually broke through the Hokage's Genjutsu and stood up to express their opposition.

Moreover, these Hyuga Main Family Ninja made no attempt to conceal the hatred in their eyes.

Sure enough, I've lost my mind.

Shazo didn't even bother with such an idiot, and simply turned to look at Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi immediately snapped to attention and hastily ordered, "Take these bastards down and lock them up!"

No sooner had the words left his Jonin than several Jonin from the branch family pounced on them, pinning these guys who dared to express hatred towards the Lord Hokage to the ground.

Their movements were swift, but they couldn't stop the Main Family from unleashing [Caged Bird Seal - Devour]. After the familiar sealing fluctuations, nothing happened.

Those Main Family Main Family who hadn't witnessed Hyūga Ningde had been through were stunned. The ones who had been pinned down cried out as if the end of the world had come.

The Hyuga Branch Family family Ninja got excited, slapped the crying Main Family Ninja a few times to shut him up, and then dragged him away.

Shazo raised his hand to stop the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja's movements, saying, "You'll stay by my side. As long as you're within my sight, the [Caged Bird Seal] can't harm you, but if you're too far away, I might not be able to protect you in time."

Upon hearing the Fifth Hokage admit that it was he who suppressed the damage caused by the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga Branch Family were overjoyed, and some even had dangerous glints in their eyes.

They were thinking that the Caged Bird Seal Secrecy was excellent; only the elders and Clan Leader of the Main Family knew about it. If they killed all the Hyuga Main Family Ninja now, wouldn't that be the same as eliminating the Caged Bird Seal?

But just as these Ninja had such a thought, they felt a tingling sensation between their brows and involuntarily looked up to see Shazo standing in the courtyard.

For some reason, they remembered that the Main Family was also their own clan, and that not all of them were bastards. The murderous intent in their hearts gradually dissipated.

Just seconds later, the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja decided to leave everything to the Lord Hokage.

The murderous aura of the branch family Ninja dissipated, but the Main Family Ninja were not blind; they saw and felt it all.

Everyone understood that when the Fifth Hokage demonstrated his ability to suppress the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga Main Family was doomed. If they didn't follow the Lord Hokage's orders, today would be the day the Main Family was completely destroyed.

There are too few members in the Hyuga Main Family.

Furthermore, the Main Family only has one Jonin, Hyuga Hiashi. Even if he is a senior Elite Jonin, he could not possibly defeat the 21 Jonin from the branch family.

Hyuga Hiashi lowered his head. "Yes, everything will be done as the Lord Hokage commands. I will retrieve the information on the [Caged Bird Seal] now."

Shazo nodded in satisfaction. "That's good."

"Hyūga Clan Leader, you don't need to give me the data. Just have someone send it to the Sealing Squad of the Ninjutsu Research Department, and Orochimaru's laboratory."

"Once the village has made progress in their research, I will have them share their findings with the Hyuga Clan."

At this point, Shazo sensed the intense worry of the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja through his [Mantra]. After thinking for a moment, he said to Hyuga Hiashi, "Hyūga Clan Leader, gather all the Main Family Ninja who possess [Caged Bird Seal: Devour]."

"I will now completely seal away this harmful forbidden technique."

As soon as Shazo finished speaking, the Hyuga Branch Family Ninja erupted in a huge cheer. "Hooray!"

Long live the Fifth Hokage!

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