The Hyuga Clan Will Always Be Konoha's Hyuga Clan

Under the guidance of Hyuga Arima, Minato stepped into the Hyuga Clan's Tamagushi Shrine for the first time. He had visited the Hyuga Clan's territory before, but only to visit specific homes. This Tamagushi Shrine was something he had only heard of, never seen.

However, At this moment, Minato had matters weighing on his mind, and coupled with the pouring rain, he had no leisure to examine the Tamagushi Shrine.

He was led into a tea room by Hyuga Arima, who then ordered tea to be served.

"Please wait a moment, honored guest. The Clan Head is currently busy with something and will be here as soon as he's finished..." Hyuga Arima's words were cut short by the sound of rapid footsteps approaching from outside the shoji screen.

Immediately after, the shoji screen was pushed open.

Hyuga Ritsu strode into the tea room, greeting with a smile, "Senior Minato, we meet again!"

"Huh?"

Minato was greatly surprised, almost losing control of his expression. He tensed his muscles, struggling to contain his runaway emotions, only to see Hizashi Hyuga and five other renowned experts from the Hyuga Clan's Branch Houses enter one after another, all trailing behind Hyuga Ritsu as if they were his retinue.

This time, Minato couldn't hold back. He was truly shocked.

What in the world was going on?

Didn't they say Hyuga Hiashi was waiting for him? Why were Hyuga Ritsu and a host of Hyuga Branch House experts appearing before him?

In a mere instant, Dozens of thoughts raced through his mind, ideas forming and dissipating.

Fortunately, Minato's composure was strong. He quickly smoothed his expression and, looking at Hyuga Ritsu who knelt opposite him at the tea table, asked solemnly, "Ritsu-kun, what is going on? Arima-kun just said he was sent by your Clan Head, Hyuga Hiashi, to pick me up. Is Hiashi-senpai not here?"

"Hm?"

Hyuga Ritsu glanced at Hyuga Arima, who stood beside him.

"I said I was sent by the Clan Head,"

Hyuga Arima explained.

Hyuga Ritsu understood. Arima had essentially tricked Minato. The Clan Head he referred to was himself, while Minato mistakenly believed it was Hyuga Hiashi, thus luring Namikaze Minato here.

He chuckled and looked at Minato, saying, "Senior Minato, you may have misunderstood. The Clan Head Arima mentioned is not Hyuga Hiashi. Hyuga Hiashi is the former Clan Head of our clan. The current Clan Head is me!"

"What?"

Minato felt like he was going to use up his entire year's worth of surprise today.

"Hiashi-senpai is no longer the Clan Head?"

Honestly, Minato couldn't help but wonder if he was dreaming. "Ritsu-kun, can you explain clearly? What exactly has happened in your clan? Lord Hokage ordered me to visit Elder Hyuga Masamune. I wonder where Masamune-elder is? Could you please ask him to come and speak with me?"

"Regrettably, Hyuga Masamune and other members of the Main House are cruel and wicked shinobi, tyrannical and inhumane, treating us Branch House members like cattle and slaves, whipping us at will. We could no longer bear the humiliation and rose up in rebellion today. All the members of the Main House have been captured and killed. Although the former Clan Head, Hyuga Hiashi, is not in the clan, the sentiments of the people are strong. After deliberation, we have removed Hyuga Hiashi from his position as Clan Head. Subsequently, under the recommendation of the clan members, although I am unworthy, I have no choice but to temporarily assume the position of Clan Head to not betray the trust and expectations of the clan members!"

Hyuga Ritsu fabricated the facts with a poker face.

Behind him, Hizashi Hyuga and the others were astonished but also more convinced. Just based on this ability to lie without batting an eye, Hyuga Ritsu was indeed suited to be the Clan Head. The six of them admitted they couldn't have spoken so fluently.

Minato was dumbfounded.

His head buzzed.

He had to exert all his strength to force himself to remain calm. If Hyuga Ritsu and the others had any killing intent, he feared he wouldn't be able to stay seated.

Hyuga Ritsu wasn't finished. He turned and gestured to the six people behind him, saying, "Senior Minato, look. While you were on your way, our clan's Jonin and Special Jonin were holding an election for elders in this shrine's dojo. These are the six elders jointly recommended by over a hundred of our clan's Jonin and Special Jonin."

He emphasized the words "over a hundred of our clan's Jonin and Special Jonin."

"So... you are the new Main House of the Hyuga Clan?"

After a moment of silence, Minato asked.

"No, from this day forward, there will be no distinction between Main House and Branch House in the Hyuga Clan. All clan members will be treated equally."

"Ritsu-kun, may I ask how you... dealt with the Main House?"

Minato stared at Hyuga Ritsu and asked in a deep voice.

"It was very simple. I erased my Caged Bird Seal, and those useless Main House members were naturally no match for me." Hyuga Ritsu casually removed the forehead protector from his forehead. This was not something that could be hidden, nor was there any need to hide it.

"How did you do that?"

In his shock, Minato blurted out.

Hyuga Ritsu smiled without answering, merely re-donning the forehead protector that represented his identity as a Konoha ninja.

He could tell Hizashi Hyuga and the others that he had erased the Caged Bird Seal using a Forbidden Jutsu, but he would absolutely not mention any Forbidden Jutsu in front of Namikaze Minato, who represented the Third Hokage. Forbidden Jutsu was forbidden precisely because it was forbidden to be accessed, practiced, researched, or used.

Once a prohibition was broken, The village had the right to punish those who broke it.

"It was presumptuous of me."

Minato lowered his gaze in thought. It was normal for Hyuga Ritsu to refuse to answer; he shouldn't have asked the question in the first place. It was his own fault for getting worked up and blurting it out without thinking.

"It's fine, I understand your feelings, Senior Minato. However, what's done is done. Please report the current situation of my clan to the Hokage. Although there have been some rather significant changes within the clan, the Hyuga Clan has always been one of Konoha's founding families, and every Hyuga ninja is also a Konoha ninja. That will absolutely never change!"

"There are still some matters within the clan that urgently need to be dealt with. Once things are stable, I will personally pay my respects to the Hokage!"

Hyuga Ritsu spoke each word deliberately and powerfully.

Minato's lips twitched. Was this what he called "some rather significant changes"? This was a world-shattering change! The sky itself had changed for the Hyuga Clan!!!

However, it was fortunate that Hyuga Ritsu's attitude was proper, and he hadn't forgotten that the Hyuga Clan was Konoha's Hyuga Clan.

Come to think of it, such a change might not necessarily be a bad thing. The internal conflicts within the Hyuga Clan had been resolved. Perhaps this clan could unleash even greater power and contribute more to Konoha.

Of course, the Hokage was the one qualified to make decisions. All he could do was report the upheaval within the Hyuga Clan to the Hokage as quickly as possible.

"I understand."

Minato stood up.

Looking at Hyuga Ritsu, who also rose, he said solemnly, "I will truthfully report what I have seen and heard to the Hokage. Ritsu-kun, I shall take my leave now!" With that, his figure vanished from Hyuga Ritsu's sight.

"The Flying Thunder God Technique, truly amazing!"

Hyuga Ritsu exclaimed, then flicked his sleeve and looked at everyone. "The guest has left. Let's go back and continue our meeting."

Regardless of the Hokage's reaction, his current actions wouldn't change. He would continue to consolidate the clan's strength and make himself the Clan Head in name and reality. Only by tightly binding the entire Hyuga Clan to himself would he have the confidence to negotiate with the village.