Punish Only the Chief Culprit

Orochimaru, standing on the shore with a spectator's mindset, was one thing, but the three Main House members of the Hyuga clan in the tent were truly drowning. The massive wave that crashed over them left them gasping for air.

"Taiga, Taiga, my son, is my son Hyuga Taiga alright?"

Upon regaining consciousness, Hyuga Daichi immediately found Minato, eagerly inquiring about his son Hyuga Taiga's condition.

But—

"Please accept my condolences!"

Minato could only offer a sympathetic sigh of helplessness.

"..."

Hyuga Daichi froze.

His body swayed, as if he might faint again.

But this time, he didn't pass out. His pure white eyes seemed to burn with a fierce flame, and he spoke in a voice as cold and sharp as ice water, "Clan Head, please return to the village immediately and execute the traitor!"

"Elder Daichi, please be patient for now. We need to understand the situation first!"

"What is there to understand?"

Hyuga Daichi was at his wit's end. He clenched his fists, veins throbbing on his forehead. "Wasn't what Namikaze Minato just said clear enough?" Anger had scorched his reason, causing him to directly call Minato by his name.

Fortunately, Minato was kind-hearted and understanding, not bothered by the unintentional offense.

"Elder Daichi, don't let anger cloud your judgment. Do you know how Elder Masamune and the others were killed? It was an ambush, but with Elder Masamune and their skills, they shouldn't have been unable to even activate the Caged Bird Seal, should they?"

Hyuga Hiashi met Hyuga Daichi's gaze without flinching.

Five or six seconds later, Hyuga Daichi pursed his lips and turned his head to the side.

Hyuga Hiashi let out a soft sigh, composed himself, and then looked at Minato again with a serious expression, apologizing, "Jonin Minato, please forgive him. Elder Daichi was heartbroken over his son's death and spoke out of turn..."

"It's alright, Senior Hiashi. Please ask whatever you wish. Lord Hokage instructed me when I came, and I will answer any questions you have."

Minato responded gently. Before Hyuga Hiashi could speak, he continued, "Senior Hiashi, you want to ask how Hyuga Ritsu killed Hyuga Masamune and the others, right? I didn't witness the specific events myself, but one thing is confirmed: Hyuga Ritsu's Caged Bird Seal has been removed."

"What?"

Hyuga Hiashi's face turned pale with shock.

Beside him, Hyuga Daichi and Hyuga Hisho, the two Main House elders, also looked ashen.

"The Caged Bird Seal was removed? No wonder, no wonder! Without the restraint of the Caged Bird, with Hyuga Ritsu's abilities, it's normal for Elder Masamune and the others to be defeated!" Hyuga Hiashi's mind was in turmoil. He didn't know what to do.

Return to the village to execute Hyuga Ritsu, restore order, and uphold the system of Main House and Branch House?

This approach was logically the most consistent with his position, beliefs, and interests.

However, Could he and Elder Daichi and Elder Hisho, the three of them working together, defeat Hyuga Ritsu?

He hadn't included the loyal Branch House Jonin they had brought with them this time. It wasn't a lack of trust, but he considered the possibility that Hyuga Ritsu could also control Branch House members using the Caged Bird Seal. Any more Branch House Jonin would be useless against Hyuga Ritsu.

And relying on just the three of them, the chances of defeating the Branch House's number one prodigy, Hyuga Ritsu, were slim. He mainly lacked confidence in Elder Daichi and Elder Hisho. He knew the true level of the Main House Jonin.

Even he himself, if he hadn't been ruthless and fought fiercely with the Kumo Ninja on the northeastern front for half a year, would probably still be a mere "watered-down" Jonin like Elder Daichi and the others.

And so, The silence of Elder Daichi and Elder Hisho was proof. They knew their own limitations.

But something had to be done.

"Jonin Minato, what is Lord Hokage's stance on this matter?"

After a moment of thought, Hyuga Hiashi fixed his gaze on Minato.

Since Lord Hokage had specifically sent Minato to the eastern front to inform them of this matter, he must have had some ideas. Perhaps before he made his decision, he could first understand the attitude of the Hokage, or rather, the village's higher-ups.

"Right! Lord Hokage would never allow our Hyuga clan to fall into chaos. Why don't we ask Lord Hokage to help us execute that traitor Hyuga Ritsu!"

"Jonin Minato, Jonin Minato, please help our clan quell the rebellion. When the Third Hokage retires, our clan will definitely help you ascend to Fourth..."

Hyuga Hisho was cut off as Hyuga Daichi reached out and covered his mouth.

Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Daichi were extremely embarrassed. If only Minato were present, saying such things might have been acceptable. But now that Orochimaru, a hot contender for Fourth Hokage alongside Minato, was also here, wouldn't saying such things offend him?

Orochimaru's smile remained unchanged.

Minato, on the other hand, frowned. His opinion of these Main House members of the Hyuga clan dropped further. No wonder the Hyuga clan, despite having a larger population and the most Jonin in the village, always gave the impression of being easily bullied. Instead of immediately focusing on retrieving the stolen Byakugan of the Main House, they were eager to blame and shift responsibility onto their Branch House members.

Unfortunately, Hyuga Ritsu's act of slaughtering Main House members was indeed a bit excessive.

"Lord Hokage believes that the vast majority of the Hyuga clan members are innocent, and the stability of the Hyuga clan is an indispensable cornerstone for the village's prosperity. Therefore..."

Minato paused, then stated decisively, "Lord Hokage's stance is to only punish the ringleader!"

"Good! Only punish the ringleader!"

Hyuga Hiashi agreed without hesitation.

Beside them, Hyuga Daichi stopped covering Hyuga Hisho's mouth. He took two steps forward and said excitedly, "I will personally kill that traitor Hyuga Ritsu!"

"Elder Daichi, calm yourself. Don't disgrace the Main House."

Hyuga Hiashi reprimanded him.

Immediately, he asked again, "Jonin Minato, when will we return to the village?"

"If you, Senior Hiashi, are ready, we can go now," Minato replied.

"Then now."

Hyuga Hiashi turned and looked at the two Main Family Elders. "Elder Daichi, Elder Hishou, any problems?"

"None!"

Hyuga Daichi responded decisively.

He couldn't wait to return and avenge his son.

Hyuga Hisho hesitated slightly. "Clan Head, my son Daisho's injuries..."

"The village's medical facilities are far superior to this place."

Saying this, Hyuga Hiashi looked at Minato again and asked, "Jonin Minato, you're planning to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to send us back to the village, right? Is there a limit to the number of people?"

"Within ten people."

"Elder Hishou, go and bring Daisho over now!"

Hyuga Hiashi's attitude was firm.

He had disliked the good-for-nothing Hyuga Daisho even before, and now he detested Hyuga Daisho, who had caused all these troubles, even more. He would not allow Hyuga Daisho to continue disgracing himself on the front lines. If Hyuga Daisho weren't from the Main House, he would have truly wanted to kill him directly.