Swiftly Guarding Lord Hokage

The rain had stopped, and the air was filled with moisture. A cool breeze blew, carrying a hint of chill. Lights began to appear one by one in Tamagushi Shrine. After lighting the lamps, the clan members responsible for managing the shrine resumed their patrols, busy as ever.

Hyuga Ritsu stood beneath a vermilion torii gate, its paint somewhat faded.

Five elders—Hyuga Takashi, Hyuga Shinichiro, Hyuga Isamu, Hyuga Tenma, and Hyuga Karin—stood with him beneath the torii gate, watching a group of uninvited guests below being led by Hizashi Hyuga along the wet, bluestone-paved path.

Sarutobi Hiruzen walked at the forefront.

Hizashi Hyuga accompanied him.

Shimura Danzō and Namikaze Minato followed behind, with Hiashi Hyuga and others trailing at the rear.

"Hokage-sama, please forgive our lack of a proper welcome!"

Hyuga Ritsu stepped forward two paces to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Immediately, before Sarutobi Hiruzen could speak, he continued, "We had intended to pay our respects after settling matters within the clan, but I never expected the Hokage-sama to personally deliver the remnants of the Main House to us. My thousand-plus clan members who support me and I are deeply grateful for this generous gift."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.

This kid is something else!

He's playing the preemptive strike game quite skillfully. Support from over a thousand clan members? Is that true? If it is, killing Hyuga Ritsu would mean losing the hearts of the Hyuga Clan. Can Hiashi and the other Main House members truly stabilize the Hyuga Clan's situation with just these few useless individuals?

He suddenly felt uncertain, even questioning whether the decision to kill Hyuga Ritsu was correct.

However, his expression remained unchanged, and he proceeded according to the original plan: "Clan Head Hiashi and I have filed a complaint, stating that you, Hyuga Ritsu, disrespect your elders and, relying on your own strength, have wantonly slaughtered clan members. He has asked me to come and uphold justice. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

As Hokage, he held the power of life and death.

But he couldn't wield this power as he pleased, killing whomever he wanted. To exercise this power, he needed a reasonable and justifiable cause. He didn't want to make things too ugly and cause the Hyuga Clan members to harbor resentment towards the village. The Hyuga Clan's internal disputes were best resolved within the clan itself.

Therefore, he needed a legitimate reason, to punish Hyuga Ritsu in the name of righteousness, and let Hiashi and the other Main House members bear the hatred of the many Branch House members of the Hyuga Clan.

But—

"Hokage-sama, there's nothing to say. Such a traitor who rebels against his superiors should be struck down immediately. Hyuga Ritsu, you little bastard from the Branch House, I'll make you pay with your life for my son, Daichi!"

Hyuga Daichi couldn't hold back any longer. He lunged forward.

This sudden turn of events caused Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow to furrow. Shimura Danzō cursed, "Idiot!" He's attacking before anything's even been explained. How are we supposed to have Minato help you kill Hyuga Ritsu with any justification?

[Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm]

Hyuga Daichi struck out with his palm, sending a shockwave towards Hyuga Ritsu.

He shouted, "Clan Head, Hiashi, and Elder Minato, quickly, let's strike down this rebellious traitor together!"

Instantly, blue Chakra formed the shape of a lion's head on Hyuga Ritsu's right hand. With a casual flick, he nullified the shockwave Hyuga Daichi had sent, dissipating it into nothingness.

This effortless display made Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others' eyelids twitch. They clearly recognized Hyuga Ritsu's formidable strength.

At the same time, they heard Hyuga Ritsu loudly question, "You want to kill me to avenge your son? Then, in front of the Hokage-sama, I must ask: since the founding of Konohagakure, who will atone for the deaths of the dozens of Branch House members tortured to death by your Main House?"

This statement immediately resonated.

"The Clan Head speaks the truth!"

Hyuga Takashi roared, his eyes wide with anger. "Hyuga Daichi, you fool, do you remember my cousin, Hyuga Shun? You made a foolish mistake on the battlefield back then, and you were seriously injured by a Kumo Ninja. It was my cousin who risked his life to save you. But in the end, your idiotic father said my cousin failed to protect you properly and directly activated the Caged Bird Seal, causing my cousin to die in agony. Who will atone for this?"

"That's right. My brother, Hyuga Kaju, was sent at the age of five to practice Gentle Fist with Hyuga Masamune. But just because he slightly outperformed Hyuga Masamune during sparring, Hyuga Masamune's father activated the Caged Bird Seal to 'teach him a lesson.' He died the next day after returning home. I still have nightmares about my brother's pained cries!"

Hyuga Karin also stepped forward resolutely, clearly expressing her support for Hyuga Ritsu.

Hyuga Shinichiro, Hyuga Isamu, and Hyuga Tenma said nothing, but they stepped forward in unison, standing behind Hyuga Ritsu and glaring at the Main House members.

"Insolent! Insolent! You rebellious, disloyal, and unrighteous scoundrels!"

Hyuga Daichi's face turned red with anger, and he cursed loudly. He raised one hand, preparing to activate the Caged Bird Seal to teach these Branch House members, who didn't know their place, a harsh lesson.

"Even now, you still want to enslave us with the Caged Bird Seal?"

Hyuga Ritsu roared, and at the same time, he struck decisively.

[Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm]

He raised his hand and unleashed a palm strike. The Chakra-infused shockwave was as fast as lightning. Hyuga Daichi, who was in the process of channeling Chakra to activate the Caged Bird Seal, was caught off guard. The shockwave accurately struck Hyuga Daichi's arm and chest. The power of this blow was so immense that it fractured Hyuga Daichi's right arm and shattered his sternum, causing it to cave inward. Blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain, and his life force rapidly dissipated like water flowing through his fingers.

This scene

stunned everyone present.

No one had expected Hyuga Ritsu to be so audacious as to attack and kill someone in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

While everyone was still reeling, Hyuga Ritsu shouted, "The remnants of the Main House are attempting to continue enslaving us Branch House members! Elder Hizashi, Elder Takashi, quickly protect the Hokage-sama and the others! Do not let these crazed Main House remnants harm any innocents!"

"Yes, Clan Head!"

The six elders responded in unison.

Restricted by the Caged Bird Seal, they found it difficult to oppose the Main House. However, they could still "protect" Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and Namikaze Minato. Moving swiftly, they lunged in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, spreading their arms and using their bodies as shields.

"Hokage-sama, please stay back. Be careful of the Main House remnants going mad."

"Hokage's Assistant, please don't go forward. Be careful not to get hurt."

"Lord Minato, we meet again!"

The elders chattered incessantly. Hyuga Karin, in particular, pressed herself against Namikaze Minato, boldly admiring the beauty of the famous handsome man in the village. This made Lord Yellow Flash, who had made the Iwa Ninja flee in terror, extremely uncomfortable, and he was involuntarily forced to retreat repeatedly.