Hyuga Ritsu, Clan Head

Shimura Danzō left in a huff. Sarutobi Hiruzen made no move to stop him, tacitly allowing him to go. Only after the strong-willed old comrade had gone some distance did he turn to Hyuga Ritsu and ask, "What do you plan to do with Hyuga Hiashi?"

"Although Hyuga Hiashi is of the Main House, he has done no great evil in the past. He has also protected many Branch House clansmen, and he made a promise earlier. So I won't kill him," Hyuga Ritsu replied candidly.

Hyuga Hizashi had been the first to side with him and acknowledge him as Clan Head. At the time, he'd promised Hizashi that as long as Hyuga Hiashi didn't resist to the bitter end, he would spare his life.

He had no intention of breaking his word.

Of course,

Not killing him didn't mean Hyuga Hiashi could carry on with his life as if nothing had happened. Punishment was unavoidable. Especially now, when the Caged Bird Seals on the clansmen had yet to be removed: Hyuga Hiashi would definitely have his Chakra sealed and spend some time suffering in prison.

Only after Hyuga Hiashi had become completely harmless might he be able to live a normal life as an ordinary member of the Hyuga Clan again.

"Good. As long as you don't kill him. Hyuga Hiashi may not be especially outstanding, but compared with the previous two Clan Heads of the Hyuga Clan, he actually didn't do too badly. He was simply unlucky enough to run into you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Hyuga Hiashi, who stood rigid and motionless some distance away, while Hyuga Hizashi chattered incessantly beside him.

He sighed inwardly.

Then he asked, "How do you plan to explain what happened tonight?"

Hyuga Ritsu waved a hand, signaling the clansmen around them to step back.

"Tonight, Lord Hokage, you and the others were deceived by Hyuga Hiashi and the other Main House members, which led to a small clash between me and Senior Minato. That's what I'll tell the clan. To the outside world, you can say that you came to help us deal with Hyuga Daichi and the other deranged remnants of the Main House, and restore peace and justice to the Hyuga Clan!"

Hyuga Ritsu answered quietly.

At that reply,

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Hyuga Ritsu for several seconds before sighing. "Who knows how many talents your clan's system has crushed!"

Then,

He asked with utter bluntness, "Do you resent us for what happened tonight?"

He stared straight at Hyuga Ritsu, waiting for his answer.

"Resent you?"

Hyuga Ritsu shook his head slightly. No trace of negative emotion clouded his pale eyes. "I don't care how rough the road is, as long as the outcome is good. That's enough for me."

At that,

Hyuga Ritsu paused for two seconds, then said seriously, "Lord Hokage, I'll make this clear now. Though our clan has suffered a great upheaval today, the Hyuga Clan will always be Konoha's Hyuga Clan. Without the Main House sucking us dry and bleeding us internally, the Hyuga Clan will make an even greater contribution to the village."

"Give me a few days to handle the clan's affairs. After that, I'll take our elite forces to the front lines. It was the Main House's incompetence that led to the Byakugan being taken by the Mist Ninjas, but the Byakugan belongs to Konoha alone. We'll take back what they stole, and they'll pay in blood!!!"

"Only the blood of the Mist Ninjas can wash away our clan's humiliation!"

His words rang out with conviction.

The clansmen around them had heard every word. The older ones didn't react much; they were old hands and not so easily stirred up. But the younger clansmen flushed red, their blood surging with excitement as if they'd been pumped full of adrenaline.

"Kill the Mist Ninjas!"

Hyuga Arima shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Kill the Mist Ninjas!"

"Kill the Mist Ninjas!"

The young clansmen howled themselves hoarse.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked around, then gave Hyuga Ritsu one last long look. A genial smile spread across his face. "Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu, drop by the Hokage Building when you have time and keep this old man company. These days, I enjoy spending time with outstanding young people like you and Minato. When I look at you, I see Konoha's bright and thriving future!"

"You're too kind. I wouldn't dare compare myself to Senior Minato."

"You've stopped Minato's attacks twice. That's enough to put you on his level. Also, I hope you'll find a time to explain the Shikotsumyaku matter, Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu."

"I won't keep you from putting your house in order. Minato, let's go!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen called out.

"Ritsu, I'm sorry!"

Minato gave Hyuga Ritsu an apologetic smile, grabbed Sarutobi Hiruzen by the shoulder, and vanished in a flash from the sight of so many Byakugan.

Hyuga Ritsu remained where he was.

After more than ten seconds, he finally rolled his neck and let out a long breath. "At last, we've made it past the village. Just as expected, plans never keep up with changes!"

Though it hadn't gone according to his plan,

The result was still pretty good.

The last threat had been eliminated, and they'd made it past the village's test. Sarutobi Hiruzen had just addressed him as "Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu," which amounted to recognizing his position as Clan Head. That didn't mean he'd truly been accepted, but at least he'd been acknowledged publicly.

As for the possibility of an attack from the shadows, such as one from the Hokage's Assistant who'd left in a huff, that man was the Hokage's black-gloved enforcer. Any task the Hokage couldn't handle personally was usually handed to him.

Perhaps,

He'd already been added to the list of people who needed to be dealt with. He might even be near the top. He just didn't know if he could outcompete those Uchiha who thought the world revolved around them.

Hyuga Ritsu looked around at the many Jonin and Special Jonin of the clan and smiled. "From now on, the Main House will never enslave us again. Our fate is finally in our own hands!"

"So hurry home and share the good news with your families!"

He waved his hand,

Signaling everyone that they could leave.

But,

Nobody moved. They were all watching Hyuga Ritsu.

"Clan Head, you have my loyalty. As long as my children never have to be bound by the Caged Bird Seal again, I'd brave a mountain of blades or a sea of fire for you!" A Jonin in his forties suddenly spoke in a low voice.

Then,

Words of agreement surged like a great river.

"That's right, Clan Head. Just give the word. I'd gladly stay behind to cover everyone's retreat every single time."

"Me too, Clan Head. If anyone dares oppose you from now on, I'll smash his damn head in."

"Exactly! Smash the heads of anyone who opposes him!"

The Jonin gathered around pledged their loyalty in droves.

Hearing their chaotic remarks grow increasingly outrageous, Hyuga Ritsu's smile widened. He raised both hands in a gesture for silence. A few seconds later, they gradually quieted down.

"Actually, there is something I need you to do. As I said earlier, in a few days I'm heading to the front lines to deal with those bastards, the Mist Ninjas. Anyone who wants to go can... sign up with Elder Hyuga Karin!"

"Now, hurry home!"

Hyuga Ritsu urged them to leave.

The clansmen who'd pledged their loyalty dispersed in small groups. Quite a few gathered around Hyuga Karin to ask about signing up to fight the Mist Ninjas. The questions gave her a headache, so she had to explain that registration would open tomorrow and they could sign up then. Only after that did she manage to send them all away.

Soon,

Only Hyuga Ritsu and his trusted aides, Hyuga Takuma and Hyuga Arima, remained at the scene, along with the six elders. Apart from them, only the former Clan Head, Hyuga Hiashi, remained standing rigidly motionless like a block of wood.