The Previous Generation's Failure

"Think more about Tsuki." Hyuga Yue's father sighed deeply, his hand once again caressing his wife's cheek as he slowly said, "Think about her smile today. Can you bear it?"

"Besides, I think Hizashi is actually quite good. He should be able to fight for some rights for the Branch Family and improve everyone's situation," he continued.

"Lord Hiashi may not be old, but he's a pretty good person. He's changing things little by little. I think we'll be able to see that day."

"You're always like this, thinking everything will get better." Hyuga Yue's mother shook her head. "Hiashi is only improving the Branch Family's treatment a little because his younger brother became the head of the Branch Family."

"As for Tsuki..." She turned her head, her gaze piercing through Uchiha Jie and Hyuga Hinata standing behind them, passing through the closed door, and landing on the small figure in red inside the house.

"She's exactly like me when I was little. Exactly the same..." Her voice trembled for the first time, and emotion entered it.

"That's why I can't stand by and watch her become like you." The man's voice calmed down for the first time. He tightly gripped his wife's hand and stared into her eyes.

Hyuga Yue's mother smiled. Bathed in the moonlight, her smile was exceptionally radiant, stunning even Hinata.

Her husband was no exception. He hadn't seen his wife smile since he met her, and now he witnessed such a beautiful sight.

"Aki..." he murmured, then collapsed into his wife's arms.

"Ah!"

Hinata suddenly cried out. She noticed that Hyuga Yue's mother had activated her Byakugan at some point, and a finger filled with chakra instantly pressed against her husband.

How could a ninja collapse from mere beauty? Especially when it was just the smile of his wife, with whom he had spent day and night and shared intimate moments. He was simply ambushed by the person he trusted the most.

"I'm sorry." Hyuga Yue's mother sighed softly and pushed open the door again. It was only then that Uchiha Jie and Hyuga Hinata noticed that the small Hyuga Yue had fainted at the dining table at some point.

She dragged her husband inside, then lifted her daughter with one hand and leaped onto the roof. She scanned the surroundings with her Byakugan before leaping up again.

"Hinata, quickly!" Seeing the colors around them fade once more, Uchiha Jie quickly grabbed Hinata's hand and leaped high, chasing after Hyuga Yue's mother.

Hinata was still in a daze from the series of events that had just unfolded. Her young mind couldn't comprehend what had happened at her Sister Yue's home.

Uchiha Jie, however, had a bad feeling. As expected, after Hyuga Yue's mother had taken just two steps and was standing on the wall of the Hyuga Clan's main house, she suddenly fell headfirst, just like her husband had moments before.

However, Hinata and Uchiha Jie saw clearly at this moment. After she fell, several Hyuga clan members in white robes suddenly appeared. Wearing white robes, they quickly reached the fallen Hyuga Yue family.

"Elder? What do we do next?" someone asked the person leading them.

"Kill them..." His voice was devoid of any warmth, causing his companions to shiver.

This statement also frightened Hinata, and she let out a cry, covering her mouth.

"I, I know him." She then cautiously pointed at the leading "Elder" and whispered to Uchiha Jie.

"That's an Elder of the family. He usually doesn't come out and lives in the innermost room of the mansion. We only see him once a year during the New Year."

"Even Father respects him. Every time I see him, I think he's a very kind..."

But looking at the old man now, there was nothing kind about him. He ordered the other Hyuga clan members to carry the Hyuga Yue family and rushed towards the house where he lived.

Upon reaching an empty courtyard, the Hyuga Elder stopped and signaled for the others to place the Hyuga Yue family on the ground.

"Elder, do we really have to kill them?" someone's voice trembled slightly. He hid behind the others, his hands restless, occasionally touching his Konoha forehead protector.

"They plotted to betray the Hyuga Clan. Do you think they should be killed?" The Elder's sharp gaze swept over the Hyuga ninja. He let out a cold snort, and everyone became nervous.

"They should be killed, they should be killed," everyone said in unison.

"What about young Master Hiashi..." someone added.

The Elder paused, then said, "I will explain to Hiashi."

However, before he could explain, the young Hyuga Hiashi pushed open the door and entered the small courtyard, which was usually deserted. He quickly stood before the Elder.

"What is going on?" Hyuga Hiashi asked, frowning.

"Clan Head, these two conspired for rebellion."

The Hyuga Elder kicked the Hyuga Yue family lying on the ground. Hyuga Yue had taken a sleeping pill and was sound asleep. Blood seeped from the corners of the eyes of the other two, making them look miserable.

"Conspired for rebellion?" Hyuga Hiashi lowered his head, his voice filled with doubt and confusion. "These two? And a child who hasn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy?"

As he was speaking, more people entered the courtyard. Leading them was the young Hyuga Hizashi, who stood beside his brother, with others lining up behind the two brothers.

Hyuga Hizashi glanced at the Elder with a complex expression, then lowered his head and stood obediently beside his brother.

"Today was supposed to be the day Hyuga Yue received her curse mark, but this couple wanted to take Hyuga Yue out of the clan. Judging by the direction she fled, who knows if it was outside the village, or... to the Uchiha Clan?" The Hyuga Elder glared at Hyuga Hizashi and the group he brought, his voice low.

"Is that so?" Hyuga Hiashi's gaze shifted to the Hyuga clan members behind the Elder, he asked softly.

"Uh, yes, yes..." The one asked was glared at by the Elder and quickly nodded repeatedly, pointing at Hyuga Yue's mother as he explained, "It was her. She grabbed her husband and daughter and suddenly ran out of the house, heading outside the clan."

"I want to ask the parties involved..." Hyuga Hiashi squatted down and saw the blood near Hyuga Yue's father's eyes. He frowned, parted his eyelids, and saw that the once pure white Byakugan had become extremely cloudy. He reached out and felt for a pulse.

He suddenly stood up and shouted, "You activated the Caged Bird?"

"Hmph, just a slight activation. It even preserved their bodies." The Hyuga Elder snorted coldly. "This is how traitors should be treated. Being able to give them a complete corpse is already the greatest gift the clan has bestowed upon them."