Rumors and Slander

"What?"

Hyuga Hiashi's expression changed. "How did Uchiha Fugaku find out that I lost to Uchiha Akira?!"

He and Uchiha Fugaku were both clan heads.

When they were young, they had even competed against each other.

But now, he had been defeated by an ordinary member of the Uchiha Clan. Calling it a humiliating disgrace would not have been an exaggeration. Though they had not fought again since growing up, in Fugaku's eyes, he was probably nothing more than a defeated general now!

"Uchiha Fugaku asked about it himself. When he saw that this subordinate did not answer, he probably... inferred it from this subordinate's reaction."

Hyuga Liuhuo explained stiffly.

"Damn it!" Bang—!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. The teacup before Hyuga Hiashi was violently smashed to pieces, tea splashing everywhere as leaves scattered across the floor, walls, and his white robe, no longer pristine.

Just like his current mood.

"How dare Uchiha Fugaku be so arrogant? I am the head of the Hyuga Clan!"

His breathing quickened.

He could no longer maintain his initial calm and dignity. In his heart, the Hyuga Clan had always stood above all else. They had stood in Konoha for a hundred years and made countless contributions. Most importantly, there was the Hyuga Clan's nobility.

Something no other clan possessed.

It was his pride.

Yet today, Uchiha Fugaku had crushed it beneath his feet, and all of this—

"Is Uchiha Akira's fault! If not for him, I would not have lost, nor would I have ended up in this situation!"

In just a few days, not only had the Hokage begun treating him perfunctorily, but even Uchiha Fugaku had shown no mercy in his tone toward him, the head of the Hyuga Clan. It was all that fifteen-year-old boy's fault!

"Yes, and Neji. Uchiha Akira only came to the Hyuga Clan because of Neji."

Hyuga Hiashi suddenly thought of the true culprit. His face darkened.

"Bring Neji to me!"

Before long, Neji was brought over. Seeing Hyuga Hiashi's stern expression, as oppressive as dark clouds, he knew what he was about to face.

Heh. It was nothing more than the restraint of the Caged Bird Seal.

Nothing more than pain worse than death.

There was no fear in his eyes, only utter clarity and understanding.

But when Hyuga Hiashi saw Neji's eyes, he felt that the Main Family's authority had been challenged, and fury surged within him!

There was no flattery or fear—only disrespect toward the Main Family!

"Neji! You are, after all, a member of the Hyuga Branch Family."

Hyuga Hiashi reminded him coldly, as if he wanted to tear Neji's hopes apart like a sharp blade.

"No matter what, you cannot escape being part of the Branch Family, nor can you escape the Caged Bird Seal on your forehead. Always remember your duty as a member of the Branch Family!"

His gaze fell upon Neji's forehead.

If it had been before, Neji thought he would have felt inferior, saddened, and resentful. But now, his gaze remained clear. He only felt that Hyuga Hiashi, who used such vile methods to control his clansmen, was nothing special.

Like a clown.

"Hyuga Neji!"

Hyuga Hiashi's eyes trembled. He had actually seen contempt in Neji's eyes?

He could hardly believe it!

Fury churned in his eyes.

"It is all because of Uchiha Akira—that vile Uchiha. He has made you impure as well!"

Any member of the Branch Family who offended the Main Family had to endure the pain of the Caged Bird Seal!

He would make Hyuga Neji recognize his mistake!

But at that moment, two figures appeared in an instant. The leader wore a wild dog mask, and his spiky white hair was especially eye-catching as he stood before him.

"Clan Head Hyuga."

Anbu?

Kakashi?

The son of the Konoha White Fang, a man who had already become an Elite Jonin!

Hyuga Hiashi's pupils contracted slightly as he fixed his gaze on the white-haired Anbu.

"By the Hokage's order, Hyuga Neji has been summoned to join the Anbu. We hope Lord Hyuga will agree."

They said they hoped.

But to the Hyuga Clan, which had always supported the Hokage, this was no different from a notice. Hyuga Hiashi's expression stiffened slightly before he said, "Since it is the Hokage's order, the Hyuga Clan will naturally support it."

"Thank you, Lord Hyuga."

Hatake Kakashi nodded. "Then I will take Hyuga Neji away first. If there is anything else afterward, Clan Head Hyuga may discuss it with the Hokage at any time."

As he spoke, he looked at Hyuga Neji. Neji immediately understood and followed him out. At the same time, he suddenly thought of someone, and his heart began pounding.

This... Teacher came to save me!

After watching the three leave, Hyuga Hiashi's face darkened like ink, as though water could drip from it.

"What reason could have made the Hokage personally summon Neji into the Anbu?!"

In his view,

Uchiha Akira had just exchanged insults with the Hokage, so this naturally had nothing to do with Uchiha Akira. Could it be that the Hokage had taken a liking to Hyuga Neji's talent?

But Anbu selection had always been strict, and they usually chose mature ninja.

Letting a seven-year-old child with no battlefield experience join the Anbu?

This was the first time.

"But no matter what, Uchiha Akira cannot be separated from the disgrace the Hyuga Clan has suffered!"

Hyuga Hiashi's eyes were as cold as an abyss.

"This matter will not end so easily!"

If the Hyuga Clan were trampled beneath the Uchiha Clan's feet, then everyone would question the Hyuga Clan's strength and standing from now on. This concerned the Hyuga Clan's dignity, and he would never allow such a thing to happen.

Root.

After searching for half a month, there was still no trace of Yamanaka Fu or Aburame Toru.

Shimura Danzō's expression grew increasingly unpleasant!

The two strongest cards in his hand were Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Toru. If their poisonous insects and mental control were properly combined, even a Kage-level expert would meet their doom!

Yet now, there was no trace of either of them!

"Even if I cannot find them, I can be certain that Uchiha Akira was responsible!"

His sinister triangular eyes turned cold, but he took a deep breath.

"I underestimated Uchiha Akira's strength. He already possesses power not inferior to a Kage-level expert."

It seemed that the people under his command were no longer enough to deal with Uchiha Akira.

He had to act personally.

"No rush."

He quickly calmed down.

"I have waited so long already. There is no need to rush now. I must wait for the perfect opportunity—preferably... for the Uchiha Clan to slaughter each other. And Uchiha Itachi is an excellent point of entry."

He had observed Uchiha Itachi for a long time.

The boy considered himself clear-minded, loyal to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and estranged from the Uchiha Clan.

Once the Uchiha Clan rebelled,

For the sake of peace, Uchiha Itachi would be the sharpest blade. And now, he did not need to do anything. It was also a good time to consider the situation.

But at that moment, a panicked voice came from outside.

"This is bad, Lord Danzo! Over the past half month, two rumors have appeared within Konoha. One claims that the Uchiha Clan is arrogant and tyrannical, abusing the authority of the Police Department. The second... claims that you have been arbitrarily slaughtering fellow villagers!"

"Even... conducting human experiments!"

Danzo's pupils contracted!

His expression abruptly darkened!