The Radiance of Freedom

"What's going on? It's not even a Clan Meeting today, so why were we suddenly called to gather?"

Outside the Hyuga Clan compound, a group of Hyuga shinobi had already assembled.

Many of them were whispering among themselves, especially those from the Branch Family, who had little idea what was happening.

"It seems to be related to Kirigakure."

Of course, some people had heard a few details.

"I heard someone in the village say that Ao Squad was taken care of by the Anbu."

"Ao? You mean that...?"

"Yeah, him. And I heard the clan had been moving funds around earlier. It looks like it was true!"

"Tch. No wonder the bounty didn't go through the village and the clan made such a big deal out of it. They're planning to thank someone."

Ao's affair had left a terrible impact on the Hyuga Clan. Though anything could happen during wartime, this incident had truly made the Hyuga Clan lose face. Otherwise, they would not have paid out of their own pockets to raise Ao's bounty to fifty million!

Now that the man had been killed, it was only natural for the Hyuga Clan to express their gratitude with great ceremony.

Still, quite a few members of the Branch Family were somewhat dismissive.

After all, the excitement belonged to the Main Family. The Branch Family got nothing...

What they did not know was that the Main Family members standing at the very front did not look particularly pleased either.

"Clan Head, is it really appropriate for the village to meddle in our clan's internal affairs like this?"

An elder of the Hyuga Main Family spoke to Hyuga Hiashi in a lowered voice, displeasure written across his face.

"The Hyuga Clan is honorable and upright. We should indeed thank the village for recovering the Byakugan, perhaps even make the occasion more grand. But at a time like this..."

"At a time like this, what is the problem?"

Hyuga Hiashi glanced at the elder. He would never forget that it was this very elder who had proposed that Hizashi die that night!

"As for meddling in the clan's affairs, I would like to ask: what exactly has the Hokage done?"

What had he done?

Letting a Branch Family member enter the Anbu—was that not serious enough?

Wasn't the purpose of coming here today to publicly reveal Hyuga Makoto's identity once and for all?

Still, the elder did not dare say those words aloud.

In truth, everyone in the Main Family knew that once the precedent of Hyuga Makoto had been set, it was only a matter of time before the cracks widened.

But they still wanted to suppress it a little longer...

"I have said before that we support the Hokage. This matter can no longer be changed."

Once Hyuga Hiashi saw the elder fall silent, he looked over the other Main Family members before continuing.

"Besides, I know Makoto well. You also know that he is responsible for Hinata's training. He will serve as a bridge between the clan and the village."

"Hmph, let's hope so..."

The Main Family elder snorted coldly, deeply dissatisfied with Hyuga Hiashi.

He did not suspect that Hyuga Hiashi was the one behind all this. After all, what clan head would weaken his own authority?

But Hyuga Makoto was in charge of Hinata's training, right under his nose—yet something like this had happened?

Still, he could not be bothered to think further, because he had already spotted people approaching in the distance.

However, when he and the other Main Family members saw who it was, their fists clenched.

"Damn it, they're not even trying to hide it anymore, are they?"

Not far away, Hyuga Makoto and Kakashi were walking toward the Hyuga Clan.

But the crucial point was that both of them wore Anbu gear—yet neither of them wore a mask!

"The Anbu are here."

The Branch Family members behind them also saw the arrivals, and quite a few could not help muttering under their breath.

"They finally came. We've been waiting forever."

"Huh? Why aren't they wearing masks?"

"That's Kakashi, and... wait, isn't that Makoto?!"

"Makoto? Hyuga Makoto?! That's Hyuga Makoto!"

The Branch Family members, who had only been whispering moments ago, fell silent in an instant. But what followed was a commotion as fierce as blazing fire.

They could hardly believe what they were seeing. The Hyuga had always served as mission shinobi, mainly handling reconnaissance.

They had contributed in every great war, but never had any of them joined the Anbu—let alone someone from the Branch Family!

On one hand, the Main Family did not allow it. On the other, the Anbu rules they had heard about restricted them.

But unexpectedly, someone had truly shattered all of this!

"Anbu... Anbu..."

Quite a few quick-witted members of the Branch Family had already begun thinking about the Anbu. The more they thought about it, the brighter their eyes became!

"Quiet. Do not be disrespectful."

Just as they were at their noisiest, Hyuga Hiashi turned and glanced at them.

In an instant, every member of the Branch Family fell silent.

Whether it was the Clan Head's authority or the intimidation of the Caged Bird, neither allowed them to act out of line.

But what happened next made all their eyes widen!

"Welcome, both of you."

Hyuga Hiashi led a group of Main Branch members forward to greet them, politely bowing slightly along with the others.

"Thank you for killing the villain who stole Hyuga bloodline. Thank you for everything you have done."

"Clan Head, everyone, there is no need for such courtesy."

Only after Kakashi, holding Hyuga Makoto by the hand, calmly accepted their bow did he slowly speak.

"This was what we should have done. We are all Konoha ninja. We are all one another's comrades."

"Oh?"

Hyuga Hiashi's gaze flickered slightly, and Hyuga Makoto added at that moment.

"This was Hokage-sama's intention, Clan Head."

Clan Head?

The Main Branch members felt their fists clench even tighter. Damn it, he would not even call him "Clan Head" with proper respect?

Yet they had no choice but to swallow it!

The Branch Family members looked even more incredulous. He addressed the Clan Head like that, and the Main Branch did not offer a single retort?

This Anbu really seemed different...

"I understand Hokage-sama's intentions, and I will fully support them."

Hyuga Hiashi smiled at that moment. He did not mind Hyuga Makoto's words at all, and even cooperatively took out a scroll.

"This is part of the Hyuga bounty, offered as thanks. Please accept it."

"Clan Head, there is no need to give it to me."

Kakashi shook his head. He took out the scroll from Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand and spoke loudly.

"The one who killed Ao was Makoto."

"What? How is that possible?!"

At that moment, even some members of the Main Branch cried out in shock.

They had considered many possibilities, but they had never imagined this outcome!

"Damn it, have they no shame? Going so far as to endorse him like this?"

The fists of another group of Main Branch members clenched completely tight. In their eyes, this was clearly Konoha helping establish his authority.

But the Branch Family members did not care about any of that. Their eyes shone even more brightly.

This was yet another sign of the Branch Family surpassing the Main Branch!

"Makoto?"

Hyuga Hiashi could not help looking at Hyuga Makoto, who blinked at him and nodded lightly.

That left Hyuga Hiashi stunned, but soon, a sigh rose in his heart.

Hizashi had seemingly raised this child far too well!

Though he still hesitated inwardly, because even now he was not certain whether what he had done was truly right.

But this child, Hyuga Makoto, seemed to be growing more and more like Hizashi...

"Makoto, congratulations. You are the clan's hero!"

Taking a deep breath, he patted Hyuga Makoto on the shoulder.

Though his face remained expressionless, an indescribable emotion flickered in his eyes.

"Today will be a celebration for the Hyuga Clan. I hope you both can attend. After all, without you, this celebration would have no meaning."

"No problem."

Kakashi did not refuse. He handed the scroll to Hyuga Hiashi and said solemnly, "There is one more matter. Hokage-sama hopes to announce this to the entire clan, in recognition of Makoto's contribution. Clan Head, would that be...?"

Those words made the Main Branch members want to crush their fists, yet they could only remain silent.

The Branch Family members fixed their eyes tightly on Hyuga Makoto. They truly saw the radiance of freedom in him...

Meanwhile, just as Shisui was about to return to the Uchiha, someone stopped him.

"Lord Danzo wants to see me?"

Shisui found it strange. He still had many things to take care of.

But Danzo was the Hokage's advisor, so he could not refuse.

"I understand. I'll head over as soon as possible..."