The Hyuga clan's main estate, inside the meeting hall.
The atmosphere was solemn and grave.
Hyuga Hitoshi, head of the Main House, sat in the seat of honor with his eyes closed, resting. On either side below him sat three elders of the Main House, all white-haired and stern-faced. They were the true decision-makers of the Hyuga clan.
Hyuga Hiashi could only kneel at the very end of the room. He did not even have the right to speak; he could only listen in silence.
"The Third's decisions lately are downright absurd!" one elder said indignantly, slamming the table. "He's taken out Hanzo of Amegakure and killed the Third Kazekage. Is he trying to start the Second Shinobi World War!?"
"Exactly! The Second Hokage only died a few years ago! Konoha has only been at peace for a few years! And now Sarutobi Hiruzen is recklessly scheming against this person and that person again! How can anyone feel secure?" another elder echoed angrily.
Hyuga Hitoshi, seated in the place of honor, said nothing.
The third elder's expression was just as grim. "This is no time for that kind of talk! The Third clearly doesn't want Konoha to settle down. We should be thinking about how to preserve as much of the Hyuga clan's strength as possible."
At that, Hyuga Hitoshi slowly opened his eyes.
"After that disobedient Hyuga Shigeru died," he said coldly, "his son Itsuki seems to have become a role model in the eyes of certain Branch House ninja. Once seeds of discontent are planted, they must be rooted out as soon as possible."
"Find an excuse to get rid of him, too. If he starts clamoring to go die on the front lines, who will protect the Main House?"
"You're right, Clan Head," the first elder said