After stating his position, Hiashi laughed. "Heh, there's really no need to worry so much. What I just described was the worst-case scenario. I think the elders must have realized by now that placing seals on our clansmen will only lead the Hyuga Clan into decline. Right now, they simply can't let go of a system passed down for nearly a thousand years. But pressure from the Uchiha Clan will make them abandon that last shred of resistance."
Hizashi understood the reasoning too. He nodded. "I hope so. Hinata has already removed Neji's Caged Bird Seal. Even if we fail this time, I'll have no regrets."
Hiashi knew what Hizashi meant: if they failed, someone would have to bear the consequences, and Hizashi intended to shoulder them himself. Naturally, Hiashi would never agree to that. He smiled. "If we fail and someone has to take responsibility, I want that person to be me, not you."
"How could that be acceptable?" Hizashi exclaimed. "You're the clan leader. The Hyuga Clan still needs you. You can't take the blame for a failure like this!" He firmly opposed the idea.
Hiashi waved a hand. "Let me finish. Precisely because I'm the clan leader, I should bear the consequences of failure. I need you to stay and help Hinata and Neji. Nothing can happen to you either, so you don't need to attend tonight's clan meeting."
When Neji heard that Hiashi would not let him take part in tonight's operation, he immediately protested. "No, I have to come! With something this important happening tonight, how could I let the clan leader and Father risk their lives while I do nothing?"
Hiashi smiled. "Heh, you've already done more than enough, Neji. Leave tonight's operation to your father and me. If we succeed, everything will be