The Hyuga Clan elders thought their words were private, never realizing that the reorganized Anbu were no longer just for show.
Every word they said and every change in their expressions was caught by the Anbu and swiftly reported to Uchiha Yoru.
After hearing the report, Uchiha Yoru's lips curled slightly into a meaningful, cold smile.
Originally, out of regard for Hyuga Hiashi's good sense, he had paid no mind to the Hyuga Clan's rotten Main Family-Branch Family system. Who could have guessed that these old fossils would come looking for death themselves?
He leaned casually against his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, his tone half-amused:
"Hyuga Hiashi, don't you think it's time to deal with those old fossils in your clan?"
The air instantly grew still.
Hyuga Hiashi's back felt as if struck by lightning, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He understood Uchiha Yoru's implication perfectly—the Hokage could tolerate the existence of the Hyuga Clan, but would never tolerate a Hyuga Clan harboring disloyal intentions.
His mind raced as he tried to find a compromise that would both protect the Hyuga Clan and appease Uchiha Yoru.
However, under that irresistible pressure, his throat felt as if it were being squeezed shut. He couldn't get a single word out.
In the end, he could only force out, "Lord Hokage, this..."
"The Hyuga Clan's 'Caged Bird' system clearly goes against the Will of Fire we uphold in Konoha."
Uchiha Yoru interrupted him calmly.
"The system was originally meant to protect the Byakugan, but it has now completely lost its purpose and become a shackle used to enslave the Branch Family."
"Konoha doesn't need it, and won't allow it to continue."
He leaned forward slightly and reached out, patting Hyuga Hiashi on the shoulder as casually as if chatting with a friend.
"I'm a reasonable man," Uchiha Yoru said with a smile. "So, I'll give you two choices—"
"First, you personally get rid of those old fossils. I'll send people to assist you, and then we'll abolish the Caged Bird."
"Second, I'll help you purge the Hyuga Clan's stubborn remnants and, while we're at it... abolish the Caged Bird."
"The choice is yours."
The words were delivered lightly, yet sounded like a whisper from the god of death, making Hyuga Hiashi's heart sink.
Whether he abolished the Caged Bird or personally killed the clan elders, he would inevitably face fierce opposition from the other members of the Main Family and might even be ostracized by the entire Hyuga Clan.
However, he knew even better that if Uchiha Yoru acted personally, the Hyuga Clan might cease to exist altogether.
He thought of his younger brother, of the tragedy he had been powerless to prevent, and of the Hyuga Clan's long-standing, deep-rooted afflictions...
At last, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, his gaze was resolute.
"Lord Hokage, I choose the first option... I'll deal with them myself."
His voice was quiet, but filled with determination.
Uchiha Yoru smiled faintly, regarded him with a meaningful gaze, and nodded.
Then he slowly turned and looked over the other shinobi clans present.
The leaders of these once-great clans all lowered their heads unconsciously, anxious expressions on their faces and cold sweat trickling down their foreheads.
"You all know that I'm a reasonable man."
Uchiha Yoru's voice was not loud, yet it rumbled like thunder in everyone's ears.
"Here, loyalty is the most important thing."
"If your loyalty isn't absolute, then you're absolutely disloyal."
"I hope the others will take this as a warning."
His words fell, and the hall became as silent as the grave.
The clans felt heavy-hearted, yet confused.
They had assumed Uchiha Yoru would take this opportunity to discuss declaring war on their enemies. To their surprise, he hadn't mentioned it at all.
Could Lord Hokage have only meant to intimidate Konoha's other shinobi clans?
They were full of questions, but could do nothing about it. They left with heavy hearts.
Uchiha Yoru stood by the window, his gaze calm, as if he had already foreseen everything.
Just as he had said, what he needed were subordinates who were wholeheartedly and completely loyal.
The future of Konoha had already been decided. A battle that would engulf the entire Ninja World was about to begin, but before then, the turncoats within Konoha who were wavering between sides had to be rooted out.
That evening, at the Hyuga Clan Compound.
Hyuga Hiashi returned to the clan and summoned the Main Family elders for a meeting. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke:
"Starting today, the Caged Bird system is abolished."
The moment he finished speaking, the entire meeting room fell silent.
Then a burst of furious protest erupted. The elders glared at him, and several elderly men slammed their hands on the table and demanded angrily, "Hiashi! Have you lost your mind?"
But Hyuga Hiashi didn't waver in the slightest. He lowered his head and took a deep breath, then slowly raised it, his eyes shining with firm resolve.
"Lord Hokage said—"
"If your loyalty isn't absolute, then you're absolutely disloyal."
"If you disagree, don't blame me for being ruthless."
As soon as he finished, the Main Family hall erupted into an uproar. Several elders even berated him on the spot, but when they saw the determination in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes, they knew nothing could change anymore.
Night fell. The Hyuga Clan's arguments and furious shouts echoed through the air. Beneath the chaos, blood had already begun to seep into this ancient land.
The next morning, Hyuga Hiashi walked into the Hokage's office with a hint of weariness, his steps heavy.
When he saw Uchiha Yoru, he immediately bowed respectfully. His voice was steady, but carried a trace of excitement:
"Lord Hokage, I have fulfilled my duty. All those who opposed me have been eliminated."
Though his face was etched with exhaustion, his eyes shone unusually brightly. The previous night, all the Main Family elders who had opposed him had disappeared, while the Branch Family members who remained were more loyal to him than ever.
What pleased Hyuga Hiashi even more was that his younger brother's son—Neji Hyuga—had also changed his attitude toward his uncle significantly.
The coldness and distance of the past had been replaced by deep respect and support.
All this seemed to herald that Hyuga Hiashi had finally gained control of his clan's fate. The Hyuga Clan would never again repeat its past mistakes and suffer those irreparable, bitter losses. His heart was filled with unprecedented determination and conviction.
And all these changes were thanks to the support of the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yoru.
Thinking of this, Hyuga Hiashi's respect for the Hokage deepened. He knew that without Uchiha Yoru's backing, the fate of the Hyuga Clan might still be lingering on the edge of darkness.
After hearing the report, Uchiha Yoru nodded slightly, offered Hyuga Hiashi a few words of encouragement, and motioned for him to leave.
Afterward, he slowly left the Hokage Building, passed through the bustle of Konoha, and made his way to a secluded corner of the Uchiha Clan Compound.
The Nine-Tails appeared before him, clearly having waited there for quite some time.
Uchiha Yoru smiled. Since they were going to war, how could he do without the Tailed Beast–powered battery?
He sprang lightly into the air and landed on the Nine-Tails' head.
The next moment, he saw a woman appear in front of him.
"Brat, did you kill Jiraiya?"
Before you continue