This time, the Great Elder's actions had humiliated Hyuga Hiashi in front of the other clan leaders. They were all heads of their respective clans, and they had all intended to support Uchiha Izuna's coup.
Yet right in the Hyuga Clan's own territory, a high-ranking official had been caught eavesdropping. What was this? If the Hyuga Clan couldn't even keep its own affairs in hand, how could it claim the head seat? What right did it have to host them?
And so, a major upheaval took place in the Hyuga Clan that night. Countless members of the Great Elder's Main Family faction were branded with the Caged Bird and demoted to the branch family.
The reasons varied: entering a room with the left foot first, snoring too loudly, going a month without completing a mission, or failing an evaluation.
Though no one understood what was going on, they all gave their clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, a thumbs-up.
The Great Elder's faction had oppressed the branch family, mistreated clan members, and seized their resources. They'd committed every kind of misdeed, but there had never been any conclusive evidence that could bring him down.
On top of that, he represented the Hyuga Clan's upper ranks. Hyuga Hiashi had been deeply troubled that such an old bastard had emerged from his own family.
Back then, he had also been the one to lead Sarutobi Hiruzen to the clan leader's reception room and arrange for Hyuga Hizashi to attend the meeting.
During the meeting, he had repeatedly hinted that Hyuga Hizashi and Hyuga Hiashi were twin brothers born of the same mother, identical in appearance.
In the end, he had also put the idea into Sarutobi Hiruzen's head: have Hizashi die in exchange for peace and to ensure that the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan wouldn't leak out.
Hyuga Hiashi had never forgotten. He still remembered the old bastard's fawning expression back then.
"Shut the doors! Ruin their hands and feet! Leave no one alive!" Hyuga Hiashi had even used the Gentle Fist himself, crippling Hyuga Rin with a single strike.
After taking care of everything, Hyuga Hiashi went to the lounge to apologize to Uchiha Izuna. "Izuna, I..."
Uchiha Izuna raised a hand. "It's fine, Senior Hiashi. Every clan has a few traitors, doesn't it? Just a few days ago, a man named Uchiha Katsumi colluded with Root and tried to expose our clan's coup."
"I was furious too, so I killed him! Besides, this might not be a bad thing, right? After this purge, you'll be able to control the Hyuga Clan more effectively, won't you?"
Uchiha Izuna's words reassured Hyuga Hiashi, and his loyalty to Izuna grew even stronger!
"However, Senior Hiashi, now that the division within your clan has been resolved, I have something to remind you of. Neji's father was your brother. You share the same blood."
"It's time you removed that boy's Caged Bird. He's a genius and shouldn't be trapped in a cage."
"Of course, it's your choice. I'm just offering a suggestion. The final decision is yours."
After Uchiha Izuna finished speaking, he watched Hyuga Hiashi with a smile. Hyuga Hiashi reflected on his words, and about ten minutes later, he took a deep breath.
"I understand, Izuna. I'll remove Neji's Caged Bird right now." Hyuga Hiashi had someone bring Neji Hyuga to the lounge.
Neji Hyuga had finished his enlightenment and was about to go to sleep when someone knocked on his door.
"Who is it? It's so late—why are you knocking?" Neji Hyuga got up and opened the door. Seeing Hinata, his eyes softened for a moment, then immediately turned cold.
"Heh. Miss Hinata, what are you doing up so late instead of sleeping?" Neji Hyuga asked coldly.
This time, Hinata wasn't acting shy or insecure. She looked up at him. "Brother Neji, Father wants to see you. It's good news!"
"Uncle?" Neji Hyuga frowned and thought it over. "If that's the case, lead the way." He straightened his clothes, ready to follow Hinata to see Hyuga Hiashi.
Neji Hyuga suddenly realized that Hinata seemed different. She had become confident and brave, which made him feel glad. As the heir to the Hyuga Clan, how could she afford to be timid and insecure?
He had achieved his goal. Maybe he could be a little gentler with Hinata from now on? At the thought, the corners of his mouth lifted.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the lounge where Uchiha Izuna and the others were staying.
Hinata knocked. Hyuga Hiashi opened the door soon after and smiled faintly when he saw his daughter. "Where's your Brother Neji?"
"Clan Leader!" Neji Hyuga stepped forward and showed Hyuga Hiashi the respect he was due.
Although he belonged to the branch family, the clan leader was his uncle, so he enjoyed the resources of the Main Family. His uncle had also been more lenient with him when it came to missions.
He knew all this, and for that reason, he felt he should show his uncle some respect.
"No need for formalities, Neji. Come in. Hinata, close the door," Hyuga Hiashi said gently.
Hinata obediently nodded and shut the door. Then she saw Uchiha Izuna beckoning to her from the bed. Her eyes lit up, and she ran straight over.
"Pick me up!" She held out both arms and looked at Uchiha Izuna expectantly.
Uchiha Izuna smiled and lifted Hinata into his arms, then turned to look at Neji Hyuga.
Neji Hyuga was struck as if by lightning. "You thief! Let go of my sister!" He had completely forgotten why Hyuga Hiashi had called him there. Seeing his little sister in Uchiha Izuna's arms sent him into a towering rage!
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui couldn't hold back their laughter. They were discussing something, but Neji Hyuga saw them with his activated Byakugan. "You two seniors! What are you laughing at?"
"My wife's about to give birth!"
"My wife too!"
Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi had already been corrupted by Uchiha Izuna. They'd learned those lines from him!
Neji Hyuga's face turned bright red. "Is that really so funny?" Blood rushed to his face, turning it from pale to scarlet!
"Look, he's gone red. Normally, we wouldn't laugh."
"Unless we couldn't help it!"
Neji Hyuga felt a little dizzy. Hearing Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi tease him while Uchiha Izuna's grubby hands were stroking his little sister made his heart feel as if it were being clawed at.
At last, Neji Hyuga turned to Hyuga Hiashi. "Uncle, you..."
Before he could finish, Hyuga Hiashi stopped him. "Neji, tonight, your uncle is going to remove your Caged Bird!" Neji Hyuga's pupils contracted at those words.
"W-what? U-Uncle, you..." Neji Hyuga stared at his uncle in disbelief. He hadn't expected his uncle would be willing to do this!
"Enough, don't be so surprised. If you want to thank someone, thank your big brother Izuna! His brother killed the Hyuga Great Elder, which allowed me to gain full control of the Hyuga Clan." Hyuga Hiashi smiled.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Uchiha Izuna in disbelief. Izuna ignored him and stroked Hinata's cheeks, praising her. "How can you be so cute?!"
Hinata turned into a steam engine and didn't answer, but her ears were red as ripe apples.
Hyuga Hiashi didn't give Neji Hyuga time to react. He began chanting, placing his right hand against his chest and circulating his chakra. About a minute later,
the green Caged Bird mark on Neji Hyuga's forehead began to twist, then shattered!
Neji Hyuga felt his spirits soar, and then his chakra erupted!
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