Shinichi Hyuga's True Trump Card

Shinichi Hyuga's gaze landed on the newly arrived Shimura Danzō.

Was this old geezer really here to support the Great Elder of the Hyuga Clan?

In his view, that was far from certain.

Thanks to Orochimaru's warning, he knew that deep within the Root base, there existed a fortress specifically designed to counter the Hyuga Clan, built for the sole purpose of preventing a rebellion.

They were not only wary of the Uchiha Clan but harbored deep suspicion toward every major clan in the village.

Regardless of the reason, anyone who showed up here today was a troublemaker.

Shimura Danzō also noticed Shinichi Hyuga; this rising star would soon become his subordinate.

This time, his true objective was to secure Shinichi Hyuga for himself.

Only by driving Shinichi Hyuga to despair could he bestow his "favor" and turn him into a tool to protect Konoha!

"Hiashi, the Hokage has something he wants me to convey.

Take advantage of this clan meeting to brand the eligible children of the Hyuga Clan with the Caged Bird seal.

Recently, Kumogakure has been restless again, sending spy ninjas into Konoha.

Among their targets, your Hyuga Clan's Byakugan is their top priority."

A sharp glint flashed in Shimura Danzō's only remaining eye.

When it came to schemes and manipulation, he had to admire Sarutobi Hiruzen; he had handed over this blade perfectly.

Every time, he made him the one willing to take the blame.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned that Orochimaru might hinder their operation, Shimura Danzō began his investigation; it was never simple to move a guy like Orochimaru.

In the end, he saw something remarkable.

Just like that, he and Sarutobi Hiruzen, two men harboring their own secret agendas, aligned.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted the Hyuga Clan to become something akin to the Ino-Shika-Cho Clan—mere vassals.

Shimura Danzō wanted the genius Shinichi Hyuga.

The two hit it off immediately.

Each getting what they needed—it was simply perfect.

Holding a piece of intelligence that bore the seal of the Third Hokage, Shinichi Hyuga felt a ripple of unease.

Judging by the current situation, the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō had already colluded.

He had no idea that while gaining support from Orochimaru, he had also been targeted by a dark-minded individual like Shimura Danzō.

These two old men, experts in manipulating hearts, must have figured out his weakness.

In their minds, once his daughter was branded with the Caged Bird, he would obediently become a tool in their hands.

They couldn't even wait two months; merging the two clan meetings was clearly intended to catch him off guard.

But that was fine—he couldn't wait either.

This clan was far too filthy; an early cleansing would provide a better environment for his daughter to grow up in.

Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder exchanged a glance, their minds made up.

They, too, realized the brilliance of this strategy.

Shimura Danzō had provided a perfect excuse: preventing the leakage of the Byakugan.

"In light of this intelligence, the Caged Bird branding will be moved up by two months. Does anyone have any objections?"

Hyuga Hiashi asked the question symbolically, even exerting the pressure of the Caged Bird to reinforce his authority.

In the eyes of some, the resentment could no longer be hidden, but under the control of the Caged Bird and the influence of the Main Branch, they all lowered their heads.

The older generation of ninjas was already accustomed to it, like lions and tigers in a circus, trained and afraid to resist.

The ones reacting most strongly were the young ninjas close to Shinichi Hyuga's age.

They had a deep, personal understanding of the Caged Bird's cruelty; as it stood, they didn't even have the chance to speak as equals.

At a deeper level, it could be used to torture them.

In extreme cases, it could even be used to torture them to death.

Young and yearning for freedom, they were tormented by this sinister curse mark.

And now, they were going to force this cage onto their children?

The schedule had been changed; they had originally hoped to live happily for two more months, wanting to spend that time cherishing their children.

Now, even those last two months were gone!

After a wave of commotion, everyone's eyes fell upon Shinichi Hyuga.

A glimmer of light appeared in the eyes of many.

They recalled the legend circulating in the village: at the Fourth Hokage's wedding, Shinichi Hyuga, a member of the Branch Family, had suppressed the Hyuga Main Branch!

Only Shinichi Hyuga could save them, and only he could save the Hyuga Clan!

Shinichi Hyuga was likewise deep in thought; it was time for this decaying clan to be thoroughly renewed.

"Shinichi Hyuga, are you alright?"

The Great Elder of the Hyuga Clan noticed the bizarre scene on the field. Why were all these members of the Branch Family looking at Shinichi Hyuga? It made him feel a sense of unease.

When his gaze fell upon the Caged Bird seal on Shinichi Hyuga's forehead, a surge of absolute confidence welled up in his heart.

These members of the Branch Family were nothing more than their tools!

No matter what, they could never resist the Main Branch.

As soon as he spoke, that old geezer Shimura Danzō and Hyuga Hiashi both looked at him.

They seemed to be watching him as if he were a joke.

"I'm fine, but Elder Shimura, your child is calling you home for dinner!"

Shinichi Hyuga chuckled, raised his head, and uttered a nonsensical remark.

"Doesn't he have no heirs?"

"Huh?"

The scene, which had been somewhat tense, turned strange.

No one present understood why Shinichi Hyuga would say such a thing at a time like this.

Before anyone could continue to question him:

Tap, tap~

A series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

"Lord Danzō, the Shimura Clan is under attack! We need your support!"

A Root ninja wearing an animal mask used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive directly at the entrance of the Ancestral Hall, shouting this message.

"Bastard!"

Shimura Danzō's gloomy face first turned toward the Root ninja, then he let out a furious roar.

"It was you!"

He bellowed the accusation at Shinichi Hyuga!

The rage on his face caused his wrinkles to bunch together, making him look like a chattering old turtle dove.

An aura of darkness radiated from his body, surging directly toward Shinichi Hyuga.

Although there was no evidence, his intuition told him that this matter was inseparable from Shinichi Hyuga.

But how could he dare?

To attack the clan of an elder within Konoha?

"Elder Danzō, how can you slander an innocent person out of thin air? Even if you don't have children, you still have clansmen! Hurry up, there's still time."

Shinichi Hyuga's posture remained languid; Shimura Danzō's aura was far too amateurish, and he continued to provoke him with his words.

Though it sounded like advice, this attitude was an admission that he was the one who had done it!

There were only a few idiots in Konoha who might get involved; he hadn't expected the Sarutobi Clan to stay quiet, while Shimura Danzō jumped out instead.

The other entity that cared for Reiko had already begun to protect her in his own way.

Right now, the Black Ghost Conan was playing in the Shimura Clan, and there was no telling what kind of consequences that would cause.

That fellow Conan only had feelings for him and Reiko; he was filled with a desire for destruction toward everything else.

"Shinichi Hyuga, you cannot escape my grasp! Just wait for the judgment of Konoha!"

Shimura Danzō was even more certain that Shinichi Hyuga was behind this. Maintaining the last shred of his sanity, he spat out a harsh threat and left immediately.

Without the support of a powerful clan, how could he ever become Hokage? Was he supposed to rely solely on Root?

He needed to protect his own clan.

And so, Shimura Danzō came in a rush and left in a hurry.

He looked exactly like a disgusting piece of excrement!

"The irrelevant parties have withdrawn. The meeting can now begin."

Shinichi Hyuga turned to look at the Great Elder and Hyuga Hiashi, both of whom were clearly crestfallen.