100 to 20 Election!

"Do you have any objections to holding both meetings simultaneously?"

Hyuga Hiashi was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Shinichi Hyuga to offer no opposition.

"Why would I object? I've been waiting for this! What a perfect opportunity to make our Hyuga Clan even stronger!"

Shinichi Hyuga walked toward Hyuga Hiashi, taking the spot previously occupied by Shimura Danzō, and stood in the center of the three men.

While clapping, he channeled his ocular power into the ground, carving an invisible Caged Bird seal.

In this position, the Great Elder and Hyuga Hiashi looked more like mere foils.

Dark lines of irritation spread across both their faces.

Hyuga Hiashi stepped aside, putting some distance between them so he wouldn't look like a mere master of ceremonies, and immediately announced the start of the clan meeting.

He would make Shinichi Hyuga pay for his behavior.

"The position of the Hidden Branch Main House has been vacant for over a decade. Now that the war has ended, we can re-elect a head for the Hidden Branch Main House to maintain the stability of the clan! The current candidates are Shota Hyuga from the Great Elder's family and Reiko Hyuga from Shinichi Hyuga's family. I hope everyone chooses carefully. Personally, I support the Great Elder's lineage! Originally, the Hidden Branch Main House was held by the Great Elder's son, who only sacrificed himself during the war."

Hyuga Hiashi's voice echoed through the Ancestral Hall; the beginning of his speech had been standard enough.

But the final sentences were no longer mere hints.

They had become blatant favoritism.

This reminded Shinichi Hyuga of elections in his past life—once the top leader had spoken, who wouldn't obediently fall in line, lest they be targeted? Did they even have another choice?

Hyuga Hiashi looked at Shinichi Hyuga provocatively, hoping to see a flicker of panic on his face.

Clap.

Clap.

"Lord Clan Head, what a brilliant opening. Truly worthy of the Manifest Branch Main House that has held power for generations."

Shinichi Hyuga began to applaud, as this speech reminded him of his past life; the only difference between a leader's words and a dog's fart was that the former had a bit more rhythm.

He offered a sarcastic, mocking compliment.

Both the Great Elder and Hyuga Hiashi were left bewildered, wondering what Shinichi Hyuga was planning.

"Well then, let the vote begin!"

Shinichi Hyuga seemed impatient, cutting Hyuga Hiashi off directly.

This caught both Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder off guard; was he really that desperate?

The meeting was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

"Raise your hands to vote now! Those who support the Great Elder's lineage, raise your hands!"

Hyuga Hiashi frowned, seizing the initiative and announcing loudly.

He then walked over to the Great Elder's side, raising his own hand without any pretense of impartiality.

He then cast his gaze toward the jonin in the Ancestral Hall.

His expression shifted, his eyes turning grave as confusion and anger appeared on his face simultaneously.

The scene he had envisioned, where everyone would respond to his call, did not happen; only a scattered dozen or so people raised their hands.

These dozen people were all older jonin with no attachments or descendants.

The others kept their heads down, remaining silent, which was enough to express their stance.

"Lord Clan Head, I think your method is flawed. Our Hyuga Clan has excellent vision, but our hearing isn't necessarily as sharp; perhaps they didn't hear you clearly. How about this! Those who support me, stand behind me. Those who support the Great Elder, stand on the Clan Head's side!"

Shinichi Hyuga acted as if he were considering things for Hyuga Hiashi, speaking in a slow, measured tone.

He gestured toward the space behind him with his remaining hand.

"You!"

Hyuga Hiashi heard the thick layer of mockery in those words.

He wanted to activate the Caged Bird to teach these branch family jonin a lesson—were they actually defying him?

He had originally thought this was just a formality, never expecting that he would be the clown.

But what about those who had once firmly supported him?

Swish, swish~

A series of movements echoed through the room.

The people inside the Ancestral Hall swarmed behind Shinichi Hyuga.

Only the original dozen or so jonin who had raised their hands remained, looking at each other in confusion as they stood where they were.

Eventually, they shuffled slowly to stand behind Hyuga Hiashi.

"You!"

Hyuga Hiashi's face was filled with disbelief, his eyes wide as saucers.

He could not believe it; was the gap truly this massive?

With a single sweep of his gaze—just as Shinichi Hyuga had said, the Hyuga Clan possessed excellent vision—he knew the disparity in numbers between the two sides.

Behind him, even counting himself, they couldn't even reach the number twenty.

Yet behind Shinichi Hyuga, there were over a hundred people!

This was the exact opposite of what had been guessed before the meeting! He was supposed to be the one with over a hundred, wasn't he?

"Clan Leader, the result is quite obvious now, isn't it? Hurry up and announce it!"

Shinichi Hyuga let out a scornful laugh.

He had Orochimaru to thank for that research note on the Caged Bird.

After careful study, he had discovered the method to undo the Caged Bird seal: the powerful ocular power of the Byakugan could directly erase the mark!

No wonder the Second Hokage had shelved the research on the Caged Bird; he didn't possess the Byakugan.

In the end, it would always come down to a clash of Byakugan ocular power!

These jonin might not care about themselves, but they cared about their families.

The Caged Bird had persisted for a thousand years, gradually becoming corrupted.

It had turned into a tool for the Main Branch to enslave the Branch House.

They had spent their entire lives bowing and scraping, and they didn't want their children to become slaves to the Main Branch as well!

The method of winning them over was simple: by removing the Caged Bird from their children and wives, they found the courage to change the Hyuga Clan together.

Even if it meant risking their own lives!

Moreover, the future of the Hyuga Clan that Shinichi Hyuga had constructed was exceptionally bright, worth fighting for.

"It's time to announce the result!"

Shinichi Hyuga's voice was filled with pressure; he wanted to see if this Clan Leader would still abide by the rules.

"Why?"

Before Hyuga Hiashi could even speak, the Great Elder, unable to endure this outcome any longer, roared out loud, drawing everyone's attention!

He had prepared so much for this meeting! Why had it ended up like this?

That piece-of-trash Third Hokage and that useless Shimura Danzō had been of no help at all.

The unexpected gap caused him to completely lose his sanity.

Falling from their pedestal, was the once-ruling Main Branch now to become like the enslaved Branch House?

His pride could not accept it!