Inside a convoy traveling from the capital of the Land of Fire to Konoha, two older shinobi and one young one, all with Byakugan, were conversing. Judging by their luxurious clothes and impeccable manners, however, the three seemed more like nobles than shinobi.
The three shinobi with Byakugan were none other than Hyuga Xingcun, the current head of the Hyuga Main Family, and Huoshu, its elder. The young man was Hyuga Hiashi, already designated as the next head of the Hyuga Main Family.
They were discussing the unexpected awakening of the Byakugan caused by Kawaki Aoba, which had led to their Hyuga Clan suffering a major setback at the hands of the Hokage.
"Hiashi, you've started to speak several times, only to stop yourself. I imagine you're eager to ask something. For someone your age, it's impressive that you've held back this long. Still, as the future head of the family, you need to be more composed." Hyuga Xingcun was teaching his son.
"All right, clan head, don't be too hard on Hiashi. He's done very well. Besides, it's time he took part in certain matters. Hiashi, ask whatever you want. We two old men can answer your questions."
With Elder Huoshu speaking up for him, Hyuga Hiashi finally relaxed. Looking at the two composed elders before him, he hurriedly asked what had been on his mind. "Father, Elder, I don't understand why, when something so serious happened in our clan, we aren't hurrying back to deal with it."
"Something serious, Hiashi? You read the urgent report that came in. So, in your opinion, what's the most important matter for our Hyuga Clan?" Elder Huoshu asked unhurriedly, as if testing him. Hiashi's father, Hyuga Xingcun, watched from the side without intervening.
"Of course it's the Byakugan that fell into outsiders' hands. The Byakugan is our Hyuga Clan's kekkei genkai. Since that Kawaki Aoba awakened it, he must be one of us. Not only did he betray the clan, he even gouged out his own Byakugan. Anyone who insults our Hyuga Clan like that deserves to die."
Hyuga Hiashi looked furious. There was no doubt that if Kawaki Aoba were standing before him, he would kill him with a Gentle Fist without hesitation.
Though Hyuga Hiashi was furious with Kawaki Aoba, he wasn't finished. "Next is the way that bunch of bastards teamed up to frame our Hyuga Clan. We're the Hyuga Clan! How could Lord Hokage treat us this way? It's completely unfair. We have to demand justice."
"Alas!" Hyuga Xingcun let out a long, disappointed sigh. "Hiashi, you're still too young."
Hyuga Hiashi turned to his father in confusion. "What? Father, did I say something wrong?"
Hyuga Xingcun shook his head. "It's not that you got something wrong. It's that you got nothing right."
Meeting Hyuga Hiashi's bewildered gaze, Hyuga Xingcun explained patiently:
"First, your reasoning is sound. That brat Kawaki Aoba dared to betray the clan, so he deserves to die and has no right to bear the Hyuga name. And by gouging out his Byakugan, he further challenged and insulted our clan. As long as he lives, he'll remain a disgrace to the Hyuga.
"As for the Hokage, they really did join forces to stage this whole affair against our clan.
"But you haven't seen what the real problem is."
At that, a terrifying murderous intent flashed through Hyuga Xingcun's pure white eyes.
"Hiashi, the matters you're focused on are all easy to resolve. We can find the Byakugan that was lost to outsiders. Even if we can't, one day it will decay and lose its light completely.
"And we can find a way to execute a traitor, even grind his bones to dust.
"As for the Hokage, it's perfectly normal for the village leadership to suppress powerful clans like ours. This is a struggle for power. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Besides, we lost this time purely because of one fool.
"What's done is done. Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament and methods, he's probably already settled the matter by the time we received word. No matter how quickly we hurry back, it'll be futile.
"All those matters can be resolved with time. What I meant by the most important issue for our Hyuga Clan is the fact that an outsider awakened the Byakugan.
"Think about it. If there's been one Kawaki Aoba, could there be a second? You should know that plenty of people in the village, just like that traitor, have a trace of Hyuga blood flowing through their veins.
"The Byakugan belongs exclusively to our Hyuga Clan. We absolutely cannot allow anyone to steal this noble bloodline by any means.
"So, Hiashi, do you know what we need to do next?"
Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Father, Elder. Please forgive me for overlooking something so important."
Perhaps to make up for his earlier mistake, Hyuga Hiashi immediately gave his opinion this time. "The Caged Bird. Those people are innocent, but for the sake of the Hyuga, we have to mark them with the Caged Bird."
For some reason, as he gave his answer, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly thought of his twin brother, Hizashi Hyuga. He felt a little guilty toward his younger brother, but all he could do was apologize to him and the other branch-family members in his heart.
Across from Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Xingcun and Huoshu nodded in satisfaction at his answer.
"Good. The Caged Bird is the most precious treasure our ancestors left us besides the Byakugan. But marking those who depend on our Hyuga Clan with the Caged Bird means we'll have to involve the village.
"These days are no longer like the chaotic Warring States period. Those with a trace of Hyuga blood are not only our dependents; they're also members of Konoha. So if we want to mark them all with the Caged Bird, we have to win the village's approval—in other words, we need the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's consent."
Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi looked up at his father in confusion. "But, Father, the Third Hokage is so opposed to our Hyuga Clan. Would he really agree?"
"He will. Sarutobi Hiruzen opposes the Hyuga because he's the Hokage. And because he's the Hokage, he absolutely won't stop us from marking those people with the Caged Bird.
"Of course, the prerequisite is that we show him what he wants to see: that the Hyuga aren't as stubborn as the Uchiha."
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