Hyuga Kyoko

Inside a carriage traveling from the capital of the Land of Fire toward the Hidden Leaf Village, three ninjas with Byakugan—two elders and one youth—were conversing. However, judging by their ornate attire and impeccable etiquette, the three looked more like aristocrats than ninjas.

These three Byakugan-wielding ninjas were none other than the current head of the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Xingcun, and the Great Elder of the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Huoshu, while the young man was the designated successor to the head of the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Hiashi.

The subject of their conversation was the unexpected Byakugan awakening incident previously caused by Kawaki Aoba, which had led to their Hyuga clan suffering a significant setback at the hands of the Hokage.

"Hiashi, I have seen you hesitate to speak many times; your heart must be quite anxious. To have endured for so long under such circumstances, given the temperament of you youths, is quite commendable. However, as the future head of the family, you must learn to be more composed," Hyuga Xingcun instructed his son.

"Enough, Clan Head. Do not make things difficult for Hiashi; his performance has already been quite good. Besides, there are some matters that it is time for Hiashi to be involved in. Hiashi, ask whatever you wish; we two old fellows can provide you with the answers."

With Great Elder Huoshu speaking up for him, Hyuga Hiashi breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the two composed elders before him, he impatiently asked the question weighing on his mind: "Father, Great Elder, I do not understand why, when such a major incident has occurred within the clan, we are not rushing back as quickly as possible to handle it."

"A major incident? Hiashi, you have read the urgent intelligence report that was sent over. In your opinion, which matter is the most significant for our Hyuga clan?" The Great Elder spoke unhurriedly, as if testing him, while Hiashi's own father, Hyuga Xingcun, watched from the side without any intention of intervening.

"It is, of course, that pair of Byakugan wandering outside. The Byakugan is our Hyuga clan's bloodline limit. Since that person named Kawaki Aoba awakened the Byakugan, he should be one of our Hyuga people. Not only did he betray the clan, but he also gouged out his own Byakugan. This fellow deserves to die for humiliating our Hyuga clan."

Hyuga Hiashi's face was filled with indignation. There was no doubt that if Kawaki Aoba were standing before him right now, he would not hesitate to use the Gentle Fist to end his life.

However, although he was furious at Kawaki Aoba, Hyuga Hiashi's words were not yet finished: "Secondly, there is the matter of our Hyuga clan being framed by that group of bastards working together. We are the Hyuga clan! How could the Hokage treat us this way? This is truly unfair, and our Hyuga clan must demand justice."

"Sigh!" A long, disappointed sigh escaped Hyuga Xingcun: "Hiashi, you are still too young."

Hyuga Hiashi turned his head to look at his father in confusion. He asked, "What! Father, is there something I said that was incorrect?"

Hyuga Xingcun shook his head: "It is not that you said something incorrectly; it is that not a single thing you said was right."

Facing Hyuga Hiashi's bewildered gaze, Hyuga Xingcun explained with great patience:

"First, your point is correct: that brat named Kawaki Aoba deserves to die for daring to betray the clan, and he is unworthy of the name Hyuga. Furthermore, his gouging out of the Byakugan is a provocation and an insult to our Hyuga clan. As long as he lives, it remains a disgrace to us.

And the Hokage—they did indeed collude to stage a performance targeting our Hyuga clan.

But you have failed to see where the real problem lies."

At this point, a terrifying killing intent erupted in an instant from Hyuga Xingcun's pure white eyes.

"Hiashi, the matters you are concerned about are all easy to resolve. A pair of Byakugan wandering outside can be retrieved, and even if they cannot, one day those eyes will decay and lose their light entirely.

As for a traitor, we can find ways to have him executed, or even grind his bones to dust.

As for the Hokage's side, it is quite normal for the village leadership to suppress powerful, prestigious clans like ours. It is a struggle, and winning or losing is inevitable. Besides, we only lost this time because of an idiot.

The event has already occurred. Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's temperament and methods, he likely finalized the matter the moment we received the news. Even if we rushed back as fast as we could, it would be a futile effort.

All of the above are things that can be solved by spending time. As for what I call the most important matter for our Hyuga clan, it is the fact that an outsider awakened the Byakugan itself.

Think about it: since the first Kawaki Aoba has appeared, could there not be a second? You must know that there are not a few people in the village who, like that traitor, have thin Hyuga blood flowing through their veins.

The Byakugan is unique to our Hyuga clan; we absolutely will not allow anyone to steal this noble bloodline by any means.

So, Hiashi, do you know what must be done next?"

Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath and lowered his head in shame: "I apologize, Father, Great Elder. Please forgive me for overlooking such an important matter."

Seemingly to make up for his previous error, Hyuga Hiashi gave his opinion decisively: "The Caged Bird. Although those people are innocent, for the sake of the Hyuga, we must brand them with the Caged Bird."

For some reason, while giving the answer, Hyuga Hiashi suddenly thought of his twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi. He thought of his younger brother and felt a pang of guilt, but he could only apologize to him and the rest of the branch family in his heart.

Opposite Hyuga Hiashi, after hearing his answer, Hyuga Xingcun and Hyuga Huoshu nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad. The Caged Bird is the most precious treasure our ancestors left us, aside from the Byakugan. However, branding those who depend on our Hyuga with the Caged Bird will inevitably involve the village.

It is no longer the chaotic era of the Warring States. Those fellows who possess our thin Hyuga blood are not only our vassals but also members of the Hidden Leaf Village. Therefore, if we want to brand them all with the Caged Bird, we must secure the village's consent—that is, the nod of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi looked up at his father in a daze: "But, Father, the Third Hokage is targeting our Hyuga clan so aggressively; will he agree?"

"He will. The reason Sarutobi Hiruzen targets the Hyuga is because he is the Hokage, and it is precisely because he is the Hokage that he will never stop us from branding those people with the Caged Bird.

Of course, the prerequisite is to let him see what he wants to see: that our Hyuga bones are not as stubborn as the Uchiha."