Success

The Hyuga Clan compound.

Before everyone, Hiashi Hyuga announced the abolition of the elder system and the main-family and branch-family system.

However, the Hyuga Clan's six most powerful elders sternly rejected it and stripped Hiashi Hyuga of his position as clan head on the spot.

The Hyuga clansmen were caught in a dilemma.

On one side was their respected clan head, Hiashi Hyuga. After all, everyone had witnessed the efforts he had made as clan head over the years.

Moreover, nearly everyone was deeply dissatisfied with the main-family and branch-family system.

Children born into the branch family could only remain in the branch family and would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.

As for children born into the main family, only one per generation could remain in the main family. The rest had to join the branch family and receive the Caged Bird Seal as well.

This cruel system had long bred resentment throughout the Hyuga Clan.

Yet on the other side were the elders, who represented the highest authority within the Hyuga Clan. Even clan head Hiashi Hyuga had to heed them.

Under traditional beliefs, no member of the Hyuga Clan could defy the elders' decisions.

Just as the Hyuga clansmen were at a loss, Danzo suddenly appeared within the Hyuga Compound and congratulated Hiashi Hyuga on the success of his reforms.

The six elders angrily accused him, "Hiashi! You actually colluded with outsiders! And Root members, at that?!"

Danzo's expression immediately darkened upon hearing that.

"What? Is there something wrong with my Root? Is Root not one of Konoha's forces?"

Yamanaka Fu instantly appeared behind the six elders, his back-mounted katana already drawn.

Ryoma Aburame's Kikaichū gathered above the six elders like dark clouds.

The other Root ninja had already begun forming hand seals.

They only waited for a single command from Danzo before acting.

Cold sweat immediately streamed down the six elders' faces.

They had been too shocked and enraged just now and had forgotten what kind of man Danzo was.

Hiashi Hyuga stopped him. "Lord Danzo, please do not act. These elders merely misspoke."

Hiashi Hyuga no longer addressed them as elders, effectively announcing on his own that their positions had been abolished.

The six elders said with ashen expressions, "Hiashi Hyuga! You have no right to abolish the elder system. You have already been removed as clan head! And Lord Danzo... this is an internal matter of the Hyuga Clan. Even if you are the Hokage's advisor, you have no reason to interfere!"

Danzo waved his hand. Yamanaka Fu and Ryoma Aburame returned behind him, while the Root ninja halted their movements.

"Have I interfered in your Hyuga Clan's internal affairs? Besides, I merely represent Root. I came as Root's leader to congratulate Clan Head Hiashi. I have no interest in meddling in your internal matters.

But the Hyuga Clan is a Konoha ninja clan. The appointment or dismissal of any clan head must receive the approval of the Hokage and the Hokage's advisor. You old fools just said you were removing Clan Head Hiashi. Did you ask Hiruzen or me?

Or does your Hyuga Clan intend to appoint and dismiss its clan head without authorization, then seek to... rebel?"

With that accusation dropped on them, the six elders' expressions changed drastically.

The six elders immediately explained, "That is not what we meant!"

Danzo snorted coldly. "I do not care what you meant. Root recognizes only one person as the Hyuga Clan's highest leader, and that is Hiashi Hyuga. What do you lot count for?

Do you know Root's code of conduct? If not, let me remind you.

We eliminate every threat inside and outside the village with the attitude of 'better to kill by mistake than let one escape'!

I now suspect that you six old fools harbor intentions of splitting Konoha's ninja clans! Clan Head Hiashi, may we take these six old fools away for a thorough investigation?"

The six elders' faces instantly turned deathly pale.

Those Cloud Village Delegation ninja had been taken to Root before. When they emerged, they had been tortured beyond recognition.

Would anything good come from being taken to Root by Danzo?

The six elders nervously looked toward Hiashi Hyuga, deeply afraid that he would nod and agree to Danzo's request.

Hiashi Hyuga understood that Danzo had asked for his permission to take them away in order to let him retain control.

Hiashi Hyuga said, "Lord Danzo, these elders merely misspoke. Please do not take offense. Since Lord Danzo is a guest of the Hyuga Clan today, please bear witness. Today, my Hyuga Clan shall abolish the elder system. Clansmen, do any of you have objections?"

Hiashi Hyuga swept his gaze over the Hyuga clansmen below.

The six elders were pale-faced. With Danzo present, they did not dare speak at all, fearing he would seize them and take them to Root on fabricated charges.

The Hyuga clansmen looked at one another. The traditional beliefs ingrained in their bones made it difficult for them to decide at once.

Hinata and Neji exchanged a glance from afar, seeing determination in each other's eyes.

"No objections!"

Though Hinata and Neji's voices were quiet, they rang through the crowd like thunder.

"I agree!"

"I agree too!"

"Abolish the elder system!"

One Hyuga clansman after another followed Hinata and Neji in answering Hiashi Hyuga's call.

A faint smile curled at the corner of Hiashi Hyuga's lips.

"Then from today onward, the Hyuga Clan will no longer have an elder system. Next, we shall abolish the main-family and branch-family system and make the entire Hyuga Clan whole again. Who has objections?"

This time, every Hyuga clansman immediately answered Hiashi Hyuga.

"Abolish it! Abolish it! Abolish it!"

Hiashi Hyuga swept out his arm and declared, "Today, under the witness of the Hyuga Clan's ancestors in this ancestral hall, I declare in the name of the clan head that from this day forth, the Hyuga Clan shall no longer have an elder system! The main-family and branch-family system shall no longer exist!"

The Hyuga clansmen of both the main family and branch family looked toward one another.

The divisions of the past vanished from that moment onward.

Everyone began cheering and embracing their relatives.

Hiashi Hyuga and Hizashi Hyuga watched this scene with gratified expressions.

Hiashi Hyuga turned to the six elders. "Do you see? Only a united Hyuga Clan like this is the true Hyuga Clan!"

Knowing the tide had turned against them, the six former elders helplessly shook their heads.

Seeing that Hiashi Hyuga's reforms had succeeded, Danzo led the Root ninja away from the Hyuga Clan.

After the clansmen had finished celebrating, Hiashi Hyuga announced, "Starting tomorrow, those clansmen bearing the Caged Bird Seal will have their curse seals removed one by one in order. All of the Hyuga Clan's secret techniques will also be opened for study. Now... this meeting is adjourned!"

Surrounded by the clansmen, Hiashi Hyuga left and returned to his courtyard.

Inside Hiashi Hyuga's courtyard.

Hiashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, Kumiko Hyuga, Hinata, and Neji gathered together.

All five wore radiant smiles.

Unable to hide his excitement, Hizashi Hyuga said, "We succeeded, brother!"

Having been tense all this time, Hiashi Hyuga was finally able to let out a breath.

"Yes. I believe the Hyuga Clan's future will only grow better and better."