The cold night wind poured through the holes in the Ancestral Shrine, carrying a choking stench of charcoal and lime.
The veins at the corners of Hyuga Xiao's eyes twitched faintly. Within his three-hundred-and-sixty-degree field of vision, more than a dozen ghostlike figures had completely sealed off every visible exit from the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
Their movements were perfectly uniform, and they landed without a sound. The aura they gave off was cold and condensed, like a pack of hunting dogs that had lurked in the darkness for a long time, finally catching the scent of their prey's blood and baring their fangs.
Gray standard-issue armor, ghastly white masks bearing animal patterns, and that glaring red flame emblem on their arms.
The Third Hokage's directly subordinate ANBU.
"Heh. What loyal dogs."
A cold curve tugged at Hyuga Xiao's lips.
Danzo's Root had just been reduced to ashes, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's ANBU had followed right after. Those two old dogs, one in the light and one in the shadows, worked together seamlessly.
He did not move. He remained standing in the shadows of the Ancestral Shrine, like a statue melded into the darkness.
It was not yet time for him to appear.
The Hyuga Clan's internal coup needed a perfect "official" explanation, one that could silence public criticism. And that explanation had to come from the mouth of the new "clan head."
"Hinata."
Xiao's voice did not sound aloud. Instead, it rang directly within the depths of the girl's mind through their spiritual link.
Hinata, who had just undergone a complete transformation, shuddered violently. Her immaculate Byakugan instantly locked onto Xiao's location, her gaze filled with absolute trust and obedience.
"Lord Xiao..."
"Go to the Main House wardrobe and change into that bloodstained hunting robe." Xiao's command was clear and cold.