Hyuga Dilemma

In the blink of an eye, the third day arrived. As the Shadow Clone Technique at home vanished, word came that Hyuga Hiashi had invited him to a clan meeting!

Shadow clones really were useful! Dao Yi sighed.

Tobirama Senju had invented so many ninjutsu, yet the Shadow Clone Technique was the most versatile of them all and suited Dao Yi's tastes best.

From gathering intelligence to direct combat, from assisting cultivation to setting up attack formations, shadow clones had countless uses.

Dao Yi's shadow clones were even stronger. They were composed entirely of Sage Chakra, with exceptional resilience and far longer durations.

Using Flying Thunder God to return home, Dao Yi washed up before heading to the clan head's residence for the clan meeting.

Over the past few days, Konoha's prominent figures had all been rather busy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by the two elder advisors, went to the hospital to visit Uchiha Fugaku and his family.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised the issue of the Military Police Force's shutdown, and the two sides held friendly discussions.

Both sides gained something and were fairly satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.

The heads of the major shinobi clans followed suit, visiting the Uchiha Clan head at Konoha Hospital one after another.

Then, the next day, the Hokage's Office released an announcement:

Konoha Security Force Recruitment Notice: We sincerely invite talented villagers of all kinds to join the Security Force and work together to maintain Konoha's public safety. The expected recruitment quota is 360 shinobi and 140 clerical staff! Everyone is welcome to apply and interview enthusiastically.

The major shinobi clans, civilian shinobi, and ordinary villagers all sprang into action. For a time, Hokage Tower was packed to the brim.

With generous benefits, no need to leave the village, and no danger to one's life, the Konoha Security Force swiftly became a highly sought-after position.

Hyuga Clan District!

Tokuma Hyuga escorted Dao Yi into the meeting room, then turned around, shut the door, and left.

Glancing around, Dao Yi saw Hyuga Hiashi and six other middle-aged and elderly members of the Hyuga Clan.

Dao Yi walked to Hiashi's side and sat down on the floor in seiza.

"Hiashi! Is this branch family boy the one we were waiting for?"

The Fifth Elder frowned in displeasure as he looked at Hiashi.

"Elders! Dao Yi is thirteen this year, and his strength already makes him the strongest in the Hyuga Clan. I believe he is this generation's Tennin Hyuga!"

The expressions of the six elders shifted as they leaned together and whispered among themselves.

Byakugan! Open!

Veins bulged around six pairs of Byakugan as their gazes focused on Dao Yi.

"His Byakugan ocular power is so strong. This old man has never seen such a powerful Byakugan!"

The Third Elder cried out in shock.

Among the three great ocular techniques, the amount of ocular power was the simplest and most direct standard for judging their relative strength.

The Byakugan's farsight, x-ray vision, and ability to observe an opponent's Chakra all required ocular power and Chakra.

Neji Hyuga had possessed enough ocular power to activate the Byakugan as a child, making him a recognized genius of the Hyuga Clan.

"His Chakra reserves are astonishing. They exceed this old man's by dozens of times!"

The Sixth Elder was focused on another aspect.

Byakugan: Pressure!

The six elders stiffened, their fingers instantly unable to rise, while their eyes became much clearer.

"Sorry, Dao Yi. We old fellows were discourteous!"

The First Elder looked apologetic as all six elders closed their Byakugan at once.

The other side was too strong, and they themselves were in the wrong. Lowering their heads was nothing! In the eyes of the elders from the major shinobi clans, pride was empty; only the clan's interests were real!

Dao Yi closed his Byakugan and smiled, nodding to show that it was fine.

Wantonly peering into others was improper no matter where one went!

"Byakugan: Pressure! That is Tennin Hyuga's ability. We acknowledge you as this generation's Tennin Hyuga!"

After the First Elder spoke, the other five elders nodded in agreement.

"Then thank you, Elders!"

What did he care about being a heaven ninja or earth ninja? Dao Yi did not care for such useless empty titles. As long as one was strong enough, one would be a big shot anywhere!

"Ahem! Elders! I gathered everyone today because I wish to amend some clan rules!"

Hiashi promptly took over the conversation and glanced at Dao Yi. He had still misjudged him; Dao Yi alone had suppressed six veteran Jonin!

"Clan Head! You must understand what you are saying! The Hyuga Clan has endured for a thousand years and survived the centuries of warfare during the Warring States Era because of these clan rules!"

The Second Elder looked solemn as he refused.

"But this is no longer the Warring States Era! The resentment in the branch family is growing deeper and deeper. If this continues, problems will inevitably arise..."

"Clan Head! Think of the Uchiha Clan's fate! Even if problems arise, could they be worse off than the Uchiha Clan?"

The Third Elder interrupted.

"The circumstances have changed! The clan rules must be improved. I do not want another incident where a child is abducted while the branch family does nothing!"

Hiashi's attitude was firm. He was referring to Hinata Hyuga's abduction.

The main family lived at the center of the Hyuga Clan District, surrounded and protected by the branch family.

Yet a Hidden Cloud Village Chunin had somehow infiltrated the clan head's home without obstruction, and not a single Hyuga Clan member noticed.

Whether the branch family had truly failed to notice or that Hidden Cloud Village Chunin's infiltration methods were exceptional, the incident had become a thorn in the hearts of both the main and branch families.

The six elders gathered together and discussed quietly for a while.

"Hiashi! I know you cannot bear to part with your child! How about this? We will allow you to choose an heir before Hinata Hyuga comes of age! As for the clan rules, let us discuss them later!"

The First Elder took half a step back, leaving the latter half of his words unspoken: once the clan head's heir was chosen, the other child had to be branded with the [Caged Bird].

At this point, Hiashi had already been overwhelmed by the elders' relentless arguments.

Hiashi hurriedly signaled Dao Yi with his eyes, indicating that he should speak and help.

"How about the clan head and the elders each take a step back? The clan rules are the core foundation of the Hyuga Clan's continued existence, so they truly cannot be altered casually. But the conflict between the branch and main families also needs to be eased. Dragging this out would harm the clan. Why not first loosen some of the restrictions the clan rules place on the branch family and test it for a time to see the results?"

"Dao Yi! If you have a gentle solution, tell us."

Dao Yi's respect for the clan rules pleased the elders.

The First Elder motioned for Dao Yi to continue, thinking, As long as he does not change them, loosening them can still be discussed.

"Just now, we mentioned the issue of the clan head's heir. If only the clan head's family enjoys this benefit, the branch family will inevitably feel dissatisfied."

Hiashi frowned, already feeling dissatisfied himself.

"How about treating all clan members equally and postponing the branding of the [Caged Bird]?"

"Using the Ninja Academy graduation age as the limit, raise the age to twelve. Those with exceptional talent can join the main family, while those with ordinary or lesser talent will be branded with the [Caged Bird] and enter the branch family!"

This policy would benefit both the main and branch families. The main family would have a chance to keep two children, while the branch family would also have room to rise.

"Relaxing the age restriction is not impossible! But would there be any issues with security? Could the Byakugan be leaked?"

After discussing it among themselves, several elders asked.

During the Third Shinobi World War, the Byakugan stolen by Hidden Mist Village had remained an aching wound in the Hyuga Clan's heart.