Hyuga Clan

Within Konoha, in the core area of the Hyuga Clan's Main House, stood a spacious Japanese-style room with a solemn layout and the clan crest painted on its walls.

Several Hyuga Clan elders sat upright on either side of the long conference table.

Most of them were advanced in age, their faces etched with the marks of time and authority, their gazes either sharp or profound.

At the central seat, the current Hyuga clan head, Hinata Tsubaki, sat with her eyes closed, resting. Her hands were folded over her abdomen.

At her side, the young Hyuga Hiashi sat primly as the clan head's son.

As the predetermined future heir, he had been exceptionally permitted to attend this high-level meeting.

His face still carried a trace of barely perceptible tension and curiosity.

Just moments ago, his mother, Hinata Tsubaki, had returned from the Hokage Office Building.

Without offering any explanation, she had directly summoned all the core elders currently in the village.

At this moment, a scroll lay quietly on the desk before Hinata Tsubaki.

"Let's begin." Hinata Tsubaki slowly opened her eyes, dispensing with any unnecessary pleasantries.

She directly pushed the scroll to the center of the table.

"This is the latest battle report and related intelligence concerning Hinata Tianyi, a Branch House member fighting on the front lines. Read it first."

The nearest elder reached out and took it.

He opened it and read in silence, his brows initially only faintly furrowed.

But as his eyes moved downward, his frown deepened, and even his breathing seemed to freeze for a moment.

He passed the scroll to the next elder, the entire exchange proceeding in silence.

Only the faint sounds of the scroll opening and closing could be heard, along with the increasingly grave atmosphere.

When Hyuga Hiashi finally received the scroll, he was still somewhat puzzled.

A Branch House Genin, even if he had performed well on the battlefield—

Why would his mother summon every elder so solemnly?

Could it be... that he had made some grave mistake during a mission, or done something that disgraced the clan rules?

He opened the scroll, his eyes falling upon the words:

"Supplementary battle report and follow-up matters from the Land of Rain frontline camp:

"Hinata Tianyi, a Branch House Genin of the Hyuga Clan, during the decisive battle—

"The special antidote he provided played a decisive role in saving the lives of more than eighty Leaf Village ninja.

"He was confirmed to have killed one Hidden Rain Village Jonin and four Chunin.

"He successfully wounded Hanzo's summoned beast, completely dismantling the enemy's poison mist tactics.

"He has subsequently received Jonin Tsunade's recognition and has officially become Hinata Tianyi's mentor.

"..."

Hyuga Hiashi's fingers tightened slightly around the scroll, and his heart shook violently.

Killed a Jonin? Dismantled Hanzo's poison mist tactics? Saved more than eighty people?

Been taken as Tsunade-hime's disciple?! And... seemingly gained Hanzo's "attention"?

Each piece of information overturned everything he had known before.

How could these possibly be the achievements of a Branch House Genin?

These were clearly dazzling merits worthy of being recorded in the clan's history!

And most importantly, Tsunade-hime had taken him as her disciple!

Hyuga Hiashi's political instincts were instantly awakened.

Who was Tsunade? The First Hokage's granddaughter and one of the legitimate heirs of the Senju Clan.

Now one of the newly risen "Three Ninja," with illustrious military achievements.

Konoha's foremost medical ninja, possessing immense prestige and potentially enormous influence within the village.

Although the Third Hokage still held office and remained at the peak of his strength—

The transfer of power to the next generation had always been the focus of every major clan's secret attention.

As the most outstanding candidates among the next generation of leaders, the "Three Ninja"—

Had long since entered everyone's field of vision. Though Tsunade had not clearly shown an intense ambition to become Hokage—

Her status and strength as the Senju Princess meant that anyone closely associated with her—

Could gain immeasurable political capital in the future.

A Branch House member had actually become Tsunade's disciple?

What did that mean? It meant Hinata Tianyi—

Was no longer merely a Hyuga Branch House ninja.

He had been marked as part of the Tsunade Faction. His future would become tied directly or indirectly to the Senju Clan's influence—

And to Konoha's highest circles of power!

Hyuga Hiashi's thoughts churned, and he even began to consider more.

Caged Bird... Could this Hinata Tianyi, because of his sudden rise in fame and backing—

Create some subtle impact on the ironclad rules between the Main House and Branch House that had endured for centuries?

Even if only symbolically?

Just as Hyuga Hiashi's mind raced, the scroll had finished making its rounds and returned to the desk before Hinata Tsubaki.

Hinata Tsubaki lightly tapped the tabletop with her fingers.

Drawing everyone's attention, her calm, even voice rang out once more:

"You all understand the intelligence regarding Hinata Tianyi now. Tell me what you think."

The silence was broken.

The entire meeting room instantly erupted into discussion!

"Unbelievable!" A stern-faced Main House elder spoke first.

His tone carried intense doubt. "How could a Branch House Genin achieve such results?

"Kill a Jonin? With what? The Byakugan? Gentle Fist? Even if he were exceptionally talented—

"This is far too unreasonable! There must be something suspicious here! Did he rely on outside help?

"Or even... some forbidden technique?"

His sharp gaze swept over everyone present, and he deliberately stressed the word "forbidden."

"That is not quite right, Elder." Another sharp-eyed elder refuted him.

He was responsible for some of the clan's external affairs.

"The frontline command and Lady Tsunade both confirmed the battle report.

"The Hokage has also reviewed it. Its authenticity is beyond doubt.

"As for how he did it... do not forget that Tsunade has taken him as her disciple.

"Perhaps some special medical or combat talent he displayed—

"Was precisely what Tsunade valued. Shouldn't our Hyuga Clan be pleased to see such a genius emerge?

"This clearly demonstrates our clan's strength and foundation!"

"Pleased?" Another conservative elder snorted coldly.

"A Branch House member has displayed such brilliance and even drawn the attention of that demigod!

"The tallest tree catches the strongest wind! Not only could he bring disaster upon himself—

"He could also draw unnecessary attention toward our Hyuga Clan!

"Where would that leave the Main House's authority? Where would that leave the Branch House's proper place?"

"Pedantic!" The elder from the supporting side did not hold back.

"What era are we living in? The war in the Land of Rain has every major clan displaying its strength—

"And fighting for influence after the war! Our Hyuga Clan has remained quiet for too long. We need a figurehead like this.

"A hero! Hinata Tianyi's accomplishments in this battle are enough to make all of Konoha reassess the strength of the Hyuga!

"This will greatly benefit the clan's future! As for the Branch House—

"Hmph, he has rendered such great service. Should the clan not show its appreciation?

"To chill the hearts of those who have served the clan is what would truly damage the clan's prestige!"

"Show appreciation? How?" A moderate elder pondered.

"He is already Lady Tsunade's disciple, which means his future path—

"Will, to a great extent, depart from the clan's usual training system.

"How should we intervene? Should we offer him the Hyuga Clan's secret techniques to win his loyalty?

"Or... increase our oversight and ensure that he remains within the clan's control?"

His words pointed out a crucial issue: faced with a Branch House genius who had suddenly gained powerful outside support and independent leverage—

The clan's traditional methods of control were being challenged.

"Caged Bird..." A low voice sounded. It belonged to another elder who had remained silent until now.

He spoke only those three words, yet the atmosphere in the entire meeting room instantly tightened.

Everyone's gaze, deliberately or otherwise, turned toward Hinata Tsubaki at the head of the table and Hyuga Hiashi beside her.

Caged Bird was the sword hanging over every Branch House member's head.

It was also the Main House's ultimate means of controlling the Branch House.

Hinata Tianyi's momentum was now unstoppable. How would he himself, or Tsunade behind him—

Or even the village's other factions, view this curse mark?

This was nearly every elder's deepest concern.

Hyuga Hiashi felt his palms begin to sweat.

He understood that this meeting was not merely discussing a Branch House member's military achievements.

It concerned the clan's power structure, and even the fundamental system separating the Main House from the Branch House.

Hinata Tsubaki continued sitting with her eyes closed, as if she had not heard the heated arguments.

Only after the voices gradually quieted and everyone's eyes focused on her once more—

Did she slowly open her eyes and sweep her gaze across every face.

"Hinata Tianyi is a ninja of the Hyuga Clan. That will not change because of whose disciple he is."

Her voice was steady, yet it defined Hinata Tianyi's position. "The merits he has earned have brought honor to the clan.

"That is a fact. The clan will not be stingy with its rewards."

She paused, then continued, "But at the same time, he is a member of the Hyuga Clan's Branch House.

"He must also remember the clan rules and fulfill his proper duties. The clan needs a deeper understanding of the growth of his strength.

"Tsunade-hime taking him as a disciple is an opportunity, but we must also remain wary of the... unpredictable influence it may bring."

"De Xuan." Hinata Tsubaki suddenly looked toward an elder on her left.

"Yes, Clan Head." Hinata Tokugen immediately straightened his back.

"You will immediately go to the front lines and handle the follow-up contact with Hinata Tianyi and the clan's rewards.

"Let the people of the village see the Hyuga Clan's attitude toward those who have rendered service.

"Once he returns to the village, arrange for him... to come see me." Hinata Tsubaki said blandly.

"Yes!" Hinata Tokugen rose and departed.

Hyuga Hiashi's heart jolted, and he lowered his head.

He understood the meaning behind his mother's arrangement.

Hinata Tokugen was an extremely strict Main House elder, exceptionally harsh toward the Branch House.

His younger brother, Hizashi Hyuga, had especially hated him ever since childhood.

Sending him would most likely mean trying to directly bring Hinata Tianyi under control.

Father is being too old-fashioned. He is such a genius—there could be a fierce conflict.

"As for the rest," Hinata Tsubaki's gaze swept over the elders once again.

"Within the clan, maintain a unified message. Publicize his accomplishments and display our clan's prestige.

"Externally, wait until De Xuan returns before observing the situation further. Meeting adjourned."

She rose first and left the meeting room.

The elders remained behind, their expressions varied as they spoke in low voices and gradually dispersed.

Hyuga Hiashi stood alone in the increasingly empty meeting room.

I hope it does not end in the worst possible way.