Chapter 322: Self-Inscribed Seal
To ensure the two newly appointed Elders could stabilize their foundation as quickly as possible, Dana gradually handed over the miscellaneous administrative affairs of Konoha to them.
After all, only with specific functions could there be specific power.
Dana looked at the two men in front of his desk and said:
"Your subordinates can be your people, but they cannot be exclusively your clansmen. I hope you two remember this."
Fugaku Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga cupped their hands in agreement.
On the second night after the new Elders took office, Hiashi Hyuga exercised his authority as Clan Head and summoned all Main Family (Soke) members.
"Hiashi, why summon everyone so late? Is there an urgent matter?"
An older Main Family member sounded quite dissatisfied.
Hiashi said in a deep voice, "There is something I have thought about for a long time. For the sake of the Hyuga clan's future for the next hundred years, it must be done."
The Main Family members asked curiously, "What is it?"
Hiashi said directly, "As Clan Head, I have decided to abolish the Caged Bird Seal of the Hyuga clan from this moment on. Starting now, Branch Family children turning three years old will no longer be branded with the Caged Bird."
The Main Family members looked at each other, finding it incredulous.
Leaving aside why Hiashi, as a Main Family member himself, would propose such a stupid idea, just saying it out loud like this—how could he expect approval?
The Hyuga clan wasn't a dictatorship of the Clan Head; it was ruled jointly by the Main Family.
This sounded like a bad joke.
"Hiashi, are you dizzy from exhaustion? Or have you been drinking?"
"I think his brain is broken!"
"The Hyuga clan has hundreds of years of heritage, and you treat it like child's play? I'm starting to regret handing the Clan Head position to you."
Hiashi said indifferently, "It doesn't matter whether you agree or not. Tomorrow, I will convene a clan-wide meeting and announce this publicly. From now on, there will be no distinction between Main and Branch in the Hyuga."
The Main Family members laughed in anger, wondering which screw in his head was loose.
Hiashi acted as if he were just notifying them and stood up to leave.
"Come back!"
Someone immediately moved to stop him, even using Gentle Fist techniques.
Hiashi seemed prepared and countered, getting serious right from the start.
"Eight Trigrams: Palms Rotation (Kaiten)!"
"You! You're crazy!"
That night, fierce fighting sounds could be heard from within the high walls of the Hyuga estate.
Since it was inside the village and during turbulent times, people immediately came to investigate, even attracting the attention of the new Police Force.
The next day, news spread that the Hyuga Clan Head had a conflict with other Main Family members over some matter, outcome unknown.
In any case, Hiashi wasn't seen again after that.
The Hyuga estate was sealed off from that night—no guests, no visits, no one allowed in or out.
This caused rumors in Konoha to spread wildly, becoming increasingly ridiculous.
Some said the Hyuga clan rebelled; others said Hiashi was beaten to death.
The only Hyuga member outside was Hizashi Hyuga. Since that day, he hadn't returned to the clan grounds and ignored the Main Family's summons.
When the seven Main Family members started feeling something was increasingly wrong...
The newly appointed Konoha Elder, Hizashi Hyuga, formally applied to the village and the Inspector, stating that a rebellion had occurred within the Hyuga clan. Several Main Family members had besieged the Clan Head, who was currently imprisoned. Due to the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan couldn't resolve this internally, as any Main Family member could kill large swathes of Branch Family members instantly.
Inspector Yotsuki Dana originally didn't want to interfere in internal clan conflicts, but given the severe impact, he agreed to allocate forces to help Hizashi quell the rebellion.
That night, Elder Hizashi sat in the Hokage Building to command the operation. Two Konoha squads and two Cloud squads raided the Hyuga estate together.
With the help of Yusuke Akahoshi and his Red Eye (Ketsuryugan)—the nemesis of the Byakugan—they easily captured the seven Main Family members with zero casualties and sealed their chakra.
Facing ninja from outside the Hyuga clan, the Main Family's greatest reliance, the "Caged Bird Seal," was useless. Their actual combat skills were pathetic. Trapped in the illusions created by the Red Eye, they didn't even have time to call for help.
Many Branch Family members heard the commotion and ran to protect the Main Family, but they were calmed down by the newly released Hiashi, preventing further unrest.
Thus, the "rebellion" caused by "internal" conflicts of the Hyuga clan was finally resolved by the Hyuga clan "themselves."
(Note: The quotation marks indicate sarcasm/Dana's manipulation.)
Inside the Hyuga estate, people were panicked. Many Branch members were numb, but the changes over the past two days still shocked them.
But only shocked. They felt this was just a conflict between Main Family members. When the sun rose tomorrow, the day after, and every day after that, their situation wouldn't change.
"Actually, we can't blame them. We didn't inform any clan members when we planned this," Hiashi said. He was dressed very formally. The injuries he intentionally sustained that day had been healed by Healing Talismans.
Hizashi was also dressed formally. In contrast to his brother's pure white, Hizashi wore black.
"There was no other way. Most Branch members have long been numb, and Main Family spies were everywhere among them. Plus, with the Caged Bird Seal, involving any Branch member would be extremely dangerous. A Main Family member only needs a thought to kill them."
"Hizashi... can we really end the shackles of the Hyuga that have lasted for centuries? I can feel it... the way everyone looks at me is still numb and fearful."
"We are already doing it. As Dana-sama said, our goal isn't to unlock the Caged Bird on the foreheads of the Branch Family, but to unlock the Caged Bird in the hearts of the Hyuga clan."
"Then let's go. Let us break the Caged Bird in their hearts together."
Hiashi stood up first.
Today, the Clan Head exercised his authority and summoned all clan members. The sheer number of people meant no room could hold them, so everyone gathered in an open space within the clan grounds.
The seven Main Family members were imprisoned. The entire Hyuga clan, except for Hiashi, were now Branch Family members. He required all Hyuga ninja in Konoha and the surrounding areas to return.
When Hiashi walked onto the wooden platform, hundreds of Branch members watched expressionlessly.
Looking at the numb faces below, Hiashi felt heartbroken.
"I am the Clan Head of the Hyuga, Hiashi Hyuga. You surely know me."
No one answered.
"I have an important announcement today. Three days ago, seven clan members led by Yoshihiro Hyuga attempted a rebellion and have now been brought to justice. I, Hiashi Hyuga, have decided to strip them of their Main Family status, effective immediately!"
theoretically, the Clan Head did have this right. In Hyuga history, a few particularly absurd Main Family members had been stripped of their status and branded with the Caged Bird.
However, this usually targeted individuals, not a lineage. The father and children of the stripped person would still retain Main Family status, so the line wouldn't be broken.
This time, there was finally a commotion below.
For hundreds of years, few Main Family members had been stripped of status. This time, seven were stripped at once!
Hiashi glanced at his brother beside him. Encouraged by Hizashi's gaze, he announced loudly, "So from now on! I! Hiashi Hyuga! Am the only Main Family member in the entire Hyuga Clan!"
Below, many faces returned to numbness.
Yeah, so what difference does it make to us? We are still Branch Family, tools of the Main Family.
Even if you stripped seven Main Family members, their children will become Main Family again.
My children will still be tools for their children.
Just like my father was a tool for their father.
Generations upon generations, an eternal cycle.
Nothing will change.
Hiashi shouted, "BUT THIS IS WRONG!"
The field fell silent.
"We of the Hyuga clan are all compatriots, connected by blood! Why must we be divided into Main and Branch?! Did the ancestors who invented the Caged Bird Seal centuries ago truly wish to see the Hyuga clan as it is today?"
Eyes filled with astonishment, hope, confusion, and pain looked up at the figure on the stage.
What is he trying to say?
What is he going to do?
Can we believe him?
Hiashi looked at his brother.
Hizashi slowly walked up.
"Fellow clan members, I am Hiashi Hyuga, Clan Head of the Hyuga, and currently the only Main Family member."
"I announce that from now on, there will be no distinction between Main and Branch in the Hyuga. Only one root, one clan."
"I announce that from now on, no one can control your life and death or force your will."
"I announce that from now on, all children of the Hyuga clan will no longer be branded with the Caged Bird Seal at age three. They will possess complete freedom and a future."
With every sentence Hiashi spoke, more people looked up.
A thing called hope gradually appeared in their eyes.
But within that hope, there was mistrust and anxiety.
Can this hope withstand the test?
Will it turn into greater despair?
All Branch members were stirred by Hiashi's words.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared at the wooden platform.
At this moment, Hizashi walked up to his brother. The two exchanged a smile.
Even in the darkest times, the brotherly bond between them had never wavered.
Hiashi repeated his words.
"Everyone, I am Hiashi Hyuga, the Clan Head of the Hyuga, the only Main Family member of the Hyuga."
Then he shouted loudly: "AND I WILL BE THE LAST MAIN FAMILY MEMBER OF THE HYUGA!"
Hiashi ripped open his shirt collar, exposing his chest to the crowd, his long hair blowing in the wind.
He stood bare-chested and said:
"LIKEWISE, I WILL ALSO BE... THE LAST BRANCH FAMILY MEMBER OF THE HYUGA!"
Below the stage, tears streamed from countless white eyes.
"Come! Hizashi! Brand me with this... the final Caged Bird of the Hyuga clan, ending the Main/Branch system forever!"
In their hearts, both brothers shouted:
"And unlock the Caged Bird in the hearts of the Hyuga!"
Hizashi, who had already been taught the Caged Bird Seal technique, smiled as he carved the swansong of this bizarre jutsu onto his brother.
From this moment on, the Main/Branch system of the Hyuga clan, which had lasted for centuries and had profound influence, was completely ended.