Chapter 149: "Neji, Did You Betray the Hyūga Clan?" Orochimaru's Ambition!

Inside the Hyūga Compound.

The eldest son of Hyūga Jinpu—the Head Elder of the Hyūga Clan—fumed silently, his face twisted with resentment as he voiced his grievances before his father.

"Father, the man who died was just a branch family elder. There are more than one elder in the branch family. Are we really supposed to go into hiding simply because of his death?"

He muttered under his breath, "Back in the old days—before the so-called Absolute Justice—we wouldn’t have needed to run from a minor incident like this."

"Hyūga Yoko was the one who crossed the line. Attempting to break the Cage of Birds Seal was strictly forbidden for the branch family. He committed a grave error, and now he pays the price. If anything, it was just bad luck—his illness returned."

Beside him, Hyūga Jinpu’s younger son added, "Father, Uchiha Iizumi should be reasonable, right? He calls himself Justice, and he claims rules are Justice. Within our Hyūga Clan, our family laws are Justice. Even if he intervenes, wouldn’t he naturally side with us?"

Hyūga Jinpu rubbed his temples. He turned to his younger son and sighed.

"You’ve been managing the Hyūga Clan’s affairs outside Leaf Village. You only just returned. You don’t know Uchiha Iizumi well enough."

He exhaled slowly, his weathered face etched with deep unease.

"His Absolute Justice doesn’t stand on any local rules. It stands only on himself. He’s an extremely radical Uchiha—unwilling to listen to reason, utterly stubborn. And most importantly…"

He paused, then added with grim certainty:

"He’s strong."

That was the real truth. The sheer power of Uchiha Iizumi could end Hyūga Jinpu’s life in an instant. That was why he was listening to Hyūga Hiashi’s advice and preparing to go into temporary exile.

Even at over eighty, knowing he had only a few years left, he still didn’t want to die early.

And certainly not at the hands of a single Uchiha—especially not after being branded a murderer before even dying.

To punish a branch member for breaking clan law… and then be accused of murder yourself?

Impossible.

Hyūga Jinpu refused to accept it.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Hyūga Compound.

After negotiations with several branch elders, Hyūga Menji returned to Hyūga Hiashi and learned the news: Hyūga Jinpu was preparing to temporarily leave Leaf Village—partly as an explanation to the branch family, partly to prevent Uchiha Iizumi from getting involved.

After all, if the main figure was gone, it would be hard to keep targeting the rest of the Hyūga Clan.

"Hiashi," Hyūga Menji said, staring deeply into Hyūga Hiashi’s eyes, "is this truly how you handle things? You should know this isn’t the right way. Your clan’s actions here look like cowardice—running from reality."

"This is the decision made by the three Head Elders of the main family," Hyūga Hiashi replied, sitting upright with solemn dignity. "We know it will anger many branch members. They’ll feel we’re just making excuses. But if we don’t do this, the main family will be angry too."

Hyūga Hiashi paused, his voice low and deliberate.

"Hyūga Jinpu’s temporary departure… is essentially his retirement from the center of power. It’s the greatest concession the main family has made."

Hyūga Menji remained silent.

He understood the unspoken message: The three Head Elders believed that stepping down one elder was already a massive compromise. If the branch family still complained, it was their fault for not appreciating it.

And the reason the main family even made the concession?

Because of Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice—a force that loomed over the entire Hyūga Clan, forcing them to consider reason for once.

In the past? Root didn’t need to reason.

"Hiashi," Hyūga Menji said gravely, "I’m still saying this: don’t let this blow up. It will only hurt everyone."

"Understood," Hyūga Hiashi nodded.

…

"Retirement… is the greatest concession the branch family has ever received." Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, letting out a long, weary breath. "The Hyūga Clan’s rules… they’re filled with rotten, outdated thinking. One would think we’d gone back to the days before Leaf Village even existed."

Hyūga Menji, now back in the Hokage Tower, spoke.

"Shin, should we just send a warning? Are we really not going to intervene as Hokage?"

Hiruzen shook his head.

"We can’t get involved."

"The Hyūga Clan may seem more obedient than the Uchiha Clan—less isolated, less rigid. But their Root is even more stubborn. They’re like a sealed jar—impenetrable."

"I’ve managed to nurture loyal Uchiha like Shisui and Itachi. Thanks to them, we’ve had a foothold inside the Uchiha Clan."

"But…" Hiruzen paused, "I’ve never been able to plant a spy inside the Hyūga main family. Our influence only reaches the branch family. The main family remains sealed off—like a fortress of iron."

"If I could interfere, I’d force them to change their illogical laws. But after all these years, their rules remain unchanged."

To Hiruzen, the Hyūga Clan’s rigid traditions were actively weakening Leaf Village.

The Cage of Birds Seal crushed the potential of countless talented Hyūga ninja.

How many branch members died in battle—trapped, broken, silenced—because of its flaws?

If he could change it, he’d have done it long ago.

Hyūga Menji changed the subject.

"Shin, there’s another matter. The Rain Village defector, Biwa Jūzō—after arriving with the other Rain envoys, he left alone. He’s gone."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.

"He’s never even met me. And he’s already gone?"

"I suspect he came here for a reason—beyond mere diplomacy," Hyūga Menji said. "And consider this: he arrived, was captured by Uchiha Iizumi’s Investigation Corps almost immediately."

"Perhaps he came for Iizumi himself. But his true purpose remains unknown."

Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.

"I remember… Jiraiya was present during Biwa Jūzō’s interrogation."

Hyūga Menji nodded.

"Then fetch Jiraiya," Hiruzen said. "He might know something."

…

"Little Jiraiya," Shima Sage spoke from atop Jiraiya’s shoulder, watching the Uchiha girl just capture a domestic abuser. "Uchiha Iizumi isn’t the Chosen One."

She has a clear sense of right and wrong—but lacks her own convictions.

"Relying entirely on Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice as her own ninja path… she’s not the one from the Great Sage’s dream. She’s more like a puppet of Justice."

"Besides," Shima Sage shook his head, "if she only just began believing in this justice, maybe there’s still hope. But she’s already been deeply corrupted by this extremism. Her devotion to Iizumi is absolute."

"Under these circumstances, you won’t be able to take her as a disciple. You can’t even teach her how to change the Ninja World."

Standing on the other shoulder, Shin’zaku Sage added, "Try the next one, little Jiraiya."

Jiraiya sighed heavily, finally pulling his gaze from Uchiha Iizumi.

"Next… Uchiha…" He paused, then reached into his notebook. He hesitated slightly.

He pulled out a pen, erased the name Uchiha Itachi, then said:

"Next—Uchiha Sasuke. He’s close to Iizumi. And both are Uchiha. Maybe even related by blood."

…

"Kakashi-senpai," a hidden Anbu Ninja, Yamada Ryosin, whispered, peering from the shadows as Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Iizumi headed toward the Hyūga Compound. "Shouldn’t we send someone to inform the Hokage? This is serious—this whole thing with the Hyūga Clan, and now Iizumi’s involved. Something’s going to happen today."

This spot—hidden behind a stone pillar—was the only place that offered true concealment. That’s why both Yamada Ryosin and Kakashi stood here.

One was watching the Jinchūriki. The other was guarding him.

Kakashi, his eyes half-lidded like a dead fish, turned to look at Yamada Ryosin.

Silence.

Yamada Ryosin froze.

Damn it—he realized. As an Anbu junior, he should’ve reported this himself. Not wait for Kakashi’s approval.

"I’ll go!" he said, vanishing in a blur.

"Hyūga Clan… Cage of Birds…" Kakashi murmured, watching the figures grow smaller. "If I remember right… Neji’s father was Hyūga Hiashi, the branch family member… so Neji lost his father at a young age."

"And Hiashi died willingly for the main family. But Neji… he believed the main family forced his father to die. He’s probably drawing parallels from his own life. That’s why he turned to Absolute Justice."

Kakashi knew the truth behind those old events.

"…Hmph."

A shadow passed over his eyes.

…

Inside the Hyūga Compound.

After giving final instructions to his two sons, Hyūga Jinpu leaned on his cane, escorted by a special Jōnin from the main family, preparing to leave Leaf Village temporarily.

As he walked, he noticed the glares from several branch members—full of anger and contempt.

He let out a soft, dismissive huff.

That open mockery only deepened their fury.

Watching Hyūga Jinpu walk away, one branch member clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ached.

"An old bastard! That look—he was mocking us! He doesn’t treat us as human beings at all!"

Seeing the man’s anger rising, another branch member stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

"Calm down. He’s a Head Elder!"

"Damn it—so what? Letting them sit above us? Don’t they remember we were once part of them? Don’t they remember our blood ties? After the Cage of Birds is sealed on us, are we supposed to accept this kind of treatment? I don’t get it!"

"No one does. But… the Cage of Birds is the truth. The branch family exists only to serve the main family. And men like Hyūga Jinpu? They’re just rare exceptions."

"Stop. If we’re caught speaking out, he’ll activate the Cage of Birds Seal again."

As the murmurs of resentment faded behind him, Hyūga Jinpu felt a sudden, sharp pulse—a killer intent from a young branch member.

He almost triggered the seal.

In the past, he’d have punished the boy instantly. Let him know that such thoughts were forbidden.

The branch family’s fate was to protect the main family—sacrificing their lives if needed. It had always been so. It still was. It always would be.

But today… he held back.

Then—his escort suddenly stopped.

Hyūga Jinpu frowned, turning.

The Jōnin stood frozen, eyes wide with shock, staring at a distant point.

Hyūga Jinpu followed his gaze.

Time stopped.

His cane cracked to the ground.

His Byakugan flared open—wide, unblinking.

A name tore from his lips.

"Uchiha Iizumi!!"

…

"Hoho… killed Uchiha Itachi… interesting."

In a hidden underground lab beneath Leaf Village, Orochimaru’s lips curled into a grin.

"Master Hiruzen… your indulgence of Uchiha Iizumi truly makes me envious."

Evidently, a spy he’d planted in Leaf Village had transmitted intelligence through a special technique.

Orochimaru now knew: Akatsuki members—Jiraiya and Kushina—were in the village.

He let out a dry chuckle.

"Then… my plan will have to wait a little longer."

He lifted his hand from the paper beneath it.

Written on the top sheet: "Leaf Village Destruction Plan Version 2"

He crumpled it—then revealed another beneath.

"After killing Hiruzen Sarutobi, how do we pressure the various factions of Leaf Village? Use their strength to research the Elixir of Immortality…"

Rows upon rows of questions—unfinished, unanswerable—were scribbled across the page.

Orochimaru stared at them for half a second, then rolled the paper into a scroll and tucked it away.

"But Jiraiya and Kushina… they’re not my biggest obstacle."

"My greatest challenge… is the one I value most."

"Hoho…"

"Uchiha Iizumi… you’re becoming more troublesome every day."

His smile grew colder—full of menace.

…

"Orochimaru… he doesn’t get along with most of Akatsuki," Biwa Jūzō said, hefting his Execution Sword. "Even as a new member, I can tell—Orochimaru is the odd one out."

He was dry-throated. Normally, he’d be the coldest of the group.

But now, facing someone even more emotionless… the silence was unbearable.

"You don’t say a word?" Biwa Jūzō snapped. "Don’t tell me you’re not interested in Orochimaru. I’ve heard what he’s done. In your Absolute Justice, he’s on your kill list, right?"

"You’re full of useless info," the Wood Clone replied flatly. "Say something I don’t know."

Biwa Jūzō froze.

Damn it… he realized. As an Akatsuki member, he knew less about the organization than Uchiha Iizumi did.

He was the outsider.

"Y—"

Suddenly, Biwa Jūzō sniffed—a whiff of blood in the air.

His pupils contracted to needles.

He drew his sword instantly, blocking three shuriken that flew from nowhere. Sparks flared as they struck the blade.

"Damn it," he growled, eyes scanning the dark.

"Someone’s after us. Or rather—after me. Not Obito. Not those two humanoid things. If it were them, I’d be wounded already."

He spoke, and the air thickened.

Fog—white, thick, suffocating—poured from all sides.

Biwa Jūzō grinned.

"Haha… I know who it is."

"Kirigakure Bloodmist Ninja. They’re clearing out defectors."

"Hey!" he suddenly realized. "You’re just a Wood Clone. Am I supposed to protect you too?"

"No need," the Wood Clone replied. In a flash, it drew its blade and effortlessly deflected a kunai shot from an impossible angle.

…

Clang.

The kunai buried itself into the ground—just ten centimeters from Hyūga Jinpu’s feet.

Had it moved forward even a little… it would’ve pierced his heel.

Hyūga Jinpu flinched, eyes wide with terror, staring at Uchiha Iizumi.

His frail body staggered back.

"How… impossible…"

He’d just confined all Hyūga ninja within the compound. He’d ensured the branch family couldn’t involve Iizumi.

He’d bought himself time to escape.

So why… was Iizumi here?

And why now—right at the moment he stepped out?

Then—his eyes locked onto the figure behind Iizumi.

Neji.

And beside Neji—another branch family child.

The grandson of Hyūga Yoko—the elder who died last night.

Hyūga Jinpu’s blood ran cold.

Ah… he realized.

Neji and Yoko’s grandson… they told Iizumi everything.

His face twisted with fury, fear, and disbelief.

"Neji!" the guard shouted, voice trembling. "Did you betray Elder Renjo?!"

"You know what you’re doing? The branch family’s fate is to protect the main family! But you—you’re murdering a Head Elder!"

"What are you? What rank? Didn’t your father teach you—how a branch family ninja must serve selflessly?"

Neji’s face, previously expressionless, now burned with hatred.

He took a deep breath.

He’d once believed fate was unbreakable.

But then he’d seen—with his own eyes—how Uchiha Iizumi’s power made even the Hyūga Clan bow.

That moment cracked his soul.

A rebellion sparked.

The main family’s chains—the Cage of Birds—could be broken.

And after learning about Absolute Justice, Neji understood one truth:

To bind the branch family with the Cage of Birds… is itself unjust.

He didn’t know the deeper meaning behind the seal.

But he knew what he’d seen: branch members crushed, humiliated, silenced.

The seal made every branch ninja feel trapped—breathing through a cage.

Even a flicker of anger… could trigger the seal.

He remembered his father—only a glance of murderous intent toward Hinata, and it was enough.

Hiashi activated the seal without hesitation.

"So… ‘selfless service’ means generations of us becoming disposable pawns? Generations of us trapped—birds who can never fly?"

Neji clenched his teeth.

Slowly, he tore off the bandage on his forehead.

He revealed the Cage of Birds seal—open, exposed.

"I’m not here to argue clan rules," Neji said, turning to the branch child beside him.

"Was it this man who killed your grandfather?"

"...Yes."

Neji exhaled.

"I’m here for justice. For the life he stole. What right do you have to take it? Are our lives—branch family lives—just expendable to you?"

He paused.

"I believe in Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice. It will judge every villain. And it will give peace to the innocent—so they may rest in the afterlife."

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end