Chapter 153: Fugaku: “Iizumi, what have you done?” Looks like you didn't kill enough!

Hyūga Menji led five Anbu squads into the Hyūga Compound.

Before him stood a grotesque, unnatural plant—its surface smeared with fresh blood, its base littered with bloodstains, severed flesh, and two severed heads. Nearby, a severed arm lay discarded on the ground. A young Hyūga from the Main Family clutched his stump, writhing in agony.

Many of the Main Family ninjas glared at Uchiha Iizumi with fury—but dared not move, intimidated by the sheer power radiating from the Uchiha. Meanwhile, the Branch Family members stood by, watching with quiet satisfaction, as if relishing the downfall of the dominant clan.

Phew… I’m not too late, Hyūga Menji thought, breathing a silent sigh. At least no one else had died yet.

He turned to Uchiha Iizumi and said, “Iizumi. Whatever this is, we can talk it through. For now, at least… lower that ninja sword from the man’s neck.”

But Iizumi ignored him completely.

Instead, the Uchiha coldly addressed the rigid-faced Main Family elder—Hyūga Mei—“If you wish to become part of the chaos, if you want to be the first chicken to be slaughtered as a warning, I won’t stop you. I’d be honored to grant you that honor today.”

Hyūga Mei: “….”

The audacity of this Uchiha child—speaking the words “kill the chicken to warn the others” aloud, without shame!

By all logic, he should have stood firm, defiant to the end, even if it meant losing his head. After all, the Hokage had sent reinforcements. High Advisor Hyūga Menji was already here.

But…

He could feel the blade pressing deeper into his neck with each passing second. He could feel the warm trickle of blood seeping down his skin, staining his collar red.

“You…” Hyūga Mei gritted his teeth, his defiance crumbling. “Uchiha Iizumi… you’ll regret this!”

Then he shut his mouth, his face grim and expressionless.

His surrender stunned the other Main Family ninjas. Even Hiashi, under the crushing pressure of Iizumi’s Absolute Justice, had faltered. Now Mei, the elder, had broken in under two minutes? Was there truly no one left who could stop this Uchiha’s rampage?

“…Hiashi, what in the world happened?” Hyūga Menji sensed something deeply wrong. He turned to the crestfallen Hyūga Hiashi.

At the same moment, the blade was finally withdrawn from his neck. Hyūga Mei exhaled in relief—then staggered backward, putting as much distance as possible between himself and Iizumi.

He clutched his bleeding neck, then answered Hyūga Menji with gritted teeth: “Advisor Yen! Uchiha Iizumi wants to lock up the entire Hyūga Main Family!”

“Even me, a Main Family elder, he wants to imprison! He demands twenty years behind bars!”

“Advisor Yen! How can Justice be so arbitrary?!”

Hyūga Menji froze.

Lock up the entire Main Family?

That… was far less severe than what he’d expected.

He’d come rushing here, fearing the worst—Uchiha Iizumi had slaughtered them all. He’d imagined a sea of blood, the Hyūga name wiped out.

But this? This was punishment. Not annihilation.

“Arbitrary? What do you mean, arbitrary?” Tachibana Jiro scoffed. “When you chained the Branch Family with the Birdcage Seal, did you call that not arbitrary?”

Hyūga Menji’s eyes flickered—just slightly.

For Konoha, limiting the power of the Hyūga Main Family, easing the burden on the Branch Family, would be a net gain.

The Main Family was small—only about thirty members, most of them elderly. The Branch Family, however, made up the vast majority—half of them young, strong, and capable. Even the most brilliant student at the Ninja Academy, Hyūga Neji, was from the Branch Family.

Let’s be honest: the “pure Byakugan lineage” the Main Family claimed was just a lie—a pretext to bleed the Branch Family dry.

Hyūga Menji knew the truth. The original Birdcage Seal had only one purpose: self-destruction of the eyes. But over time, some Main Family members grew greedy, twisted the seal into a tool of slavery.

But whichever side I choose, I’ll anger the other. Hiruzen… you’ve given me a damned dilemma.

His mind raced.

Support the Main Family—gain their loyalty. The village rarely meddled in their affairs, but this incident might finally open the door.

Support the Branch Family—gain their trust, win over the majority of Hyūga, limit Main Family power, strengthen Konoha’s ranks, and let Iizumi absorb half the backlash. Plus, avoid a direct conflict with Iizumi.

And the last one… is the real key.

Hyūga Menji made his choice.

He met the hopeful gazes of Hiashi and Mei, masking the flicker in his eyes.

He cleared his throat, feigning deep hesitation—like he’d wrestled with the decision for ages.

“Hiashi… this matter… the village can’t intervene.”

Hiashi blinked. Mei’s eyes widened.

The other Main Family ninjas stared, stunned. They couldn’t believe it—the village itself wouldn’t stand with them?

“Advisor Yen!” Mei snapped, furious.

But before he could continue, Hyūga Menji cut in coldly: “You all know whether your Main Family has exploited the Branch Family. Whether you’ve used the Birdcage Seal to enslave them. Old man Hiruzen and I know better than anyone.”

Mei froze.

Hyūga Menji exhaled slowly, adjusting his glasses.

“Hiashi… don’t blame me for not standing with you. There’s a line between loyalty and justice.”

“If your actions were beyond reproach, the village would stand with you. But ask yourself—have the Hyūga Main Family ever truly not oppressed the Branch Family?”

“Your ancestors created the Birdcage Seal to protect their people. Not to add pain to the curse.”

He paused.

“Old records tell me the original intent was to shield those in danger—like birds in a cage, safe from outside threats.”

“But over time, it became… a cage that never opens. A prison that lasts forever, ruled by those who hold the key.”

“Hiashi… your clan… it’s time to change.”

Hiashi stood motionless. It took several seconds for the truth to sink in.

The Hokage… is turning against us?

He didn’t understand. Under his leadership, the Hyūga had been quiet. Compliant. They’d never defied Konoha’s orders.

So why had this happened?

He fell into silence. The isolation was crushing.

Now, he couldn’t even hope for support from the Branch Family.

Hyūga Menji exhaled, then asked, “Is this the Hokage’s will?”

Hyūga Menji replied, “It’s my decision.”

Though it was Hiruzen’s will, Menji wouldn’t drag the Hokage into the fire. Some things were better left unsaid.

Then, with finality: “I support Iizumi.”

“…I see.”

Hiashi closed his eyes. After a few seconds, he opened them and faced Uchiha Iizumi.

“As clan head, I once used the Birdcage Seal on my own brother. How many years… must I serve?”

For the first time, his voice was calm. Not angry. Not defiant. Just… resigned.

“Ten years,” Iizumi replied.

Hiashi’s composure cracked.

Then, slowly, he looked up again.

“If I take full blame for all the sins of the Main Family… would imprisoning me for a century spare the rest?”

A hush fell.

Some Main Family members’ eyes welled with tears.

“Hiashi-sama! We don’t need to—”

“Silence!” Hiashi’s hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves. His fingers trembled, but his voice stayed steady. “This is the best we can hope for. If I bear the burden alone… it’s the only peace we’ll ever get.”

He knew some would try to resist. But under Iizumi’s gaze, with the Hokage no longer on their side… resistance meant death.

Compromise… is the only way to survive.

“No,” Iizumi said flatly. “But those with lighter offenses can reduce their punishment. By serving the ninja world in good faith. Of the thirty Main Family members, only seven qualify.”

He added: “You, Hiashi, are not one of them.”

Hiashi’s fists tightened—then slowly relaxed.

“Fine. The Hyūga Main Family… accepts punishment.”

The words shattered the last spark of defiance in the Main Family.

The proud spine of the clan had been broken.

Even Hyūga Mei said nothing.

Because now, there was no hope.

No one stood with them.

The Main Family… had lost.

…

The era of the Hyūga Main Family ruling over the Branch Family ended in under half an hour. In fact, it ended the moment Uchiha Iizumi stepped into the compound.

Hatake Kakashi, watching from the sidelines, was shaken.

He realized he might have unintentionally made things worse.

He’d sent Ninja Dog Parker to summon the Hokage—hoping to prevent a conflict within the Hyūga.

But now? The conflict had escalated. And the Main Family had been crushed by an unstoppable tide.

“Hmph…” Kakashi frowned. “Not exactly a worsening… but at least no one else died. Who knew the Hokage was on Iizumi’s side? Maybe… the Hyūga should thank me.”

But of course, he kept that thought to himself.

Saying it aloud in front of the Hyūga would be like pouring salt on a wound.

…

Hyūga Neji stared at the broken figure of Hiashi.

Everything felt surreal—like a dream with no logic.

But the sharp pain from Tachibana Jiro’s jab reminded him: only reality hurts like this.

The cage that had bound the Branch Family… was gone.

Neji glanced at Iizumi.

The Uchiha’s face remained expressionless. No triumph. No relief. As if he’d just completed a small, unremarkable task.

“That,” Iizumi said, turning to Neji, “is the tide of Justice.”

Neji straightened, listening intently.

“When Justice is strong enough… sometimes, just a few words are enough to summon a storm that crushes evil.”

“But only if you’re truly committed. Only if your actions are for Justice—not using its name to justify your own cruelty.”

He looked down at Neji.

“If you’re interested in Justice… if you understand it… if you’re willing to carry its burden, to bear its weight…”

Neji’s swollen cheek lit up with shock—then joy.

“Then… join Naruto and Sasuke.”

With that, Iizumi turned away, his back now facing the fallen Main Family.

“To the Investigation Corps Building,” he said to Hiashi. “Bring the ones I named. You’re free to resist… if you dare.”

Hiashi knew resistance meant death. His own. The entire clan.

He’d do it. He’d kill us all.

“…Alright.”

…

Not long after, Hyūga Menji returned to the Hokage Tower, accompanied by five Anbu squads.

He recounted every detail—the arrests, the confrontation, the verdict.

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused mid-puff, his pipe frozen.

“All of the Main Family?” he asked, voice tight.

“No,” Menji said. “Iizumi spared the very young. Even Hiashi’s daughters.”

Hiruzen nodded. “That’s consistent with Iizumi’s nature. He distinguishes clearly between guilt and innocence. Those involved—he doesn’t spare. Those untouched? He doesn’t even look at them.”

Menji sighed. “It’s not a massacre… but the punishment still feels harsh. Some of the Main Family’s jōnin and chūnin—sentenced to 8 to 20 years. Losing them weakens Konoha.”

“We’ll have to hope the Branch Family produces more geniuses to fill the gap.”

Hiruzen exhaled smoke. “Iizumi can lock them up for twenty years. I can release them early. But the punishment must stand. Let them lose their arrogance, their pride.”

“Today, Iizumi did what I couldn’t in decades. For Konoha… this was a victory.”

His expression darkened.

The Fire Nation never managed this. But Absolute Justice did—brutally, without mercy.

What’s wrong with this world?

It wasn’t the first time Hiruzen had asked himself that.

…

Konoha Cemetery.

“Itachi…”

Fugaku stood before the simple tomb of Uchiha Itachi, the inscription reading “Uchiha Itachi – Here Lies a Hero.”

He took a deep breath. He still couldn’t accept that his eldest son was dead.

But he knew it was natural. Itachi had been his greatest hope—his pride.

In contrast, Uchiha Sasuke—now following Absolute Justice—was, in Fugaku’s eyes, a traitor, a son who had turned his back.

Especially after Iizumi killed Itachi… and Sasuke still followed.

Fugaku’s heart ached.

“Chief Fugaku!” A Uchiha Police Force ninja hurried up.

Even though Fugaku was still Clan Head, the Investigation Corps no longer called him that.

The ninja glanced at Itachi’s tomb with visible disdain, then looked away.

“Uchiha Iizumi has returned with over thirty prisoners,” he reported. “All from the Hyūga.”

Fugaku’s eyes flickered.

Then he forced himself to calm.

“Thirty? All from the Hyūga? Who?”

“Hyūga Hiashi—the clan head,” the ninja said.

Fugaku’s blood ran cold.

No… Iizumi isn’t stopping. After killing Itachi, he’s turned on the Hyūga… even captured their leader.

He placed a white flower on Itachi’s tomb.

Then turned without a word—and left.

The Uchiha ninja lingered, sneering at the tomb.

“Died so easily… lucky for that Byakugan dog.”

…

Back at the Investigation Corps, Fugaku found the building filled with Hyūga Main Family ninjas—more than the Uchiha had in the entire compound.

The Branch Family had almost no presence here. Most Investigation Corps members were on patrol.

And Fugaku noticed—none of the Hyūga had the Birdcage Seal on their foreheads.

They’re all Main Family.

Did Iizumi really bring in every single one?

And why were they cooperating? No resistance?

Fugaku felt dread.

This wasn’t just a clash between clans. It was a war against the balance of power.

It would poison relations between the Uchiha and Hyūga.

And worse—Hokage-sama would suspect the Uchiha again.

After all, many Uchiha already admired Absolute Justice. Iizumi’s actions now represented the clan in the Hokage’s eyes.

If they could take down the Hyūga Main Family today… what’s to stop them from taking down the Hokage tomorrow?

“Iizumi!” Fugaku stormed forward, blocking Iizumi’s path.

He glared, voice low and dangerous: “What in the world is going on? What have you done?”

…

Meanwhile, in the Hyūga Compound.

“It feels like a dream…” a Branch Family ninja whispered, staring at the few remaining Main Family members—mostly women and children.

“Have we… really stood up?”

A Branch elder, trembling with emotion, said: “Hoshigaki’s death wasn’t in vain. His death brought Iizumi. Iizumi’s arrival broke the Main Family.”

He turned to Neji. “Neji… your father, Hiashi, would be proud. You brought the Uchiha into this.”

Just then, another voice cut in: “Most of the Main Family will be imprisoned for over ten years. Who’ll take their places? Someone must carry the pure Byakugan lineage.”

Another: “And the clan head position is open. Why not my father? He’s respected, a Branch elder—doesn’t he qualify?”

The elder smiled gently at Neji.

“Neji… the Hyūga need a new bloodline to carry the torch. A family strong enough to replace the Main Family.”

“Once they’re released from prison, they’ll have no claim. Neji… you’re Hiashi’s son. You brought Iizumi into this. You have a voice.”

“Tonight, at the clan meeting… remember to vote for me.”

Neji stared, stunned.

The Main Family fell… but now they’re choosing a new one?

This… wasn’t what he’d expected.

He was lost.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end