https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-469-The-Recent-Situation-in-the-Mist-Village-/12943118/
Chapter 468: The Hyuga's Sudden Change!
Chapter 468: The Hyuga's Sudden Change!
"If it weren't for the surveillance of the Shadow Division, wouldn't you have already met with the Uchiha in private, Clan Head Hizashi?"
Hyouga Shousai's words were irrefutable, as no one could prove otherwise.
It was akin to a baseless accusation.
However, after the rumors spread for a long time, not only outsiders but even the Main Clan members began to suspect Hyuga Hizashi.
After all, they all knew how close he was to Hyuga Dazai.
Even if it was for the sake of the other party and dissatisfaction with the village, having the intention to collude with the Uchiha was inexcusable.
This was a grave crime! Nowadays, who didn't know that the radical faction of the Uchiha was constantly stirring up trouble, demanding rebellion? If they truly colluded with them, the consequences were unimaginable.
Even if Hyuga Hizashi didn't have such intentions, the possibility was enough to warrant their vigilance.
After all, sometimes it's not about what you have or haven't done, but about the potential for you to do something.
The Third Hokage's recent attitude was worth pondering.
"I believe Hizashi is no longer fit to lead our clan!"
An elder of the Main Clan suddenly spoke up.
Indeed, this meeting was an opportunity for the elders of the Main Clan to challenge the leadership.
The current Hyuga Clan was becoming a little too dangerous.
They had always been loyal to the Hokage.
Whoever became the Hokage, they would support them. Now that the Hokage was dissatisfied with them, it was time to give an explanation to the village.
Even if the person in question was the clan leader.
Hyouga Hizashi, who was in a daze, finally realized the true purpose of today's meeting.
It wasn't to discuss how to respond to the recent rumors but to provide an explanation to the village.
If they gave the village an explanation, there would be no need to address the rumors.
"So, this is what you were thinking?"
Hyouga Hizashi's gaze slowly swept across the Main Clan members before him.
He had always respected the elders, but he never expected to be betrayed.
Although it was for the sake of the Hyuga Clan, he could understand but not forgive.
"Hizashi, our Hyuga Clan is also a prestigious family, but unlike the Uchiha, we are not ostracized. You know the reason for this!"
The great elder, Hyuga Toko, finally spoke.
And what he said was indeed true. The difference between the Hyuga and the Uchiha was that the Hyuga knew how to 'take a side'.
The Hokage's faction! That was their eternal allegiance.
A low-key and docile Hyuga Clan naturally didn't need the same level of suppression as the Uchiha.
If they also had the potential to rebel against the Hokage's faction, they would undoubtedly face severe suppression from the village's higher-ups.
"Yes, I understand. I wonder how the great elder will explain this to the village?"
Hyouga Hizashi's face turned solemn.
However, he didn't try to shirk or argue, as this was his responsibility as the clan leader.
Just as Hyuga Dazai had stepped forward before, for the sake of the family, even he, as the clan leader, couldn't be sacrificed.
"You will relinquish your position as clan leader, and your lineage will be reclassified as a Branch Clan!"
Hyouga Toko calmly announced the punishment.
It sounded reasonable enough.
After all, it was just giving up the clan leader position and being reclassified as a Branch Clan.
But in reality, this punishment was terrifying.
For the Hyuga Clan, being demoted from the Main Clan to a Branch Clan was more devastating than death.
After all, the Branch Clans were, in a less polite term, the 'slaves' of the Main Clan. Although they denied this, everyone knew the truth.
So, Hyuga Hizashi's feelings were understandable.
However, he was more concerned about something else.
His two daughters!
He dared not imagine how his naive and innocent eldest daughter would survive if she became a member of the Branch Clan.
The atmosphere became unbearably silent.
"Great Elder, Hizashi has an unfilial request!"
Hyouga Hizashi suddenly spoke up.
Hyouga Toko didn't respond but signaled with his eyes for him to speak.
"I hope Chida can be adopted into your lineage!"
Hyouga Hizashi made a sudden and unexpected request.
Indeed, this request was out of the blue.
The Hyuga Clan had only a few Main Clan lineages, and each lineage could only have one leader.
In other words, if Chida entered the great elder's lineage, she could maintain her Main Clan status.
And so, the rest of the Grand Elder's lineage would no longer have the chance to inherit the Main Clan.
"How dare you..."
An Elder of the Main Clan scolded indignantly.
But before he could finish his sentence, Hyuga Toko waved his hand to stop him.
He was well aware of the other party's temperament, so if they made such a request, they would certainly have a way to convince him.
"I think that merely giving up the position of Clan Head may not satisfy the village's upper echelons. But if it's the body of a Clan Head, it will definitely make the village's leaders understand our Hyuga Clan's 'loyalty'!"
Hyuga Dazuki spoke as if he were discussing someone else's affairs, with utmost calmness.
He had already made a similar decision before, but in the end, it was his younger brother, Dazai, who took his place.
After hearing his words, the Elders of the Main Clan fell silent.
They too were well aware that compared to giving up the position of Clan Head, the life of a Clan Head could better demonstrate the Hyuga Clan's 'docility and loyalty,' and it would also allow the village to discipline the other ninja clans.
No one was a fool; they naturally understood that the village's targeting of them was largely to 'kill the chicken to scare the monkey.'
After all, the Aburame Clan incident had caused too much damage.
It wasn't a situation like the Uchiha Chohan lineage, but rather, they had forcefully left the village.
So, using the Hyuga Clan to warn the other ninja clans was a good choice.
The implicit message was: even such an influential family can be controlled, if you other clans, who are far inferior to the Hyuga, don't behave, your fate will be even worse!
Although they didn't explicitly say it, the other ninja clans would surely understand this silent warning.
"Alright, from today onwards, Hinata will be the heir to our lineage!"
Hyuga Toko nodded.
"Grand Elder!"
Hyuga Shousai wanted to stop him, but he was held back by Hyuga Deian's piercing gaze, forcing him to swallow the rest of his words.
"I entrust Hinata to you from now on!"
Hyuga Dazuki performed a deep bow to Hyuga Toko, and the latter calmly accepted, indicating his commitment to keeping his promise.
After the bow, Hyuga Dazuki did not hesitate to draw a kunai and fiercely stabbed it into his heart.
Thump!
The immense force pierced his heart, and blood soaked his clothes, then he collapsed, becoming a corpse.
The Elders of the Main Clan watched this scene, their expressions varying.
"Sigh... Send someone to inform Hokage-sama, Dazai encountered an incident during his training today!"
Hyuga Deian sighed softly and then gave the order.
Once this news reached Sarutobi Hiruzen's ears, he would surely understand the Hyuga Clan's choice.
However, no one noticed the tear on the floor in the corner of the meeting hall.
In a small flowerbed.
"You'd better forget what you just saw!"
Neji, only a year older than Hinata but already remarkably mature, coldly scolded Hinata, who was silently weeping while holding her younger sister, Hanabi, in her arms.
Since his father's death, Neji had matured at an astonishing rate, which was why he was able to stop Hinata from rushing in.
He knew that even if she rushed in, she couldn't prevent what was about to happen, and it would only cost her dearly.
"Brother Neji!"
Hinata looked at Neji, who was only a year older but seemed incredibly mature, with teary eyes.
"Hinata, you'd better forget what happened today... if you don't want to die along with Hanabi!"
Neji had tasted the darkness of the Branch Clan, and he didn't want Hinata to experience the same, so he repeatedly cautioned her.
Initially, he had hated Hinata because her father had died for her sake.
But when he learned that her father had been willing to collaborate with the Uchiha for her sake, he felt incredibly grateful.
Now, both sides were in the same boat, which was why he cared so much.
"I... I understand, Brother Neji!"
Hinata nodded, knowing that what he said was right.
Even for her sister's sake, she had to become stronger.
Looking at Hanabi in her arms, Hinata's usually gentle expression changed for the first time.
(End of Chapter)
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