Chapter 63

"The matter of Hinata Ayame is finally resolved."

"Nothing to worry about, a light heart!"

"This feeling is truly comfortable; from now on, I can finally lie flat and be a salted fish."

"This must be celebrated."

"I'll reward myself with a good night's sleep tonight."

Uchiha Jin wore a faint smile on his face.

He was in excellent spirits, even whistling unconsciously while washing up.

Afterwards.

Thanks to the system, he naturally needed no cultivation, so he simply lay down on the bed.

Soft, relaxing, comfortable!

But what Uchiha Jin did not know was that while he sank into a sweet slumber, the Hyuga clan was in an uproar.

Yes.

Although no one had spotted Uchiha Jin, the sheer number of deaths in the clan compound meant the thick scent of blood was obvious to any normal person.

The Hyuga ninja on patrol discovered the incident and immediately reported it.

Hyuga Hizashi, who had been preparing to sleep, rushed to the scene, mobilized the entire Hyuga clan, and began a search throughout the Hidden Leaf Village.

The matter even drew the attention of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Hyuga Clan grounds.

Every place was brightly lit; the Hyuga clan members looked terrified, running back and forth in groups.

They were drenched in cold sweat.

Some even ran with pale faces, their whole bodies trembling violently.

A major disaster has occurred!

The Hyuga Clan already guarded the Byakugan tightly; otherwise, they would never have developed the Caged Bird Seal.

But what about tonight?

Nine pairs of Byakugan were stolen, and nine main family members of the Hyuga Clan were killed.

One can imagine that blood and storms will surely rage within the clan from now on.

The elders of the main family will never easily let this go.

Therefore.

They, the branch family members of the Hyuga Clan, must be even more cautious.

Otherwise, a single slip could lead to them being executed by those angry main family elders.

There is no choice.

The Hyuga Clan is just like this.

If a branch family member dies, the main family wouldn't even blink.

After all, to the main family, these branch family members are merely expendable resources.

If they die, they die!

Though the words are harsh, this is the truth.

But the main family is different!

Although most of the main family members are useless, it is precisely because of their good birth that even the death of one is a cataclysmic event.

They were angry, yet could only endure in silence.

Let alone refute, they didn't even dare to show their resentment.

Because of the Caged Bird Seal!

With a single thought from the main family, they could make Itachi die.

In the front courtyard of the Clan Head's residence.

The nine corpses of the Hyuga main family members lay arranged on the ground.

"Clan Head, this matter must be investigated thoroughly."

"Nine pairs of Byakugan were stolen; this is a huge loss the Hyuga Clan has never suffered before."

"I suggest that no matter who is responsible, no matter the cost, we must find and severely punish that villain."

"The Hyuga Clan cannot be provoked!"

"If we cannot find the murderer, the Hyuga Clan will become the laughingstock of the entire ninja world."

"By then, who will still take us seriously? By then, I suppose anyone will dare to cause trouble in the Hyuga Clan grounds."

"If it really comes to that, the Hyuga main family will become prey; this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"I suggest that all the Hyuga branch family members on duty tonight be executed immediately!"

"I agree!"

"They can't even patrol properly; these wastes should all die!"

"..."

Many elders spoke up one after another.

Their faces were pale, their bodies drenched in cold sweat, and they trembled slightly.

It was clear they were truly frightened.

If that murderer tonight had gone to their homes.

Then they would now be the corpses lying before them.

How could they not fear such terror?

Itachi must know.

They, these Hyuga main family members, were only born well; in essence, their strength was pathetic.

The only reason they could live peacefully until now was because those Hyuga branch family members fought desperately for them!

But what about now?

Tonight's incident made them realize that the protection provided by those Hyuga branch family members actually had huge loopholes.

They, these Hyuga main family members, still faced the possibility of death.

This made them panic.

But then what?

Since they had no means to protect themselves, they could only pressure Hiashi Hyuga.

"Itachi are truly making a scene!" Hiashi Hyuga, upon hearing this, immediately shouted in anger: "How many clan members does the Hyuga Clan have in total?"

"Those participating in the patrol are elites; especially the core area of the main family, which is the Hyuga Clan's only remaining foundation."

"If they are all truly executed, who will protect the Hyuga Clan?"

"Rely on Itachi bunch of wastes?"

Hiashi Hyuga was truly furious.

Since the Hyuga Clan was established, such a level of loss had never occurred.

Was he not angry?

No!

He is angrier than anyone!

But, the question is.

Can anger solve the problem?

He already had a terrible headache, constantly thinking about how to resolve this matter.

And now?

Not only can he not help himself, but he is like an annoying fly, buzzing incessantly around him.

In the past, Hiashi Hyuga would have endured it.

Even though he resented the Caged Bird Seal, for the sake of the Hyuga Clan's continuation, he could only tolerate these useless elders as much as possible.

But, now?

The anger he had constantly suppressed in his heart; tonight's event was like a spark, completely igniting the fury in his chest.

"Hizashi, how can Itachi say such a thing?"

"Without us elders, could the Hyuga clan have prospered so?"

"I know Itachi hate us because of your brother, Hizashi's, matter, but we elders did this for the sake of the clan!"

"The clan rules are set; there is no other way!"

"..."

The elders of the Hyuga clan began to question him one after another.

Indeed.

They had long figured out Hizashi Hyuga's temper.

Although his strength was considerable, making him the clan's top expert, and he appeared quite imposing, in reality, he was just so-so.

He was not a stern person!

If he were truly stern, his brother Hizashi Hyuga would not have had the Caged Bird Seal branded on his forehead.

Facing Hizashi Hyuga's outburst, they did not take it seriously.

Instead, they began to directly refute him, trying to force Hizashi Hyuga to apologize to them.

Clearly.

They had counted on Hizashi Hyuga's weakness.

But, unfortunately.

They were wrong, terribly wrong.

Hizashi Hyuga was not weak; the matter with Hizashi was done solely for the clan.

Facing the elders' accusations before him, Hizashi Hyuga cut them off before they could finish.

"Everyone, shut up!"

"I give Itachi two choices now: either convene a clan meeting to remove me as clan head, or stay quiet and behave yourselves."

"I warn Itachi, do not push me!"

"I am not from the Hyuga Branch Family; if Itachi refuse to accept kindness, do not blame me for being ruthless."

"I, Hizashi Hyuga, am willing to kill!"

Hizashi Hyuga's tone was cold and sinister.

His eyes held a chilling intent to kill.

Indeed.

At this moment, he was truly angry.

He could not understand.

How could these people say such a thing as to execute all the patrol members?

These Hyuga Branch Family members were the Hyuga elite!

If they really killed them all, could the Hyuga clan still compete with the Uchiha?

They would probably not even compare to the Hatake!

After all, the Hatake, though a small clan, and with Hatake Sakumo dead, had a key advantage: their son, Hatake Kakashi, was a disciple of Minato Namikaze, a solid member of the Hokage faction.

He felt somewhat bewildered.

He felt that the rule separating the Main House and the Branch House had already rotted away.

Otherwise, how could the elders selected under this system be so utterly useless?

Weak in strength was one thing, but to commit an act of cutting off one's own arm was another.

Simply, useless!

For a moment, the courtyard fell silent.

These elders of the Hyuga Main House all saw the killing intent in Hizashi Hyuga's eyes.

They were afraid.

Hizashi Hyuga was from the Main House; the Caged Bird Seal could not control him.

Moreover, his strength was sufficient; if he truly attacked and killed them, no one could stop him.

"Hmph, useless!"

Seeing these elders silent with fear, Hizashi Hyuga spoke coldly: "Since Itachi have made your choice, then stay quiet and behave yourselves, and do not disturb me while I think!"

The many elders: "..."

They were extremely displeased.

But facing the domineering Hizashi Hyuga, it seemed that apart from shutting up, they truly could do nothing.

Sigh!

With a helpless sigh, they could only shut their mouths resentfully.

About five minutes later.

Hizashi Hyuga, who bore the Caged Bird Seal, walked in.

"Clan Head, the Hokage has arrived!"