Hyuga Hiashi frowned, his brows knitting tightly.
As he watched the main family elders all speaking at once, his gaze was full of impatience.
Yes. Unlike these corrupted members of the main house, Hiashi still had foresight.
First of all, he despised the way the clan treated the branch house — not even as people, but like livestock. We're all of the same clan. Why must it be like this?
Second, did they really think Uchiha Kai, the head of his clan, was some fool? That so many other clans had chosen to rally to him was no accident. And these idiots thought they could gain benefits from him with nothing more than a thin shred of battlefield camaraderie?
Utter nonsense.
Most importantly… Even if, by some miracle, their plan succeeded, what would become of the Hyuga's reputation afterward?
These main family elders rarely had to step outside. But he, as clan head, constantly mingled in the larger circle, meeting with other clans.
If word of this got out, how would he show his face?
But — there was nothing he could do.
He couldn't afford to provoke these elders too much. The clan's strict traditions held him down. If these fools united against him, they could indeed strip him of the title of clan head.
Ah…
With a helpless sigh, he finally spoke.
"No. Absolutely not!"
"Don't even think about it. I, Hyuga Hiashi, will not bring such shame upon myself."
"If you want to pursue this foolish idea, then go to Uchiha Kai yourselves."
"I will not be involved — don't even bother asking me again."
Hiashi didn't hesitate, didn't even pause to consider. His rejection was immediate and absolute.
What a joke!
He was supposed to step forward, disgrace himself, while they sat back and divided the spoils?
Dream on!
He might not have the will to completely stop the main house's vile practices, and for the sake of stability he often turned a blind eye.
But ask him to do their dirty work? Never.
Hyuga Yotai: "…"
The other elders: "…"
They were dumbfounded.
They had never expected Hiashi to reject them so bluntly, without even a moment of consideration.
Their anger quickly surged.
This… this is too much! Too shameless!
Yotai's eyes gleamed coldly as he spoke:
"Clan head, you're going too far. Everything we've proposed is for the good of the clan!"
"You are going too far!" another elder echoed.
"As the head of the clan, how can you ignore the clan's interests?"
"This is such a simple matter, one that could easily bring us benefits—"
"…"
One after another, they rebuked him.
As Hyuga main house elders, their authority was great. Even against Hiashi himself, they dared to push back.
But Hiashi's expression remained calm.
When he finally spoke, his tone was cold.
"Enough nonsense."
"I've already said my piece. Do as you will, but I will not disgrace myself."
"If you truly can't accept that, then remove me as clan head."
"And to tell you the truth— I've long since tired of this position anyway."
"I've stomached your despicable deeds for years, only tolerating them for the clan's sake. Don't push me too far."
"In fact, I'd be curious to see— without me, Hyuga Hiashi, just what you are capable of."
Yes.
He had long since grown weary of being clan head.
Every time he looked at these foolish elders, disgust churned inside him.
Fear? He felt none.
He knew them all too well. They might bluster now, but deep down they understood their own incompetence.
The only reason the Hyuga still functioned was because he led the branch house into battle, bearing the weight while these parasites feasted.
If he stepped down and they took over?
They'd collapse within days.
And indeed.
As soon as Hiashi said this, the entire hall fell silent.
The elders glared, seething with anger, but not one of them dared speak.
It was obvious.
Ever since the clan was provoked and seven or eight main house heirs were killed, Hiashi's attitude had hardened.
And there was nothing they could do.
For all their stupidity, they had just enough self-awareness to know: they were useless.
They could drink, carouse, and oppress the branch house, yes.
But beyond the clan compound, among Konoha's other clans and the higher-ups? No one respected them.
They could not bear the burden of leadership.
Replace the clan head? Easy enough.
But who would succeed him?
There was no one.
Because of the Caged Bird Curse Seal system, the main house had long been raised into helpless incompetence.
Hiashi was the only one who could stand tall.
That was the only reason he had been able to take the position of clan head in the first place.
…
Silence.
The great hall was deathly quiet.
After a long while, Hiashi spoke again, his voice cold.
"It seems you still have some sense."
"Then I'll say this once, and only once. For your sordid schemes within the clan, I will turn a blind eye — so long as you don't go too far."
"But there is one thing."
"Within the clan, you may swagger about. But beyond the clan walls, you will keep your hands off."
"The Hyuga already live in fear, treading on thin ice."
"The village elders and the Uchiha are locked in a struggle. If we make the slightest misstep, the Hyuga could easily become a target."
"Take your little plan, for example. If I had truly agreed and reached out to the Uchiha — do you fools have any idea what Sarutobi Hiruzen would think?"
"You say it's only a transaction. Do you think he'd believe that?"
"When that time comes, whether we like it or not, we will be forced to side with the Uchiha!"
"Because once the village elders see us mingling with them, they will never again trust the Hyuga."
"Are you prepared to acknowledge the Uchiha as Konoha's number one clan? To bend the knee to them?"
"You bunch of idiots. Hmph!"
Hiss—!
Hiashi's words struck them like lightning.
The main house elders froze, cold sweat dripping down their backs.
They had never considered this.
And in the corner, unnoticed, Hizashi's eyes grew complicated.
Countless times, he wanted to speak.
But after a long silence, he could only sigh.
In his heart, he whispered bitterly:
"Hiashi… big brother."
"Forgive me."
"But I have no choice."
"For Neji's sake, I can only walk this path…"
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