The Hyuga Clan is in turmoil.
The last time the clan faced a major event was during the defection of the traitor Hyuga Ayane, which plunged the entire clan into a state of emergency.
But this time is different; this time, it's purely external pressure causing internal unrest.
Ever since the Third Hokage returned to power, the conservatives in Konoha have dominated the village's direction again, while the radicals have been suppressed and silenced by the conservatives.
Although it's not explicitly stated, many people indeed think that the Hyuga Clan should sacrifice their clan leader to avoid another war with the Hidden Cloud.
War brings death, and this turbulence was stirred up purely by the Hyuga themselves; no one wants to take responsibility willingly.
If, on the day the leader of the Hidden Cloud mission abducted the Hyuga clan leader's daughter, they hadn't killed him and instead captured him alive, then the situation would undoubtedly have improved significantly.
Now that the leader of the Hidden Cloud mission was accidentally killed by the Hyuga Clan, it has given the Hidden Cloud Village a righteous excuse to seek war.
However, the top brass in Konoha have not taken the opinions of some in the village to heart.
No matter what, even if it's resolved peacefully, Hyuga Hiashi will not be sacrificed to avoid war.
As the clan leader of the Hyuga, he represents not only the face of the Hyuga and Konoha but also possesses an exceptionally pure Byakugan Kekkeigenkai.
If this Kekkeigenkai were to fall into the hands of the Hidden Cloud, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The Hyuga Clan is equally aware of this.
But the persistent pressure from the Hidden Cloud has indeed put them in a difficult position.
Konoha can no longer afford another large-scale war.
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The Gentle Fist of the boy in the courtyard has already begun to take shape.
He continuously strikes the wooden stake with Gentle Fist, appearing soft, but in reality, the force targets the inside of the stake.
If this continues, the stake will explode and shatter from within.
Hizashi can foresee such a scene.
Just as the boy was about to make his next Gentle Fist attack, he called out to him:
"Neji."
The boy stopped his training, turned around curiously, and saw his father, Hizashi, calling out to him from the corridor.
"Father."
Neji ran over.
"Your Gentle Fist is already well-practiced; soon you'll be capable of more advanced techniques."
Hizashi gently patted his son Neji's head, smiling.
"I see… but I feel like I'm still not strong enough."
Neji seemed to recall something, his fist slightly clenched, revealing a hint of discontent.
Seeing Neji like this, Hizashi couldn't help but fall into silent contemplation, sighing regretfully.
He is naturally aware of Neji's internal struggles.
Because he let him witness the ugliness of the Hyuga Clan firsthand.
A while ago, he was invited by his elder brother Hyuga Hiashi to take Neji to the Main Family's territory to watch Hiashi's Gentle Fist training with his daughter, Hyuga Hinata. Unable to suppress his intent to harm Hinata, he was subdued by his brother Hiashi using the Caged Bird Seal, rolling on the ground in pain.
Neji witnessed this disgraceful scene himself.
But in that situation, he couldn't control his murderous intent.
Thinking about his son Neji, who would be marked with the Caged Bird Seal, losing his freedom, while Hiashi's daughter doesn't need to be controlled by the seal but can control the fate of the Branch Family in the future... Such resentment and unwillingness, how could it be suppressed?
Clearly, my son has more talent...
Clearly, as the daughter of the Main Family's leader, she has no talent for combat...
Yet the capable Neji will become part of the Branch Family, and the incompetent Main Family daughter will continue to enjoy the privileges of the Main Family.
Such injustice in the family.
Neji's mind hasn't fully developed yet and is naturally unaware of the true terror of the Caged Bird Seal.
Once he fully matures, he'll likely harbor the same hatred toward the family and fate as I do.
Despising the family while burdened with the responsibility of the Main Family's life.
Whenever he thinks of such things, Hizashi can't help but sigh sadly.
"You've done very well, but don't show this expression to the Main Family members."
Hizashi cannot give Neji a pure, clean childhood.
Nor does he have the ability to provide one.
Every member of the Branch Family must be marked with the Caged Bird Seal at a young age... Living such a life, what talk is there of a pure childhood?
Hizashi recalls his own childhood; it was mostly spent in hatred and hostility toward the Main Family.
"I understand, Father."
Neji didn't understand why Hizashi would say such things, but recalling his father's consequence of rebellion, he vaguely grasped some.
The status between the Main and Branch Families is insurmountable.
"As long as you know. With your talent, you'll definitely become an excellent ninja in the future."
Neji's talent far surpasses my own.
Unfortunately, as a Branch Family ninja, he is not qualified to learn advanced Gentle Fist techniques like Revolving Heaven.
Only Main Family ninjas are eligible to learn those techniques.
Although Hizashi knows this move, his learning was not comprehensive and he was forbidden from personally passing it on to his descendants. Only with approval from the Main Family can it be imparted to others.
"Speaking of which, there seem to be many issues in the family recently. I heard that the Hidden Cloud is pressuring us…"
At this moment, Neji remembered something and said.
This matter is hard not to pay attention to; many of the clan's elders have gathered together, engaging in intense discussions about this issue.