Below the high platform, when the tens of thousands of Hyuga clan members heard Arisu praise them three times with "good," the joy in their hearts surged like spring water under the warm spring sun.
Everyone in the clan showed pride. Their backs straightened unconsciously, and their eyes were filled with undisguised pride and relief.
Especially those senior Hyuga elders. At this moment, the wrinkles on their faces spread out as they smiled.
It was thanks to them holding firm to their faith in the Sage of Six Paths for hundreds of years, stubbornly keeping to ancestral rules and never touching the tailed beasts, that the Hyuga clan was able to remain untouched in this overwhelming demon-cleansing.
And now, to receive such direct praise from the Sage of Six Paths, this was an honor the Hyuga clan had never had before.
Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of being acknowledged by the Sage of Six Paths, Arisu's words suddenly changed tone.
"However, your clan also has its faults."
These seven short words were like thunder striking out of nowhere, instantly freezing the previously relaxed atmosphere.
All the Hyuga clan members below felt their hearts tighten. They unconsciously held their breath, not daring to even breathe loudly, afraid that the "fault" Arisu spoke of was a harsh judgment against the Hyuga clan. The joy that had just risen was instantly replaced by unease.
Arisu lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on the main family members bowing before him, his voice calm, "Your so-called 'Caged Bird' system is, in essence, treating your own clan members as private property and enslaving them. It is a thoroughly bad custom and should be abolished."
These words were like a thunderclap exploding in the hearts of the branch family members.
Countless branch members suddenly raised their heads, their eyes filled with disbelief. Then, joy and excitement instantly flooded their eyes, and their bodies trembled slightly from overwhelming emotion.
For generations, they had been bound by the Caged Bird system. Their bloodline and freedom were tightly controlled by the main family.
They didn't even have the right to raise their heads and look at the sky. They had long accepted this injustice as fate.
They just didn't dare to say it.
But who would have thought that the Sage of Six Paths would directly expose the true nature of this system and even call it a bad custom.
Could it be… could it be that the Sage would personally break these chains for them?
Arisu took in everyone's reactions.
Arisu wanted to abolish the Caged Bird purely to remove this bad custom. In Arisu's new era, there would be no slaves.
Perhaps some of the main family elders would stubbornly resist based on their seniority. After all, this system had existed for hundreds of years and was deeply rooted.
But the result completely exceeded his expectations...
As soon as his words fell, several senior members of the Hyuga main family stepped forward first, bowing deeply toward Arisu in the sky.
Without the slightest hesitation, they said in unison, "We will follow the Sage of Six Paths' words without exception!"
"Whatever the Sage defines as a bad custom, we will abolish! We obey the Sage's decree!"
"We fully support the Sage's will. The Caged Bird system will be abolished immediately!"
The senior members of the main family shouted in unison, their voices loud and firm, completely dispelling all doubts.
Seeing this, the Hyuga clan head immediately stepped forward and kowtowed solemnly to Arisu, "We follow the Sage's will! The Hyuga clan will immediately abolish the Caged Bird custom!"
In just a short moment, the Caged Bird system, once regarded by the Hyuga clan as an unshakable rule, completely collapsed with a single sentence from Arisu.
The branch family members below were completely stunned, their faces full of shock and confusion.
These stubborn old figures of the main family, who had always refused to budge and treated rules as their lifeblood, had suddenly become so reasonable?
Did they change people or what?
It seemed that the only ones who could deal with the elders were even more senior figures.
Arisu nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Since they were all so sensible, it saved him trouble.
Then Arisu made another request.
"The Hyuga clan now has a flourishing population. I intend to relocate half of your members.", Arisu spoke slowly.
As soon as these words came out, the Hyuga clan head's heart tightened. He quickly stepped forward respectfully and bowed as he asked, "May I ask, Sage, how many clan members you intend to relocate?"
Though fearful, he couldn't help but worry.
"If half the population is relocated, wouldn't the remaining half lose the ability to defend against enemies?"
"No."
Arisu shook his head gently, his gaze sweeping over the Hyuga members below, his tone firm, "From now on, you will no longer need to fight."
"This is my gift to you, a reward for your ability to uphold your faith!"
As his voice fell, Arisu raised his hand and waved it. Immortal power surged from his fingertips, forming brush, ink, and paper out of thin air.
The paper floated in midair. The immortal ink flowed down, and as the brush moved, four bold and powerful characters slowly appeared...
Hyuga Exempt from War.
The ink of those four words was as clear as glass, surrounded by immortal power, as if it carried the will of the ninja world itself.
Arisu raised his hand and handed the paper to the Hyuga clan head, saying in a deep voice, "With these four words, no one will dare to offend the Hyuga. But your clan must also never take the initiative to start conflicts or disturb other ninja clans."
Seeing this, the eyes of the Hyuga elders instantly lit up, their faces filled with excitement and joy.
This was no ordinary writing.
This was clearly a divine decree personally granted by the Sage of Six Paths, more effective than any life-saving contract.
With this "Hyuga Exempt from War" decree, the Hyuga clan could live in peace from now on, never again entangled in the conflicts of the ninja world. This was an enormous blessing.
"Yes!"
The Hyuga clan head took the paper with trembling hands. As his fingers touched the cool immortal ink, the unease in his heart completely vanished, leaving only endless reverence.
The Hyuga clan head carefully raised his head and bowed toward Arisu, asking cautiously, his tone full of careful respect, "May I ask, Sage, where you intend to take the relocated Hyuga members?"
"I know the Sage is benevolent and would never harm my clan's people, but as clan head, I must know their destination to feel at ease."
Arisu smiled faintly. This was more like it. It seemed this Hyuga clan head was quite responsible.
"It is only human nature. I will find them a stable place. Their future lives will certainly be better than they are now. Whether they go or not will be entirely voluntary. I will not force anyone."
These words completely warmed the Hyuga clan head's heart.
He understood clearly that with the Sage of Six Paths' supreme power, if he wanted to forcibly relocate them, it would take no effort at all. There would be no need to discuss it or respect their wishes.
But the Sage chose to respect their choice.
This showed that the Sage of Six Paths was not only immensely powerful, but also of the highest character.
For the ninja world to have such a Sage was truly a blessing among blessings.
The Hyuga clan head immediately kowtowed heavily, his forehead touching the ground, his voice firm, "Understood! My Hyuga clan is willing to follow the Sage's arrangements wholeheartedly!"
Seeing that no one objected, Arisu raised his gaze toward all the Hyuga clan members below and said loudly, "Those willing to follow me to the new land, stand up."
The moment his words fell, countless branch family members immediately stood up.
Their faces were filled with a desire for freedom and gratitude toward Arisu. Without hesitation, they brought their families and stood out from the crowd.
But in the next moment, something made Arisu's heart tighten...
Not only the branch members, but even the main family members also slowly stood up.
From the clan head to ordinary main family members, from elders to young children, thousands of Hyuga clan members, without exception, all stood up.
Arisu raised his brows slightly, a trace of surprise and helplessness flashing in his eyes.
He had only intended to relocate half the population, leaving enough foundation behind for the Hyuga clan. But now that everyone had stood up, it was clear that all of them wanted to follow him.
It seemed that the Hyuga clan's faith in him had already sunk deep into their bones. Even the main family members were willing to abandon the land they had lived on for generations.