(Bonus Chapter)
This time, the Great Elder's actions had utterly humiliated Hyuga Hiashi in front of his peers.
Everyone present that night was a clan head, and all of them had already made their stance clear—they intended to support Uchiha Ran's coup.
Yet an incident of high-level eavesdropping had occurred right under his nose.
What did that mean?
If you couldn't even control your own clan, what right did you have to act as host? What face did you have to gather everyone together for a banquet?
And so, that very night, a major upheaval swept through the Hyuga Clan.
Countless members of the Great Elder's faction within the main family were forcibly branded with the Caged Bird Seal, demoted on the spot to branch family members.
The reasons given were absurdly varied:
Entering a room with the left foot first.
Snoring too loudly while sleeping.
Failing to complete missions for a month.
Not meeting assessment standards.
No one really understood what was going on—but everyone still gave the clan head a thumbs-up.
The Great Elder's lineage had long oppressed the branch family, abused clansmen, seized resources, and committed countless evils. Unfortunately, there had never been solid evidence to deal with him directly.
Worse still, he represented the upper echelon of the Hyuga, which left Hiashi deeply troubled. That ancient parasite had been festering in the clan for far too long.
Back then, it was that very old man who had personally led Hiruzen Sarutobi into the clan head's reception room—and arranged for Hyuga Hizashi to accompany them.
During the meeting, he had openly and covertly emphasized that Hizashi and Hiashi were twins born of the same mother, identical in appearance.
That single hint planted the seed.
In the end, Hiruzen developed ulterior motives—sacrificing Hizashi in exchange for "peace," ensuring that the Byakugan would never be leaked.
Hiashi never forgot it.
Never forgot the obsequious, sycophantic smile on that old man's face.
"Close the gates. Cripple their limbs. Leave none of them," Hiashi ordered coldly.
He even acted personally, striking down Hyuga Rin with a single Gentle Fist blow and severing his meridians.
After everything was done, Hiashi went to the lounge to apologize to Ran.
"Ran, I—"
Ran raised a hand to stop him. "That's enough, Senior Hiashi. Which family doesn't have a few traitors?"
"Just a few days ago, someone named Uchiha Katsumi colluded with Root and tried to expose our clan's coup."
"I was furious too—and I killed him."
"Besides, this might not be a bad thing. After this purge, you'll be able to fully control the Hyuga Clan, won't you?"
Ran's calm words lifted a great weight from Hiashi's heart. At the same time, his loyalty toward Ran deepened even further.
"However," Ran continued, "Senior Hiashi, now that your clan's internal problems are settled, there's something I must remind you of."
"That child—Neji. His father was your brother. You share the same blood."
"It's time to remove his Caged Bird Seal. He's a genius. He shouldn't be locked inside a cage."
"Of course, the decision is yours. I'm only making a suggestion."
Ran finished speaking and looked at Hiashi with a warm smile.
Hiashi fell into deep thought.
About ten minutes later, he took a long breath.
"I understand, Ran. I'll remove it—right now."
He ordered someone to bring Hyuga Neji to the lounge.
---
Neji had just finished reflecting on his recent insights and was about to sleep when someone knocked on his door.
"Who is it? Who knocks this late at night?" he muttered as he got up and opened it.
It was Hinata.
His expression softened for a brief moment—then hardened again.
"Heh. Out so late, Miss Hinata. What do you want?" Neji said coldly.
This time, Hinata didn't shrink back. She lifted her head and met his gaze.
"Brother Neji, Father wants to see you. It's a good thing."
"Uncle?" Neji frowned slightly, then nodded. "Alright. Lead the way."
As he adjusted his clothes and followed her, Neji suddenly realized something.
Hinata had changed.
She was more confident. More courageous.
That realization brought a rare sense of relief to his heart.
As the future heir of the Hyuga Clan, she shouldn't be timid or self-deprecating.
His goal had been achieved.
Maybe… I can be a little gentler with her from now on, he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Unknowingly, the two arrived at the lounge where Ran and the others were staying.
Hinata knocked on the door.
Hiashi opened it soon after, smiling gently when he saw her. "Where's your brother Neji?"
"Clan Head!"
Neji stepped forward respectfully.
Although he belonged to the branch family, Hiashi was his uncle. Because of that, Neji enjoyed main family resources, and his uncle had always been lenient when assigning missions.
He knew this well—and thus showed proper respect.
"Neji, no need for formalities. Come in. Hinata, close the door," Hiashi said warmly.
Hinata nodded and shut the door. The moment she turned around, she saw Ran waving at her from the bed.
Her eyes lit up.
She scampered over.
"Want a hug!" She stretched out her arms expectantly.
Ran laughed, picked her up, and settled her in his arms before turning his gaze toward Neji.
Neji froze as if struck by lightning.
"You little thief! Let go of my sister!" he roared.
At this moment, he completely forgot why he had been summoned. Seeing Hinata in Ran's arms sent his anger straight through the roof.
Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui burst out laughing.
They had been discussing something when Neji—his Byakugan unconsciously activated—caught the scene.
"Two seniors!" Neji shouted. "What are you laughing at?!"
"My wife's about to give birth."
"Mine too."
Both lines were learned directly from Ran. They had been thoroughly corrupted.
Neji's face turned bright red. "Is that funny?!"
His blood surged, his fair complexion flushing crimson.
"Oh? You're overheating. We usually don't laugh."
"Unless we really can't help it."
Neji felt dizzy.
Between Itachi and Shisui's teasing—and Ran's hands on his sister—his heart felt like it was being clawed apart.
At last, he turned toward Hiashi. "Uncle, you—"
"Neji," Hiashi interrupted calmly, "tonight, I will remove your Caged Bird Seal."
Neji's pupils contracted violently.
"W-What? Uncle, you…?!"
He stared at his uncle in disbelief. He never imagined this would happen.
"That's enough. If you want to thank someone, thank your Brother Ran," Hiashi said with a smile.
"It was his people who killed the Hyuga Great Elder. Only then was I able to completely take control of the clan."
Neji looked at Ran, utterly stunned.
Ran ignored him entirely, instead gently patting Hinata's cheek.
"How can you be this cute?!"
Hinata instantly turned into a steam engine. She didn't respond, but her ears were red like ripe apples.
Hiashi gave Neji no time to react.
He placed his right hand on his chest, began circulating Chakra, and started chanting.
About a minute later—
The green markings of the Caged Bird Seal on Neji's forehead twisted violently.
Then—
They shattered.
Neji felt his mind clear, his spirit soar—
And his Chakra erupted in a powerful surge.
(A/N)
Guys Bonus Chapter uploaded as promised.
Another one coming when we reach 150 power stones (Currently 116).
But there is an exception if we can be in the top 80 of the ranking by tomorrow I will upload another bonus chapter.