[One-Person Question Mirror Card!]
[The Host may play the role of an omniscient being and answer another person's doubts. After completing the answer, the Host may copy ninjutsu of corresponding value from that person. The target will be randomly selected by the Question Mirror Card.]
"So that means if I use the Question Mirror Card, it will randomly choose a target."
"This target has doubts in their heart and wants answers. What I need to do is answer those doubts."
"And then I can obtain ninjutsu from that person?"
In truth, Rasa did not care much about ninjutsu.
But he was somewhat interested in the process of answering someone's doubts.
"If I answer, will the other party believe me?"
"What if I talk complete nonsense?"
With a thought, Rasa activated it.
"Use it!"
The next instant—
A stream of light flew out from the Question Mirror Card. At the same time, Rasa felt a force envelop him. Immediately afterward, his consciousness entered a pitch-black space.
Mist surrounded him on all sides.
Gradually, the mist spread outward.
Rasa saw it.
A figure was prostrating on the ground.
He himself sat upon a high platform.
The person below lifted his head.
A familiar face entered Rasa's vision, causing a strange expression to appear on his face.
"Hiashi Hyuga?"
Rasa truly had not expected the Question Mirror Card's random selection to land on Hiashi Hyuga.
This was a completely unexpected delight.
Not merely because Hiashi Hyuga was the clan head of the Hyuga clan and held considerable status in Konoha, but more importantly because Hiashi Hyuga was intimately connected to Rasa's current rumor.
However, Hiashi could not see Rasa's face clearly.
All he could see was a figure seated in a lofty position, dignified and solemn, surrounded by drifting mist.
"Where is this?"
Confusion appeared in Hiashi Hyuga's eyes.
Immediately afterward, a surge of information violently poured into his mind.
"Omniscience?"
"No matter what it is, I can ask directly."
"And once I ask, I will definitely receive the correct answer?"
Hiashi Hyuga was doubtful, but his eyes could not help brightening slightly.
During this period, Hiashi Hyuga had suffered far too much.
Hyuga Hizashi's death.
Hyuga Yamatsubaki's death.
The relationship between the branch family and the main family worsening by the day.
The pressure from the village's higher-ups growing heavier and heavier.
Hiashi Hyuga wanted change, but he did not know how to change.
The Hyuga clan's situation was terrible.
Hiashi had far too many doubts and questions.
"I wish to ask—should my Hyuga clan continue enduring the village's exploitation, or should we change?"
Rasa smiled faintly.
For the Hyuga clan, Rasa did not know.
After all, different people had different thoughts. Some people liked stability, even if it meant living like servants. Some people yearned for freedom, preferring death over captivity. There was no absolute correct answer.
But for Rasa, of course it would be best if the Hyuga clan defected.
Once the Hyuga clan defected, the rumors concerning Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Hyuga clan could be detonated all over again.
Without doing anything else, the eighth rumor would be able to reach its full point value.
"If your heart wishes to be a servant, continue enduring. If you wish to live as human beings, then you should change."
Hiashi Hyuga asked again.
"But after the Hyuga clan leaves Konoha, where should we go? The Byakugan is too precious. No matter where we go, others will inevitably covet it. The outside world is filled with danger."
"Also, the main family and branch family are not of one mind. It is difficult to concentrate our strength."
Rasa answered.
"If everyone is a Caged Bird, then there is no distinction between main family and branch family. Naturally, your strength can be united."
"The Land of Water is the best destination."
Hiashi Hyuga froze slightly.
"Everyone is a Caged Bird?"
The meaning of that sentence was simple.
The original purpose of the Caged Bird Seal was not to divide the main family and branch family, but to protect against the loss of the Byakugan.
With the Caged Bird Seal, it was basically impossible for enemies to forcibly obtain the Byakugan.
That was why Hyuga branch family shinobi were somewhat safer when moving outside.
Those people would not pay a high price to attack members of the Hyuga branch family for Byakugan they could never obtain.
"If everyone in the Hyuga clan is branded with the Caged Bird Seal, then it does seem like the number of people interested in attacking the Hyuga clan would decrease greatly. They cannot obtain the Byakugan, and they would still have to face the Hyuga clan's retaliation."
"By comparison, attacking the Uchiha would be more worthwhile."
"Since the Uchiha can withstand that pressure outside, then by all logic, the Hyuga clan should be able to as well."
"Furthermore, if everyone is a Caged Bird, then there will be no distinction between main family and branch family. The Hyuga clan will be able to unite as one."
The more Hiashi Hyuga thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
"That's right. As long as every Hyuga clan member is branded with the Caged Bird Seal, many problems can be solved."
"Why deliberately divide out a main family?"
"What meaning does the main family's existence have?"
"Because the Caged Bird creates a blind spot from one angle, making it impossible to see?"
"But even without that blind spot, so what?"
"Members of the main family have to be cautious even when going outside. Where would they even fight?"
"So what if their individual strength is higher?"
"They have no chance to display it at all. They will only become prey for others."
"They even hide many of the clan's ninjutsu and taijutsu, refusing to let branch family members use them. They have not strengthened the Hyuga clan at all. They have even weakened it."
"They created conflict inside the clan, causing the Hyuga clan to grow weaker and weaker."
"The only ones who benefited were those few main family members."
With a loud rumble—
The entire space collapsed.
Hiashi Hyuga suddenly woke with a start.
"What happened to me just now?"
Confusion appeared in Hiashi Hyuga's eyes.
"I can't remember. I can't remember any of it… but I feel as though I have figured out how to solve the Hyuga clan's problem."
"Lure all members of the Hyuga main family here, brand them with the Caged Bird Seal, and from that moment onward, the Hyuga clan will no longer have any distinction between main family and branch family. The internal conflict will be resolved instantly."
"After that, we will wait for Kumogakure's army to attack. With Konoha facing both Sunagakure's army and Kumogakure's army at the same time, attacked from the front and rear, our Hyuga clan's opportunity will come."
"We can use that chance to escape Konoha and flee to the Land of Water."
"Just like the Uchiha clan."
"If the Land of Water accepted the Uchiha, they will definitely accept my Hyuga clan as well."
"A Hyuga clan where everyone bears the Caged Bird Seal will face greatly reduced threats. We will certainly be able to establish ourselves in the Land of Water!"
Hiashi Hyuga summoned the main family members one by one.
A cup of wine mixed with sleeping drugs was offered.
Bang!
The main family member collapsed into unconsciousness.
Hiashi Hyuga did not hesitate. He immediately began branding the Caged Bird Seal.
Once the branding was finished, he sent the person into a secret room beside him.
"Next!"
One main family member after another entered.
But not a single one walked back out.
Relying on his status as clan head and using the excuse of discussing clan affairs, Hiashi Hyuga deceived all the main family members into coming over one by one, then dealt with them in succession.
Night fell.
Hiashi Hyuga arrived at the meeting hall.
"The clan meeting begins!"
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