บท 195: Chapter 195: Sake, Secrets, and Family Feuds
Today is the day of commemoration of the ancestors of the Hyuga Clan.
The Hyuga Clan residence was bustling with activity, with people coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere.
Ordinary clan members were taking out their wallets, enjoying shopping and games, watching fireworks, having a lot of fun.
The main house was also filled with the best shinobi from the main family and the branch family, with lovely maids moving among them, pouring tea, pouring water, and serving food and wine.
'Many people from the family branch came today.' He thought to himself Hyuga Hiashi as he looked at all the people sitting.
Although the commemoration of the Hyuga Clan's ancestors was celebrated every year, the tension between the main family and the branch family was evident.
Many branch family experts did not want to see the shinobi of the main family, so they took any excuse to go out and enjoy themselves. Days like today, when so many people gathered, seemed to be rare in Hiashi's memory.
'It seems that my leadership is very effective... Neji gave me a big surprise!' Haishi showed a gentle smile.
Hiashi was actually not that harsh towards members of the family branch, perhaps because of his younger brother, Hizashi. Compared to the clan elders, his methods were more moderate, and he showed consideration towards talented individuals like Neji.
Although it was only a matter of relative comparison...
And his policy was clear: resolve the affairs of the family branch, support the talents, and grant certain rights to the experts of the family branch to reduce their resistance...
When Hizashi was present, he gave him command of the family branch, making him work for the good of the main family and suppressing the discontent of the family branch. And now that task falls to Neji.
It can be seen from the current results that Neji has done a very good job...
Hyuga Hiashi took a sip of sake with satisfaction and showed a pleased smile.
Just then, a commotion was heard from outside.
"Damn bitch, you hit me!"
"I'm sorry, Ryoji-sama..."
"You feel it and that's it? This is the highest-end kimono custom-made by the exclusive tailors of the Uchiha clan boutique, something you cheap people can't even afford to buy!"
"I'm sorry..."
"What's the use of apologizing? A humble family branch actually dares to clash with me, a noble of the main family! Don't you know how to respect the family hierarchy?"
Hiashi frowned, showing his anger. The one who was making the scene is the grandson of the Grand Elder of the main family, Hyuga Ryoji.
Although the members of the main family, such as Hinata and Hanabi, have received excellent education, have excellent character and an elegant and generous style of doing things, even the shinobi of the branch family respect them greatly.
Hinata, for example, learned a lot from Neji and responsibly took charge of organizing the food and drinks for today's celebration, demonstrating great management skills and maintaining the style of the main family.
But naturally, the comforts provided to the main family raised more 'young masters'. When they deal with other big clan shinobi, they can restrain their arrogance a little bit. But when they dealt with members of the family branch...
Perhaps it is more appropriate to say that they are talking to their slaves!
"How can he behave like this at an ancestor commemoration event? How does the Great Elder educate his grandson?" Hiashi was about to scold out loud.
Just then, Neji got up and walked out.
Using his Byakugan, Hiashi saw the humble smile on Neji's face as he, along with the family branch shinobi, apologized to Ryoji, even bowing in reverence, a gesture that Neji himself performed.
After apologizing for a while, Ryoji finally loosened his attitude and left with a huff.
Neji comforted the family branch shinobi before re-entering the main room.
"Hmm..." Hiashi sighed softly. "Neji, you have been unfairly treated..."
Ryoji is just a Chunin, and his strength is very average. Neji, on the other hand, was a Jonin recognized by the village, and his status should be far above him. But the difference between the branch family and the main family made him have to bow his head and apologize...
Hiashi is also very dissatisfied with this, but what can he do? This is life in the family branch.
Thinking about it, Hiashi looked at Hinata and Hanabi who were sitting quietly next to him.
The reason he hadn't chosen an heir yet was partly because Hinata's skill was inferior to Hanabi's, but also because he subconsciously didn't want to see his daughter marked and trapped in a cage.
But what else could he do besides delay time? In the end, there was no solution...
Hiashi shook his head and said softly to Neji: "I'm so sorry for what you've been through."
"Don't worry." Neji responded with a slight smile.
"I will punish Ryoji severely later." Hiashi said seriously.
"It's really okay, Hiashi-sama." Neji smiled. "Really, I don't care..."
Hiashi smiled slightly and commented: "Neji, you have become very mature."
"Well, I've grown up after all." Neji said with a smile. "I still want you to see my growth, Uncle."
Hiashi was surprised for a moment and then smiled. "Of course, I look forward to the day you serve the Hyuga clan."
Hearing this, Neji smiled without saying a word.
After a few more rounds of sake, Hiashi was a little dizzy.
The other shinobi of the Hyuga clan had also had a little to drink, and the aroma of alcohol filled the room. Of course, none of them were completely drunk.
Even though they were in the safety of their home, experienced shinobi generally didn't allow themselves to get too drunk. Especially the Hyuga, who considered themselves the oldest shinobi clan and took pride in their identity, so they didn't want to show disorderly behavior after drinking.
Just when Hiashi thought it was time to end the meeting, Neji stood up.
"Hiashi-sama, elders of the clan." Neji held a glass of wine with a gentle smile on his face. "On this special day, as a representative of the family branch, I would like to invite you all to share a drink with me."
"I hope you all relax and enjoy this peaceful day and relaxing time."
Hiashi smiled slightly and was about to answer Neji when he continued.
"From now on, you, the main family, will no longer be able to trample on our heads and act as you please, abusing your power!"
In the next instant, Neji emptied his ochoko in one gulp and then threw the sake cup to the ground.
[Crack!]
A crisp and clear sound was heard.
At the same time, as if they were four curtains of light that emerged from nowhere, they enveloped the main residence of the Hyuga Clan, creating four transparent walls that rose into the air, extremely eye-catching and attracting people's attention.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
The sudden situation left many of the Hyuga Clan shinobi in a state of shock.
They were staring at the young man who was walking with a calm step in the center of the banquet hall.
Although he was still smiling kindly, with a soft look, his previous words and the barrier surrounding the Hyuga Clan residence confirmed what they had heard.
"Neji, what are you doing?!" Hiashi was dumbfounded and couldn't help but said: "This is an important commemoration event for the Hyuga Clan!"
"Of course, I am contributing to the great revitalization of the Hyuga Clan in this important commemoration event." Neji smiled and said with a calm expression: "Compared to the decline of the Uchiha, I think the revitalization of the Hyuga Clan will surely be much easier..."
"Hiashi-sama, I am only seeking justice for the family branch." Neji stepped forward, his eyes were firm, and his tone was filled with righteous indignation: "For years, the main family has exploited the branch family, demanding sacrifices from us while they enjoy the benefits..."
"It's fine to use the Curse Mark to protect our Dojutsu, but you have used it to enslave your own family..."
"I have seen many shinobi clans around the world, but I have never seen anyone treat their own relatives so ruthlessly." His gaze slowly swept over the shinobi of the main family present, as he spoke in a low voice. "We only seek justice for the family branch."
A dozen Jonin from the family branch slowly stood up, standing behind Neji. Their white eyes were full of determination.
"Are you planning to rebel?!" Hiashi realized this, his complexion changed drastically. "Stop it Neji, rebellion will not end well!"
He was about to say something else when the Grand Elder of the main family stood up.
"Damn family branch, have you forgotten your duty?" The Great Elder sneered contemptuously. "Are you thinking about rebelling?"
"I would even say that the clan leader has been too lenient with you." He added, his expression turning serious as he formed a seal.
"Curse Mark: Caged Bird!"
"Wait a moment, Great Elder, things have not reached this point..." Hiashi changed his expression suddenly, quickly intervening.
It was not possible for a rebellion to occur in the Hyuga Clan. No one could escape the control of the Caged Bird!
Once there is rebellion...
It's death!
Hiashi subconsciously wants to block the Great Elder's action, as for the others he didn't care about. Neji was the son of his brother, he did not want to see his own nephew, the son of his deceased brother, perish in the clan's internal turmoil. But before he could intervene...
The Grand Elder suddenly paled, exclaiming in astonishment, "What is going on? Why haven't your Curse Marks been activated yet?"
Hearing this, Neji smiled slightly. The Jonin of the family branch behind him also smiled in unison.
Slowly, they extended their hands and removed the forehead protector tied to their foreheads.
Obviously it was only a very light piece of iron, but in their hands, it seemed as if they were letting go of some heavy burden, and the movements were extremely slow...
Finally, their foreheads were revealed without the Curse Mark!
The Caged Bird was gone?!
"You actually..." Hiashi opened his mouth wide, unable to believe it.
The other shinobi of the main family showed even more evident signs of panic on their faces. Caged Bird actually disappeared?
It couldn't be that all of them, since childhood, had avoided being branded with the Caged Bird, so...
They cracked the Caged Bird?!
The expression of the main family shinobi changed dramatically, while the rest of the family branch shinobi subconsciously showed anticipation. Did this mean that we too can be free?
"Hiashi-sama, don't think about it. If Caged Bird is still there, how dare we launch reforms?" Neji shook his head. "There has never been an invincible ninjutsu, only invincible people."
"As a shinobi, shouldn't you understand this?"
"Caged bird, it's also not impossible to crack!"
Hiashi gritted his teeth and said: "Is it Natsuo's work?"
How old is Neji, even if he is a recognized genius in the clan, it is impossible to crack the Caged Bird. This thing is not at the same level as the normal sealing technique!
Neither would other shinobi, although it seems unlikely, but the main family has always prohibited shinobi from the family branch from learning the sealing technique, for fear of breaking the Caged Bird's shackles.
If one were discovered, they would be killed without mercy! Without exceptions.
So the shinobi behind Neji probably don't know how to decipher the Caged Bird, so it can only be...
"Does Natsuo want to intervene in the internal affairs of our Hyuga Clan?" Hiashi said these words while gritting his teeth, his gaze filled with pressure.
That's the world's number one shinobi! If he interferes in the affairs of the Hyuga Clan...
There won't be anything they can do to stop him, but that doesn't mean the Hyuga clan won't retaliate while he meddles in their affairs.
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