Chapter 38: Uchiha Itachi
"A bunch of old undying fools relying on the Caged Bird to show off – truly losing face and looking disgraceful."
In the utterly silent and oppressive environment, the sudden childish voice instantly drew everyone's attention.
The members of the branch family looked up in disbelief.
Old undying fools...
Losing face and looking disgraceful...
The one speaking such outrageous words was actually little Hinata, who had been standing behind Hyūga Hiashi with her head lowered ever since entering the room.
Meeting everyone's astonished gazes, veins bulged around Hinata's eyes as she fearlessly swept her gaze around.
The azure light flickering in her eyes seemed to carry an extremely strong pressure.
Despite her small frame, the aura of a superior emanating from her made everyone involuntarily take notice.
The main family elder also frowned tightly, softening his tone to ask: "Hinata, what did you just say?"
He hadn't really failed to hear clearly.
He just couldn't believe his ears, suspecting he had misheard.
Words like 'old undying fools' and 'losing face and looking disgraceful' – how could they possibly come from the mouth of the weak little Hinata?
Yes, that must be it. He must have misheard.
"...Wait."
Nearby, Hiashi also snapped back, a trace of panic flashing in his eyes.
Could it be, his daughter is going to...
"I said, a bunch of old undying rotten logs, relying on the Caged Bird Cursed Seal to swagger before your own clansmen within the clan – don't you feel ashamed?"
Before Hiashi could stop her, Hinata sneered: "Do you really think you're such important figures? Just because you were born a moment earlier than the branch family members?"
Hearing this, Hiashi couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment.
He and his younger brother Hizashi were only minutes apart, yet their current statuses were worlds apart.
The main family elder finally reacted, anger instantly showing on his face: "Do you know what you're saying?!"
"As the main family daughter, you disregard your elders, speak unguardedly, and moreover, question the Caged Bird system passed down by our ancestors!?"
The other two elders didn't question her aloud but also stared fixedly at Hinata.
"Whether the greatest purpose of the Caged Bird now is to prevent the Byakugan from leaking out, or to control and enslave the branch family – you all know this clearly in your hearts."
Looking at the three main family elders, Hinata said expressionlessly: "Your thinking is conservative and backward; you lack initiative and flexibility. It's simply because the so-called family tradition brings you more benefits, allowing you to possess greater power and higher status."
Saying this, she glanced at the three main family elders before her, asking mockingly: "You main family Jōnin who have learned advanced Gentle Fist techniques – if it came to a life-or-death fight, how many of you could actually beat those branch family Jōnin who have only learned mid-to-low level Gentle Fist techniques?"
The three main family elders were instantly struck dumb. Hiashi, too, opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.
He had been completely forced by the elders to attend this meeting.
He also knew they just wanted to suppress the branch family's spirit, not really wanting to execute Hizashi and Neji.
But seeing his younger brother so humbled, and those old geezers putting on airs relying on their seniority, he still felt very displeased.
But now...
Although he didn't want to admit it, he felt his daughter was right, and he felt a little bit pleased himself now.
But on the other hand, he felt his daughter had been a bit too direct.
Seeing the elders beside him breathing increasingly rapidly, Hiashi felt another jolt of fear.
You have to respect the elderly! What if you really anger them into having a stroke or something?
"The main family is the foundation of the Hyūga clan! The branch family should protect the foundation! As the main family daughter, are you trying to destroy the foundation of the Hyūga clan?!"
Hearing the old fool's shout that sounded fierce but lacked substance, Hinata couldn't be bothered to argue with them anymore.
They can even say such shameless things. I'm completely speechless.
"If you truly had the courage to advance, you'd rely on your own strength to awe everyone into submission, instead of acting like parasites and cowards, naturally leeching off your clansmen."
Hinata turned to walk outside, saying disdainfully: "Just continue being arrogant then. Let's see if the Hyūga clan really falls apart completely without you."
Behind her, Hiashi opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again. Finally, sighing inwardly, he also stood up.
"Rebellion! This is complete rebellion!!"
Watching the father and daughter's retreating backs, watching the branch family members below who remained silent but had already lifted their heads,
Besides anger, a trace of fear was hidden on the faces of the three main family elders.
This is the main family daughter!
The main family daughter without the Caged Bird, the main family daughter who is bound to inherit the clan head position in the future!
Towards Hiashi, who appeared tough but was actually soft-hearted, they could use their seniority and status to engage in all sorts of moral coercion.
But if faced with a very assertive clan head, they would have absolutely no way to stop her.
Would they brand the clan head with the Caged Bird?
What kind of joke is that?!
Claim her talent isn't enough and make Hiashi have another child?
Just as the three elders' minds were in a tangled mess, unsure what to do...
Below, Neji stared dumbfounded at little Hinata's cool departure, hardly believing his eyes and ears.
"Am I dreaming? The main family daughter publicly opposing the Caged Bird? Is this still that weak and easily bullied Hinata?!"
And a strange light flashed in Hyūga Hizashi's eyes.
"Hinata, the Hyūga Forbidden Grounds..."
...
Meanwhile, in a forest in the Land of Rain.
Two giant pitcher plant leaves slowly emerged from the ground, revealing a bizarre half-black, half-white face.
"Madara, that chess piece you unintentionally placed back then has finally become useful."
A man wearing a tiger-striped mask sat on a tree branch, asking without turning his head: "Oh? How is that fellow doing?"
"You killed his teammate back then, causing both his eyes to awaken the two-tomoe Sharingan. Recently, we discovered his pupil power has grown stronger again; it should be three-tomoe already!"
White Zetsu finished, and Black Zetsu added calmly: "Moreover, he has joined the ANBU."
Hearing this, the eyes beneath Obito's mask narrowed slightly: "Eight years old, dual two-tomoe Sharingan; ten years old, dual three-tomoe? And joined the Hokage's direct subordinate ANBU..."
That child named Uchiha Itachi was someone he encountered years ago during a bounty mission.
He originally intended to kill him directly, but unexpectedly, after killing his teammate, both his eyes awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan.
Thinking he might be a useful pawn, he let him go casually, not placing too much expectation on him at the time.
But unexpectedly...
"What should we do next?"
Facing Zetsu's question, Obito said in a low tone: "Ever since the Nine-Tails Rampage, the Konoha leadership has completely distrusted the Uchiha clan, even relocating their clan grounds to the village outskirts."
"Uchiha Itachi, caught between Konoha and his clan, might become that crucial pawn."
"When necessary, I will personally guide him towards darkness."
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