Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 60 The Caged Bird Ultimately Soars into the Sky

"Judging from his age, although he's a bit young, he has quite a bit of heroic spirit in his eyes. If he were to take over the position of clan leader now, with our help, he would surely be more than capable."

Danzo's words instantly pierced through the hard shell of the Hyuga clan leader's "ancestral system".

"With our help... that's more than enough..."

Hyuga Kaede's body trembled violently, and for the first time, fear appeared in his cloudy eyes.

I understand.

He fully understood the undisguised threat in Danzo's words.

If he did not agree to abolish the main family's branch system, then Danzo, who was known for his ruthlessness, would not hesitate to use his most skilled methods to support his son, Hyuga Hiashi, to take over.

What will become of this stubborn old clan leader?

Was it an "accidental" death, or did he die on the spot...?

Hinata Kaede dared not think any further; a chill ran from his spine straight to the top of his head.

He stared intently at Danzo, but couldn't utter a single word.

He wanted to get angry and rebuke the other party for subverting the Hyuga clan, but when he looked into Danzo's dark and all-consuming eyes, all his courage was drained away.

Hiashi Hyuga, sitting behind his father, was still young and didn't quite understand the subtle nuances in the adults' conversation, but he could clearly sense that his father was afraid.

The father who was like a god in his heart, representing the highest authority of the Hyuga clan, was now as afraid as a frightened quail in front of this gloomy man.

Seeing that the atmosphere had become extremely tense, Uchiha Kagami, who had been playing the good cop all along, spoke up again at just the right time.

"Chief Feng."

Uchiha Kagami's voice remained gentle. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and acted as if the conversation that had just reorganized a large clan in an instant was just ordinary chatter.

"Elder Danzo's words were a bit direct, but his starting point was also for the sake of the village and the future of the Hyuga clan."

He put down his teacup, changed the subject, and began to pave a way out for Hyuga Kaede.

"Actually, besides seeking justice for that unfortunate member of the branch family who sacrificed his life, we also want to engage in a deeper level of cooperation with the Hyuga clan."

Cooperation?

Hyuga Kaede raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Clan Chief Feng, as you know, Elder Danzo's Konoha construction team is currently in charge of the village's renovation project, which is in full swing."

A genuine smile appeared on Uchiha Kagami's face. "However, the workload is simply too enormous. For example, are the depth and direction of the newly constructed underground waterways accurate? Are the foundations of the new buildings solid? These all require a great deal of manpower and resources for surveying and quality inspection."

"And for the Hyuga clan, who possess the Byakugan, these things are a piece of cake."

Uchiha Kagami's gaze turned scorching.

"Imagine if the Hyuga clan ninjas could participate in the village's construction. Use your eyes to supervise the quality of every project, to discover hidden dangers that are invisible to the naked eye."

"This will not only greatly improve construction efficiency and ensure project quality, but also allow all the villagers to see that the Hyuga clan is using their abilities to truly protect everyone's safety and well-being."

"Isn't this achievement and prestige far more meaningful than closing the door and adhering to that so-called system of branching into the main family and subdivided branches?"

Uchiha Kagami's words were like a ray of light, shining into Hyuga Kaede's heart, which had been darkened by fear and stubbornness.

yes……

If the Hyuga clan could play an irreplaceable role in the village's development.

If the power of the white eye could be presented to all the villagers in a peaceful and positive way.

The Hyuga clan's status in the village will inevitably rise accordingly.

This...this might really be an opportunity.

An opportunity for the Hyuga clan to shed their past image of being closed off and isolated, and to truly integrate into Konoha.

"As for your concern about the Byakugan leaking out after the Caged Bird Seal is abolished..."

Uchiha Kagami seemed to have read his mind and continued, "Elder Danzo had already considered this as well."

"We will commission the village's top medical ninjas and research experts to develop a brand-new protective curse seal specifically for the Hyuga clan."

"This curse mark will not cause any harm to the clansmen. It is usually in a dormant state and has no effect. It will only be automatically triggered when a clansman dies or when an eye is forcibly transplanted, instantly destroying the nerve tissue inside the eyeball to ensure that the secret of the White Eye will never be revealed."

"We respect the Hyuga clan's heritage, but protection should not come at the cost of the clan's dignity and freedom. This is what Elder Danzo meant."

His words were reasonable, well-founded, and combined kindness with firmness.

This not only gave the Hyuga clan an irresistible opportunity to enhance their family's prestige, but also resolved their most fundamental concern.

Hyuga Kaede looked at the two men in front of him, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, their cooperation was seamless.

He knew he had no other choice.

They chose to cling to that corrupt ancestral system, and were thus physically expelled from the biosphere by Danzo.

Or should we follow the trend, seize this opportunity, and lead the Hyuga clan towards a brand new future where they can prosper together with Konoha?

The answer is self-evident.

After a long while, Hyuga Kaede seemed to age ten years in an instant. He slumped back into his chair and said in a hoarse and weary voice, "...I understand."

"I will... convene a family meeting to discuss abolishing the main family's branch system and the matter of the Caged Bird Seal."

"I hope... that the Hokage and the elders will keep their promise."

A satisfied, cold smile finally appeared on Danzo's face.

He stood up, said nothing more, and turned to walk out the door.

Ujimura Kagami also stood up and bowed deeply to Hinata Kaede once again.

"Chief Feng, you have made a wise decision."

"I believe that history will prove that your choice today is correct."

After saying that, he turned and left.

In the empty reception room, only Hyuga Kaede and his son Hyuga Hiashi remained.

"Father..." Hiashi Hyuga called out softly, looking at his father's lonely figure.

Hinata Kaede didn't answer, but simply waved his hand, signaling him not to speak.

The last rays of the setting sun slanted in through the window, illuminating his wrinkled face and making him look incredibly weathered.

An old era has come to an end.

But a brand new era is about to begin.

A caged bird will eventually soar through the sky.