"Step aside. By order of the Hokage, we are here to observe the movements of the Hyūga clan."
The ANBU ninja spoke coldly, his eyes narrowing at the pale-faced Hyūga Sanmei standing before him.
Hyūga branch family.
To these ANBU, such people were beneath notice. After all, the branch house existed only to serve the main house. Dogs of the main house, nothing more. Why would they show them respect?
The main house and the branch house.
ANBU dealt only with the main family. The branch's opinion was meaningless.
"This is an internal matter of the Hyūga clan. You are forbidden from entering." Sanmei's gaze was unwavering as he blocked their path.
"Yes, forbidden from entering!"
"Forbidden from entering!"
The branch members standing with Sanmei echoed his words, planting themselves firmly in front of the ANBU. Not one of them moved.
"You… you dare defy the Hokage's direct order?" The ANBU captain hadn't expected such open resistance from the branch house.
In the past, they never would have dared.
"No matter whose order it is, this is the Hyūga clan affair. It does not require your interference." Sanmei's voice rang firm and resolute. "Please leave."
"Hyūga Sanmei! I demand to see the elders of your main house. Bring them out here!" The ANBU's patience snapped, his voice rising with fury.
"I want to see if the Hyūga main family dares show such disrespect to the Hokage!"
The order had come directly from the Hokage. And yet Sanmei blocked the way.
Didn't he fear punishment from the main house?
Since when did the branch family speak with such defiance?
"Leave. The main family is occupied and has no time to deal with you." Sanmei waved his hand, motioning the ANBU away.
At once, the branch members stepped forward in unison, forcing the masked ninja back and sealing them outside the Hyūga compound.
The reason these branch family members helped Hyuga Sanmei intercept the Anbu and the other visitors from Konoha was simple: they hoped Hyuga Neji would kill all the members of the main family.
If they could eliminate them all, they would finally be free.
If possible, they even wanted to ask Neji how to free a caged bird. They didn't seek to amplify the Byakugan; they only wanted liberation.
Having been trapped like caged birds for so long, what they wanted now was freedom.
No longer being restrained by the cage wasn't just for themselves—it was for their wives and children, and their children's children, so that generations would no longer suffer under caged bird seal.
"You dare disrespect the Hokage like this?" an Anbu ninja spoke again, his tone firm. "This is an order from the Hokage. You are acting suspicious within the village. Step aside immediately!"
The Anbu, frustrated by being repeatedly driven off by these people, glared at Hyuga Sanmei and shouted angrily.
"Lawless! Since when did branch family members of the Hyuga clan get to act like this?"
"Move aside! Don't interfere with our mission!"
"If you don't step aside, we'll force our way through!"
"Hurry up and get out of the way!"
Other Anbu who had come along also began shouting. They already held no respect for these branch family members, and after being repeatedly defied, their tempers flared.
They started to riot in a commotion. If these Hyuga branch members dared to resist further, they wouldn't hold back.
"Listen—there sounds like someone screaming!"
"Let's go in!"
"They must be doing something against Konoha; otherwise, they wouldn't block us like this!"
"Go in!"
Hearing the faint screams, the Anbu grew more anxious. They wanted to confirm what was happening inside so they could report back to the Hokage.
"No. This is the Hyuga clan's rule. You have no need to be involved!" Hyuga Sanmei snorted.
His tone was exceptionally serious.
"Leave. Matters of the Hyuga clan do not require the Hokage's interference!"
"Exactly!"
"There's no need for the Hokage to intervene!"
"Get out!"
The members of the Hyuga Branch clashed with the ANBU, refusing to give an inch.
Each of them wanted the main family punished and naturally would not allow outsiders to intervene.
As the standoff continued, Kakashi arrived.
He frowned as he looked at the two sides and asked, "What's going on?"
From the moment he arrived, he sensed something was wrong. Something had happened in the Hyuga Main Family.
"Kakashi?" The ANBU recognized him.
They frowned and recounted what had just happened.
The Hokage had sent someone to check on the situation?
Then, the Hyuga Branch members were also blocking the way.
Something felt off… In the past, the branch family of the Hyuga had never been this defiant.
"Everyone, can't you let them in? After all, this is a mission assigned by the Hokage," Kakashi asked, frowning, curious about what had happened inside.
Despite his words, he still turned to look at Hyuga Sanmei for an answer.
"No. This is a matter of the Hyuga Clan. Outsiders cannot interfere!" Hyuga Sanmei stood at the front, showing no sign of letting them through, even with Kakashi present.
Kakashi was speechless, but he didn't push further.
Every clan had its rules. If they refused, there was nothing he could do.
Finally, with no other choice, Kakashi looked at the ANBU.
"Konoha respects clan rules. You should go to the Hokage and let him decide."
From Kakashi's perspective, perhaps if Hiruzen Sarutobi himself came, they would make way.
"Oh? Something like this, and we need the Hokage to step in?"
At that moment, a bold and arrogant voice rang out.
Swish—
All eyes immediately turned toward the newcomer.
"Sarutobi… Asuma?"
Kakashi looked at him, his brow furrowing slightly.
Asuma's tone irritated him.
He spoke as if he were above everyone, as if handling this situation made him superior.
It had to be remembered, Asuma was just a teacher now; only that his father was the Hokage.
"Asuma-sama!" The ANBU, on the other hand, showed utmost respect toward Asuma.
Asuma Sarutobi walked over, a cigar still clenched between his teeth, his eyes sweeping over the surrounding commotion before he asked, "What's going on?"
"Lord Asuma, here's what happened," one of the Anbu immediately began, recounting the events in detail. "We were sent by the Hokage to check on the Hyuga clan, but they blocked our way and refused to let us in!"
"Refused to let you in?" Asuma frowned. Then he turned his gaze toward Hyuga Sanmei and the others. "You're ignoring the Hokage's orders? Are you trying to betray Konoha?"
"Step aside immediately, or… don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Asuma spoke directly, his tone dripping with contempt and superiority. In his eyes, this matter didn't even require his father's intervention.
****
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