In order to rightfully earn scorn, to give Tsunade more loyal subordinates, and also at the request of Minato, Shin naturally would not allow the Hyūga clan's situation to continue as it was.
In fact, Shin's plans for the Hyūga clan had begun long ago.
Back when he had Fugaku hand over the Police Froce to the Hyūga clan, that was the start of the scheme.
He had anticipated that Ryohei would try to resolve disputes by shifting blame and punishing members of the branch house.
As it turned out, Ryohei indeed reaped what he sowed, and the rift between the main and branch houses rapidly deepened.
From that moment on, various rumors began spreading through Konoha, gradually letting everyone see just how corrupt, outdated, and degenerate the Hyūga clan had become.
Many even stepped forward to defend the branch house, saying the main house was going too far, after all, they were one clan. Why should the branch house be treated as less than human? Calls grew for the main house to treat the branch house better.
The main house, of course, scoffed at such rumors.
"We decide our own affairs, who the hell are you to tell us otherwise?"
But these persistent rumors planted a seed in the hearts of the branch house.
Many began to wonder: why were we born only to be commanded and exploited by the main house?
As the rumors grew and more perspectives emerged, many in the branch house came to realize that the so-called "rules" were simply tools of control imposed by the main house.
Yet they had no way out. The Caged Bird, along with years of mental conditioning, made it impossible to escape their predetermined fate.
And so, the awakening of thought came at a cost.
There are some things that, when you don't know about them, you can still live contentedly. But once you know, you can never return to peace of mind.
For the Hyūga branch house, this awakening only deepened their pain and despair.
But today, the Hokage said, "Whether Hyūga main house or branch house, you are all the strength of Konoha. Some harmful old practices that weaken the village's power, it's time to change them."
At that moment, all the branch house members saw hope, while the main house members were gripped with dread.
Ryohei had been arrested, Hiashi was still detained, and now the main house had no one left to make decisions.
Some elders stepped forward, saying they must go speak to the Hokage.
But others objected.
What they didn't know was that even if they didn't go to Tsunade, she had already come to their doorstep.
She had once asked Shin, "If we push the Hyūga clan too far, will they revolt?"
Shin had scoffed at the idea, saying that if it were the branch house, maybe. But the main house, those pampered good-for-nothings, didn't have the guts.
In fact, he almost wished they would rebel, so that he could wipe out the main house entirely and openly claim hundreds of pure Byakugan.
But as always, the Hyūga main house did not disappoint him, they chose to be ostriches with their heads in the sand.
It wasn't until Tsunade led all of Konoha's top leadership to the Hyūga compound that they realized: what is bound to come cannot be escaped.
At this moment, in the largest courtyard of the Hyūga compound, all the Hyūga ninja had gathered.
There were roughly five hundred people in total, around one hundred from the main house, and about four hundred from the branch house.
The Hyūga clan had a rule: In each main house household, only one child could become the next main house successor. Any additional children had to be branded with the Caged Bird and made members of the branch house.
This meant the number of main house members was relatively stable, while the number of branch house members kept growing.
If not for the fact that dangerous, life-threatening missions were almost always assigned to the branch house, causing a consistently high casualty rate, and that some branch house members were secretly executed for offending the main house, their numbers would have been even larger.
For easier management, not only did the main house have elders, but the branch house also had elders, and without exception, those branch elders were all sycophants to the main house.
After sweeping her gaze across the crowd, Tsunade spoke in a loud, clear voice, "I believe you all know why I'm here today. I heard about the Hyūga clan's situation when I was very young."
"The Hyūga clan splits everyone into two extremes, the main house, and the branch house, and through brainwashing, continually controls, exploits, and enslaves the branch house."
"And in your hearts, you truly believe that the branch house are nothing but the main house's servants. The branch house members should guard the house, protect the yard, and even give their lives."
Her sharp gaze swept over the crowd; every main house member who met her eyes quickly lowered their head under her overwhelming presence.
The branch house members, meanwhile, shed tears of grievance.
Seeing those tears, Shin knew all the propaganda work over this long time had not been in vain.
Look at the results!
Though Tsunade's words were harsh, only by speaking the harshest truths outright, by thoroughly stirring up conflict between the main and branch houses, could the two sides be severed from each other once and for all.
Branch house members crying didn't bother Shin; if they had emotions, they needed to vent them. If they reacted with numb indifference, that would worry him.
Tsunade continued, "The Second Hokage always found it strange, why, when you are all family, all part of the same clan, all bound by blood, do the Hyūga insist on exploiting and enslaving the branch house?"
"Why treat your own brothers like servants? And even think it's only natural? How can you bring yourselves to do such a thing?"
"In the past, I thought these were just rumors. But I didn't expect to hear it straight from Ryohei's own mouth, that the branch house are nothing but the main house's servants."
"You so-called noble main house members are more cruel and merciless to your own blood than to your enemies. Don't you find that shameful? Don't you find it laughable?"
Seeing that the main house members still couldn't lift their heads, Tsunade went on:
"The Second Hokage was deeply pained by the Hyūga clan's situation, and always wanted to change it. But at that time, Konoha had only just been founded, and for the sake of stability, plus the fact that the Hyūga had contributed a great deal to the village's founding, he softened his heart and ultimately did nothing."
"Later, when he took the position of Hokage, he too was greatly concerned about the Hyūga clan. After dissolving the Senju clan and making them part of the civilian population, he intended to address the problem of the Hyūga's bloodline exploitation and enslavement."
"Unfortunately, the First Great Ninja War broke out, and he was killed. That plan was shelved. When Hiruzen succeeded as Hokage, although he did many things poorly, he also wanted to act when he saw the Hyūga's disgusting practices. But later, the troubles stirred up by Danzō and Koharu distracted his attention, and this matter was once again set aside."
"That is why Ryohei, and you main house members, became so arrogant, so brazen as to say: 'These have always been our rules. Not even the Hokages of past generations had the right to interfere.'"
"Well, here I stand now. Does anyone care to step forward and say those words to me again?"