His eyes were bloodshot as he demanded, "Why did this happen?"
"Just because your Main House has a problem, our Branch House must pay the price?"
"What have we ever done for you to treat us like this?!"
Hearing this, many of the younger generation standing behind the Main House elders wanted to stop the man. But their attempts were met with even more accusations and questions, and the scene spiraled further out of control.
Just as the conflict was about to escalate, Hiashi sighed, knowing it was time for him to step forward.
At that exact moment, another commotion erupted from outside as several clan servants carried in another body. It was an old Hyuga, the Third Elder. His body was covered in wounds, clearly another victim of the attack.
A few young members of the Main House reported with unconcealable grief, "Clan Head... the Third Elder has also fallen."
Among them were Hyuga Sou and Hyuga Sora, both of whom shared a special connection with the deceased. Their eyes were red, their faces etched with deep sorrow.
Despite this, most of the Branch House members showed little concern for the Main House's casualties. After all, their own losses were far more catastrophic.
The worst among them were those who had died by the Caged Bird Curse Seal. The caster, Kaito, had activated the seals in an order based on those he knew. Although the Sannin had dealt with Kaito swiftly, his Cursed Seal had already caused thirty-seven deaths.
This number included Hyuga Hizashi.
Including other casualties, the Branch House had lost more than sixty members. Most of the dead were the core strength of the family.
Hyuga Teru, who had just been berating the clan head, suddenly noticed that one of the three elders had also fallen. He burst into laughter. "Serves you right! What a satisfying sight!"
Hyuga Hayato quickly grabbed him, trying to get him to calm down.
Hyuga Sou, still lost in his grief, heard the mocking laughter from the Branch House. "Are you looking to die?!" he roared, his hands quickly forming the secret hand signs for the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Teru's laughter instantly turned into a scream of agony, yet he continued to shout like a madman, "Good riddance! A well-deserved death!"
Even as he writhed in pain on the ground, he kept roaring, "Go to hell! Go on, kill me again! You bastards!"
Watching this unfold, the fear in the eyes of the remaining Branch House members slowly turned into seething hatred.
A sharp crack echoed as Hiashi struck Hyuga Sou, sending him sprawling to the ground.
"You fool! Who told you to use that Cursed Seal?"
Sou was stunned by the slap, spitting out a mouthful of blood and a tooth. His face began to swell rapidly. Seeing the clan head's uncontrollable rage, as if he were about to be torn to pieces, Sou's teeth began to chatter in terror.
"Clan Head... wh-why?"
Hiashi, panting with fury, was deeply disappointed in this troublemaker. "Shut up! One more word and I'll lock you up too!"
Hyuga Sou fell silent, his eyes filled with panic. He had never seen the clan head so utterly out of control.
Hyuga Sora, seeing the Branch House member convulsing on the ground, was also terrified into silence. He could only rush to his brother's side to help him up.
Hyuga Hayato helped Teru to his feet. The emotionally shattered man had now fallen unconscious. The ground where he had struggled was smeared with scrapes and blood. His lips were split, his tongue bitten, and his face was a tragic mess of tears, mucus, and blood.
With Hyuga Hizashi gone, Hyuga Hayato, who now held considerable influence within the Branch House, led the others to stand before Hiashi. The bodies on the ground were their family and friends; this disaster had claimed the lives of many of the Branch House's pillars.
"Lord Hiashi, we demand an explanation."
At Training Ground 6.
Hiashi and all the disciples of the Main House were surrounded by the Branch House. Their eyes burned with hostility toward Hiashi and his family.
Surrounded by so many angry glares, Hanabi was both confused and terrified. Because she had never seen Neji show any ill will toward Hinata, she didn't understand what the Caged Bird Curse Seal was. She didn't realize that the people lying on the ground had died because of that very curse.
At that moment, the blind Neji rose and began to walk forward. A member of the Main House moved to support him.
Neji walked slowly until he stood before Hiashi and demanded, "Clan Head, what crime did my father commit? Why did he have to be treated this way?"
His voice was ice-cold and laced with resentment.
Faced with his nephew's question, Hiashi was at a loss for words. The situation was incredibly delicate; the wrong answer could ignite an even bigger crisis. He knew he had only two choices: suppress them with overwhelming force or take a step back and admit fault to de-escalate the tension.
The Anbu and medical teams maintaining order could feel the suffocating pressure. Everyone was on edge, sensing that a violent clash was imminent. Many of the Anbu's hands were already drifting toward their weapons.
Suddenly, a hoarse voice cut through the stalemate.
"What is the meaning of this?"
It was Orochimaru, accompanied by Jiraiya, leading a squad of Anbu. His gaze swept across the training ground, bringing with it a suffocating sense of pressure. He first took note of the bodies of the Branch House members, including Hizashi, before his eyes finally settled on Hiashi.
"Hiashi, as the head of your clan, you should understand your duty. This rebellion has caused great harm to the village and cost the lives of the Third Hokage and other innocents."
"Take him away for interrogation immediately!"
The men behind Orochimaru were a special forces unit, handpicked and loyal only to the Hokage. Four black-clad figures immediately moved forward and restrained Hiashi.
Hiashi did not resist. Instead, he shot Orochimaru a look of gratitude.
Seeing this, the other Main House elders erupted in protest. The two eldest elders had passed away years ago; the fourth had just been dealt with for his betrayal; and the third had been executed moments before. This left Hiashi as the only one capable of maintaining order in the Main House. If he was taken away, what would become of the Hyuga clan?
"Lord Hokage, please have mercy! This truly isn't all our fault..."
"Lord Hokage, we are victims too..."
Hanabi clung tightly to her father's clothes, pleading with Orochimaru. "Lord Hokage, please don't take my papa away..."
The little girl's pitiful plea had no effect. Orochimaru's tone was resolute. "Anyone who dares to defy my decision will be considered a traitor to the village and executed on the spot!"
With a series of sharp clicks, the shinobi under his command drew their weapons. The already anxious Main House members grew even more terrified. They turned to other families watching from the sidelines, but were met only with cold, indifferent stares.
Hanabi refused to let go of her father's clothes until Hyuga Sora finally pulled her away.
Hiashi turned to his kin and offered a reassuring word. "Do not worry. This is just to assist with the investigation. Please remain calm."
Then, he gave his final instructions. "No one is to resist the Hokage's command."
"Leave the Branch House affairs to Hayato for now. And please, look after Neji for me."
Hayato's face remained a mask of indifference. He offered no reply.