Sunset Crimson's words came from the heart. If Kawaki Aoba wasn't his father-in-law, he would definitely be thinking about how to strangle this menace.
This kid's methods were simply too terrifying.
However, thinking of a certain possibility, Sunset Crimson gave a reminder: "Aoba, what if one day, others also set their sights on this channel of communication?"
"This kind of thing will happen sooner or later. We can build a newspaper, and others can do the same. It's unavoidable and unstoppable.
What we need to do is become the absolute authority in this channel of communication. When necessary, we can even use some special means.
As for the method, come, Teacher Crimson, let me slowly tell you."
---
In the Hyuga clan grounds, Hyuga Hizashi returned with a worried look.
Although the threat from Kawaki Aoba had been temporarily lifted, the blade that had been hanging over the Hyuga clan's neck at all times could still decapitate the Hyuga clan at any moment.
After returning to the clan grounds, Hyuga Hizashi didn't even go home and went directly to the clan's shrine. Here, all the elders of the Hyuga main and branch families gathered, totaling 13 people, including Hyuga Hizashi.
"Hizashi, what's the situation on the village's side? Did they say how to handle this crisis?" As soon as he saw Hyuga Hizashi, an elder asked anxiously.
Hyuga Hizashi's face darkened. This was really rubbing salt in the wound.
How would the village handle this crisis? That kid, Kawaki Aoba, was thinking about how to deal with the Hyuga clan!
Hyuga Hizashi didn't intend to hide anything and directly told everything that had happened in the conference room.
After listening to his account, all the Hyuga elders felt very unified emotions: anger and helplessness.
"That damned fellow, Third Elder, you should have dealt with him directly back then. Look at today, how much trouble he's caused."
"What's the use of saying this now? What we should be considering is how to overcome the current difficulties."
"Overcome the difficulties? How do we overcome them? Now, even the Caged Bird Curse Seal of our Hyuga clan has been mastered by others. What can we use to fight back?
Moreover, that's the Akatsuki organization. You've seen that kind of cataclysmic power, haven't you?"
"Shut up, isn't the Hyuga clan chaotic enough now? But what I want to know most is who caused this situation? And which bastard leaked the control method of the Caged Bird Curse Seal?"
As soon as these words came out, the previously noisy shrine instantly quieted down. All 13 people were observing everyone else except themselves.
Everyone understood that the only people who could leak the Caged Bird Curse Seal were members of the Hyuga main family.
As members of the Hyuga main family, no one had any reason to leak their own secrets, but there was one exception: being threatened.
Thinking like this, the answer seemed obvious.
"Third Elder, if I remember correctly, Yota seemed to have lost his Byakugan on the battlefield in Kirigakure, right?" Suddenly, someone spoke.
Twelve pairs of eyes turned to the Third Elder, who instantly became nervous.
"What do you mean? Suspecting that Yota leaked the secret? I'm telling you, I only taught him the simple technique to activate the Caged Bird Curse Seal. That child doesn't know what the complete technique looks like, so don't even talk about leaking it."
Faced with the pressure from the crowd, the Third Elder's attitude remained tough.
He knew that he had to hold on at this time; otherwise, everything would be over.
However, facing his denial, the others only showed indifference.
This kind of thing couldn't be explained with words.
"Third Elder, the ones who came back with Yota seem to be two branch family members, right?" It was still the previous elder who seemed to have identified Hyuga Yota as the leaker.
"Those two wastes couldn't even protect a person well, and they let Yota go to such a dangerous battlefield. What's the point of keeping them? Yota lost his Byakugan, and they are fully responsible. This old man has already dealt with them."
The Third Elder said these words through gritted teeth.
There was silence. No one spoke at this moment.
Twelve figures simultaneously activated their Byakugan. The veins on their faces bulged, and their eyes were fixed on the Third Elder.
"Third Elder, repeat what you said before. Answer me: is Yota the one who leaked the Hyuga family's Caged Bird technique?
You should know very well that you have no secrets in front of our Byakugan."
Being stared at by twelve pairs of activated Byakugan, the Third Elder had never felt such a sense of oppression.
This was also the first time he had been questioned like this. In the past, he was the one who did this to others.
The invisible pressure made his breathing rapid, and the frequency of his heartbeat increased.
Although the Third Elder knew that this kind of physical reaction would expose him, he couldn't suppress the tension in his heart.
"Third Elder, I said it, right? You have no secrets in front of these eyes. What else do you have to say now?"
The Third Elder shuddered and slowly closed his eyes. He had known all along that there would be such a day.
But he didn't expect this day to come so early. Why? Why couldn't this hidden danger erupt after he died?
Damned Akatsuki organization, are you so impatient?
"It seems you don't plan to argue."
The Third Elder slowly shook his head, but he didn't speak, as if he had already resigned himself to fate.
"In that case, Third Elder, please call Yota over."
Hearing this, the Third Elder, who had not planned to resist, instantly widened his eyes: "This matter has nothing to do with Yota. It was this old man who gave him the complete Caged Bird technique."
"Moreover, this matter is not as simple as you think."
Upon hearing the Third Elder's words, many of the other elders nearly scoffed in disbelief. He seriously thought he could take the blame alone for his grandson's actions? How naïve. Did he really believe he could shoulder this entire scandal on his own?
"Third Elder, stop wasting time. Let's summon Yota. How we deal with him will be decided after a proper discussion."
The Third Elder's face darkened, but he remained silent. Deep down, he had no intention of bringing his grandson forward for questioning.
Sensing the stalemate, the Seventh Elder could no longer restrain himself. He stood and turned to leave, clearly intending to seize and discipline Hinata Yota himself.
After leaving the Hyūga clan's shrine, he took two elite guards and marched straight toward the Third Elder's residence.
There, under the gentle sunlight of the Hyūga estate gardens, Hinata Yota reclined on a cushioned chair. Two branch family attendants stood quietly nearby, offering refreshments.
It was an image of leisure—but to the Seventh Elder, it was a mockery. This boy had jeopardized the Hyūga clan's most sacred secret, and yet here he was basking in comfort. The sight ignited a surge of fury in the old man's chest.
"Unforgivable…"
Without hesitation, the Seventh Elder stormed into the garden, his footsteps heavy and full of wrath.
Hearing the approaching steps, Hinata Yota frowned and turned lazily. He was about to scold the intruder—until he recognized the figure.
"Seventh Elder? Are you looking for Grandfather? He left for the shrine earlier."
But the elder wasn't here for pleasantries.
SLAP!
The sound echoed across the courtyard. Hinata Yota was sent tumbling from his chair, a red mark burning on his cheek.
The Seventh Elder didn't stop. He approached and landed a hard kick to the boy's side. A muffled crack could be heard. Yota coughed and winced in pain.
"You disgrace! How could someone like you be born into the Hyūga clan?!"
The two maids backed away in terror, hiding near the garden wall.
Groaning, Yota's expression twisted with fury. "You senile fool... You want to vent your anger on me? Go bother my grandfather! Think I'll just take this lying down?"
Yota glanced at the two guards standing beside the elder. His fingers twitched subtly.
Then—
"Aghhh!"
The guards suddenly collapsed, clutching their foreheads, screaming in pain.
It was the Caged Bird Seal.
Yota smirked. "You think I'm easy prey? You hit me, you pay the price."
The Seventh Elder was momentarily stunned. The guards' seals were only accessible by the main family. How could Yota—?
"You brat… Stop this at once!"
Yota wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed coldly. "Today's your lucky day, old man. I was headed to the shrine anyway."
Without waiting, Yota turned and began walking toward the shrine. The Seventh Elder watched his back, disturbed. Something was off. This wasn't the response of a desperate youth—this was someone who had prepared for this.
Suppressing a chill, the elder followed.
At the shrine, the Hyūga Elders and current clan head—Hiashi Hyūga (not Hizashi; Hizashi was Neji's father and deceased by the time Boruto-era events occur)—were gathered. As Yota entered unannounced, they turned, confused.
"So, you're all here. Good." His voice was low, but tinged with malice.
Hiashi narrowed his eyes. "Hinata Yota. You stand before the elders of the Hyūga Clan. Speak clearly—did you tamper with or leak the secrets of the Caged Bird Seal?"
Yota stepped into the center of the shrine, surrounded by elders. Despite this, he stood tall.
"So what if I did? You've treated the branch family like dogs for generations. The moment I learned to manipulate the Caged Bird Seal fully, I knew things would change."
Hiashi stood. His voice remained composed, but firm. "The Caged Bird Seal protects the clan's secrets and prevents betrayal. You, a member of the main house, have become the very traitor the seal was created to stop. If you have even a shred of honor left, end your life here—before this shrine."
"Suicide?" Yota chuckled. Then laughed louder—until he was shaking with tears in his eyes.
"You expect me to kill myself for your outdated, oppressive system? You think you can call yourselves protectors of tradition when your methods are slavery in all but name?"
"You're a fool if you think you can threaten us," another elder said, eyes sharp with intent.
"I'm no fool," Yota said, turning to them with a sinister grin. "You know I mastered the Caged Bird Seal. If I go down, I'll bring half the branch family with me. Let's see how long your precious bloodline survives when every branch member drops dead at once."
At that moment, the elders knew: this wasn't just rebellion—it was blackmail.
Hiashi's jaw tightened. "Then we were right to imprison your grandfather. He would've protected you… even at the cost of the clan."
Yota's eyes flickered. "So you did catch him... Hmph. Cowards."
Without speaking, the elders shifted their stances. Chakra flared subtly across the floor. They had surrounded him.
"You've sealed your fate," Hiashi said coldly.
But Yota smiled wider. "Let's see how many of you can get out of this shrine alive."
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