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Kazuki had figured it out. When dealing with these old Hyūga fossils, he couldn’t be too gentle.

Otherwise, they’d truly think no one would have the determination to go after them.

Chaos. Complete chaos.

If before this, these Hyūga elders could still maintain control, with Hiashi detained, their composition shattered.

The Hyūga clan wasn’t like other clans. Others could simply change their clan leader – a simple matter. But the Hyūga couldn’t. Their clan leader was paramount. If something happened to him, the consequences were unimaginable.

"Go summon Lady Hinata."

The Grand Elder’s premonition had come true. Kazuki was indeed going to play hardball and take them down a peg.

Now that the clan leader was detained, the argument was pointless.

The most direct and simplest solution was to bring Hinata, then go together to the command post and find a way to calm Kazuki’s fury and resolve the matter.

The elders’ opinions were no longer paramount. The most important thing now was whether Kazuki would let them off the hook.

Few people in the elder positions were fools. Without the Grand Elder needing to spell it out, they understood the gravity of their situation.

None dared to clamor now. Everyone behaved.

Upon learning her father had been detained, Hinata looked anxious.

Though scared, she didn’t refuse to accompany the elders to the command post.

Oh no!

When the group of elders and Hinata left the Hyūga clan’s living quarters, they realized the area had already been surrounded by numerous ninja, overtly and covertly. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The place where the elders lived had become a fishbowl.

If Kazuki had any ill intentions, a single command could wipe them all out.

This is a big problem.

The Hyūga elders’ faces pale.

The Branch House elders were less affected, as they had combat experience. But the Main House elders, accustomed to lives of ease and comfort, had never seen such a situation.

Now they panicked.

Especially upon seeing the Anbu squads hidden in the shadows, their hearts sank to their stomachs.

Only the naive Hinata didn’t notice.

She just wanted to get to the command post quickly and ask about her father.

Under the gazes of many – some strange, some gloating – the group hurried away, heading straight for the command post.

Hiashi had been detained. Kazuki wasn’t joking. He meant it.

Of course, he was just detained. Kazuki didn’t do anything excessive to him – at least on the surface.

Otherwise, the Hyūga elders might think he was playing games.

Detaining Hiashi also spared him the difficulty of being caught in the middle.

"Sir, Lady Hinata is here. The Hyūga elders are also here."

"Let them in."

Kazuki didn’t keep them waiting outside. As he gave the order, he also had his previously prepared people move into position.

Thus, the Hyūga elders stood anxiously outside the command post, unable to settle down.

Because they saw large numbers of ninja surrounding the command post.

Are we going to be killed?

At that moment, some elders were genuinely panicked.

The messenger walked out and said coldly.

"Lord Advisor will see you now."

His attitude was unfriendly, a reflection of Kazuki’s current demeanor.

Fortunately, Kazuki was willing to see them. That was a blessing in disguise.

Hinata ran into the command post first. The elders quickly followed.

"Kazuki, I heard Father has been detained."

At that moment, Hinata ignored formalities. She rushed in and asked the question urgently.

Kazuki put down his pen, beckoned to Hinata, and gestured for her to come over.

When Hinata approached, he patted her head and said softly.

"This is village business. You can’t interfere. Go rest in the back. If you’re bored, you can chat with Izumi."

"Oh."

Hinata understood there were many things she couldn’t interfere with. But Kazuki’s attitude indirectly told her that Hiashi was fine.

Just a nominal detention. Nothing else. So she could go to the back room and not worry about her father being punished.

After Hinata left, Kazuki’s face darkened.

He leaned back in his chair, legs casually propped on the desk, and spoke sarcastically.

"Oh my, let’s see who’s here. Isn’t this the village’s Hyūga elders? What brings you esteemed elder lords to see me, this humble Hokage Advisor?"

"Lord Advisor, we..."

The Grand Elder quickly stepped forward to explain, but Kazuki cut him off with a sneer.

"No, please don’t call me Lord Advisor. I’m not worthy. In front of you great elders, who dares claim to be ’Lord’?"

From the opening, Kazuki roasted them over an open fire.

"Everyone knows that in this village, you Hyūga elders are the greatest. The village needs your permission to deploy personnel. Otherwise, Hyūga ninja dare not move. Such airs! So impressive! I think you should be the ’Lords’ – no, not ’elders.’ We should call you ’Lord Elders’! Don’t worry. I’ll issue an announcement immediately and send word back to the village. From now on, everyone in Konoha must address you Hyūga elders as ’Lord Elder’! Everyone, including me. I think the Third Hokage would also agree."

You like being high and mighty, don’t you?

You like holding power, don’t you?

Then I’ll make you truly high and mighty!!!

"Anyone who doesn’t agree, I’ll slap them until they do. From now on, you’ll be the most honored people in Konoha – the highest status!!!"

Kazuki’s voice was loud, nearly a roar at the end, heard by surrounding ninja, including Hyūga members.

Hearing this, the common ninja and members of other clans looked unfriendly. The Hyūga ninja wished they could cover their faces and hide somewhere.

BANG!!!

Kazuki’s palm reduces the desk to splinters. Terrifying chakra surges upward, nearly ripping the command post’s roof off. The previous atmosphere disappeared in an instant, replaced by something that much more intense.

The ground cracked, a giant spiderweb centered on Kazuki’s feet spreading across the floor.

"Just what exactly do you Hyūga clan want? Do you still consider yourselves part of Konoha? Such arrogance! You dare to defy the village’s orders! Even my own Clan tucks its tail and obeys orders. What makes you so special! Will these changes overturn your clan’s heritage? Or will they turn Hyūga members into slaves? What’s worth this stubborn resistance?"