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"You all know very well how you’ve treated the Branch House over the years. I can tell you clearly—the conflict between your Hyūga Main House and Branch House has grown severe. If this continues, it will erupt one day. When that happens, all of you will be the sinners of the Hyūga clan!!"

Kazuki slammed the desk angrily, roaring.

"You think I’m doing this for myself? For the village? It’s because you yourselves have gone too far. Still not convinced, are you? All of you feel I’m targeting you? Fine. I’ll give the order right now. I’ll recall every Hyūga ninja deployed. Starting today, including all of you, no Hyūga clan member may accept any further missions from the village. Those with official positions will also be removed. All of you, Hyūga clan members, get the hell back to your compound. Since you’re so intent on clinging to your rotten little rules, so afraid of others disrupting them, I’ll grant your wish. Stay in your own territory. Don’t go anywhere else."

"Itachi!"

"Sir." Itachi stepped forward.

Kazuki waved his hand.

"Go immediately. Take some people. Inform the Hyūga ninja on the battlefield that they are all to return."

"Yes, sir." Itachi left decisively, without hesitation.

"Sir."

The Hyūga Grand Elder panicked and quickly stepped forward, wanting to plead the clan’s case. But Kazuki cut him off again.

"Shut up! I don’t want to hear your worthless excuses. Now, immediately, get out. Pack your things. I will personally escort you back to the village. I will personally oversee all of you. Let’s just see how long you Hyūga clan can resist."

BOOM!!!

His terrifying chakra erupted again, pushing the Grand Elder back several steps. He stared at Kazuki in horror.

"Remember my words: we move as one. If anyone fumbles, I will treat them as war criminals."

Kazuki’s cold gaze swept over the Hyūga elders.

"I don’t care if you’re from the Main House or Branch House. Even if you’re a Main House elder, if you disobey orders, you will be executed on the spot! Now, get out!"

Those caught by Kazuki’s gaze flinched, lowering their heads.

They could see that Kazuki was ready to kill. At this point, it didn’t matter if you were Branch House or Main House. If you dared to act up, you’d be eliminated.

The Hyūga elders scurried away, humiliated. What made them even more desperate was that squads of Uchiha ninja and Anbu teams followed them, watching them.

Any suspicious movement, and they’d be executed on the spot.

And Kazuki would personally lead them back to the village. He wanted to see how many would dare jump out and court death.

Back in the village, he would personally oversee these people.

You like clinging to those outdated old traditions, don’t you?

Then stay there. Don’t blame me for not giving you a chance. You won’t be able to step foot outside your compound.

You’ll obediently stay holed up there, guarding your outdated rules.

Dealing with this bunch—who couldn’t be reasoned with and wouldn’t learn from pain—required ruthless measures. Otherwise, it was pointless.

From the time of Senju Hashirama, successive Hokages had tried to solve these problems. And what was the result?

The Hyūga clan’s resistance was strong. Their reactions were fierce. In the end, nothing got done.

Since previous Hokages couldn’t do it, then he would. He would be the bad guy.

If he can’t handle these old Hyūga fossils properly, he, rather resign from his position.

It wasn’t just the elders who were frightened. Hinata, hiding in the rest area listening, was also scared.

Fortunately, Izumi was there to comfort her.

"Kazuki." Hinata cautiously came out, not even daring to look up.

Kazuki’s scowling face quickly softened, replaced by a smile. He patted Hinata’s head and said.

"I’m doing this for your Hyūga clan too. Your father agreed to it, so don’t worry. I’m not going to punish the entire Hyūga clan. I’m just going to deal with those stubborn elders who cling to power and disregard the Branch House’s welfare."

"Really? What about Father?" Hinata looked up, delighted.

"We have to keep up appearances. That was your father’s intention. Just pretend you don’t know anything. Don’t tell anyone. If anyone comes to plead for mercy, just say there’s nothing you can do. Understand?"

Kazuki didn’t want Hinata caught in the middle.

"Okay, I understand." Hinata nodded vigorously.

Though she didn’t fully understand why Kazuki and her father were targeting the clan elders so aggressively, if both Kazuki and her father chose to do this, then the elders must be wrong.

"Do I need to go back?"

"No. Stay at the camp until this is over. That way, you won’t be put in a difficult position."

If Hinata returned to Konoha, when the Hyūga elders couldn’t bear the pressure, they would surely keep coming to her, begging her to plead on their behalf.

They might even use "clan values" and all sorts of moral appeals to coerce Hinata.

Kazuki wouldn’t be foolish enough to let her go back to the village.

She could stay safely at the camp.

Kazuki’s shouting and roaring at the camp had a huge impact. Afterwards, the ninja at the camp now looked at the Hyūga members differently.

Unable to bear the scrutiny, some Branch House ninja removed their forehead protectors.

In the past, they had been terrified of exposing their Caged Bird seal, as most viewed it as a mark of shame.

But today, the situation was reversed.

When they revealed their Caged Bird seals, they earned understanding and sympathy instead.

"Don’t look at this old man like that. I don’t know what to do either. Everyone, pack your things. When the personnel have assembled, we’ll follow Lord Advisor back to the village. We’ll talk after we get back."

Returning to their quarters, seeing that someone still wanted to speak, the Grand Elder immediately stopped them.

Arguing now was useless. Only once they returned to the village could there be some hope of changing things.

The entire camp was under Kazuki’s control. If you try to talk now, do you really think he won’t kill?

Just pack your things.

The Grand Elder never dreamed such a big problem would fall on the Hyūga clan’s heads. They Main House elders had wanted to return to the village as soon as possible, but not like this.

Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned. They could go back, but the manner of their return was humiliating.

They weren’t criminals, but they were being escorted like one. No one would be happy about that.