"Four Violet Flames Formation!"
The four ANBU ninjas sprang into action instantly.
They positioned themselves at the corners, their bodies surging with intense chakra.
In an instant, a three-dimensional square barrier expanded rapidly, enclosing half of the Eight Trigrams Formation in the blink of an eye.
However, as the Four Violet Flames Formation continued to spread outward, sweat began to bead on the foreheads of the four ninjas.
Their chakra seemed to be running low, leaving them increasingly fatigued.
The speed of the barrier's expansion slowed down gradually and eventually came to a halt, showing signs of collapsing.
"Send in more ninjas to stabilize the barrier!" Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted, his eyes filled with anxiety and seriousness.
He looked at the ninjas on standby and spoke with no room for argument.
Soon, eight more ANBU ninjas joined the effort.
Together, they finally managed to stabilize the barrier.
At the same time, chains of flames fell like red lightning from above the barrier, crashing heavily onto the Eight Trigrams Formation.
For a moment, the entire formation was engulfed in scorching fire, the temperature rising sharply, and the air filled with a burning, oppressive heat.
"Trying to trap me?" Neji said coldly, staring at the Red Flame Formation.
He felt the surrounding temperature climbing rapidly but remained completely unfazed.
Since his mother's death, only one unwavering resolve remained in his heart—to avenge her.
He intended to kill every member of the main branch who had once towered above them and tormented their branch family, making them pay for what they did to his mother.
For this, he was willing to sacrifice his own life.
Yet, thinking of Genya's careful guidance and realizing he could never repay it, a trace of guilt stirred in Neji's heart.
But that guilt was quickly consumed by the fire of revenge.
From the moment he decided to slaughter the Hyuga main branch, he had already prepared for the worst.
"Ah~"
With a scream from the Eighth Elder, Neji remained relentless.
His hands, like the claws of a demon, crushed the elder's bones bit by bit.
He murmured continuously, "Don't worry, I won't let you die easily. I'll make your life worse than death!"
"Neji… you will be punished!"
The Eighth Elder gritted his teeth, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
He endured the pain and spoke each word slowly, "Even if you kill me, you cannot leave Konoha. Someone will avenge me!"
"Haha… You didn't see how we tortured your mother! She begged for death but tried to protect you, just like a begging, wagging dog!"
The Eighth Elder seemed intent on provoking Neji further, but before he could finish, a wave of excruciating pain silenced him.
"You bastard! Let go of my grandfather! Let go of my grandfather!" Hyūga Sōsuke struggled violently, his body bound tightly by the bone chains. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with raw fear.
Once a figure of supreme authority within the Hyūga clan, he was now completely subdued by Neji alone. The stark contrast left him drowning in despair.
He regretted it—he regretted targeting Neji in the first place.
If Neji had never escaped Konoha, the key to freeing the caged bird seal would never have existed, and this horrifying situation wouldn't be unfolding today.
The main branch of the Hyūga clan could have continued to sit at the pinnacle, enjoying unparalleled honor.
But now, everything had been destroyed because of Neji.
It was all Neji's fault.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Next, it's your turn!" Neji lifted his gaze toward the shouting Sōsuke, a cruel, hellish smile spreading across his face.
That smile seemed to come straight from the depths of hell.
Sōsuke shivered violently, and the words he had been about to scream died in his throat.
"Neji, this is all my decision! Don't harm Sōsuke!" Eighth Elder finally began to panic, his voice trembling as he pleaded with Neji.
"No. He and you are the ones responsible for my mother's death. Both of you must pay!" Neji's gaze held no mercy, his tone firm and resolute.
He still vividly remembered the ruthless, ugly expressions of those who had used the Caged Bird Seal on him.
Moreover, Eighth Elder had personally sent his own son to hunt him. If it hadn't been for Genya's timely intervention, he would have died then—there would have been no chance for revenge.
Since these main branch members did not value his life, they should be prepared to be crushed like ants.
"Neji, you…" Eighth Elder could see the determination in Neji's eyes. He knew that no matter how desperately he begged, Neji would not stop.
Helpless, he endured the pain and shouted toward Sarutobi Hiruzen outside, "Hokage-sama, intervene! No matter what, Hyūga Neji, who seeks to annihilate our clan, must be stopped! The Hyūga clan will forever remember your kindness!"
Eighth Elder understood that stopping Neji required external force—namely, the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
At the same time, he made a promise: if Hiruzen could save the main branch of the Hyūga, the clan would forever remember the favor and would fully support Hiruzen in the future.
Hiruzen understood the implication. He narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking carefully. After a moment, he spoke, his gaze sweeping over the Sarutobi elite, ANBU, and Danzo Shimura:
"Take action. Neji Hyūga refuses to repent despite our warnings. Force must be used!"
In truth, his words were mainly for Danzo. He knew that behind Danzo lurked many Root operatives hidden in the shadows.
Danzo's lips curved into a meaningful smile upon hearing this. "Once Neji is captured, Root will detain him."
In Danzo's eyes, Neji was an ideal test subject. He would not miss this rare opportunity, and this was his way of securing personal gain from Hiruzen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Danzo Shimura was negotiating terms with him.
Though he felt a hint of displeasure, after weighing the pros and cons, he finally nodded.
"Neji Hyuga's condition is unusual. Once captured, I will hand him over to you for initial investigation and handling."
After all, no one knew what Neji's hidden cards were. The ever-cautious Hiruzen wanted to act decisively, subduing Neji in a single strike and minimizing the Hyuga clan's losses.
"That's good!" Danzo Shimura said with a satisfied smile, then clapped his hands.
At his signal, dozens of Root ninjas dressed in black robes and wearing masks filed out in formation, standing neatly behind Danzo.
They exuded a deadly aura, like a pack of wolves ready to strike at any moment.
"Attack together! Break Neji's Eight Trigrams Formation!" Hiruzen commanded, and all the ninjas moved swiftly.
They hurried to the Four Four Violet Flames Formation and unleashed their full power against the Eight Trigrams Formation where Neji stood.
For a moment, countless jutsu rained down on the formation like a torrential storm.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bomb!" A ninja formed hand seals, and a massive earth dragon roared from the ground, claws bared, lunging at the formation.
"Fire Release: Flame Bomb!" Another ninja spewed blazing fire, forming giant flaming orbs that crashed toward the formation with intense heat.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!" Yet another ninja sent sharp earth spears shooting from the ground, like rows of blades, piercing the formation.
"Water Release: Water Arrows!" Streams of water arrows shot forward like arrows from a bow, interweaving with the other jutsu to form a powerful wave of attacks.
Each jutsu was a full-strength strike from a Jonin.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi supporting from behind, the overwhelming assault made Neji's Eight Trigrams Formation tremble violently, its glow dimming slightly.
Yet, astonishingly, the formation, despite enduring such a terrifying attack, remained resilient and unbroken.
"Enma!" Facing the stubborn formation, Hiruzen realized there was no time to waste.
He quickly activated his summoning jutsu, and amidst rising smoke, a massive monkey appeared before them—his summoning beast, Enma.
"Enma, Adamantine Staff!" Hiruzen whispered to Enma.
****
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