Chapter 9: I'm Here to Rebel
The sky darkened slightly as dark clouds invaded from the east, obscuring the sun's radiance. Yet the temperature remained stubbornly high, and the air grew humid and oppressive, making those accustomed to dry weather feel uncomfortably sticky all over.
However, Ritsu felt no discomfort. After nearly two years fighting Mist ninja along the eastern coast, he'd long adapted to excessively humid environments. This oppressive atmosphere before a storm actually rather matched his current mood.
The stagnant Hyuga clan was about to face an unprecedented tempest!
The four of them rushed rapidly through deserted streets and alleys.
"Ritsu, going any further will make it hard to conceal our movements."
Takuma spoke.
Ahead, buildings grew increasingly dense while forested clearings became sparse.
They were approaching the compound's central district.
The Hyuga clan compound's architectural layout placed the seven Main Family bloodlines at the center, with Branch Family residences extending outward from there. In other words, the closer to the central district, the higher the population density. Though clan rules forbade casually activating the Byakugan within the compound—it was only permitted in barrier-protected training grounds and similar locations.
But with many eyes around, even without activating the Byakugan, being spotted was difficult to avoid.
"It doesn't matter if we're seen. Takuma, let me ask you—when Arima found you and told you I was looking for you, what were you thinking? Why did you think I returned to the village?"
Ritsu asked without looking back.
"Uh, well... I don't know."
Takuma answered honestly. "My mind went completely blank... Ah! I understand now."
Halfway through speaking, he suddenly caught on.
He knew what they were going to do, so he felt somewhat guilty, afraid of being spotted and their movements discovered. But other clan members didn't know what they intended to do.
Moreover, the Main Family hadn't officially convicted Ritsu yet. He wasn't a criminal whom every clan member was obligated to apprehend on sight.
Therefore, even if spotted, it didn't matter.
Everyone would merely be surprised Ritsu had returned and wonder why, but wouldn't try to capture him and hand him over to the Main Family for judgment.
Several seconds later, they turned a corner.
Then someone saw them.
"Hyuga Ritsu?"
A man smoking on a second-floor balcony, leaning against the railing, spotted Ritsu's group rushing through the alley. Never mind the others following behind—he recognized Ritsu, the Branch Family's greatest prodigy, at a glance.
"When did you get back? Didn't the clan head and elders punish you for your... Wait? Your—your forehead? What happened? Your—your seal? Where's your Caged Bird Seal?"
The man's face turned deathly pale.
The cigarette fell from his mouth unnoticed.
"Speed up!"
Ritsu ignored the middle-aged man and simply continued rushing forward.
The rule forbidding clan members from casually activating the Byakugan within the compound wasn't enough by itself. After all, not everyone was willing to follow rules. Perhaps in crowded public areas everyone acted properly.
But who knew what faces they wore at home when no one was around? It wouldn't be surprising to find psychologically twisted voyeuristic perverts.
Therefore, clan members basically posted special clan-made "barrier seals" around their residences. A minimum of five barrier seals posted on the house's four sides and roof could form a barrier obstructing Byakugan vision, ensuring their private lives weren't spied upon by outsiders.
This meant that even with his Byakugan activated, Ritsu couldn't clearly see the specific situation inside each house throughout the compound. This middle-aged smoker was such a case—the balcony fell within the barrier seals' coverage, so Ritsu hadn't spotted him in advance, resulting in this direct encounter.
"What the hell is going on?"
The middle-aged man on the balcony was utterly shocked.
Staring at the backs of Ritsu's group, he hesitated for less than three seconds before directly flipping over the balcony and chasing after them.
He didn't know what he'd do after catching up to Ritsu's group.
But he knew that if he didn't chase them and stayed home instead, he'd definitely be restless and unable to sit still.
Then—
Ritsu stopped before a residence with white walls, black tiles, and dense pine and cypress trees.
Two young Branch Family members stood guard at the main gate.
"Is Hyuga Shunsuke home?"
Ritsu stepped forward and asked.
"Elder Shunsuke is inside... Wait, Hyuga Ritsu? How are you..."
Before the guard could finish speaking, Ritsu—having already gotten his answer—knocked him unconscious with a single palm strike.
"You..."
The other guard only managed to utter one word before similarly being struck down, falling asleep instantly.
Ritsu turned to look at Arima beside him and instructed, "Arima, you stay outside. Activate your Byakugan and monitor the compound. If anyone from the village enters the compound, come tell me immediately."
"Yes, Ritsu-aniki!"
Arima responded loudly, immediately activating his Byakugan and expanding his vision to maximum range, watching the compound's several entrances and exits.
Next, Ritsu strode boldly through the gate.
Once inside, he immediately activated his Byakugan.
Having entered the barrier's interior, his activated Byakugan could clearly see the residence's interior. He instantly located the Main Family elder Hyuga Shunsuke, who was practicing Gentle Fist in the indoor training ground.
At the same time, Shunsuke—practicing with his Byakugan activated—also saw Ritsu and the others breaking in. He first froze, then furrowed his brow deeply, his face showing confusion. He didn't understand why Ritsu, who should have been punished at the front lines, would appear here.
He immediately stopped practicing and quickly walked out of the indoor training ground, rapidly approaching Ritsu standing in the front courtyard. Seeing this, Ritsu simply stopped and waited for Shunsuke's arrival.
Thirteen seconds later, Shunsuke rushed into the front courtyard with eight Branch Family guards. His furious roar preceded him. "Hyuga Ritsu, such audacity! You harmed the Main Family at the front lines, allowing the Byakugan to be stolen by Mist Village thieves. Now you dare break into my home without permission! Are you trying to rebel?"
"That's right. I'm here to rebel!"
"If you don't want to implicate your parents, you'd better surrender obediently right... Hmm? What did you say?"
"I said, I'm here to rebel."
Ritsu smiled as he repeated his purpose. "I returned to the compound today to shatter this slavery-like Main Family-Branch Family system!"
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