Chapter 25: Quickly, Protect the Hokage!
The rain had stopped without notice. Abundant moisture permeated the air, and as evening breezes swept through, one could feel a thread of coolness. The lights at Tamaeda Shrine gradually multiplied as clan members responsible for maintaining it lit the lamps and began their patrol rounds, busying themselves continuously.
Ritsu stood beneath the somewhat mottled vermillion torii gate.
Five elders—Takashi, Shinichiro, Isamu, Tenma, and Karin—stood with him under the gate, watching as the group of uninvited guests below approached along the wet bluestone-paved path under Hizashi's guidance.
Walking at the front was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hizashi accompanied him at his side.
Behind them followed Danzo Shimura and Minato Namikaze, with Hiashi and the others trailing at the rear.
"Hokage-sama, forgive us for not greeting you sooner!"
Ritsu stepped forward two paces to meet Hiruzen.
Then, before Hiruzen could speak, he preemptively continued: "I originally planned to visit you after sorting out clan affairs, but unexpectedly, you've personally delivered the Main Family remnants to us. This generous gift has left me and the thousand-plus clan members who support me deeply grateful."
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
This kid was something else! Seizing the initiative right away, playing that card smoothly. A thousand clan members' support? True or false? If it were true, wouldn't killing Ritsu mean losing the Hyuga clan's loyalty? Could these few useless Main Family members like Hiashi really stabilize the Hyuga clan's situation?
His heart immediately filled with uncertainty, even doubting whether the decision to kill Ritsu was correct.
However, his expression remained unchanged as he proceeded according to the original plan: "Clan Head Hiashi lodged a complaint with me, saying you showed no respect for your elders and, relying on your superior strength, arbitrarily slaughtered clan members. He asked me to come mediate this matter. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
As Hokage, he wielded the power of life and death.
But he couldn't exercise this power arbitrarily, killing whomever he pleased. To use this power required reasonable justification, and he didn't want to make things too ugly, causing the Hyuga clan to harbor resentment toward the village. The Hyuga clan's internal conflicts were best resolved within the clan itself.
Therefore, he needed legitimate cause—to sanction Ritsu in the name of righteousness, with Hiashi and the other Main Family members bearing the hatred of the many Branch Family members.
But—
"Hokage-sama, there's nothing to discuss! This rebellious traitor should be killed directly! Ritsu, you Branch Family bastard, I want you to pay with your life for my son Taiga!"
Daichi couldn't contain himself any longer. He lunged forward directly.
This unexpected development made Hiruzen's brows furrow tightly. Danzo directly cursed "Useless!" Attacking before the situation was even clear—what justification would that give Minato to help them eliminate Ritsu?
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!
Daichi swung his palm fiercely, unleashing a shockwave directly at Ritsu.
He still shouted: "Clan Head, Hisho, and Minato-dono, quickly act! Let's eliminate this rebellious traitor together!"
Pale blue chakra instantly outlined the shape of a lion's head on Ritsu's right hand. With a casual swat, he dissolved Daichi's shockwave into nothingness.
This effortless move made Hiruzen and the others' eyelids twitch, clearly recognizing Ritsu's formidable strength.
At the same time, they heard Ritsu's loud challenge: "You want to kill me to avenge your son? Then in the Hokage's presence, I must ask—since Konoha's founding, who will repay the debt for the dozens of Branch Family members tortured to death by you Main Family members?"
These words immediately struck a chord.
"The Clan Head is right!"
Takashi roared, his eyes wide with fury. "Daichi, you fool, do you remember my cousin Hyuga Shun? Back then, it was your own stupidity on the battlefield that got you critically wounded by Cloud ninja. My cousin risked his life to save you and bring you back. But in the end, your idiot father said my cousin failed in his duty to protect you, and directly activated the Caged Bird Seal until my cousin died in agony. Who will repay that debt?"
"That's right! My older brother, Hyuga Hanaiki—when he was five years old, he was sent to practice Gentle Fist with Masamune. But just because he performed slightly better in sparring, Masamune's father activated the Caged Bird Seal to 'teach him a lesson.' He died the day after returning home. I still dream about the scene of him crying and screaming in pain!"
Karin also stepped forward firmly, clearly expressing her support for Ritsu.
Shinichiro, Isamu, and Tenma said nothing, but they stepped forward in unison to stand behind Ritsu, glaring furiously at the Main Family members.
"Audacious! Audacious! You rebellious, disloyal bastards!"
Daichi's face flushed red with rage as he cursed. He raised one hand, preparing to activate the Caged Bird Seal to teach these Branch Family members who didn't know their place a harsh lesson.
"Even now you still want to use the Caged Bird Seal to enslave us?"
Ritsu roared in fury.
At the same time, he struck boldly.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!
He thrust his palm forward, unleashing a chakra-laced shockwave swift as lightning. Daichi, who was mobilizing chakra to activate the Caged Bird Seal, couldn't react in time. The shockwave precisely struck his arm and chest. The attack's power was so tremendous that it fractured Daichi's right arm and shattered his ribs, caving his chest inward. Blood gushed from his mouth like a fountain, and his life force dissipated like water slipping through one's fingers.
This scene left everyone present stunned.
No one had expected Ritsu would be bold enough to kill someone right in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
While everyone was still reacting, Ritsu shouted: "The Main Family remnants are attempting to continue enslaving us Branch Family members! Elder Hizashi, Elder Takashi, quickly protect the Hokage and the others! Don't let these crazed Main Family remnants harm the innocent!"
"Yes, Clan Head!"
All six elders responded in unison.
Constrained by the Caged Bird Seal, they found it difficult to oppose the Main Family directly, but they could certainly "protect" Hiruzen, Danzo, and Minato. They moved swiftly, positioning themselves before the three, spreading their arms wide and using their bodies as shields.
"Hokage-sama, please step back. Be careful of the Main Family remnants going berserk."
"Hokage Advisor, please don't come forward. Be careful not to get injured."
"Minato-dono, we meet again!"
The elders spoke over one another. Karin even pressed close to Minato, openly admiring the village's famously handsome man, making the Yellow Flash—who'd sent Rock ninja fleeing at the sight of him—extremely uncomfortable, forcing him to retreat step by step involuntarily.
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