When Hizashi heard Hiashi's words, he froze.
Then overwhelming joy burst from the depths of his eyes. No matter how hard he tried to control his expression, the trembling of his facial muscles betrayed him.
He could barely suppress the upward curl of his lips. His hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white. His throat moved, but no sound came out—he feared this was all an illusion.
After a long moment, he finally forced out a hoarse whisper:
"Really… is that possible?"
Hiashi nodded slightly and patted his brother's shoulder.
"Little brother… the fate of the Caged Bird ends here."
Hizashi's body shook violently, as if lightning had split apart the dark clouds that had hung over him for years.
He raised his head, tears welling in his eyes.
Ever since Neji was born, he had constantly thought about the Caged Bird.
He didn't care that he himself had been branded.
But his son?
Never.
He had once considered defecting. He had even entertained the dark thought of ensuring his brother would never have children—so that his own son from the branch family could become the main house heir.
But in the end, he suppressed those thoughts.
Because he was a Hyūga.
And loyalty to the clan flowed in his blood.
He never imagined the day would come like this.
His trembling fingers touched the seal on his forehead, as if he could still feel the burning pain from the branding ritual.
"It's over…"
His whole body slackened, and he let out a long, heavy breath.
Hiashi patted his shoulder again and began walking forward.
"Next, the two of us will have to deal with the elders."
Back in the Hokage's office—
"So you used the excuse of controlling the Four Clans to reclaim the Caged Bird seal?" Minato asked.
"Yes," Wen Lan replied calmly. "While those already branded can't have it removed, we can ensure the next generation of the branch family won't be shackled."
"The village must ensure loyalty to the Hokage. If one day the Hyūga main house decided to rebel, even if the branch family didn't want to, they'd be forced to follow."
"And you've only just taken office. Your foundation isn't stable yet."
"Once the Caged Bird is abolished, the main house loses its means of controlling the branch family. The branch family, in turn, will be grateful to you. They'll know their children won't suffer the same fate."
"They'll follow you through fire and blade."
Minato looked at Wen Lan strangely.
It was hard to believe this person was only five years old.
His strength. His thinking. Even adults couldn't compare.
Especially when it came to ruthlessness.
After a pause, Minato asked quietly,
"What about the Third?"
That had been his teacher's teacher.
There was still reluctance in his heart.
"Danzō's lived long enough," Wen Lan said, eyes narrowing. "We'll deal with him too."
"Didn't Hiruzen still have a son?"
"Kill him."
Minato's heart jolted. His fingers tightened unconsciously against the desk.
He looked into Wen Lan's cold eyes—eyes that did not belong to a child.
He wanted to refuse.
But hadn't he chosen Wen Lan precisely because of that ruthlessness? Because sometimes he needed someone to push him where he couldn't push himself?
Slowly, Minato released his grip.
"Then… you handle it."
"Fine."
Back at the Hyūga compound—
Hiashi immediately convened the elders to discuss abolishing the Caged Bird.
At first, the elders protested indignantly.
But the moment Hiashi said,
"The Advisor-sama said that if you disagree, you can go speak with him personally,"
They deflated like frostbitten eggplants.
They had all witnessed Wen Lan's strength and cruelty.
No one dared speak again.
Hiashi and Hizashi exchanged a glance, amusement flickering in their eyes.
Normally, these elders were as stubborn as stones in a latrine.
Today, they were as obedient as kittens.
Hiashi coughed lightly and dismissed the meeting.
After the elders left, the two brothers sat across from one another.
Hiashi poured tea.
"It's been a long time since we drank tea together like this."
Hizashi smiled faintly.
"You're the main house. I'm the branch house. Rules cannot be broken."
"From today onward," Hiashi said quietly, "we set the rules."
"In the past, the elders restricted me. There were many things I couldn't say."
"I may have seemed distant, but I have always regarded you as my brother."
"Now… the Hyūga belongs to the two of us."
Hizashi froze.
"Brother…"
Tears shimmered in his eyes as he gripped Hiashi's hand tightly.
Steam from the teacups blurred the fine lines at the corners of their eyes.
After a while, Hizashi spoke softly.
"There's something else."
"Go on."
"Once we announce the abolition of the Caged Bird, many branch members will no longer center their loyalty on the main house—but on the Hokage."
"The main house's authority could collapse."
"The main house exists because of strategic leadership and absolute strength. It is the core of the Hyūga."
"So if we abolish the Caged Bird, we must simultaneously reinforce the authority of the main house."
"Everyone must understand that leadership isn't maintained by cursed seals."
"And we must make it clear that this reform is the Hokage's grace—not the main house yielding."
"We support it because we are loyal to the Hokage's faction."
Hiashi tapped the table thoughtfully.
"You're right. But how?"
Hizashi suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Brother… I recall my sister-in-law is pregnant. Due in a few months. A girl, right?"
Hiashi's expression changed instantly.
"What are you plotting?"
"Heh. Wen Lan, that Advisor, is only five."
"If the Hyūga were to form a marriage alliance with the Hokage's Advisor…"
Hiashi frowned deeply.
"Isn't it better to ally directly with the Hokage? Kushina is pregnant too."
Hizashi rolled his eyes.
"Brother, overthinking can make a clever man foolish."
"Yes, Minato is Hokage. But we don't even know if Kushina will have a boy or girl."
"And Wen Lan's mother is Kushina's close friend. He's practically Minato's nephew. From everything we've seen, Wen Lan is absolutely loyal to Minato."
"More importantly—he's already displaying strength beyond Kage level at such a young age."
"He's the Hokage's Advisor."
"And he's Uchiha."
"That means gaining a powerful ally from the Uchiha."
"It ties us to the Hokage's inner circle and helps ease the long-standing tension between the Hyūga and Uchiha."
"It's a win-win."
Hiashi remained silent, brows furrowed.
He didn't reject the idea.
But neither did he agree.
"I'll… think about it."
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer