Chapter 247: The Rebellious Hyuga Branch Family
The earth-shattering explosion from the direction of the Uchiha Clan Territory was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the false tranquility of Konohagakure Village at night. The massive shockwave, accompanied by soaring firelight, awakened the entire village, with panic spreading like a plague.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clan Territories, closest to the Uchiha Clan Territory, were hit first. Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka, the three contemporary clan heads, rushed out of their homes almost the instant the explosion occurred.
All three were experienced elite jonin, with extremely keen senses for danger.
“Shikaku!” Choza Akimichi’s massive body was unusually agile, his chubby face losing its usual simplicity and filled with worry: “That commotion… it’s from the Uchiha side!”
His voice was grave: “An explosion and disturbance of this scale… could it be…”
“A big incident!” Inoichi Yamanaka said in a deep voice, his perception ability already capturing the chaotic and massive chakra fluctuation from that side.
Shikaku Nara’s brows furrowed tightly, his eyes sharp as a hawk: “Immediately assemble all combat-ready personnel! Hurry!”
No further commands were needed; the well-trained ninjas of the three clans quickly surged out from their respective clan territories, gathering beside the three clan heads.
Soon, an emergency team composed of elite jonin and chunin from the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans was assembled, with a tense atmosphere permeating the air.
At that moment, a dark shadow appeared in front of Shikaku with a body flicker.
It was a Hokage’s Personal Anbu wearing a mask.
“Lord Shikaku! Command from Hokage-sama!” The Anbu’s voice sounded urgent through the mask, quickly saying: “The Uchiha Clan has been confirmed to have launched a rebellion! Hokage-sama is personally leading the Anbu to suppress it. Now commanding Jonin Squad Leader Shikaku Nara to immediately lead the jonin squad and other available ninjas to maintain internal order in the village, evacuate civilians, and strictly prevent Uchiha rogue ninjas from causing destruction throughout the village! The suppression task is to be handled by Hokage-sama!”
“Rebellion?!” Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.
The Uchiha Clan… rebelled?!
A chill crept up his spine.
Shikaku’s mind instantly flashed to the brutal Kaguya Clan rebellion in Kirigakure several years ago. Although Kirigakure had implemented a lockdown policy, news of such a large ninja clan being exterminated had still spread widely, and Shikaku naturally knew about it.
Shikaku was well aware of the Uchiha Clan’s strength. As the number one prestigious clan in the Ninja World, the Uchiha could muster at least over twenty jonin and nearly a hundred chunin with their full clan power!
If this force fully erupted, could the Hokage leading the Anbu really suppress it?
It would likely be a battle far more devastating than the Nine-Tails Attack back then, possibly even affecting the entire village!
“Hokage-sama only bringing the Anbu… I’m afraid…” Shikaku forcibly suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, not finishing his words, but the meaning was already very clear.
Relying solely on the Anbu’s power to suppress the entire Uchiha Clan in rebellion was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!
Then, he suppressed the worry in his heart, turned to the messenger Anbu, his tone grave and urgent: “Please immediately relay to Hokage-sama! The jonin squad and Ino-Shika-Cho Clans have assembled, ready to support the rebellion suppression at any time! The Uchiha rebellion is no small matter; do not underestimate the enemy!”
“Yes!” The Anbu nodded and vanished with a body flicker.
Shikaku was extremely anxious inside; the Hokage’s decision seemed too risky to him.
He whispered to Choza and Inoichi beside him: “Choza, take some people to assist the security forces in evacuating civilians around the Uchiha Clan Territory and set up isolation zones! Inoichi, use your Mind Body Switch Technique to contact the scattered jonin teams as much as possible, inform them of the situation, and have them converge here! Everyone else, follow me…”
Shikaku’s words weren’t finished—
Boom!!!
Another deafening explosion roared, accompanied by soaring smoke and dust, erupting fiercely from another direction!
Everyone’s gazes were instantly drawn there.
That direction…
Was the Hyuga Clan Territory!
“Hyuga Clan Territory?! How could there…” Choza Akimichi’s eyes widened.
Inoichi Yamanaka’s face changed drastically: “Bad! Did the Uchiha attack the Hyuga?!”
Shikaku Nara’s heart sank to the bottom, a strong sense of foreboding enveloping him.
The Uchiha rebellion was already a huge problem; if something happened to the Hyuga Clan Territory too…
Konoha would face utter destruction tonight!
“Something’s wrong! Inoichi, Choza!” Shikaku Nara’s face became extremely ugly; tonight’s changes completely exceeded his expectations and control: “Take half the manpower and come with me to the Hyuga Clan Territory immediately to check! Everyone else, maintain order as planned! Hurry!”
Without any hesitation, led by Shikaku Nara, with Choza Akimichi and Inoichi Yamanaka following closely, Nara Shiosui, Nara Vermilion Bird, Shikamaru Yamanaka, Inuzuka Clan Head Inuzuka Jaw, Akimichi Clan elite Choza Akimichi’s subordinate, and Konoha jonin Mimura Hamaki, Shirakumo Hayama, and over a dozen other top Konoha jonin formed a rapid reaction force, shooting toward the Hyuga Clan Territory like arrows from a bow at the fastest speed!
They had to figure out what exactly happened there!
……………………
Hyuga Clan Territory, explosion core area
Smoke filled the air, the pungent smell of scorch mixed with the scent of blood.
What was destroyed by the explosion was an elegantly decorated courtyard, belonging to one of the Hyuga Main Family elders.
Hiashi Hyuga arrived at the scene with his Byakugan activated almost the first moment the explosion subsided.
His vision pierced the smoke; he saw that Main Family elder lying in a pile of debris, his chest completely pierced by some sharp weapon, blood staining his luxurious clan robes, already dead!
“Third Elder!” Hiashi was shocked inside, quickly stepping forward to check, confirming the other had no vital signs.
“Clan Head!”
“What happened?”
“Where are the enemies?”
At that moment, chaotic footsteps and shouts arrived as a large number of Hyuga ninjas, alarmed by the explosion, rushed to the scene.
Among them were Hizashi Hyuga and the several branch family jonin he led, and even the small figure of Neji Hyuga!
Hiashi’s gaze lingered slightly on Neji, a trace of doubt flashing in his heart: such a dangerous place, why was Neji brought here too?
But with the urgent situation, he didn’t dwell on it.
At the same time, three other Main Family elders who had rushed over upon hearing the news also arrived. Though they had lost their eyes, they possessed similar mind’s eye perception abilities. Learning of their colleague’s tragic death, they were both shocked and furious.
“Hiashi! Could it be that ‘Shura’ attacking again?!”
“Daring to assault our Hyuga Main Family once more!”
Several years ago, Shura had attacked the Hyuga Clan Territory twice in a row and dug out the Byakugan of their four elders; the pain it brought the Hyuga Clan was still vividly etched in their minds!
Hiashi stood up, his gaze sweeping over the arriving crowd, including Hizashi and others, saying in a deep voice: “When I arrived, the elder was already… The enemy is nowhere to be seen; everyone be careful…”
His words unfinished!
A sudden change occurred!
Hizashi Hyuga, standing beside Hiashi and seemingly vigilantly observing as well, suddenly attacked without warning!
His right palm gathered highly concentrated chakra, with a sharp sound of air breaking, lightning-fast striking toward Hiashi’s unguarded back!
Pfft—!
Hiashi was caught off guard, feeling a massive force slam into his back, his protective chakra instantly dispersing!
His whole body flew forward like a severed kite, crashing heavily into the broken wall, a sweet taste in his throat as he spat out a mouthful of blood!
“Lord Hizashi?!”
“What are you doing?!”
This sudden betrayal stunned everyone present!
Including those ordinary Hyuga Branch Family guards!
They could hardly believe their eyes!
However, Hizashi’s rebellion was just the beginning!
In the same instant Hiashi was sent flying, the several branch family jonin behind Hizashi who were already prepared, Tetsu Hyuga, Tokuma Hyuga, and others, erupted like they had received a signal!
Tetsu Hyuga and Tokuma Hyuga coordinated perfectly, like two ghostly shadows, charging straight at the three shocked and furious Main Family elders!
Their goal was clear—kill!
“You!” One elder, both shocked and angry, tried to form hand seals to resist, but how could he block two jonin who had plotted long in advance in such haste?
“Traitors!” Another elder roared, trying to activate the Hyuga Main Family’s most lethal “Caged Bird” curse mark against the branch family!
He formed hand seals, chakra surging!
However, something soul-shattering happened!
On Tetsu Hyuga and Tokuma Hyuga’s foreheads, the Caged Bird curse mark that should have responded to the summons and inflicted extreme pain showed no reaction at all!
As if it had never existed!
“How is this possible?!” The elder was terrified, despair undisguisable even in his empty eye sockets!
Pfft!
In that instant of distraction, Tetsu Hyuga’s palm pierced the elder’s heart like the sharpest kunai!
“Urgh!” The other elder nearby was also struck fatally by Tokuma Hyuga’s palm, spitting blood as he flew backward.
The third elder reacted slightly faster, narrowly dodging the lethal strike, but was then hit hard in the ribs by Neji Hyuga, the eight-year-old child with icy cold eyes, with a Gentle Fist strike!
A crisp sound of cracking bones rang out; the elder screamed as he retreated, his voice filled with utter horror.
Neji Hyuga didn’t stop, his eyes showing no hesitation, like the coldest hunter, closing in again, his small palm carrying sharp chakra, viciously slapping toward the elder’s crown!
“Stop!” Hiashi Hyuga struggled up from the rubble, witnessing this tragic scene, his eyes nearly splitting!
He watched helplessly as three revered Main Family elders were slaughtered in mere breaths right before his eyes by branch family ninjas once regarded as kin!
One of them even died at the hands of his own nephew!
“Hizashi Hyuga!!” Hiashi’s voice was hoarse and distorted from anger and sharp pain, staring deadly at the betrayer—his own brother!
“What the hell are you doing?!!!”
In the smoke- and blood-filled courtyard, Hizashi Hyuga slowly turned, facing the nearly irrational Hiashi Hyuga.
“What am I doing?” His voice was calm, yet carried decades of suppressed humiliation and determination: “Isn’t it obvious enough?”
“Of course, ending this humiliation that has lasted centuries!” Hizashi’s voice was ice-cold, clearly echoing in the deathly silent courtyard.
“My respected brother.”
Under the horrified gazes of Hiashi Hyuga and all the Hyuga Branch Family guards who hadn’t reacted yet, Hizashi Hyuga slowly raised his hand and tore off the headband from his forehead!
Immediately after, rebel members like Tetsu Hyuga and Tokuma Hyuga did the same!
Neji Hyuga, who had just killed a Main Family elder and returned to his father’s side, also removed the cloth strip that had formerly covered the Caged Bird curse mark on his forehead.
Smooth foreheads!
No marks!
The Caged Bird curse marks that had bound them, tormented them, made them slaves for generations, symbolizing the branch family’s humiliation—they had all vanished!
“This… this is impossible!!” Hiashi Hyuga exclaimed, his body trembling slightly from the massive shock.
“The curse marks… are gone?!”
“They… how did they do it?!”
The surrounding Hyuga Branch Family guards fell into complete chaos and ultimate shock!
They looked at the smooth foreheads of Hizashi and others, then at the indelible blue mark on their own foreheads, an unprecedented emotion crazily breeding in their hearts.
Was it desire?
Jealousy?
Or… despair?
After a brief dead silence came utter madness!
“Capture the traitors! Protect the Clan Head!!” The Main Family loyal branch family guards who snapped back roared; though their hearts were equally shocked, the long-accumulated prestige of the Main Family and the latent threat of the curse mark instinctively drove them toward Hizashi and the others.
Hizashi led five rebel branch family ninjas and little Neji; the six formed a defensive circle back-to-back, facing enemies dozens of times their number, their eyes showing no fear, only the resolve of those who had staked their lives!
“Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!”
“Gentle Fist Art: Rotation!”
A fierce civil war erupted instantly!
Hiashi was injured but still formidable in strength, fiercely entangled with Hizashi, the clashes of Gentle Fist producing dense muffled sounds.
Within the courtyard, sounds of Gentle Fist breaking air, chakra collisions, flesh-and-bone impacts, and the screams of the wounded instantly filled every inch of space!
Hizashi led the rebels, who were absolutely outnumbered, fighting like cornered beasts against several times their number of encirclement.
Though few in number, each harbored a determination to die, and freed from the Caged Bird threat, they attacked without restraint, actually forcing the attacking guards to retreat step by step for a time.
At the same time as the core of the Hyuga Clan Territory erupted in civil strife, another group of rebel branch family members led by Natsuhi Hyuga, totaling over fifty, mostly weaker ninjas, women, children, and kids, took advantage of the explosion and the chaos created by Hizashi and others to quickly escape the Hyuga Clan Territory along a pre-planned route, desperately fleeing toward the outer perimeter of Konohagakure Village.
Their actions were tense but orderly, clearly the result of long planning and rehearsal.
Soon, they rendezvoused in a secluded forest at the village edge with the Star Ninja Second Squad led by Uzumaki Kushina waiting there.
“Land of Stars, Uzumaki Kushina, here to provide extraction on Lord Shura’s orders!” Uzumaki Kushina stepped forward and announced loudly.
Natsuhi Hyuga saw that striking red hair and Star Ninja headband, excitedly whispering, quickly reporting the situation: “Lord Hizashi and Young Master Neji, along with five other clan members, stayed behind to cover our withdrawal, creating even greater chaos at the clan territory center to draw all attention!”
Uzumaki Kushina frowned slightly upon hearing this.
She quickly scanned the group of terrified yet determined Hyuga clan members and made a snap decision: “Hotaru! Take three people and escort them to the border teleport point immediately! Ensure their safety at all costs!”
“Yes!” Hotaru unhesitatingly accepted the order, selected three Star Ninjas, and gestured for Natsuhi Hyuga and others to follow.
Kushina then looked at Natsuhi, Chiyo, Junhito, and Hazuki: “The rest of you, come with me to extract Hizashi and them!”
“Yes!”
………………
Meanwhile, the Konoha jonin support force led by Shikaku Nara arrived at the Hyuga Clan Territory at the fastest speed.
However, when they charged into the Hyuga Clan Territory, what met their eyes was not the expected external enemy invasion, but a devastatingly brutal, jaw-dropping civil strife!
Seeing this unimaginably tragic internal war before them, even the battle-hardened elite jonin couldn’t help but gasp!
The once solemn and dignified Hyuga Clan Territory was now a mess of wreckage, with Main Family elders and their loyal guards’ corpses strewn about, while Hyuga Clan Head Hiashi Hyuga, blood at his mouth, was fiercely clashing with his own brother Hizashi Hyuga.
Around them, numerous branch family guards were besieging the mere seven rebels led by Hizashi, including even that eight-year-old Neji Hyuga with resolute eyes!
Though the rebels were extremely few, each fought fearlessly, actually holding off the siege for the moment.
“This… this is… Hyuga civil strife?!” Inoichi Yamanaka said in shock.
“The Caged Bird… failed?!” Choza Akimichi looked at the smooth foreheads of Hizashi and Neji in disbelief.
Shikaku Nara’s heart sank to the bottom.
The Uchiha rebellion unresolved, and now Hyuga internal strife!
Konoha would suffer unprecedented heavy damage tonight!
He immediately judged: “Control the situation first! Stop them! Capture the rebels!”
With his command, Nara Shiosui and Nara Vermilion Bird’s shadow binding techniques instantly unfolded, trying to restrict Hizashi and others’ movement; Inoichi Yamanaka’s mental impact charged; Inuzuka Jaw coordinated with ninja hounds to block retreat paths; Choza Akimichi and Choza Akimichi’s subordinate’s massive bodies stood like fortresses at the front; Shirakumo Hayama, Mimura Hamaki, and other jonin quickly spread out, powerful chakra fluctuations locking the battlefield core.
The joining of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans and Konoha jonin instantly tilted the battlefield balance.
Hizashi, Neji, and others were heavily surrounded, their movement space rapidly compressed, pressure surging!
Hizashi Hyuga palmed away a guard, his back pressed tightly against Neji’s.
He could feel his son’s slightly rapid breathing and the firm will emanating from that small body.
“Neji,” Hizashi’s voice was slightly hoarse but unusually calm: “Afraid? Regret staying behind to cover?”
Neji’s childish little face was smeared with dust and a trace of blood, but his Byakugan was clear and sharp, showing no wavering.
He clenched his small fist tightly, shook his head vigorously, his voice crisp yet resolute:
“No regrets even in death! Father!”
Just as Shikaku’s expression was grave, preparing to order the capture of these “rebels” and inquire details from the injured Hiashi.
“Adamantine Sealing Chains!”
A clear and majestic feminine shout, like thunder, tore through the battlefield clamor!
Immediately after, several dazzling golden chains, like the glow of dawn, carrying unparalleled sealing power, ripped through the air with shrill whistles, descending with perfect precision from above!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The golden chains swept violently like living divine dragons!
The Hyuga Branch Family guards besieging Hizashi and Neji, as well as several support jonin brought by Shikaku trying to approach, were caught off guard and struck hard by this massive force!
Muffled thuds rang out successively; dozens of figures flew backward like straw men smashed by a giant hammer, tumbling in chaos, their assault instantly crumbling!
The entire battlefield seemed paused!
Everyone’s gazes, shocked, followed the brilliant golden chains to their source, atop a higher rooftop beside the courtyard.
Under the moonlight, a woman stood against the wind.
She wore a deep blue combat uniform vastly different from Konoha’s style, outlining her graceful figure, casually draped with a dark coat outside.
Her fiery red curly long hair, like burning flames, flew wildly in the night wind, a Star Ninja’s pentagram headband on her forehead.
Behind her, several incredibly thick energy chains shining with pure golden light unfurled like a peacock’s tail, emanating a heart-palpitating massive chakra fluctuation and sealing aura!
“That headband… Star Ninja!” Shirakumo Hayama exclaimed.
“And that technique…” Inuzuka Jaw’s eyes widened.
Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka—these three knowledgeable clan heads—had their pupils contract sharply the instant they saw the golden chains clearly, their faces showing shock even greater than seeing the Hyuga civil strife, verging on horror!
“Ad… Adamantine Sealing Chains?!” Shikaku Nara’s pupils shrank, exclaiming in shock!
“Uzumaki Clan?!” Choza Akimichi’s massive body trembled slightly from the shock.
“Lord Kushina… no… wrong! Who are you?!” Inoichi Yamanaka’s mental perception instantly captured her powerful chakra, utterly different from the fourth wife’s in his memory!
This signature secret technique of the Uzumaki Clan’s top sealing experts had long become legend with the Nine-Tails Attack and the Uzumaki Clan’s decline!
Now, it reappeared in the world!
Beside the red-haired woman stood four figures also in Star Ninja uniforms with star-shaped forehead protectors.
One with a voluptuous figure, wearing a Star Ninja jonin vest; one a little girl with white short hair and blood-like eyes; and two boys and girls in deep blue chakra powered armor, with fierce auras.
It was exactly Natsuhi, Oyakushiro Chino, Shita Junhito, and Murahashi Hazuki led by Uzumaki Kushina!
Uzumaki Kushina’s emerald eyes gleamed like cold pools under the moonlight, coldly scanning the Konoha crowd below in massive shock and chaos, as well as Hizashi Hyuga and his son temporarily protected by the golden chains.
Her voice clearly echoed in the silent night sky:
“Land of Stars, Uzumaki Kushina. On Lord Shura’s orders, here to extract the Hyuga Branch Family’s ‘birds’ freed from the cage!”
