Today feels like an earthquake for Konoha.
In retrospect, everyone would realize: the Hyuga clan had split, the Uchiha clan lost some of its territory, and Danzo was suspended.
For the village, it marked the fall of Konoha's second-strongest family into two factions, dropping them from the apex down to the level of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.
Although the divided Hyuga — both main and branch families — remained individually stronger than any single Ino-Shika-Cho clan, they no longer stood as overwhelmingly dominant.
Now, the only top family left was the Uchiha clan — yet they were being marginalized, little by little.
The only true winners seemed to be Konoha's upper echelon. The splitting of the Hyuga clan meant greater control over the village's major forces.
Hokage's Office
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, quietly smoking his pipe.
By noon, the turmoil had largely subsided under his control, and all the major figures were summoned.
Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga main family, and the Hyuga elders.
Hyuga Hizashi, leader of the branch family.
Uchiha Kaien, captain of the Police Force's Seventh Department — the rising star who had acted under orders during the upheaval.
They sat in two distinct groups: the Hyuga main and branch families on either side, with Uchiha Kaien and the Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Fugaku, in the middle.
Behind them stood the major family heads and the Jonin Council.
Today, almost all of Konoha's top brass were gathered.
Konoha's "F4" was present — except for the absent Shimura Danzo.
Uchiha Kaien kept his head bowed, not revealing his thoughts.
"Everyone is here," the Third Hokage said after exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Let us discuss how to resolve this matter."
His voice, calm but heavy, pressed down on the room like a suffocating weight.
No one spoke.
Finally, Uchiha Kaien broke the silence.
"Third Hokage, I only received orders from Orochimaru — issued in Root's name. As a loyal Konoha shinobi, I carried them out without questioning. That was my mistake."
First, he sincerely apologized.
Then, raising his head slightly, he continued:
"From today onward, I will learn from this mistake. Even if an order comes from Root, even under Orochimaru's name, I will think carefully. If I am unsure, I will immediately report to you, Hokage-sama."
Kaien's steady voice echoed across the room.
Many in the room observed him carefully.
He was handsome, in a way characteristic of the Uchiha, but lacked the arrogance typical of his clan. There was an approachable air about him — but beneath that, those who understood politics saw the slyness.
Apologizing? No — he was shirking responsibility and shifting the blame onto Root.
When Kaien finished, Uchiha Fugaku spoke up coldly:
"Indeed, the Uchiha's territory is large. It seems some people have grown envious. Even after we moved to the far edge of the village forest, certain parties still sent the Hyuga branch family to monitor us."
"The Uchiha welcome all Konoha shinobi to live among us. After all, it was Danzo himself who gave us such a large piece of land."
Fugaku's words were sharp, directly accusing the village leadership of distrust and bias.
The Third Hokage coughed lightly, glancing at Fugaku.
He couldn't help but admire how Danzo's scheme had achieved so much — splitting the Hyuga clan, planting a seed of distrust in the Uchiha. Killing two birds with one stone.
The branch family now looked to Orochimaru?
In the Third Hokage's mind, Orochimaru was still his disciple — a tool he could control.
"Cough, cough. I understand Uchiha clan leader's anger," Hiruzen said smoothly. "This matter was indeed mishandled. On behalf of Danzo, I apologize to the Uchiha clan and am willing to offer compensation."
A masterful statement — an apology without admitting guilt, offering compensation without committing to anything.
At that moment, Hyuga Hizashi stepped forward.
His calm cough drew everyone's attention.
Hizashi's voice was steady, almost storytelling:
"Ladies and gentlemen... I will not dwell on how the Caged Bird Curse has oppressed our branch family for generations. Suffice it to say, it has brought much sorrow."
"For many years, we resisted quietly. Until recently — we finally succeeded. We broke free of the Caged Bird Curse."
Joy... followed by fear.
How would the branch family coexist with the main family now?
Would war break out? Would the Hyuga perish?
"But," Hizashi said, "despite the hatred, we are all Hyuga. We share the same blood. We chose to seek help, not war."
"We turned to Root. Deputy Leader Orochimaru, imbued with the Will of Fire, extended his hand to us."
His words were respectful, but most in the room inwardly scoffed:
What nonsense. Obviously, something is wrong here.
Nobody truly believed the branch family had broken the curse on their own.
The smarter ones pieced it together immediately:
Danzo had orchestrated everything, splitting the Hyuga and setting up a spy force within the Uchiha's territory.
Darkness of the Leaf, they thought grimly. Danzo lives up to his reputation.
When Hizashi finished speaking, he turned and bowed deeply to Uchiha Fugaku — his forehead touching the floor.
"Lord Fugaku! We deeply apologize for any offense. The branch family had no other path. We beg your forgiveness!"
You seize their land — then ask for forgiveness?
The room filled with subtle pity for Uchiha Fugaku.
But the Third Hokage quickly stepped in.
"Haha... in my opinion, Hizashi, you and your kin should settle peacefully first. The land issue — we can negotiate later. As for the Uchiha — the village will compensate."
The Hokage's soothing words barely concealed his deeper intent:
To let the Hyuga branch family settle permanently and continue monitoring the Uchiha clan.
Fugaku laughed coldly inside.
Maybe this time... the Uchiha will truly win.
Orochimaru's influence was growing. With the Hyuga branch family backing him, his path to the Fifth Hokage seat became ever clearer.
What Fugaku didn't know was that the higher-ups had already made plans... to deal with Orochimaru.
"Thank you, Lord Fugaku. Thank you, Lord Hokage," Hizashi said respectfully.
Both he and Fugaku understood:
Root had taken the blame.
Now, both the Uchiha and Hyuga branch families were putting their hopes on Orochimaru's rise.
Meanwhile, Konoha's leadership thought differently:
Once Orochimaru was out of the way, the Hyuga branch family would remain — a tool to keep the Uchiha under control.
Focus on the Hyuga Main Family
Now, everyone's eyes turned to the Hyuga main family.
The Third Hokage sighed heavily.
"This is a Hyuga matter. I should not interfere. But I don't want to see internal bloodshed. What does the Hyuga head think?"
All eyes fell on Hiashi.
Hiashi clenched his fists in anger, holding himself back.
"The main and branch families share blood. We do not wish for bloodshed. However — has Root not overstepped, Hokage-sama?"
It was a question filled with barely-contained fury.
Everyone stared at the Third Hokage.
If he didn't answer satisfactorily, the entire council of clans might one day turn against the village leadership.
The Third Hokage bowed his head gravely.
"I was unaware of Root's actions. Danzo has already been suspended for investigation."
He continued solemnly:
"Konoha's higher-ups have never interfered in family matters — and I swear, we will not."
Standing up, he bowed deeply to the Hyuga main family:
"As for the Root's secret involvement, I promise a full investigation. Danzo will answer to the Hyuga clan."
A masterful deflection — isolating Danzo as the villain while presenting himself as just and righteous.
He unleashed a burst of chakra so strong it pressed against everyone present:
"Even without my Hokage title, as leader of the Sarutobi clan, I declare — family matters are sacred. No one — not even the Hokage — can interfere, unless village rules are broken."
This was a solemn guarantee.
If violated, the clans would lose all trust in Konoha's leadership.
Hiashi weighed his choices heavily.
Go to war and destroy the Hyuga... or swallow the humiliation and rebuild quietly for the future.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Kaien observed quietly.
This chaos had weakened the village leadership's hand against the Uchiha.
An elderly Hyuga elder, drained of all energy, spoke finally:
"The future of the Hyuga is in your hands, Hiashi. Do not allow the branch family to surpass the main."
The old man stood shakily.
"Hyuga main family! Branch family! We are of the same blood.
The Caged Bird Seal was never a curse — it was a shield!"
"If today you leave, know that the main family still remembers our brotherhood!"
"May the branch family thrive."
With that, the elder left, exhausted — but with his dignity intact.
And thus, a new era quietly began for Konoha.
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