178 New Hokage, Hyuga Clan

While all of Konoha was celebrating, but tension filled the Hyuga Clan's compound.

Although Simu had freed some of the branch house's strongest fighters from the Caged Bird, many were still bound by the seal.

The main family, feeling threatened, used these unfreed branch members as hostages trying to force those who had already broken free to surrender.

On one side stood Hyuga Hiashi and the clan elders.

Opposing them were Hyuga Hizashi and Hyuga Lindy, representing the branch house.

"Lindy, you were expelled from the Hyuga Clan long ago. What business do you have here?" one of the elders snapped, his presence radiating pressure.

But Lindy, hardened by years under Simu, was unfazed. The timid girl was gone—replaced by a powerful, unshakable aura.

"The Hyuga Clan doesn't belong to just the main family," 

"The branch house is just as much a part of it. And today, I stand here as their representative."

Her defiant words sent a wave of anger through the elders, who had long been used to absolute control.

"You've completely turned against us… Do you no longer respect the will of our ancestors?" one of them spat.

"Enough! Since you've chosen this path—main family, activate the Caged Bird!" 

"Let's see how long these lowly branch members can resist!"

For the main family, the Caged Bird was their last trump card.

But as they made their move, Lindy's gaze turned ice-cold.

"Elders, think carefully," she warned.

"If you activate Caged Bird, the Hyuga Clan will descend into civil war."

Her words carried a chilling finality.

Behind her, Hyuga Hizashi and over fifty branch house Jōnin who had broken free stepped forward. 

By comparison, the main family's forces seemed woefully inadequate.

Since each main family could only have one member per generation, the main family only had twenty or thirty ninjas in total.

Among them, only eight were Jōnin.

Meanwhile, the branch house had twelve Jōnin—and they weren't afraid to fight.

"You lowly branch house members, how dare you rebel against the main family?!"

"Our Jōnin are far superior to yours!"

An elder roared in fury before finally attacking.

Powerful chakra surged into his Byakugan, his eyes locking onto Lindy with deadly focus. Flames of chakra flared from his hands as he unleashed his technique.

"Eight Trigrams Palm: Mountain Breaker!"

A concentrated blast of Chakra shot toward Lindy with immense force.

The elder wasn't wrong traditionally, the main family's Jōnin were stronger than the branch house Jōnin.

From childhood, they had exclusive access to the Hyuga Clan's advanced Gentle Fist techniques.

Meanwhile, no matter how talented a branch house member was, they were never allowed to learn such forbidden arts.

At the Jōnin level, this gap had always given the main family an overwhelming advantage.

But that advantage no longer existed not after Lindy had mastered Haki at Ling's school.

As the elder's Chakra blast surged toward her, an astonishing aura erupted from Lindy in response.

Lindy's pale Byakugan eyes seemed to pierce through everything.

Her long black hair floated gently, while the fabric of her clothes whipped violently in the air.

"Gentle Fist: Lion Rush!"

A massive lion head formed from condensed Chakra, its fangs bared as it lunged toward the incoming shockwave.

The two forces collided in a violent explosion.

From within the lion's body, a surge of Armament Haki erupted.

Lindy had seamlessly combined Gentle Fist with Armament Haki, elevating its power to the level of Emission Haki from the One Piece world.

Against this overwhelming force, the elder's attack was completely outmatched—like an antelope facing a tiger.

The lion tore through the impact effortlessly and surged toward the elder.

His expression turned to sheer panic.

At the last moment, two main family Jōnin intervened, barely blocking the attack.

But the cost was heavy—both were sent flying, crashing through the walls of the Hyuga ancestral hall.

Lindy's gaze swept over the remaining elders.

"Now, respected elders, do you still believe the branch house is weaker than the main family?"

Hyuga Lindy swept her cold gaze over the clan members.

The branch house ninjas, seeing this display of power, straightened their backs with renewed confidence.

Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened.

He was the same age as Lindy and considered one of the most talented among the Hyuga clan.

But after witnessing Lindy's strength just now, he couldn't help but wonder was he truly her equal?

And behind her stood a united force of branch house Jōnin, ready to back her up.

"What exactly are you trying to do, Hyuga Lindy?!" one of the elders asked, his voice filled with frustration.

Lindy simply smiled.

"Abolish the division between the main family and the branch house. Remove the Caged Bird seal. From now on, everyone in the Hyuga clan will stand as equals."

Her words sent a ripple through the crowd.

Most branch house members lit up with joy. Who wouldn't want freedom, given the choice?

Of course, some still clung to old traditions, believing the branch house was meant to serve the main family.

Lindy and Simu had already discussed how to deal with them.

Ignore them.

As expected, her demand was met with fierce resistance from the clan elders.

"Impossible! This is the rule left by our ancestors! What if, after lifting the Caged Bird, other villages steal our Byakugan?"

The elders glared at Lindy, their voices filled with self-righteous conviction.

"This is for the Hyuga clan's safety! As long as the Caged Bird exists, no one will dare to kidnap you!"

Lindy scoffed.

"We don't need that kind of protection."

She had no interest in changing their rigid, outdated beliefs. Instead, she offered a different solution.

"Branch House."

"Branch House?" The elders exchanged confused glances.

"That's right. We split the Hyuga clan in two. Those who wish to remain under the main family's 'protection' can stay. Those who refuse will establish a new Hyuga clan."

"Impossible!"

"This is treason!" The elders erupted in fury.

If the clan really split, they would be left with only a handful of people—hardly enough to maintain their once-great legacy.

Lindy remained unfazed.

"Since you refuse to listen, there's only one way left—we settle this with a fight."

The elders paled. Negotiations had failed, and now they faced a battle they had little chance of winning.

Desperate, they played their final card.

"If you dare to make a move we will slaughter the remaining branch house members!"

Lindy's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold killing intent flashing through them.

"My, my… the Hyuga elders certainly have energy to spare."

With his hands in his pockets, Simu appeared before the crowd, Minato beside him.

"Hanyu-sama... Hokage-sama."

The elders quickly corrected themselves, their expressions turning grim. 

Their gazes changed between Lindy and Hanyu Simu, who now stood before them wearing the Hokage's Imperial Robe.

"Lord Hokage, are you interfering in the Hyuga clan's internal affairs?" one elder asked, voice tense.

Konoha had its own rules.

Ninja clans had theirs.

Even the Hokage wasn't supposed to interfere in family matters.

Simu chuckled.

"Of course not."

His gaze shifted to the Hyuga ancestral hall, towering behind them.

"Tsk, tsk… The Hyuga clan sure is impressive. Even after being destroyed back then, you rebuilt it beautifully."

His tone was casual, but the weight of his words was unmistakable.

He turned back to face the elders.

"The branch house members are still Konoha's people."

"As Hokage, it's my duty to protect their lives."

"I don't care what happens within the Hyuga clan, but if it endangers Konoha's people, then it becomes my concern."

Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened.

Simu kept saying he wouldn't interfere—

But wasn't he making it clear that they couldn't use the Caged Bird?

Without the Caged Bird, how could the Main family control the branch house?

More importantly, they couldn't afford to offend Simu now.

As the newly appointed Hokage, he might be looking for a way to establish his authority.

And no one understood Simu's strength better than the Hyuga clan.

He was terrifying years ago—

And after fighting in countless battles, who could imagine how much stronger he had become?

Hiashi clenched his fists but knew he had no choice.

"…Fine. Do as you wish."

Simu clapped his hands, turning away.

"Alright, let's go, Minato."

With that, he left the Hyuga compound and returned to the Hokage's office.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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