Ch 45 : The New Clan Leader

The autumn rain fell lightly, drifting like threads of silk, fine as mist and smoke.

A chill wind slipped into the sitting room, bringing a sense of cold that seeped into the heart.

Ayano knelt silently in her place, her head bowed, eyes fixed on the steaming teacup on the low table before her.

To her right, Ayari's gaze swept across the meeting hall repeatedly, puzzled by Makoto's absence.

She was sure she had informed him.

A clan member entered hurriedly, reporting that Lord Taikei was unwell and unable to attend.

The announcement caused an uproar, with murmurs and arguments buzzing in everyone's ears like bees.

"How can a meeting proceed without anyone from the main family present?"

"Isn't Miss Ayano considered part of the main family?"

"She's not married yet—how can she count!"

"Without representation from the main family, how are we supposed to hold this meeting?"

"Let's just wait until Hizashi returns!"

Ayari gestured to Tokimasa, who was standing to the side, and the young boy quickly came over.

She spoke to him in a low voice,

"Go see what Makoto is doing—why hasn't he arrived yet?"

Today's clan meeting brought together every member of the Hyuga clan.

The elders, renowned for their wisdom, sat on both sides, while the few remaining able-bodied men stood, joined by younger members like Hakumen and Natsu.

The seat at the head of the room remained conspicuously empty, reserved for Hyuga Taikei.

However, he had yet to arrive, and those sent to summon him had returned unsuccessful.

Aside from the empty main seat, the left-hand position, meant for Hizashi, was also vacant.

In previous meetings, if Taikei was absent, Ayano would take the left-hand position, but today she sat behind Hizashi's seat instead.

Not long after, Tokimasa, who had been sent by Ayari, suddenly rushed back into the room.

He entered and shouted, "Lord Hizashi has returned!"

The noisy meeting hall instantly fell silent.

Tokimasa hurriedly stepped to Ayari's side and whispered,

"Makoto… has also come."

Everyone's gaze turned toward the doorway.

The quietness of the room only made the sound of the rain outside grow louder.

A figure appeared at the doorway—it was Hyuga Hizashi.

Ayari's gaze shifted behind Hizashi, searching for Makoto's figure, but Makoto was nowhere to be seen.

She blinked in confusion.

Hizashi then spoke, "The candidate for the Fourth Hokage has been decided. It will be none other than one of the Sannin, Lord Orochimaru."

The room was filled with shock.

Until now, they only knew that Hizashi had gone to the Hokage Building for a meeting.

Hizashi continued,

"The criminal Hyuga Hiashi has been convicted and executed.

However, in light of our Hyuga clan's past sacrifices in fighting the enemy, both the Hokage and the Daimyo have decided not to pursue further actions against us regarding the Hiashi matter."

Hearing this, Ayano closed her eyes.

Many things had already come to light in the dead of night, keeping countless people awake until morning.

She, too, had been panicked and helpless, thinking of every possible way, even going to see Hyuga Taikei.

But now, everything had become an irreversible reality.

An elder spoke up, asking, "Hizashi, now that Hiashi… the criminal, is dead, what will become of the Hyuga clan?"

Another voice chimed in, "Yes, Hizashi, who will lead the Hyuga clan now?"

Hizashi's expression remained calm as he replied, "The clan head is dead. The Hyuga clan needs a new leader."

Hearing him say "clan head" instead of "main family," the elders present all showed expressions of joy.

They felt as though they were seeing a ray of hope—a hope that could change the current state of the Hyuga clan, a hope that could break their chains!

"Lord Taikei is advanced in age, and the main family has no heirs.

I believe Hizashi should take this position."

"Hizashi is already part of the main family! No one is more suited to this position than him!"

"Exactly! Hizashi should become our new clan head!"

Someone, overwhelmed with emotion at the prospect of such a major change, even stood up, face flushed, passionately voicing their support.

Hizashi held considerable prestige within the Hyuga clan.

As the late clan head's brother and one of the most talented and powerful young men in the clan, there had already been whispers when the Eye Replacement incident first occurred, subtly suggesting that Hizashi might seize the opportunity.

Yet, as the voices of support rose around him, Hizashi's expression remained unchanged.

He glanced in Ayano's direction and saw her sitting silently with her eyes closed, seemingly resting.

"No, I am not the new clan head," Hizashi suddenly and firmly rejected the proposal.

The hall fell into a brief silence, only to be followed by an even louder and more fervent wave of voices.

"Hizashi, there's no need for you to refuse!"

"There's no one more suitable in the clan than you!"

"Hizashi, you must take on this burden! Step up and lead us!"

As the saying goes, the will of the people cannot be defied.

Hizashi, however, acted as if he hadn't heard the impassioned voices around him.

He walked directly toward an empty seat in the council hall.

Just as everyone thought he would half-heartedly accept and take the main seat, Hizashi instead sat down beside Ayano.

If Hizashi doesn't become the clan head, who else could take the position?

Hyuga Taikei?

He refused to come out earlier when they went to summon him.

Isn't that because he already feels the situation has spiraled beyond his control?

Hyuga Ayano?

As long as her status as part of the main family remains unrecognized, what could a woman without mastery over the Caged Bird Seal possibly achieve?

At that moment, Makoto stood under the corridor outside, watching the rain.

He thought back to a similar clan meeting a month or two ago.

It had been on a day with weather much like this, with the old tree in the courtyard, now stripped of its leaves, still swaying in the wind and rain.

Back then, it had been the people inside the room deciding his fate.

But now, things were different.

Makoto turned slowly and walked into the hall.

"Makoto?"

Ayari was momentarily stunned when she saw the figure appear at the doorway.

Today, he was dressed in a simple black outfit, his black hair and dark eyes making him seem like an outsider standing before the Hyuga clan.

She recalled Hizashi's words from earlier, and her pupils widened slightly.

No way...

Ayano, sitting nearby, also opened her eyes at Ayari's soft exclamation, feeling an indescribable sense of absurdity in her heart.

Him?

In a sudden movement, an elder rose from his seat and turned to Hizashi, questioning, "Hizashi, don't joke with us!"

"Are you suggesting Makoto become our clan head?"

"A child like him?"

Everyone found it hard to believe, though aside from a few respected elders, no one else spoke up.

"Lord Wanzo, is it?"

Hizashi didn't respond, but it was Makoto, standing at the door, who spoke.

With an expressionless face, he looked at the elder. "Do you think I'm unqualified?"

Hyuga Wanzo furrowed his brows, anger flashing on his face.

"You haven't earned the right to speak here!"

Suddenly, Makoto raised one hand and formed a sword-like finger seal, creating a hand sign that instilled fear in all the branch family members present.

Hyuga Wanzo froze, his cane dropping to the floor.

He suddenly clutched his head with both hands, his eyes wide in fury, as if he was enduring unspeakable, excruciating pain.

The next moment, he collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony.

"Ah—"

The scream sent a chill to the hearts of everyone present.

Makoto released the hand sign, looking down at Hyuga Wanzo, who lay on the floor, writhing in pain, his mind clearly broken.

No one dared to approach him.

The shadow of the main family once again loomed over everyone's hearts.

That glimmer of hope was snuffed out.

Makoto calmly walked past everyone and slowly sat down in the main seat.

He spoke, "There's no need to fear me."

No one dared to speak.

Each person's face was filled with fear.

The threat of the Caged Bird Seal left them unable to muster even a hint of resistance.

Did Hizashi supported Makoto as the clan head due to the control of the Caged Bird Seal?

Why did Makoto have the ability to control the Caged Bird?

Did Taikei give him this power?

At this moment, Makoto spoke again, "Hizashi, show them."

Hizashi, standing beside him, understood the signal and immediately reached up to remove the forehead protector, revealing a smooth forehead.

The green curse seal that should have been branded there had disappeared!

"From today onwards, children aged three and under, as well as those born in the future, will no longer have the Caged Bird curse seal branded on them."

"As for you all, depending on your future actions, the curse seal may be removed."

These words immediately rekindled hope in the eyes of everyone present, especially among the younger clan members, who could now see freedom beckoning them.

Makoto smiled faintly. "Don't worry, I have a good temper, and I'm easy to talk to."

On the ground, Hyuga Wanzo continued to moan in unconscious agony.

Someone had already taken the hint and carried him out.

The clan members exchanged looks before one by one kneeling and bowing in respect.

"Lord Clan Head!"

Ayano and Ayari, on the left side, hesitated for a moment but then lowered their heads with the others.

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