chsdbacks Chapter 246 The Rebellious Hyuga Branch Family
Chapter 246 The Rebellious Hyuga Branch Family
Chapter 247 The Rebellious Hyuga Branch Family
The deafening explosion from the direction of the Uchiha clan's territory shattered the false tranquility of Konoha Village's night, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. The massive sound wave, accompanied by towering flames, awakened the entire village, and panic spread rapidly like a plague.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clan territories, which were closest to the Uchiha clan's territory, were the first to be hit. Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi, the three current clan heads, rushed out of their homes almost the instant the explosion occurred.
All three were experienced elite Jonin, with an extremely keen sense of danger. "Shikaku!" Akimichi Choza, despite his massive size, moved with surprising agility. His chubby face, usually so憨厚 (honest and simple), was now filled with worry: "This commotion—it's the Uchiha's side!"
His voice was grave: "Such a large-scale explosion and commotion—could it be—"
"Something terrible has happened!" Yamanaka Inoichi said in a deep voice, his senses already detecting the chaotic and massive chakra fluctuations over there.
Nara Shikaku frowned, his eyes sharp as an eagle's: "Assemble all those capable of fighting immediately! Quickly!"
Without needing further orders, the well-trained ninjas of the three clans quickly poured out from their respective clan territories and gathered around the three clan leaders.
Soon, an emergency response team composed of elite Jonin and Chunin from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans was assembled, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.
Just then, a dark figure appeared in front of Shikaku in an instant.
He is a masked member of the Hokage's direct ANBU.
"Lord Shikaku! The Hokage has ordered!" The Anbu's voice, strained through the mask, quickly reported, "The Uchiha clan has been confirmed to have launched a rebellion! The Hokage is personally leading the Anbu to suppress it. The order is now given to Jonin Squad Leader Nara Shikaku to immediately lead the Jonin Squad and other available ninja to maintain order within the village, evacuate the residents, and prevent the Uchiha rogue ninja from causing destruction throughout the village! The suppression mission is now under the Hokage's command!"
"Rebellion?!" Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.
The Uchiha clan has rebelled?!
A chill ran up his spine.
Shikaku's mind flashed back to the devastating Kaguya clan rebellion in Kirigakure several years ago. Although Kirigakure implemented a policy of seclusion, the fact that such a large ninja clan was wiped out still caused a lot of news to circulate, which Shikaku naturally knew.
Shikaku knew the strength of the Uchiha clan all too well. As the number one powerful clan in the ninja world, the Uchiha clan could field at least twenty Jonin and nearly a hundred Chunin with their combined strength!
Once this power is fully unleashed, can the Anbu led by the Hokage really suppress it?
It will likely be a battle far more devastating than the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage back then, and it might even affect the entire village!
"The Hokage only brought the Anbu—I'm afraid—." Shikaku suppressed the turmoil in his heart and didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.
Relying solely on the power of the Anbu to suppress the Uchiha clan's entire movement is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!
He then suppressed his worries and turned to the ANBU messenger, his tone grave and urgent: "Please immediately inform the Hokage! The Jonin team and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans have assembled and are ready to support the suppression of the rebellion! The Uchiha rebellion is no small matter; we must not underestimate them!"
"Yes!" The ANBU nodded and vanished in an instant.
Shikaku was extremely anxious; he felt the Hokage's decision was too risky.
He whispered to Choza and Inoichi beside him: "Choza, take a group of men and assist the security forces in evacuating civilians around the Uchiha clan's territory and setting up a cordon! Inoichi, use your Mind Transfer Jutsu to contact the scattered Jonin teams as much as possible, inform them of the situation, and get them to move this way! The rest of you, follow me."
Before Shikaku could finish speaking, a thunderous boom erupted!
Another deafening explosion, accompanied by billowing smoke and dust, suddenly came from another direction!
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it.
That direction
This is the Hyuga clan's territory!
"Hyuga clan territory?! How come there's something there too—" Akimichi Choza's eyes widened.
Yamanaka Inoichi's expression changed drastically: "Oh no! Did the Uchiha attack the Hyuga?!"
Nara Shikaku's heart sank to the bottom, a strong sense of foreboding enveloped him.
The Uchiha rebellion is already a huge problem, but if something happens to the Hyuga clan's territory as well, Miya may face annihilation tonight!
"Something's wrong! Inoichi, Choza!" Nara Shikaku's face turned extremely grim. Tonight's events had completely exceeded his expectations and control. "Take half the men and come with me to the Hyuga clan's territory immediately! The rest of you, maintain order as planned!"
quick!"
Without any hesitation, led by Nara Shikaku, followed closely by Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi, along with Nara Shizuku, Nara Suzaku, Yamanaka Santen, Inuzuka clan leader Inuyagi Aka, Akimichi clan elite Akimichi Tou, and more than ten top Konoha Jonin such as Mimura Hazaki and Shirakumo Hayama, formed a rapid reaction force and rushed towards the Hyuga clan's territory at top speed like an arrow released from a bow!
They need to find out exactly what happened there!
At the Hyuga clan's territory, the epicenter of the explosion was filled with smoke, and the pungent smell of burning flesh mingled with the stench of blood.
The explosion destroyed an elegantly decorated courtyard that belonged to an elder of the Hyuga main family.
Hiashi Hyuga activated his Byakugan and rushed to the scene almost as soon as the explosion subsided.
His vision cut through the smoke and dust, and he saw the clan elder lying in a mess, his chest pierced by some kind of sharp weapon, his noble clan robes stained with blood, and he was already dead!
"Third Elder!" Hiashi was shocked and quickly stepped forward to check, confirming that the other party was indeed dead.
"Chieftain!"
"What happened?"
"Where is the enemy?"
At that moment, a flurry of footsteps and shouts could be heard as a large number of Hyuga ninjas, alerted by the explosion, rushed to the scene.
This included Hyuga Hizashi, several Jonin from the branch family he led, and even the small figure of Hyuga Neji!
Hiashi's gaze lingered briefly on Neji, a hint of doubt flashing through his mind: How did Neji end up in such a dangerous place?
But the situation was urgent, so he didn't investigate further.
At the same time, three other elders of the Zong family who had heard the news also arrived at the scene. Although they had lost their eyes, they still had a kind of perception similar to the mind's eye. They were shocked and furious when they learned of their colleague's tragic death.
"Hiashi! Could it be that 'Shura' attacking again?!"
"How dare you attack my Hyuga main clan again!"
Several years ago, Shura attacked the Hyuga clan's territory twice and even gouged out the Byakugan of four of their elders. The pain he brought to the Hyuga clan is still etched in their hearts to this day!
Hiashi stood up, his gaze sweeping over the arriving crowd, including Hizashi and the others, and said in a deep voice, "When I arrived, the elder had already—the enemy's whereabouts are unknown, everyone be careful!" Before he finished speaking!
A sudden change has occurred!
Standing next to Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, who seemed to be observing warily as well, suddenly attacked without warning!
His right palm, condensed with highly concentrated chakra, struck Hiashi's unsuspecting back with lightning speed, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound!
Poof—!
Caught off guard, Hiashi felt an immense force slam into his back, instantly dissipating his protective chakra!
He flew forward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the broken wall. He felt a sweet taste in his throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood!
"Hizashi-sama?!"
"What are you doing?!"
This sudden betrayal stunned everyone present!
Including the ordinary Hyuga branch family guards!
They simply couldn't believe their eyes!
However, Hizashi's rebellion was only the beginning!
At the very moment Hiashi was knocked away, the branch family Jonin behind him, who were already prepared, including Hyuga Tetsuya and Hyuga Tokuma, suddenly sprang into action as if they had received a signal!
Hyuga Tetsu and Hyuga Toku worked together seamlessly, like two ghostly figures, rushing straight towards the three shocked and furious elders of the main family!
Their self-identity is clear—murder!
"You!" One of the elders was both shocked and furious. He tried to form hand seals to resist, but in his haste, he was no match for the surprise attack of two Jonin who had been planning this for a long time.
"Traitor!" another elder roared, attempting to activate the "Caged Bird" curse, the most lethal curse the main family could cast on the branch family!
He formed hand seals, and chakra surged forth!
However, something happened that terrified him!
The Caged Bird Seal on the foreheads of Hyuga Tetsuya and Hyuga Toku was supposed to respond to the summons and inflict extreme pain on them, but it did not react at all!
It's as if they never existed!
"How is this possible?!" The elder exclaimed in horror, his empty eye sockets unable to conceal the despair!
Pfft!
In that instant of distraction, Hyuga Tetsuya's palm, like the sharpest kunai, precisely pierced the elder's heart!
"Listen!" Another elder next to him was also struck in a vital spot by Hyuga Tokuma's palm, spitting out blood and flying backward.
The third elder reacted a little faster and narrowly avoided the fatal blow, but was also struck hard in the ribs by Hyuga Neji, an eight-year-old child with cold eyes!
A crisp sound of bones cracking rang out, and the elder screamed and staggered backward, his voice filled with utter horror.
Hyuga Neji didn't stop moving, his eyes showing no hesitation. Like the coldest hunter, he pounced again, his small hand carrying sharp chakra, and slammed it fiercely towards the elder's skull!
"Stop!" Hiashi Hyuga struggled to his feet from the ruins, his eyes wide with fury at the sight of the horrific scene.
He watched helplessly as three respected elders of the main family were slaughtered by the branch family ninjas he had once regarded as brothers in just a few breaths!
One of them even died at the hands of his own nephew!
"Hyuga Hizashi!!" Hiashi's voice was hoarse and distorted with anger and pain as he stared intently at the traitor—his own younger brother!
"What the hell are you doing?!"
In the courtyard filled with smoke and the stench of blood, Hyuga Hizashi slowly turned around to face Hyuga Hiashi, who had almost lost his mind.
"What are you doing?" His voice was calm, yet it carried the humiliation and determination suppressed for decades. "Isn't this obvious enough?"
"Of course, it's about ending this centuries-old humiliation!" Hizashi's voice was cold and clear, echoing in the deathly silent courtyard.
"My beloved brother."
Under the horrified gazes of Hyuga Hiashi and all the Hyuga branch family guards who were still in shock, Hyuga Hizashi slowly raised his hand and ripped off his headband!
Immediately afterwards, Hyuga Tetsuya, Hyuga Tokuma, and other rebel members also made the same move!
Having just killed the head of the main family and returned to his father's side, Hyuga Neji also removed the cloth strip that used to cover the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
A smooth forehead!
No trace left!
All the caged bird curses that bound them, tormented them, and enslaved them for generations, symbolizing the humiliation of separation, have vanished!
"This...this is impossible!!" Hiashi Hyuga exclaimed in shock, his body trembling slightly from the enormous impact.
"The cursed seal—has vanished?!"
"How...how did they do that?!"
The Hyuga branch family guards around them were completely thrown into chaos and utter shock!
Looking at the smooth foreheads of Riza and the others, and then at the indelible blue marks on their own foreheads, an unprecedented emotion surged wildly within them.
Is it longing?
Is it jealousy?
Or...despair?
After a brief silence came utter madness!
"Capture the traitor! Protect the clan leader!!" The loyal guards of the main branch family roared as they regained their senses. Although they were also shocked, the long-standing prestige of the main family and the potential threat of the cursed seal made them instinctively rush towards Hizashi and the others.
Hizashi, along with five rebellious branch family ninjas and young Neji, formed a defensive circle back to back. Facing an enemy many times their size, their eyes showed no fear, only a resolute determination to fight to the death!
"Gentle Fist Technique - Bagua Empty Palm!"
"Gentle Fist Technique - Reversal of Fortune!"
A fierce civil war broke out in an instant!
Despite his injury, Hiashi was still incredibly strong, and he engaged in a fierce battle with Hizashi, their soft fists clashing and producing a series of muffled thuds.
Inside the courtyard, the sounds of soft fists cutting through the air, the collision of chakra, the muffled thuds of flesh and bone colliding, and the screams of the injured instantly filled every inch of space!
Hijiri led the rebels, who were outnumbered, in a fierce battle against their outnumbered hordes, like trapped beasts.
Although they were outnumbered, they were all determined to die, and having escaped the threat of the caged birds, they attacked without restraint, and for a time they forced the besieging guards to retreat.
Just as internal strife broke out in the core of the Hyuga clan's territory, another group of rebellious branch family members, led by Hyuga Natsu, totaling more than fifty people, mostly weaker ninjas, women, children, and adults, took advantage of the explosion and the chaos created by Hizashi and others to quickly escape the Hyuga clan's territory along a pre-planned route and desperately run towards the outskirts of Konoha Village.
Their actions were tense yet orderly, clearly the result of extensive planning and rehearsals.
Soon, they met up with the second squad of Star Ninja, led by Vanilla Uzumaki, in a secluded grove on the edge of the village.
"Star Country, Whirlpool Vanilla, here to meet you on the orders of Lord Shura!" Whirlpool Vanilla stepped forward and shouted.
Upon seeing the dazzling red hair and the Star Ninja headband, Hyuga Natsu exclaimed excitedly and quickly reported the situation: "Lord Hizashi, Lord Neji, and five other clan members, in order to cover our retreat, volunteered to stay behind and create greater chaos in the center of the clan compound, drawing all attention away from us!"
Upon hearing this, Whirlpool Vanilla's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She quickly scanned the group of Hyuga clan members, whose faces were filled with fear yet whose eyes were resolute, and made a decisive decision: "Hotaru! You take three people and escort them to the border teleportation point immediately! Make sure their safety is guaranteed!"
"Yes!" Firefly accepted the order without hesitation, selected three Star Ninjas, and signaled Hyuga Natsu and the others to follow.
Vanilla then looked at Natsumi, Chino, Morishita Toshito, and Murahashi Hazuki: "The rest of you, come with me to meet Hizashi and the others!"
"yes!"
Meanwhile, Nara Shikaku led a Konoha Jonin support force to the Hyuga clan's territory at top speed.
However, when they stormed into the Hyuga clan's territory, what they saw was not the expected invasion by foreign enemies, but a brutal and shocking internal strife!
Seeing the unimaginable ferocity of the civil war before him, even the battle-hardened elite Jonin gasped in shock!
The once solemn and majestic Hyuga clan territory is now in ruins. The main clan elders and their loyal guards lie dead, while the Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, is engaged in a fierce battle with his close relative, Hyuga Hizashi, with blood dripping from his mouth.
All around, a large number of branch family guards were surrounding Hizashi and a handful of seven rebels, including the eight-year-old Hyuga Neji with a resolute look in his eyes!
Although the rebels were few in number, they were all fearless and managed to hold off the siege for a time.
"This...this is the Hyuga clan's internal strife?!" Yamanaka Ume exclaimed in surprise.
"Has the Caged Bird Seal stopped working?" Akimichi Choza looked at Hizashi and Neji's smooth foreheads in disbelief.
Nara Shikaku's heart sank to the bottom.
The Uchiha rebellion was not yet quelled, and now the Hyuga clan is facing internal strife!
Konoha is likely to suffer an unprecedented blow tonight!
He immediately made the decisive judgment: "Control the situation first! Stop him from going to war! Capture the rebels!"
With his command, Nara Salt Water and Nara Suzaku's Shadow Bindings instantly unfolded, attempting to restrict the activities of Hizashi and the others; Yamanaka Meiichi's mental attack was poised to be unleashed; Inuyagi Jaguar and his ninja dogs cooperated to block off their retreat; Akimichi Choza and Akimichi Tou's massive bodies stood like fortresses in front; Hakuun Hayama, Mimura Yoru, and other Jonin also quickly dispersed, their powerful chakra fluctuations locking onto the core of the battlefield.
The arrival of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and the Konoha Jonin instantly tipped the scales of the battlefield.
Hizashi, Neji, and the others were surrounded, their space for maneuver was drastically reduced, and the pressure on them increased sharply!
Hyuga Hizashi forced one of the guards back with a single palm strike, his back pressed tightly against Neji's.
He could feel his son's slightly rapid breathing and the unwavering will emanating from that small body.
"Neji," Hizashi's voice was slightly hoarse, yet unusually calm, "Are you afraid? Do you regret staying behind to cover our retreat?"
Neji's young face was smeared with dust and a trace of blood, but his Byakugan eyes were clear and sharp, unwavering in the slightest.
He clenched his small fist tightly, shook his head heavily, and spoke in a clear but resolute voice:
"I will never regret it, Father!"
Just as Shikaku was solemnly preparing to take down these "traitors" and asking the injured Hiashi for details,
"Diamond Lockdown!"
A righteous and authoritative shout shattered the clamor of the battlefield like a thunderclap!
Immediately afterwards, several dazzling golden chains, like the light of dawn, carrying unparalleled sealing power, tore through the air and made a sharp whistling sound as they descended from the sky with perfect precision!
Wow!
The golden chains, like a living dragon, swept across wildly!
Those Hyuga branch family guards who were surrounding Hijiri and Neji, along with several Jonin supporters brought by Shikaku who were trying to get close, were caught off guard and were hit hard by this immense force!
Muffled thuds rang out one after another, and dozens of figures flew backward like scarecrows hit by a giant hammer, falling over and dislodging, their offensive instantly crumbling!
The entire battlefield seemed to have been paused!
All eyes were fixed in shock on the dazzling golden chain, looking in the direction from which it had attacked, atop a high rooftop beside the courtyard.
Under the moonlight, a woman stood against the wind.
She wore a dark blue outfit that was completely different from the style of Konoha, which accentuated her graceful figure, and casually draped a dark coat over it.
Her long, red, curly hair, as dazzling as burning flames, flew wildly in the night wind, and she wore a five-pointed star headband with the Star Ninja on her forehead.
Behind her, several thick energy chains, shining with pure golden light, unfurled like a peacock spreading its tail, radiating a massive chakra fluctuation and sealing aura that made one's heart tremble!
"That headband belongs to a Star Ninja!" Shirakumo Hayama exclaimed.
"And that Kyoto..." Inuya's eyes widened.
The three well-informed clan leaders, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Meiichi, had their pupils suddenly contract the moment they saw Yoshichu's golden chains. Their faces showed an expression of shock, even horror, that was more than when they saw the internal strife in the Hyuga clan!
"Golden Lockdown?!" Nara Shikaku's pupils constricted, and he exclaimed in shock!
"The Uzumaki Clan?!" Even Akimichi Choza's massive body swayed slightly in shock.
"Lady Kushina... No... No! Who are you?!" Yamanaka Meiichi's spiritual perception instantly detected the powerful chakra of the other party, but it was completely different from the Fourth Hokage's wife in his memory!
This iconic secret capital, belonging to the most powerful sealing experts of the Uzumaki clan, has long since become a legend due to the Nine-Tailed Fox's chaos and the decline of the Uzumaki clan!
Now, it has reappeared in the world!
Beside the red-haired woman, four figures, also dressed in Star Ninja uniforms and wearing star-shaped headbands, stood silently.
One of them had a voluptuous figure and wore a Star Ninja Jonin vest; another was a little girl with short white hair and bloodshot eyes; and the other two were a boy and a girl wearing dark blue chakra-powered armor, exuding a fierce aura.
It was Natsume, led by Vanilla Uzumaki, along with Chino Miyajo, Toshihito Morishita, and Hazuki Murahashi!
Vanilla Uzumaki's emerald green eyes, like a cold pool under the moonlight, coldly swept over the Konoha people below who were in great shock and chaos, as well as the Hyuga Hizashi father and son who were temporarily protected by golden chains.
Her voice echoed clearly in the silent night sky:
"From the Land of Stars, by order of Lord Shujo, I have come to meet 'Bird' from the Hyuga branch family!"