Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 59 They don't take me, the advisor elder, seriously.

The Hyuga clan's territory is located in a quiet corner of Konoha Village. High walls isolate it from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, creating its own private haven.

Everything here exudes an ancient and solemn atmosphere.

From the layout of the courtyard to the strict attire of the clansmen, and their identical, serious, and expressionless faces.

When Shimura Danzo and Uchiha Kagami, accompanied by ten Root ninjas with icy auras, appeared at the gate of the Hyuga clan's territory, the Hyuga clan members guarding the gate changed their expressions and immediately stepped forward to stop them.

"Lord Danzo, Lord Kagami, what brings you here?" The guard's tone was respectful, but his eyes were full of vigilance and hostility.

Danzo didn't even lift his eyelids, just snorted coldly through his nose, and walked straight inside.

The two guards tried to stop him, but were forced to retreat repeatedly by the palpable killing intent emanating from Danzo, unable to utter a single word.

Uchiha Kagami nodded apologetically to the two of them and quickly followed.

Inside the Hyuga clan's reception room.

The current head of the Hyuga clan, an old man with white hair and beard, a face full of wrinkles, and who looked like he was about to die, sat upright.

Behind him stood a boy who looked no more than ten years old, with a handsome face and calm eyes. He was none other than Hiashi Hyuga, the future head of the Hyuga clan.

The old man's cloudy eyes stared at Danzo striding in, and the Root ninjas behind him exuding a dangerous aura, his brows furrowing tightly.

"Elder Danzo, what is your purpose in mobilizing such a large force to trespass on my Hyuga clan's territory?" The old Hyuga clan patriarch's voice was aged, but full of vigor, carrying the authority of someone who had long held a high position.

Danzo ignored him and walked to the guest seat next to the main seat, sitting down with an air of superiority. Uchiha Kagami sat down beside him.

"Hyuga Kaede".

Danzo finally spoke, not even bothering to address him as "Clan Chief," but simply calling him by his name, "I've come today to talk to you about the Will of Fire."

The old clan chief of Hyuga was stunned.

Will of Fire?

"Let me ask you, why did your ancestors follow the First Hokage and work together to establish Konoha?"

"This... is naturally to end the Warring States period and find a place for our people to settle down and make a living," Hyuga Kaede replied subconsciously.

"Well said."

Danzo nodded, then his tone shifted abruptly, his voice turning icy. "A place to settle down and make a living? But today, right here on the Hokage's Path that I personally built, your clansmen, from the main branch, used cursed seals to torture and kill a member of another branch family over a mere argument!"

"Tell me, is this how your Hyuga clan survives?!"

Hinata Kaede turned pale at the question, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

He had just heard about this, but he didn't expect Danzo to come to him personally, and with such a menacing attitude.

"This matter...this matter was just an accident! It was that member of the branch family who spoke disrespectfully to the main family and refused to be disciplined..." he tried to explain.

"Accident?"

Danzo sneered and slammed his hand on the table. "Massacring your own clan on the streets of Konoha! You call that an accident?!"

"Are you telling the entire village that your Hyuga clan's rules are above Konoha's laws?!"

"You're showing no respect for the village's security forces! No respect for me, the advisor elder! And even... no respect for the Hokage!"

An immense aura erupted from Danzo, pressing down on the Hyuga clan elder so much that he could barely breathe.

Hiashi Hyuga behind him was so frightened that his face turned pale and his body trembled uncontrollably.

He had never seen anyone dare to speak to his father in such a tone.

Overwhelmed by the barrage of questions, the old Hyuga clan chief could only stammer, "I wouldn't dare... I had absolutely no such intention..."

Seeing that the atmosphere had reached its limit, Uchiha Kagami, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

"Chief Feng, Danzo's words were somewhat harsh because he was too worried about the peace of the village."

Uchiha Kagami's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze, which eased the tense atmosphere in the room.

Hinata Kaede glanced gratefully at Kagami, as if she had grasped a lifeline.

However, what Uchiha Kagami said next made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"However, Danzo's words are not without merit."

Uchiha Kagami sighed and said in a regretful tone, "The main family and the branch family, the Caged Bird... these are all internal affairs that the Hyuga clan has passed down for many years. We outsiders should not say too much about them."

"However, when such internal affairs begin to seriously affect the harmony and stability of the village, then it is no longer just a matter for your Hyuga clan."

Uchiha Kagami's gaze swept over Hyuga Kaede, then landed on Hyuga Hiashi behind him.

"Chief Feng, please forgive my bluntness. The system of the main family and branch families may have had its necessity in the Warring States period. But in today's peaceful times, it has become a malignant tumor. It is constantly creating hatred, dividing your clan, and alienating you from the village."

He already deeply abhorred this unequal system.

"Therefore, I suggest..."

Although Uchiha Kagami's voice was gentle, the weight of his words was as heavy as Mount Tai: "Abolish the system of main and branch families, abolish the Caged Bird Seal. Let every Hyuga child enjoy the dignity and rights of a Konoha ninja equally."

"This...this is absolutely impossible!"

Without a second thought, Hyuga Kaede immediately stood up excitedly and retorted loudly, "This is an ancestral rule of my Hyuga clan that has been passed down for over a thousand years! It must not be abolished in my hands!"

He knew that once this system was abolished, the authority of the main family would be completely destroyed, and the entire Hyuga clan would fall into great chaos.

"Ancestor rule?"

Danzo, who had been observing coldly, spoke up again.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.

Instead of looking at Hinata Kaede, he turned his gaze to the young, future heir behind him.

Danzo slowly picked up the now-cold teacup, blew away non-existent dust, and then said in a casual tone, "Old Hyuga clan leader, that child behind you, isn't he your son?"

His gaze fell on Hiashi Hyuga.

"Judging from his age, although he's a bit young, he has quite a bit of heroic spirit in his eyes. If he were to take over the position of clan leader now, with our help, he would surely be more than capable."