The Hyuga Clan's territory.
Once a prestigious noble family, it now seems to be caught in a crisis of trust between the Main Family and the Branch Family.
This is only natural; while the outsider ninjas might not be aware of the crisis within the Hyuga Clan, those in power within the clan are undoubtedly aware of the internal chaos.
As a result, even months after the war began, they hesitated to send ninjas to the front lines to assist in the battle.
However, the fact that the 'Bird Cage Seal' has been broken is not only a challenge to the unwritten rules and boundaries established by the clan over centuries but also disrupts the peace within their family.
If this continues, it's possible that the village will also hold biases against the Hyuga Clan.
This time, the Uchiha Race has sent more personnel to the battlefield compared to the last Ninja Realm War. Even ninjas who disapprove of the Uchiha have to hold their tongues and can't criticize them in this matter.
After all, even the newly appointed clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku, personally went to the battlefield, fighting bravely alongside his comrades from Konoha.
The Hyuga Clan, equally a noble ninja race like the Uchiha, is hesitant to send ninjas to the front due to a crisis of trust... and now, it seems this matter will soon be resolved.
In the clan's meeting room, the current leader has become the outstanding young heir and eldest son of the former clan leader—Hyuga Hiashi.
He sits at the head seat, with the elders of the Main Family on his left and the elders of the Branch Family on his right, clearly divided into two factions.
"The clan can no longer endure any loss. Hyuga Ayane, assisting Hidden Rock as a renegade ninja, is an act of revenge against our Hyuga Clan."
A clan elder from the Main Family spoke.
Losing the control of the Bird Cage Seal means that the individual has completely escaped the 'Bird Cage', and the Hyuga Clan's rules can no longer bind their body or mind.
"The Hokage hopes that we can send some personnel."
"How can we send people at such a time? Everyone is anxious inside, can't we decline?"
"Naturally, the Hokage isn't bothered, but if we continue to do nothing, rumors in the village are inevitable... Don't forget, the Konoha White Fang incident happened just 'yesterday.'"
Upon these words, both the Main Clan Elders and the Branch Family Elders became solemn and fell silent.
Perhaps that Hokage does not want to take extreme measures, but Shimura Danzo, the Leader of Root in Konoha's shadows, might not refrain from doing so.
The Hyuga Clan is different from the Uchiha Race. If they leave a bad impression on the high-ups, it will be difficult to maintain one's standing in the village, and the prestige built over the years will go up in flames.
After the defection incident, even the Anbu patrolling near the Hyuga Clan has increased.
This is an unprecedented sign of danger.
The high-ups are beginning to doubt and suspect the Hyuga Clan's loyalty...
Of course, the situation isn't yet that severe. After all, the Hyuga and Uchiha are different; they have no conflict with the Senju line, and their relationship is harmonious enough. At this time, no mistakes should occur.
The sudden increase in patrolling Anbu is primarily to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
In some sense, this is also a good thing for the Hyuga Clan.
"Without the Hokage's trust, the Hyuga Clan will find it hard to proceed in the future."
"Indeed, Elder Danzo is not an easy person to converse with."
"Root has targeted the Uchiha Race not just for a day or two. If we get on Root's list, life will become difficult."
It wasn't easy to fight for the current status within the vast Konoha Village, and the clan's territory occupies one of the best locations in Konoha, unlike the Uchiha Race, who were pushed to the outskirts.
Even though the Uchiha Race is marginalized, they have a powerful Security Team and possess Konoha's most elite ninja force, making them impossible to ignore.
However, the Hyuga Clan doesn't have these advantages. If they lose the trust and support of the Hokage and other high-ups, their say in the affairs of Konoha becomes negligible.
Furthermore, on the night of the defection incident, significant combat power was lost, a Main Family elder was killed, and many powerful Jonin either defected or were killed by the renegades. The subsequent impacts led to strange thoughts among the remaining Branch Family, causing the Hyuga Clan's strength to dwindle sharply.
"Since it's impossible to send Branch Family ninjas, how about sending Main Family ninjas to the battlefield?"
A Branch Family elder suggested.
His words immediately drew hostility and dissatisfaction from the Main Family elders.
"That's too risky. What if the Main Family ninjas encounter accidents on the battlefield?"
"But given the current state of the Branch Family, there are too few Branch Family ninjas that can be trusted."
The Branch Family elder sighed helplessly.
"Even so, we can't let the Main Family take risks. What if there are issues with the Byakugan? It's your Branch Family's responsibility to protect the Main Family, isn't it?"
The Main Family elder glared coldly.
"But this isn't just an internal family issue now; the battlefield urgently needs Byakugan assistance. With Branch Family ninjas lacking trust and Main Family ninjas unable to participate... by the time rumors spread in the village, it will be too late to discuss these matters."
"Hmph, isn't it the fault of your Branch Family? It's possible to send Branch Family ninjas to the front line, but the families of the Branch Family ninjas going to the battlefield must be under strict surveillance 24 hours a day and are forbidden from leaving home. This way, even if the Bird Cage is broken, they will have no risk of defecting."