Listening to him still blame others without any reflection, disgust flashed through Takao Hyuga's bloodshot eyes. He slowly raised his hand and gripped the iron chain bound to his wrist. His voice was cold as he said his eyes were not taken by him, and his father was not killed by him.
Then his gaze locked onto Ryoma's face, all hatred and killing intent gathering into a single point. He said clearly that this life would be taken by his own hands. Without hesitation, he swung the chain outward.
The heavy chain snapped straight in midair, tearing through the air with terrifying force and intent as it whipped toward Ryoma's head. A heart stopping crash followed, and his head burst apart in a spray of blood and matter. All screams, pleas, and unwillingness ended in that instant.
The strike drained almost all of Takao Hyuga's remaining strength. Dizziness rushed in, his vision darkened, and his body stumbled backward. Before he could hit the cold ground, a steady arm reached out from behind and caught his shoulder, holding him up.
"How do you feel?" Iroha Hyuga asked with a frown, concern in his tone. Takao Hyuga gasped and coughed, his chest heaving hard.
Then, despite the blood and sweat on his face, he slowly broke into a smile mixed with pain and satisfaction. In a hoarse but excited voice, he said it felt good, extremely good. Iroha Hyuga's eye twitched, caught between irritation and helplessness.
He clarified that he was asking about his body and whether he could still hold on. The near crazed smile faded from Takao Hyuga's face. He shook his head and instead asked with worry whether the people who came with Iroha Hyuga included Neji Hyuga.
He said they had killed Fugaku Uchiha and Ryoma, and now neither Ryoma Clan nor Konoha would accept them. He wondered if defection was their only choice. His voice carried confusion and reluctance after the rush of revenge faded.
"Defect to where," Iroha Hyuga said, exhaling slowly. He asked if Takao Hyuga really thought only he and Neji Hyuga had acted this time. Supporting him, he turned toward the heavy iron door.
He raised his free hand and unlatched the inner bolt with a clear click. The iron door was pushed open slowly. From outside came a cold, emotionless voice asking if it was finished, as a figure stepped in from the deep shadows.
When Takao Hyuga saw the face clearly, his eyes widened in shock. He blurted out, asking how it could be Tie. The man's body still carried a faint scent of blood, his gaze cold and steady.
"Why can't it be me?" Ryoma Tie replied calmly. Takao Hyuga fell silent, staring at a face that resembled Fugaku Uchiha yet showed nothing but indifference.
Tie continued on his own, saying they had never treated him as family, and he had never stepped into that house. Only the Branch Family Members gathered and united by Ryoma were his family. The words left Takao Hyuga stunned.
Suddenly remembering something, he asked anxiously about Neji Hyuga. Iroha Hyuga interrupted, asking if he really thought tonight was only about rescuing him. He lifted his head slightly and said that by now, things outside should have already begun.
A terrifying thought formed in Takao Hyuga's mind as he swallowed hard. Iroha Hyuga said there was no reason for them to flee like stray dogs. He stated clearly that this place was their Ryoma Clan.
The night grew deeper, the forest quieter, and the wind colder. In Fugaku Uchiha's residence, a spacious reception room felt heavy and stifling. A single lamp in the center cast flickering light, stretching the shadows of four figures seated cross legged onto the walls.
Aside from Fugaku Uchiha, the other three were powerful elders from the Ryoma Clan. They wore formal Otsutsuki Clan Main Family attire, yet all frowned as they stared at Fugaku Uchiha, who sat with eyes closed like a meditating monk. Time passed in silence, broken only by the soft crackle of the flame.
At last, one impatient elder spoke up, asking why they had been called here and why even attendants were dismissed. Fugaku Uchiha slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the clock, noting the late hour. He said they would not wait for Lingren and would begin.
He stated plainly that it was about the previous proposal regarding the Branch Family Members. Another elder responded that it had already been decided to publicly execute Takao Hyuga for killing Otsutsuki Clan Main Family members and stealing the Pure Byakugan, to intimidate the Branch Family Members.
Fugaku Uchiha shook his head and said that killing one Takao Hyuga was not enough to instill fear. A third elder frowned and warned that Hiruzen Sarutobi would not allow such large scale action, since stability was his greatest concern. He also reminded them of the Uchiha Clan Undead precedent and asked if they wanted another "Crimson giant".
Fugaku Uchiha replied that he already had a solution and would introduce a new friend of Ryoma Clan. Footsteps echoed from the shadows, slow and clear. The elders tensed and turned sharply.
A figure emerged, wearing a loose robe, half his face and one arm wrapped in bandages, exuding a cold and obscure presence. When they recognized him, their pupils shrank. One elder cried out in disbelief, calling his name.
Fugaku Uchiha calmly confirmed that it was Danzo. He said they had reached an agreement, and that for the stability of Konoha, Root would help cleanse the sickness within Ryoma Clan. He added that Root had more information about "Crimson giant", so there was no need to worry.
The room seemed to grow colder. One cautious elder asked what the conditions were. Fugaku Uchiha answered that when Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down, they would support Danzo to become Hokage.
The words sent shock through the three Main Family elders. Their faces grew grave as they exchanged looks, sinking into heavy silence. Supporting Danzo meant opposing Hiruzen Sarutobi and binding the clan to a dangerous path.
Before the silence could peak, a piercing female scream rang out from outside the residence. The elders jumped to their feet in alarm. In contrast, Fugaku Uchiha remained calm, saying it was simply Root beginning to act against the Branch Family Members.
Though unhappy with his unilateral action, the elders exchanged resigned looks and sat back down. They stayed tense, unlike Fugaku Uchiha. None of them noticed the cold, mocking smile in Danzo's visible eye.
Then Danzo spoke again, saying he also had a friend to introduce. He clapped his hands twice. From behind him, a figure stepped out wearing Root attire and an animal mask.
The figure removed the mask, revealing a familiar face under the candlelight. Fugaku Uchiha? No, something was wrong. They saw the ugly Caged Bird Seal on "Fugaku Uchiha"'s forehead.
Their minds went blank. It was the Caged Bird Seal. In that instant of shock, Danzo and Fugaku Uchiha vanished, moving at extreme speed.
Fugaku Uchiha appeared beside two elders, his hands striking their shoulders with explosive force. Two chilling bone breaking sounds rang out as their arms went limp. At the same time, faint cutting sounds passed by.
Danzo appeared behind the other two elders, flicking his blood stained Kunai. Their clothes split cleanly at the shoulders, thin red lines forming on their skin. Blood burst forth as their arms slid off and fell onto the Tatami.
Screams filled the room as the four Main Family elders collapsed, writhing in pain amid spreading blood. Danzo looked down at them with disdain, calling them worthless. He said he would never bother cooperating with useless people.