This crisis, however, had exposed the dangers of the system, and the casualties were heavy. No one was willing to shed more blood and sweat to protect an incompetent leader.
At the same time, Hizashi knew that with Orochimaru's personality, such cruel words were no empty threat, especially now that the Third Hokage was gone. If this wasn't handled properly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Thinking of this, he could only smile bitterly. "Do I have any other choice?"
A voice beside him spoke again. "It seems this is the best solution for now."
After a long silence, Hizashi spoke as if resigned to his fate. "Then please, help Neji first. I will try to persuade my brother to accept the terms."
"Very well. The treatment will begin immediately." Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction and got to work.
Meanwhile, the father waiting quietly to the side felt his heart pound with both anxiety and hope. He only relaxed slightly after hearing reassuring words from the person beside him.
At this moment, Neji was still feigning death, but without treatment for his brain tissue, he wouldn't survive. However, Orochimaru didn't address that issue immediately. Instead, he took the Byakugan from one of the deceased Main Branch elders and transplanted them into Neji.
Orochimaru gave Kawasaki a look. Kawasaki asked Hizashi to wait and then walked over.
He placed his wrist in Neji's mouth, just as before. A healing energy flowed directly into Neji's body. The wound on his forehead, the damaged brain tissue, and the injuries to his eyes all began to recover.
A short while later, Kawasaki withdrew his wrist. Orochimaru estimated the time. "That should be enough."
A moment later, Neji's fingers twitched. He slowly opened his eyes.
"I... Where am I?"
The first thing Neji saw upon opening his eyes was Kawasaki. "Kawasaki-senpai, I... I can see!?" Neji exclaimed in joyful surprise.
Not far away, Hizashi heard Neji's voice and shot to his feet, overcome with emotion. "Neji..."
...
Hizashi and Neji embraced tightly, tears streaming down their faces.
"Father, it's so good that you're alive." Neji's joy was palpable.
"Thank you, Kawasaki-senpai! You didn't lie to me."
Kawasaki sighed. "Don't celebrate just yet. Saving your father wasn't simple. From now on, your life belongs to me."
Hizashi asked from the side, astonished, "Kawasaki, you're the one who saved me?"
"The details aren't important. What's important is that you cherish your life now. A debt like this must be repaid," Kawasaki said, offering no further explanation.
He then turned to Hizashi. "If anyone in your Branch House harbors hatred, they are welcome to join our Uchiha clan. We're short on people right now, after all."
Hizashi sighed. Many of his clansmen had suffered in this incident; their hatred would not be easily forgotten. Even if the Caged Bird Curse Mark were abolished, some members of the Hyuga Branch House would likely still leave the clan.
After all, the Hyuga clan was a prize many coveted, and the power of the Byakugan was well-known. These people had nowhere else to go. Orochimaru wouldn't allow them to defect to other villages.
While Hizashi was lost in thought, Kawasaki remembered Naruto and the others. Since Hizashi would be managing the mission system now, he could have him look out for Naruto's team in the future.
"Kawasaki-senpai, how are my eyes healed?" Neji had been blind. He never imagined that in the blink of an eye, his father would be alive and his sight would be restored.
Kawasaki replied nonchalantly, "So many people in the Main Branch died. It would be a waste to let their Byakugan go to waste, so I had a pair transplanted for you. I also had the restrictions of the Caged Bird Curse Mark removed."
Neji was utterly incredulous. "How... how is that possible?"
He looked toward Hizashi, who seemed to sense his son's gaze. Hizashi patted Neji's hand. "Don't ask too many questions. You'll understand in time."
Though his mind was filled with questions, Neji fell silent.
Just then, a system notification sounded in Kawasaki's ear.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for changing Hyuga Neji's life trajectory.]
Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven x1
[Ding! Successfully recruited Hyuga Neji.]
Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Taijutsu Precision.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for changing Hyuga Hizashi's life trajectory.]
Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Eight Trigrams Empty Wall Palm x1
Kawasaki quickly reviewed the skills. Only Taijutsu Precision seemed particularly useful; the others were better than nothing, but just barely.
Taijutsu Precision: Greatly increases the accuracy of taijutsu attacks.
...
After settling matters with Hizashi, the next step was to persuade Hiashi.
The situation was urgent. The emotions of the Branch House members were like a ticking time bomb.
Kawasaki used the Transformation Jutsu, put on a mask, and followed Orochimaru to the prison.
The prison was normally staffed by some Hyuga Branch House members, but Orochimaru had sent them all on forced leave. With their minds so troubled, allowing them to continue working would only cause more problems.
Orochimaru led Kawasaki to the cell where Hiashi was being held and motioned for the others to withdraw.
"Lord Hokage."
Hiashi was naturally not being mistreated, but his mental state was poor. He looked much older.
Orochimaru got straight to the point. "The numbers are in. Sixty-five members of the Branch House died this time, thirty-seven of them due to the Caged Bird Curse Mark. Your Main Branch lost a total of thirteen people. Have you thought about how to solve this problem?"
Hearing these numbers, Hiashi's face twisted in pain. While the Branch House had suffered casualties in the past, those had been deaths on the battlefield. These thirty-seven, however, had been killed by the Caged Bird secret curse.
This was something that hadn't happened in the Hyuga clan for hundreds of years. Moreover, those thirty-seven were all important figures in the Branch House.
Under these circumstances, the conflict between the Main Branch and the Branch House would inevitably intensify.
Hiashi had long been pondering the question Orochimaru posed. He could, of course, choose to continue using the Caged Bird to threaten and control the Branch House. But if he did, he would know no peace for the rest of his days.
A simple apology from the Main Branch would not solve the problem. The only way might be for Hiashi to commit seppuku.
It wasn't that he feared death, but with him gone and the clan elders also deceased, the Main Branch could no longer support the entire Hyuga clan. Coupled with the massive loss of Branch House elites, the decline of the Hyuga was almost a certainty.
Hiashi shook his head, a look of despair on his face.
Orochimaru stood outside the cell door. "I have a solution."
Looking at Orochimaru's emotionless face, Hiashi felt a sense of unease.
"Please, Lord Hokage, tell me."
Orochimaru stated flatly, "This incident was caused by traitors from the Main Branch and the Caged Bird Curse Mark. As the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, I can execute the entire Main Branch. This will preserve the Branch House. Freed from the Main Branch's control, the Hyuga clan might even flourish."
Hiashi saw a flicker of killing intent in Orochimaru's eyes and his heart leaped into his throat. He knew Orochimaru wasn't bluffing. Such an act would also be the most beneficial outcome for Konoha.
Hiashi was silent for a moment. "Lord Hokage... is there another way?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "There is."