373. Wings of Freedom

As Hiashi and Hizashi stepped into the shrine, the elders seated on their cushions finally opened their eyes, scrutinizing Hizashi with a gaze full of judgment and malice.

Their eyes bore into him as if he were a criminal who had committed some grave sin, looking down on him with disdain.

Hiashi, anticipating this reaction, quickly spoke up, "Elders, I've brought Hizashi back."

But the response he received was a cold sneer.

"Hmph, so you finally decided to return?" The eldest elder, seated at the top, narrowed his eyes and directly questioned Hizashi, "Hizashi, why have you been away on a mission for so long this time? Did you intend to abandon the clan?"

To this, Hizashi replied indifferently, "It was a mission assigned by Lord Danzo. I was merely carrying out my duties."

The eldest elder's expression darkened further. "Then why didn't you return when we ordered you to?"

"The situation on the frontlines was critical. I couldn't leave."

Hizashi's answers remained terse, and his expression showed no sign of nervousness.

This unusual composure only deepened the elders' suspicions.

The eldest elder stood up and approached Hizashi, staring him down.

"In that case, you can give us a detailed report on what tasks Danzo assigned you during this time."

The other elders quickly chimed in.

"That's right, Hizashi! Give us a full account of the situation in the Land of Rivers!"

"We want to know what you and the other branch family members have been doing all this time!"

Faced with this barrage of questions, Hiashi subtly tugged at Hizashi's sleeve, signaling him to explain everything in detail.

Otherwise, the elders would resort to "clan discipline"—punishment through the Caged Bird Seal on the branch family members' foreheads.

The excruciating pain it inflicted was something no ordinary person could endure.

However, Hizashi ignored Hiashi's warning. Under the pressure of the elders, he calmly replied, "Lord Danzo said that all frontline missions are classified."

This response was like slapping the elders in the face and then stomping on their pride.

Enraged, the eldest elder stormed up to Hizashi and shouted, "Danzo this, Danzo that! Do you think just because you're under Danzo's command, I won't dare to touch you?!"

"Hizashi Hyuga, don't forget—you're a member of the branch family! Once a branch family member, always a branch family member!"

But no matter how much the eldest elder ranted and raved, Hizashi remained calm and repeated his answer: "No comment."

This response finally pushed the eldest elder over the edge.

Without hesitation, he raised his hand, channeled chakra into his palm, and struck at Hizashi with enough force to cripple him.

"Today, I'll teach you a lesson, you ungrateful traitor!"

Seeing the eldest elder's genuine fury, Hiashi's face flickered with a hint of pity.

But pity or not, he merely clenched his fists, lacking the courage to intervene.

As for Hizashi, he felt the rush of air from the incoming strike, and the fire in his eyes burned brighter, yet his mind remained calm.

"Too slow," he finally spoke.

Then, to the shock of everyone present, he sidestepped the strike with ease!

Of course, what shocked everyone wasn't Hizashi's skill but the fact that he dared to dodge at all.

As a branch family member, they had been taught from childhood never to evade the "lessons" of the main family, or they would face even harsher punishments—such as the activation of the Caged Bird Seal.

Even the most defiant branch family members, after experiencing the agony of the Caged Bird a few times, would eventually submit to their fate.

Yet today, Hizashi had defied expectations. Had Danzo's backing truly given him such confidence?

But what no one expected was that Hizashi had more surprises in store.

After dodging the strike, he swiftly grabbed the eldest elder's wrist.

His other hand shot out like lightning, fingertips glowing with chakra, and pierced the eldest elder's body with a sharp, whistling sound.

Seeing Hizashi's serious intent, Hiashi, as the clan leader, immediately cried out in alarm, "Stop!!"

For a branch family member to defy the main family was already a grave crime.

If Hizashi harmed an elder, he would face the most severe punishment—perhaps even death!

But Hizashi paid no heed to Hiashi's plea.

At this moment, he displayed a decisiveness reminiscent of Danzo, starkly contrasting with Hiashi's usual timidity.

To the astonishment of everyone present, Hizashi's fingers struck the eldest elder's body several times with lightning speed.

His unique "Sharp Fist" technique infused his chakra with a cutting edge akin to Wind Release, piercing through the eldest elder's body and drawing streams of crimson blood.

Screams of panic erupted.

"Hizashi, what are you doing?!"

"Stop this madness, you fool!"

The surrounding elders scrambled into defensive stances.

Hizashi, however, casually tossed the barely breathing eldest elder to the ground like a dead dog and said nonchalantly, "As you all just witnessed, the eldest elder attempted to kill a fellow villager. According to Konoha's laws, this qualifies as treason."

At Hizashi's words, the elders roared in fury.

"Hiashi, quickly, use the Caged Bird to subdue him!"

Hiashi looked at his defiant younger brother and could only grit his teeth and plead, "Hizashi, let the eldest elder go. If you stop now, there's still a chance to fix this!"

To this, Hizashi responded with a scornful laugh.

"A chance? My dear brother, do you really expect me to believe that nonsense?"

He tilted his chin up slightly and stomped hard on the eldest elder's body, causing more blood to bubble from the wounds.

"I'm sick of you main family lords looking down on us from your high horses. I'm sick of the pathetic fate of being a branch family member, forced to grovel and live caged like an animal..."

As he spoke, Hizashi assumed a one-handed combat stance, pointing at Hiashi.

"If you want to stop me, then make your move, brother."

He emphasized the word "brother" with particular weight.

In the next moment, the veins around his eyes bulged, resembling a pair of wings ready to break free and soar.