I might be a fake Ultraman.

Hokage's office.

The Hyuga brothers, Hiashi and Hizashi, came together.

The moment Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the two brothers, his gaze sharpened slightly, because the brothers' appearances had changed.

On Hyuga Hizashi's forehead, where the Caged Bird Seal should have been, there was no Caged Bird Seal; instead, a crescent moon mark appeared.

Most importantly, the same spot is also on the forehead of Hyuga Hiashi.

Furthermore, to accentuate this mark, the two brothers changed their hairstyles, abandoning their usual long, straight black hair and even dyeing it silver-white. The new hairstyle actually looks quite handsome.

(Refer to Sesshomaru)

Even their clothing changed from pure white kimonos to kimonos with moon patterns.

Hiruzen Sarutobi even suspected that the two brothers had joined some kind of moon-worshipping cult.

But it's impossible to even think about it.

Despite having many questions in his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not ask them directly, but instead started talking about Hibiki Hyuga.

"Hibiki... how is that child?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.

Hiashi Hyuga paused for a moment before calmly saying, "...That child is very good and talented. He is currently a key student being groomed by the Hyuga clan."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly, feeling that he understood what Hiashi Hyuga meant.

Being given special attention means that they've been put in a cage and are now under our control.

“Something seems to have happened to the Hyuga clan yesterday. Considering that the Hyuga clan may need some time to deal with it, I did not dare to go and disturb them.”

"I wonder if the Hyuga clan has finished dealing with their internal affairs today? If there is anything you need, please feel free to ask the village. The village will help every ninja clan in need."

"The main reason is that the Hyuga clan is an important defensive force in Konoha, and everyone in the village hopes that the Hyuga clan's strength will return to its posts as soon as possible."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said a long string of words.

Hiashi Hyuga had anticipated this.

However, Hiashi Hyuga knew that this was only because it was a time of war and Konoha needed the Hyuga clan's strength, which was why they were being so polite to the Hyuga clan.

Otherwise, it would be a serious problem if Hyuga clan ninjas left their posts without cause.

The forces of the Dark Side and Root have long been conducting a major investigation into the Hyuga clan.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke flawlessly, exonerating himself completely.

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi who wanted to know the situation, but he spoke only about the village and everyone in the village.

One big hat after another.

Hiashi Hyuga was already used to Hiruzen Sarutobi's antics.

Some events before the war showed that the high-ranking officials of Konoha were no longer simply ninjas, nor were they wholeheartedly devoted to the village.

After all, a qualified ninja wouldn't be so insincere.

The Hyuga clan's actions yesterday would have been monitored by the village's forces in any other ninja village.

...even during wartime.

Thinking of Baili Yuan's explanation.

Hiashi Hyuga replied, "Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. The matter concerning the Hyuga clan has been resolved, and there is no need for the village to intervene."

"That's it, that's good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed not to care at all, but suddenly asked a question.

"Hiashi, Hizashi, you two brothers seem to look a bit unusual today."

Hiashi Hyuga didn't hide anything, "Reporting to the Hokage, this change is because the clan elders have deciphered a secret passed down through generations." "The Hyuga clan's sudden recall of its members yesterday was also due to this matter."

A glint of light flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

But before Hiruzen Sarutobi could continue his probing, he did not wait.

Hiashi Hyuga then took the initiative to explain, "Through the efforts of generation after generation, the elders of the Hyuga clan have finally deciphered a special secret scroll passed down within the clan."

"The secret scroll contains a special forbidden technique."

"This forbidden technique is an upgraded version of the Caged Bird Technique. It can not only cover the Caged Bird, but also does not damage the white eye."

"In addition, the forbidden technique abolished the main family and branch family system brought about by the Caged Bird Seal, truly achieving equality for everyone in the main family and branch family."

"But Hokage, please rest assured, the new cursed seal is more powerful than the Caged Bird Seal in protecting the Byakugan."

"Once a member of the Hyuga clan dies or is captured, the Hyuga clan can activate the cursed seal on their own to destroy themselves at the cellular level, ensuring that the Byakugan will not leak out."

"If our clansmen are unable to live out their fears, I, as the clan leader, have the ability to remotely activate the cursed seal to uphold the honor of the Hyuga clan!"

"However, regrettably, the clan elders and many clansmen paid a heavy price in order to decipher that secret scroll."

"Several elders died, many clansmen lost the ability to continue serving as ninjas, and many others were seriously injured."

"In the war that follows, the Hyuga clan may not be able to fight for Konoha with all their might."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "..."

He remained silent for two minutes before he realized what was happening.

This isn't about cracking the secret scroll at all; it's clearly about you two brothers creating a new curse seal and then stirring up a rebellion within the clan!
I originally thought something serious had happened to your Hyuga clan, but you told me it was just internal strife, and that the Hyuga clan had lost a lot of strength.

What are your thoughts?

Don't they know that the situation on the battlefield outside is critical, and that's precisely the time when the Hyuga clan's strength is needed?

There's still internal strife!
I'm so angry!

Hiruzen Sarutobi trembled as he put down his pipe.

He said in a heavy voice, "But the situation on the battlefield is tense right now, and the Land of Water is also restless. Konoha can't do without the power of the Hyuga clan."

"Don't worry, Hokage-sama, when the war breaks out, both my brother and I will go to the battlefield!" Hyuga Hiashi assured him.

Hyuga Hizashi nodded in agreement.

"I see, that's good..." Hiruzen Sarutobi was relieved.

The clan leader has gone to the battlefield, which clearly shows that the Hyuga clan does not want to completely withdraw from the war.

After a few more casual words, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi said their goodbyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze fell on Hizashi Hyuga.

He had long noticed that Hyuga Hizashi had regained a vitality he had never had before; he was no longer lifeless and had lost all hope.

Was Hiashi doing this for his younger brother?

"It seems that not only the Uchiha clan, but also the Hyuga clan has a strong sense of brotherhood."

Thinking of brotherhood.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a pang of longing for Danzo Shimura.

Although Shimura Danzo was not his brother, he was more than a brother to him. The bond between them could not be severed even by the intervention of Lake Biwa.

"I wonder if Danzo has found any useful information."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew the chances were slim, but that didn't stop him from fantasizing. (End of Chapter)