Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 247 The Rebellious Hyuga Branch Family

The deafening explosion from the direction of the Uchiha clan's territory shattered the false tranquility of Konoha Village's night, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake. The massive sound wave, accompanied by towering flames, awakened the entire village, and panic spread rapidly like a plague.

The Ino-Shika-Cho clan territories, which were closest to the Uchiha clan's territory, were the first to be hit. Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi, the three current clan heads, rushed out of their homes almost the instant the explosion occurred.

All three were experienced elite Jonin with an extremely keen sense of danger.

"Shikaku!" Akimichi Choza, despite his massive size, moved with surprising agility. His chubby face, which had lost its usual憨厚 (honest and simple) demeanor, was now filled with worry: "This commotion... it's from the Uchiha side!"

His voice was grave: "Such a large-scale explosion and commotion...could it be..."

"Something terrible has happened!" Yamanaka Inoichi said in a deep voice, his senses already detecting the chaotic and massive chakra fluctuations over there.

Nara Shikaku frowned, his eyes sharp as an eagle's: "Gather all those capable of fighting immediately! Quickly!"

Without needing further orders, the well-trained ninjas of the three clans quickly poured out from their respective clan territories and gathered around the three clan leaders.

Soon, an emergency response team composed of elite Jonin and Chunin from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans was assembled, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

Just then, a dark figure appeared in front of Shikaku in an instant.

He is a masked member of the Hokage's direct ANBU.

"Lord Shikaku! The Hokage has ordered!" The Anbu's voice, strained through the mask, quickly reported, "The Uchiha clan has been confirmed to have launched a rebellion! The Hokage is personally leading the Anbu to suppress it. The order is now given to Jonin Squad Leader Nara Shikaku to immediately lead the Jonin Squad and other available ninja to maintain order within the village, evacuate the populace, and prevent the Uchiha rogue ninja from causing destruction throughout the village! The suppression mission is now entrusted to the Hokage!"

"Rebellion?!" Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with disbelief.

The Uchiha clan... has rebelled?!
A chill ran up his spine.

Shikaku's mind flashed back to the devastating Kaguya clan rebellion in Kirigakure several years ago. Although Kirigakure implemented a policy of seclusion, the fact that such a large ninja clan was wiped out still caused a lot of news to circulate, which Shikaku naturally knew.

Shikaku knew the strength of the Uchiha clan all too well. As the number one powerful clan in the ninja world, the Uchiha could field at least twenty Jonin and nearly a hundred Chunin with the full strength of the clan!
Once this power is fully unleashed, can the Anbu led by the Hokage really suppress it?

It will likely be a battle far more devastating than the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage back then, and it might even affect the entire village!

"The Hokage only brought the Anbu... I'm afraid..." Shikaku suppressed the turmoil in his heart and didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

Relying solely on the power of the Anbu to suppress the Uchiha clan's entire movement is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!

He then suppressed his worries and turned to the ANBU messenger, his tone grave and urgent: "Please inform the Hokage immediately! The Jonin team and the Ino-Shika-Cho clans have assembled and are ready to support the suppression of the rebellion! The Uchiha rebellion is no small matter; we must not underestimate them!"

"Yes!" The ANBU nodded and vanished in an instant.

Shikaku was extremely anxious; he felt the Hokage's decision was too risky.

He whispered to Choza and Inoichi beside him: "Choza, take a group of men and assist the security forces in evacuating civilians around the Uchiha clan's territory and setting up a cordon! Inoichi, use your Mind Transfer Jutsu to contact as many scattered Jonin teams as possible, inform them of the situation, and get them to move this way! The rest of you, follow me..."

Shikaku hadn't finished speaking—

boom! ! !
Another deafening explosion, accompanied by billowing smoke and dust, suddenly came from another direction!
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over.

That direction...

This is the Hyuga clan's territory!

"Hyuga clan territory?! How come there's something there too..." Akimichi Choza's eyes widened.

Yamanaka Inoichi's expression changed drastically: "Oh no! Could it be that the Uchiha attacked the Hyuga?!"

Nara Shikaku's heart sank to the bottom, a strong sense of foreboding enveloped him.

The Uchiha rebellion was already a huge problem; if something happened to the Hyuga clan's territory as well...

Konoha may face annihilation tonight!

"Something's wrong! Inoichi, Choza!" Nara Shikaku's face turned extremely grim. Tonight's events had completely exceeded his expectations and control. "Take half the men and come with me to the Hyuga clan's territory immediately! The rest of you, maintain order as planned! Quickly!"

Without any hesitation, led by Nara Shikaku, followed closely by Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi, along with Nara Shizuku, Nara Suzaku, Yamanaka Santen, Inuzuka clan leader Inuzuka Gaku, Akimichi clan elite Akimichi Tou, and more than ten top Konoha Jonin such as Mimura Hazaki and Shirakumo Hayama, formed a rapid reaction force and rushed towards the Hyuga clan's territory at top speed like an arrow released from a bow!

They need to find out exactly what happened there!
........................

Hyuga clan territory, the epicenter of the explosion.

Smoke filled the air, and the pungent smell of burning flesh mingled with the stench of blood.

The explosion destroyed an elegantly decorated courtyard that belonged to an elder of the Hyuga main family.

Hiashi Hyuga activated his Byakugan and rushed to the scene almost as soon as the explosion subsided.

His vision cut through the smoke and dust, and he saw the clan elder lying in a mess, his chest pierced by some kind of sharp weapon, his noble clan robes stained with blood, and he was already dead!
"Third Elder!" Rizu was shocked and quickly stepped forward to check, confirming that the other party was indeed dead.

"Lord Patriarch!"

"What happened?"

"Where is the enemy?"

At that moment, a flurry of footsteps and shouts could be heard as a large number of Hyuga ninjas, alerted by the explosion, rushed to the scene.

This included Hyuga Hizashi, several Jonin from the branch family he led, and even the small figure of Hyuga Neji!

Hiashi's gaze lingered on Neji for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing through his mind: How did Neji end up in such a dangerous place?

But the situation was urgent, so he didn't investigate further.

At the same time, three other elders of the Zong family arrived at the scene after hearing the news. Although they had lost their eyes, they still had a kind of perception similar to the mind's eye. They were shocked and furious when they learned of their colleague's tragic death.

"Hiashi! Could it be that 'Shura' attacking again?!"

"How dare you attack my Hyuga main clan again!"

Several years ago, Shura attacked the Hyuga clan's territory twice and even gouged out the Byakugan of four of their elders. The pain he brought to the Hyuga clan is still etched in their hearts to this day!
Hiashi stood up, his gaze sweeping over the arriving crowd, including Hizashi and the others, and said in a deep voice, "When I arrived, the elder had already... The enemy has vanished without a trace, everyone be careful..."

Before he could finish speaking!

A sudden change occurred!

Standing next to Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, who was also seemingly observing warily, suddenly attacked without warning!
His right palm, condensed with highly concentrated chakra, struck Hiashi's unsuspecting back with lightning speed, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound!
puff--!
Caught off guard, Hiashi felt an immense force slam into his back, instantly dissipating his protective chakra!
He flew forward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into the broken wall. He felt a sweet taste in his throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood!

"Hizashi-sama?!"

"what are you doing?!"

This sudden betrayal stunned everyone present!
Including the ordinary Hyuga branch family guards!

They couldn't believe their eyes!

However, Hizashi's rebellion was only the beginning!
At the very moment Hiashi was knocked away, the branch family Jonin behind him, who were already prepared, including Hyuga Tetsuya and Hyuga Tokuma, suddenly sprang into action as if they had received a signal!
Hyuga Tetsu and Hyuga Toku worked together seamlessly, like two ghostly figures, rushing straight towards the three shocked and furious elders of the main family!
Their goal was clear—to kill!
"You!" One of the elders was both shocked and furious. He tried to form hand seals to resist, but in his haste, he was no match for the surprise attack of two Jonin who had been planning this for a long time.

"Traitor!" another elder roared, attempting to activate the "Caged Bird" curse, the most lethal curse the main family could cast on the branch family!
He formed hand seals, and chakra surged forth!
However, something happened that terrified him!

The Caged Bird Seal on the foreheads of Hyuga Tetsuya and Hyuga Toku was supposed to respond to the summons and inflict extreme pain on them, but it did not react at all!

It's as if they never existed!
"How is this possible?!" The elder exclaimed in horror, his empty eye sockets unable to conceal the despair!

puff!

In that instant of distraction, Hyuga Tetsuya's palm, like the sharpest kunai, precisely pierced the elder's heart!

"Ugh!" Another elder next to him was also struck in a vital spot by Hyuga Tokuma's palm, spitting out blood and flying backward.

The third elder reacted a little faster and narrowly avoided the fatal blow, but was also struck hard in the ribs by Hyuga Neji, an eight-year-old child with cold eyes!
A crisp sound of bones cracking rang out, and the elder screamed and staggered backward, his voice filled with utter horror.

Hyuga Neji didn't stop moving, his eyes showing no hesitation. Like the coldest hunter, he pounced again, his small hand carrying sharp chakra, and slammed it hard against the elder's skull!
"Stop!" Hiashi Hyuga struggled to his feet from the ruins, his eyes wide with rage at the sight of the horrific scene!

He watched helplessly as three respected elders of the main family were slaughtered by the branch family ninjas he had once regarded as brothers in just a few breaths!
One of them even died at the hands of his own nephew!

"Hyuga Hizashi!!" Hiashi's voice was hoarse and distorted with anger and pain as he stared intently at the traitor—his own younger brother!
"What the hell are you doing?!"

In the courtyard filled with smoke and the stench of blood, Hyuga Hizashi slowly turned around to face Hyuga Hiashi, who had almost lost his mind.

"What are you doing?" His voice was calm, yet it carried the humiliation and determination suppressed for decades: "Isn't this obvious enough?"

"Of course, it's to end this humiliation that has lasted for hundreds of years!" Hizashi's voice was cold, echoing clearly in the deathly silent courtyard. "My beloved brother."

Under the horrified gazes of Hyuga Hiashi and all the Hyuga branch family guards who were still in shock, Hyuga Hizashi slowly raised his hand and ripped off his headband!

Immediately afterwards, Hyuga Tetsuya, Hyuga Tokuma, and other rebel members also made the same move!
Having just killed the head of the main family and returned to his father's side, Hyuga Neji also removed the cloth strip that used to cover the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.

A smooth forehead!
No trace left!

All the caged bird curses that bound them, tormented them, and enslaved them for generations, symbolizing the humiliation of separation, have vanished!

"This...this is impossible!!" Hiashi Hyuga exclaimed in shock, his body trembling slightly from the enormous impact.

"The cursed seal... has disappeared?!"

"How...how did they do that?!"

The Hyuga branch family guards around them were completely thrown into chaos and utter shock!
Looking at the smooth foreheads of Riza and the others, and then at the indelible blue marks on their own foreheads, an unprecedented emotion surged wildly within them.

Is it longing?
Is it jealousy?
Or...despair?
After a brief silence came utter madness!

"Capture the traitor! Protect the clan leader!!" The loyal guards of the main branch family roared as they regained their senses. Although they were also shocked, the long-standing prestige of the main family and the potential threat of the cursed seal made them instinctively rush towards Hizashi and the others.

Hizashi, along with five rebellious branch family ninjas and young Neji, formed a defensive circle back to back. Facing an enemy many times their size, their eyes showed no fear, only a resolute determination to fight to the death!

"Gentle Fist Technique - Bagua Empty Palm!"

"Gentle Fist Technique: Reversing Heaven!"

A fierce civil war broke out in an instant!

Despite his injury, Hiashi was still incredibly strong, and he engaged in a fierce battle with Hizashi, their soft fists clashing and producing a series of muffled thuds.

Inside the courtyard, the sounds of soft fists cutting through the air, the collision of chakra, the muffled thuds of flesh and bone colliding, and the screams of the injured instantly filled every inch of space!
Hijiri led the rebels, who were outnumbered, in a fierce battle against their outnumbered hordes, like trapped beasts.

Although they were outnumbered, they were all determined to die, and having escaped the threat of the caged birds, they attacked without restraint, and for a time they forced the besieging guards to retreat.

Just as internal strife broke out in the core of the Hyuga clan's territory, another group of rebellious branch family members, led by Hyuga Natsu, totaling more than fifty people, mostly weaker ninjas, women, children, and adults, took advantage of the explosion and the chaos created by Hizashi and others to quickly escape the Hyuga clan's territory along a pre-planned route and desperately run towards the outskirts of Konoha Village.

Their actions were tense yet orderly, clearly the result of extensive planning and rehearsals.

Soon, they met up with the second squad of Star Ninja, led by Vanilla Uzumaki, in a secluded grove on the edge of the village.

"Star Country, Whirlpool Vanilla, here to meet you on the orders of Lord Shura!" Whirlpool Vanilla stepped forward and announced loudly.

Hyuga Natsu saw the dazzling red hair and the Star Ninja headband, and excitedly whispered, quickly reporting the situation: "Lord Hizashi and Young Master Neji, along with five other clan members, volunteered to stay behind to cover our retreat, creating greater chaos in the center of the clan territory and drawing all attention away from us!"

Upon hearing this, Whirlpool Vanilla frowned slightly.

She quickly scanned the group of Hyuga clansmen, whose faces were filled with fear yet whose eyes were resolute, and made a decisive decision: "Hotaru! You take three people and escort them to the border teleportation point immediately! Make sure their safety is guaranteed!"

"Yes!" Firefly accepted the order without hesitation, selected three Star Ninjas, and signaled Hyuga Natsu and the others to follow.

Vanilla then looked at Natsumi, Chino, Morishita Toshito and Murahashi Hazuki: "The rest of you, come with me to meet Hizashi and the others!"

"Yes!"

………………

Meanwhile, Nara Shikaku led a Konoha Jonin support force to the Hyuga clan's territory at top speed.

However, when they stormed into the Hyuga clan's territory, what they saw was not the expected invasion by foreign enemies, but a brutal and astonishing internal strife!

Seeing the unimaginably brutal civil war before them, even the most battle-hardened elite Jonin gasped in shock!
The once solemn and majestic Hyuga clan grounds are now in ruins. The corpses of the main clan elders and their loyal guards lie scattered, while the Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, is locked in fierce combat with his younger brother, Hyuga Hizashi, with blood dripping from his mouth.

All around, a large number of branch family guards were besieging a small group of seven rebels led by Hizashi, including the eight-year-old Hyuga Neji with a resolute look in his eyes!
Although the rebels were few in number, they were all fearless and managed to hold off the siege for a time.

"This...this is...the Hyuga internal strife?!" Yamanaka Inoichi exclaimed in astonishment.

"The Caged Bird Seal... has it failed?" Akimichi Choza looked at Hizashi and Neji's smooth foreheads in disbelief.

Nara Shikaku's heart sank to the bottom.

The Uchiha rebellion was not yet quelled, and now the Hyuga clan is facing internal strife!

Konoha is likely to suffer an unprecedented blow tonight!
He immediately made a judgment: "Control the situation first! Stop them! Capture the rebels!"

At his command, Nara Salt Water and Nara Suzaku's Shadow Binding Techniques were instantly deployed, attempting to restrict the movement of Hizashi and the others; Yamanaka Inoichi's mental assault was poised to strike; Inuzuka Jacques and his ninja dogs worked together to block off their retreat; Akimichi Choza and Akimichi Tou's massive bodies stood like fortresses in front; Hakukumo Hayama, Mimura Yoru, and other Jonin also quickly dispersed, their powerful chakra fluctuations locking onto the core of the battlefield.

The arrival of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and the Konoha Jonin instantly tipped the scales of the battlefield.

Hizashi, Neji, and the others were surrounded, their space for maneuver was drastically reduced, and the pressure on them increased sharply!
Hyuga Hizashi forced one of the guards back with a single palm strike, his back pressed tightly against Neji's.

He could feel his son's slightly rapid breathing and the unwavering will emanating from that small body.

"Neji," Hizashi's voice was slightly hoarse, yet unusually calm: "Are you afraid? Do you regret staying behind to cover our retreat?"

Neji's young face was smeared with dust and a trace of blood, but his Byakugan eyes remained clear and sharp, unwavering in the slightest.

He clenched his small fist tightly, shook his head heavily, and spoke in a clear but resolute voice:

"I will never regret it, Father!"

Just as Shikaku was solemnly preparing to order the arrest of these "traitors" and to inquire about the details from the injured Hiashi,

"King Kong Blockade!"

A clear and majestic shout shattered the clamor of the battlefield like a thunderclap!
Immediately afterwards, several dazzling golden chains, like the light of dawn, carrying unparalleled sealing power, tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound, and descended from the sky with perfect precision!

Bang!Bang!Bang!
The golden chains, like a living dragon, swept across wildly!

The Hyuga branch family guards who were besieging Hizashi and Neji, as well as the few Jonin who came with Shikaku to help approach, were caught off guard and struck hard by this immense force!

A series of muffled thuds rang out, and dozens of figures flew backward like scarecrows struck by a giant hammer, their attacks collapsing instantly!

The entire battlefield seemed to have been paused!
Everyone's gaze followed the dazzling golden chains in shock, looking towards the direction from which they had attacked—atop a high rooftop beside the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, a woman stood against the wind.

She wore a dark blue outfit that was completely different from the style of Konoha, which accentuated her graceful figure, and casually draped a dark coat over it.

Her long, red, curly hair, as dazzling as burning flames, flew wildly in the night wind, and she wore a five-pointed star headband with the Star Ninja on her forehead.

Behind her, several incredibly thick energy chains, gleaming with pure golden light, unfurled like a peacock spreading its tail, emanating a terrifyingly large chakra fluctuation and sealing aura!

"That headband... belongs to a Star Ninja!" Shirakumo Hayama exclaimed.

“And that technique…” Inuzuka Jaw’s eyes widened.

The three well-informed clan leaders, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Choza, and Yamanaka Inoichi, had their pupils suddenly contract the moment they saw the golden chains. Their faces showed an expression of shock, even horror, than when they saw the internal strife in the Hyuga clan!

"Gold...Golden Lockdown?!" Nara Shikaku's pupils constricted, and he exclaimed in shock!

"The Uzumaki Clan?!" Even Akimichi Choza's massive body swayed slightly in shock.

"Lady Kushina... no... wait! Who are you?!" Yamanaka Inoichi's spiritual senses instantly detected the powerful chakra emanating from the other party, but it was completely different from the Fourth Hokage's woman in his memory!
This iconic secret technique, belonging to the most powerful sealing experts of the Uzumaki clan, has long since become a legend due to the Nine-Tails' chaos and the decline of the Uzumaki clan!
Now, it has reappeared in the world!

Beside the red-haired woman, four figures, also dressed in Star Ninja uniforms and wearing star-shaped headbands, stood silently.

One of them had a voluptuous figure and wore a Star Ninja Jonin vest; another was a little girl with short white hair and bloodshot eyes; and the other two were a boy and a girl wearing dark blue chakra-powered armor, exuding a fierce aura.

It was Natsume, led by Vanilla Uzumaki, along with Chino Miyajo, Toshihito Morishita, and Hazuki Murahashi!

Vanilla Uzumaki's emerald green eyes, like icy pools in the moonlight, coldly swept over the Konoha people below, who were in a state of great shock and chaos, as well as the Hyuga father and son, who were temporarily protected by golden chains.

Her voice echoed clearly in the silent night sky:

"Star Country, Whirlpool Herbs. By order of Lord Shura, we have come to receive the 'birds' of the Hyuga branch family who have been released from their cages!"

(End of this chapter)