This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 220 Departure

Ryuji took this into consideration, which is why he altered Kohinata Mukai's memories to show that he sought help from the Hokage, instead of having the branch family members flee and betray Konoha... because that would have been a doomed attempt.

Furthermore, after being betrayed, Kohinata herself will lose all faith in Konoha, thus giving rise to thoughts of defection.

If it were changed to someone from the branch family defecting to Konoha... this would not fit Kohinata's thought process, nor would it be the optimal answer from a risk perspective. It would easily lead one to think that the memories had been tampered with.

While reducing risks, the success rate has also increased significantly.

"The one who informed the main branch of the family was another high-ranking member, not the Hokage!"

"Without the Hokage's permission, would other high-ranking members have leaked such an important secret to the main family?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sang fell silent once again.

Yes, such an important secret, without the Hokage's permission, would anyone else dare to leak it privately?

It's important to understand that the most important thing for a ninja is to obey orders... Although Konoha Village is very humane, it doesn't allow any sentimentality to interfere when it comes to matters of principle.

Thinking of this, Zhu Sang was overcome with sorrow and said self-deprecatingly, "I grew up listening to stories of the Hokage and the Daimyo. The person I respect most is the Hokage. I would go through fire and water for his orders, and most of my other companions were the same... But he abandoned us without any mercy when it came to personal gain!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi's hypocrisy is notorious among the higher-ups in the ninja world. It's normal that you people who grew up in Konoha and were brainwashed by him can't see through it." Ryuji comforted Takesang on the surface, but in his heart he was wondering whether Hiruzen had betrayed him.

Although in that situation, no one would leak the secret without Shadow's permission.

But Konoha has a troublemaker named Danzo.

Unlike other Konoha ninjas, he did not blindly obey the Hokage's orders. Instead, he had his own opinions, acted decisively and ruthlessly, and did not tolerate any destabilizing factors in the village.

The Hyuga branch family is showing signs of breaking away from the main family's control... This is a destabilizing factor, and given his character, he will definitely resolve it with ruthless methods.

But ultimately, this is a matter for the Hyuga clan, and he shouldn't interfere.

Moreover, the Hyuga main family controls the Caged Bird Seal and has absolute control over the branch family. As long as the main family is informed of the situation and they are prepared, it is impossible for them to be caught off guard and suffer a setback.

Therefore, it is highly likely that Danzo informed on them privately.

But ultimately, it's not impossible that Sarutobi, as the Hokage, could have betrayed them.

Although he is gentle by nature and doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do such a thing, he will not show any mercy when it comes to matters of great importance to the village.

"It's hateful that my companions and I were deceived by that hypocrite..."

Zhu Sang angrily denounced the injustice she suffered and the hypocrisy of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha high-ranking officials. Many of the things in her story were far-fetched and, upon closer examination, simply did not hold water.

To put it simply, no matter how many times you say it...

All organizations are groups of interests.

After being betrayed and not only failed to receive help from the Hokage when they sought his assistance, they realized that Konoha's so-called family was still just a collection of interests. The Hokage, who had once been a shining and noble figure in their hearts, also fell from his pedestal.

This is exactly what Ryuji is happy to see.

He didn't want to take in a bunch of ingrates who still longed for Konoha or Sarutobi.

……

After about half an hour, Zhu Sang finally shut up, whether from exhaustion or something else.

Long Er smiled slightly and asked, "So what happened next? After you were betrayed, what kind of punishment did you receive?"

"Lord Mukai was expelled from the Hyuga clan, the other elders who led the group were executed, and all the other participants were tortured with cursed seals for three days."

The Caged Bird can control the life and death of others, can be used as a target for punishment, and will also destroy the eyes of the target after death. It is a powerful tool used by the main family to control the branch families and even protect the Byakugan.

Kohyuu wasn't put in the Caged Bird Seal, and his own strength was formidable, so the Hyuga clan couldn't do anything to him and could only expel him.

"Hmm, that's about what I expected." Ryuji nodded slightly, then asked, "Did Kohinata send you here with any other arrangements?"

"After he had Lady Aya figure out a solution to the Caged Bird Seal, he went to meet her outside Konoha Village. He wanted to lead the clansmen who wanted to escape the control of the main clan away from that dangerous place."

"Understood."

Things unfolded exactly as expected. Ryuji nodded in satisfaction and began to study the caged bird intently.

……

The Caged Bird Seal is indeed a very complex and advanced spell seal.

But no matter how complex or advanced, it cannot hide from the observation instrument, which quickly analyzed its operation. Then, the solution was deduced by reverse engineering, taking less than two hours in total.

"Let's not delay, let's head to Konoha now!"

Having successfully freed the caged bird from Takesang's cage, Ryuji smiled slightly as he looked at the Byakugan ninja, whose expression kept shifting between blankness, disbelief, and ecstasy.

Behind him, a portal opened.

Hearing the sound, Takesang snapped out of her daze and asked Ryuji in disbelief, "The Caged Bird Seal is gone? The curse that bound the Hyuga clan's branch family for hundreds of years is gone? Is all of this true!?"

"Of course it's true. If you don't believe me, I can slap you twice and let you see if you're dreaming."

"Uh, no need for that."

Zhu Sang quickly refused.

He accompanied his clan elders to the arena to watch the three duels between Konoha and Sunagakure, and witnessed firsthand how he beat Uchiha Setsuna to death with his bare hands.

Although Ryuuji Ayaki's punches weren't as monstrous as Tsunade's or Gin's, her small frame still couldn't withstand them.

"Let's go then!"

After leaving those words, Ryuji was the first to walk out.

Zhu Sang reacted a beat slower, but hurriedly followed.

A steel wall tens of meters high came into view.

Two enormous golden statues, which one has to look up at, are half-suspended in the recesses of the city wall, as if they were half-standing on the wall of the mechanical city. The sunlight shines on the golden statues, reflecting circles of light on the ground.

The busy crowds and equipment, bathed in a halo of light, resembled busy ants.

"Wow, it's huge!"

Hinata Takesaku's mouth dropped open.

When I arrived, I was preoccupied with other things and didn't pay much attention to the statue. It was only when I left that I truly appreciated its grandeur.

But isn't the Mechanical City a war fortress?

Why are these statues embedded in the city walls?

Do you think it's impossible for anyone to fight their way here?

If it is believed that it is impossible for anyone to attack this place, then what is the point of building the city wall?

"Come on up!"

A voice from the side interrupted Zhu Sang's continued contemplation.

He looked back and saw that Long Er was standing on a mechanical bird made of a mixture of steel and wood. Beside him stood a middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes but a gloomy face, as if someone owed him millions.

He recognized the man; his name was "Black".

"They're here."

Zhu Sang responded and quickly jumped onto the bird's back.

The large bird glided forward, flew off the edge of the cliff, and soared into the sky.

A loud bang came from below.

Zhu Sang looked back and saw that amidst the intermingling of people and various machines, the two golden statues had perfectly blended into the city wall...

"Senior Ebizo, I'm temporarily entrusting command here to you!"

Long Er waved to an old man on the Mechanized City, not caring whether his voice could travel that far in the sky.

However, judging from the old man waving in this direction, he must have heard it!

(End of this chapter)