Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Chapter 26

Earlier, due to the ongoing but uninitiated war between the Uchiha and Konoha, the clan meeting had dragged on from morning until afternoon.

Although Konoha was now engulfed in battle smoke, the Hyuga main house remained harmonious and tranquil.

Their gates were tightly shut, like a hidden paradise.

Even messages and requests for aid sent by the Hokage upon entering the Hyuga main house grounds were distorted by the Jutsu of Tranquility into affirmations of trust and respectful advice for the Hyuga clan.

The letters were passed among the clan elders. They were then verbally communicated to every branch family member, transforming into another testament to the Hyuga clan’s honor and high regard within Konoha.

Inside the Hyuga main house, even the most oppressed branch family member would unconsciously puff out their chest at the thought of the Hyuga clan’s glory and status, turning to boast to others.

If the other were also a member of the Hyuga clan, they would share another tale of the clan’s honor, falling into a cycle of "winning," "winning again," and confirming that the Hyuga clan was indeed the greatest.

This was the fundamental reason the Jutsu of Tranquility was so hard to break—people only believed what they wanted to think, and the Jutsu presented them with that reality.

Thus, even if some sharp individuals sensed something was wrong, they likely wouldn’t actively burst these bubbles.

In reality, skipping the assault on the Uchiha to hold an all-day clan meeting in the main house was a more severe political misstep than missing the Konoha and Cloud talks for Hinata’s birthday.

Had there been no unforeseen events after dealing with the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan would inevitably become the next target of Konoha’s higher-ups, suffering even more than they did when they handed over Hizashi.

But fortunately, there was an unforeseen event.

And this unforeseen event had just barged in with a short blade.

The Hyuga clan could finally stop worrying about future repercussions from Konoha’s higher-ups for their current stance.

“Well, if it isn't our strongest spear from the main family,” someone taunted—it was Ryo.

He held one of the Caged Bird seals that could only control Neji. If not for this being the main family’s territory, with numerous clan elders present, he wouldn’t dare provoke Neiki like this in the past.

Neiki didn’t know this person bullied Neji, but it wouldn’t change the outcome even if he did. He had no penchant for torturing people.

A swift slash.

A head fell.

That was all.

“So, he was a main family member…” Neiki glanced at the fallen body, a bit surprised.

Then he raised his head, looking at the stunned Hyuga clan members before him.

The branch family members' eyes could be automatically absorbed after the Caged Bird seal was activated, while the main family members' eyes could be taken after they were killed.

Efficiency was paramount.

Neiki’s approach was simple.

Regardless of branch or main family, kill everyone in sight!

“What are you doing…” someone stammered.

Slash!

They fell, clutching their neck.

The Caged Bird seal activated, its essence flowing into Neiki's eyes.

[Essence Collected: 60.6%]

Neiki leaped into the crowd without stopping, blood spraying like vibrant cherry blossoms.

Blood splattered on the ground, forming a pattern resembling a small cat’s footprint.

Some tried to run but were caught and killed by Neiki.

Some stayed put, and Neiki slit their throats.

Some attempted to resist but were taken down within two moves, a short blade through their temples.

This repetitive, monotonous process continued.

Within the main house under the Jutsu of Tranquility, killing was no harder than slaughtering pigs for Neiki.

Often, before his sword fell, the Hyuga clan members, influenced by the illusion, would already move to block, allowing Neiki to turn his slash into a stab, piercing their hearts or throats.

“Forgive me, Lord Hizashi…”

A flash of the blade.

[Essence Collected: 70.4%]

Neiki glanced at the corpse on the ground.

This was someone from his father’s generation.

To them, did he appear as Hizashi returning for revenge?

Once Neiki started his slaughter, the Jutsu of Tranquility naturally changed his appearance to anything but Neiki, considering some main family members might possess seals controlling his Caged Bird. Revealing his true self could provoke these members to use the seal, risking the entire operation.

Regardless of how Neiki's appearance changed in others' eyes, it always followed the principle of making the subjective match the objective reality as closely as possible.

…

Front Yard.

Few people were here.

A family was flying a kite, the woman’s hand tightly holding the string.

When Neiki severed her in half, her upper body floated away with the kite.

Fortunately, she was a branch family member.

Otherwise, Neiki would have lost a pair of Byakugan.

…

[Essence Collected: 73.9%]

…

Garden.

Bodies floated in the pond.

Ornamental fish fought over these oddly-textured human-shaped baits.

Red lotus flowers bloomed brilliantly.

Neiki, not one for aesthetics, left upon seeing no one else standing.

…

[Essence Collected: 80.6%]

…

Courtyard.

Due to the main hall’s capacity, the courtyard was filled with the most Hyuga members.

Thus, Neiki faced the fiercest resistance here.

“Tokuma, you will pay for this, Tokuma…”

“Forgive me, Tsubaki… I was wrong…”

“Hikaru, you murdering beast…”

Neiki didn’t care; they weren't cursing him anyway.

[Essence Collected: 91.3%]

…

Hallway.

Cornered in a dead-end, Hyuga Nagaho knelt before Neiki.

Crying.

“Spare me, Neji… I promise to listen to your brother next time, and take good care of my mother…”

Neiki sighed.

Perhaps remembering Auntie Nagaho, his blade softened.

Instead, he raised his foot, crushing Nagaho’s skull.

“What a crappy blade, it got dull after just a few kills.”

…

[Essence Collected: 91.5%]

…

Neiki stood with a new, sharp blade at the main hall’s entrance.

This was where the last high-ranking Hyuga members were gathered.

The Jutsu of Tranquility subtly altered the layout of the main house.

Making it impossible for the Hyuga members to escape or find the main hall where the elders were, leaving them like lambs for slaughter by Neiki.

“Someone accidentally spilled paint on the ground, I’m cleaning it up…”

Holding an old rag, Natsu walked up to Neiki, her expression vacant.

Blood stained the main hall’s door red.

Neiki gave her a swift death.