The Chakra Meridian Strike is based on the principle of the Shen Si Fu. It enhances sensory perception while amplifying pain a hundredfold.
As a Main House member, Hyūga Mori had never endured such torment in his life.
Writhing on the ground, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "I… I admit defeat! Stop torturing me!"
This was the first time he had ever felt such soul-deep agony.
How should one describe it?
Only the activation of the Caged Bird Seal could be compared to such suffering.
Upon witnessing this, Hyūga Hane and Hyūga Izumi immediately froze in place, too afraid to make another move.
Partly because Mori's cries were so pitiful that they sent chills down anyone's spine.
Still, they couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of satisfaction deep inside—even if it didn't show on their faces.
Mori, as a Main House member, was unpopular; experiencing pain similar to the Caged Bird Seal made others feel oddly satisfied watching him.
Everyone ceased their attacks and watched as Hyūga Mori writhed in unbearable pain on the floor, crying out in desperation.
Kushina and Minato Namikaze stood behind Satori Hyūga.
Kushina spat in disgust as she looked at Mori, "He's one of the Hyūga Main House? What an insufferable guy."
Minato gave a soft chuckle and replied with a warm smile, "There are people like that everywhere."
Hmph," Kushina muttered, crossing her arms in clear displeasure as she watched Mori.
Satori swept his hand through the air, directing bursts of chakra into several pressure points across Mori's body.
In an instant, Mori eased from endless torment.
Though now recovered, he was drenched in sweat.
His status as a Main House member meant he had lived a life free of hardship.
This punishment was his first brush with true suffering—a glimpse into hell itself.
Sitting for a while on the ground, he abruptly stood up.
Spinning around, he glared furiously at Satori and shouted, "Satori Hyūga! How dare you bring people here to humiliate me in my own home? I will definitely report you to the Clan Leader and Elders!"
With that, he swiftly dashed toward the reception hall.
Watching him flee, Minato raised an eyebrow curiously.
It almost felt like a child running to tattle after getting picked on.
"Satori, do you think there'll be trouble if he runs off tattling like this?" Minato asked.
"No need to worry about him. That guy's been coddled his whole life," Satori replied calmly.
"The clan won't turn against me over something so minor. After all, I'm a Main House member too."
On this point, Satori was very confident.
Since childhood, he had memorized every rule of the Hyūga Household.
He knew exactly which actions would bring consequences and which wouldn't.
After all, he had only beaten Mori slightly—and I didn't threaten his life. The clan won't side against me and punish myself.
Moreover, any ninja who can't endure a little pain and suffering has already brought shame upon himself.
Mori had lived a life of ease for far too long—his mind had grown weak.
Reception Hall
Smiling, the Hyūga Clan Leader and Elders finalized their agreement with Orochimaru—to hand over Satori Hyūga.
From now on, Satori would bear Orochimaru's mark and become his disciple.
The Hyūga Clan had also come into close contact with the Hokage lineage.
Both parties were quite pleased.
However, a disruptive voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.
"I have urgent news to report to the Clan Leader and elders!" Mori Hyūga bellowed from outside.
"Lord Mori, the Clan Leader and elders are in a meeting. Please wait a moment."
"I don't care! You better move aside right now, or else I'll activate the Caged Bird Seal on you!"
Unmindful of all decorum, Mori continued to yell furiously.
The Branch House members guarding the entrance hesitated, their expressions conflicted.
A single 'Caged Bird Seal' allowed any Main House member to subdue a Branch House member,
whether Genin or Jonin—the Caged Bird Seal rendered them all equal under its oppressive force.
"Lord Mori, let me go in and ask for permission," one of the Branch House attendants respectfully suggested.
"Report what? No manners whatsoever. Don't you know this is an important meeting for our clan?"
Clan Leader Hyūga Ten'yō stepped out from inside, his expression stern and his presence intimidating.
An overwhelming pressure filled the air, causing it to thicken unnaturally.
As the head of the entire clan, his power was unquestionable.
Even if he hadn't quite reached Kage-level, he was close enough.
Seeing Ten'yō, Mori practically lunged forward like a drowning man grasping at salvation.
"Clan Leader, please help me seek justice! Satori Hyūga brought people into our clan compound and beat me mercilessly."
"Just look at my injuries—this is all from his brutal beating."
Pointing to his bruised face, Mori sniffled as tears poured down his cheeks, completely losing his dignity.
He looked no better than a beggar on the roadside.
This spectacle made Ten'yō and the elders behind him frown uneasily, as if hoping to disassociate themselves.
However, Mori was still a Main House member, meaning his status was different.
Especially with Satori Hyūga involved, matters grew even more complicated.
"Mori Hyūga, tell me everything from beginning to end without embellishment," Ten'yō said coldly. "I will verify your account through your Guard Ninja."
Sensing the situation might turn against him, Mori's scalp prickled nervously.
"Well... I saw him bringing two outsiders who were wandering around our clan grounds, clearly up to no good. So I stepped forward to stop them, but that red-haired girl started cursing at me. That made me angry, so we ended up fighting."
"Just look at my injuries—they were all inflicted by Satori Hyūga. My status as a Main House member didn't matter—he beat me severely."
"He dared use such ruthless force against a fellow clan member, treating me extremely harshly. Plus, he used some special technique that caused me unbearable pain."
From Mori's words, Ten'yō identified two critical points.
The red-haired girl must be Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
Mori Hyūga challenged Satori Hyūga—and suffered a crushing defeat.
He fixed Mori with a gaze deep and icy cold.
"What happened to that red-haired girl afterward?"
"No problem. She actually has some skill—it took her a long time to hold off that useless Hane Hyūga."
Ten'yō exhaled in relief.
As long as nothing serious happened to her, that was good enough.
If the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki encountered any major issues within the Hyūga Clan territory, the Third Hokage would never forgive the Hyūga Clan.
Do not be deceived by his gentle exterior and seemingly kind manner toward others.
In truth, everyone from the major clans knew that behind the Third Hokage, there was always Danzō carrying out his clandestine operations.
Konoha's Shadow wasn't just a title in name only.
If he set his sights on you, you'd likely end up losing more than just a piece of flesh.
"Head Elder, what do you think we should do about this?"
Hyūga Ten'yō turned his head to look at the Head Elder, throwing the issue squarely at him.
The Head Elder stiffened slightly, feeling Orochimaru's mocking gaze bearing down on him and sensing the eyes of the entire clan watching. Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward.
"Disobedient child, do you want to kill me with anger?!"
A sharp slap rang across Hyūga Mori's face, leaving him dazed.
He hadn't expected that even as the victim, his clan would side against him—his own grandfather had struck him.
What kind of world have I fallen into?
Had he truly been cast out by the Main House?
He had challenged the Main House, yes—but had Hyūga Satori done nothing wrong at all?
At this moment, Hyūga Mori fell into deep doubt.
If only he possessed the Sharingan instead of the Byakugan, perhaps he could have raised his fist and led others in rebellion.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!