The experiment succeeded, and Hyūga Satori successfully brought Hyūga Chonghuo under his wing, engaging in a sincere talk with him.
Thanks to Satori's persuasive words, Chonghuo became completely devoted to him.
Loyal follower +1.
Seeing the excited expression on Chonghuo's face—as if he had been reborn and given a second chance at life—Satori smiled inwardly.
Words really are a more powerful technique than Kotoamatsukami.
He had only mentioned liberating the Branch House and correcting the injustice of the Caged Bird Seal, yet Chonghuo immediately pledged full loyalty and willingness to serve.
But this was understandable. Only members of the Branch House could truly understand the humiliation and oppression caused by the Caged Bird Seal.
Granted, their Byakugan wouldn't be blinded anymore, but the disgrace they suffered was still significant.
Blinding the Byakugan was just a myth, but the harsh treatment they endured was all too real.
After Chonghuo left, Orochimaru, dressed in a white kimono with long, flowing hair, slowly emerged from the side.
He looked at the goggles and said with a smile, "Looks like your experiment went well. You've successfully developed a countermeasure."
"Now the old man won't have to be so tense all the time, walking around with that gloomy face."
In response to Orochimaru's teasing, Satori simply offered a small smile.
As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi ruled Konoha with one core policy: balance.
He always sought to suppress especially talented individuals and factions.
Such as Sakumo Hatake, or the Uchiha Clan.
That's exactly why Satori decided to abandon his hostility toward the Hyūga Clan.
"If the test was successful, please inform Lord Third of this good news, Professor," said Satori.
"I'm sure the Third will be delighted when he hears."
"I'll find a way to give the other goggles to the Branch House kids, finally freeing them from the Caged Bird Seal."
Orochimaru nodded casually, watching Satori walk away with a strange glint in his eyes.
Satori…why are you so invested in this?
Can the suppression seals on those goggles really block every possible trigger of the Caged Bird Seal?
Orochimaru, who possessed exceptional intelligence, licked his lips, a strange glint flashing across his eyes.
People like him, who buried their ambitions, were quick to suspect the worst.
Take Satori for example—could he have secretly built in a contingency within the goggles' design?
The Main House can no longer control the Caged Bird Seal… but what about Satori, its creator?
"Truly fascinating. But that's exactly what makes things interesting."
Orochimaru couldn't help but feel curious about the combination of Eight Gates and the Hyūga Clan, something the old man had mentioned before.
Perhaps this idea, born from an accidental train of thought, would actually come true through his apprentice's hands. Just imagining it sent a thrill through him.
And so, Orochimaru kept his suspicions to himself, choosing instead to keep Satori's secret.
Within the Hyūga Clan territory, at a training ground near the forest,
Satori used Hyūga Chonghuo to gather the remaining seven Branch House members and handed out the goggles.
"Lord Satori, why did you suddenly give us these goggles?"
Hyūga Fuyushiro, puzzled, held up the oddly shaped goggles and asked.
Others also wore puzzled expressions. Goggles were certainly not a customary accessory among the Hyūga Clan.
Chonghuo Hyūga stepped forward and began explaining to Satori Hyūga.
"My brothers, this pair of goggles was invented by Lord Satori. It's a revolutionary device designed to shield us Branch House members from oppression and degradation."
"Just put it on, and the barriers between the Main House and the Branch House will finally vanish. Only then can we truly be one family."
His words immediately caused changing expressions among other Branch House members—from confusion to shock, and finally to astonishment.
What Chonghuo had just said was disrespect that could not be tolerated. If any Main House member heard it, they would demand immediate execution.
But seeing Satori standing there calmly beside him, the Branch House youths felt somewhat reassured.
If it was Lord Satori Hyūga speaking, perhaps he truly cared for the Branch House and acted in their best interests.
One brave Branch House youth gathered his courage and stepped forward to ask Satori directly: "Lord Satori, does this mean it's a product capable of nullifying the Caged Bird Seal?"
Satori gave a slight nod and replied, "Exactly. Once you wear these goggles, you'll never again suffer random bullying from those in the Main House."
"There are special jutsu inscribed on the goggles that inhibit the activation of the Caged Bird Seal. Once worn, it renders the seal powerless."
"We are all brothers sharing the same bloodline. The Caged Bird Seal was originally created to protect the Byakugan, but it should never be used as a tool by the Main House to oppress the Branch House."
He spoke passionately and eloquently once again—far more compellingly than when he first convinced Chonghuo.
The Branch House youths had never heard such statements before and were left stunned into silence.
Especially coming from a Main House member like Satori Hyūga himself—it was absolutely upending the entire hierarchy.
"I have a dream—that one day, the Main House and Branch House of the Hyūga Clan will coexist peacefully, without barriers, living together in harmony, free from the shadow of the Caged Bird Seal."
"Will you follow me and become part of the reform movement for the future of the Hyūga Clan?" Satori raised his arm passionately toward the Branch House youths, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at them.
These were the carefully chosen individuals destined to become his future inner circle.
As for loyalty, they were at least 80% loyal.
Therefore, Satori felt little concern over betrayal.
The young Branch House members became increasingly impassioned and excited as they listened. Soon, they too raised their arms enthusiastically along with Satori.
"Lord Satori, we're willing to follow your path to the death!" they shouted in unison.
These kids hadn't yet been molded into obedient lapdogs by family doctrine.
To them, Satori—a person offering salvation from suffering—was worthy of complete and total devotion.
Observing the impassioned crowd before him, Satori nodded approvingly, raising his hand to signal them to calm themselves.
Then suddenly, Satori turned his gaze toward a corner of the woods, speaking coldly, "You hiding over there—why don't you come out already?"
Right after delivering his speech, Satori detected a disrupted presence nearby.
Upon hearing what Satori said, the Branch House youths displayed hostility in their eyes and collectively turned their attention toward the edge of the forest.
From behind a massive tree emerged a young Hyūga boy wearing a loose-fitting kimono, long hair cascading over his shoulders.
Everyone looked in his direction simultaneously—and their gazes hardened instantly.
The person who arrived was none other than Hizashi Hyūga, the second son of the head of the Hyūga Clan and the young leader of the Branch House.
Had there been no unforeseen developments, Hizashi would have grown up to become the future leader of the Branch House.
Though all eyes turned to him, Hizashi did not falter. Instead, he locked his sharp gaze onto Satori Hyūga.
He shouted in condemnation, "Satori Hyūga, you are undermining the very foundation of our clan! Do you wish to stain the honor of the Hyūga name?"
Earlier that day, he had bested his elder brother Hiashi in training—only to be reprimanded by their father.
Still brooding over the scolding, he wandered aimlessly through the clan compound when he unexpectedly came across Satori trying to sway the younger generation of the Branch House—a sight that left him utterly stunned.
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