A Hyūga's Gate Between Worlds

"No need. I don't take the so-called Hyūga clan's secret techniques seriously."

"Even without them, I can still surpass the main house."

Tanaka's expression remained indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He knew exactly what the clan leader in front of him was planning.

But to him, the so-called secret taijutsu of the main house was of little consequence.

Even if he truly desired it, he wouldn't need Hiashi to give it to him—he would take it himself.

"What did you just say?"

Hiashi's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze turning colder, as if his authority had been challenged.

In his eyes, he had already shown unprecedented generosity toward Tanaka. Logically, the latter should have been deeply grateful.

If not for Hizashi being present, he would have already activated the Caged Bird to punish Tanaka for his audacity—his arrogance, his lack of respect for the hierarchy, and his defiance of the main house.

"Let's discuss the secret Taijutsu training another time. For now, I have a more important matter to talk to you about—something that concerns the future of the Hyūga clan." Hizashi smoothly took over the conversation, successfully drawing Hiashi's attention.

"What is it?" Hiashi was slightly surprised.

Ever since Hizashi was branded with the Caged Bird, this was the first time he had seen him act with such seriousness.

"Clan Leader Hiashi."

Hearing this unfamiliar form of address coming from Hizashi, Hiashi felt a dark cloud settle over his heart.

And sure enough, what followed made him freeze in shock.

"I ask that you step down as the leader of the Hyūga clan."

Hizashi locked eyes with Hiashi, speaking each word with deliberate clarity.

"You… do you even realize what you're saying?"

"Hizashi!"

Hiashi's face darkened. He wanted to lash out, but considering that he had just placed the Caged Bird on Tanaka today, it was understandable for emotions to run high.

Suppressing his anger, he commanded, "Leave! For the sake of you being my brother, I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said."

"But you'd better remember—this is the only time."

"Even if you are my brother, you must understand respect and know your place."

He stopped himself from forming the hand seals to activate the Caged Bird and instead ordered Hizashi to withdraw.

"So, you've chosen to refuse? Very well."

Hizashi glanced at Hiashi, having observed his every movement.

"Since you refuse to step down with dignity, we'll have to help you do so."

The moment these words fell, even someone as composed as Hiashi could not hold back a cold, furious laugh.

"Am I to take this as a threat? A branch house member showing disrespect to the head of the main house. Do you know the consequences?"

Hiashi remained kneeling on the tatami mat, showing no intention of rising despite Hizashi's direct challenge. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand, extending his index and middle fingers skyward, pressing them together.

Just as he was about to activate the seal, his wrist suddenly felt lighter.

Then, his right hand was severed at the base.

Whoosh!

Before he could react, his severed hand vanished before his eyes.

"Are you looking for this?" Tanaka sat casually on the tatami mat, gripping a severed hand in his right hand.

Before stepping into this room, he had already activated ROOM.

Before even facing Hiashi directly, he had already placed him within his domain.

In other words, even before their eyes met, from the moment he stood outside the door, he could have instantly eliminated the so-called Hyūga clan leader.

"What…?"

Hiashi's pupils contracted, his heart filled with shock. But he had no time to dwell on what had just happened—there was no time even to retreat.

Immediately, he used his remaining left hand to form a seal, attempting to activate the Caged Bird.

Crack!

The moment his index and middle fingers pressed together, the sharp sound of something tearing through flesh rang out.

Then, under his disbelieving gaze, his last remaining hand was severed, just like the right one.

Whoosh!

Tanaka released the kunai in his hand, then slowly curled the fingers of his left hand inward.

The moment he clenched his fist, Hiashi's severed left hand, which had been suspended in midair, fell perfectly into his palm.

"Give up. You will never defeat Tanaka."

Even though Hizashi had already witnessed Tanaka's strength, seeing him casually sit there—not even bothering to stand—while wielding nothing but a kunai, yet effortlessly severing the hands of the main house's leader, who was far stronger than him, still left him utterly shaken.

"Hizashi… have you lost your mind? How dare you go this far!"

Hiashi was consumed with rage, yet his body instinctively reacted to his predicament.

He planted his feet firmly on the ground and leaped like a wild animal, attempting to rush toward the door. At the same time, he roared, hoping his voice would draw the attention of others in the Hyūga household.

Even though his hands were gone and he could no longer form seals to activate the Caged Bird, the other main house members could.

As long as he escaped, as long as word of this reached the rest of the clan, any main house member who arrived would be able to take control of the situation.

"So, you really don't understand your own situation, huh?"

Tanaka remained seated, making no effort to pursue him. Instead, he picked up the kunai once more and flicked his wrist.

Slash!

Hiashi had barely lifted off the ground when he felt a sharp, almost painless sensation at the base of his thighs.

A moment later, his body suddenly felt much lighter.

Looking down, his pupils shrank in horror—his legs had been severed, just like his hands.

The next second, with his limbs gone, he crashed helplessly onto the tatami floor, landing in a pathetic heap at Tanaka's feet.

"Impossible! How could you possess such power?!"

His face was filled with shock and disbelief as he stared up at Tanaka, eyes wide with terror.

Was this the power of the Byakugan?

Or Gentle Fist?

No.

It was neither.

Then what was it?

At that moment, fear gripped him—an incomprehensible, gut-wrenching terror.

It had only been half a day.

And yet, the dynamic between himself, the revered Hyūga clan leader, and Tanaka, a mere branch house member, had completely reversed.

"Drop your delusions. Haven't you noticed yet?"

"You've been screaming all this time, yet no one has come."

Tanaka looked down at the pathetic figure before him—Hiashi, now reduced to a mere head and torso, utterly helpless.

This angle, this scene, he had seen it before.

Only this time, their roles had reversed.

The once-mighty clan leader, who wielded absolute power over hundreds of branch house members, now lay groveling at his feet, pinning his last hopes on someone coming to his rescue.

"What… what's going on?" Hiashi finally realized something.

The commotion in the room had been deafening.

Even if his personal attendant, Natsu, hadn't noticed. But his wife certainly should have.

And yet, he had been mutilated, his hands and feet severed, reduced to nothing more than a cripple—And still, no one had come.

Even so, he refused to admit defeat.