Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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A vibrant green chakra, bridging the gap of space and time, struck the Caged Bird Seal on Hiashi Hyuga's forehead.

A searing, soul-rending pain made him clutch his head and scream.

But he didn't kneel.

Gripping a wooden post in the center of the training grounds, he forced himself to remain standing.

"Hyuga Hizashi! Kneel! Apologize! Now!" Elder Jun's voice boomed, filled with rage.

"You might think, 'We just want to live. A headband to hide the seal, a semblance of dignity, and loyal service to the main family.' Yes, life is precious. But there's something even more precious: freedom! Dignity!"

Despite the agonizing pain, Hizashi, remembering Gojo Kaigetsu's instructions, persevered. He had to awaken the branch family's desire for freedom.

Seeing his defiance, Elder Jun increased the Caged Bird Seal's power.

These damned branch family ninja. In this era of Hidden Villages, they couldn't be easily disposed of. Their deaths would be investigated, used as ammunition against the main family.

Sometimes, elders like Jun longed for the Warring States Period, when their authority was absolute.

"Enough!"

"Stop this madness!"

"This is unacceptable!"

Hizashi's body convulsed, blood trickling from his eyes, nose, and ears. He roared in agony.

Some of the branch family ninja, unable to bear the sight, moved to intervene.

But others held them back, shaking their heads. Who wins, we support. If Hizashi-sama can't win our help is meaningless.

Interfering now would only result in them being subdued by the Caged Bird Seal.

"Very well!" Elder Jun's rage shifted into a chilling calm. "Stubborn fool. Even if I kill you here and now, the Clan Head can't fault me."

"I will enforce clan law!"

"Caged Bird Seal: Full"

"E-Elder! It's bad!" A main family ninja stumbled towards him, whispering urgently in his ear.

"What?!" Elder Jun's face paled, his focus shifting from Hizashi.

"They're they're attacking the compound! The Anbu, Root, the Military Police Force they've surrounded us!"

"Are they mad?! Does the Fourth Hokage truly intend to destroy the Hyuga clan?"

"Elder, it's it's not the Fourth Hokage. It's Advisor Gojo"

"That madman! A mere advisor, commanding the three forces against the Hyuga?!"

"Summon Nu and Takeo! And all the branch family ninja! Everyone!" He turned to the other elders. "You too!"

Hyuga Clan Compound Gates.

Hundreds of masked Anbu and Root operatives, along with dozens of Military Police Force ninja with their Sharingan activated, surrounded the compound.

The branch family ninja instinctively dropped their kunai.

The main family guard captain, facing this overwhelming force, felt his legs turn to jelly.

He'd never seen anything like this.

Despite the bright midday sun, a chilling dread washed over him.

This this was an all-out assault. But why? They were the Hyuga clan. How could Advisor Gojo?

"The Hyuga clan's loyalty to the Fourth Hokage is unwavering! We would never harbor foreign ninja or plot rebellion!"

"Advisor Gojo, please reconsider!"

"You. Come here."

Gojo Kaigetsu beckoned to the guard captain.

"Me?" The captain gulped, approaching cautiously.

"Have you ever used the Caged Bird Seal on a branch family member?"

"I have," the captain admitted, his voice strained. "It's my duty to maintain order. Sometimes, branch family ninja attempt to defect. I had no choice It was for the village's sake."

"Did they live?"

"They died."

"Good."

What?!

The captain felt his world tilt. Before he could react, before his Byakugan could even register the movement, he was sent flying through the air, crashing into the compound gates.

He landed in a heap, blood staining the entrance.

Gojo Kaigetsu casually dusted off his hands and walked up the steps, his boots leaving bloody footprints.

He grabbed the captain's hair, slamming his head against the gates.

Then, turning to the unconscious ninja, his voice calm and menacing, he said, "One minute. I want to see every single Hyuga elder lined up at this gate, ready to greet me. Fail, and there will be no more Hyuga main family. You dare threaten me with the branch family's lives? Then there will be no more Hyuga clan."

He'd kill the hostages and the elders.

Showing concern for hostages only emboldened the enemy.

Gojo Kaigetsu was ruthless. If the main family resisted

As for the village's Byakugan users Orochimaru's Edo Tensei, even in its current imperfect state, combined with the Transformation Jutsu, was sufficient for gathering intel.

The unconscious captain was dragged away by two Military Police Force ninja. He was in for a difficult time.

Gojo Kaigetsu's gaze hardened.

The Hyuga main family's crimes weren't difficult to uncover. It was simply a matter of whether the village wanted to investigate, whether they wanted to sweep it under the rug.

For fifty-one years, Hyuga ninja had been disappearing, dying under suspicious circumstances. For example, a four-man Hyuga team leaves for a mission, three return, then only two The explanation? The others died in battle. Their casualty rate, even compared to ordinary ninja, was alarmingly high.

And the Hyuga clan's explanations were always vague. Everyone knew the risks of missions, the Hyuga's combat strength. They simply chose to ignore it.

But now? With the Fourth Hokage and Advisor Gojo in charge, having overthrown the old guard, they still dared to defy them?!

To maintain their authority and continue sacrificing branch family members? Were they deliberately disrespecting him, Gojo Kaigetsu? Did they value their own pride more than his?

This meant negotiations were over.

"You reap what you sow," Gojo Kaigetsu muttered.

The compound gates slowly opened.

Eleven elders, all those on Hiashi's list, stood before him, surrounded by a mix of nervous and hostile main and branch family ninja.

Judging by the kunai, shuriken, and bulging ninja pouches

'They intend to resist?' Gojo Kaigetsu smirked.

"You are Advisor Gojo?" Elder Jun asked, his voice strained, trying to maintain his composure. "Why have you brought Konoha's forces to the Hyuga compound?"

"Why? You know why, Elder Jun."

"At Konoha's founding, the Hyuga clan shed blood and tears for the First Hokage! We endured countless hardships I never thought we'd come to this."

"Was this truly necessary?"

Elder Jun's gaze swept over the assembled forces, then settled on the angry faces of the villagers beyond the gates.

He felt lost, his ninja way crumbling.

Why why would these commoners dare to challenge the Hyuga? Why had the village abandoned its usual understanding with the Hyuga clan and resorted to such a blatant display of force?

All because of a single article? Even if it were true, it couldn't possibly outweigh the Hyuga clan's centuries of prestige.

The ninja world was changing too fast, too fast for these old-timers to adapt.

"You've brought Konoha's forces here. Surely you don't expect us to simply welcome you?"

Elder Jun's face darkened. He knew this situation couldn't be resolved with empty boasts.

Whether driven by public pressure or the Fourth Hokage's will, if they didn't offer a sacrifice, the village wouldn't back down.

Elder Jun closed his eyes, his voice heavy with resignation. "Hyuga Makoto, step forward."

Hyuga Makoto's legs buckled. He fell to his knees. "No! Grandfather! How could you?!"

Despite his struggles, the guards dragged him forward, placing him between Gojo Kaigetsu and Elder Jun.

"After a thorough internal investigation, we've determined that Hyuga Makoto is responsible for the deaths of several branch family members, including Hyuga Hinata. She was his assigned guard."

"He's my grandson. I bear the responsibility for his actions. I hereby resign from the Elder Council. As for him" Elder Jun closed his eyes, his voice filled with pain. "His fate is in your hands, Advisor Gojo."

"Are you satisfied?"

The situation had escalated beyond repair. A sacrifice was needed to appease the village and the Hokage. Makoto was the perfect scapegoat.

One grandson's life in exchange for the Hyuga's traditions, for the Caged Bird Seal.

For the main family, Elder Jun was willing to make this sacrifice.

Gojo Kaigetsu raised an eyebrow.

Forcing the Hyuga elders to hand over their own grandson it seemed like a reasonable resolution.

The terrified Hyuga clan, for a while at least, wouldn't dare defy Konoha, wouldn't place their clan laws above the village's.

Until the current generation passed, and the Hyuga, forgetting their fear, repeated the cycle.

That wasn't the outcome he wanted. Konoha's problems had to be solved now.

They wanted to make a single sacrifice, while Gojo Kaigetsu he intended to purge every element that threatened Konoha's unity, every ninja who placed clan loyalty above his, Gojo Kaigetsu's, will.

Gojo Kaigetsu raised a hand, pointing at the sniveling Hyuga Makoto. "Bang~"

Blue and Red activated simultaneously.

Makoto's cries ceased. His tears stopped flowing.

His face contorted as an invisible force compressed his skull.

Pop!

His head exploded, splattering blood across Elder Jun's face.

A pair of pure white eyes landed at Gojo Kaigetsu's feet.

Silence fell over the crowd. No one had seen how he'd done it.

What kind of jutsu was that?!

"Good. I'm satisfied." Gojo Kaigetsu casually dusted off his hands.

The tense Hyuga ninja lowered their weapons, their fear momentarily forgotten. The conflict seemed to be over.

Elder Jun's face twitched, but he nodded, ready to accept this outcome.

But then, Gojo Kaigetsu spoke.

"Hinata and Makoto's matters are settled. Now let's discuss the Hyuga clan's problem."

"What do you mean, Advisor Gojo?!"

The main family ninja tensed, signaling the branch family to prepare for battle. Any sign of hesitation, any hint of disobedience would be met with the Caged Bird Seal.

The main family ninja subtly retreated, positioning themselves behind the branch family. They had to eliminate the branch family before the Konoha forces could reach them. They were, after all, the last remaining Byakugan users, essential for the village's defense Konoha wouldn't let them die.

They might even receive increased protection and resources.

There were simply too many branch family members, diluting the resources allocated to the main family.

The main family had instilled this belief.

Even the few main family ninja on patrol duty knew this. They would, without hesitation, eliminate any branch family members who showed dissent.

This was the Hyuga way. Their survival depended on it.

"There's no need to pretend anymore," Gojo Kaigetsu said, his tone cold. "Elder Jun, you claimed to have shed blood and tears for the First Hokage. Perhaps you forgot to mention that you'd like to see him again. I can arrange that."

"You Konoha elder? Hokage advisor? You dare violate the law? Makoto is dead. What more do you want?! And do you intend to have all the branch family ninja killed here? Who will handle Konoha's intel gathering? Do you want to destroy the village?!"

"I don't care about that. I'm here to investigate the Hyuga main family's collusion with foreign powers, their attempt to overthrow the Hokage. And I don't negotiate with traitors. You threaten me with hostages? I'll kill them all."

"Collusion? Treason?! Do you have any proof?"

"Proof is for criminals. For terrorists, I only need a list."

Gojo Kaigetsu stood tall, his left hand behind his back, his right hand gesturing dismissively. "Apprehend these eleven elders. Kill anyone who resists."

The Anbu, Root, and Military Police Force moved forward.

Those skilled in taijutsu brandished their kunai. Those specializing in ninjutsu began forming hand seals. Sharingan eyes activated A bloody confrontation seemed inevitable.

The elders' faces paled. Elder Jun, seeing Gojo Kaigetsu's raised hand, instinctively grabbed a nearby branch family member and used him as a shield.

"Attack! Defend the Hyuga clan's honor! Even the village can't treat us like this!"

The main family urged the branch family forward, retreating further into the compound.

The older branch family ninja, their faces impassive, raised their kunai. The younger ones hesitated.

They were facing Konoha's elite forces. Resisting was treason.

They had been raised in Konoha, taught to value the Will of Fire.

Or perhaps Hizashi's words had awakened their desire for freedom. They no longer wanted to be controlled.

Faced with the choice between death by the Caged Bird Seal and betraying the village more and more branch family ninja turned, their kunai now pointed at the main family.

"No! I won't fight! I'm a Konoha ninja, not a main family slave!"

"I've had enough! I'd rather die by the Caged Bird Seal than at the hands of my own comrades!"

"You traitors!" A main family ninja, enraged, moved to activate the Caged Bird Seal.

Just then, Gojo Kaigetsu's voice cut through the chaos.

"Think before you act. My targets are the eleven elders. Stay out of this," he warned, his voice calm and menacing.

"You should all be familiar with my methods."

"I don't care if the village needs the Byakugan. I only care about one thing: anyone who harms a Konoha ninja in my presence will die. I'll make them regret being born."

His words hung heavy in the air.

'Advisor Gojo's methods?'

'Has he done anything terrifying?'

No one could recall a specific incident, but it didn't matter.

Disobeying now would have consequences.

Fear spread.

The branch family ninja, seizing the opportunity, struck, disabling the main family ninja with precise taijutsu.

They were relentless. This might be their only chance to break free.

Years of suppressed anger and fear exploded, their pent-up rage unleashed on the main family.

Some, overcome by their emotions, brutally beat the main family ninja they'd subdued, until others pulled them back, whispering, "Advisor Gojo said no Konoha ninja should be harmed even the main family. If they die"

The warning calmed them.

Elder Jun, witnessing this, roared, "Fools! Activate the Caged Bird Seal! Now!"

"Stop this, Jun! Surrender!" Hiashi Hyuga appeared at the gates. "Don't you understand?! This is the village's will! Resistance is futile!"

"You Hiashi we fight for the clan, and you, the Clan Head"

"You'll be the clan's ruin!"

Jun's cries were lost in the chaos as more and more main family ninja were subdued. Even the other elders seemed to be wavering.

Gojo Kaigetsu's words had painted them into a corner. Resistance meant treason, and treason meant death.

They didn't dare test his resolve. What if he truly didn't care about the consequences, about the loss of the Byakugan?

If they'd known this would happen they would have eliminated the entire branch family preemptively. After all, ignorance was bliss.

But now, it was too late. Gojo Kaigetsu had made his stance clear, and with so many witnesses, he couldn't back down.

'If we surrender perhaps we might survive.' This thought echoed in the elders' minds.

Clan interests, Hyuga traditions those were concerns for the living. If they died now, there would be nothing left.

What good were clan traditions if they were dead?

When faith became a matter of survival, it became a transaction.

The Konoha forces advanced, meeting little resistance.

Not a single Caged Bird Seal was activated.

They seemed to be waiting for someone to take the fall, to protect the clan's interests.

Or perhaps, for the Clan Head to return and restore order.

But no one stepped forward.

Elder Jun, seeing their cowardice, sneered.

He'd sacrificed his own grandson for the clan, and yet, these parasites wouldn't even lift a finger. In the end, it was up to him.

If he didn't act, the Hyuga main family would be erased from history.

'I carry the burden of our clan's legacy, a legacy passed down for centuries. I won't let it end here.'

'The Byakugan it must be seen as invaluable. The branch family they have to die.'

'This is my ninja way.'

He would sacrifice himself to ensure the clan's future.

Raising his hand, he began forming the seals for the Caged Bird Seal.

Instantly, the seals on the foreheads of hundreds of branch family ninja began to glow.

"Die!"

"Caged Bird Seal!" Elder Jun roared, unleashing the full power of the jutsu.

In seconds, they would all be dead.

He didn't care about his own fate. As long as the Hyuga's legacy continued, his death would be a victory.

But then—

Live! Live! Live!

A voice, alien and insistent, echoed in his mind, overriding his own will.

'Genjutsu!'

'Damn it! I need time to break free!'

Elder Jun, despite his age, was a seasoned ninja. He recognized the signs instantly.

But before he could react, a voice, accompanied by the whoosh of a kunai, cut through the air.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

The Fourth Hokage's white cloak appeared, seemingly out of thin air.

Minato Namikaze, his reflexes honed to perfection, instantly assessed the situation—hundreds of Hyuga ninja, their faces contorted in pain, the Caged Bird Seal's chakra pulsing.

His gaze locked onto Elder Jun's hands, still forming the seals.

Minato's face hardened.

Even he, usually so compassionate, so willing to see the good in others, couldn't condone this.

This this had to end. The Hyuga elders had to be stopped.

How could they be so ruthless?!

To sacrifice hundreds of their own clan members just to maintain their power? Did they have no humanity left?

Even disregarding basic human decency

Didn't they understand the Hyuga clan's importance to Konoha? Their Byakugan provided invaluable intel. Were these branch family ninjas' lives theirs to casually discard?

A single minor skirmish didn't claim this many lives. And yet, he was willing to execute hundreds of Byakugan users, just to preserve the main family's authority?

The main family, secluded in their compound, contributed nothing to the village, merely existing as names on a registry. But the branch family they were the ones who bled and sweat for Konoha.

He recognized many of those writhing in pain, heroes of the Third Shinobi World War.

They were Konoha ninja! And because of a single seal, they were now facing death.

Minato's heart was heavy.

As Hokage, he could have ignored this, adhering to the policies of his predecessors.

But he was Minato Namikaze, Konoha's "Little Sun."

Known for his kindness, for his ability to see the good even in his enemies But his resolve, when tested, was unwavering.

He believed in the Will of Fire, in the bonds between comrades.

And yet, he'd overlooked the Hyuga situation, trusting in the wisdom of past generations.

Until today, Gojo Kaigetsu had forced him to confront this injustice.

He had failed as Hokage.

"This is my fault."

"Konoha should be a village of compassion."

"I've neglected the bonds of friendship. I won't make that mistake again."

"Rasengan!"

Elder Jun, finally breaking free from the Infinite Void, heard Minato Namikaze's shouts of "friendship" and "bonds." He saw a swirling blue orb of chakra hurtling towards him.

His arms were obliterated. Darkness consumed him. His final thought: 'What does this have to do with friendship and bonds?'

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