Three years of peace had passed in the ninja world since the incident at Grail Ruin. However, beneath this rare tranquility, hidden currents were quietly stirring.
In Konoha, within the Hyuga Clan headquarters.
Inside the main hall, angry Hyuga clansmen were confronting several Anbu wearing animal masks.
"What did you just say?" one Hyuga shouted.
"Calm down. This is the Hokage's order, the will of Konoha itself!" Tatsuma Aburame said calmly.
"But we were clearly the ones being wronged! It was the Cloud ninja who coveted Lady Hinata's Byakugan eyes and was killed by Hiashi-sama when caught!" another Hyuga protested.
"However, it's also a fact that an important person from Cloud Village died by your hands. For the sake of peace, this is a necessary sacrifice!" Tatsuma remained unmoved.
"But..."
"No buts!" Tatsuma coldly interrupted. "Do you want the Hyuga Clan to drag Konoha into war for selfish reasons?"
"Enough!" Hiashi held up his hand to silence his clansmen. "Alright then, what are Cloud Village's conditions?"
"Surrender the murderer—your own body, Clan Head Hiashi!" Tatsuma declared. "Only by doing so can war be avoided, and you continue enjoying peace!"
Upon hearing this, the suppressed fury among the Hyuga erupted.
"Surrender our clan leader? Absolutely unacceptable!"
"What do you take us Hyuga for?"
"The clan head is the Main House! I think those bastards in Cloud Village are after the Byakugan!"
"Well, it's not like there's no room for negotiation!" Amidst the heated atmosphere, Tatsuma Aburame suddenly said. "Though the Hokage might have to work pretty hard for this..."
Before he could finish, however, Hiashi interrupted. "No need. I will accept death willingly."
"What!" Tatsuma's mouth twitched violently beneath his mask. "I hadn't finished yet!"
"I know what you're going to say. No need to explain further." Hiashi's expression remained cold. "There's absolutely no way I'd agree to that!"
He naturally understood the other party's intention—to force him into publicly supporting that Hokage.
Three years had passed, and that Hokage hadn't even fully consolidated power within Konoha, let alone control over the major clans.
Danzo was certainly dissatisfied, but after becoming Hokage, without anyone to clean up his messes anymore, he couldn't act as recklessly as before—at the very least, he needed reasonable excuses.
Therefore, as soon as he learned the man he killed had been an important figure in Cloud Village, Hiashi knew this day would come eventually. Danzo would never let such an opportunity to threaten the Hyuga slip away!
"You bastard!" Tatsuma's eyes flashed with killing intent. "So you really want to die?"
"Of course I don't want to die. But some things are more important than life itself!" Hiashi declared solemnly.
He had been saved by Seiki, enlightened by Seiki, and shown countless kindnesses by him. Naturally, he felt immense gratitude toward Seiki in his heart.
Though he couldn't openly support Seiki Shimaseki like those young people could because of his clan ties, he'd never help Danzo either!
From behind the partition screen in the hall, Hinata cautiously peeked around the edge. At only three years old, she barely understood anything, not even the meaning of death.
"Why are Father and everyone arguing?"
A crisp, childish voice came from behind her.
"It's about principles. Uncle doesn't want to betray his principles! He, like Father, supports Seiki Shimaseki!" Neji said with admiration in his eyes.
Though only one year older than Hinata, as a Branch Member he matured mentally much faster than she did.
Not to mention his father often told him stories about that "great man" and never hid his admiration for him.
"Seiki Shimaseki?" Hinata tilted her head, secretly memorizing this name.
Back in the main hall, the conversation continued.
"Voluntarily die? Hiashi, you'd better think carefully!" Tatsuma subtly threatened. "If you, as the head family member, cause the Byakugan to be lost, it will be a huge blow to the Hyuga Clan!"
"This..."
"Let me go instead! Let me die for him!"
This sudden declaration startled everyone. Following the voice, they saw a man who looked exactly like Hiashi, except his Caged Bird Seal on the forehead was hidden beneath a forehead protector.
"Hizashi, you..." Hiashi exclaimed in surprise.
"Don't misunderstand. I still hate the main family just like before!" Hizashi said coldly. "But now, I can see things more clearly!"
"No, you still have Neji..."
"Shut up. Since when did you become so talkative?"
Tatsuma's eyes darkened. In his opinion, these bastards who'd rather die than serve the Hokage were absolutely unforgivable!
"Have you lot finished talking yet? The Cloud Village wants the person who killed their leader!"
"The one who actually killed the Cloud Village's leader was me, but it was dark at night, and no one could see clearly then! What, are you saying the Hokage wants to help Cloud Village investigate the truth?"
"This bastard!" Tatsuma inwardly cursed. The Hokage originally wanted to win over the Hyuga Clan, but these bastards actually dared to refuse their "kindness"!
The Hokage could still use peace as an excuse for doing nothing under pressure from outsiders, but if they actually helped outsiders apply pressure, the villagers might start calling the Hokage a puppet of the Cloud Village!
Furious at this thought, Tatsuma angrily said, "Then just go die already!"
Suddenly, a small figure rushed out from behind the partition screen and hugged Hizashi's leg.
"Please don't go! I don't want Father to die!"
Looking down at Neji, Hizashi gently patted his head with a warm expression. "Don't be sad for me. Dying for one's beliefs, I..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Neji spread his arms wide and stepped behind Hizashi to shield him, roaring at Tatsuma and the others, "If you have issues with Lord Seiki, then go directly after him! Why are you targeting my Father and others? Or is it... you don't even have the courage to face Lord Seiki directly?"
Hearing Neji's roar, everyone in the hall immediately turned furious.
Although they had already guessed Hokage-sama's intention, there was a difference between silent understanding and openly stating it. It was like dragging something dark and hidden into the light.
The elders of the Hyuga Clan cleared their throats repeatedly.
"Children's words are innocent—nothing but a child's babbling!"
"Please, don't take it to heart at all!"
Tatsuma's face darkened, but he still forced a smile. "It's just a kid, of course I wouldn't mind!"
Right at this moment, however, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Is that so? I think what he said makes a lot of sense!"
"Aren't those under Hokage-sama nothing but a bunch of cowards?"
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