Hiashi Hyuga stopped paying attention to the Third Hokage and looked instead at Uchiha Ryōsuke. The man's words were cutting, but this was not the time to fuss about tone. "Then how do you think we should resolve this?"
The Third Hokage's face darkened further. He had spoken for the Hyuga, yet Hiashi now asked Uchiha Ryōsuke. That clearly rejected his proposal. He already considered his plan the best path forward. Could the Uchiha have something better?
Ryōsuke had been waiting for this opening. "This was Cloud Village's scheme to begin with. They should be the ones to answer to the Hyuga. Maybe Cloud doesn't fear war, but do we of the Leaf fear war? Even dying on the battlefield is more honorable than sacrificing our own to buy peace as the Third proposes. And if they threaten us like this today, what about next time? Will we keep sacrificing our own for someone else's peace? So, the Uchiha will take the lead and drive back the invaders."
Hiashi felt a flicker of surprise. He had not expected such backbone from this Uchiha. Perhaps this was the difference between the Hyuga and the Uchiha. If the Uchiha displayed the pride of a great clan, then the Hyuga could not abase themselves. He swept a gaze over his clansmen and saw many of them stirred.
He spoke solemnly. "An Uchiha with no stake in this is willing to stand firm. Are we, at the center of it all, to shrink back? If the Uchiha and Hyuga stand together on the front line, even the Fourth Raikage at the head of his army is no cause for fear."
The Hyuga, already chafing, grew excited. "The clan head is right. With the elites of both clans and the village's other shinobi, Cloud won't stand a chance."
Even Hizashi Hyuga, who had been ready to sacrifice himself, felt foolish. Dying to calm an enemy's rage was hardly worth it.
The Third Hokage was shocked to see the Hyuga roused to war by an Uchiha. The Uchiha were troublesome again. If war reignited, how many more lives would be lost? And this smelled like an attempt to win the Hyuga over. The Second Hokage had once explained it to him: placing the Uchiha Police in charge of village security both wooed them and set them at odds with other factions. That way, even if the Uchiha were strong, they could not gain broad support and thus could not take the Hokage's seat. The Second had been right. The Uchiha were not fit to contend for Hokage. If they did, it would be dangerous and could spark war.
But what could he do now? If he forced the Hyuga to sacrifice one of their own to appease Cloud, he would offend them, and even then they might refuse. All of this was that Uchiha's fault. Worse, the Hyuga preferred to believe the Uchiha over their Hokage. Unforgivable.
A bold idea formed. If the two clans intended to face Cloud together, then let them. War would bring casualties. Heavy losses among both would still benefit the Third Hokage.
He spoke slowly. "Since you have decided, we will proceed as you wish. Tomorrow morning, here, we will convey your stance to the Cloud delegation."
"Understood, Lord Third," Hiashi said firmly. He and his clansmen were aligned. There was nothing to hesitate over.
The Third Hokage nodded. "It's late. Rest and regain your strength for tomorrow's meeting with Cloud."
At dawn, the Third Hokage arrived early at the Hyuga compound. He had chosen this venue to direct Cloud's resentment toward the Hyuga, making it clear the decision was theirs, not his. What displeased him was that Uchiha Ryōsuke was also present. No matter. After the envoy leader's death, he understood those people had feigned weakness before him to make him careless. Had he followed Kakashi's advice and set Anbu to watch them, this might not have happened. The Cloud were forceful, which suited his new plan. The stronger they acted, the better. A brutal clash between Uchiha, Hyuga, and Cloud would be ideal. A double defeat, and he would profit.
Before long, the blonde Samui entered the Hyuga grounds with several ninja. The hard looks on the gathered Hyuga gave her a bad feeling. In the reception room she spoke first. "Third Hokage, after a night of deliberation, has Konoha decided on a satisfactory answer for Cloud? Hand over the killer of our envoy leader."
The Third Hokage kept his tone level. "After last night's discussion, the Uchiha and Hyuga believe it is Cloud who owes Konoha an explanation. Your people plotted to abduct the Hyuga Main House heiress."
"That's a frame-up," Samui said through clenched teeth. "We never did such a thing. The envoy leader died outside the Hyuga grounds. If Konoha insists on this, I will report to the Fourth Raikage and demand vengeance."
The Third showed no agitation at the threat. He no longer sought peace. He welcomed war. The fiercer the better. He would not be the one fighting. With the Uchiha and Hyuga, there would be more than enough to battle Cloud to the death.
Hiashi spoke. "Drop the act. That kind of sophistry might fool children. If it's war you want, the Hyuga and Uchiha will wait for you at the Leaf's border."
Samui was shaken. They actually wanted war. This did not match their expectations. She turned to the Hokage. "Is this Konoha's decision?"
"Of course," the Third said without hesitation.
Samui saw that pressure would no longer work. She set down a final threat and prepared to leave. "Then prepare for war."
She had just turned to go when a voice rang out behind her. "Don't you dare not come. Whoever doesn't show is a coward."
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