Chapter 27: Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu
Danzo left in anger. Hiruzen didn't stop him, tacitly allowing his departure. Only after his overly stubborn old comrade had gone far did he look at Ritsu and ask: "What do you plan to do with Hyuga Hiashi?"
"Though Hiashi is Main Family, he hasn't committed any atrocities in the past. He's even protected quite a few Branch Family members, and I made a promise earlier, so I won't kill him." Ritsu answered frankly.
Previously, Hizashi had been the first to side with him and acknowledge his position as clan head. At that time, he'd promised Hizashi that as long as Hiashi didn't resist stubbornly to the end, he would spare his life.
He didn't intend to go back on his word.
Of course, not killing him didn't mean Hiashi could continue living as if nothing had happened. Some punishment was inevitable, especially now when the clan members' Caged Bird Seals hadn't yet been removed. Hiashi would certainly have his chakra sealed and spend some hard days in prison.
Only after Hiashi became completely harmless might he possibly live a normal life as an ordinary Hyuga clan member.
"As long as you stop the killing, that's good. Though Hiashi can't be called particularly outstanding, compared to the previous two generations of Hyuga clan heads, he actually didn't perform too poorly. His luck was just too bad—he encountered you."
Hiruzen glanced at Hiashi standing motionless in the distance, with Hizashi chattering beside him.
He sighed inwardly.
He continued questioning: "How do you plan to explain tonight's events?"
Ritsu waved his hand, signaling the surrounding clan members to stand farther away.
"Tonight's events are simply that you, Hokage-sama, were deceived by Hiashi and the other Main Family members, which led to a small conflict between Minato-senpai and myself. Of course, that's my explanation to the clan. Externally, we can say you came here to help us deal with the conscienceless Main Family remnants like Daichi, restoring clarity and justice to the Hyuga clan!"
Ritsu answered quietly.
Hearing this response, Hiruzen stared at Ritsu for several seconds before sighing: "Who knows how much talent your clan's system has strangled!"
Then he asked with extreme directness: "Do you harbor resentment toward us for tonight's events?"
After speaking, he stared straight at Ritsu, awaiting his response.
"Resentment?"
Ritsu gently shook his head. His pearl-white eyes contained no negative emotions. "I don't care how difficult the process is. As long as the final result is good, that's enough for me."
At this point, Ritsu paused for two seconds, then spoke seriously: "Hokage-sama, let me say this now—though my clan has suffered upheaval today, the Hyuga clan has always been and will always be Konoha's Hyuga clan. Without the Main Family's parasitic internal consumption, the Hyuga clan will make even greater contributions to the village."
"Give me a few more days to handle clan affairs. After that, I will lead our elite forces to the front lines. Though it was Main Family incompetence that allowed the Mist ninja to steal the Byakugan, the Byakugan belongs only to Konoha. We will reclaim what was taken, and they will pay the price in blood!!!"
"Only the blood of Mist ninja can wash away our clan's shame!"
These words rang out powerfully.
The surrounding clan members heard them clearly. The older veterans showed little change—they were seasoned and not easily excited—but the younger clan members' faces flushed red, their blood boiling as if they'd been injected with adrenaline.
"Crush the Mist ninja!"
Arima shouted loudly.
"Crush the Mist ninja!"
"Crush the Mist ninja!"
A group of young clan members roared themselves hoarse.
Hiruzen surveyed the surroundings, then looked deeply at Ritsu one more time, a warm smile appearing on his face. "Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu, when you have time, come sit at the Hokage Tower and chat with this old man. I enjoy dealing with outstanding young people like you and Minato. Looking at you, I see Konoha's thriving future!"
"You praise me too highly. I wouldn't dare compare myself to Minato-senpai."
"Being able to block Minato's attacks twice means you're already qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as him. Also, regarding the Shikotsumyaku matter, I hope Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu can find time afterward to explain it."
"I won't disturb your clan governance any longer. Minato, let's go!"
Hiruzen called out.
"Ritsu-kun, my apologies!"
Minato gave Ritsu an apologetic smile, reached out to grasp Hiruzen's shoulder, and with a flash, vanished from the view of all those Byakugan.
Ritsu stood in place without moving.
After more than ten seconds passed, he finally moved his neck and let out a long breath. "Finally passed the village's test. Plans really can never keep up with changes!"
Though this hadn't gone according to his plan, fortunately the result was still acceptable.
The final threat had been eliminated, and this hurdle with the village had been cleared. Just now, Hiruzen had addressed him as "Clan Head Hyuga Ritsu," which amounted to acknowledging his position as clan head. Though this didn't mean he'd been truly accepted, at least he'd gained recognition on the surface.
As for potential arrows from behind—for instance, a certain Hokage Advisor who'd left in anger—this person was the Hokage's black glove, basically handling whatever the Hokage found inconvenient to do himself.
Perhaps he'd already been added to the list of people who needed "handling," maybe even ranking quite high. He just didn't know if he could compete for priority with those arrogant Uchiha.
Ritsu surveyed the surroundings, looking at the many jonin and special jonin of the clan, and said with a smile: "From now on, no Main Family will ever enslave us again. Our fate, from this moment forward, is completely in our own hands!"
"So hurry home and share this good news with your families!"
He waved his hand, indicating everyone could leave.
However, no one departed. Everyone stared at Ritsu.
"Clan Head, I'm with you. As long as my children never have to suffer under the Caged Bird Seal again, even if you tell me to climb a mountain of blades or descend into a sea of flames, I won't fear it!" A veteran jonin over forty suddenly spoke in a deep voice.
Then voices of agreement flowed like a great river.
"That's right, Clan Head. Whatever you need, just give the order. Even if you want me to always be rearguard, I'm willing."
"Me too, Clan Head. Anyone who dares oppose you in the future, I'll smash their damn head in."
"Exactly! Smash the heads of anyone who opposes!"
The surrounding jonin loudly expressed their loyalty.
Listening to this increasingly chaotic and somewhat outrageous chatter, Ritsu's smile grew more brilliant. He raised both hands in a gesture for quiet. Within seconds, everyone had gradually closed their mouths.
"Actually, there is indeed a task. As I mentioned earlier, in a few days I'm going to the front lines to deal with those Mist ninja bastards. Anyone who wants to go can... sign up with Elder Karin!"
"Now, everyone hurry home!"
Ritsu urged the crowd to disperse.
Having expressed their loyalty, the clan members scattered in twos and threes. Many had already gathered before Karin to inquire about signing up to fight the Mist ninja, overwhelming her completely. She could only say registration would begin tomorrow to tally numbers, finally managing to send everyone away.
Soon, only Ritsu and his right-hand men Takuma and Arima remained, along with the six elders. Besides them, only the former clan head Hiashi stood motionless like a wooden post.
****
50+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces