As soon as Sora heard that Hizashi Hyuga planned to take this matter to the Hokage, panic gripped him. Everyone in Konoha knew that his superior's greatest fear was the Hokage himself.
Moreover, this incident had been Root's unauthorized operation. If word of it reached the Hokage, Root would be entirely in the wrong.
If Lord Danzo, his superior, were punished and the mission failed because of this Hyuga Branch Family, Sora could hardly imagine the consequences that awaited him.
The mere thought of the countless inhumane tortures within Root made even a hardened killer like Sora shiver.
Therefore, today's events could never be exposed.
Hyuga Hizashi, you've chosen the path to your own death!
Though his opponent was the Head of the Hyuga Branch Family, Sora was not afraid. Compared to the punishment of a failed mission and Danzo's wrath, facing an ordinary Elite Jonin didn't seem so terrifying.
Besides, Sora was confident that, given enough time, he could subdue Hizashi on his own. He knew well that his secret Jutsu gave him a natural advantage against Taijutsu-based ninja.
But just as his Chakra Parasitic Destroying Insects were about to swarm and engulf Hizashi, a large group of ninja suddenly surrounded the area.
Seeing those familiar pale eyes, Sora instantly knew that the situation had turned for the worst.
The newcomers were all Hyuga clan members, mostly from the Branch Family, but that didn't make them weak. Sora knew he couldn't possibly kill them all. If he did, even Danzo wouldn't be able to protect him — in fact, Danzo himself might be branded a rogue ninja.
And this was only the first wave of Hyuga reinforcements. The earlier explosion had already attracted attention, and more Konoha ninja were rushing toward the scene.
Before long, the entire area was surrounded by Konoha shinobi, sealing every possible escape route.
When the arriving ninjas realized that the confrontation was between the Hyuga Clan and Root, they relaxed slightly — but couldn't help marveling at the sight.
The usually mild and obedient Hyuga Branch Family was actually daring to bare its fangs at Root! The world truly had become unpredictable.
Though it was hard to believe, none of the onlookers intended to interfere. Instead, they stayed to witness the drama unfold.
As the number of observers grew, the confrontation escalated to a level that could no longer be ignored. Soon, the Head of the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Hiashi, and Danzo, the leader of Root, arrived at the scene, both led by accompanying personnel.
To prevent the situation from spiraling into open conflict, the "patriarch" of the village — Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi — also appeared.
With their respective leaders present, both subordinates — Hizashi and Sora — began to speak at once, each trying to justify their side of the story. Within a short time, everyone understood the general course of events.
However, while the facts were largely established, both men naturally framed the story from their own perspective, each condemning the other for being unreasonable and pushing all blame away from themselves.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi was no fool. He didn't believe their one-sided testimonies. After dispersing the surrounding crowd, he summoned both sides — along with their leaders — to the Hokage's Office for a detailed discussion.
No one outside knew what was said behind those closed doors, but when the group finally emerged, their faces were grim. The tension between the two factions was palpable; both sides looked as though they wanted to strike the other down on the spot.
Outside the Hokage Building, Hyuga Hiashi stopped the stone-faced Danzo and spoke coldly.
"Lord Danzo, please return every one of my Hyuga clan members immediately. If even one is missing, don't blame me for taking this matter directly to the Hokage."
During the earlier discussion, Danzo had been forced to admit that Root's recent capture operation had indeed been unauthorized. Of course, he couldn't reveal his true objective, so he mumbled vague excuses that satisfied no one.
To Hiashi, the most logical explanation for such an operation was clear: Danzo had attempted to seize the Hyuga's Kekkei Genkai — the Byakugan.
For any clan possessing a Bloodline Limit, such an act was nothing short of an attack on their very existence.
Even if the Hyuga were a peaceable clan, they could not stand by and act as ostriches burying their heads in the sand at a time like this.
If they didn't show their fangs now, the Hyuga would soon find themselves dissected and "shared" by others like prey on a dinner table.
That was why Hiashi's resolve had hardened beyond retreat.
Danzo, on the other hand, though filled with resentment, could do nothing but obey Hiruzen's direct orders — at least until he gathered enough power to act freely.
So, despite his fury, Danzo had to suppress it and answer in a low, begrudging tone:
"Don't worry. I've already given my word to Lord Hiruzen. I won't play any more tricks."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That would be best. Because if you dare pull another stunt, even if Hokage-sama forgives you — my Hyuga Clan will not!"
His words were as cold as steel. Since they had already crossed the point of reconciliation, Hiashi no longer felt the need for politeness.
"My Hyuga Clan has endured for a thousand years, Lord Danzo. Don't underestimate us. Otherwise, you'd best be careful when walking alone at night."
The threat was unmistakable. Even an ordinary man would have felt a chill hearing it — let alone Danzo, who had rarely been spoken to this way by anyone except Hiruzen himself.
Danzo's eyes narrowed, and a dark smile crept onto his lips.
"Oh? A thousand-year legacy, you say? How impressive. But tell me — are old things always better? Getting old usually means it's time to die, doesn't it? Otherwise, wouldn't you just become an old immortal, clinging to life?"
Hiashi's expression hardened.
"Hmph. Lord Danzo certainly has a sharp tongue. But let's see whose side the truth stands on when the villagers of Konoha witness what's happening."
With that, Hiashi turned and left, his brother Hizashi following close behind.
Danzo's gaze tracked their retreating figures, his expression darkening with every step they took.
The malice that radiated from him was almost tangible. Never before had he wanted to annihilate the Hyuga Clan more than he did at this moment.
Indeed, all these ninja clans are rotten — parasites feeding on the village's strength.
They must all be disbanded and absorbed into the civilian population.
Only then will Konoha truly be united!
The thoughts seethed in Danzo's mind, thick with venom. To him, clans like the Hyuga were a disease infecting the great tree of Konoha, one that needed to be cut out completely.
The heated confrontation had not gone unnoticed. Two individuals witnessed the entire scene from different places.
One was Hiruzen Sarutobi, observing through his crystal ball. The other was Hyuga Hoshimi, who had been following the incident from the shadows.
Hidden in a corner, Hoshimi watched as the argument concluded and quietly exhaled a long breath.
He knew that his plan to divert trouble had worked.
Danzo — that old fox — would now be far too occupied dealing with the Hyuga to focus on him. Meanwhile, the Hyuga would inevitably strengthen their defenses, making Root's infiltration attempts far more difficult.
By setting these two forces against each other, Hoshimi had bought himself a temporary period of peace.
Yet deep down, he knew this peace wouldn't last.
Once Danzo's attention turned toward him again, the next agents that came wouldn't be the two low-level operatives from today.
And when that time came, there would be no place left to hide.
Would he choose to surrender and become yet another disposable tool of Danzo, or would he take up his sword and carve out his own destiny through blood and fire?
Hoshimi didn't yet know the answer.
But one truth echoed clearly in his mind — no matter which path he chose, strength would decide everything.
Because in this world, only the strong have the right to speak.
End of Chapter 62 – Hostility
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