"Father, what are your thoughts on this kidnapping incident?"
Sensing Hiashi's dissatisfaction and anger, Yuki respectfully knelt on the bedding, his expression serious as he posed this question to the Hyūga clan head.
For such a question, Hiashi didn't even need to think; he directly replied, "Kumogakure's coveting of the 'Byakugan' isn't a recent thing. Throughout this Third Great Ninja War, they've attempted to seize the 'Byakugan' countless times. Seeing the war about to end without success, they've probably grown anxious."
This wasn't inference or speculation but established fact. After all, everyone knew the "Byakugan" was the bloodline limit Kumogakure most desired.
Bear in mind, Kumogakure was recognized among the Five Great Ninja Villages as the strongest in taijutsu. Several generations of Raikage were experts in physical combat. Under such circumstances, the "Byakugan"—which could see chakra flow and provided omnidirectional vision—was practically a bloodline limit tailor-made for them.
If today's "Kumogakure" were a tiger, obtaining the "Byakugan" would give them genuine wings. The increase in strength wouldn't be minor; both Konoha and Kumogakure understood this clearly...
"Then, Father, if Kumogakure's operation succeeded, what would happen?"
"This..."
Before Hiashi could gather his thoughts, Yuki asked an even more difficult question.
Right—Dabui's operation had utterly failed. But if he had succeeded?
"If you were captured, you'd probably soon become a corpse for research. If that envoy died here, they'd likely demand the perpetrator be handed over. Either way, clan members would have to be sacrificed."
As he spoke, Hiashi couldn't help but clench his fist. He clearly knew this incident was far more complicated than it appeared and could lead to serious consequences.
"If these two situations occurred, how would Konoha handle it?"
"Cold treatment—act as if nothing happened."
"Why?"
"Because it's the negotiation period for the armistice agreement. As long as no real damage is done, a couple of lives are trivial compared to the larger picture, even if... the dead are us, father and son."
Yes, Hiashi was correct. The long-fought "Third Great Ninja War" was nearing its end. As long as Kumogakure and Konoha signed the peace treaty, the war could essentially be declared over. So, everyone in Konoha attached great importance to these negotiations.
It wasn't that the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen was ruthless, nor that Konoha's other higher-ups ignored the Hyūga clan's feelings. In fact, a few Hyūga lives were insignificant compared to battlefield casualties counted in tens of thousands. That's all.
So regardless of the price the Hyūga clan paid, Konoha's higher-ups had to ensure these negotiations succeeded. You could call them cold-hearted, but from the higher-ups' perspective, it was understandable.
I understand clearly—the larger picture matters most; can't get too caught up in details... But why? Why is my heart so unsettled?
"Father, you don't look well. Are you alright?"
Just as Hiashi was immersed in terrible emotions, Yuki's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Ahem, I'm fine. But these matters aren't for you to handle yet. You just need to—"
"Annoying, right? Why, when bullied by another village right to your face, can't you even fight back? Instead, you have to safely return the enemy who invaded your home."
"You!"
Instantly, Hiashi trembled. He never imagined such words, directly piercing his heart, would come from his young son.
Yes, from the Hyūga clan's standpoint, Hiashi wouldn't do anything. He could only soon escort Dabui to Konoha's higher-ups, then watch them return the prisoner to Kumogakure.
Willing? Of course not. When someone rides right up to your face, you can't retaliate. When another clan targets your son, you can't get angry. This sense of frustration probably only those who've experienced it could understand.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Unable to do anything, Hiashi sighed deeply, speaking somewhat helplessly.
After all, the Hyūga clan's current predicament wasn't something Hiashi alone could change. Though bearing the name of one of Konoha's two great clans, everyone actually knew Konoha only had one clan—that clan was called "Senju."
The First and Second Hokage both came from the Senju clan. The Third Hokage was the Second's student. The Fourth Hokage was the Third's student's student... In other words, all Konoha's leaders so far were "Senju" people.
After decades of development, almost all Konoha's higher-ups were firmly held by the Senju faction. The Uchiha and Hyūga clans' so-called "two great clans" title was just an empty frame.
Where there are people, there is power. Where there is power, there is struggle. Though Hiashi had no desire to engage in these internal struggles, the result of lacking power was evident—not even having the right to avenge one's own clansmen.
"Father, our Hyūga clan doesn't seek conflict, but we're not weak either. So being trampled upon like this is unacceptable. Otherwise, retreat one step, and the sea broadens; retreat ten steps, and all hope is lost."
"So?"
"So that Kumogakure ninja must die. Absolutely cannot let him leave Konoha alive. This is a warning to both Konoha's and Kumogakure's higher-ups."
As he said this, a hint of killing intent appeared in Hyūga Yuki's originally pure gaze.
Dabui couldn't die in the Hyūga estate. But that didn't mean Dabui couldn't die. Since Hiashi was already here, Yuki wasn't afraid to lay out his thoughts completely. After all, he didn't want to watch Dabui swagger away with the Kumogakure envoy group.
"Go on."
At this moment, Hiashi clearly became interested. He knew his son occasionally had unconventional ideas, but never expected the kid to see this deeply.
"First, don't escort that guy to Konoha's higher-ups yet. Keep him until tomorrow morning. Then announce we captured a Kumogakure rogue ninja who took advantage of the negotiations to stir trouble. Publicize this widely first thing in the morning, making sure everyone knows."
"With our Hyūga clan's intelligence network, achieving this is easy."
"After spreading the information, go find Konoha's higher-ups. Request borrowing personnel from the Torture and Interrogation Force to interrogate this rogue ninja for intelligence."
Here, a sly expression appeared on Yuki's face.
The "Torture and Interrogation Force," officially the "Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force," specialized in interrogating captured enemy ninja and monitoring rogue ninja.
A crucial point: because such tasks were mostly handled by ANBU, this department was intricately linked with ANBU. Thus, intelligence obtained through interrogation usually wasn't disclosed to organizations or individuals but directly submitted to the Hokage.
So if such a request was made to the "Torture and Interrogation Force" during this critical negotiation period with Kumogakure, how would the Third Hokage react?
"The Third definitely wouldn't interrogate a Kumogakure person at this time, even a rogue ninja. So he'd probably directly call the envoy group over to discuss."
"Right. Kumogakure must be very anxious now—their dispatched agent's mission failed, and he didn't die either. After all, ninja like that, as long as they're alive, easily leak considerable intelligence."
"But as soon as Kumogakure speaks up, the Third will definitely order us to return the person immediately."
"So you must do one more thing: declare before the Third and the two advisors that this rogue ninja stole important confidential intelligence from the Hyūga clan."
Hmm? Hearing this, Hiashi's eyes also lit up, seeming to grasp the significance of doing so.
First, establish this point: Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen certainly intended to downplay this matter, make a big issue small, then nonexistent. So he definitely wouldn't stand up for the Hyūga clan over such a minor issue affecting Konoha-Kumogakure peace negotiations.
But what if he had no choice but to handle it? For instance, if the whole village knew the Hyūga clan captured a rogue ninja, and this rogue ninja stole important Hyūga clan intelligence?