"..."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Hyūga Higoi froze for a moment.
A Jōnin?
Who?
Hyūga Kumokawa?
"Why?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself. He realized immediately that it was inappropriate—but when he saw that Hyūga Kumokawa kept staring straight ahead, not sparing him even a glance, his irritation flared anyway.
"Third Hokage," he said sharply, "he's nothing but a useless waste."
"Higoi," Sarutobi replied, giving him a long, steady look, his voice calm. "In your eyes, is a young man who managed to protect his companions and escape a near-hundred-man encirclement by Kumogakure ninja still a 'useless waste'?"
"I can vouch for that," Chōza Akimichi, who was also present, spoke up suddenly. "Kumokawa's importance during the escort mission and the ambush afterward was absolutely indispensable."
"Him? Hyūga Kumokawa?"
Higoi shot Kumokawa a glance, as if he'd just heard the biggest joke of his life. The anger faded from his face, replaced instead by a mocking smile.
"That guy who only awakened the Byakugan this late?" he laughed. "The one who goes weak in the knees at the sight of blood? The one who, if I just—"
Before he could finish, the previously silent Hyūga Kumokawa slowly turned his head and looked at him.
The blank expression on his face softened slightly, forming a smile that held no warmth at all.
"Senior Higoi," Kumokawa said, slowly and evenly. "You don't wear that outfit very often, do you? Before you say your next sentence, you'd better think it over carefully."
At the first half of the remark, Higoi frowned, confused as to why Kumokawa would suddenly bring up his clothing.
But Kumokawa wasn't wrong.
What Higoi was wearing wasn't his usual attire within the Hyūga clan—it was standard Jōnin gear. Much like the other Jōnin present: a regulation green flak jacket on the outside, black mesh armor underneath.
Despite his age, Higoi was indeed a Jōnin. Because of both his status as a main-branch member and his seniority, Higoi had never once regarded Hyūga Kumokawa as worth noticing.
"So what if I say it?" Higoi sneered, staring straight into Kumokawa's eyes. "You're still just someone who'd crawl over the moment I crooked a finger, a—"
"Elder Higoi!"
Seeing Kumokawa narrow his eyes and hearing Higoi's completely unrestrained words, Hyūga Hizashi—who had been momentarily distracted—snapped back to attention and instinctively tried to shout him down.
But it was too late.
Hiss—!
A violent gust screamed through the room, whipping Higoi's hair into the air. The pressure rippled across his face, distorting his features. His eyes were still fixed on Kumokawa, but they went momentarily unfocused.
His mouth remained half-open, frozen in place. The words "house dog" never made it out; they were swallowed back down his throat.
A chill swept past him. Behind him, a deep gash split the wall, biting straight into the concrete. He felt dampness on his cheek, sliding down along his jaw and soaking into his collar.
A sharp pain spread inch by inch across his face—a razor-thin cut had opened on his cheek, drawing blood.
At some point, Hyūga Kumokawa had raised two fingers.
And now, those fingers were firmly held down by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Seeing this, expressions changed around the room. Nara Shikaku showed no shock, only a thoughtful look.
'You reap what you sow.'
They had intended to use the Hyūga elder to test Hyūga Kumokawa—and now they had their answer. It was just far beyond what they had expected.
A Wind Release technique without hand seals?
Was this really a member of the Hyūga clan?
In that instant when Kumokawa moved, only a handful of people present had even managed to react. If he had truly intended to kill Higoi, the elder's throat would already have been slit.
"Ah… Kumokawa, don't be so impulsive," Sarutobi sighed, pressing his hand down gently, his tone still mild. "After all, Higoi is your senior."
"My apologies, Third Hokage. I acted rashly," Kumokawa said sincerely, lowering his raised fingers. "I simply felt that Senior Higoi has grown old—and forgotten who he is."
"The peace and comfort bought with the blood and lives of his fellow villagers have slowly corroded his heart," Hyūga Kumokawa said calmly. "They've made him polished on the outside, arrogant and overbearing—just like his clothes."
As he spoke, Kumokawa's gaze shifted to the others present, his voice low and steady.
"A Jōnin's uniform isn't supposed to be this spotless. It shouldn't carry the scent of jasmine. It should be steeped in sweat and blood. That is what a Jōnin's clothes are meant to smell like."
"So it is necessary to remind Senior Higoi of one thing," he continued evenly. "This is a Konoha Jōnin Council meeting, not a Hyūga clan assembly. You are a Jōnin of Konoha, not an elder of the Hyūga main house. And I am also a Jōnin of Konoha—not a guard dog of the Hyūga main house."
"I believe what was just said can be regarded as a threat and provocation toward a fellow Jōnin and toward the Third Hokage himself."
"However," he added, "because he is a senior, he was given a warning."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, his eyes narrowing as if there were no anger in him at all. In a gentle tone, he said, "Alright, alright. Those words may have been a bit heavy. I believe Higoi simply misspoke."
As he spoke, he turned his head toward Hyūga Higoi. His narrowed eyes opened just a little as he smiled and asked, "Isn't that right, Higoi?"
"..."
Hyūga Higoi seemed not to hear him. His face was pale, yet dark. The paleness came from fear of what Hyūga Kumokawa had just done; the darkness, from resentment and fury with nowhere to vent.
"Higoi?"
The emotionless voice entered his ears, and Higoi shuddered violently, snapping back to his senses. He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, lowered his head slightly, and said stiffly, "Yes, Third Hokage. My deepest apologies. I spoke without thinking."
Under the Hokage's gaze—now entirely devoid of warmth—his heart chilled further, and he finally understood the position he was in.
Some matters, when left unweighed, seem trivial. Once placed on the scale, they become unbearably heavy.
Unlike Genin advancing to Chūnin through examinations, promotion from Chūnin to Jōnin is decided directly by the Kage of each village, based on a comprehensive evaluation of ability. Only those who meet the standard are promoted. It is the highest rank a shinobi can attain beneath the Kage himself.
Among Jōnin, there are only two distinctions: Jōnin and Special Jōnin. There is no such thing as an "elite Jōnin." Every Jōnin is a pillar of the village and a top-tier combat force.
A Jōnin is promoted directly by the Third Hokage—without needing anyone's approval, and without allowing anyone's challenge.
What he had done just now could be seen as an attack directed at Hyūga Kumokawa—but it could just as well be interpreted as a challenge to Hiruzen Sarutobi's authority.
The difference lay entirely in how the Third Hokage chose to view it.
And how did Hiruzen Sarutobi see it?
By now, the answer was obvious.
Hyūga Kumokawa was no longer the branch-family member who could be beaten and scolded at will. He was a Konoha Jōnin—someone the Third Hokage himself valued and held in high regard.
But was that all?
"Alright," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a nod and a smile. "From now on, you're all comrades. Apologize to each other, and let this end here. No grudges."
The moment those words left his mouth, Hyūga Higoi snapped his head up, disbelief written all over his face. Even several others present couldn't help but change expression.
What the Third Hokage wanted was probably more than just helping Hyūga Kumokawa secure his footing.
He was also trying to make an example of one to warn the rest.
The example, of course, was Hyūga Higoi.
And the ones being warned—were all of them, the great ninja clans.
There are times when you can reach out—but stretch your hand too far, and it will get cut.
"..."
Hyūga Higoi kept his head lowered. Venomous resentment burned in his eyes as he spoke in a trembling voice, "I'm sorry."
"I accept your apology, Senior Higoi," Hyūga Kumokawa said lightly, giving a small nod. "I only hope you understand this—even members of the Hyūga clan aren't limited to growing stronger through the Byakugan and Gentle Fist alone."
At those words, the others recalled the glimpse of power Kumokawa had just revealed. Their expressions as they looked at Higoi immediately became strange.
The Hyūga clan—long known for being rigid, conservative, and closed off—had somehow forced a genuine ninjutsu prodigy into existence.
And worse, they had driven him to estrangement, to walking his own path.
That was truly… something else entirely.