In the conference room, there was dead silence.
With Hyuga Hiashi's words, no one present spoke.
Needless to say about the branch family, they had no dominance. Letting them attend the meeting was already a grace from the main family.
As for the main family!
Although they hadn't left the village or participated in wars for a long time, few who could sit in high positions were fools. Now that the choice of the new Konoha was there, they naturally wouldn't clamor for Hyuga Hizashi to go to his death.
First.
Although Hiashi and Hizashi were brothers from the main and branch families, the brotherhood was still there essentially. Unless there was no choice like in the original story, no one would be stupid enough to make such a suggestion.
They might not be afraid of annoying Hyuga Hizashi, but Hyuga Hiashi was the Clan Head of the main family.
Perhaps he couldn't target them on the surface, but who could guarantee that Hyuga Hiashi wouldn't give them a hard time in secret forever?
Secondly.
They could actually see that the old Konoha was in decline.
Perhaps it could still barely hold on now, but who knew how long it could last? The Hyuga clan had to consider the future.
If it weren't for the harsh conditions of the new Konoha, they would have defected directly two years ago.
After a long time.
A main family elder tried to speak.
"Hiashi, can we negotiate?"
"If the new Konoha doesn't interfere in our internal affairs, then our Hyuga clan will choose to join the new Konoha."
"There's no need for further discussion!"
With his words, others also spoke up one after another.
Everyone's opinion was surprisingly consistent.
Everyone wanted to join the new Konoha directly, but didn't want to lose the autonomy of the ninja clan.
In response to this.
The branch family's faces remained calm.
But from their tightly clenched fists, it could be seen that their hearts were not calm.
Of course, they wanted freedom; this was the wish of all branch families.
Even if the Caged Bird Seal had to be retained in the future, as long as the main family had no right to judge the branch family and couldn't continue to treat them as pigs, dogs, and slaves, it would be enough for their branch family...
So.
Seeing the main family object, they were naturally angry.
But, similarly.
Unless the Hyuga clan truly joined the new Konoha, they dared not truly voice their opinions.
Otherwise, what awaited them would be a fate worse than death, even if they didn't die!
"Enough, shut up."
Hyuga Hiashi couldn't listen anymore and immediately told everyone to shut up: "The policy of the new Konoha is right there. Now we are begging to join them, not the new Konoha begging us to join."
Many main family members were stunned on the spot upon hearing this.
That's right!
Now it wasn't the new Konoha begging their Hyuga clan to join. In this situation, they had no bargaining power at all. The rule that the village couldn't interfere with ninja clans was set by the old Konoha; the new Konoha didn't have such a rule at all.
Other ninja clans might not care, after all, the Uchiha were too arrogant and disdained interfering in the internal affairs of ninja clans.
The Hyuga clan was a pure exception!
Because the Caged Bird Seal was too disgusting, and other ninja clans didn't have such a ghostly thing, so other ninja clans naturally wouldn't have any objections.
Finally, dead silence.
Seeing this situation, Hyuga Hiashi instantly understood in his heart.
The group of elders in the main family still hadn't given up!
But, forget it.
Let's wait until tomorrow to see the conditions of the Cloud Village, and then carefully consider whether to join the new Konoha.
He waved his hand helplessly and ended this meeting.
...
On the other side.
In the Hokage's office, only three people remained.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and Danzo!
As for Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, they had long lost all qualifications for decision-making.
"This matter is not easy to handle!"
"Although the Cloud Village must have done it on purpose, we must choose to back down; otherwise, if something goes wrong on the front line, Konoha will be completely finished."
"The current village cannot support a war!"
"We cannot drag the entire village into war for the sake of one Hyuga."
"No matter what request the Cloud Village makes, we Konoha must bear it, and at some critical moments, we may have to force the Hyuga clan."
"Regarding this point, no objections, right?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe, his tone very low.
His eyes were like an eagle, looking at Danzo and Jiraiya.
In response to this.
Danzo, whose aura became increasingly gloomy, did not clamor for war like in the original story, but his tone was still disdainful.
"Hiruzen, you are too weak!"
"Although Konoha cannot support a war, can the Cloud Village support a war?"
"Don't forget that in the Third War, the Cloud Village's losses were also huge."
"Besides!"
"If Konoha really goes to war with the Cloud Village, will the evil Uchiha side watch quietly as we fight the Cloud Village?"
"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire will absolutely not agree either!"
"So, what are you afraid of?"
"This matter was provoked by the Cloud Village. Even if this matter spreads to the entire ninja world, it will be the Cloud Village losing face."
"I think we should be tough and just push back. I don't believe the Cloud Village dares to start a war!"
Danzo's eyes were gloomy, and his tone was quite tough.
He might look down on the Hyuga clan, but he was an absolute hardliner, and it was absolutely impossible to make him admit defeat.
Even...
Even if the Cloud Village really dared to start a war, he would find a way to drag the new Konoha into it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was anxious and slammed the table immediately: "The village needs stability and recuperation; we must prevent any accidents. Although your plan looks beautiful, what if an accident happens?"
"If the village is dragged into war, how can the village continue to recuperate?"
"Even if the Hyuga clan suffers a little loss, for the sake of the overall stability of the village, I believe Hyuga Hiashi will understand us."
"Everything is for the village; I will never allow you to mess around!"
In response to this.
Danzo stood up angrily and cursed immediately: "Hiruzen, you will regret it!"
"Danzo, don't forget!" Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table: "I am the... cough cough!"
Clearly.
He suddenly remembered that he was no longer the Hokage.
So, for a moment.
Sarutobi Hiruzen choked directly, not knowing how to continue.
In response to this.
Danzo sneered disdainfully, then turned and left the Hokage's office, slamming the door back fiercely.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was very embarrassed.
But after taking a deep breath, he looked at Jiraiya beside him.
"Jiraiya, you are the Hokage!"
"How do you think we should handle this matter next?"
Yes.
Although he controlled the power of the village, Jiraiya was the Hokage after all, so he needed to make the final decision.
Or to put it simply, he needed to take responsibility for this!
Being 'cowardly' externally must be pinned on Jiraiya's head.
In response to this.
Jiraiya didn't think so much, just said lightly.
"Old man, I'm only worried about one thing."
"If the village doesn't protect the Hyuga clan, what if they turn around and join the new Konoha?"
"Have you thought about this?"
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