"This…"
The people present fell into silence, and one Main Family Elder let out a sigh. "If Hiashi had captured that Kumogakure Ninja alive, the situation might have been better."
"It would not," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and broke that naive hope. "According to intelligence gathered earlier by Root, there is now a secretary named Mabui by Fourth Raikage's side. She is one of the few female Jonin, and she is calm, sharp, and capable."
"This plan likely came from her," he continued. "Before the Kumogakure Delegation even arrived, they had already decided on one of two outcomes: either successfully take Hinata Hyuga away, or die at the hands of the Main Family. It was an open plot."
This time, Konoha had truly been outplayed.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected that Kumogakure, long known for being rough and direct, would now use such underhanded methods.
Based on the words shouted by Yurui before he escaped, the many villagers who witnessed the scene, and the fact that Yurui ultimately died by Hiashi Hyuga's hand, the matter was beyond cleaning up. It was like dirt falling into one's clothes, impossible to explain away.
Aside from those present who knew all the details, no one would believe this was not the doing of Konoha. Even the villagers of Konoha themselves would not believe it, and the blame had settled firmly on the village.
Now, Konoha had only two choices.
Either protect Hiashi Hyuga at all costs and go to war with Kumogakure, or sacrifice Hiashi Hyuga and bow to Kumogakure.
"…"
Hiashi Hyuga and the six Main Family Elder all understood this. Aside from Hizashi Hyuga, the expressions of the others darkened.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had handed the "choice" to them, it meant that the Hyuga Clan in truth no longer had a choice.
War meant death, and it meant many deaths.
Land of Lightning had already named Hiashi Hyuga as the murderer. On what grounds could they ask the village to risk war just to protect him?
Once war broke out again, the currently weakened Konoha would surely become a target for other villages. Anyone could die in such a war.
People were selfish, and no one wanted to die for the sake of Hyuga Clan.
"Since that is the case."
After a long silence, Hiashi Hyuga finally spoke. He tried to keep his voice steady, but it was still hoarse. "If my life alone can save the village…"
"Wait."
Before Hiashi Hyuga could finish, Hizashi Hyuga suddenly interrupted him and shook his head. "Hiashi, do not be so impulsive."
"The Hyuga's Byakugan does not belong only to Hyuga Clan. For the village, it is also extremely important, and it absolutely cannot fall into the hands of Land of Lightning and Kumogakure."
As he said this, Hizashi Hyuga glanced slightly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat at the head of the room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent. Although he felt some dissatisfaction toward Hyuga Clan and even wanted to shift the responsibility onto them, he had to admit that this statement was not wrong.
In the previous two Ninja World War, Hyuga Clan's Byakugan had played an enormous strategic role. If Kumogakure, which excelled at researching Ninjutsu, obtained it and uncovered its secrets, it would be a disaster for Konoha.
Even so, it was impossible for Hiruzen Sarutobi to openly voice support for this view.
The blame for drawing war now lay with Hyuga Clan. If he stepped forward to take that burden himself, he would be forced to choose between abandoning "allies" or starting a war, and every death would then be counted against him.
This was a true dilemma, and no matter the choice, lives would be lost.
Even he did not know how to choose, and he found himself curious about what this old man, Hizashi Hyuga, intended by saying all this.
"But even so, we cannot let Konoha be dragged into another hopeless war," Hiashi Hyuga said with a frown.
If one had to be honest, it was not that he cared deeply about Konoha itself. What he cared more about was the future of Hyuga Clan within Konoha.
Sacrifice one person, avoid war, save tens of thousands.
This was not only a decision imposed by Konoha's leadership, but also pressure from the will of the entire village. It was a choice that Hyuga Clan could not refuse.
If Hiashi Hyuga truly chose to evade it, he would become a target of blame in Konoha, and Hyuga Clan would find it impossible to stand in the village.
Because every death in the war would be counted against them.
So while it seemed there were two choices, in truth, from beginning to end, there was only one.
"Of course I know that."
Hizashi Hyuga's face was hard to read under the candlelight, and his voice was cold. "That is precisely why the Branch Family exists, is it not?"
"…"
Hiashi Hyuga slowly raised his head and looked at the Main Family Elder before him, asking blankly, "What?"
Hizashi Hyuga ignored his gaze and turned toward the tightly closed door. "Come in."
Click.
The door opened, and cold wind mixed with rain blew into the room, like a truth no one wished to face being forced into the open. The candle flames wavered and dimmed, and the shifting light scattered shadows across the walls.
"Hizashi?"
Hiashi Hyuga stared in disbelief at the person who entered, then looked at the unfamiliar face that followed.
The first was, of course, Hizashi Hyuga with a complicated expression. The second was a young boy with red-rimmed eyes.
"Ryuji Hyuga?"
Seeing the person who entered alongside Hizashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga's calm expression finally changed. He frowned and barked, "Get out! Who allowed you to come in…"
"I told him to come."
Before Hizashi Hyuga could finish, Hizashi Hyuga interrupted him, darkening the old man's face.
In the past, Hizashi would never have dared to interrupt him. He likely felt he was about to die, and so he had lost all sense of reverence.
Everyone present turned their gaze to Hizashi and the boy behind him. Facing those heavy, judging looks, Ryuji Hyuga raised his head without hesitation or burden.
Ryuji Hyuga's eyes were red, clearly from crying. His pale eyes were streaked with bloodshot lines as he swept his gaze across those present.
"I am here to see Lord Hizashi off on his final journey."
Catching Hiruzen Sarutobi's surprised look, he gave him an apologetic glance before turning to the other Main Family members. In a cold voice he said, "Surely the 'highly respected' Main Family head and elders would not deny a dying man his last dignity."
He put heavy emphasis on the words "highly respected," and his tone carried sharp, biting sarcasm. It was only a step away from pointing at them and cursing them outright.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not feel offended. Having received that apologetic glance, he knew Ryuji Hyuga was not directing this at him, and instead felt surprised by the boy's boldness.
Was this child speaking up for Hizashi Hyuga?
Had his resentment already grown to the point where he no longer cared about the difference in status?
As expected, the faces of the six Main Family Elder darkened, and Hizashi Hyuga's eyes turned cold.
Hizashi could be ignored. Overstepping or not, he was already a dead man.
But who did you think you were, Ryuji Hyuga, to dare speak so rudely before him?