A clear chime sounded in his mind, followed by the system's cold confirmation. His lies were judged as layered deception, and the intense emotional swings of Hizashi Hyuga, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the others reached the level of absolute belief, granting him three thousand Reality Points. His Remaining Reality Points rose to a new total, yet Ryuji Hyuga remained standing where he was, unmoving, his face heavy with grief.
"Then send the body to Land of Lightning."
Hizashi Hyuga turned toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had stayed silent the entire time, and spoke with respectful restraint. "Third Hokage, please arrange for people to escort it."
"Rest assured."
Sensing the shift in Hizashi Hyuga's attitude, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that the Hyuga Clan had been struck where it hurt. On the surface, he let out a deep sigh and said, "Konoha will remember the righteousness of the Hyuga Clan. I will not let Hizashi Hyuga's sacrifice be in vain."
He was about to leave with the body when a voice suddenly reached his ears.
"Third Grandfather… Third Hokage."
With reddened eyes, Ryuji Hyuga stepped forward and took a deep breath. He bowed deeply and said with care, "Please allow me to join the escort taking Hizashi Hyuga to Land of Lightning."
The firm words echoed through the reception hall, drawing instinctive glances from everyone present. Several Main Family Elder straightened slightly, avoiding the candlelight as half of their aged faces sank into shadow, cold eyes watching the unruly boy.
"Ryuji Hyuga! You…"
Hizashi Hyuga was clearly carried away by emotion and raised his voice, intending to scold him for forgetting his place.
Before he could finish, the first person to refuse was someone no one expected.
"No!"
At Ryuji Hyuga's request, Hizashi Hyuga, who had been kneeling silently before the "corpse," suddenly looked up and blurted it out. That person had said he would bring Hiashi Hyuga back, and no one knew what might happen during the escort. If Ryuji joined and something went wrong, the risk was too great.
To the others, however, the reaction seemed excessive. Several pairs of eyes turned in surprise toward the overly agitated "Hiashi Hyuga." Only then did Hizashi Hyuga realize he was supposed to be "Hiashi Hyuga" now, and cold sweat broke out across his back. Facing their gazes, he forced a stiff imitation of Hiashi Hyuga's tone and said, "You are too weak."
Hizashi Hyuga and the others froze for a moment, then recalled how Hizashi Hyuga had called Hiashi Hyuga away before his death. It was easy to assume he had left final words, asking Hiashi Hyuga to look after Neji Hyuga and Ryuji.
"Hmph, so what if Hiashi Hyuga protects him."
Hizashi Hyuga shot a dark look at Ryuji Hyuga and thought to himself that one day this brat would join his dead father. Neji Hyuga was Hizashi Hyuga's son and could not be touched for now, but killing Ryuji Hyuga would be easy as long as it was not done in public.
The next words he heard, however, left Hizashi Hyuga stunned.
"Let him go."
The speaker was not Ryuji Hyuga, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been standing nearby.
"Third Hokage, this…" Several people, including Hizashi Hyuga, looked over in disbelief.
"Hizashi Hyuga was likely the last family this child had in his heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and looked at Xiang Ryuji with gentle eyes. "Even if we did not allow you to join the escort, you would still find a way to follow, wouldn't you?"
Meeting the gaze that seemed to see straight through him, Ryuji Hyuga nearly laughed. Instead, he let his eyes redden and bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, Third Hokage. Truly, thank you. I just want to see Hizashi Hyuga off on his final journey."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and turned to the conflicted members of the Hyuga. "Do not worry. I will have ANBU escort Hizashi Hyuga's body. They can look after this child as well."
In truth, he simply wanted the ANBU to observe Ryuji Hyuga along the way and judge whether he was qualified to become one of Root's nails. The room fell into silence, and the Main Family Elder exchanged brief glances in the candlelight without speaking, letting the quiet become consent.
Hizashi Hyuga's expression was ugly, and he could clearly see Hiruzen Sarutobi's fondness for Ryuji Hyuga. If this boy truly became a subordinate of the Third Hokage, it would be difficult to act against him in the future.
He could not understand what was so special about this brat. First Hizashi Hyuga, then his own foolish eldest daughter, then Hiashi Hyuga, and now even the Third valued him.
Ryuji Hyuga tilted his head slightly and glanced at Hizashi Hyuga gnashing his teeth in the distance, idly wondering when the old man's blood pressure might finally burst.
He abandoned the thought just as quickly. Dying from a brain hemorrhage would be far too easy for someone like that.
A sudden crash shattered the calm, and a cold wind rushed in through the door. Everyone frowned and turned toward the sound. A short figure stood in the doorway, black hair soaked and dripping with rain, chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
The newcomer's eyes locked onto the white-covered "corpse," and he froze as if struck.
"Finally here," Ryuji Hyuga thought, the corner of his mouth lifting where no one noticed.
"Neji Hyuga?"
Recognizing the face, Hizashi Hyuga's expression changed slightly. Why had Neji Hyuga come?
Neji Hyuga walked forward like a puppet, his legs giving out as he knelt beside the "body."
"Your father died for the Hyuga Clan," Hizashi Hyuga said, forcing his tone to soften. "To fulfill loyalty as the head of the Branch Family family, it was his—"
As if something finally became certain, Neji Hyuga's lowered head stiffened, his body trembling beyond his control. The sorrow on his young face was slowly replaced by anger, while Hizashi Hyuga continued speaking from his lofty position.
Just as Neji Hyuga was about to raise his head, a warm hand pressed gently on his hair.
"Do not speak recklessly," Ryuji Hyuga said softly. "That only shows your weakness. For now, all you need to do is calm down."
Neji Hyuga kept his head lowered, tears falling freely onto the floor. His shaking gradually eased, and the others quietly let out breaths of relief.
What none of them could see was the twisted fury on the young face hidden from view. To the rest, Ryuji Hyuga was simply offering comfort, but Neji Hyuga felt the warmth of that hand and heard the true meaning beneath the words.
You are too weak.
Nothing you say now will change anything. Calm yourself, hide your hatred, and let no one see it. Remember all of this, carve it into your bones, and one day destroy everything, just like the figure from your dreams.