"Third Hokage."
As Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, the mostly recovered Tangdong Akimichi spoke in a hoarse voice, asking, "Is war coming?" The question cut off Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts, and he could not help letting out a quiet sigh. He looked at the injured man on the bed before answering.
"Yes," he said. "At least for now."
"We…" Tangdong Akimichi tried to continue, but his chest tightened and he began to cough hard. Blood stained the white sheets as the coughing grew worse.
"Tangdong, stop talking!" Ryuji Hyuga quickly stood up and went to his side, using a tissue to wipe saliva and blood from his mouth. He supported his arm and helped him lie back down.
Then Ryuji Hyuga turned to the silent Hiruzen Sarutobi, anger showing on his face. "Third Hokage, Kumogakure and Iwagakure keep pushing further and further. We cannot hesitate anymore."
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment, then lowered his head with a bitter smile. "You are still young. You do not understand what war means."
"No, I understand." Ryuji Hyuga interrupted before he could finish, and Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively looked up. He met a pair of clear eyes filled with resolve.
"No one wants to face cruel war. My father and mother both died on the battlefield." Holding Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, Ryuji Hyuga continued in a low voice, "But we have already retreated again and again. There is nowhere left to retreat."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes paused slightly as he asked slowly, "Why?"
"Because behind us is Konoha, our families and friends," Ryuji Hyuga said word by word. "Third Hokage, please give the order. Even if it is only me, I am willing to stand on the front line."
"If they want war, then we will give them war."
The room fell into complete silence. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Tangdong Akimichi all looked at Ryuji Hyuga, their expressions stiff as something stirred in their hearts. It was hard for them to believe that these words came from a fifteen year old boy.
After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke softly. "Ryuji." He seemed to have made a decision as he looked directly at Ryuji Hyuga. "Would you dare to say these words again in front of others?"
"Yes," Ryuji Hyuga nodded without hesitation.
At the side, Koharu Utatane realized something and could not help speaking up. "Hiruzen, you are not planning to…"
"Yes," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "I will take this child to the Jonin Council."
"Third Hokage, how can this be allowed?" Tangdong Akimichi's expression changed as he blurted out.
Born into a ninja clan, he understood those people all too well. Even clans that firmly supported the Hokage, like the Akimichi Clan, still had many who only cared about their own interests and refused to risk their lives for Konoha as a whole.
To put it bluntly, this was the flaw of ninja clans. Their power did not only come from wealth and military strength, but from monopolizing Ninjutsu, secret techniques, and knowledge passed down within families. Because of trust and mutual support inside these clans, they formed strong networks that gave them political weight and a fragile balance with the Hokage.
"But even so," Ryuji Hyuga said calmly, "I am going." His tone was steady and firm.
Looking at him, both Tangdong Akimichi and Koharu Utatane felt a quiet sense of emotion. "Who would have thought that the rigid Hyuga Clan could produce someone willing to abandon clan bias," Tangdong Akimichi thought to himself. Influenced by Minato Namikaze and by Second Hokage and Tobirama Senju, they understood exactly what this choice meant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood it as well, and his gaze toward Ryuji Hyuga grew gentler. "Then let us go," he said, patting his shoulder and squeezing it with clear approval. "Do not worry. You are not alone."
He was still the Third Hokage, not yet completely rotten. Since they could no longer avoid it, hesitation was no longer an option. Before Kumogakure could react, he had to shape the situation so that they appeared to be the ones provoking conflict, stirring the anger of the Konoha Ninja and the lord of the Land of Fire.
If a young ninja from a clan like Ryuji Hyuga stepped forward on his own, things would be different. It also meant that Ryuji Hyuga would become the one in the spotlight, cutting ties with Hyuga Clan and even the entire clan faction. He would give up his surname, the resources of the clan, and everything promised after Hizashi Hyuga entrusted him to Hiashi Hyuga.
This was not an easy decision at all, which was why the three of them felt both shock and relief. But was Ryuji Hyuga truly that noble and selfless?
kacha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed open the meeting room door, and the light cast his shadow on the wall along with the figure behind him. Under the lights, shadows lined both walls, old and young, cautious and ambitious. As he entered, everyone in the room stood up at once.
"Third Hokage."
Different voices sounded together, some anxious, some heavy, some confused. Those with access to information already had their guesses, and the unified address felt more like pressure than respect. It was a collective force pressing down on Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.