The day after the troublesome Kumogakure delegation was sent away.
At this moment, the Third Hokage was not feeling relaxed.
Because Hyuga Hizashi's death was so tragic, the Hyuga Branch Family now harbored great resentment toward Konoha.
The Branch Family members who should have returned to work after their leave were essentially all absent from their posts.
Now, every department was reporting an emergency.
"...The Barrier Team, Patrol and Vigilance Squads, guards for important facilities, hospital diagnosticians, Material Inspection Teams, the Interrogation Room..."
"The absence rate for the Hyuga Clan in these departments has reached 90%."
"Although we deployed people to fill the gaps, the functionality of the Hyuga's Byakugan is absolutely irreplaceable."
"If this continues, Konoha will be paralyzed."
Inside the Hokage Office, the Konoha F3 were furrowing their brows so hard they looked ready to shatter.
Reports requesting manpower kept piling up. Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado were now out of options and had no choice but to throw the problem to the Third Hokage.
"Hiruzen, think of a solution."
There was a hint of distance in the tones of Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado.
They had initially intended to give the Hyuga a warning tap, but the hammer strike ended up shattering the Hyuga instead!
With the Hyuga Clan being so uncooperative, the operation of Konoha was severely affected.
The Third Hokage sighed, his eyes dark and deep, "I also didn't expect things to turn out like this."
Utatane Koharu narrowed her eyes and said, "We previously thought the Uchiha was extreme; I didn't expect the Hyuga Clan to be even more so."
The Third Hokage corrected her, "It's not the Hyuga Clan that is extreme, but Hyuga Hizashi."
"The Main Family forcibly demanded Hizashi die in substitution, so he held resentment in his heart."
True to his reputation as a seasoned veteran, the Third Hokage basically deduced the truth from the two situations he had previously witnessed.
Homura Mitokado sighed, "Now, pursuing the reason is meaningless. The key is to solve this problem."
The Third Hokage paced over to the window, looking at the scattered lights outside.
"We can only concede some benefits to the Hyuga."
Utatane Koharu asked in surprise, "Are you planning to improve the Hyuga Clan's treatment?"
The Third Hokage tapped his pipe against the windowsill:
"Kumogakure has agreed to peace talks, and the economy will quickly recover. Sharing some of the benefits with the Hyuga will be greatly advantageous for Konoha."
Hearing this, Utatane Koharu also agreed. Although this incident had caused a major lapse, they were Konoha's leadership and had to look forward.
"The Hyuga Clan is currently holding Hizashi's funeral, right?"
The Third Hokage asked casually.
"That's right, but they haven't invited outsiders."
Homura Mitokado was very concerned with intelligence regarding the Hyuga and answered without hesitation.
The Third Hokage reached out and took his Kage Hat. "Tell the Anbu watching Naruto to drive him toward the vicinity of the Hyuga Clan."
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado were shocked. "Hiruzen, you!?"
The Third Hokage slowly walked out of the room: "The Hyuga Main Family is always easier to buy off than the Uchiha."
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances, their minds involuntarily recalling the Nine-Tails Attack and the giant Sharingan symbol in the Nine-Tailed' eye.
As well as their teacher's catchphrase: "The evil Uchiha."
Both of their eyes revealed a look of agreement... The Hyuga Clan.
The Main Family compound had now been set up as Hizashi's memorial hall.
Originally, Hizashi was not qualified to be honored here, but the Main Family opened the main hall usually reserved for ancestral worship to appease the Branch Family.
Neji, Aoran, Hitomi, Yuehua, Hao, and others, all dressed in black, stood in the family seating area, watching everyone who came forward to offer flowers and pay respects.
Hizashi usually coordinated between the Main Family and the Branch Family, giving him excellent interpersonal relations.
Since the memorial hall was set up at noon, visitors had been coming in an endless stream.
Many Branch Family members chatted in small groups nearby after offering flowers.
The Main Family, led by Hiashi, stood on the other side. Although other Main Family members were also present, the Branch Family and the Main Family were separated on two sides, like two distinct rivers.
At this moment, Shuto of the Main Family came and whispered a few words into Hiashi's ear.
A look of surprise appeared on Hiashi's face, and he hurriedly departed.
Aoran, who had been watching Hiashi closely, noticed this scene and his eyes shifted.
He then gently patted the arm of Hyuga Hao next to him and made a gesture for a whispered conversation.
Hyuga Hao was also a disciple of Masahiko and had only returned a few days ago.
Aoran's recent performance let him know that his teacher's son was no ordinary person, and he seriously lowered his head.
Hyuga Hao listened for a moment, nodded silently, and then quietly returned to the back hall, seemingly to rest... Hiashi's residence.
The Third Hokage was already waiting in the living room.
This time, he didn't bring his pipe or wear his Hokage Robe; instead, he wore black clothing, clearly indicating he was attending a funeral.
Hiashi walked into the room and, seeing the Third Hokage's attire, his eyes showed a hint of scrutiny.
"Hokage-sama." Hiashi bowed slightly upon entering, his tone neither servile nor arrogant.
When the Third Hokage saw Hiashi, his expression was no longer the lofty one of the past, but one of gravity and sincerity, like an "equal" or even someone "requesting a favor."
"Hiashi," he sighed deeply, his voice filled with weariness and apology.
"Hizashi's matter... was a dereliction of duty on my part as Hokage. I underestimated Kumogakure's treachery and caused the Hyuga Clan to suffer irreversible losses. This debt of guilt, I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will bear in mind."
Hiashi's eyes slightly lifted, but his heart was settled. He had previously discussed this with Great Elder Sōshu.
The manner of Hizashi's death had left many Branch Family members outraged and uncooperative; they hadn't shown any intention of returning from their leave even after two days.
Konoha would definitely yield and even compensate them.
It seemed the Great Elder's calculations were correct. Hiashi remained silent, waiting for the Third Hokage to continue.
Seeing that Hiashi did not respond, the Third Hokage changed the subject, speaking with a sense of intimacy:
"But precisely because of this, we cannot allow Hizashi's sacrifice to be in vain."
"Konoha needs the Hyuga, more than ever before. And the Hyuga also need a stronger, more stable Konoha as a foundation."
"I know your Hyuga Clan has profound reserves, and some of your strength you are unwilling to easily show others."
Hiashi looked somewhat confused.
[The Hyuga Clan's reserves? What does he mean? Is he talking about the Branch Family strike?]
However, he currently had no opportunity to ask.
The Third Hokage leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:
"After this incident, I see things more clearly. There can be no more suspicion between us; we must establish absolute trust and a stronger bond. Therefore, I have brought my sincerity—two tokens of sincerity."
"First, there is the future." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze deepened,
"Uzumaki Naruto, that child is the utmost priority of the village. His future is Konoha's future."
"I permit Hinata to interact with him, get to know him, and even become his friend."
"You should understand what this means."
...