Listening to his sincere words, some Hyuga Clan members who didn't know the truth looked at the Third Hokage with a slight change in their eyes.
However, Aoran's eyes held a hint of amusement.
[Excellent, it's going exactly as I envisioned.]
Aoran knew from the beginning that Hiruzen Sarutobi, that old man, was adept at handling complex situations and very skilled at political posturing.
After all, the Hyuga Clan held so many positions in Konoha, and now they had all abandoned their posts, which would certainly make him anxious.
His gaze turned to Hiashi, who was following closely behind, ready to see what Hiashi would say.
After the Third Hokage finished speaking, Hiashi stepped forward, his face looking somewhat haggard:
"Hokage-sama, you overstate it." He set the tone, indicating that he would not accept the Hokage's apology, maintaining the Hyuga's dignity.
He turned to all the branch family members, his voice heavy:
"As Hokage-sama said, my younger brother Hizashi voluntarily made the most heroic choice to protect the future of the clan and the village. His death has shown us who the true enemy is."
"Our Hyuga Clan, after this battle, should be even more united and remember this blood feud!"
"Instead of directing our anger inwards, causing pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies! Konoha is our root; if the root rots, how can the leaves survive?"
"I believe that Hokage-sama, after this incident, will also cherish the loyalty and contributions of our Hyuga Clan even more."
Hyuga Sōshu, as the Great Elder, also stepped forward:
"Hizashi was a good man; he didn't disgrace the Hyuga!"
"Currently, the village is in a weakened state due to Kumogakure's scheme."
"This is exactly the result the enemy wants to see! We cannot let Hizashi's sacrifice be in vain!"
He looked around at everyone, his gaze sharp:
"Just now, Lord Third Hokage has decided that our Hyuga Clan's mission rewards and family allowances will increase by forty percent on the existing basis."
"This is the village's substantial compensation and gratitude for the sacrifice and loyalty shown by the Hyuga Clan in this incident."
The branch family members were in an uproar after hearing this. They were already somewhat swayed, and hearing about such a large benefit, the scales in some people's hearts gradually began to tip.
"Everyone has seen Hokage-sama's sincerity. I hope the clan members can return to their posts as soon as possible, so as not to make things difficult for Hokage-sama."
Many branch family members looked around; the main family's high-ranking members all supported Konoha.
And Hayato, who was closest to Hizashi in the branch family, was not present at this time.
Others like Hideaki, Asahi, Aoto, and Shio remained silent.
So some people answered sparsely, "Understood, Great Elder."
The Third Hokage specifically observed the entire scene. The hostility on the faces of some branch family members had dissipated, while others remained unmoved.
Moreover, Hizashi's son, Neji, glared at him fiercely.
Aoran, who had been loudly scolding him earlier, stood expressionless beside Neji.
To him, such a child posed no threat, and he didn't take it seriously.
So his gaze directly passed over them.
He searched around and found that Hayato, who was most loyal to Hizashi, was not present.
However, he didn't think much of it. After the matter was resolved, he exchanged a few pleasantries with Hiashi and the other main family members before leaving.
Hao, who had gone to the back earlier, now returned.
"Aoran, you were right."
Hyuga Hao whispered a few words into Aoran's ear, his face gloomy.
He had just gone to the back to use his Byakugan to observe what transactions Hiashi and the Third Hokage had made.
Hiashi had no sense of precaution whatsoever, and he never imagined that someone would be monitoring him.
After all, his identity was the Hyuga Clan Head; if he found out, the problem would be huge.
Aoran hadn't expected that Hinata, so young, knew Naruto, and that it was a deal made between the Third Hokage and the Hyuga Clan.
[Since it's their deal, I must find a way to break it.]
Although Hinata was Hiashi's daughter, Aoran felt no ill will towards her.
After all, none of this had anything to do with her.
Even Hinata would eventually be abandoned by Hiashi.
Aoran's eyes darted around. Looking at Neji, who was immersed in grief, he stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"Neji, come with me."
..."Brother Aoran."
Neji was in a very poor mental state. After seeing the scene of his father's tragic death, he had barely slept these past two days.
He ate little, and his whole being was incredibly fragile.
Aoran gently patted Neji's head.
"It's alright. Uncle isn't here, but you still have us, don't you?"
Neji's eyes reddened, and tears flowed again.
"Mm..."
He quickly reached out to wipe them away and hummed in response.
"I'll take Neji to rest for a bit."
Aoran greeted Gekka and the others, then pulled Neji to a room in the back.
Gekka frowned, watching Aoran leave: "Aoran is acting strange lately."
Hitomi said indifferently: "He's always been a genius, changing every day. Now I basically treat him like an adult."
Hao added from the side: "I, for one, treat him like a peer."
Gekka nodded. In this man-eating ninja world, being precocious was better than being foolish.
After all, geniuses were always similar, and Gekka quickly accepted the idea that Aoran's thinking was very mature.
In the back room.
Aoran pressed Neji into a seat and picked up a rice ball from nearby, placing it in Neji's hand.
Neji mumbled twice, then said, "Brother Aoran, I can't eat."
Aoran didn't continue to persuade him to eat, but simply said:
"I'm telling you that the Third Hokage betrayed the Hyuga Clan to give you a goal to strive for."
"Not to let you burn in this hatred."
Neji held the rice ball, pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly and took a bite of the rice ball.
Seeing Neji eating, Aoran also relaxed a bit.
Neji ate half of the rice ball in his hand before asking:
"Brother Aoran, the opponent is the Hokage. How can I get revenge?"
"Heh... Kumogakure's initial target wasn't your father."
Neji fell silent. He knew his father had died in place of the main family's Hiashi, though he didn't know the full details.
But that didn't stop him from also resenting the main family.
Seeing Neji's expression, Aoran knew what he was thinking. He reminded him:
"When you are marked with the Caged Bird Seal, that's when the main family begins to enslave you."
"In the future, your life will often be threatened by the Caged Bird Seal."
"Therefore, your situation will be much more difficult than you imagine."
Neji looked up, his eyes filled with even more confusion.
"Brother Aoran, what should I do?"
Aoran raised a finger: "A gentleman conceals his abilities within himself, awaiting the opportune moment."
Neji stared intently at Aoran. This world didn't have this idiom. Naturally, he didn't know it, but just from the meaning of the words, one could grasp its profound implications...