"I never expected the old man to make such a decision--"
In the Hokage's Office, Jiraiya sat on the sofa, looking at the message that had just been sent back.
In the letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi instructed Jiraiya to arrange a welcoming ceremony and to the Hyuga Clan to prepare to receive the remains.
The letter mentioned that the Fourth Raikage had already returned Hizashi Hyuga's body.
When Hizashi committed suicide to take his place, the people of Kumogakure could only return with his body, which infuriated the Fourth Raikage.
To even think about it would be Byakugan, but what good is bringing back a corpse from a Branch Family?
They almost went to war with Konoha, but Dodai persuaded them to give up in the end.
However, Hizashi's body was still taken by the Kumogakure's research department for study, and by now the facts have been thoroughly investigated.
However, the Caged Bird Seal was too abnormal, resulting in it gaining nothing from the Byakugan.
"Hyuga, huh--"
Jiraiya frowned Jiraiya looked at the corpse of Hizashi mentioned in the letter.
He genuinely looked down on the Main Family of the Hyuga Clan, after all, it was surprising that a family whose members all Byakugan could impose such restrictions.
It's somewhat laughable, but the Hyuga Clan already had this tradition before they joined Konoha.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't say anything, so there was even less reason for him to do anything.
"Never mind." Jiraiya shook his head and said from the sofa, "Go to the Hyuga Clan Compound and inform Hiashi to come here."
A member of the Anbu appeared, kneeling on one knee and replying, "Yes!"
"Etc···"
Jiraiya seemed to have thought of something; it seemed that one of Hagoromo's disciples was named Neji, who was Hizashi's son.
"While you're at it, go to Hagoromo's training grounds and call that Neji over here."
"Yes!"
After responding once more, the Anbu disappeared.
"Ha, Hagoromo has done something big!"
Jiraiya leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling and muttering to himself.
Defeating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki- on has made the Kumogakure Village no longer as unruly as before.
The fact that he was willing to lower his head and form an alliance with Konoha is enough to make him a hero of Konoha.
It's important to know that back then, even he, Orochimaru, and Tsunade couldn't do something like this.
Moreover, the old man's message in the letter was for him to start spreading information about the Hagoromo throughout the village.
"The Hokage, huh? This kid's in for a rough time."
Jiraiya chuckled softly as he thought of this.
He then began to think about how to quickly gain fame.
"Shikaku --come back soon!"
--
Shikaku Hiruzen Sarutobi, suddenly sneezed and rubbed his nose.
"Senior Shikaku, please make sure you keep warm."
Hagoromo then spoke up from the side, saying that it wasn't too cold at the moment, just a bit autumnal.
"Excuse me."
Shikaku looked slightly embarrassed, and then spoke.
"Lord Hiruzen, do you think we should take Hizashi's body back first, or..."
Upon hearing Shikaku's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and then asked Hagoromo, who was standing beside him.
"Hagoromo, what do you think?"
Hagoromo rubbed his temples helplessly. He really didn't want to deal with this kind of thing, but it concerned his disciple's father.
He pondered for a long time before shaking his head and saying:
"Master, I think we should continue to stay with the group. After all, the Hizashi are for the village's benefit—"
At this point, Hagoromo couldn't help but stop.
After all, Hizashi's actions were primarily for Hiashi's sake, and also for the sake of the village, and the foundation of all of this lay with his son, Neji.
Hizashi's main motivation was to use this opportunity to get his older brother Hiashi and the village to show some consideration for Neji in light of his willingness to die.
Therefore, if we're talking about whether Hizashi is a hero of Konoha...
The definition of "hero" usually refers to ninjas who sacrificed themselves for their villages, Minato, and countless other ninjas in Second Shinobi World War Third Shinobi World War.
However, the actions of the Hizashi are ultimately more a tragedy of systemic oppression, only this choice was made voluntarily by himself.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement; this was exactly what he had been considering.
While Hizashi's death cannot be considered heroic, Konoha did indeed avoid war with Kumogakure because of his initiative.
After a long silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly:
"No, let Hizashi return to the village as a hero of Konoha, and then bury him near the Memorial Stone."
"Yes!" Shikaku nodded. Since the Hiruzen had made his decision, he said no more.
After Shikaku took his leave, only the Hiruzen and Hagoromo remained in the carriage.
"Master, there's really no need for that."
Hagoromo spoke up, saying that Hiruzen Sarutobi probably made this choice partly because Neji was his student.
"Haha, this old man still has some say, and after all, I am your apprentice's father."
"Isn't it a good thing that he can live more in the sunlight?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, "In a way, Neji is actually his grand-disciple."
If he doesn't fight for his own disciples and grand-disciples, then who should he fight for?
Hagoromo Hiruzen Sarutobi, and in any case, the main reason was because of him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Hagoromo on the shoulder, and nothing more was needed.
--
Outside the Hokage Building, Hyuga Hiashi and Neji met in front of the building.
Hiashi stared at Neji in surprise and asked, "Neji, what's this?"
Neji bowed to Hiashi before saying calmly, "Lord Jiraiya ordered someone to summon me."
Upon hearing this, Hiashi frowned, wondering what the reason might be.
However, he said, "Then come with me, I'm going there anyway."
Neji nodded and followed Hiashi toward the Hokage's Office.
"What!"
Hiashi stared at Jiraiya in shock, an expression of disbelief on his face.
Jiraiya, sitting on the sofa, nodded and said, "The old man just sent back a message. The day he returns to the village—"
Jiraiya, having said this, glanced at Neji beside him and slowly continued:
"We will bury Hizashi as a hero of the village, on the other side of the Memorial Stone."
"Therefore, I hope that you can discipline the people of the Hyuga clan when you return."
After his initial shock, Hiashi bowed to Jiraiya and said, "Thank you, Hiruzen Hokage and Lord Jiraiya. I will definitely keep them in check when I get back."
Neji, who had been standing there in Hiashi, stared at Hiashi bowing, his fists clenched tightly.
Snap--
The crisp sound of tears falling was exceptionally clear in the Hokage's office.
Neji stared in surprise at the water droplet at Hiashi's foot.
Was he shedding tears for his father?
Jiraiya stared expressionlessly at Hiashi, who was still bowing before him, and sighed inwardly. After a long while, he finally spoke:
"Go ahead, I hope nothing goes wrong that day."
"Rest assured, Lord Jiraiya! I guarantee this in the name of the Hyuga clan head!"
Hiashi looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, he made his promise.