What a Damn Will of Fire

After feeding the meritorious official Tama, Kaze left the Uchiha Compound with Fugaku and headed for the Hokage Building.

Besides the two of them, Shisui, Setsuna, Itachi, and other talented members from within the clan were also present.

Hiashi, the Hyuga Clan Head, a Main Family Elder, and Hizashi, the Branch Family representative, had all arrived as well.

No matter what, this incident would affect Konoha's stability.

It was the most serious and malicious incident since the Night of the Nine-Tails' Rampage.

In order to reach a consensus with the two great clans, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage—

Along with Koharu, Homura, and Danzo, all attended the meeting.

Of course...

To accommodate so many people at once, Hiruzen had not arranged the meeting in his office.

Instead, he had made use of the Reception Hall on the first floor.

Round mats suitable for kneeling had been specially prepared atop the tatami.

Kaze found kneeling uncomfortable and chose to sit cross-legged.

Logically, Kaze, who was merely a Chunin, should have sat along the edge of the Meeting Room.

But since he was one of the parties involved, he had been seated with Fugaku on the Front Left Side of the Meeting Room.

The Most Prominent Position on the Right was occupied by Hiashi, with the Main Family Elders seated behind him.

Hizashi and several younger clan members stood by the wall.

Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo sat upright in the Main Guest Seats, carrying an air of authority without anger.

"Kaze..." Fugaku, already kneeling properly, did not forget to remind Kaze about his posture.

The purpose of this meeting was to quell the Raikage's anger.

As one of the parties involved, Kaze was naturally the target of public criticism.

He ought to have shown an Attitude of Repentance.

Yet he sat cross-legged on his round mat.

To the Konoha leadership, that was undoubtedly disrespectful.

"Sit properly."

But how could Kaze care about such trivial details?

He remained seated cross-legged.

"Say, if looks could kill, I'd probably have died eighteen times already."

Kaze could not help mocking inwardly. Ever since Danzo had entered, he had periodically scrutinized him with his One Eye.

More than once, contempt and disdain had flashed through Danzo's gaze.

"Looks like the representatives of both clans are all here."

At that moment, Hiruzen slowly set down the pipe in his hand, his voice carrying Vicissitude and Fatigue.

"I trust both Clan Heads are already aware."

"Because of someone's mistake, Kumogakure's representative tragically died in our village."

"The Raikage has made a big fuss over this."

"If we do not resolve this quickly, it may very well develop into a war."

As he spoke, Hiruzen looked at Hiashi.

In truth, before the Hyuga Clan had arrived, the Konoha leadership had already sent someone to sound them out.

Though this was called a discussion, it was really more of a formality.

The moment Hiruzen finished speaking, the Elder of the Hyuga Main Family immediately stated his position.

"Although this matter has little to do with our Hyuga Clan, for the sake of the village's stability, we are willing to do our part."

Right from the start, the Elder desperately tried to distance the clan from the matter.

Anyone unaware of the truth might have thought the Hyuga Clan had been forced to take the blame.

"However, Lord Hokage, you also understand that as Konoha's Strongest Dojutsu Clan, our Byakugan holds many secrets."

"Should it fall into enemy hands, it would bring Endless Trouble."

"To prevent such a thing from happening, we developed a Sealing Jutsu known as the Caged Bird Seal."

"Once its bearer dies, the Byakugan's Power will be sealed."

"The secrets of our lineage will not be passed on."

"We... are willing to hand over Hizashi's corpse."

Because they were twins, Hizashi and Hiashi looked exactly alike.

Sending his body to Kumogakure would not only quell the Raikage's anger.

It would also preserve the secrets of the Byakugan.

However...

This decision had been the result of a private discussion among the Main Family Elders.

The instant he heard their plan, Hiashi's Byakugan widened in shock.

"What did you say?!"

Hiashi shot to his feet from the round mat.

He had thought everyone had come here to discuss a solution.

He had never expected them to simply decide to sacrifice his younger brother.

Although the distinction between the Main Family and Branch Family had gradually driven him and his brother apart over the years, he still could not accept Hizashi dying in his place.

"Hiashi, sit down."

"This is a decision we have discussed, and Hizashi has already agreed to offer himself."

As soon as that Elder finished speaking.

Another Elder loudly chimed in.

"That is correct."

"The Branch Family exists to protect the Main Family."

"And now, Hizashi can not only protect the Main Family's Byakugan, but also safeguard the village's stability."

For a moment, Hiashi felt as though his mind had suffered a powerful blow.

He had never imagined the Elders would speak of Hizashi's sacrifice as though it were so natural.

Unable to believe it, he immediately raised his head and looked at Hizashi among the crowd.

Confusion, astonishment, and disbelief all flooded Hiashi's mind.

"Hizashi!"

In the end, all those emotions converged into Hiashi's low roar.

Neji was only six years old. How could Hizashi bear to abandon him?

And why had no one discussed such a major matter with him?

Was he truly the Hyuga Clan Head, or merely a puppet?

"Brother..."

Looking at his brother questioning him, Hizashi answered softly.

Naturally, he could not bear to leave behind his son, Neji.

But if he did not sacrifice himself, his brother would be dragged into the vortex.

Losing his position as Clan Head would be the least of it; he might even die at another's hands.

So Hizashi steeled himself and gathered Chakra at his fingertips.

The next second...

Hizashi leaped forward, passing through the Main Family Elders kneeling on their round mats.

He rushed straight toward Hiashi.

Taking advantage of Hiashi's momentary shock, he instantly struck his pressure points.

"Hizashi..."

Hiashi's Byakugan widened. He wanted to stop everything, but darkness washed over his vision, and his body tilted forward before falling into Hizashi's arms.

Yet the Main Family Elders, still kneeling, all wore calm, indifferent expressions.

Because this, too, had been part of their plan.

If Hiashi nodded and accepted it, everyone would be happy.

If not, Hizashi would make his move and silence him.

Even Hizashi's position had been decided after rehearsals.

The Main Family Elders were naturally satisfied with the outcome before them.

Only Hizashi's eyes held a trace of tenderness and reluctance.

Then...

Hizashi laid the unconscious Hiashi on the tatami, then dropped to one knee and apologized to the Konoha leadership for his outburst.

"No."

Before the Third Hokage could speak, Danzo, seated in the far-right position, was the first to praise Hizashi's decisiveness.

As well as the Hyuga Main Family's understanding of the greater good.

"You have done very well, Hizashi."

"There is no such thing as an outburst or not. Everything is for the village."

"If Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama were still alive, they would certainly be pleased with your performance."

"Though you were born into the Branch Family, you are an outstanding ninja who possesses the Will of Fire."

As he spoke, Danzo deliberately focused his gaze on Fugaku.

Though Fugaku was indecisive, he was not so dull that he could not understand the implication.

Seeing the blade hidden in Danzo's words, Fugaku immediately swallowed and hurriedly stated his position.

"Our Uchiha Clan is willing to bear responsibility for this mistake."

"It is simply that Kaze is still young and a genius ninja of Lightning Release."

"It would be rather unfortunate for him to be sacrificed just like that. I propose that another member of the Uchiha Clan take Kaze's punishment in his place."

"I ask that Lord Hokage grant this!"

As he spoke, Fugaku simply dropped to one knee and lowered his head.

In his view, his willingness to cast aside his dignity in order to protect Kaze would surely move Kaze deeply.

But in reality...

The sound that came from beside him was Kaze's laughter.

"Hehehehe..."

And his cold chuckle quickly turned into loud, manic laughter...

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

"What a damn Will of Fire."