"...The flames will continue to light the village and let the new leaves sprout." Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech unfolded gradually, captivating the audience and stirring the children's passion until they practically wished they could die for the Hokage at once.
When the speech ended, thunderous applause erupted across the playground.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved amiably to the many children, pleased by their response. Only Neji Hyuga, with that ghostly, expressionless face, made him feel rather uncomfortable.
That blank, ghostlike expression seemed to be saying that Hiruzen himself had sent Neji's father, Hizashi Hyuga, to his death.
After the playground speech ended, the teachers led the children of each class back to their classrooms.
Hiruzen Sarutobi put his pipe between his lips and exhaled a cloud of smoke. His kindly face watched as Bunta Yamano led the children of Class A back to their classroom. Seeing Neji Hyuga's back in the last row, he could not help feeling regret.
Given Neji Hyuga's current resentment toward the Hyuga Clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi believed it would be easy to win his trust and turn him into a shinobi like Itachi, one who put the bigger picture first.
As long as Neji Hyuga was made to understand the truth—that it had been the decision of the Hyuga Main Family—Hiruzen Sarutobi believed Neji would eventually become useful to him.
But... the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal was an insurmountable barrier. No one would dare treat a branch family shinobi branded with the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal as a confidant. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, or Danzo Shimura's Root would not dare rely too heavily on the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.
Yet the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan truly was a strategic weapon, which made Hiruzen Sarutobi all the more regretful.
"That must be Neji..." Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes as