I'll Be Hokage! I'll Never Be So Weak!

Using the body of Hyuga Hizashi, Hyuga Hiashi's younger brother, to satisfy the Raikage was a decision that he and Hiruzen had all agreed upon.

As a member of the Branch Family, Hyuga Hizashi had the Caged Bird Seal placed on him, which would destroy his Byakugan upon his death.

There was no need to worry about the Byakugan falling into the wrong hands.

Moreover, Hizashi, who looked identical to Hiashi, was convincing enough to be passed off as Hiashi's corpse to the Raikage.

That should be enough to satisfy the Raikage.

It was the most perfect solution.

But something they hadn't expected happened: Hyuga Hiashi so easily revealed the outcome of their private discussion.

And this was during a meeting specifically convened to pressure Namikaze Mirai.

How could such a matter be brought out into the open?! A flicker of anger surged in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

What is wrong with Hiashi?

Hadn't he been warned not to mention this during the meeting? Amidst Sarutobi Hiruzen's angry gaze fixed on Hiashi, murmurs of shock erupted in the conference room.

"Sacrifice Hiashi's brother to satisfy the Raikage? When did Konoha become so weak?"

"The Hyuga are Konoha's largest ninja clan; if this happened to my clan..."

"Is a father wrong for protecting his daughter?"

Amidst the shocked murmurs, Hyuga Hiashi stood his ground, meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's furious gaze directly.

His eyes were calm.

Lord Hokage, please forgive me for defying you this time.

His memory went back to the day before the meeting.

"No!"

"How can Hizashi die in my place? Neji is only four years old!"

"This is the result of our elders' collective discussion. The Hokage has already agreed. As a Branch Family member, isn't this when you're supposed to be useful?"

"How could I possibly agree to something like this, letting my own brother die in my stead..."

Hyuga Hiashi slumped onto the cushion, never imagining things would come to this.

"Brother, I've already agreed."

Hyuga Hizashi, who looked almost identical and had bandages wrapped around his forehead, knelt on the cushion before him, his eyes gentle.

"As a Branch Family member, aren't we born to protect the Main Family?"

"To be able to die protecting you, Brother, is already the best outcome for me as a younger brother."

Hyuga Hiashi clenched his fists in frustration.

"Damn it! How could it turn out like this?"

How could they possibly accept something like this! "So, do you want to change all of this?"

The tightly shut sliding door slowly opened. From outside the room, a calm yet slightly heavy voice echoed.

Hyuga Hiashi looked up, gazing at the golden-haired figure who had suddenly appeared.

His eyes widened in shock.

"Mirai, why are you here?"

This was the Hyuga's council chamber. How could Namikaze Mirai be here?

So, he had heard their entire conversation just now?

"Letting your own brother die in your place—can you truly accept something like that?"

Namikaze Mirai looked down at Hyuga Hiashi.

His Biological Magnetic Field covered the entire Hyuga compound; nothing happening here could escape his notice.

Tears welled in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes, and he clenched his fists in resignation.

"If there were any other way, I would never make this choice, but the Hokage..."

"Leave the Hokage to me. From now on, please follow my instructions exactly."

After hearing Namikaze Mirai's words, Hyuga Hiashi's eyes went from bewildered to astonished, then to utterly shocked.

"Why are you helping me?"

"I'm not helping you; I'm helping your brother."

"Me?"

Hizashi, who had already prepared himself for death, was completely taken aback by this turn of events, staring at Namikaze Mirai in utter astonishment.

He wanted to find the answer to this situation on his face.

A hint of sadness flickered subtly in Namikaze Mirai's azure eyes.

That emotion was completely at odds with his tough exterior.

"Perhaps it's the feeling of wanting to protect a sibling, as a younger brother myself?"

Hyuga Hizashi watched Namikaze Mirai, lost in thought, and his body suddenly trembled.

He suddenly remembered.

When that night happened, Namikaze Mirai wasn't in the village. He could only watch Minato die, helpless.

Unable to do anything.

"Hiashi! Why! Why would you do this!" Flames seemed to burn in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes as he stared at Hyuga Hiashi, his heavy, angry gaze like a barrage of accusations.

Wasn't Hizashi's matter already decided?

How could something like this be brought into the open! Under the eyes of all Konoha's high-ranking officials!

Are we supposed to let them see that their Hokage sacrificed your brother's life to appease the Raikage?

"Hokage-sama, I'd like to ask, is what Hyuga Hiashi said true?"

The question came from the head of the Inuzuka Clan.

If even the Hyuga were treated this way, what would happen if it befell their smaller clans?

Everyone's gaze converged on Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clenched his sweating hands, his eyes shifting from struggle to hesitation, and finally to exhaustion…

"Yes."

A stir!

A massive stir! Konoha was actually going to sacrifice the life of the Hyuga Clan head's brother to appease the Raikage? What a ridiculous joke!

Konoha was the strongest ninja village! To yield like this, almost shamefully giving up the interests of a ninja clan within the village! Moreover, wasn't the Hidden Cloud Village clearly in the wrong first? Hiashi was just protecting his daughter!

Namikaze Mirai remained casually leaned back in his chair. His posture hadn't changed since he entered.

It was as if he had already anticipated this outcome.

"My esteemed Hokage, when did Konoha become so weak? To use the life of a clan head's brother to gain the forgiveness of a mere Hidden Cloud Village?"

Namikaze Mirai's seemingly casual words, reaching Sarutobi Hiruzen's ears, felt like an invisible fire, searing his mind and body.

The clan heads of the other ninja clans also looked on with unwillingness in their eyes.

Humiliating!

This is effing humiliating!

"This is for Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed reluctance as he sighed.

"Hizashi was a ninja who truly embodied the Will of Fire. He chose this path because of his convictions."

As soon as his voice fell, a chuckle abruptly broke out, turning into laughter, then uncontrollable, maniacal laughter! "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What a goddamn Will of Fire!"

Namikaze Mirai threw his head back and laughed wildly, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

This wild laughter, in the eyes of Uchiha Setsuna and the others nearby, instantly made their eyes light up!

Namikaze Mirai's wild laughter was even more authentic than theirs!

"To sugarcoat cowardice so eloquently, Sarutobi Hiruzen, your skin is thicker than I imagined!"

"The Hidden Cloud Village signing a peace agreement was a pretense from the start, its purpose was to scheme for Konoha's Bloodline Limits! As Hokage, you knew this, yet you still wanted to sacrifice the life of the unrelated Hizashi to beg for the Raikage's forgiveness!"

"Third Hokage, you're too weak! Where's the spirit of a Ninja Hero left in you?"

"If I were Hokage, I would never be so weak!"

As soon as he spoke, Danzo, who was nearby, could no longer hold back and glared at him.

"Mirai, do you know what you're saying?"