You Wouldn't Want To...

Originally.

Seeing how arrogant the Kumogakure ninja was.

It was not just Hiashi.

The several Hyuga Clan members the Kumogakure ninja had tied up were all furious.

But who could have expected such a sudden turn of events?

A torii gate descended from the sky, enveloping the Kumogakure ninja.

The Kumogakure ninja's expression changed instantly, and the immense pressure pinned him to the ground.

His Chakra froze, and his strength vanished.

He could only breathe and move his eyes.

Under such circumstances, he could not commit suicide at all.

The Hyuga Clan members all looked at Naruto in shock.

Naruto lowered the hand he had formed into a one-handed seal and said calmly, "Just preventing suicide."

Hiashi shot to his feet in shock.

"Th-This... is Wood Release????"

After all, it looked far too much like Wood Release.

But Hiashi soon shook his head.

He denied it. "This is not a Chakra nature transformation. It is merely a Sealing Technique that greatly resembles Wood Release."

Even so.

Hiashi was still astonished by Naruto's terrifying potential.

Naruto had not yet fully grown.

But just now.

A one-handed seal, coupled with such a terrifying Sealing Technique.

At that instant, Hiashi suddenly felt that the clan's rules did not seem so important anymore.

If nothing unexpected happened, Naruto's future would surely be exceedingly brilliant.

Perhaps...

Thinking of this, Hiashi's gaze toward Naruto became gentler.

And the more Hiashi looked at Naruto, the more pleasing he found him.

Naruto had noticed that Hinata had been kidnapped.

He had rescued Hinata from the Kumogakure ninja.

He could also analyze the situation with such composure, and his thinking was exceptionally meticulous.

Someone like that could no longer be called merely a genius.

In Hiashi's impression, only Minato Namikaze could be mentioned in the same breath as Naruto as he was now.

No...

Even Minato Namikaze had been far inferior to Naruto at Naruto's age.

Hiashi gave Naruto a friendly nod, then rose and walked outside. "Everyone, calm down. This is Kumogakure's scheme."

"First, invite someone from the Yamanaka Clan over. We will read his memories before deciding anything."

Perhaps because his mood had improved.

Hiashi's attitude toward his subordinates had improved as well.

He usually gave direct orders, but now his tone faintly carried the air of discussion.

Still, no one would refuse his words.

A Hyuga Clan member immediately withdrew, intending to invite someone from the Yamanaka Clan.

The Yamanaka Clan possessed a secret technique that could read memories.

They would be able to clearly see the memories inside the Kumogakure ninja's mind.

By then, even Hiruzen Sarutobi would be unable to deny such irrefutable evidence.

Unless he stood up for the Hyuga Clan, the Hyuga Clan would make this matter public.

That would lower Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige in Konoha.

At that point, quite a few people coveting the position of Hokage would begin pressuring Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But just then, a group of people entered from outside...

At their head was a little old man wearing Hokage robes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said gravely, "There is no need!"

The Hyuga Clan member stopped where he was.

He looked at Hiashi, then at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

For a moment, he did not know what to do.

Hiashi knew his clansman did not dare defy Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he waved him away.

That also spared his subordinate from the awkward situation.

Hiashi turned his gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked directly, "Are we still leaving the Hyuga Clan to bear this matter?"

He cleverly used the word "still."

His purpose was to remind Hiruzen Sarutobi of what had happened years ago.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said to Hiashi, "Hiashi, you know the village currently lacks the means to wage war."

Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Hiashi's heart went cold.

Several Kumogakure ninja had now died. If the Hyuga Clan were made to bear the blame.

His head would be gone.

And now, he no longer had a younger brother.

There was no one to lose his head in his place.

Hiruzen, Hiruzen, you were never this cowardly when you were young!

"This is all for Konoha's peace." Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Hiashi, "We can discuss it properly."

Hiashi said nothing.

He stepped aside and invited Hiruzen Sarutobi into the room.

After entering, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Naruto there, but he was not surprised.

Because the Anbu had acted quickly.

They had already discovered the site of Naruto's battle with the Kumogakure ninja.

Thus, they concluded that Naruto had taken Hinata to the Hyuga Clan.

After Hyuga Hiashi followed Hiruzen Sarutobi inside, he ordered Hinata, "Hinata, go rest first."

Naruto also gave Hinata a slight nod.

Just like that, only Hyuga Hiashi, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Naruto Uzumaki remained in the room.

In the courtyard outside.

A group of Anbu and Hyuga Clan members guarded the Kumogakure ninja.

Inside the room with its tightly shut doors.

The three of them sat there.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know why Hyuga Hiashi had not sent Naruto out.

Because this matter was rather dark.

If hearing it affected Naruto's beliefs...

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto kindly. "Little Naruto, you should go rest as well. Leave this matter to us adults."

After hearing that, Naruto cooperatively revealed a faint smile.

But inwardly, he was thinking.

Should I help my future father-in-law?

I should...

After all, he was Hinata's father.

And Hiashi's change in attitude toward him just now had been very obvious.

If Hiashi supported him, then things between him and Hinata would practically be settled.

Therefore.

Naruto's expression changed. He shook his head and said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord Third Hokage, this concerns someone close to me. I would also like to hear your opinion."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had never seen Naruto look so composed.

Like a little adult.

And coupled with the battle marks on Naruto.

Could Naruto have received secret guidance from someone?

Was it Minato?

Or perhaps... the Nine-Tails Fox?

Forget it.

This matter was already troublesome enough.

A little more trouble did not matter anymore.

After sorting out his thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Hiashi, "The Hyuga Clan can offer some resources as compensation. That will make things much simpler."

"Of course, the village will bear the full cost of those resources."

That was a concession in disguise.

Hiashi's expression stiffened slightly upon hearing this.

Clearly, he was dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

Just then.

Naruto suddenly spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Lord Third Hokage, you wouldn't want people to know that you let someone slander the Fourth Hokage's son just because you were concerned about an old friend's feelings, would you?"

Hiashi's eyelids twitched wildly as he looked at Naruto in horror. "??"

Holy shit?

Were young people these days this fearless?

He skipped straight past discussing and objecting, and immediately threatened the Third Hokage?

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head slightly after hearing that. "Naruto, my personal reputation is not important. What matters is how Konoha can overcome this crisis."

Because Konoha currently had no means to wage war!

The Fourth Hokage was gone.

The Nine-Tails had depleted many elite ninja.

The Three Sannin were not in the village.

Hatake Sakumo had committed suicide.

The Uchiha had been exterminated.

And Danzo, that old bastard, was still around.

Konoha's overall military strength was practically at its lowest point since the village's founding!

Only he, Hiruzen Sarutobi, an old man, remained.

Along with several clans with secret techniques.

Let alone now that he was old.

Even when Hiruzen Sarutobi had been young.

He truly had not dared lead such a Konoha into war!