Oil Lamp Endurance!

In the same prison cell, there was no delicious food on the table, and only Hizashi Hyuga remained in the room. A small oil lamp flickered in the evening breeze. Such a scene could only evoke the word "desolate."

Hizashi Hyuga had paper and a brush in front of him. He hesitated for a moment before picking up the brush and writing a "suicide note." After putting down the brush, he thought of his son, Neji, and sighed, picking up the brush again: My foolish son...

Cough, cough, cough... Wrong tone!

Hizashi Hyuga casually swatted the paper into pieces with his palm, adjusted his state, and began writing again:

Neji, when you read this letter, it means you have become an excellent ninja capable of handling things on your own. Your father is very happy with your growth. This time, your father's choice to leave is not only for the Hyuga main family, but also for the village, for peace. Your father has lived through the era of raging wars and deeply understands how hard-earned peace is, blah blah blah...

"Hoo... I wonder when my brother and that brat are talking about the 'appropriate time'!" Not being able to watch Neji grow up is truly a father's greatest regret!" After finishing and sealing the letter, Hizashi Hyuga took out a pill the color of butter from his pocket, recalling Akira Kurama's words.

Oil Lamp Endurance (Medicine Technique Gate): A fake death pill made from three precious ingredients. After use, there will be no signs of life for seven days. The user will have no perception of the outside world during the fake death period. After seven days, an antidote must be injected to wake up. If the antidote is not administered in time, the user will enter a vegetative state until they starve to death.

"I can't believe such a medicine exists in the world," Hizashi Hyuga swallowed the pill in one gulp. After a while, he felt dizzy and his vision blurred...

With a "thump," Hizashi Hyuga collapsed onto the table. The two Hyuga clan members guarding the door heard the sound and immediately opened the room, only to see Hizashi Hyuga slumped over the table. One quickly checked Hizashi Hyuga's breath and pulse, while the other opened his Byakugan and saw that the chakra in Hizashi Hyuga's body was pouring out like a flood.

"Damn it, Lord Hizashi committed suicide!" the clan member with the Byakugan shouted in panic.

"You go notify the clan head immediately!" The other clan member was clearly calmer. Under his reminder, the clan member with the Byakugan finally reacted and rushed towards the central area of the clan.

By the time the elders had all arrived, Hyuga Hiashi had already carefully placed Hizashi Hyuga's "corpse" down. With his back to the seven elders of the Hyuga clan, he slowly tidied his brother's clothes. After a while, he stood up and said in a hoarse voice, "This is the result you wanted. Are you satisfied now?"

"Everything for the Hyuga!" The Great Elder's voice was still steady, as if nothing in the world could move him anymore.

"No, it's for peace!" Hyuga Hiashi turned around, his eyes red with anger as he glared at the Great Elder, "My brother died for peace!"

"For peace!" The Great Elder, having experienced countless storms, changed his words rationally. Anyway, the person was already dead, and the Hyuga clan's crisis was resolved. Why stir up more trouble over such a small matter?

The next day, the news of Hizashi Hyuga, the culprit who killed the Cloud Ninja, committing suicide spread throughout Konohagakure. The Third Hokage looked at the Hyuga clan's residence from afar and couldn't help but sigh. Then, he turned to the two Anbu kneeling before him and said, "This child, I'll leave him to you from now on."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" The silver-haired Anbu responded. The person beside him remained silent.

The third day, the Hyuga clan held a funeral for Hizashi Hyuga. Akira Kurama, accompanied by Tsukishiro Yuexi and Qing Yan, paid their respects. After bowing to Hizashi in the mourning hall, they were led by Hyuga clan members to the council hall behind. The Third Hokage, Danzo, and the heads of other clans were all present.

"I apologize, I'm late." As soon as Akira Kurama entered, he realized he was among the latecomers and quickly clasped his hands in apology.

"Sit down!" Hyuga Hiashi, as the clan head, waved his hand with a grim expression. Akira Kurama, not minding, found a seat a little further back. Beside him was the experienced driver, Kakashi...

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Cloud Ninja representatives also arrived. These people were arrogant, sitting in the front row. Istada, who was dealt with by the Third Hokage in a few words last time, was not present. That guy was a tragedy, killed by Hyuga Hiashi. The current leader of the Cloud Ninja delegation was Dasuka, also a Jonin.

"Third Hokage, the Hyuga clan killed our representative delegation's former leader, Istada, without reason. Lord Raikage is very angry! Although the culprit has committed suicide, he did kill our person. We want to take the culprit's body back to the Land of Lightning to be dealt with by Lord Raikage!" Dasuka, adhering to the Cloud Ninja's usual arrogant style, spoke in a tone that made several impulsive individuals present want to slap him.

"This is absolutely impossible!" Hyuga Hiashi stood up abruptly and stared at Dasuka, saying, "The person is already dead. You should stop here and not push your luck!" At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't afford to be calm, as he knew Hizashi wasn't dead yet! If the Cloud Ninja took the body away, he would truly be dead.

"Hmph! Third Hokage, this is also Lord Raikage's wish!" Dasuka couldn't be bothered to deal with Hyuga Hiashi. He stared at the Third Hokage and said word by word.

The Third Hokage frowned, expressing his displeasure, "Lord Raikage is being unreasonable!"

"Either hand over the body, or we go to war! These are Lord Raikage's exact words." Dasuka, as if having grasped Konoha's weakness, said triumphantly.

"Fine! Then let's go to war!" At this moment, Akira Kurama couldn't hold back any longer. He couldn't stand this clown showing off his intelligence in front of him, and the Third Hokage even had a "I almost believed you" expression. So, he blurted out without thinking. However, he regretted it as soon as he spoke. Damn it! I'm still too young!

"Who are you?!" Dasuka was surprised that someone dared to jump out at this moment. He turned around sharply, wanting to see who was so bold.

"Akira Kurama, acting representative of the Kurama Clan!" Akira Kurama sighed inwardly. Since I've already spoken up, I'll continue!

He walked out from the corner and looked at Dasuka, saying, "The dead should be respected. Things have reached this point. If Lord Raikage continues to be aggressive, then let's fight!" Speaking of which, Akira Kurama looked at the Third Hokage and said, "Lord Hokage, Konoha can make concessions and endure for the sake of peace. The clan heads present can understand your good intentions, and the Daimyo will also understand. However, if peace requires sacrificing dignity, then we'd rather not have this ridiculous peace! A scholar can be killed but not disgraced. This ancient saying echoes in my ears. The First Hokage and Madara Uchiha, those two heroes, did not establish Konoha through forbearance!"

Speaking of which, Akira Kurama looked at everyone present and shouted in a highly inflammatory tone, "Yesterday, we didn't stand up to protect our comrades, and we could still comfort ourselves with 'for peace.' Today, these people are pushing their luck and want to take away our comrade's body! What do they want to do? What have we gained by sacrificing our comrades for peace?! Gentlemen, our concessions have only led to their endless demands. Since that's the case, why not fight with all our might! Everyone will die eventually, some heavier than Mount Tai, others lighter than a feather. My Kurama Clan would rather die gloriously on the battlefield than live ignominiously under the enemy's breath!"

"Let's go to war!" Gekko Hayato was the first to respond. He had also had enough of these Cloud Ninja's arrogant attitude.

"Let's fight! You little brats from Kumogakure!" Hana Inuzuka placed a foot on the table and roared heroically.

"The Hyuga Clan will never compromise. If you want war, then war!" Hyuga Hiashi also spoke.

Fugaku Uchiha regretted coming. In this situation, if he retreated, rumors would spread tonight that the Uchiha Clan was afraid of the Raikage. How could Fugaku Uchiha, who valued reputation so much, tolerate this? Thus, he also said, "It's been a while since we've fought the Cloud Ninja. My Uchiha Clan's Sharingan are getting restless!"

Akira Kurama gave Fugaku Uchiha a strange look. That phrasing... it was quite appropriate!

"You see, representative, if you want to take the body, then we'll fight!" The Third Hokage looked at Akira Kurama with a bewildered expression. Who taught this brat? He had ruined the peace he had painstakingly maintained with just a few words! Damn it, what if they actually went to war with Kumogakure?

"You, you..." Dasuka looked at everyone in horror. He never expected that his assertiveness would be met with Konoha's counterattack. The Third Great Ninja War had just ended not long ago, and although Konoha was weakened by the Nine-Tails Fox incident, it didn't mean Kumogakure would dare to confront Konoha.

If it really came to a fight, the Sannin, Princess Tsunade Hime and the Demon, Jiraiya, would definitely return. Although the Third Hokage was old, it didn't mean he was weak. Didn't you see that the Third Tsuchikage always looked like he was about to enter the grave, yet he was still so formidable? Moreover, the Uchiha Clan alone, along with the Hyuga Clan, would be enough to give the Raikage a headache.