Stand Firm, Never Retreat

Although that's what they were thinking, they were too embarrassed to say it out loud, since it was tantamount to asking Hizashi Hyuga to die, and the person involved was still present.

Furthermore, the Hyuga Clan did nothing wrong from beginning to end; they merely killed the criminals who had invaded their clan. However, this was a deliberate act by the Cloud Village Gang. How could they guard against someone who was determined to die...?

Shuichi was astute as could be. The old Hyuga clan Hyuga a very mature political strategist. He knew that many ninjas did not want a war. If they insisted on sticking to the Hyuga Clan, no matter what the outcome, there would inevitably be some gossip.

Therefore, he deliberately made Hizashi Hyuga a scapegoat, sacrificing one person to gain favor from other Ninja Clan and Civilian Ninja, which would actually consolidate the Hyuga Clan's position in Konoha. No one could find fault with that.

As the scene fell silent, Shuichi, standing at the front, spoke up, "Please hear me out. Although this matter only involves the Hyuga Clan, the village is everyone's big family, and naturally it is closely related to you and me."

"First, we need to analyze the nature of this matter. The Cloud's actions can be described as blatantly targeting the Byakugan, openly displaying their greed for Konoha's Kekkei Genkai."

"This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was something I'd been planning for a long time." Shuichi pulled out some materials he'd prepared beforehand. "Over the years, we've had constant minor skirmishes with the Land of Lightning, so we can easily deduce some of the core strategies behind Kumogakure."

"While other nations began to recuperate, they maintained their warlike ways and spared no effort in arming their villages. Tailed Beast, Kekkei Genkai, secret techniques... they spared no one, and many small ninja villages have already suffered terribly."

Moreover, this line of thinking has continued for two or three decades without stopping. They are extremely ruthless even to their own people. In order to use the Tailed Beast on the battlefield, they constantly select Jinchuriki Test Subjects and sacrifice many ninjas for repeated testing. So you can imagine what their Foreign Policy is like.

The Third Hokage added, "That's indeed the case. After successfully Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, there are reports that they've set their sights on the Two-Tails. Back then, we used the Byakugan to gain strategic advantages many times, so their actions now are not surprising."

Shuichi organized his thoughts. "I know that no one wants war, and I myself yearn for peace even more. But as a ninja, I cannot escape or fear war. To maintain the status of the Number One Ninja Village, we will always face various challenges."

"Now, the key issue is no longer about a pair of Byakugan or whether someone lives or dies, but about the attitude of Konoha towards the outside world."

"If we show weakness to the enemy in the face of other countries' probing and covetousness, the Entire Ninja World will see it clearly. Then, in the future, who can guarantee that this won't happen a second time..."

The heads of the various clans had serious expressions. They didn't have Twin Younger Brother or anything like that, and they certainly didn't have the Main Family Dominates Branch Family Destiny like the Hyuga.

"I have made up my mind. All Konoha Ninja are my family, and now is the time to risk my life to protect them." Shuichi turned around, his face calm as he looked at the many ninjas behind him. "I cannot make decisions for you, but I can guarantee that once the battle begins, I will be at the forefront, in the most dangerous places."

"I agree with the village's rejection of Cloud's unreasonable demands!" Uchiha Fugaku chimed in. Besides the Byakugan, Konoha also Sharingan. Did the proud and arrogant Uchiha really want to be threatened into handing over their Kekkei Genkai?

"If war breaks out, the Uchiha will provide a sufficient number of ninjas."

"I second that!" Nara Shikaku the second to speak.

"..."

Several other ninja clans followed suit, and many more ninjas remained inactive for the time being, with everyone's attention focused on the Third Hokage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and said in a loud voice, "Let's vote. Raise your hand if you agree to respond positively to the Land of Lightning's demands."

In the Meeting Room, most people raised their hands at the same time, while the remaining few sensed that something was amiss. Seeing that many eyes were about to be drawn to them, they hurriedly followed suit, which made Shuichi smile inwardly.

"Then, it's settled!"

Following this Jonin Conference Room, Konoha quickly responded strongly to the Cloud Village Envoy, stating that Konoha would not bear any responsibility for the minor leader's nighttime intrusion into the Hyuga Family Main House with malicious intent.

They also questioned the Alliance Contract with Kumogakure, believing it lacked sincerity. The Kumogakure delegation, filled with resentment, was politely asked to leave the village and, carrying their leader's corpse, rushed back to the Land of Lightning as quickly as possible.

Kumogakure, a village located on a plateau, is often shrouded in clouds and mist.

Shortly after a group of ninjas rushed into the village, the sound of a table being smashed echoed from a Semi-Suspended Building nestled against the mountain in the center of the village...

"Bang!"

The Fourth Raikage A, slammed his fist down, smashing the desk in two. His face contorted with rage, he roared, "Konoha has gone too far!"

The newly appointed secretary Mabui, was still a young girl with a youthful face. She panicked slightly when she saw the Raikage's actions, but quickly regained her composure. "Lord Raikage, what do you plan to do?"

"Konoha must be taught a lesson!" A was still furious. "Compile Ninja List for me immediately, and prepare for the attack within a short period of time!"

Just as Konoha needs to protect its pride, the Land of Lightning cannot simply ignore the loss of one person. Now, it is inevitable that the two sides will have to fight a fierce battle to prove who is the boss.

Mabui added, "Is it necessary to allocate a large amount of grain and war supplies?"

Ai's expression darkened, and he was about to speak when the door opened, interrupting him. Several senior ninjas, all experienced advisors from Kumogakure, entered. "Lord Raikage, please calm down. Now is not the time to start Total War..."

"..."

After a heated argument, the group finally managed to calm down the hot-tempered Ai.

Everyone knows that, given the current situation, it's impossible for the other countries to join forces with the Land of Lightning to attack Konoha. If a full-scale war were to break out, it would be a one-on-one battle against the strongest ninja village, and the risks are simply too great.

Therefore, after repeated discussions, Cloud decided to send a highly mobile Elite Force to sweep the Land of Fire Border, taking advantage of the time difference to gain an advantage and thus make Konoha suffer a hidden loss.

Although Ai was somewhat impulsive, as a Shadow, he was still intelligent and knew that the advisors' words were wise and experienced, so he had no choice but to agree in the end.

"In that case, just in case I have to go myself, since I can't stay in the village, I'll follow behind and provide cover!"

"... yes!"