Infuriating

Hizashi glanced at Xu Fan and ultimately did not refuse.

The discussion over how to resolve the conflict with Kumogakure had already concluded.

He would die in place of Hyuga Hiashi, and his corpse would be handed over to Kumogakure.

The matter had been settled.

"Come with me."

Hizashi had Neji remain here to protect his younger sister, Hinata, then turned and led the way.

"Thank you."

As the two walked one behind the other, Hizashi suddenly offered his thanks again midway through.

Xu Fan glanced at him and indicated that it was nothing.

"No." Hizashi shook his head. "Lady Hinata is not only the hope of the Main House, but also my brother Hiashi's daughter."

"Besides, I was the one on watch that night. If..."

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

Seeing this, Xu Fan directly cut Hizashi off and told him not to continue.

Maybe this was what happened when someone was about to die.

Although Hizashi had not appeared much in Naruto, Xu Fan had always felt that he was a stern and reserved man.

The enormous pressure of bearing the Caged Bird Seal had always left him unable to breathe.

It was hard to imagine someone like him opening his heart to a stranger like Xu Fan.

"Mm, I misspoke." Hizashi froze for a moment, then nodded. He fell silent once more and led Xu Fan toward the meeting room.

Xu Fan did not say anything either. Instead, his mind raced as he planned what he would say shortly.

At the end of the day, he was only an ordinary person. Though he now had power, he was not skilled at scheming or maneuvering.

If he were thrown into a world like Death Note or Hunter x Hunter, where battles of wits were necessary, he would probably be completely lost in no time.

Who am I? Where am I? How did I die?

To make the Hyuga Clan and the Konoha leadership willingly abandon the idea of sacrificing Hizashi, he needed to choose his words carefully.

Before long, Xu Fan followed Hizashi through the entrance hall and arrived at the meeting room where the Third Hokage and the Hyuga Clan had discussed their decision.

What Xu Fan had not expected was that, aside from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were here as well.

When they noticed Xu Fan following behind Hizashi, a trace of surprise flashed through their eyes.

"Why are you here?"

Noticing the Hyuga Main Family's displeasure at Xu Fan's arrival, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately spoke first. He then shot Xu Fan a glance, signaling for him to leave first.

Although Clan Head Hyuga Hiashi was grateful to Xu Fan for saving his daughter, that did not mean the elders would feel the same way.

Hinata's excessive timidity had especially left them somewhat disappointed.

More importantly, this was a discussion between the Hyuga Clan's highest leaders and Konoha's leaders. What right did someone like Xu Fan, who was not even a ninja, have to set foot here?

"Hizashi, what is going on?"

A Hyuga Elder immediately launched into an attack. There was not the slightest guilt on his face over sacrificing Hizashi—only arrogant condescension.

"It's..."

Hizashi had intended to explain that Xu Fan had said he needed to see the Third Hokage on an urgent matter, which was why he had brought him here.

But the moment he began to speak, Xu Fan's voice drowned him out and interrupted him.

"Are you planning to send Hizashi Hyuga to his death?"

Xu Fan chose to seize the initiative.

Not only the Hyuga Main Family, but even the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were stunned.

Was this guy questioning their decision?

And how did he know about this?

Had Hizashi told him?

Hadn't he just said that he was willing to sacrifice himself to save the Hyuga Clan and the village?

How could he reveal it to an outsider in the blink of an eye?

"Hizashi!"

The Hyuga Elder slammed his palm heavily onto the table. His face was filled with fury, veins bulging one after another at his temples as he glared at Hizashi as though demanding an explanation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately rebuked Xu Fan as well, telling him not to act so recklessly here.

Though he did not know why Hizashi had told Xu Fan about this, it was not something Xu Fan had any right to involve himself in.

Hizashi, who had suddenly become the target of everyone's ire, was equally bewildered.

From beginning to end, he had not said a single word about it to Xu Fan!

How had this guy learned of it?

Could he possibly read minds?

The most awkward question was how to deal with the situation now.

"Elder, I..."

But to Hizashi's utter surprise, just as he was about to explain, Xu Fan interrupted him again.

"This is the Hyuga Clan? You accuse people without evidence, and whenever something happens, you hide behind the Branch House and huddle together for warmth? Where is your sense of responsibility? Is this all you've got?"

At once, Xu Fan's words were like a boulder dropped into a lake, stirring up enormous waves.

Not only the Hyuga Main Family, but even the Hyuga Branch House members glared angrily at Xu Fan.

What was wrong with Xu Fan today?

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Xu Fan in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"If Hizashi did not tell you, then how did you learn of this?"

Only the Hyuga Main Family elder remained seated on the floor. Though he was furious as well, he was not like the younger generation, whose reason had been clouded by anger.

"As a member of the Senju Clan, if you do not have a reasonable explanation, this is not something an apology can simply erase."

The Hyuga Elder stared straight at Xu Fan. Their eyes met, their words like biting cold winds pressing toward one another.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had not been here to keep order, Xu Fan would not have left this room after what he had just said!

It was no exaggeration to say that the only reason this young Senju could still stand there and speak was out of respect for the Third Hokage.

"When the Senju Clan does something, why should we explain ourselves to you?"

Xu Fan strode forward, shielding Hizashi Hyuga behind him as he spoke with resounding force.

In terms of sheer presence alone, Xu Fan single-handedly overwhelmed the entire Hyuga Main Family.

In truth, it was not because Xu Fan was rash and reckless.

It was because he had the confidence!

He now possessed not only Hashirama Senju-level chakra, but also the Kekkei Genkai unique to Hashirama Senju—Wood Release.

Chakra plus Wood Release.

He was practically the First Hokage.

An explanation?

The fact that he had not already dropped a Tree World Descent right on their faces was courtesy enough.

"Enough."

Seeing the situation rapidly spiral out of control, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only shout to stop both sides.

This interrupted Hizashi Hyuga once again, just as he had been about to speak and stop everyone.

"Lord Hokage, I cannot pretend I did not hear those words."

The Hyuga Elder was deeply frustrated. He had thought that, faced with this situation, Xu Fan would temper his attitude out of caution.

As long as Xu Fan offered even a slight explanation, it would give both sides a way out.

He could also show the Hokage some respect and let the matter end there.

After all, Hizashi's death was already a foregone conclusion, and there was no need to pursue the issue any further.

But what the Hyuga Main Family had never expected was that Xu Fan would continue to speak so arrogantly. If they endured this, would anyone in Konoha be able to come and bully the Hyuga Clan from now on?

Even if he wanted to endure it, his position would not allow it.

Then, the Hyuga Elder made a hand signal, and countless Hyuga Branch House members rushed straight at Xu Fan.