Silence as Usual

Hyuga Kagami had instantly become the focus of everyone in the hall because he was no longer the disposable Chunin from the era of the Third Shinobi World War.

Now, as the principal of the Ninja Academy, he wielded considerable authority and was one of Konoha's higher-ups qualified to attend high-level meetings.

Moreover, as one of Konoha's younger generation of ninja, his excellence was plain for all to see.

By now, more and more Konoha ninja had begun mentioning Hyuga Kagami alongside Uchiha Shisui of the Uchiha Clan and Hatake Kakashi, the Fourth Hokage's disciple. They regarded the three of them as Konoha's new generation of "Konoha's Three Sannin."

That was precisely why this Hyuga Branch Family member in the corner was so curious. How would Hyuga Kagami, a young Branch Family member in a high position and at the height of his ambition, respond to the accusations of the Main Branch elders?

Feeling the eyes of everyone in the hall upon him, Hyuga Kagami slowly rose to his feet.

Beside him, Hizashi, who had been bowed low, repeatedly winked at him. His hints had practically become outright signals, and his expression was incomparably anxious, as though he were just short of openly trying to persuade him.

A little farther away, Hyuga Rin had dropped directly to her knees, her gaze fixed on Hyuga Kagami with pleading in her eyes.

She vaguely sensed that the thing she least wanted to see might be about to happen. Endless panic consumed her, and she stared fixedly at Hyuga Kagami, her heart practically lodged in her throat.

Seeing the tear tracks already on Hyuga Rin's cheeks and the glistening tears filling her eyes, Hyuga Kagami gave her the same gentle smile he always did.

The Main Branch elder furrowed his brows and asked,