"It's not about what I want. It's about what the Patriarch wants, isn't it?"
Hyuga Sho kicked the ball back.
He avoided giving anyone an excuse to criticize him while continuing to pressure the other side.
"I've been working diligently since I was five... guarding the Hyuga Clan, tolerating both the Branch Family and Main Family... Patriarch, your memory can't be that bad, can it..."
"..."
Hyuga Hiashi was rendered speechless.
No one could find fault with Hyuga Sho's use of the moral high ground.
But...
Only those trapped within such a system could understand just how painful words like these were...
At this moment.
Hyuga Hiashi somewhat understood the plight of the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha Clan had also been forced into a corner step by step by the Konoha High Command.
They had grievances they could not voice.
Yet the Konoha High Command still put on an expression that said, I'm doing this for your own good.
Hyuga Sho's methods... were exactly the same as those of the Konoha High Command.
"You... and the people behind you, what are you trying to do?"
Hyuga Hiashi did not name anyone directly.
Instead, he was hinting that Hyuga Sho had authorization from the Konoha High Command behind him.
"I don't understand what you're saying, Patriarch."
Hyuga Sho shook his head.
"Since you're in a bad mood today, Patriarch... I'll come back another day to spar with Madam..."
As he spoke, Hyuga Sho left the room and passed through the corridor.
He brushed past Hyuga Hiashi, who was standing there motionless.
"Wait...!"
A few minutes later.
In a narrow little dojo.
Hyuga Sho and Hyuga Hiashi sat facing each other.
Their private conversation would determine the fate of the two of them... and even that of the entire Hyuga Clan.