Attitudes of All Parties

Neji's actions in Konoha had sent shockwaves through every faction, leaving them all stunned.

A student who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy, a mere twelve-year-old child, an ordinary disciple from the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family! Such an inconspicuous figure suddenly erupted, killing over forty elites from Root, the Anbu, and the Hyuga Clan in one fell swoop.

After killing them, he didn't even bother to escape. Instead, he headed straight for the Hokage's office building. Under the encirclement of the Third Hokage and numerous Konoha elites, he showed no fear and unleashed a super S-rank Ninjutsu, reducing Konoha's center—the Hokage's office building—to dust!

And the Hokage's office building wasn't just a simple office. It was a repository for countless secret techniques, hidden knowledge, and archives. Konoha's highest secret, the Scroll of Seals, was also stored there!

This was an outright slap in the face, a blatant humiliation!

It severely impacted Konoha's and the Land of Fire's dominant position in the international arena!

This would become an even more ridiculous joke than the Uchiha Clan's annihilation by a thirteen-year-old child!

The foremost village in the Ninja World was first massacred by a thirteen-year-old child, and the village's own ninja only discovered it the next day at noon. Over a thousand people had been slaughtered.

And now, just over three years later, a twelve-year-old child from another of Konoha's great clans, in broad daylight, broke through the encirclement and obliterated the Hokage's office building and its surrounding area with a single Ninjutsu.

Even more laughable was that this twelve-year-old brat, like the thirteen-year-old who annihilated a clan, had successfully escaped!

The news couldn't be contained. Within just two days, the other four great nations received this explosive news. The Raikage laughed so hard his jaw nearly unhinged, exclaiming that Konoha was finished. He claimed the old Third Hokage was too old and only knew how to play political games, and not even well at that. He even began contemplating another invasion of the Land of Fire.

The Kazekage, the Tsuchikage, and the recently appointed Mizukage shared similar thoughts: Konoha was truly in decline. This might very well be the beginning of the Fourth Great Ninja War!

Within Konoha, however, unrest was also brewing.

First, let's talk about the instigator of this incident, the Hyuga Clan. At this moment, the Hyuga compound was suffocatingly tense.

After parting ways with Neji last night, Hyuga Hiashi hadn't rested at all. He had convened the clan elders overnight to discuss Neji's matter.

When the six white-haired clan elders heard that Neji had already escaped the "Caged Bird" curse mark, their expressions were indescribable.

It was like a miser who had guarded a treasure for a lifetime, only to be told one day, "This treasure doesn't belong to you. It belongs to someone else, and you need to return it now."

These six white-haired clan elders felt the same way as the miser. They believed the Branch Family was their property, destined to be controlled by them, to obey them, and to serve and protect the Main Family! That was the Branch Family's mission!

Now, they were being told that someone from the Branch Family no longer obeyed them, had broken free from their control, was no longer their property, and would no longer serve or protect the Main Family!

And this person might even possess the method to remove the "Caged Bird" curse mark from other Branch Family members.

This made it impossible for these elders to listen to another word Hyuga Hiashi said. Their minds were filled with only one thought: "Kill him! We must kill him!!"

The six elders' stance was surprisingly unified and unyielding! There was no room for negotiation!

Hyuga Hiashi repeatedly emphasized Neji's strength, but the elders completely ignored him. How strong could a twelve-year-old child possibly be? Even with Sage Mode, how many could he fight? Dozens? Hundreds?

Under the clan head's persistent efforts, he, along with three elders, attended an emergency meeting with the Hokage and the leader of Root, Danzo.

At the meeting, Hyuga Hiashi finished explaining the situation. Before the Hokage could speak, Danzo, the leader of Root, his eyes lighting up upon hearing that Neji had mastered Sage Mode, was the first to declare his agreement to capture Neji and offered to take full responsibility for the operation.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was about to say something, but he swallowed his words before he could utter them. After a moment of silence, he continued, "First, evacuate the civilians and minimize casualties. If Neji is willing to surrender, his life will be guaranteed!"

The Third Hokage paused and added, "I will arrange for some Anbu members to assist in the capture operation."

These simple words seemed to seal Hyuga Neji's fate!

Just like seven years ago, a similar simple meeting had determined the fate of Neji's father, Hizashi Hyuga!

There would be no mistakes. In Konoha, they were heaven and earth. Their words could decide a person's life or death!

However, when the actual operation commenced, the outcome far exceeded the expectations of Konoha's higher-ups and the Hyuga Clan.

Neji's actions were like a size 48 slipper, slapping them hard across the face, in front of everyone, slapping the left side, then the right side!

The pain was one thing, but the sheer humiliation was immense! It had spread beyond their borders!

After unleashing his fury on Root, Danzo fell into a deathly silence, his desire to capture Neji and torture him growing stronger. He immediately issued the highest-level capture order!

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the edge of the massive crater Neji had created, frantically puffing on his pipe to conceal his inner turmoil!

Possessing strength close to, or even reaching, the Kage level at just twelve years old! What terrifying talent! If judged purely on talent, Neji definitely surpassed Itachi Uchiha!

Yet, Itachi Uchiha was driven to massacre his entire clan and join the Akatsuki, his fate unknown. Hyuga Neji, due to his own oversight, was pushed to defect from the village and forge a deadly enmity with Konoha!

The Third Hokage then thought of Orochimaru, who had defected and was now abroad; Jiraiya, who was not fulfilling his duties; Tsunade, who had left the village; and the Fourth Hokage, who was already gone.

The Third Hokage suddenly felt old and truly unfit to continue serving as Hokage!

But the village's young geniuses were being destroyed one after another! He felt he had failed the First and Second Hokage!

Sasuke and Haku had been closely watching Neji's situation. They knew this was no simple matter, and they also knew Neji was not someone to be trifled with. When they saw Neji break through the encirclement, destroy the Hokage's office building with one move, and escape safely riding the Thunder Roc, they both breathed a sigh of relief for Neji.

Sasuke even felt a bit envious of Neji's ability to act so freely, seeking revenge decisively and without any attachments!

Wasn't this the outcome he himself yearned for? When his own strength was sufficient, he would eliminate all those who directly or indirectly caused the Uchiha Clan's demise!

Sasuke thought silently. Until Neji's figure disappeared into the sky, he turned and returned to his training room to continue improving his strength!