Hizashi Hyuga's Last Words

"I wasn't killed to protect the main family, but died protecting my older brother and the village!"

"Although Neji is my son, he betrayed his clan, village, and country. His crimes are unforgivable, and he must be eliminated as soon as possible."

Yugito Nii pondered for a moment, then handed the letter in his hand to Dodai, his expression stern.

"Dodai, what do you think?"

Dodai took the letter and glanced at it, his brow furrowed.

"Hizashi Hyuga was pushed out as a scapegoat, but it seems he didn't hate the main family?!"

"Instead, he harbored hatred for Neji, who defected from Konohagakure. The father-son bond is so weak. The Hyuga clan is truly strange."

Yugito Nii shook his head. "Dodai, often what we see is not the whole truth."

Dodai raised an eyebrow and asked, "Raikage-sama, are you saying there's something wrong with Hizashi Hyuga's last words?"

Yugito Nii nodded. "Whether Hizashi Hyuga sacrificed himself willingly or not is unknown. Whether these last words came from Hizashi Hyuga himself is also unknown. But from the outcome, 'Hizashi Hyuga' leaving such last words is greatly beneficial to the Hyuga clan and Konohagakure, so the possibility of forgery is very high."

"That makes sense!"

Dodai's expression paused, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Hizashi Hyuga was the head of the branch family and held considerable prestige among them.

Such a person, inexplicably pushed out as a scapegoat, would be unbearable to anyone with even a shred of spirit.

The main family, in order to preserve the Hyuga clan's honor, forged his last words, linking Hizashi Hyuga's death to Hyuga Hiashi's life and the village's interests.

As for the second set of last words, it was likely tied to the Hokage faction.

Neji had only two possible outcomes.

One was to be rescued by Konohagakure or simply eliminated.

The other was to remain in Kumogakure, either as breeding stock or as a Kumogakure ninja.

Although Konohagakure was a sick tiger, it gathered the most elite ninjas in the ninja world. The difficulty of rescuing Neji was high, but not impossible.

However, given the Hyuga clan's ethics, even if Neji were rescued, saving his life would be a luxury, let alone any future prospects.

As for dispatching elite ANBU to eliminate Neji, that would be even simpler and more convenient.

If Dodai were in Konohagakure's position, he would definitely kill Neji.

For Konohagakure, betraying a comrade for peace was a great disgrace. Killing Neji and covering up this dark history with blood would be the most stable solution.

The public is forgetful. Who would remember this father and son after more than ten years?

With Hizashi Hyuga's second set of last words, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have sufficient reason to eliminate Neji Hyuga.

Assuming both sets of last words were forged, the motive has been found.

So, is it possible that the last words were genuine?

Dodai couldn't say for sure.

But one thing was certain: if the last words truly came from Hizashi Hyuga, then Hizashi Hyuga was beyond saving and deserved no sympathy.

Recalling his thoughts, Dodai looked at Yugito Nii and said, "Raikage-sama, how do you plan to deal with Neji?"

Yugito Nii did not answer, but instead asked, "Dodai, how do you think I should handle it?"

A sharp glint appeared in Dodai's single eye, and he said gravely, "Our purpose in capturing the Hyuga child is for the Byakugan bloodline. Therefore, I suggest we raise Neji and use him as breeding stock. In twenty years, Kumogakure will have a vast Byakugan clan."

Yugito Nii nodded. "Lowest risk, highest reward. That's a good idea."

Dodai said, "Then, Raikage-sama, do you agree?"

Yugito Nii shook his head. "No, I refuse."

Dodai's face showed confusion.

Yugito Nii had always been an excellent leader who listened to advice and rarely rejected his subordinates' suggestions.

Dodai curiously pressed, "Why?"

Yugito Nii said, "Samui mentioned that the child gave up the chance to escape back to Konohagakure and voluntarily came to Kumogakure. If I were to treat that child as breeding stock, wouldn't outsiders say that Kumogakure is unforgiving?"

"Is it just for this reason!"

Dodai's expression stiffened slightly, but a smile soon appeared on his lips.

He followed Yugito Nii wholeheartedly and was willing to be commanded by him, precisely because he was moved by Yugito Nii's magnanimity.

"No, this is only one of the reasons."

"Oh?" Dodai's eyebrows twitched.

"Before making a decision, let's meet the child first!"

Yugito Nii did not continue, but instead summoned an ANBU ninja.

"Samui, the Raikage-sama has summoned Neji!"

A dark figure appeared outside the window and whispered something to the voluptuous woman.

"Understood."

Samui narrowed her eyes.

After a moment of thought, she put the food in her hands into the refrigerator, then took Neji's small hand and walked out of the courtyard towards the Raikage's building.

Silence all the way.

"Neji, Kumogakure's scenery is quite special, isn't it?"

After walking a stretch, Samui rubbed her sore shoulder and initiated the conversation.

"Mhm, it really is special."

Neji replied softly as he looked at the treacherous peaks on either side of the steps that pierced the clouds.

Then, silence fell again.

The majestic peaks and strange scenery filled Neji, who had lived in flatlands for two lifetimes, with a sense of novelty.

But honestly, at this moment, he didn't have much mood to appreciate the scenery.

He was thinking about how the Fourth Raikage would deal with him and what he could do to improve his treatment.

Samui glanced down at the preoccupied Neji, her eyebrows twitching slightly.

Through several days of interaction, she believed she had a good grasp of Neji's temperament.

Although Neji was only four years old, he was mature for his age, giving Samui the feeling that she was dealing with someone her own age.

Looking at the pensive Neji, Samui remained silent for a long time before saying, "Neji, from what I know of Lord Raikage, he will definitely make proper arrangements for you... If that kind of situation really arises, I will also take care of you, big sister."

"Thank you, big sister."

Neji lowered his gaze.

The Yotsuki clan had lived in the highlands of the Land of Lightning for hundreds of years, known throughout the ninja world for their strength and unity.

Yotsuki A was a very pure Yotsuki clan member.

He was generous with his own people.

Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was subservient to outsiders and heavy-handed internally.

But the problem was, just being in Kumogakure didn't mean you were one of them.

Kumogakure had gone to such great lengths to obtain the Byakugan simply to spread the Byakugan bloodline on this land.

The worst-case scenario was becoming a stud.

If it wasn't necessary, Neji didn't want to be a stud, unless he changed his mind someday.

If he could make Yotsuki A realize his value exceeded that of a stud, he might be able to secure better treatment.

Therefore, Neji planned to paint a grand picture for Yotsuki A.

Samui said at this moment, "The Raikage's building is just ahead. Don't overthink it, prepare to meet Lord Raikage."

Actually, Samui hadn't said some things that were on her mind.

No matter the outcome, Neji couldn't change it.

Since he couldn't change it, he might as well lie down and enjoy it.

The women of Kumogakure weren't bad either.

Moreover, if he didn't like them, he could always go to other villages and snatch some.