I Want It All

The Hyuga Clan was especially lively today!

The Branch Family, in particular—ordinarily, they had little interest in participating in events like this.

But as the announcement continued to spread throughout the clan, they began to grow enthusiastic.

And their eyes remained fixed on Hyuga Makoto the entire time!

If Hyuga Makoto had not been sitting with Kakashi and Hyuga Hiashi, they would have gone over to chat with him long ago...

Yet this enthusiasm kept driving the Main Branch members' blood pressure higher and higher, while they could do nothing but endure it.

What occupied their minds most now was how to deal with the problems that would arise afterward.

"Clan Head, I'm afraid I must take my leave."

At the main table, Kakashi estimated the time and glanced at the number of Hyuga Clan members present.

Only then did he turn politely to Hyuga Hiashi and speak.

He had come to lend Hyuga Makoto his support and to see how widely the announcement had spread.

Now that it seemed his task was complete, he naturally intended to leave.

"As an Anbu, I may receive a mission at any time, so..."

"Is that so? What a pity."

Hyuga Hiashi smiled and slowly rose to his feet.

"In that case, Makoto and I will see you out."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Kakashi knew the two of them might have something to discuss, so he did not refuse.

Hyuga Makoto was also sensible enough to rise directly and follow them outside.

Sure enough, once they had seen Kakashi off, Hyuga Hiashi stopped walking.

"Makoto, congratulations. You truly exceeded my expectations."

"It was just good luck. Ao was too impatient."

Standing to one side, Hyuga Makoto replied with a soft laugh.

"And I also have to thank Uncle Hizashi. He was strict with me back then. Otherwise..."

"Hizashi thought highly of you, and you did not disappoint him."

A hint of reminiscence appeared in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes before his expression turned serious.

"However, there are some things I need to remind you about."

"Please, Clan Head."

Hyuga Makoto roughly knew what Hyuga Hiashi wanted to say, so he nodded cooperatively.

"I believe you could sense the clan members' attitude toward you today."

Hyuga Hiashi considered his words before speaking slowly.

"You need to realize something. From now on, you will be somewhat different, but I hope..."

At that, he turned and looked sternly at Hyuga Makoto.

"You will remain calm and restrained. Do not let certain things cloud your judgment. Do you understand?"

"...I understand, Clan Head."

Hyuga Makoto could not help grumbling inwardly. Why did he have to speak like he was talking in riddles?

Still, he nodded seriously and replied in a low voice.

"Uncle Hizashi gave me the same advice when he trained me. The meaning may have been different, but I will keep it firmly in mind!"

"Hizashi..."

Hyuga Hiashi was somewhat speechless. Had his late younger brother really liked Hyuga Makoto that much?

He had even taught him such principles for conducting himself?

Suddenly, Hyuga Hiashi grew curious.

"Could you tell me whether Hizashi... ever mentioned me to you?"

"Uh..."

Hyuga Makoto was left awkward by the question. He had made all of it up!

"Clan Head, this may be a little presumptuous..."

"It's fine. Just say it."

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. His curiosity had truly been piqued now.

He did not know when it had begun, but his relationship with Hizashi had gradually grown more distant, until they had even become strangers!

He truly wanted to know how Hizashi had viewed him behind his back.

"This... all right."

Looking into Hyuga Hiashi's eyes, Hyuga Makoto knew there was no escaping this.

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly began to speak.

"Uncle Hizashi once told me that he deeply hated you as a member of the Main Branch—hated you enough that he even wanted to..."

"Is that so..."

Hyuga Hiashi seemed somewhat disappointed, but Hyuga Makoto's voice rang out again.

"But he deeply loved you as his older brother, and he was willing to protect you at the cost of his life. It's just a pity..."

"Me... as his older brother?"

Hyuga Hiashi froze, his gaze turning distant.

In a daze, it was as though he had returned to that night, and Hizashi's long-lost smile appeared before his eyes once more.

"I resent the Main Branch. I still do to this day!

But today, I do not see you as someone from the Main Branch, but as the older brother I will protect with my life.

For me, this is the first time I have had a choice. This, too, is a kind of freedom..."

Hizashi's voice echoed in his mind. Only after a long while did he let out a sigh.

"I understand. Thank you, Makoto."

"As long as the Clan Head isn't angry..."

Hyuga Makoto felt incredibly awkward, but Hyuga Hiashi actually showed a rare smile.

"I won't be angry. On the contrary, I should thank you. Thank you for helping me understand so much."

As he spoke, he raised his head and looked into the distance.

"You should head back first. The celebration can't do without you, and besides...

If you run into any problems in the future—anything you don't understand or can't handle—come find me, understand?"

"Yes. Then I'll take my leave."

Hyuga Makoto was really about to lose it. He immediately nodded, turned around, and left.

He was seriously considering whether he should dig up Hizashi Hyuga's grave ahead of time.

This was fucking terrifying...

"But now, it seems like I can make a move too?"

Though his head ached, he forced himself to calm down.

During the afternoon celebration, he had already figured out the clan's patrol arrangements and the timing of the Byakugan surveillance.

He could leave behind a Shadow Clone and slip away without making a sound.

There was just one matter he was still hesitating over.

He could only accept one mission and receive only one reward, but he wanted both Lord Danzo's and Shisui's things...

After pondering for a long time, a fierce glint gradually appeared in his eyes.

"I'll go take a look first. If there really is an opportunity, then Akatsuki Organization will just have to suffer a little more..."

"What is it, Lord Danzo? The meeting is about to begin."

As the sun set, before a ninja temple in a remote valley of Konoha.

Two Buddha statues stood on either side, while Shisui frowned at Danzo.

He did not know why Danzo had summoned him at such a time.

"If you use your ocular technique on Fugaku and persuade the Uchiha, but the village still does not change, what will you do?"

Just as he was pondering this, Danzo spoke indifferently. The question made Shisui's brows furrow slightly.

"Hokage-sama promised me that things would change."

"Even if he advocates for you, the villagers' suspicion toward you will not disappear so easily."

Danzo was dismissive, causing Shisui to hesitate somewhat.

"I understand, but it will only take some time..."

"And people as suspicious as me will not change so easily either."

This time, Danzo did not even give him a chance to finish.

"What will you do then?"

"Lord Danzo..."

Shisui had already sensed that something was wrong. At that moment, Danzo finally revealed his true intentions!

"Will you use Kotoamatsukami on me someday too?"

"I..."

Shisui's pupils constricted slightly. He had no idea how to answer that question, nor did he dare answer it lightly!

At that very moment, Danzo rushed before him with a savage expression.

"I'll take your Sharingan!"

"..."

A flash of crimson suddenly appeared in Shisui's eyes. In an instant, he seized Danzo's wrist, and Danzo froze in place!

"Just an ordinary genjutsu..."

Shisui sighed softly. He did not dare linger here.

"You'll wake up soon. Get some proper rest."

Buzz—

But just as he turned around, Danzo suddenly appeared before him again!

Bang—

A vicious punch slammed into his lower abdomen, and the searing pain doubled him over.

Danzo then ruthlessly struck his face several times before yanking him up by the hair. Finally, he reached out and gouged out one of his eyes!

Shisui was sent stumbling backward in a wretched fall. This scene seemed strangely familiar to him.

Only, back then it had been phantom pain. Now, it was real...

"This eye will serve as its replacement."

Danzo tore away the bandages on his face. A crimson Sharingan quietly turned white!

He stared coldly at Shisui as a group of Root ninja instantly appeared to protect him.

"Give this old man your other eye as well!"

Shisui knew the situation was dire. Enduring the pain, he swiftly formed hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"

The Root ninja collectively unleashed Water Style, quickly blocking the Great Fireball Technique.

Mist instantly filled the area, and Shisui immediately took the chance to flee.

"Chase him."

Danzo snorted coldly, ordering every Root member to hunt Shisui down.

He himself remained where he was, quietly examining the Sharingan in his hand.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan... power like Uchiha Madara's..."

A rare smile appeared on Danzo's face. Having already been injected with Hashirama Cells, he desperately needed Sharingan to maintain the balance.

This was the solution Orochimaru had developed. With this power, Danzo believed he would surely become Hokage!

"Only the other one remains. But first, I'll return and transplant this one."

Feeling the energy within his body begin to stir, Danzo did not dare hesitate.

Yet just as he turned around, he suddenly saw a figure had silently appeared behind him!

"Who goes there?!"

Danzo's face changed dramatically. He had never imagined that, on Konoha's territory, someone would wait until the mantis stalked the cicada before swooping in as the oriole?

And strike precisely when he was at his most relaxed, his most pleased with himself?

But he had no time to think. A blade was already slashing fiercely toward him...