I'm Here to See Lord Hizashi Off

"This..."

Everyone present fell silent. One of the Main Branch Elders could not help but sigh. "If Hiashi had captured that Kumogakure ninja alive, perhaps the situation would have been better."

"It wouldn't." Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, shattering his naïve fantasy. "According to the intelligence gathered earlier, the Fourth Raikage has gained a secretary named Mabui. Not only is she one of the few female Jonin, but she is also calm, wise, and capable."

"I imagine this plan came from her. Before the Kumogakure delegation even arrived, they had already made up their minds: either successfully take Hinata Hyuga away, or die at the hands of a Main Branch member. This is an outright open scheme."

This time, Konoha had truly been had.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen had not expected that Kumogakure, which had always been crude and reckless, would now know how to play dirty.

With just that shout Yurui had made before escaping, coupled with the fact that so many villagers had witnessed it firsthand, and that Yurui had ultimately died at the hands of Hyuga Hiashi, Konoha was thoroughly caught with its pants down.

Other than those present who knew all the details, no one would believe Konoha had not done this. Even Konoha's own villagers would never believe it. Konoha had been firmly saddled with this blame.

At present, Konoha had only two choices.

Either protect Hyuga Hiashi at all costs and go to war with Kumogakure, or sacrifice Hyuga Hiashi and compromise with Kumogakure.

"..."

Hyuga Hiashi and the six Main Branch Elders understood this as well. Apart from Hyuga Riwo, the other six could not help but look grim.

Since Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had handed the "choice" to them, it meant that the Hyuga Clan no longer truly had a choice.

War meant people would die—very, very many people.

The Land of Lightning had specifically named Hyuga Hiashi as the culprit. What right did they have to make the village risk war to protect them?

One could imagine that if war broke out again, the currently weakened Konoha would certainly become the target of every other shinobi village. Anyone could die in the war.

Human nature was selfish. No one was willing to die for the Hyuga Clan.

"Since that is the case."

After a long silence, Hyuga Hiashi finally spoke. Even though he tried to remain calm, his voice was still somewhat hoarse. "If my life alone can save the village..."

"Wait."

Before Hyuga Hiashi could finish, Hyuga Riwo suddenly interrupted him. Shaking his head, he said, "Hiashi, don't be so impulsive."

"The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan does not belong to the Hyuga Clan alone. It is also extremely important to the village, and it absolutely cannot fall into the hands of Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning."

As he said this, Hyuga Riwo's gaze flickered toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, seated at the head of the room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen merely remained silent. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with the Hyuga Clan and wanted to shift the responsibility onto them, he had to admit that this was not wrong.

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan had possessed immense strategic significance in the previous two Shinobi World Wars. If Kumogakure, which excelled at researching Ninjutsu, obtained it and deciphered some secret from it, it would be a disastrous loss for Konoha.

Of course, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed with those words, he could not possibly voice his opinion.

The blame for bringing war upon them currently rested on the Hyuga Clan. If he took the initiative to shoulder that blame, he would have to choose between abandoning his "companions" or starting a war. Then, every death would be counted against him.

This was simply a trolley problem. No matter which choice he made, he would bear the burden of human lives.

Even he did not know how to choose. Instead, he was somewhat curious what that old man Hyuga Riwo was planning by saying this now.

"But we cannot let Konoha be dragged into another hopeless war because of this." Hyuga Hiashi frowned.

If one had to say how much he cared about Konoha, that was not necessarily true. What he cared more about was the Hyuga Clan's future in Konoha.

Sacrifice one person, avoid war, save ten thousand.

This was not merely a choice imposed by Konoha's higher-ups. It was also pressure from the will of the entire village, a choice the Hyuga Clan could not refuse.

If Hyuga Hiashi truly chose to flee, he would certainly become a target of public condemnation in Konoha, and the Hyuga Clan would find it impossible to move forward in the village.

Because every person who died in the war would be counted against them.

Thus, although there appeared to be two choices, there had in fact only ever been one.

"Of course I know that."

Hyuga Riwo's face was obscure beneath the candlelight, and he said coldly, "That is precisely why the Branch Family exists, isn't it?"

"..."

Hyuga Hiashi slowly raised his head and looked at the Main Branch Elder before him. Stunned, he asked blankly, "What?"

Hyuga Riwo ignored his gaze, turning toward the tightly shut door. "Come in."

Click.

A cold wind mixed with rain swept in as the door opened, as though someone had uncovered a reality they refused to acknowledge. The candle flames before them swayed and dimmed, their wavering light scattering shadows across the walls.

"Hizashi?"

Hyuga Hiashi stared blankly at the person entering the room, then at the unfamiliar face who followed close behind.

The former was naturally Hizashi Hyuga, his expression complicated. The latter, however, was a youth with reddened eyes.

"Hyuga Yunchuan?"

When Hyuga Riwo saw the person who had entered alongside Hizashi Hyuga, the calm expression on his face finally changed. Frowning, he rebuked, "Get out! Who allowed you to come in—"

"I was the one who let him come with me."

Before Hyuga Riwo could finish, Hizashi Hyuga interrupted him, making the old man's face darken.

When had Hizashi ever dared interrupt him before? He must have thought he was about to die, which was why he had lost his fear of him.

Everyone present turned their gazes toward Hizashi and the youth behind him. Under those heavy, scrutinizing stares, Hyuga Yunchuan raised his head without the slightest hesitation or burden.

Hyuga Yunchuan's eyes were red. He had clearly cried, and blood streaked his pure white eyes as his gaze swept over everyone present.

"I'm here to see Lord Hizashi off on his final journey."

Seeing the surprise in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, he gave him an apologetic look before turning to the other Main Branch members and saying coldly, "I assume the 'highly respected' Main Branch head and elders would not be unwilling to grant even a dying man his final dignity?"

He put especially heavy emphasis on the words "highly respected," his tone filled with biting, sharp mockery. He was one step short of pointing at their faces and calling them shameless old bastards.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not feel offended. Having received that apologetic look, he naturally knew Yunchuan was not cursing him. Instead, he was surprised by Yunchuan's audacity.

Was this child standing up for Hizashi Hyuga?

Had his resentment reached the point where he no longer cared about the difference in their status?

Sure enough, the six Main Branch Elders' faces darkened, while Hyuga Riwo's eyes flashed with a cold gleam.

Hizashi Hyuga was one thing. Let him overstep if he wanted; he was a dead man anyway.

But what did you, Hyuga Yunchuan, amount to? How dare you be so disrespectful before this old man?