Revealing Weakness

[Ding!]

[Your lie was judged to be [Inconsistent Within and Without] [Affected Deception] [Substituting One Thing for Another] [Swapping Beams for Pillars]. Hyuga Riwo, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the others experienced intense emotional fluctuations and reached the level of [Utter Conviction], gaining 3,000 Reality Points.]

[Remaining Reality Points: 14,651]

The system prompt sounded in Hyuga Yunchuan's mind, but he remained standing where he was, his expression sorrowful.

"Then send the body to the Land of Lightning."

Hyuga Riwo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had remained silent throughout, and said respectfully, "Third Hokage, I'll have to trouble you to send someone to escort it."

"Rest assured."

Keenly noticing Hyuga Riwo's change in attitude, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the Hyuga Clan had been properly put in its place this time. Yet outwardly, he let out a deep sigh. "Konoha will remember the Hyuga Clan's righteousness. I will not let Hizashi's sacrifice be in vain."

With that, he prepared to leave with the body, but at that moment, a voice suddenly reached his ears.

"Third... Third Hokage."

With slightly reddened eyes, Hyuga Yunchuan stepped forward, drew a deep breath, and said respectfully, "Please allow me to join the team escorting Lord Hizashi to the Land of Lightning."

His resolute words echoed through the reception hall, drawing everyone's attention.

Several Main Branch Elders sat up slightly, avoiding the candlelight before them as they concealed half their aged faces in shadow. Their cold gazes peered at the unruly youth.

"Hyuga Yunchuan! You..."

Hyuga Riwo was clearly overcome with emotion. Raising his voice, he was about to rebuke Yunchuan for forgetting his place.

But before he could finish, the first person to object was someone entirely unexpected.

"No!"

Upon hearing Hyuga Yunchuan's request, Hizashi Hyuga, who had been kneeling silently before the "corpse," abruptly raised his head and blurted it out.

That person had said he would bring Hiashi back. Who knew what he might do during the escort?

What if something happened after Yunchuan joined the escort team?

However, to the others, his reaction seemed rather abnormal.

The people present turned to look at the overly agitated "Hiashi," their expressions filled with surprise.

Only then did Hizashi Hyuga realize that he was now "Hyuga Hiashi." Breaking into a cold sweat beneath everyone's gaze, he imitated Hiashi's cold, rigid tone. "You're too weak."

Hyuga Riwo and the others froze for a moment, but soon remembered that Hizashi had called Hiashi away before his death. He must have been leaving behind his last wishes, asking Hiashi to take care of Neji and Yunchuan.

Hmph, so what if Hiashi protects him? Hyuga Riwo shot Hyuga Yunchuan a gloomy look. One day, I'll make this brat reunite with that dead father of his!

Hyuga Neji was Hizashi Hyuga's son, so he truly could not touch him now. But killing Hyuga Yunchuan would be no great matter. As long as he did not commit murder in public, Hiashi would not make too much trouble over it.

But the next words that entered Hyuga Riwo's ears left him stunned.

"Let him go."

The one who spoke was not Hyuga Yunchuan, but Sarutobi Hiruzen, who stood nearby.

"Third Hokage, this..." Several people, including Hizashi Hyuga, looked at him in shock and confusion.

"Hizashi should be the last family this child has in his heart."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, his kindly gaze falling on Yunchuan as he said gently, "Even if we don't let you join the escort team, you'll surely find some way to follow them, won't you?"

Meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, which seemed to see right through him, Hyuga Yunchuan nearly failed to suppress a laugh. Yet outwardly, his eyes reddened as he bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, Third Hokage. Thank you, truly. I only want to see Lord Hizashi off one last time."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. Looking at the Hyuga Clan members with their complicated expressions, he reassured them, "Don't worry. I'll dispatch Anbu to escort Hizashi's body. Looking after this child won't be a problem."

In truth, he merely wanted the Anbu shinobi to observe Hyuga Yunchuan's conduct along the way and see whether he was qualified to become that "nail."

Silence fell over the room. The Main Branch Elders exchanged glances quietly in the candlelight, none of them speaking. In the end, that silence became their tacit consent.

Hyuga Riwo's expression was ugly. He could naturally see Sarutobi Hiruzen's fondness for Hyuga Yunchuan, and he felt stifled.

If Hyuga Yunchuan truly became a subordinate of the Third Hokage, it would indeed be difficult for him to lay hands on the damned brat again.

He truly could not understand what was so good about this brat. First Hizashi, then his own foolish eldest daughter, then Hiashi, and now even the Third Hokage valued this damned brat!

Hyuga Yunchuan slightly turned his head to look at Hyuga Riwo, who was gritting his teeth in the distance. He wondered when the old bastard's cardiovascular system would burst from high blood pressure. Perhaps a few more taunts would be enough to make him die from a cerebral hemorrhage?

Still, he gave up on that seemingly entertaining idea.

Death by cerebral hemorrhage was too easy for that old man...

Bang!!

The sudden crash shattered the room's calm. A frigid wind swept in through the door, and everyone frowned as they turned toward the source of the sound.

A small figure stood in the doorway, rainwater dripping continuously from his soaked black hair as his chest heaved violently.

At a glance, the newcomer saw the "corpse" covered by a white sheet. His mouth fell open as he stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

"He's finally here."

Where no one noticed, Hyuga Yunchuan's lips curled upward.

It looked like a sneer, like mockery.

"Neji?"

Once he clearly saw the newcomer's face, Hizashi's expression changed slightly.

Why had Neji come?

Hyuga Neji walked over stiffly, like a living corpse. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees beside the "corpse."

"Your father sacrificed himself for the Hyuga Clan." Hyuga Riwo tried to soften his tone. "To fulfill loyalty and righteousness as the head of the Branch Family, his—"

As though he had finally confirmed something, Hyuga Neji, who had kept his head lowered, suddenly stiffened. His body began trembling uncontrollably.

The grief on his face was gradually replaced by anger, while Hyuga Riwo continued prattling on arrogantly.

But just as Neji was about to raise his head, a warm hand rested on it.

"Don't speak recklessly so easily. That will only reveal your weakness."

Hyuga Yunchuan's voice was soft as he slowly said, "Right now, all you need to do is calm down."

Hyuga Neji still kept his head lowered. Tears streamed ceaselessly onto the floor like a breached dam, but his trembling body gradually calmed. Seeing this, everyone secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Yet where no one could see, the anger on Hyuga Neji's lowered, childish face had already turned savage.

The others only thought Hyuga Yunchuan was comforting him, but as Neji felt the warmth and gentleness of that hand, he somehow heard the true meaning behind those words.

You're too weak.

No matter what you say now, nothing will change.

Calm down. Hide the hatred in your heart. Do not let anyone discover it.

Then remember all of this. Carve it into your bones, and then destroy everything.

Just like that figure in his dream.