First Clash, Shattering Utatane Koharu's Teeth

As the Hyuga clan's succession ceremony drew nearer.

To borrow a phrase from Jinbaosan: one could already smell the scent of blood and chaos in the air.

The village was flooded with merchants, envoys from various nations, and even nobles, all of whom had submitted their credentials openly and legitimately.

Konoha had no way to bar their entry; otherwise, other nations would eventually restrict Konoha personnel from passing through their borders as well.

The rules could not be broken.

They could only increase manpower for patrols and surveillance.

Then, the Konoha F4 found another excuse to summon Hyuga Hiashi and Seigo to discuss "important matters."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Utatane Koharu a look.

Utatane Koharu spoke with a stern tone: "Why was the village not notified in advance about the Hyuga clan changing its head?"

"Now that you have caused this mess on your own, the losses the village has incurred these past few days, as well as the resources used for the increased surveillance personnel, must be provided by the Hyuga."

Hyuga Hiashi frowned: "Elder Koharu, you jest. Changing the clan head is an internal matter for the Hyuga; why would we need to report it to the village..."

Utatane Koharu interrupted Hiashi: "Are you still people of Konoha? If so, shouldn't you obey the Hokage's orders? You changed the clan head without authorization..."

Hyuga Hiashi argued his case: "Since the time of the First Hokage, the rule has been set that the Hokage shall not interfere in the internal affairs of the clans. What is this?! Is Advisor Koharu planning to break this rule now?!"

Utatane Koharu said haughtily: "Insolent! Who do you think you are talking to? A wet-behind-the-ears brat like him isn't worth our concern. In any case, he is not allowed to become the clan head."

"Also, cancel that ridiculous succession ceremony of yours. Look at how chaotic you've made the village..."

Hyuga Hiashi's face turned livid: "So, is this your intention or the Third Hokage's? If we cancel the ceremony, how is the Hyuga clan supposed to stand in the Ninja World? Where is our dignity~"

Utatane Koharu: "Never mind whose intention it is. We are still discussing this with you now; don't regret it when we start taking measures~ What is the Hyuga's dignity worth anyway..."

"Hold on~ Hold on~" Seigo stood up, his expression icy, and Hyuga Hiashi followed suit.

"Advisor Koharu, is it?"

Utatane Koharu's eyes widened: "Brat, is it your place to speak? Who allowed you to interrupt me?"

"Do you have no upbringing? Did your parents die or something..."

BOOM~

"Old hag, shut your mouth?!!" Seigo unleashed a powerful aura. Smack~ smack-smack-smack~ A series of slaps flashed out.

"You..." She spat out a mouthful of teeth.

She wanted to say more, but upon seeing the killing intent in Seigo's eyes, Utatane Koharu felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her body trembled uncontrollably, as if something were restricting her from moving.

"Spit out another word, and I will kill you," Seigo said coldly. In the end, he did not kill Utatane Koharu, but a streak of black light flew into her body as he struck her. No one had reacted; Seigo's movements were too fast.

"Hyuga Seigo, what do you think you are doing? Attacking a high-ranking official—are you trying to betray the village??"

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo were both shocked, then looked at Hyuga Seigo with vigilance, ready for combat.

"Let's be reasonable, shall we? I am Hyuga Seigo, the new head of the Hyuga clan."

"It's one thing for her to call me a brat repeatedly, but she also insulted my parents. Not killing her is already me showing restraint."

"What?! Does the Hokage intend to punish me?!!"

"Don't bother sending those small-fry; why don't you try it yourself, Hokage-sama? It would be a perfect opportunity to learn from your high-level techniques."

Hyuga Seigo didn't care about the labels they were trying to pin on him. From the moment he decided to reveal himself, he had no intention of acting anymore. No wonder someone said the secret to a good mindset is to take revenge on the spot...

I don't eat beef.

"Haha~ Seigo, what are you doing? We in Konoha are one big, loving family."

"Koharu spoke out of turn just now, and you've already punished her. Give me some face and let's end this here, shall we?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen was also a smiling tiger; though he was furious inside, he maintained the demeanor of the Hokage and acted as a peacemaker.

This kid is fearless; he must have a trump card. A conflict in the Hokage Building would destroy my own turf. There is no need to create extra trouble at this juncture.

"Ahahaha~ How could I not? Of course, I must give the Hokage face. I was just speaking without thinking; children can be temperamental. My apologies, Auntie Koharu..."

"Please forgive me."

Seigo was also thick-skinned; he took the step down and, with a look of feigned remorse, helped Utatane Koharu up and apologized.

Everyone was stunned.

WTF~ This kid's acting is better than all of ours.

A natural politician.

The high-ranking officials were wary, while Hiashi felt a sense of relief.

They had nothing more to say to each other.

Both sides parted on bad terms.

The Konoha F4 meeting continued.

Watching as Utatane Koharu could no longer hold on.

"Homura, take Koharu to see a doctor." Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to shout for Mitokado Homura to take her away.

"Danzo, this won't do."

Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows, his gaze filled with a trace of worry and resolve: "Striking at the Hyuga during the handover ceremony is equivalent to telling every major ninja village that there is internal strife within Konoha. This is absolutely unacceptable." His voice was low and firm, carrying an unquestionable authority.

"Then you don't want that secret medicine anymore?!" Danzo's face twisted into a sneer. Who knows, perhaps you desire it even more than I do.

Despite the intense craving for power deep within his heart, as the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood the importance of maintaining the village's stability and unity: "I want it, but now is not the time."

Konoha was currently facing immense pressure and challenges; if internal strife were to break out now, it would bring catastrophic consequences to the entire village.

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew well that Konoha's strength was not as formidable as it appeared on the surface. Do not be fooled by the brilliant achievements Kakashi and the others had made on the battlefield this past year, earning them widespread fame.

The price paid behind the scenes was equally immense. The village's elites were working around the clock, executing various grueling elimination missions, and everyone had been pushed to their absolute limits.

If news of internal conflict within Konoha were to leak now, it would very likely incite the other ninja villages to attack in unison.

Those elite squads and Anbu members had been in a state of high-intensity labor for a long time, bearing tremendous physical and mental pressure. Once a large number of casualties occurred, it would severely impact Konoha's combat power and future development.

These people were the foundation of Konoha and the hope for the village's prosperity. If a generational gap in talent were to occur due to infighting, Konoha would fall into an unprecedented predicament, perhaps even spiraling toward decline. The Sarutobi clan would also be in danger, and he would never allow that.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, his eyes becoming increasingly resolute: "We cannot let the village fall into internal chaos. We must remain united to face external threats together."

"Targeting the Hyuga."

"At least, not now."

In the end, he added one more sentence.

"I understand."

"However, Sarutobi, don't you want to know what the Hyuga's trump card is? They are being so ostentatious all of a sudden..."

Danzo threw out one last remark; he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen too well—suspicious and possessing a strong desire for control.

"Regardless, I will not permit infighting within the village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen still replied calmly.

"Heh, I see."

Having said that, Danzo turned and walked away, for he had already obtained the answer he wanted.

Sarutobi, you are still as hypocritical as ever.

So, it cannot be someone from the village, is that it?

The Ninja World.

Has plenty of them.

Stray dogs who work for money.

The Hyuga, hmph.