In the Hyuga family's reception room.
Uzumaki Kuming and Hyuga Hiashi sat on opposite sides of the tea table, waiting for the water in the kettle to boil. Hinata Hyuga had been taken away by her mother to rest, while the Hyuga Clan's ninja had removed the intruder's body. They would report the matter to Minato Namikaze first thing the next morning.
"Was that man really a Cloud Ninja envoy? If so, isn't he afraid we'll hold it against them for pulling something like this in Konoha?"
While they waited for the tea, Hiashi had already learned the intruder's identity from Kuming. The man's identity worried him. The one they had killed this time wasn't some nobody—a wandering ninja who didn't know his place—but a bona fide Cloud Ninja envoy.
To put it bluntly, this was a genuine diplomatic incident. If they mishandled it, it could bring war to Konoha. Even if they looked at it as a minor matter, it would still affect the Hyuga Clan. After all these years as clan head, Hiashi had developed a keen sense for such things.
"He was a Cloud Ninja envoy, all right. I've sensed this kind of Chakra before."
"As for Konoha being held to account..."
"You're probably overthinking it. This man was likely a dead man walking. His main purpose in coming here was probably to die in Konoha."
Uzumaki Kuming rubbed his chin and spoke softly. Hiashi still didn't seem used to Kuming's hoarse voice. He frowned and listened carefully for a long moment before asking in confusion:
"What do you mean? A dead man walking?"
Hiashi didn't understand what Kuming meant.
"Yes. A dead man walking."
"Jiraiya and I talked for a long time today, and I learned a little about Konoha's current situation."
"That attack four years