Endure Him For A While

The voice of Hizashi Hyuga echoed through the main hall, ringing with conviction.

The elders of the main branch looked at one another, the aggressive accusations that had filled the air gradually fading away.

Indeed, no one had seen Hizashi Hyuga commit murder with their own eyes, nor was there any direct evidence to prove he had any connection to the death of Hyuga Akira.

Hyuga Gen's face shifted between shades of pale and blue; he opened his mouth, only to find he had nothing left to say.

Just then, Hyuga Hiashi, who had remained silent throughout, finally spoke.

"Enough."

His voice was not loud, yet it acted like a basin of ice water, instantly extinguishing all the clamor in the hall.

Hyuga Hiashi stood up, walked slowly down the steps, and came to a stop before Hizashi Hyuga.

The two brothers locked eyes.

"Since there is no evidence and no witness who can prove that Hyuga Akira was murdered, there is no point in pursuing this any further."

Hizashi Hyuga's pupils constricted slightly, a complex emotion flashing in the depths of his eyes.

"However," Hyuga Hiashi shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping over all the main branch elders present, "since you all want a resolution from Hizashi, I believe we should handle it this way..."

"Starting today, Hizashi will remain in seclusion for three months. Without my permission, he is not to step a single foot outside the clan grounds."

Hizashi Hyuga lowered his head and said respectfully, "Understood."

"Dismissed." Hyuga Hiashi turned his back to everyone. "Elder Akira's funeral will be presided over by Elder Gen. Keep it simple."

Hyuga Gen stood where he was, giving Hyuga Hiashi a long, deep look before nodding in agreement.

"I know who killed Brother Akira!"

Back home, after a long silence, Hyuga Gen suddenly spoke to Hyuga Takashi and another main branch elder.

"Elder Gen, what do you mean by that?" Hyuga Takashi did not understand.

"During the meeting just now, I couldn't figure out why Hizashi Hyuga would dare to lay a hand on Brother Akira, but if he had someone backing him, it all makes sense."

The other main branch elder asked tentatively, "Are you saying... Hiashi?"

Hyuga Gen nodded.

"Exactly, it's that man. Without his help, Brother Akira wouldn't have died so silently!"

"This is..." Hyuga Takashi's mouth hung open. "That's too unbelievable. Why would Lord Hiashi kill Elder Akira?"

"I can't figure out the 'why' either, which is why I didn't lash out on the spot..."

Hyuga Takashi's pupils contracted slightly, his mind racing through the seemingly ordinary interactions between Hyuga Akira and Hyuga Hiashi over the years.

After Elder Akira returned from the Southern Border, Hyuga Hiashi had indeed sent tonics several times and even visited him in person once. At the time, everyone thought it was the clan head showing compassion for a meritorious veteran, but now that he thought about it...

"Could it be because of Ah Hong?" Hyuga Takashi suddenly thought of something and lowered his voice. "When Elder Akira was at the Southern Border, that boy Ah Hong had an accident, and his Byakugan was stolen... Could it be because of that?"

Hyuga Gen furrowed his brows tightly.

"It's not impossible. Although that child Ah Hong's origins are unknown, everyone has seen how much Hiashi has valued him over the years. Brother Akira failed to protect him at the Southern Border; Hiashi didn't say anything on the surface after he returned, but in his heart... Hmph! Perhaps he had already harbored the intent to kill!"

The other main branch elder frowned. "But even so, that's no reason to kill someone, right? Ah Hong's Byakugan was taken by Kirigakure, not by Elder Akira."

"That is exactly the problem." Hyuga Gen's gaze turned deep and dark. "Perhaps something happened at the Southern Border that we don't know about..."

After a moment of thought, Hyuga Gen added.

"For Hiashi to take such ruthless action, Brother Akira must have done something to provoke him, and I suspect that, nine times out of ten, it has to do with that boy Ah Hong."

Hyuga Takashi spoke with difficulty. "Lord Hiashi does indeed value Ah Hong highly... but that doesn't prove anything, and we have no evidence."

"Evidence?" Hyuga Gen sneered. "Look at how things went today; he easily protected Hizashi and left everyone speechless. Three months of seclusion? Hah, it's nothing more than a show for us."

"If that's the case, what do we do?" the other main branch elder asked. "Go to war with Hiashi?"

Hyuga Takashi wore a bitter smile. "The branch family doesn't listen to us; what do we have to fight him with?"

Hyuga Gen remained silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the sun slowly setting outside the window.

"Let us endure him for a while longer..."

This sentence weighed on the three of them like a stone.

Hyuga Takashi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found it impossible to voice.

Among the three, he was actually the least qualified to challenge Hyuga Hiashi, as Hyuga Hiashi had personally designated him to inherit Hyuga Akira's "legacy."

His source of power within the clan came from Hyuga Hiashi, and now he wanted to turn against him... could a person fight their own left hand with their right?

Outside Konoha, at the entrance to a hidden laboratory.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Kakashi some instructions, he led his men into the laboratory, while in the distance, Obito and Black Zetsu were watching.

Ever since the Nine-Tails Incident, Obito had been recuperating while keeping an eye on the movements of Nagato and Konan in Amegakure, actively participating in their affairs.

So much time had passed; Hanzo the Salamander had been killed, and the entire Amegakure had been taken over by Nagato and Konan. Only after confirming that the Akatsuki base was secure did Obito finally begin to refocus his attention on Konoha.

He didn't know until he looked, and what he saw shocked him: the relationship between the Uchiha clan and Konoha was not deteriorating as he had imagined; instead, it seemed to be in a honeymoon phase.

This was a situation Obito could not tolerate.

He viewed the Uchiha clan as an obstacle that had to be eradicated; as long as the Uchiha clan existed, his plans would remain at risk!

Of course, aside from the Uchiha clan, the collective known as Konoha was also a major nuisance to him...

"Should we step in and help Orochimaru?" Black Zetsu asked from his side.

"No need. I know that old man, the Third; he's soft-hearted. He wouldn't have the stomach to kill Orochimaru, though... a lesson is likely unavoidable."

"Oh?" Black Zetsu chuckled sinisterly. "Like spanking a child for making a mistake, is that it?"

Just as the two were talking, a sudden explosion erupted in the distance, followed immediately by a rustling sound echoing through the forest.

"It seems you guessed right," Black Zetsu said. "The Third really is soft-hearted... So, shall we make a move?"

Obito shook his head.

"Wait and see. Just step in to provide support once he's miserable enough. Have Nagato and the others prepare; the Akatsuki is about to welcome a new member."

"Will he agree to join the organization?"

"He's a smart man; he knows how to read the situation... You keep watch here. I'm going to take a stroll through Konoha."

With that, Obito vanished from the spot.

Under the fading glow of the sunset, Itachi knelt in the training ground, slowly spreading five kunai in his hand before leaping up and throwing them.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

Five consecutive sounds rang out as the five kunai struck the bullseye perfectly.

"Clap, clap, clap."

Someone was applauding.

"Your skills are becoming increasingly refined."

A gentle voice came from behind him.

Itachi did not turn around, merely replying softly, "Shisui, you're too late today."