Wolong Fengchu, Noble Families Divided (2)

"This is outrageous! Do the people of Kumogakure think we Uchiha are made of clay? How could they make such a demand?!"

As soon as the Anbu Ninja finished speaking, Chiho's face darkened, her beautiful face filled with anger. Compared to her reserved personality, which she used to barely even smile, she had undergone a huge change after awakening her Sharingan.

Issei of the strongest members of the Uchiha Clan, a possessor of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and has the potential to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future. He already possesses Kage Level strength. The ninjas of Kumogakure really dare to ask for an exorbitant amount.

In particular, Issei and Kakashi killed the Kumogakure envoy to save Naruto and Karin. They deserved to die just for the Kumogakure people harming Uzumaki Ashina in Konoha. Now they are even turning around and accusing others.

"The conditions set by Kumogakure are outrageous!" Even Shisui, who is usually mild-mannered, couldn't help but speak out. Kumogakure's conditions were no different from declaring war on Konoha and the Uchiha.

Uchiha Fugaku, who was standing to the side, also looked rather grim, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at the Third Hokage and Danzo, wanting to see what decision they would make.

"We cannot agree to any of these conditions," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice.

It's Kumogakure that Kumogakure wants to fight Konoha again. Where does their confidence come from?

This worried the Third Hokage, who wondered if Kumogakure had joined forces with other villages to use such a clumsy scheme to deliberately provoke Konoha.

"It seems they really want to start a war!" Danzo's eyes flickered slightly, and his tone was somewhat solemn, but that was not what he really thought.

If war were to actually break out, it would actually be in Danzo's best interest.

Because in wartime, he and his Root would need to carry out some highly difficult and secret missions behind enemy lines.

In this way, the Root, which had suffered heavy losses, could quickly absorb new members and recover their strength during the war.

At the same time, during the war, he can build more merits through his Root, further consolidating his position and power.

Most importantly, his situation—where he lost his position as Hokage Advisor due to the "Kinkaku and Ginkaku Rampage Incident" and needed the Third Hokage Hokage's protection—will also be reversed.

The Third Hokage faced criticism for causing a war shortly after his reinstatement, and his Hokage position was threatened.

The Third Hokage position was likely dethroned again after the war, and these past few years have been the time for Danzo's resurgence.

Once the Third Hokage steps down, in order to hold onto power, Third Hokage will definitely join forces with him to suppress the newly appointed fifth generation. In this way, he will have the opportunity to compete for the position of the Sixth Generation in the future.

The wars in the Shinobi World will never stop, because the conflicts between the various ninja villages have a long history. After each war ends, it is only a time for the ninja villages to recuperate and prepare for the next war.

If handled properly, the Fifth Hokage will only be a transitional figure. The era of Danzo will eventually arrive, and Konoha will reach its peak under his Danzo. Unifying the Shinobi World is only a matter of time.

The Third Hokage's expression was complicated, clearly aware of the consequences of war breaking out. He continued, "If possible, I would like to talk some more."

"Hiruzen, you're too naive. Kumogakure's attitude is very clear; they're leaving Konoha no room for maneuver. There's no point in continuing the discussion at this point," Danzo a grim face.

"Danzo, you..." The Third Hokage Hokage's eyes changed slightly as he looked at Danzo with surprise. He had planned to take this opportunity to give the Hyūga a warning and also to give the Uchiha a heads-up, but why did he seem so determined to accept the challenge?

Danzo's words put him in an extremely awkward position, where he could easily offend both the Hyūga and Uchiha clans.

The Third Hokage's attitude greatly disappointed the members of the Hyuga Main Family, and one of the Main Family elders stormed off in anger.

It's unrealistic to hand over the head of the Hyuga clan, or Kakashi, the Fourth Hokage's disciple, a young Elite Jonin the Shinobi World; or Issei, who appears to be just an ordinary Jōnin but actually possesses Uchiha- Kage Level strength.

But if war were to break out, it would result in even larger-scale bloodshed and sacrifice, which is a real dilemma.

Compared to the Uchiha Clan, who were eager for war, the Hyuga clan clearly did not want to fight.

An eerie silence fell over the room as the Third Hokage was undecided.

A short while later, the Main Family Elder who had just left returned, followed by a Jōnin from the Hyuga Branch Family. The two of them walked into the backyard together.

The branch Branch Family Jōnin Hyuga Hiashi; he was his twin brother Hizashi Hyuga.

The two were born of the same mother, but due to a very short difference in their birth order, they had completely different fates. Hyuga Hiashi, who inherited the Main Family, had everything, while Hizashi Hyuga was treated like any other member of the Branch Family. He did not receive any special treatment because he was the second son of the clan head. On the contrary, he was subjected to even stricter requirements during his upbringing.

"Lord Third Hokage, Danzo, Elder, Elder Brother." Hizashi Hyuga calmly entered the room and bowed to everyone.

"Hizashi? What brings you here?!"

Hyuga Hiashi was slightly taken aback.

"Hizashi, you tell us yourself," the elder of the Main Family said in a deep voice.

Hizashi Hyuga nodded and said, "Everyone, I have learned what happened. Whether it's handing over the person or starting a war, it's unacceptable for Konoha."

The elder brother is the clan leader, shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading the clan; Kakashi is the son of White Fang, a disciple of the Fourth Hokage, and an idol and role model for many younger generations in the village; Issei-kun is also one of the Uchiha Clan's most prominent figures, having made many military achievements.

I am just an insignificant person, of little use, so let me die in place of my brother.

My brother and I are twins, and unless you are a close relative, most people can't tell the difference.

The reason why the Kumogakure wanted its elder brother to "pay for his life" was also to avoid the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.

I will commit suicide after the ninjas of Kumogakure take me away from Konoha. After my death, the Caged Bird Curse Seal will destroy my Byakugan.

My death will not only shut the Kumogakure Ninja up, but also prevent them from receiving the Byakugan, and at the same time, it will prevent war from breaking out.

This is the best choice!

Hizashi Hyuga calmly gave his thoughts, as if he were not the one about to die, but someone insignificant.

"No! Hizashi!" Hyuga Hiashi exclaimed in shock, "I was the one who killed the leader of Kumogakure, how can I let you die in my place?!"

Compared to Hyuga Hiashi's excitement, the others remained relatively calm.

Although the elders of the Hyuga Main Family still looked rather grim, they secretly nodded when they looked at each other, clearly believing that the Branch Family dying for the Main Family was a viable method. Although it was still somewhat shameful, at least the clan head and Byakugan would be preserved, and at the same time, there would be no need to compromise or ask for help from the village's higher-ups, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

Chiho frowned slightly, but this was an internal matter of the Hyuga clan, and she didn't want to get involved.

Shisui looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing that the Third Hokage and Danzo remained silent, and even Issei didn't speak, he could only sigh inwardly.

A hint of disappointment flickered in Kakashi's deadpan eyes. Is this the political game in the village? What do human lives really mean?

Did his father die for a village like this back then?

How utterly ironic!

"Brother, I'm not doing this for the family, nor for the so-called boundaries between the Main Family and Branch Family. I'm doing this for myself. I've tried to fight back, but being Caged Bird Seal is my inescapable fate. I want freedom, and death is the only way for me to escape this Caged Bird Seal. This is my own choice. This is the most relaxed and free moment of my life. I hope you can grant me this request!"

Hizashi Hyuga's eyes were a little moist, and he spoke earnestly.

He looked at his 32-year-old brother with a somewhat wistful expression, recalling his brother's love and care for him when he was a child, and his father's strictness towards him.

Later, his elder brother gradually changed, becoming like their father, the head of the Main Family Hyuga clan. The Main Family and Branch Family were ranked in a hierarchical manner, and the authority of the Main Family was inviolable.

Given this, he chose death for the sake of freedom, which was his most powerful indictment of the Caged Bird Seal system and the system of the Main Family and Branch Family.

"Hizashi, I can't do this, you...!"

Hyuga Hiashi still couldn't agree, but Hizashi Hyuga suddenly attacked, striking his lower abdomen with Gentle Fist. The Chakra instantly blocked his meridians, and Hyuga Hiashi cried out in pain before collapsing into his younger brother's arms.

"Excuse me." Hizashi Hyuga looked at the Main Family Elder next to him and helped Hyuga Hiashi to sit down against the wall.

Then, he looked at the Third Hokage and Danzo: "Lord Third Hokage, I beg you!"

"Hizashi, you didn't have to do this. You could definitely find another way to solve this." Looking at Hizashi Hyuga's resolute expression, as if he were facing death, the Third Hokage couldn't finish his sentence. He even felt a little guilty and regretful, thinking that he shouldn't have gone to such lengths.

Danzo remained silent with an expressionless face. Who would have thought that Hizashi Hyuga and ruin his plans?

The so-called warning to the Hyuga clan 'Danzo of preventing the Hyūga from colluding with the Uchiha Clan, and also to alienate the Hyuga clan from the Third Hokage. Given the Third Hokage's current indecisive style, he certainly wouldn't be disappointed, and that's exactly what happened.

However, Hyuga Hizashi Hyuga to die in Hiashi, something Danzo never expected.

At the last moment, all their efforts were in vain.

"Go and inform the Kumogakure ninjas that Konoha has given them an explanation." Danzo ordered the Anbu Ninja beside him. This time, the objective had been basically achieved. As for offending the Hyūga clan, he didn't care at all, because the Hyuga clan didn't support him in the first place. Now, it was enough to make the Hyuga Hyūga stop supporting the Third Hokage. Sooner or later, he could use the Uchiha Clan to make an example of them and let the other Ninja Clan see his methods.

"Yes." The Anbu Ninja clenched his fists, bowed slightly to Danzo and the Third Hokage, and then turned to leave. He also felt extremely aggrieved, but he had to control his emotions to convey this humiliating decision to the envoy from Kumogakure.

"Everyone, disperse." Seeing that Danzo had given the order, the Third Hokage sighed and gestured for Kakashi and the Uchiha to leave.

The group bowed and then left the Hyuga clan's residence.

"Lord Third Hokage, Danzo, I'll go back and make some preparations. Neji hasn't gone to sleep yet," Hizashi Hyuga said respectfully, a trace of lingering affection in his eyes. He was free, but the heavy fate of his incredibly talented son had only just begun.

"Go." The Third Hokage nodded, his voice very low.

The Hyuga Main Family members summoned servants to carry Hyuga Hiashi away, and then addressed the Third Hokage and Danzo:

"Third Hokage, Danzo, we old folks won't see you out."

Their tone was stiff, their resentment was palpable, and they were utterly disappointed by the weakness of the Third Hokage.

"We won't bother you any longer."

The Third Hokage reluctantly agreed and left the Hyūga main residence with Danzo.

"Kakashi and Uchiha Issei getting so close; it's probably not just a chance encounter. We need to be careful," Danzo suddenly said halfway through the journey.

"Hmph!" The Third Hokage glared at Danzo and quickened his pace to leave. By this point, he knew he had been tricked by Danzo, but there was nothing he could do now. Danzo was now trying to poach Kakashi, which was simply taking advantage of him.

On the other side, on the way back, Chiho, Shisui, Issei, and Fugaku remained silent.

As they approached the clan's territory, Chiho suddenly stopped, and the other three also stopped and looked at her.

Chiho said in a deep voice, "Clan Head, have you seen the true colors of the higher-ups?"

Fugaku: "."

"Do you really believe that these high-ranking officials are sincere in resolving the conflict with the Uchiha and meeting our reasonable demands?" Chiho then asked.

Fugaku fell silent again. The events of the night had shaken him, but it seemed there was no better way than negotiation. If he resorted to force, what difference would there be between him and Uchiha Madara?

The Uchiha Clan ultimately Uchiha Clan to Konoha, not to rebels.

"I believe there will always be a way to solve this." After saying this, Fugaku quickly left.

Watching Fugaku's figure disappear from sight, Chiho said without any politeness:

"The Third Hokage was old and useless after he turned fifty or sixty, and became indecisive. I never expected that the Clan Head, who is only in his early thirties, would be so indecisive and hesitant in his actions. A person like that should just stay home and take care of his children. How can he lead the Uchiha Clan well!"

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, looking at Shisui and Issei with a kind expression, and asked, "Well? What do you guys think?!"

Shisui and Issei immediately felt an immense pressure.

Issei: "That's true."

Shisui hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Mm."

"You two do have some knowledge." Chiho's expression relaxed, and she smiled before quickly leaving.

After Chiho left, Shisui couldn't help but ask, "Issei, judging from Chiho's expression, she seems to want to become the clan leader as well?"

"It seems so."

Issei nodded.

"Don't you also want to be the clan leader? What should we do?" Shisui continued.

After entering the Anbu, Shisui saw many things clearly, and the events of tonight made him realize one thing.

That is, he doesn't want such a thing to happen to the Uchiha one day. He doesn't have any way to change the higher-ups right now, but the clan leader should indeed be replaced.

Fugaku is very strong, but he is not suitable to be the clan leader.

"It's alright, it's the same whether she's the clan leader or I am," Issei continued. "I'll head back now."

With that, Issei quickly left to inform the main body.

The initial steps to break the Caged Bird Curse Seal have been completed; all that remains is the actual execution, and Hizashi Hyuga is the perfect guinea pig for this task.

I imagine the original author would be very interested.

"She treats it the same way you treat it?" Shisui pondered the question.

It seems that Issei admires Chiho a lot; the two have similar styles of doing things, both being very passionate.

Trusting Issei's keen eye for Issei, Shisui felt it was necessary to observe Chiho more closely. If she could do a good job as clan leader, with his and Issei's support, Chiho's chances of becoming clan leader would be much greater.