Declaration of War? Sacrifice!

The Raikage had not expected that even his personal intervention would end in failure, and the lightning crackling across his body showed clear signs of spiraling out of control.

"Stop, Raikage. This is Konoha, not your Cloud Village."

The Third Hokage spoke up.

From start to finish, his gaze had not wavered once.

It was only after Ryosuke dodged the Raikage's attack that a look of profound significance flashed through his eyes.

This child is a promising talent, but it is a pity he belongs to the Uchiha clan.

"Hokage, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to start a war?"

The Raikage's upper garment had already burst apart, revealing muscles so powerful they seemed ready to explode.

"I will investigate the cause of the Cloud ninja's death and give you an answer, but if you truly wish for war, then I shall see it through to the end."

The Third Hokage suddenly turned firm.

Upon hearing this, the Raikage couldn't help but pause. He glanced at the Hokage, wondering how this old man had suddenly changed into a different person.

At that moment, the office door opened.

Another middle-aged man, roughly the same age as the Third Hokage, walked in.

This person was none other than Danzo of Konoha's Root organization.

"Lord Raikage, it has been a long time."

"Danzo? You old bastard, you're still alive?"

The Raikage's pupils constricted, as if he had recalled some unpleasant memories.

"Are you here to issue a declaration of war? If so, I accept it on behalf of Konoha. It is time to settle the debt for the Second Hokage's death all those years ago," Danzo said leisurely.

"Bullshit! The Second Hokage's death had nothing to do with the Cloud Village; that was the work of those two rogue ninjas, Kinkaku and Ginkaku!" the Raikage shouted.

"If there is nothing else, please take your leave. We have war plans to prepare."

Danzo turned his head to look at the Third Hokage.

The Raikage's brow furrowed instantly.

In his eyes, this old fox Danzo was far more troublesome than the Third Hokage.

"Fine. Your Konoha pushes people too far. Just wait for war between our two nations."

However, with things having reached this point, he could only leave behind a harsh threat before turning and walking away.

Seeing Danzo, the wrinkles on the Third Hokage's face deepened.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to see what you intend to sacrifice this time to protect Konoha."

As Danzo spoke, he hauled a child out from behind him—it was Ryosuke.

"I said I just got lost earlier; you wouldn't happen to believe that, would you?" Ryosuke said, feeling rather awkward.

He had intended to slip away while he had the chance. Now that he had his system, he could thrive even outside of Konoha, but he hadn't expected to run into the eavesdropping old fox Danzo in the hallway and get dragged out.

None of the people present spoke, but little Hinata covered her mouth and giggled.

The Third Hokage sighed. "Konoha cannot endure another war. Our mission is to protect the growth of the next generation."

"Hmph, flowers in a greenhouse are useless even when they grow up. Only the tempering of war can make them the guardians of the village," Danzo said aggressively.

The two held different philosophies; the Third Hokage was a pacifist, while Danzo was a radical.

They had been locked in a struggle for decades, and their differences had only grown wider.

"You should go back. I will handle today's matters."

The Third Hokage did not want to tear into Danzo in front of others, and as Hokage, he felt there was no need to do so.

"I can go back, but I am taking this child with me. I recall he is an orphan, is he not?" Danzo said, pointing at Ryosuke.

Ryosuke was dumbfounded. Damn it, have I just escaped the tiger's den only to fall into a wolf's lair? Being in Danzo's hands is no better than being in the Cloud ninja's. One must remember that Danzo was one of the masterminds behind the Uchiha massacre; that arm full of Sharingan is proof enough.

At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku walked over.

"Lord Danzo, this child has already been adopted as my foster son."

"A foster son? This child?"

Danzo looked at Uchiha Fugaku and asked in an icy tone.

Cold sweat trickled down Uchiha Fugaku's face, but he persisted. "That is correct. The Uchiha clan will take care of its own descendants."

"That is truly a pity, little one. If you wish to become stronger, if you wish to protect the village, you may come to find me at any time."

Danzo lowered his head to reveal a chilling smile at Ryosuke, then slowly took his leave.

Ryosuke, however, wore a bitter expression.

Can't something good ever happen to me?

Why did I have to become the adopted son of Uchiha Fugaku?

Although he was the head of the Uchiha clan, he was also the father of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke.

In other words, it was highly likely that he would no longer be able to move about freely in the future.

Especially since he would have to face the man who personally wiped out the Uchiha clan.

The very person he had always wanted to stay away from.

The Third Hokage glanced at Ryosuke. "The ninjutsu you used just now..."

"It was the Body Flicker Technique. I asked Shisui to teach it to him for self-defense, which is why he was able to defeat those three Cloud Ninja."

Uchiha Fugaku interrupted the Third Hokage.

"Shisui, you say? Then there is no issue. Fugaku, take this child and leave; he needs to rest. Hiashi, you stay behind."

The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, took a puff, and spoke slowly.

He knew he could not force Uchiha Fugaku to compromise, but Konoha's control over the Hyuga clan was excellent.

Right now, the only way to avoid a war with the Land of Lightning was to have the Hyuga clan make a sacrifice.

That was right; even now, the Third Hokage was still thinking about how to avoid war. The demeanor he had displayed earlier was all for Danzo's benefit.

Danzo had been coveting the position of Hokage for a long time, but he had never received enough support.

Uchiha Fugaku led Ryosuke away.

Little Hinata suddenly walked over and took hold of Ryosuke's hand.

"Miss Hinata?"

Ryosuke was somewhat surprised, and Hinata shyly lowered her head.

Hyuga Hiashi turned back and smiled at Ryosuke. "Ryosuke, it seems Hinata trusts you very much. Could I trouble you to escort her back to my home? I am counting on you."

Ryosuke glanced at Hinata and then nodded.

The three of them left together just like that.

The Third Hokage exhaled a ring of smoke and looked at Hyuga Hiashi.

"Hiashi, you should be able to understand my good intentions, right? Konoha is the lifeblood of the First and Second Hokage; I cannot let it be destroyed on my watch. Therefore, I need the Hyuga clan to set an example this time."

Hyuga Hiashi seemed to have anticipated this, saying directly, "As the most powerful clan in Konoha, the Hyuga clan is willing to sacrifice everything for the village."

The Third Hokage nodded. "You and I both know the Cloud Ninja's objective. They covet Konoha's bloodline limits, so this task can only be completed by someone from the Hyuga branch family."

Hyuga Hiashi lowered his head. He did not speak this time, but his fists were clenched tightly.

That was right; the Hyuga branch family existed for exactly this purpose.