The One Who Betrayed Him

"Lord Hokage, although those two Hyuga ninjas blinded me using underhanded means, I was fortunate enough to capture them. I've already handed them over to the Konoha Military Police Force," Kawaki Aoba replied respectfully.

Danzo also stepped forward. "The Uchiha and Hyuga are both renowned clans with dojutsu, so it's only natural that they might cover for each other. That's why I've sent people to question the two of them. I'm sure they'll uncover the whole truth."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kawaki Aoba's exchange had gone very smoothly. Combined with Danzo's seemingly pointed remark, it left the Hyuga Second Elder vaguely sensing that something was amiss.

But if there was a problem, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. All he knew was that he felt an unease deep inside.

When a knock sounded at the door, the unease in the Hyuga Second Elder's heart reached its peak.

"Come in." At Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, a masked ninja entered.

"Lord Danzo, we've finished investigating the matter," the ninja reported respectfully. If nothing unexpected had happened, he was probably one of Root's men.

"Since the matter has been investigated, report your findings to the Hokage," Shimura Danzo ordered.

"Yes, sir." After answering respectfully, the Root ninja turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen and gave his report. "Lord Hokage, this is what happened. After receiving the two Hyuga ninjas from the Uchiha Police Force, we interrogated them immediately.

"The truth is that the two had received orders from the Hyuga Second Elder to attack a civilian Genin named Kawaki Aoba, and to bring him back dead or alive. During the fight, they struck viciously and smashed the goggles Kawaki Aoba was wearing, seriously injuring his eyes."

"Bullshit!" Before the Root ninja had even finished speaking, the Hyuga Second Elder cursed him out. "I only told those two idiots to bring Kawaki Aoba back to the Hyuga Clan!"

"Hmph. So you admit it, then? Attacking a civilian ninja without cause inside the village and deliberately creating a crisis—who gave the Hyuga Clan the nerve?" As if he'd finally found something to use against him, Shimura Danzo mercilessly tore into the Hyuga Second Elder.

"Enough, Shimura Danzo! Don't make baseless accusations. The Hyuga Clan has never done anything to harm the village. Even if I admit that I sent those two idiots to bring Kawaki Aoba back to the Hyuga Clan, that's still a family matter." Though his expression was grim, the Hyuga Second Elder's tone remained firm.

He knew that with both the Hokage and the Hokage Assistant involved, there was no hiding the fact that he had sent those two idiots. So he might as well admit it. He still thought this was just a family matter for the Hyuga Clan and had no idea how serious things were.

"A Hyuga family matter? Lord Hokage, forgive my bluntness, but I cannot agree with the Hyuga Second Elder's view. I'm just an ordinary civilian ninja who belongs to Konoha. When did I ever become involved with the Hyuga Clan? Or does the Hyuga Second Elder believe that everything in Konoha has become a family matter for the Hyuga Clan?"

Kawaki Aoba's words were rather harsh, especially since he'd said them in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sure enough, after hearing him, the Hyuga Second Elder's already unpleasant expression darkened further.

What did he mean, that the Hyuga Second Elder had made Konoha's affairs into the Hyuga Clan's family business? That wasn't something he could say in front of the Hokage. No matter how lacking the Second Elder's wits were, he could still hear the malice in Kawaki Aoba's words.

He hurriedly explained, "You little brat, what are you talking about? The village's affairs are naturally under the Hokage's jurisdiction. When I said 'family matter,' I meant you, the brat who awakened the Byakugan.

"Anyone who awakens the Byakugan belongs to the Hyuga Clan. How I choose to deal with you is our family's business, and it doesn't violate the village's rules."

"That's utterly ridiculous. I'm just a civilian ninja, and all the ninjas who graduated alongside me can attest to that. How could I have awakened the Byakugan? If the Hyuga Second Elder wants to frame me, he should at least come up with a better excuse.

"Or does the Hyuga Second Elder think that whenever the Hyuga Clan takes a dislike to some civilian ninja in the village, it can enforce its family rules on them by claiming they awakened the Byakugan?

"Lord Hokage, I refuse to accept such an absurd excuse. Please see that justice is done." As he spoke, Kawaki Aoba bowed deeply toward the empty window.

As a blind man who couldn't see, it made perfect sense for him to bow toward thin air.

"Ahem." Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat, making his presence known. "Aoba, don't worry. The village will get to the bottom of this. If things really happened as you say, the village will give you justice. As for the Hyuga Clan..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to the Hyuga Second Elder. "Everything requires evidence. Since you say Kawaki Aoba awakened the Byakugan and belongs to the Hyuga Clan, you must have proof, right?"

The Hyuga Second Elder was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

From what he'd heard, Kawaki Aoba had only awakened the Byakugan recently. There was no photographic evidence, and probably very few people had even seen him use it.

Suddenly, an idea struck the Hyuga Second Elder. He remembered the ninja who had passed the information to him.

As if he'd found a lifeline, he hurriedly said, "Miyamura Ayano. This young Genin can testify. Her entire squad saw Kawaki Aoba awaken the Byakugan during a mission."

Kawaki Aoba's expression shifted slightly. Miyamura Ayano. If nothing unexpected had happened, she was the one who had sold him out to the Hyuga Clan.

She had indeed been one of his temporary teammates—a senior who was two years ahead of him.

With the lead the Hyuga Second Elder had provided, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly sent the Anbu to bring in Miyamura Ayano and the rest of her squad.

The squad consisted of a Special Jonin and three Genin. When the four arrived at the Hokage Office, they all looked nervous, especially Miyamura Ayano.

"Lord Hokage, everyone in this squad can testify. They all saw Kawaki Aoba awaken the Byakugan with their own eyes." The Hyuga Second Elder turned to the Special Jonin's squad, and his gaze met that of the only kunoichi among them.

But something made his heart skip a beat: the moment their eyes met, the underage kunoichi nervously looked away from him.

Was she avoiding him? Why was she avoiding him?