Once There's a First Time, There'll Be a Second

"That's right. This enemy stole a bloodline limit and has already been wanted by Konoha. We condemn his attack on the Hidden Mist Village's peace negotiation delegation."

The Third Hokage set down his pipe, and his expression improved somewhat.

Looking at the clan heads and representatives from the other families, they all seemed to understand a little more.

Only Hiashi Hyuga's expression remained unchanged. The pressure had now returned to his side.

The Third Hokage looked at Hiashi Hyuga.

The Byakugan! Its characteristics were far too obvious. Ao was clearly unwilling to lose the Byakugan, and this had to be his bottom line.

The office fell silent again.

This time, even Nara Shikaku did not break the silence.

This was now a confrontation between the Hokage and the Hyuga Clan.

The intentions of the Third Hokage and the elders were already obvious: they intended to abandon the Hyuga Clan once again.

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts. What had happened in Konoha recently was simply too strange.

Konoha's great clans had suffered one blow after another. Would their clans be next?

Some of them now needed the Hyuga Clan to withstand the pressure instead.

The current Third Hokage was ruthless internally but submissive externally. He was already a coward, perhaps even worse than one.

Representatives of several clans were filled with resentment toward him. No wonder so many clans had fallen silent when Orochimaru carried out the Konoha Crush.

What the Third Hokage had done had long since planted the seeds of his own downfall.

And now, he was fertilizing them, allowing them to take root and sprout.

Seeing everyone sink into silence, the Third Hokage began preaching the Will of Fire again.

"The village suffered grievous losses some time ago. Because of Uchiha Itachi's defection, the Uchiha Clan was exterminated, and the village's strength is now severely lacking. At the border with the Land of Lightning, the Hidden Cloud Village has already begun massing troops. War may be coming!"

The Third Hokage's words were especially alarming, drawing everyone's attention as they looked at him inquisitively.

No matter what, these great clans were the least willing to see war break out. The outbreak of war meant the rise of civilian ninja.

During the previous wars, quite a few civilian ninja had risen through the ranks and become small clans, carving away at their interests.

The Third Hokage swept his gaze over the room. Having achieved the effect he wanted, he continued.

"Fortunately, through my efforts, I have stalled the Land of Lightning. Now, as long as we resolve the matter with the Hidden Mist Village, the Land of Lightning will not dare make any major moves."

The Third Hokage claimed all the credit for himself, leaving Danzo somewhat dissatisfied. But given the current situation, he did not step forward to argue with the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage suddenly stood, his tone taking on a rhythmic cadence.

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire burns on without end. Its light will continue to illuminate the village and let newborn saplings sprout."

"For the village's future, I am prepared to sacrifice myself at any time. We should all possess the resolve to give everything we have for Konoha, even our lives."

"If war breaks out again, even more people will die. Everyone here could perish on the battlefield, including your relatives and companions."

The Third Hokage's gaze fell upon Hiashi Hyuga. Though his tone was gentle, it was full of menace.

"Hiashi, the future of the village, everyone's future, and the future of your Hyuga Clan all rest on a single thought of yours!"

The Third Hokage passionately proclaimed his Will of Fire.

The more Hiashi Hyuga listened, the more alarmed he became. He could feel the gazes around him changing. This kind of Will of Fire was nothing more than devouring people alive.

Last time, the Uchiha Clan had been swallowed whole. No one knew who would be eaten next. But now, it was the Hyuga Clan.

The scene before him seemed to have happened years ago. Back then, he had chosen compromise. What about now?

"How will Uchiha Sasuke be handled?"

Rather than answer immediately, Hiashi Hyuga asked the Third Hokage.

"I will personally negotiate. No matter what, I will protect Uchiha Sasuke. After all, he is the last bloodline of the Uchiha." The Third Hokage answered.

Hiashi Hyuga's expression appeared unchanged, but his heart was filled with cold laughter. What you truly fear is Uchiha Itachi, isn't it? Your actions in the shadows cannot escape us who possess the Byakugan.

He felt miserable inside, yet did not dare reveal it.

Seeing that Hiashi Hyuga still refused to state his position, the Third Hokage's tone carried both persuasion and threat. "Hiashi, you must understand sacrifice. Sacrifice is protection! You do not want the Hyuga Clan's ninja to die in war either, do you?"

After saying that, he sat down and waited for Hiashi Hyuga's reply.

Countless thoughts raced through Hiashi Hyuga's mind. He even considered turning hostile on the spot, but reason stopped him. Is this the consequence of lacking strength? The Hyuga Clan has no one like Uchiha Itachi, someone capable of contending with a Kage. We can only accept his arrangements!

Seeing that Hiashi Hyuga still would not state his position, Homura Mitokado spoke as well. "Hiashi, for Konoha's stability and peace, only one Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan needs to be sacrificed. Besides, it is not your eye, and only one eye at that."

Koharu Utatane echoed, "Everything is for the village. Konoha needs peace."

Seeing that the timing was about right, the Third Hokage said, "If giving up my eye could bring peace, I would do it without hesitation."

No one present believed the Third Hokage's words.

Yet they utterly broke Hiashi Hyuga. He no longer had an excuse to refuse.

Hiashi Hyuga looked around, hoping to see even a trace of support on the faces of the other clan heads. He was disappointed!

"Fine! The Hyuga Clan will provide one preserved Byakugan." In the end, he still chose compromise.

Once something happened for the first time, there would be a second time.

Unless the source of the problem was cut off. The first time was the Hidden Cloud Village, the second was the Hidden Mist Village. What about the third time? Which village would it be? Was the source of the problem truly external threats?

A satisfied smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face, while Shimura Danzo's gloomy expression improved somewhat as well.

Only Hiashi Hyuga forcibly suppressed his discomfort. The anger on his face could no longer be hidden.

The Third Hokage did not continue pressing him. This was already the Hyuga Clan's limit.

"What about compensation?"

The head of the Akimichi Clan raised the question.

Everyone immediately looked toward the peace agreement on the table.

They had not participated in this peace negotiation, because Shimura Danzo had provided the compensation. Thus, the peace agreement had remained confidential.

Now, Ao's meaning was clear: he wanted another round of identical compensation.

Would they give it or not?

The Third Hokage was somewhat helpless. He opened the peace agreement on the spot; it could no longer be concealed.

Rustle~

The heads of the great clans were shaken. That figure was truly astonishing!

Then just how much had Shimura Danzo gained from the Uchiha Clan this time?

And how much had the Third Hokage gained?

"This incident was still Shimura Danzo's responsibility. We will not interfere with this compensation either." Seeing that figure, Hiashi Hyuga understood a little more.

At the same time, he made his stance clear and drew the other ninja clans in with him.

"Agreed~"

"..."

This resonated with the other clans. When it came to dividing the benefits this time, the Third Hokage and Danzo had been too greedy.

Shimura Danzo glared viciously at Hiashi Hyuga.

Hiashi Hyuga showed no fear.

"Danzo, the Sarutobi Clan will contribute one hundred million ryo. The compensation this time will be covered by our two clans." The Third Hokage swept his gaze across the room. He had indeed provoked public outrage.

"I hope everyone can overcome this difficulty together, and I thank the Hyuga Clan for their contribution. Remain vigilant. War could break out at any time. You may all leave."

The Third Hokage set down the pipe in his mouth and began wrapping things up.

Some clan heads left the Hokage's office together, while others departed alone, such as Hiashi Hyuga.