Whatever the Reason, I'll Hold You All Accountable!

Boom!

Countless Jonin stood with red-rimmed eyes and heaving chests, their fighting spirit surging skyward!

"Well said!!"

"Why should we let them push us around?"

"This isn't how Konoha should be!!"

"Damn Iwagakure! I'll cut them down myself!"

"That bastard Ōnoki dares attack Konoha? He's asking to die."

"Let's beat the hell out of him!"

Senju Bu stepped forward, his hair and beard bristling and his aged eyes burning. "I'm ready to fight beside the Hokage! Let Konoha's might be known!!"

The Uchiha ninja were already spoiling for battle. Sharingan gleamed in their eyes, and killing intent blazed beneath them.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance. Every trace of worry left their faces, replaced by shame and excitement.

Teacher, do you see? Kagami truly is someone you could entrust with this.

They had worried too much and hesitated at every turn. They had nearly held back Konoha's rise!

Shikata Nara slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing, and let out a quiet breath—

This young Hokage's vision, resolve, and courage had long since surpassed his predecessors'!

The Nara Clan will follow him to the death!

Yamanaka and Akimichi will have to come too!

From this day forward, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans will stand behind Lord Hokage forever!

Loyalty!

On the other side...

Shizuya Hyuga trembled, tears filling his eyes, his back ramrod straight.

This was the Hokage I'd defied the Main Family and staked my life to follow!

Beside him, Tokuma Hyuga stood rigid, his face deathly pale, as though struck by lightning.

The entire hall seethed with fighting spirit. Everyone stood behind the Hokage!

Only he stood among them like an utter fool, out of place and utterly humiliated!

Why do you all stand behind him?

He's just a brat from the Uchiha Clan.

Have you forgotten how many years Tobirama Senju spent guarding against the Uchiha Clan?

He looked at Tobirama's disciples and clansmen, all standing behind Kagami Uchiha.

He could not understand it.

Kagami Uchiha surveyed the hall, his gaze sharp as a blade and his voice ringing through the room!

"From this day forward!"

"Konoha formally declares war on Iwagakure!!"

His words fell!

Like thunder through the hall!

Everyone bowed as one, their voices shaking the entire Hokage Building!

"We obey the Hokage's command!!"

The ninja before him burned with fighting spirit. Faces flushed, they flexed their hands, eyes brimming with the urge to kill, as if ready to rush to the border and cut down Ōnoki themselves.

From his seat at the head of the hall, Kagami Uchiha let a carefully hidden flicker of satisfaction pass through his eyes.

The troops were ready, and everyone stood with him.

He slowly raised a hand and pressed it gently downward.

At that one simple gesture, the earthshaking cries and excited chatter stopped at once.

The noisy office fell silent. Every ninja bowed and stood at attention, waiting for the Hokage's next order.

Kagami Uchiha spoke steadily, issuing his final orders with measured clarity.

"Everyone, listen. Return to your departments at once. Carry out your duties, keep operations running smoothly, and give the border campaign your full support."

"The main force against Iwagakure will be the Northwest Second Legion under Danzo's command. He will have full authority over defense and offensive operations at the border."

"If the front line needs reinforcements later, I'll coordinate their deployment."

"Everyone else, unless you have other pressing duties, you're dismissed. Hold your posts and secure Konoha's rear!"

Everyone bowed and accepted the orders without hesitation.

Utatane Koharu, Shikata Nara, Mitokado Homura, the other senior officials, and the Jonin from the major clans and various departments bowed in turn, then filed out of the Hokage Office.

Before long, the crowd had cleared from the vast hall. Only the Hyuga ninja remained standing in the spacious, solemn room.

The air fell still and taut.

The reckoning over the Hyuga Clan's long-festering ills and the grievances between its Main Family and Branch Family was about to begin.

Kagami watched the other ninja leave. The office door closed softly, shutting out every sound from outside.

In the silence, Kagami Uchiha slowly swept his gaze over the remaining Hyuga ninja.

His eyes settled on Tokuma Hyuga, whose face remained dark with anger. Kagami spoke calmly.

"As Konoha's Hokage, I see every ninja who protects this village as a comrade, whether born to a renowned clan or to an ordinary family. You need not doubt that."

"The Hyuga Clan has a long history, a thousand years of tradition, and a legacy no less distinguished than those of the Uchiha or Senju."

"At the end of the Warring States Period, you followed Lord Hashirama in founding Konoha. Everyone has seen what you've done for this village."

He paused. Then his tone shifted, carrying a blunt note of disdain.

"But setting aside my position as Hokage, I, Kagami Uchiha, have never thought much of the Hyuga Clan."

Every Hyuga clansman's expression changed. Discomfort and displeasure showed plainly on their faces as the room went still.

Seeing their tension, Kagami Uchiha raised a hand and added evenly,

"Don't be hasty. I'm not looking down on the Hyuga ninja who work tirelessly to protect the village."

"What I look down on is your thousand-year-old, hopelessly antiquated Main Family and Branch Family system."

The words struck straight at the foundations of the Hyuga Clan.

Tokuma Hyuga's face darkened. He stepped forward and objected in a firm voice.

"Lord Hokage! You may question me, but you cannot insult the Hyuga Clan's ancestral rules!"

"Oh?" Kagami Uchiha remained unruffled. He gave a slight nod, as though inviting an explanation. "Then tell me: what good has this thousand-year-old system done?"

Tokuma Hyuga steadied himself and answered with conviction.

"Lord Hokage! The Caged Bird Seal has long been criticized, but those very rules have kept the Byakugan bloodline from ever leaking out over the past thousand years!"

"The Byakugan is one of Konoha's foremost strategic bloodlines, an invaluable tool for reconnaissance and one of the village's trump cards!"

"And even Lord Hashirama, while he lived, never questioned or rejected the Hyuga Clan's internal system! I believe... these rules are beyond reproach!"

Every word rang with certainty. He had even invoked the First Hokage, sure that his argument was unassailable.

Kagami Uchiha nodded, looking almost convinced as he replied softly.

"Mm... you have a point. Put that way, I can't find a reason to argue with you just now."

Seeing Kagami Uchiha's manner soften, Tokuma Hyuga finally relaxed, certain of his conclusion.

It seems this young Hokage respects the Hyuga Clan's standing after all. He won't dare touch rules a thousand years old that the First Hokage himself accepted. He won't interfere in the clan's internal affairs again.

But he failed to see the cold glint appearing beneath Kagami Uchiha's lowered gaze.

Kagami spoke slowly, his tone sounding almost conciliatory.

"Tokuma, you're right. The Hyuga ancestral system has endured for a thousand years, and even the First Hokage didn't interfere. As his successor, I shouldn't meddle too much in Hyuga family matters."

The Hyuga Branch Family ninja went pale. They turned to the silent Shizuya Hyuga, panic and accusation in their eyes.

This isn't what you told us, Shizuya!

You set us up?

Faced with their anxious stares, Shizuya Hyuga kept his head lowered and said nothing in his defense.

He was utterly certain.

The man who led Konoha would not abandon him.

Kagami Uchiha was the one savior the Branch Family had endured a thousand years waiting for.

His faith bordered on obsession, but it never wavered.

Kagami Uchiha glanced at the frightened Branch Family members behind him. A faint smile touched his lips before he changed tack.

"But I do have a question for you, Elder Tokuma."

"Please ask, Lord Hokage."

Tokuma Hyuga's face immediately broke into a genial smile. At last, he could breathe easy.

If the Hokage is showing me respect, I shouldn't keep my distance from him. So long as he stays out of Hyuga affairs, I ought to stand firmly at Lord Hokage's side...

Kagami Uchiha's expression abruptly went cold. He asked, each word distinct,

"Tell me, in Konoha, whose authority is greater: the Hokage's or a clan head's?"

"To put it another way—when a ninja receives orders, which comes first: the Hokage's command or a private order from their clan?"

The question was simple and direct, but it struck at the heart of the matter.

Tokuma Hyuga dared not hesitate. He bowed at once. "Lord Hokage's orders stand above all others!"

"Good."

"Since even the First Hokage left Hyuga family matters alone, I, as his successor, certainly have no place managing them."

Kagami Uchiha nodded slightly. His tone was mild, but left no room for refusal.

"However, Shizuya Hyuga is my Shadow Guard. He has a duty to protect me. I trust you won't make things difficult for him, Elder Tokuma."

Kagami Uchiha turned his back on the assembled Hyuga clansmen, his voice steady.

Tokuma Hyuga's eye twitched. He forced a smile. "Ha! As Lord Hokage's trusted Shadow Guard, of course no one would dare touch or punish him! Consider the matter settled!"

Then he turned and shot Shizuya Hyuga a vicious glare.

A mere Branch Family member...

There'll be plenty of chances later...

"In that case, you're all dismissed. The matter of Shizuya ends here."

"As you command!"

Tokuma Hyuga bowed, then turned to leave with the Main Family and Branch Family members.

But just as they started toward the office door, an icy voice cracked behind them, pinning every one of them in place!

"I'll warn you one last time!"

"Shizuya Hyuga is my subordinate. If he should die unexpectedly one day, for whatever reason, whatever excuse you offer, I will hold every Hyuga ninja present today accountable!"

"Do not say I failed to warn you!"

Tokuma Hyuga's back stiffened. His face turned livid, but he did not dare look back or argue. Gritting his teeth, he led his clansmen onward.

"Oh, and one more thing. I once heard an old saying."

"Those who gather firewood to warm others must not be left to freeze in the snow."

Those few words struck like thunder!

The Branch Family ninja, who had been frightened and near despair, all jolted. Their eyes lit up!

That's right. Shizuya has Lord Hokage's protection. Even with the Caged Bird Seal, what would the Main Family dare do to him?

How is that any different from freedom?

One by one, fervent gazes settled on Shizuya Hyuga.

With everyone watching, Shizuya Hyuga dropped to one knee. His back straight, he gazed with fervent devotion at the upright figure before him.

Lord Hokage! My loyalty is yours!