The flood surging up from South Street lit up more than half of Konoha's night sky.
This was no ordinary torrent.
Tens of thousands of tons of water swirled in midair, its roar carrying for miles.
Even several streets away, the tremors made it hard to stay on one's feet.
Every ninja clan in the village was alerted.
At the Hyuga Clan compound, atop its tallest watchtower.
Hyuga Hiashi stood before the window with his hands behind his back, surrounded by elite members of the branch family.
Every activated Byakugan was fixed on the sky above South Street.
"Clan head, we've confirmed it!"
An elder of the Hyuga Branch Family spoke in a trembling voice.
"That's Lord Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's chakra!"
"And... and three distinct sources of Mangekyō Sharingan ocular power!"
Every Hyuga in the room held their breath.
A Mangekyō Sharingan had once been something rarely seen even once in decades.
Now, three pairs had appeared on South Street at the same time.
"Clan head, should we send someone over?"
A Special Jōnin from the branch family hurriedly asked.
"Several of our young people just went to work as security for the Konoha Military Police Force on South Street today."
"If Lord Second levels South Street, will the Hokage Building hold us accountable?"
Hyuga Hiashi turned around, his expression darkening.
"Accountable for what?"
"Those are Special Economic Zone positions approved by the Daimyo's Internal Affairs Ministry!"
"Our Hyuga Clan sent people to work through the proper channels. Everything was perfectly legitimate."
Hiashi's gaze was calm, even a little cold.
"But the Second Hokage has been summoned!"
The elder spoke urgently.
"Orochimaru and Danzo clearly intend to fight the Uchiha to the death."
"Which side should we stand on?"
"Which side?"
Hyuga Hiashi gave a cold laugh.
"We stand