"Uchiha Genya!"
On the streets of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He gritted his teeth, his mind filled with Xuanye's arrogant face.
As he walked toward the Hokage Building, he plotted silently.
How could he quietly defuse this bomb that could explode at any moment?
But after turning it over and over, the old fox discovered to his horror that he did not dare make a single rash move.
His hands were tied for two fatal reasons.
First, negotiations with the Kumogakure delegation had not completely collapsed. How the Fourth Raikage would react remained unknown, and he needed to keep Uchiha Genya out front to take the blame.
More critically, Tsunade had actually returned to Konoha, which meant he risked being replaced as Hokage at any moment.
If the village's senior officials jointly called for his removal again, he needed enough room to retreat.
Second, that trace of an aura Uchiha Genya had inadvertently leaked at the training ground had been utterly terrifying!
At his age, Hiruzen Sarutobi's other abilities might have deteriorated, but his nose for danger was definitely keener than a dog's.
That instant of killing intent had made every hair on his body stand on end!
Just how powerful had that little Uchiha bastard become?
If he truly moved to eliminate him, how many lives would Konoha have to sacrifice?
If the assassination failed and the Uchiha Clan openly rebelled, could the village bear the cost?
His head swimming with thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up and realized he had unknowingly wandered to the main entrance of the Konoha Military Police Force headquarters.
Just then, a figure approached him.
The old fox narrowed his eyes, his expression instantly turning cold.
"Clan Head Hiashi, what brings you to Uchiha territory?"
"Could it be that the Hyuga Clan now intends to switch allegiances and get into bed with the Uchiha Clan?"
Although he felt his decision to make Hyuga Hiashi take the blame last night had been flawless, if Konoha's foremost prestigious clan truly became entangled with the Uchiha, it would spell enormous trouble for the Hokage's faction.
"The Hyuga Clan has never taken sides, nor do we deliberately shun anyone."
Hyuga Hiashi's face was impassive, his reply leaving no openings.
"I came today solely to visit the commander of Konoha's Military Police Force. It has nothing to do with the Uchiha Clan."
Indeed, he had come specifically to see Uchiha Genya.
Not one of the successive clan heads who had kept the Hyuga Clan secure through the generations had been a pushover.
After returning home last night, Hyuga Hiashi had sat alone in his study until dawn, thinking through every aspect of what had happened.
The Third Hokage had treated the Hyuga Clan like a filthy rag to be discarded at will!
Not only did he intend to squeeze out whatever value they had left, but he also wanted to use Kumogakure to severely weaken the Hyuga Clan!
The thought left Hyuga Hiashi utterly disheartened, even somewhat inclined to laugh.
Looking back through Konoha's founding history, how much blood had generations of Hyuga shed? How many had died?
Whenever a war broke out in the Shinobi World, Hyuga clansmen had risked their lives on the front lines, earning countless distinguished achievements through the Byakugan's reconnaissance abilities.
Even when Madara Uchiha had privately promised Hyuga Tennin lavish rewards to win him over, the Hyuga Clan had refused without hesitation, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to following the Hokage.
And what had come of it?
What had such wholehearted loyalty earned them?
It had earned them Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicion, his schemes, and his cold-blooded betrayal at the crucial moment!
Hyuga Hiashi stared at the Third Hokage's hypocritical face, a trace of undisguised sorrow flashing in his eyes.
If Uchiha Genya had not forced his way in with his men last night and spoken fairly on Hiashi's behalf, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Hand over the killer?
Was he really supposed to force his own younger brother, Hizashi Hyuga, to die as an apology to Kumogakure?!
Why should he?!
People from Kumogakure had come in the dead of night to steal a child of the Hyuga Clan. Just because they possessed the Byakugan, just because Konoha High Command wanted to smooth things over, the victims were supposed to kill themselves and take the blame?
He, Hyuga Hiashi, was done serving this disgusting "Will of Fire"!
So not only had he come today, he would walk openly through the Military Police Force's gates and thank Uchiha Genya in person!
This was the Hyuga Clan's new stance!
After so many years of spinelessness, it was time to stand tall and show some backbone!
Seemingly sensing the resentment in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned. The sneer instantly disappeared from his face, replaced once more by the earnest expression of an elder offering advice.
"Hiashi, you're a clan head yourself. You should understand my difficulties. Given last night's situation, I was only trying to consider the bigger picture!"
"Konoha has yet to recover its strength. If Kumogakure really uses this as a pretext for war, then for the sake of everyone in the village, young and old, I have no choice!"
For the village?
So that makes it perfectly reasonable to sacrifice my Hyuga Clan?
Hyuga Hiashi sneered inwardly, no longer willing to listen to the old fox's lofty rhetoric.
"I fully understand your painstaking efforts, Lord Hokage."
"Since everything is for the village, surely you won't object to my coming on behalf of the Hyuga Clan to strengthen relations with the Police Force Captain responsible for public safety, Lord Hokage? For the sake of the bigger picture, of course."
After shutting him down with a few polite remarks, Hyuga Hiashi ignored the livid Hiruzen Sarutobi and strode through the Military Police Force's gates.
"You're quite something. You don't even show the Hokage the most basic respect."
Beside the training ground, Xuanye was still comfortably reclining in his lounge chair, basking in the sun.
Tsunade, who sat nearby, finally could not contain her curiosity. She leaned over, her face eager for gossip.
"Respect depends on the person."
With his eyes closed, Xuanye replied slowly, "Some people deserve respect. Others don't even deserve a proper look from me."
He opened his eyes and happened to catch sight of Hyuga Hiashi approaching along the corridor.
"Here, take Clan Head Hiashi, for example."
Xuanye pointed at the approaching Hyuga Hiashi. "I can't stand their clan's rotten rules about the Main Family and Branch Family, but that's their internal business. I can't be bothered to meddle."
"But look at the crap Hiruzen Sarutobi has pulled. The Hyuga Clan keeps its head down, never fights for power or influence, and dutifully risks its lives for Konoha. Yet the old man still treats them like thieves, suspects them of everything, and even pushes them out to die when it matters. Does a scheming politician like that deserve my respect?"
His words cut straight to the heart of the matter.
Tsunade nodded repeatedly as she listened. She could not have agreed more.
Before they could continue their conversation, Hyuga Hiashi reached them and respectfully cupped his fist toward Xuanye.
Xuanye did not even shift in his seat. His eyes remained fixed on Tsunade's rosy lips, and he suddenly found himself missing last night's Kurenai Yuhi-brand dumplings. His mouth, however, continued without the slightest restraint.
"And look at our Military Police Force. Ever since I took over, public safety in the village has visibly improved, hasn't it? Every day, we diligently maintain order and protect the merchants' property."
"We're making real contributions to Konoha. What right does Hiruzen Sarutobi have to dislike me?"
"Giving him attitude every day is letting him off easy!"
"That old fox only got away just now because he ran fast and didn't dare lash out to my face. Otherwise, would you believe I'd have broken both his legs today and sent him back to the Hokage's Office on a stretcher?"
Xuanye's tone was calm.
But Hyuga Hiashi and Tsunade, facing him, felt their eyes twitch violently.
Hyuga Hiashi in particular wanted to roll his eyes. Unfortunately, his eyes were always white anyway, so no one would have noticed even if he did.
Even with ten times the courage, he would never dare voice such outrageous words in public.
Still...
Hyuga Hiashi took a deep breath, collected himself, and bowed deeply to Xuanye with the utmost solemnity.
"Captain Xuanye, the Hyuga Clan will never forget your great kindness last night!"
"Enough, enough. Spare me the empty formalities."
Xuanye waved impatiently, cutting his emotional words short.
"If you really want to repay me, paying twenty percent more protection money next month would beat anything else. Keep the sappy words rotting in your stomach. Wouldn't it be better to let them pass through your intestines and out the other end?"
The gratitude Hyuga Hiashi had just worked up instantly lodged in his throat, leaving his face flushed red.
Meanwhile, sitting beside them, Tsunade watched this man who never did anything by the usual rules, the curiosity in her eyes only growing stronger.
This man was rather interesting.
Before you continue