The hearts of the Hyuga clan are floating.
The last time the clan faced a top priority was when the traitor Hyuga Ayane defected, leaving the entire clan feeling like they were facing a formidable enemy.
But this time it was different. This time it was purely external pressure that caused internal dissatisfaction.
Since the Third Hokage came back to power, Konoha's conservatives have once again dominated the general direction of the village. The radicals have died down and have been steadily suppressed by the conservatives.
Although it is not explicitly stated that the Hyuga clan should sacrifice their clan leader to avoid another war with Kumogakure, this is what many people think.
People will die in war. This time it was purely the Hyuga clan's own trouble, and no one was willing to take the initiative to take responsibility.
If the leader of the Kumogakure mission had kidnapped the daughter of the Hyuga clan leader, instead of directly killing her, but had captured her alive, then the situation would undoubtedly have been much better.
Now that the leader of the Kumogakure mission was accidentally killed by the Hyuga clan, it gave Kumogakure village an excuse to find a reason for war.
However, the top management of Konoha did not take the public opinions of some people in the village to heart.
No matter what, even if it is a peaceful solution, it will not require Hyuga and Hizashi to make sacrifices to avoid war.
As the leader of the Hyuga clan, he not only represents the reputation of Hinata and Konoha, but also possesses the extremely pure Byakugan blood lineage.
Once this blood inheritance limit falls into Yunyin's hands, the consequences will be disastrous.
The Hyuga clan is also aware of this.
But Yunyin's insistence on this really made them feel embarrassed.
Konoha can no longer withstand another large-scale war.
◎
The soft fists played by the boy in the courtyard are already well organized.
He continued to hit the wooden stake with soft fists. The force that seemed soft was actually attacking the inside of the wooden stake.
If it continues, this wooden pile will burst from the inside and be shattered.
Hizashi could predict such a scene.
When the boy was making the next soft fist attack, he called out to him:
"Neji."
The boy who was practicing stopped what he was doing, turned his head in confusion, and saw his father Hinata Hizashi standing in the corridor and greeting him.
"Father."
Neji ran over.
"You have already practiced your soft boxing very well, and you will soon be able to get into more advanced soft boxing."
Hizashi gently stroked his son Neji's head and smiled.
"Yes...but I don't think I'm strong enough yet."
Neji didn't know what he thought of, and clenched his fists slightly, seeming to show some reluctance.
Seeing Neji like this, Hizashi couldn't help but fell silent and sighed.
He naturally knew what Neji's inner struggle was.
Because he saw with his own eyes the ugliness of the Hyuga clan.
A while ago, at the invitation of his brother Hinata Hinata, he took Neci to the clan's territory to watch the soft fist training of his brother Hinata and his daughter Hinata Hinata. Because he couldn't help showing murderous intent towards Hinata Hinata, he was killed by his brother Hinata. It was enough to suppress a caged bird and roll it to the ground in agony.
The ugliness of this scene was witnessed by Neji with his own eyes.
But in that situation, he couldn't control his murderous intention.
When he thinks that his son Neji will be like himself, he will be planted with a caged bird that loses his freedom. However, his brother Hizu's daughter does not need to be controlled by the caged bird, but can control the fate of the family in the future... Such unwillingness How can it be suppressed and resentment.
Obviously my son is more talented...
Although she is the daughter of the head of the clan, she has no fighting talent...
The result is that the capable Neji will become a branch of the family, while the incompetent daughter of the clan will continue to enjoy the treatment of the clan.
How unfair is this family.
Neji's mind has not yet grown up, so naturally he has not realized the real horror of the caged bird.
When he fully grows up, he will also hate his family and his so-called fate just like himself.
While hating the family, he is also responsible for the life of the clan.
Whenever he thought of this kind of thing, Hizashi couldn't help but sigh sadly.
"You have done a very good job, but people in the Zong family should not show this kind of expression."
Hizashi could not give Neji an innocent and clean childhood.
There is no ability to give.
Everyone who lives in a separated family will be a caged bird at a certain age... With such a life, there is no such thing as a so-called innocent childhood.
Hizashi recalled that most of his childhood was spent in a clan family that was full of hatred and hostility.
"I understand, Father."
Neji didn't understand why Hizashi said that, but after thinking about the consequences of his father's resistance that day, he vaguely understood.
The identities of branch families and clan families are insurmountable.
"It's good to know. With your talent, you will definitely become an excellent ninja in the future."
Neji's talent was far above his own.
Unfortunately, as a ninja from the branch family, he is not qualified to touch advanced soft fists such as Kaiten.
That is the soft fist that only the ninjas of my clan are qualified to learn.
Although Hizashi knew this trick, he didn't learn it comprehensively, and he was also ordered not to pass it on to his descendants privately. He had to get the consent of the clan before he could teach it to others.
"Speaking of which, there seems to be a lot of things going on in the family recently. I heard that Yunyin is trying to put pressure on us..."
Neji thought of something at this moment and said.
It was difficult not to pay attention to this matter. Many adults in the clan gathered together to have a heated discussion about this matter.
Hizashi frowned and said, "This matter has nothing to do with you. Your task now is to practice and study."
This is not something a child can control.
"Will the village continue to fight?"
"Won't."
Hizashi said decisively.
"Why?"
"Protecting the clan is an inevitable responsibility that the branch family must fulfill."
Hizashi replied.
Neji looked at his father Hizashi's determined face in confusion.
"Sooner or later you will understand... No, it's better never to understand. For us, this is the best outcome."
Hizashi's face looked a little more melancholy.
What is a clan?
What is family separation?
One day, Neji will fully understand the gulf between the two.
But if possible, Hizashi hoped that Neji would never understand such a thing.
Watching his father Hizashi leave, Neji just stood there and thought about what the words his father left behind meant.
◎
"Brother."
After Hizashi arrived at the clan's territory, he met his brother Hinata Hizashi in the corridor.
The other party frowned and seemed to be troubled by something.
This was also expected by Hizashi to become the central figure in troublesome events. If he is not careful, it may cause Konoha and Kumogakure to restart the war.
With such pressure on a person, you can imagine how stressful it is.
And this is nothing more than Kumogakure's conspiracy.
Many people in the Hyuga clan know this.
But with the mentality of not being afraid of ten thousand, just afraid of the worst, there is no guarantee that Kumogakure will really be bluffing.
It is estimated that many people in Konoha Village are complaining about why the leader of the Hyuga clan killed the leader of the Kumogakure mission.
But people who think like this have no understanding of the real core issue in this matter.
The leader of the Kumogakure mission, compared to the kidnapping by the Hyuga clan, it was more like he was seeking death on his own initiative.
Seeking death and being killed by mistake are completely different in nature.
But Kumogakure had the head start at this moment, and he was just targeting Hinata, not Konoha as a whole. No wonder many Konoha ninjas had this kind of luck that they were not targeting Konoha.
Most of the people who have this idea are genin and chuunin, and experienced jounin will never have the naive idea that Kumogakure is not targeting Konoha.
"What are you doing here?"
Hizu asked calmly.
Since being assigned to the branch, the relationship between him and his brother Hizashi has completely hardened.
In the past, I had my own ideas about what I wanted to talk about, but Hizashi seemed to have his own set of opinions.
As a member of the clan and the head of the Hyuga clan, Hizashi cannot be emotional.
So when Hizashi showed murderous intent towards his daughter Hinata, he was punished.
In the Hyuga clan, if you don't understand the respective positions of the main family and branch families, it will be difficult to survive.
"I have something to talk to some elders of the Zong family, and they asked me to come here."
Under normal circumstances, branch ninjas are not allowed to approach the clan's territory.
Naturally, it is impossible for Hizashi to come here and do nothing, otherwise it would arouse suspicion.
"them?"
After hearing this, Rizu frowned even more tightly.
He really couldn't figure out what the clan elders wanted to do when they came to Hizashi at this time.
"Don't ask me, I don't know why they came to me."
Hizashi shook his head.
"That's it, forget it, do whatever you want. However, I also want to warn you, if you show murderous intent towards Hinata again next time, don't blame me for being rude."
Rizu snorted lightly.
Even if he is his own brother, if he has murderous intentions towards his daughter, he will naturally not be happy.
"Yes, I understand. What happened before was my fault first."
No matter what, it is inappropriate to show murderous intentions towards a child, let alone his niece.
After I went back that day, I felt regretful when I thought about it carefully.
Rizu had shown mercy to him that day.
If other clan elders knew about this kind of thing, Neji would probably be implicated and punished together, and he would also be strictly monitored afterward.
From this point of view, this brother is still as cold on the outside and hot on the inside as ever.
Just like this, it is completely unable to change the current situation of the Hyuga clan. As the clan leader, Hizu can only go with the flow and act completely in accordance with the will of the clan.
If you think about it carefully, for such a person to become the leader of the Hyuga clan, he must be suffering internally.
He is obviously not such a cruel and heartless person.
Thinking of this, Hizashi's eyes darkened.
Because of this, he could not ignore the life safety of his brother Nizu.
In the past, many of his willful behaviors in the Hyuga clan were covered up by the Hyuuga and tolerated all his willfulness and nonsense.
Now it's time for him to 'pay his debt'.
"Hinata is just a child, no matter what, don't put resentment on her."
Rizu continued to give some advice.
Ri almost nodded and replied: "Don't worry, that was the last time, and it won't happen again from now on."
Hearing Hizashi's confident tone, Hizashi seemed to be examining something and stared at Hizashi seriously.
Hizashi's body tensed subconsciously, feeling like he was completely seen through by Hizashi.
"What's wrong? Is there something on me?"
Hizashi asked.
Rizu shook his head and said: "It's nothing, I'm just overthinking it. The elders and the others are in the third room to the right in front. You can just go there. I still have important things to discuss with the Third Generation, so I won't accompany you." You guys."
After saying that, Hizu passed by Hizashi.
◎
Inside the house at the root.
Danzo held a scroll that was passed to him through the members below.
After reading it, his brows furrowed, as if he was seriously considering the benefits and losses.
The deputy Aburame Ryoma who was beside him naturally saw the scroll, as well as the content and signature on it.
After a brief moment of surprise, Aburame Ryoma asked: "Danzo-sama, what do you want to do? Do you want to intervene?"
Danzo did not understand the answer, but narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers lightly on the table next to him.
After a long time, Danzo said leisurely: "If you want to become Hokage, you must be exposed to the sunlight on the ground."
This sentence shows Danzo's will.
"In other words, do you want to intervene in Kumogakure's incident? To be honest, it is very difficult. As a conservative of the Third Hokage, I hope to resolve it in a peaceful way."
Aburame Ryoma said.
Although they are unwilling to admit it, the conservative forces headed by the Third Hokage are still the largest group in Konoha.
After all, extreme radicals like Gen are only a minority.
This has also led to many civilian ninjas and ninjas being reluctant to come into contact with the roots.
"If the war can be resolved peacefully, how can it be worthy of the Konoha ninjas who died in the great ninja wars? Wouldn't all their blood be shed in vain?"
In every war, the basic principle is to take the lead and be active at the forefront of the battlefield, collecting intelligence for the frontline troops and carrying out assassinations and beheading operations.
Therefore, Danzo's Hokage and advisor elders stationed at the rear were more aware of the brutality of the battle on the front lines and how heavy the efforts and price paid by countless Konoha ninjas were.
But now that the conservatives are still powerful, the mission at the root is still mainly to operate in secret.
In the darkness, he continued to grow his power and compete with the conservatives led by the Third Hokage.
So far, the effect is excellent, and it has left the conservative Third Hokage scrambling several times.
If Nebu really intends to intervene in this Kumogakure and Hinata incident, it means that he will receive an extremely violent blow from the Third Hokage in the future, and will even put his own handle in the hands of the Third Hokage.
"I have already looked away from the temporary gains and losses. The key is to achieve the final victory. Hinata...it depends on whether they can seize this opportunity."
"How to do?"
If Danzo, as the leader of the Roots, has decided to assist Hinata and take action against Kumogakure's conspiracy, then naturally they, as subordinates, must go all out and fight Kumogakure to the end.
They are different from the conservative people. The root meaning of their existence is to protect Konoha by killing.
"Just as Kumogakure hits us, we hit him back. This is our root's strongest area, isn't it?"
Danzo smiled pointedly, mysteriously.
Aburame Ryoma nodded in understanding and walked outside to make arrangements.
Indeed, as Danzo said, this is what their roots are best at.
◎
In the forest outside Konoha Village.
Ayane stood on the branch of a tree. The blood vessels around her eyes began to bulge, and a thin layer of iridescence appeared deep in the white pupils, releasing high-purity white light.
Ayane, who was already in a state of white eyes, suddenly caught a group of Konoha ninjas wearing ANBU uniforms, but wearing slightly different masks from Konoha ANBU, sneaking out of Konoha through secret channels.
roots.
Shinobi no Anbu, an ANBU organization led by Danzo Shimura.
Over the years, under the connivance of the Third Hokage, it has grown stronger and stronger.
"You still can't help it, that guy Danzo. It seems that things are going very smoothly over there."
Ayane narrowed her eyes and smiled.
If you think about it carefully, this is a natural result.
If you want to become Hokage, you can't always hide in secret and plot.
Although taking rash actions will be suppressed by the Third Hokage in the future, Danzo will definitely make the choice that is in the best long-term interests compared to getting the support of the Hyuga clan.
The support of a bloodline limited ninja clan means a completely different meaning.
Even if you give up some benefits temporarily, in the long run, you can basically make a lot of money.
"Just wait and see what happens next, and then decide on the follow-up ending."
After this incident, not only will the relationship between Konoha and Kumogakure completely deteriorate, but it will also further intensify the conflicts within Konoha.
From this point of view, Ayane is also grateful to Kumogakure for creating such an excellent opportunity for her to lay out her plans in the Hyuga clan and further gather the power within the Hyuga clan.
Without Kumogakure's stimulation this time, it would not be that easy to further infiltrate the Hyuga clan.
◎
About three days passed after this.
Kumogakure's urging became more and more urgent.
That would make him want to rush into the Land of Fire immediately and teach Konoha a harsh lesson.
But in fact, the real result is that the Kumogakure ninjas at the border of Fire Country restrained themselves very much and did not break through Konoha's defense line.
Regardless of the commotion within Konoha, the atmosphere within the Hyuga clan was also extremely tense.
In the past few days, the senior officials have visited the Hyuga clan more than once and discussed this matter many times.
But judging from the number of times they came, the matter was more difficult than anyone imagined.
Today, in the meeting room of the Hyuga clan clan, all the elders of the clan are here.
In addition, there are Hyuga Hizashi who is a branch ninja, and the third generation Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and the accompanying ANBU who are outsiders.
Rizu was somewhat surprised by such a formation.
"Rizu, we have already discussed how to reply to Kumogakure."
The oldest elder in the Zong family said aloud, and glanced at Hizashi next to him intentionally or unintentionally.
"Has it been discussed? Is there anything else that needs to be discussed about this matter?" Hizu, who was sitting there, sighed lightly and continued: "I was the one who accidentally killed Kumogakure's waiter, and I got what Kumogakure asked for. If sacrificing me can prevent more people from dying, then my death is also valuable to the village, and that is enough."
When the elder of the clan heard what Rizu said, he frowned deeply and said, "Hizu, don't make up your mind so easily. You are the head of the clan and the leader of the entire Hyuga clan. Your leadership skills are the most important thing for the entire clan. Approved. Our clan’s bloodline limit is the strategic trump card in the village. Neither the family nor the senior officials in the village will approve of your approach."
"That's right, a pure Byakugan must never be given to Kumogakure."
Hiruzen also nodded at this time with a firm attitude.
Although he advocates peace as the most important thing, he is by no means a stupid person. He naturally understands the importance of the Byakugan and must not fall into Kumogakure's hands.
"Lord Hokage, having said that, if my body is not handed over, more people in the village will die for this."
"We already have countermeasures for this."
The elders of the clan answered Rizu's questions on Hiruzen's behalf.
He turned slightly to the side, making the Hizashi next to him more obvious.
"Countermeasures?"
"Yes, the reason why the Separation Family exists is for this moment. We will let Hizashi take your place."
The clan elder’s voice was very deep.
Although it was a pity for him to lose a powerful Jonin, compared to Hizashi, Hizashi, as a branch of the clan, was originally born to protect the clan.
There is nothing wrong with using him to replace Rizu's death.
"What?"
"It's inevitable that you will be surprised. But this is the best result. What they want is the body of 'Hyuga Hizashi'. Hizashi has the same appearance as you. They can just fool him for the time being... When the village recovers, Yunyin doesn’t dare to use this matter to provoke me anymore.”
The clan elder said so.
"However, I was the one who made the mistake, and Hizashi should not be responsible for it."
Rizu frowned, with a slight dissatisfaction in his expression.
"It's about Byakugan, it's not your personal problem anymore. Moreover, Lord Hokage also agrees."
The clan elder looked at Hiruzen on the other side.
"Hokage-sama?"
Rizu looked at Hiruzen in shock.
Hiruzen acquiesced and did not answer.
This is the best result.
Although this is very unfair to Hyuga Hizashi, in order to protect Konoha and the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, he can only make him the victim of this incident.
What Hizashi wanted to say, Hizashi already laughed and said: "Okay, brother, don't have any more disputes with the elders and Hokage. I am willing to die for you in this matter, because you It’s the Zong family.”
Although he smiled freely and naturally, everyone present could clearly feel the powerlessness and sadness beneath Hizashi's smile.
This is the irreversible fate of separation.
When the Zong family encounters life-threatening danger, the people who separate the family, whether voluntarily or forced, must step forward to block all dangers for the Zong family.
Even if this incident started from the Zong family, the sacrifice was always made by the branch family, and it could only be the branch family.
"But, Neji is still so young..."
"That's why I want to go. What I let Neji see is always just an incompetent father figure. This is my biggest regret. However, thank you for your favoritism and care over the years and your continued tolerance of my younger brother. I am willful. Therefore, I promised that day that I would never attack Hinata again, and I was not lying..."
When Hizashi said this, a wry smile finally appeared on his lips.
Can't bear to part with it?
That's not how it feels.
I just feel weird at the moment.
What he has always hated is not his brother Hizu. What he hates is just the existence of the Zong family, and he hates himself for being unable to protect his son Neji.
As a younger brother and a father, I may have been an incomparable failure throughout my life.
He was just using Rizu's favoritism towards him to vent his various dissatisfaction with the clan.
If it were the other clans, they would have already imprisoned him and treated him as a dangerous person.
"Hizashi..."
"What a pity. I am not a person who can freely control my own destiny like your original maid."
I have no longer thought about freedom.
Therefore, a bird in a cage remains just a bird in a cage.
"Hizashi!"
With a sullen face, it was not Hizashi who spoke to Hizashi, but the clan elder next to him.
When Hizashi mentioned Hizashi's maid, he was already furious.
Hyuga Ayane is definitely a disgrace to the Hyuga clan and a traitor that the clan must eliminate.
The unabashed envy and praise in Hizashi's mouth were also blasphemous to the clan.
If there wasn't Hizashi here, as well as the Third Hokage and others, he really wanted to activate the caged bird immediately and teach Hizashi what his mission as a branch clan was.
Mentioning this name at this time is undoubtedly a challenge to the authority of the Zong family.
"I'm already about to die, so I can express my innermost thoughts openly here. Isn't this also allowed?"
Hizashi looked at the clan elders without fear, with a faint smile on his face, but it gave the clan elders a sense of ridicule.
The clan elder had a gloomy old face and snorted coldly.
"Without the protection of their clan and village, those who defected can only live in dark ditches for the rest of their lives. It seems like freedom, but it is just a false freedom in appearance. They are still too young and do not understand the ninja world. of cruelty."
After Ayane Hinata left, thoughts that shouldn't have spread among the branch families.
This dangerous thought must be rectified in the future.
The clan elders thought so in their hearts.
Hizashi smiled slightly but did not refute.
But if you can gain freedom, even if you can only hide in the dark, you will probably be happy.
At least that way the personality and dignity are intact.
The current separation of families is worse than the rats in the ditch.
"Since you are replacing Nizu, if you have any last words, please leave them as soon as possible. Just like you are talking nonsense here now, you can vent out whatever you want to do and your dissatisfaction."
The clan elders thought about it and decided to give Hizashi such a privilege.
After all, Hizashi died to prevent the blood of the Hyuga clan from flowing into the hands of outsiders, so some privileges should still be given to him.
Let his life be willful one last time.
"No need, I've already written my last words. I've been disrespectful to the eldest daughter of the clan before, and I've also been willful. After that, you can just forward this letter to Neji at the right time..."
Hizashi took out a letter from his arms and placed it in front of him. The smile on his face disappeared and his serious look returned.
Then, he looked at Rizu who was sitting there and seemed to be struggling. Just when he was about to say something, the door to the conference room was violently pushed open.
"Something is going wrong, Hokage-sama!"
An ANBU appeared there, panting. He must have run with all his strength and didn't even take a breath.
"what happens?"
Hiruzen turned his face and immediately asked seriously.
The ANBU arrived in such a hurry, obviously something big had happened.
The ANBU organized his language and briefly described what happened:
"At the border between the Country of Fire and the Country of Yu, Kumogakure ninjas suddenly attacked our ninjas stationed there, resulting in the death of one jounin and three chuunin!"
"What?"
Hiruzen's expression changed drastically, and he was a little in disbelief.
How could Kumogakure launch a surprise attack on the ninjas stationed at the border of the Land of Fire at this time?
Obviously, there is nothing to do at this time, so why should the handle be left in the hands of Konoha?
"One more thing. Elder Danzo, who learned about this, asked the Hokage to return quickly and immediately organize a Jonin meeting to renegotiate the peace talks with Kumogakure."
Anbu said while sweating profusely.
"Danzo?"
Hiruzen murmured, suddenly having a bad feeling in his heart.
