[This Chapter is Sponsored by "novel66835". if you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]
Read Ahead Up to Chapter [52]: Eyeing Red Scrolls, Get 2 months' worth of advanced chapters — and even more coming soon!
💫2 Free Chapters are available ahead of public @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0💫
------------------------------------------------
[Goal 3: Reach 454(+24🔼)/200 Collections and 4(+1🔼)/10 reviews to receive additional chapter]
Dear 454 collections, the unspoken warriors, Thank you for being a part of the journey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hyūga compound was quiet, but heavy. The air itself seemed weighed down by tension—as though the walls knew what was coming and braced themselves against it. The moon hung pale in the sky, casting cold light upon the ancient courtyard. Inside the main house, Hiashi Hyūga stood before an open sliding door, hands clasped behind his back. He stared into the night, unmoving.
A subtle rustle behind him. A masked ANBU agent, as silent as the breeze, kneeled on the tatami mat.
"Hokage-sama requests your presence, Hyūga-dono," the agent said calmly. "And your brother Hizashi's as well."
Hiashi turned slightly. "We will be on our way shortly."
The ANBU vanished as swiftly as he appeared.
Hiashi closed the door and turned. Moments later, a main family elder entered, his expression grim.
"They've summoned both of you," the elder stated.
Hiashi gave a solemn nod. "Yes."
Another elder, more wizened, his eyes cloudy but sharp with intuition, stepped forward. "Hiashi-dono… if this is what we suspect… then a decision must be made. If Kumo demands justice, they will not be satisfied unless they receive a Hyūga corpse. It will be you they want."
Hiashi didn't reply.
"You are the clan head," the elder pressed. "Your death would fracture the clan's structure. But… there is an alternative. Hizashi—your twin—he can take your place. The seal makes the difference unmistakable. It has always protected the Main Family for this reason."
Another elder whispered, "It will be the Branch Family's duty. As it always has been."
Hiashi's jaw clenched, but he nodded slightly. "Call Hizashi."
Branch House Room
Hizashi had already sensed something was wrong. His instincts, honed through years of servitude and subtle resistance, were screaming.
He was adjusting his robes when the door slid open. Little Neji, no more than four years old, stood there with uncharacteristic solemnity. His pale eyes stared up at his father.
"Otō-san," Neji said softly, "I have a bad feeling. Something terrible is going to happen."
Hizashi knelt, eyebrows furrowed. "Neji…?"
"They're going to offer someone to Kumo. They might choose you. Because you look like Uncle."
Hizashi's heart slowed. "Neji, you're overthinking. Hokage-sama is a strong and just man. He will protect us."
Neji shook his head with a calm intensity beyond his years. "No. He will protect the village. Kumo lost a delegate. They'll push for war. And Konoha can't survive another war… so they'll give Kumo what they want. Someone to blame. Someone to bury."
Hizashi stilled. The words cut sharper than any kunai.
"They won't send Uncle. They'll send you. Think of the baby brother who is going to be born. Think of me. I don't want to lose you."
A painful silence stretched between them. Then Hizashi stood, face pale, expression hollow. Wordlessly, he removed his Konoha headband and looked at the seal burned into his forehead—the Caged Bird Seal, inked deep with green chakra threads.
He tied the headband around his arm instead, deliberately leaving the seal exposed.
"This," he said, "is the truth of the Hyūga clan. If I must go, I won't hide it."
Neji nodded, small hands clenched into fists. "Good. Now they can't pretend."
Hizashi gave him a trembling smile. "Be strong."
Main House Hall
The elders' conversation paused the moment Hizashi stepped into the room with his head held high—and the Caged Bird Seal fully exposed.
Shock and silence.
"Hizashi!" barked one elder. "Cover that mark!"
"No," Hizashi replied quietly. "This is the pride of the Hyūga—the so-called protection of the Main Family. I will not hide it."
Another elder growled. "Fool! This makes it impossible to send you in Hiashi-sama's place—Kumo will see the seal and know you are of the Branch House."
Hizashi turned to Hiashi, eyes calm. "Then let them see it. If they wish for blood, let them be forced to admit that they seek the life of a Leader. Not a Servant."
Hiashi stood unmoving. Inside, he burned with conflict. He had planned to nudge Hizashi forward if the moment demanded it. But now the line was clear—the mark made deception impossible.
The elders argued in hushed tones, furious. But the choice had been made.
In a flash, the two brothers vanished, flickering toward the Hokage's tower.
Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat slumped behind his desk, looking out over the quiet village. A half-smoked cigarette dangled from his fingers. The city lights flickered below like dying embers. He took a long drag, sighed, and turned his chair.
Hiashi was already inside. Hizashi followed, head held high.
Hiashi slammed a hand on the desk.
"Hokage-sama! My daughter was kidnapped—her Byakugan almost stolen by the Kumo delegation posing as diplomats! We demand justice!"
Hiruzen didn't answer immediately. His gaze flicked to Hizashi—his eyes briefly widened at the visible seal, but his face remained unreadable.
"Hokage-sama," Hiashi pressed, "they violated sacred treaties. This was not diplomacy—it was theft. Treachery. My daughter… she is barely alive."
Hiruzen leaned back.
"Hiashi… Hizashi…" he began, voice soft. "The Will of Fire teaches us to love and protect the village. Sometimes that means making impossible choices. Sometimes… that means sacrificing more than we should ever have to."
Hiashi's face tightened.
"You speak of the Will of Fire," he snapped, "but you speak only of flames that consume us."
Hiruzen's expression became grave.
"This has gone too far. Hiashi Hyūga—you should not have killed the Kumo delegate. You are strong enough to have subdued him."
"What would you have me do?" Hiashi growled. "Let him steal her eyes and run?! He died in the act of treason!"
"But he died," Hiruzen said firmly. "And Kumo now demands justice. The peace hangs by a thread."
Hiashi scoffed. "Justice? They want blood. And you will give them mine?"
------------------------------------------------
Patreon Supporters:
novel66835 -> Ōtsutsuki Level
Arthur Andersen -> Elite Jounin Level
Elder Bunta -> Elite Jounin Level
--------