From the Warring States Period onward, the Hyuga Clan had always stood alongside the Uchiha as one of Konoha's two great dōjutsu clans. There had been records about the Sharingan ever since those ancient times.
Especially after Uchiha Madara, whose special Mangekyō Sharingan left a deep impression on the entire shinobi world.
In truth, if it hadn't been for the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and his terrifying Wood Release, it's doubtful anyone back then could have restrained Madara Uchiha.
And now…
Within the Hyuga's 359-degree Byakugan field of vision, two and a half Mangekyō Sharingan were slowly spinning. Even though they weren't staring at him, the sheer power they radiated was overwhelming…
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and help new leaves grow…"
Hyuga Hiashi's voice rang out as he turned to the Fourth Hokage and said, "The Hyuga Clan has always remembered the First Hokage's original intention when he founded Konoha. Back during the Warring States Period, the average life expectancy was barely thirty. Even children who had just learned to hold a sword were sent into battle."
"The founding of Konoha was to end the wars and stop the tragic fate of younger generations dying needlessly. All the clans joined Konoha for the same reason, peace."
"Flaws do not erase merit, and merit does not erase flaws. No matter what, the clans with kekkei genkai and secret techniques in Konoha will never willingly become penned-up sheep, waiting to be slaughtered!"
Saying this, Hyuga Hiashi looked toward Shisui and Uchiha Yun.
"In this matter, the Hyuga stand with the Uchiha."
As his voice faded, Hiashi didn't even glance at the now stone-faced Third Hokage. Instead, he turned and stood behind the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, bowing his head without another word.
It was clear that while Hiashi's words represented the position of all the bloodline limit clans in Konoha, his actions showed his alignment with the Fourth Hokage.
Even with two Mangekyō Sharingan users, they still had to follow political rules, unless they wanted to be like Madara Uchiha and become enemies of the world.
Uchiha Yun sighed inwardly. 'Though Danzo was gone, the power struggle among the higher-ups had clearly only just begun.'
'So what choice will you make… Minato?'
For a long moment after Hiashi finished speaking, the entire scene fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone present, including both the Third and Fourth Hokage's direct ANBU, was waiting for Minato's decision.
"Hah…"
Minato exhaled, solemnly turning to face his teacher's teacher. This same elder had once supported him in becoming Hokage.
Though the Third Hokage had been gradually relinquishing power, the living presence of a former Hokage still carried immense influence.
But now, for the first time, Minato had the power to oppose him.
"From here on, my personal ANBU, under the command of Ka, along with the jonin search squads, will fully investigate the entire Root base. Inoichi's intelligence division will also be on standby, using every available means to gather Root's historical records."
"If Danzo truly did these things… not just to Konoha's shinobi, but to its civilians as well… then he cannot be honored on the Memorial Stone."
The moment Minato finished speaking, Hiruzenbegan to respond, but Minato continued before he could:
"However, regardless of everything, Danzo was a senior figure of Konoha. As the current Hokage, I also bear responsibility for this. This has become part of Konoha's darkness, and it cannot be made public."
"So, all information related to Root will be classified. No one is permitted to leak any of it."
Then Minato stared directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The meaning behind that gaze couldn't have been clearer. This was the furthest Minato could go.
Politics, after all, is built on compromise.
"I see…" Hiruzen sighed.
His once-upright posture seemed slightly hunched now.
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and help new leaves grow…"
"We old folks… the new leaves have already sprouted. Fourth, you should know… I never intended to cling to power forever."
"I just occasionally checked in when I felt uneasy. Maybe, as Jiraiya and Tsunade once said, our generation lacked trust in the next one."
"But please believe this: whether it was me or Danzo, everything we did… was for Konoha."
Upon hearing this, Hiashi couldn't help but sigh internally.
'As expected…'
Only the Third Hokage could place himself so comfortably on the moral high ground.
'Trust?'
'Since the days of the Second Hokage, when the ninja academy was founded and the forbidden scroll was created, '
'How much trust had they really given the Uchiha?'
'How much trust had they shown the other clans of Konoha?'
Hiashi often felt a bit relieved, thankful, even, that the Byakugan was far less threatening than the Sharingan, and yet crucial for large-scale warfare.
Add to that the ongoing conflict between the Main and Branch families…
Perhaps that's the only reason the Hyuga Clan has not been targeted while the Senju and Uchiha had...
"Uzumaki Ku," Hiruzen said coldly, "as Koharu mentioned earlier, whatever Danzo did, you killed a Konoha elder on Konoha soil. You destroyed the entire Root organization."
"You must now pay for your actions."
From Hiruzen's command, Enma transformed into a staff, pointing straight at Ku in mid-air.
Sora just shrugged and gave the Third a look like he was dealing with an idiot.
"Did I not make myself clear just now? Old man, even if you're a master of all five nature transformations, what exactly can you do to keep me here?"
Hiruzen stared up at him in silence.
"Minato," he said, "this man is far too dangerous to remain. I do believe we should entrust the future of Konoha to the next generation…"
Minato froze.
'Wait, was he planning to use Reaper Death Seal?'
'That couldn't be…'
"Lord Third, you…" Minato started, alarmed.
Hiruzen gently shook his head.
"The elderly often cling to the past. Maybe I've always been wrong. But as the new Hokage, I trust you'll do better than I ever did."
Then, with incredible speed, he formed a series of hand signs.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet!"
As the searing flame surged through the air toward him, Sora blinked in confusion.
'That's it?'
'No Five Elemental Bullet?'
'No Reaper Death Seal?'
He casually clapped his hands together in a Snake hand sign.
BOOM!!
In an instant, a massive forest of trees surged forth, effortlessly smothering the incoming fire dragon.
As the dust settled, Ku and Hiruzen just stared at each other.
'That's it?'
'Why's he still standing there?'
Their mismatched gazes held for a long moment. Hiruzen, caught in his own bluff, suddenly didn't know what to do next.
.....
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