Forest outside Konoha.
Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground and asked, "What's going on between Konoha and Hidden Cloud right now?"
The peace agreement between Konoha and Hidden Cloud directly affected the future of the ninja world. Just a few days ago, news about Konoha killing Hidden Cloud's delegation leader and Hidden Cloud accusing Konoha had already spread throughout the ninja world.
As Akatsuki's intelligence officer, Zetsu naturally learned about the general situation.
Remembering what Aozora previously said—"look for an opportunity to give Hidden Cloud a reason to break the agreement"—he immediately came here to confirm with Aozora.
Aozora opened his eyes, a hint of smugness on his face, and said, "I kidnapped the Hidden Cloud leader and then used genjutsu to control him, letting him die by the Hyūga Clan Leader's hands."
Aozora lied to Zetsu without flinching or blinking, turning Hidden Cloud's provocation into his own secret manipulation.
After hearing Aozora's explanation, Zetsu was greatly shocked. But combining this with Aozora's earlier assurances, he quickly believed his version of events.
With a look of successful scheming, Aozora began explaining further to Zetsu.
"My framing this time has put Konoha in a difficult position!"
"If Konoha refuses to hand over Hiashi Hyūga, Hidden Cloud will definitely declare war. Then these two great ninja villages—Konoha and Hidden Cloud—will suffer heavy losses."
"And if Konoha does hand over Hiashi Hyūga, then Hiruzen Sarutobi, who already has tensions with the Uchiha Clan, will inevitably anger the Hyūga Clan. At that point, internal chaos will erupt within Konoha, causing a major decline in its power!"
"Either way, Konoha's strength will be severely weakened. At that point, Konoha won't have the power to stop our Akatsuki organization anymore."
From beneath a patch of pitcher plants, Zetsu couldn't help but admire Aozora's ruthless scheme: "You've pulled this off brilliantly."
Aozora nodded with a smile. No one from Akatsuki was at the scene, and no one knew Hidden Cloud's true intentions. Therefore, he could turn this incident into his own scheme, thus winning Akatsuki's trust.
But he knew this trust might soon disappear!
Because he knew The Third was about to step down. And once Fugaku took over and the Uchiha gained political power, Akatsuki's trust in him would quickly drop to zero.
Unfortunately, he had only freeloaded a few ninjutsu techniques from Akatsuki without giving anything back.
Time flew by—
As the deadline given by Hidden Cloud approached, anxiety and worry grew visible on the faces of people walking Konoha streets. Once again, the shadow of war loomed over Konoha.
Peace-loving villagers were slowly whipped up into turning against—and even openly insulting—the Hyūga Clan. The Hyūga, known for their cold gazes and aloof stares, now found themselves on the receiving end of endless scornful glares from the villagers.
On the final day of the deadline, Hiruzen Sarutobi once again arrived at the Hyūga Clan's compound.
Entering the room, Hiruzen spoke: "There's been no results from the investigation... Hidden Cloud refuses to admit they abducted Hinata, instead condemning us Konoha for violating the alliance treaty and killing their ninja. They've added many new demands."
He fell silent for a moment.
At this point, Hiruzen lowered his head in silence, looking as if he were too reluctant to speak.
Hiashi maintained a calm expression and replied, "Please speak, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hiashi with a complex expression and said, "They want us to hand over the murderer of Heidao Xingping."
An elder from the Main Family immediately spoke out, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Other elders echoed his words.
"This is obviously a Hidden Cloud plot!"
"They won't get our Byakugan kekkei!"
"The Main Family must not be sacrificed!"
"..."
Hiruzen lowered his gaze and sighed, "But we have no evidence to prove Hidden Cloud abducted Hinata. On the contrary, it's easy to find traces of Gentle Fist on Heidao Xingping's body."
A report came from the northeastern border—large numbers of Hidden Cloud ninja had appeared near the Land of Fire. Jiraiya had already spotted Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails host, and B, the Eight-Tails host.
If war broke out, the northeastern border would fall again, and both Jiraiya and he would bear the responsibility for defeat.
He was determined not to let the talks fall apart.
Everyone present understood the implication in Hiruzen's words. Hiashi lifted his gaze. "Have you found the Anbu who stopped Heidao Xingping yet, Lord Hokage? He could vouch for me."
Hiruzen shook his head. "There's no such person. I've already investigated thoroughly—all Anbu were dispatched in teams that day. No one operated alone, let alone reached the Hyūga Compound."
Hiashi fell silent. That person had indeed left the Anbu and was no longer part of it.
Although the Sealing Technique had interfered with his sensory abilities, from the figure's outline, he vaguely recognized his identity—the eldest son of the Third, Nobusuke Sarutobi.
So it seemed, the Third didn't want Nobusuke dragged into all this. Was he afraid his own son would be framed by Hidden Cloud?
After a pause, Hiruzen continued, "Even if we found him, it wouldn't matter. Hidden Cloud won't believe any testimony from Konoha. They've accused you directly!"
Hiashi fixed a cold stare on Hiruzen and asked, "Then what are you implying, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen glanced at Hiashi and replied slowly, "Fire dances wherever the leaves flutter. That is the Will of Fire—it lights our path and guides the next generation."
He let out another deep sigh. "Konoha cannot endure another war anymore."
Though the Third hadn't spoken plainly, wasn't the Will of Fire telling him to sacrifice himself?
Thinking about how his clan had been ostracized, Hiashi sighed, "Is there truly no other way? If giving my life can save the village..."
"Wait!"
The clan's senior elder interrupted him. "Hiashi, don't make such a hasty decision!"
If the clan leader could be sacrificed, then where would the Hyūga Clan stand when facing future demands from other factions in Konoha?
He looked toward Hiruzen and added, "The Hyūga's Byakugan is Konoha's greatest asset—it must never be easily relinquished. Don't you agree, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe without answering.
Hiashi said, "Yet failing in our duty might drag the entire village into war—"
The elder nodded. "I know that already, which is why we still have the Branch Family... We will hand over Hizashi's body as your substitute... He has already agreed to this."
Hiashi immediately turned to Hizashi upon hearing those words. From his twin brother's calm expression, Hiashi knew this was no joke.
His voice shaking with emotion, he said, "But Hidden Cloud wants the power and secrets of the Byakugan. Once you die, these abilities will be sealed forever. They'll never accept this!"
The Elder replied, "Though they may desire that, the only condition they've formally requested is your body, Hiashi."
Naturally, Hiashi refused to agree.
In his heart, he always felt he owed Hizashi something. He didn't want to add more debts, especially not this time when it meant asking Hizashi to give his life.
As Hiashi argued fiercely with the Elder, Hizashi suddenly scoffed, "What's gotten into you, Lord Hiashi? You used to be so resolute."
Hiashi responded, "This matter is different from anything before. We can't make such a simple decision."
Before he could finish speaking, Hizashi suddenly attacked, striking Hiashi's pressure point with a close-range Gentle Fist technique, paralyzing him.
Standing directly in front of Hiashi, for the first time in his life, Hizashi looked down at his twin brother.
"Forgive me, but I cannot follow your orders this time!"
Pinned to the ground, Hiashi strained against the paralysis and gasped, "You still have Neji! Why would you willingly die for the Main Family?"
Hizashi shook his head.
"This isn't about protecting the Main Family anymore. This is about protecting you—as my older brother."
"Since birth, I've had no choice at all. Everything in my life has been dictated by the fated path of the Hyuga Clan."
"I couldn't choose when I was born, but at least I can choose how I die. Let me make this choice—to die for my brother, my family, and our village according to my own will."
After saying this, Hizashi raised his right hand and slammed his palm into his chest.
Moments later, he spat out a mouthful of blood and slumped lifelessly onto the floor.
The Elder watched all this unfold with cold detachment. Then he removed the Forehead Protector from Hizashi's head and executed several Sealing Techniques.
Once the [Caged Bird Seal] formula vanished from Hizashi's forehead, the Elder turned toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Lord Hokage, we've delivered 'Hiashi's' body to you as agreed."
Pulling his Hokage hat lower to shield his eyes from the hostile gazes of the Hyuga clan members surrounding him, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and quietly walked away.
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