"He's just a Kumogakure ninja. Haven't many of them died?" Kiyosuke looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "What they're thinking is obvious. They just want to take advantage of this excuse."
Whether this kidnapping was a success or a failure, it was profitable for Kumogakure.
If it succeeded, Kumogakure would obtain the precious Byakugan.
If it failed, they would still try to profit from it. After all, one of their ninjas died in your village, so you have to be responsible.
"I know this. If not handled properly, it might lead to war. If Konoha goes to war now, it will be severely damaged," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. After all, they were young people, full of youthful vigor.
At this time, Danzo said, "Hiruzen, the people from Kumogakure said that it was the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga clan that killed their ninja, and they demand an explanation from Konoha."
Kumogakure had said that if Konoha handed over the murderer, they would let the matter go. Otherwise, the peace treaty would be void, and they would resume the war.
After Kiyosuke brought the corpse, Hiruzen Sarutobi had someone return it to Kumogakure.
This made Kiyosuke think that the old man had lost his mind, giving Kumogakure a handle. If it were him, he would have hidden the body. Say that the person was missing, but it had nothing to do with them. What was the point of sending the body back?
He narrowed his eyes. It seemed that Hiruzen Sarutobi, this old guy, wanted to teach the Hyuga clan a lesson and make them not act so arrogantly. In recent years, the Hyuga clan had been more arrogant than the Uchiha clan, acting under the banner of being Konoha's top clan. Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan, under the suppression of Fugaku Uchiha, had been keeping a low profile, and their reputation had improved a bit recently.
But no one would look at them with fear.
This was a way to discipline the Hyuga clan and make them remember.
This old guy was really ruthless!
"I was the one who killed him. These guys are so shameless," Kiyosuke curled his lips. These brutes weren't all stupid.
"This isn't the time to talk about this," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "The important thing is how to appease Kumogakure. Now is not the time for war."
This was true. Konoha had experienced the Third Great Ninja War, the Nine - Tails incident, Orochimaru's defection, etc., and its strength had declined severely. If the village's ninjas were to face a war, not many could withstand it. Even if they won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.
We must know that Konoha's opponents weren't just Kumogakure.
If there was a chance for profit, the old guy from Iwagakure would also get involved.
Hiashi Hyuga's face was extremely intolerable. Hiruzen Sarutobi comforted him, "Hiashi, don't worry. The Hyuga clan is part of the village, and we won't let them succeed."
Danzo jumped out and said, "Hiruzen, think about the village. We can't let the village be threatened by Kumogakure. We mustn't be led by the nose."
Hiashi Hyuga shook his head and said, "If my sacrifice can bring peace to Konoha, I'm willing to accept it."
"Wait, Hiashi. Don't make such a hasty decision!" The former head of the Hyuga main family said, "The kekkei genkai of the Hyuga clan is extremely precious. It's the responsibility of the main family to protect it."
"But I can't let the village be forced into a war because of us."
"I know all this. That's why the branch family exists," the former head said.
And Hizashi Hyuga, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward. Their father said, "This is a heartbreaking decision. If possible, I don't want this either. But... for the sake of the village and the Hyuga clan, we will hand over Hizashi's body as your substitute. Hizashi has already agreed."
Hizashi was Hiashi's twin brother. Because he was born a little later, he became the younger brother and a member of the branch family. He resented his fate, lamented the fates of himself and his son, and hated the main family, but not his elder brother because they were brothers.
Kumogakure demanded the body of Hiashi Hyuga, the perpetrator, because they wanted the Byakugan of the main family head.
They only wanted the body. So, handing over Hizashi, who had the Caged Bird Seal and looked exactly like Hiashi, was the best choice.
"No!" Hiashi Hyuga wouldn't watch his brother go to his death. He absolutely wouldn't agree.
"Hiashi, this is the fate of the main family, and also that of the branch family. The main family lives to protect the blood - limit, and the branch family lives to protect the main family. This is the fate of the Hyuga clan, and it's the same for every generation," their father said.
Hiashi Hyuga gritted his teeth. Hizashi smiled and said, "What's wrong with the always - tough Lord Hiashi?"
"We can't make such a simple decision on this matter!"
Suddenly, Hizashi punched out, but his fist was caught by a hand. It was Kiyosuke, who smiled and said, "Captain Hizashi, it's not time for this in Konoha, is it?"
Everyone looked at him. Kiyosuke said, "Konoha isn't so weak that we have to hand over our own people. Today, they dare to ask us for the head of the Hyuga clan. Tomorrow, they'll dare to ask for the head of the Uchiha clan. The day after tomorrow, they might ask for the Hokage. Should we give them what they want? Once we hand over someone, there's no turning back."
Danzo sneered, "If you hadn't killed that guy, this situation wouldn't have happened!"
He immediately shifted the blame onto Kiyosuke. Of course, the Hyuga brothers weren't fools. They cursed Danzo in their hearts for being so inhumane, using the Hyuga clan as a pawn at this time.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Kiyosuke, do you have any solution?"
"We just firmly deny it. We don't know anything."
"Do you think they're fools?"
"Yeah. That Kumogakure ninja was walking at night for no reason, fell into a ditch, and died. What can we do? The Hyuga clan was celebrating the young lady's birthday. How could they have time to kill him? Clearly, because the peace treaty was signed, that guy was so happy that he drank a few more cups and accidentally fell to his death. What does it have to do with us? It's their fault for not taking good care of their comrade."
Good grief, you're the most shameless one. You're the murderer!
"Such a clumsy plan won't work at all."
"Just try to clear our name. Mr. Hiashi, to show our condolences, please send them a top - notch coffin."
"No problem! The Hyuga clan will provide the best coffin!"
Sure enough, the Third Hokage had become weak. No wonder Fugaku Uchiha thought Kiyosuke was the best candidate for Hokage. He was so tough!
"Doing this might lead to war," Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
"Then what do you think? Hand over Captain Hizashi?" Kiyosuke looked at him, his tone serious. "Hokage - sama, do you want to make peace? Sacrifice a member of the village for the so - called greater good? Since when has Konoha become so weak?"
At this time, Danzo also looked over. Although he disliked this brat Kiyosuke, what he said today was right. Konoha couldn't be so weak.
Sure enough, under Hiruzen's leadership, Konoha had become weak and incompetent!
Maybe it was time for him to step down as Hokage!