A true victor never voluntarily broadcasts his own disgrace or darkness.
Hyuga Soushu firmly believed in this simple truth.
That's why he clearly stated his demands and declared both his and the Hyuga Clan's positions to Hatake Sakumo. This openness was one key measure to calm the anxieties of the Hyuga Clan's Jonin ranks.
Those former branch house Jonin who had recently gained freedom, after briefly savoring the joy of liberation from the main house's control, inevitably turned their thoughts toward reality. Their biggest worry was whether the Hyuga Clan's core interests would still be protected after the Jonin Subdivision Bill and its privileges were abolished—this was a crucial matter. Particularly considering the long-standing special alliance between Hyuga Soushu and Hatake Sakumo, the Jonins' concerns were far from groundless.
That's exactly why Hyuga Soushu needed to make the Hyuga Clan's stance and demands clear to his people—with Hatake Sakumo by his side. Without such decisive action, it would have been difficult to quell the unease and doubts lingering within the clan.
After nearly three hours, the gathering at the Akimichi household's Yakiniku Q gradually came to an end. The slightly tipsy Jonin left arm-in-arm, some planning to continue partying in Kabuki-cho, while most simply dispersed and returned home.
Hyuga Soushu exchanged a few brief words with the clan's Jonin, along with Hatake Sakumo, Uchiha Fugaku, and others before walking out of Yakiniku Q. As he stepped out of the restaurant, he caught sight of three figures swiftly descending from Kage Rock.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya."
Hyuga Soushu narrowed his eyes slightly. He casually summoned a Hyuga Jonin, pointed toward the scene ahead, then gestured toward the Jonin still mingling inside Yakiniku Q. Immediately understanding his leader's intent, the Jonin entered the shop to inform Hatake Sakumo.
As for Hyuga Soushu, he led his men away immediately.
Now that reforms had entered deep waters, Soushu neither intended nor could force the clan to stand front and center defending Hatake Sakumo's policies. So what came next was completely up to Sakumo now.
When Hatake Sakumo arrived at the Hokage Tower, Konoha's F4 and the three Hokage protégés had already been waiting for quite some time.
Moreover, upon entering the room, the first thing he noticed was the crystal ball placed openly on the Hokage's desk.
[Telescope Technique]
Sakumo hesitated slightly before glancing toward the ever-smiling Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Inside the crystal ball, the image still showed the interior of Yakiniku Q. Now all the Jonin who'd attended the gathering had finally left, leaving only a few staff cleaning the floor. Still, that act alone was enough to spark speculation.
"Sit down, Sakumo-kun."
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen pointed with his pipe to the chair in front of the desk, kindly saying, "How? You won't even take a break after drinking?"
"No need."
Hatake Sakumo remained silent for a moment, shook his head lightly, and strode forward to take a seat.
While he knew The Third often used the *Telescope Technique* to observe things, he never expected the old man to appear so openly, without even trying to hide.
This was truly bizarre.
Moreover,
Sakumo Hatake glanced at the three Hokage Disciples sitting on the sofa to his right—each wearing a different expression—and then turned his gaze toward the three advisors seated on the left couch. His heart felt heavy.
What exactly was going on here?
Was this a way of telling him that they had all witnessed those Konoha jonin in Yakiniku Q throwing their arms around each other and turning against the village's true legacy?
Or were they preparing to make their move right here, right now?
As the realization hit him, Sakumo Hatake licked his lips—half nervous, half eager for a fight.
"You must know what the ninja clans are thinking by now, don't you?" asked the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hmm? Are you also confused by Soushu's sudden change in attitude?"
"Fire Shadow-sama, may I ask how long you've been watching?"
Sakumo Hatake narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone clearly annoyed.
"From beginning to end. Nearly three hours."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi answered without hesitation.
Sakumo Hatake's face darkened further.
And worse still, none of them had sensed any surveillance whatsoever during that time! Everyone had been completely unaware of being observed using the *Telescope Technique*—this was the real mystery!
It was well known that while The Third had often used this special jutsu technique to peek around the village, any skilled ninja could usually sense when they were being watched. Yet this time—
"Don't find it strange. Secret techniques can always be improved. Also, familiarity with the specific location certainly helps in effectively performing the *Telescope Technique*."
Hiruzen tapped his pipe, pulled out a box of tobacco from the drawer, and calmly began refilling it as he spoke, "I've also enjoyed many midnight snacks at the Akimichi household's barbecue spot, so naturally I can perform the technique without leaving any trace."
"How amusing," Sakumo muttered, rubbing his forehead with a bitter smile.
At the same time, his right hand slowly and subtly moved downward, reaching for the kunai hidden at his waist.
Though he didn't carry the effective White Fang tanto blade today, as long as he had weapons on him, there wouldn't really be a problem.
Still, taking on seven opponents at once was impossible.
But Sakumo Hatake hadn't come here intending to start an immediate conflict. This was merely a way to express his stance—subtle enough to seem unnoticeable, yet obvious enough for someone paying attention to catch.
He would not yield to any form of intimidation, under any circumstances!
"You still haven't answered my question,"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed unaffected by Sakumo's deliberate posturing. After finishing filling his pipe, he casually rubbed his fingers together, igniting the tobacco inside with Chakra Fire, then took a satisfying puff.
"Puuuh…"
Thick, rich smoke immediately spread throughout the Hokage Office.
Sakumo Hatake shot a sharp glare at The Third, his eyes barely more than narrow slits.
His right hand was already firmly gripping the kunai, his body tensed up and ready for anything.
"Calm down. If Soushu has indeed started preparing for civil war, I wouldn't risk triggering conflict and bringing the village to ruin."
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi, let out a sigh and gazed directly into Sakumo Hatake's eyes, which concealed an undercurrent of killing intent. "Sakumo-kun," he said, "you must be deeply confused about Soushu's sudden change in attitude, aren't you?"
This question, repeated twice, momentarily stunned Sakumo Hatake.
"Is it hard for you to wrap your head around?"
The Third Hokage quickly interjected, "Seems strange, doesn't it? You probably feel Soushu's move came too suddenly."
This persistent, prompting manner of questioning, constantly nudging for a response, made Sakumo Hatake furrow his brows.
"Since you're unwilling to answer, I don't mind explaining a bit myself."
The Third Hokage didn't press further. He took a slow, deliberate puff from his pipe, watching the tobacco glow red-hot before tapping the ashes away. "You surely understand that the interests of ninja clans don't always align with those of the village."
"In the past, due to the existence of the Hyuga Clan's Main House and its extremely rigid family rules, their ninjas did not wield much influence within the village. This likely led some people to believe that this so-called dojutsu aristocracy wasn't as impressive as claimed, wouldn't you agree?"
After speaking, the Third Hokage glanced toward Danzo seated on the left sofa. On the day of the major upheaval within the Hyuga Clan, it was Danzo who had advocated armed intervention. But did he really think it would be easy to confront a noble ninja clan that had endured for a thousand years?
"Hokage-sama, please just speak plainly," Sakumo Hatake urged.
Sakumo felt his right hand sweating against the kunai, so he wiped it against his clothing.
This movement nearly caused Jiraiya, already on edge, to jump up in alarm.
"It's alright," the Third Hokage waved dismissively, signaling his disciple not to overreact. "I trust Sakumo-kun's character."
"But Sakumo-kun," he added with feigned sorrow, "somewhere along the way, you've stopped trusting me—your Hokage. That truly is heartbreaking."
Sakumo Hatake took a deep breath, striving to remain calm as he solemnly asked, "Hokage-sama, were you involved in the conflict in the Land of Rain, the alliance between Rain ninjas and Iwagakure forces, and the village's delayed response?"
"That's correct!" The Third Hokage admitted without hesitation.
"This…"
Such an unusually candid attitude visibly surprised Sakumo Hatake.
"Political struggle is a matter of life and death. Employing certain strategies is only natural," Homura Mitokado, seated on the left sofa, added coldly.
Though the old monkey had taken full responsibility upon himself, as a longtime friend, Homura could not simply sit by and allow the Third Hokage to bear all consequences stemming from his own misjudgments.
"They were all Konoha ninjas!"
A muscle twitched at the corner of Sakumo Hatake's mouth.
"Don't you see that dissenters among us are more dangerous than enemies outside our gates?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, put down his pipe, casually picked up his teacup, and sipped some green tea before murmuring softly, "Sakumo-kun, look at your current position—why is the Jonin Unit Leader of Konoha still acting so childish?"
"One must know what should be done and what should not be done."
Sakumo Hatake shook his head and firmly replied, "Third, your actions have seriously deviated from the Will of Fire!"
"Where the leaves dance, fire will burn eternally."
Hiruzen Sarutobi recited the opening lines of the Will of Fire in a dreamlike tone, but Sakumo Hatake remained unmoved.
"The fire of the Will burns not only our predecessors' blood and bones. For the sake of the village, everything can be sacrificed!"
Danzo added coldly.
"This is your Ninja Way?"
Sakumo Hatake tightened his grip on the handle of a hidden kunai beneath his clothes, openly gathering chakra without hiding it.
"I already said I won't instigate an outright confrontation at this time."
The Third Hokage shot Danzo an angry glance before gently speaking, "Don't be tense, Sakumo-kun. The fact that I'm telling you these details means I have no intention of breaking relations."
"Also, during your meeting with Onoki, didn't you also reduce to ashes the scroll that Onoki had prepared to sow discord?"
"That's not justification!"
Sakumo Hatake whispered fiercely, "Knowing how many comrades gave their lives in battle, aren't you ashamed?"
"They fought powerful enemies without adequate preparation! Can their sacrifices be worth nothing more than a few casual words?"
"Such struggle is ridiculous!"
"Not at all ridiculous!"
Shaking his head, the Third Hokage sighed and said, "To be honest, given your nature, how could I possibly entrust the village to you?"
...
Sakumo Hatake had no reply.
These words carried far too much information.
And it all came out of nowhere.
Yet none of the three advisors seated on either side of the room nor the three Hokage Disciples showed any surprise.
This clearly indicated that all seven of them had already discussed this issue thoroughly and reached a conclusion.
So according to their discussion, was he really going to become the next leader of the village?
Sakumo Hatake was both confused and deeply shaken.
"Sakumo-kun, are you surprised by Soushu's approach?"
The Third Hokage asked the same question for the third time, "Is it because you don't know how to respond or because you're unwilling to answer?"
"It definitely caught me off guard."
Sakumo Hatake simply nodded slightly, expressing his immediate feeling without further explanation.
"As I just mentioned, the interests of Ninja Clans and the village aren't completely aligned. In fact, looking at the long term, the existence of Ninja Clans themselves might become future problems."
The Third Hokage explained, "That's why the wise Second Leader promoted the Will of Fire—to integrate everyone into the greater collective of Konoha; even going so far as to personally order the disbandment of the Senju clan members as an example."
Upon hearing these words, Tsunade involuntarily looked away, her expression darkening.
It was for exactly this reason that, as the first clouds of war rose over the battlefield during the First Great Ninja War, adult members of the Senju of the Forest (*Sen no Chi*), still bearing the honor of their title, followed the orders of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and resolutely threw themselves into combat. Their brave efforts bought Konoha's glory and safety at a terrible cost — the Senju clan's strength was shattered, leaving it a mere shadow of its former self.
This relentless series of sacrifices and battles, compounded by wounded warriors forced into permanent retirement, meant that by the eve of the Second Great Ninja War, only Tsunade and her younger brother Nawaki remained to carry on the once-renowned Senju name.
Unfortunately, not long after the war reignited, Tsunade's brother Nawaki also perished in a sudden skirmish, accelerating the family's decline.
Though the Senju Clan had officially ceased to exist as an independent force since the Second Hokage decreed its full integration into Konoha, for Tsunade, recalling the clan's former glory and contrasting it with its current decay stirred a deep ache within her bloodline—one that could not easily subside.
"But unlike the noble Senju," sighed Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, "both the Uchiha and the Hyuga are far too self-serving. That is precisely why I must keep a close watch on the Uchiha."
"Sakumo-kun, seeking aid from the Hyuga was your worst possible move. It leaves you in a dangerously exposed position."
"So what if I did?"
After hesitating for quite some time, Sakumo Hatake finally rasped, "Some things just can't wait—certain matters demand immediate action!"
"To be honest, if not for the four of us elders and my three exceptional disciples keeping these clans in check, who else in the village could possibly restrain their growing influence?"
The Third Hokage looked deeply disappointed. "Sakumo-kun… have I truly misjudged you?"
"Hokage-sama, I came here to discuss the Jonin Unit Bill Revision. Please don't stray too far from the topic!"
Overwhelmed with confusion, Sakumo shook his head and chose not to play along with the Third's tone any longer.
"Oh right, this…"
The Third Hokage picked up the Jonin Unit Decree resting on his desk and said somewhat surprisedly, "What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing wrong at all, you say?"
Sakumo was equally taken aback.
"Weren't you here to discuss how we govern Konoha together?" The Third's tone carried genuine surprise. "Why get stuck on such minor details?"
"When will the Jonin Unit Decree be officially announced?"
Sakumo's thoughts grew even murkier.
"It can be released immediately!"
Hiruzen took out the Hokage Seal, decisively stamped the end of the document, and then signed it off with a bold flourish.
This sudden display of decisiveness only deepened Sakumo's confusion.
"I know you've had quite a bit to drink today, so let's just call it a day."
"Here, Koharu," Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the document to Koharu Utatane. "Please arrange for the Administrative Department to issue it for immediate village-wide announcement." He then turned to Sakumo Hatake. "Why don't you head home and rest for now? When you have time, think about the issues concerning the village and the Ninja Clans. We'll continue our discussion tomorrow."
"I understand."
Sakumo Hatake rose slowly, shaking off the fatigue that clung to him.
He had originally planned to confront the Third and the other Top Leaders directly during this small gathering of high-ranking officials. But unexpectedly, the amendment he had long anticipated was actually approved by the Third right away.
"You may leave first," said Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, waving his hand to signal Sakumo's departure.
Sakumo bowed politely before turning around and leaving.
"Haaah..."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi packed another bowl of tobacco and began puffing on it contentedly.
The result wasn't perfect, but it wasn't a failure either. One thing was certain—he had already sown the first seeds of doubt about the Ninja Clans in Sakumo's mind through carefully chosen words and partial truths.
And for now, that would be more than enough.
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