"This…"
Those present fell into silence. A main family elder couldn't help but sigh. "If Hiashi had captured that Kumo shinobi alive, the situation might be better."
"No, it wouldn't," Hiruzen shook his head, dispelling the childish fantasy. "According to previously gathered intelligence, the Fourth Raikage has a new secretary named Mabui. She's not only one of the few female Jōnin but is also calm, wise, and highly capable."
"This plan likely originated from her. The Kumo delegation came here determined to either successfully take Hinata or die at the hands of a main family member. It's a blatant, open scheme."
This time, Konoha was truly outmaneuvered.
Even Hiruzen hadn't expected the traditionally rough and reckless Kumogakure to play such a dirty game now.
With the words Yurui shouted before fleeing, witnessed by so many villagers, and Yurui ultimately dying by Hiashi's hand… the situation was now like "yellow mud falling into your pants"—regardless of whether it was excrement or not, it looked like it. The stain was unshakeable.
Except for those present who understood all the details, no one would believe Konoha wasn't responsible. Even Konoha's own villagers wouldn't buy it. The black pot of blame was firmly strapped to Konoha's back.
Now, Konoha had only two choices.
Either fiercely protect Hiashi and go to war with Kumo, or sacrifice Hiashi and compromise with Kumo.
"..."
Both Hiashi and the six elders understood this. Apart from Higoi, the others' expressions subtly darkened.
Since the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was placing the "choice" before them, it meant the Hyūga clan actually had no real choice left.
War meant death. Many, many deaths.
The Land of Lightning had explicitly named Hiashi the murderer. What grounds did they have to ask the village to risk war to protect him?
It was easy to imagine that if war erupted again, the currently extremely weak Konoha would become the primary target for other villages. Anyone could die in the conflict.
Human nature is selfish. No one was willing to die in place of the Hyūga clan.
"In that case…"
After a long silence, Hiashi finally spoke. His forced calm voice was still slightly hoarse. "If my single life can save the village, then…"
"Wait."
Before Hiashi could finish, Higoi suddenly interrupted, shaking his head. "Hiashi, don't be so impulsive."
"The Hyūga's Byakugan isn't just the clan's. It's also of immense strategic importance to the village. It absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure."
As he said this, Higoi's gaze flickered briefly towards Hiruzen seated at the head.
Hiruzen merely remained silent. Though inwardly dissatisfied with the Hyūga and wishing to shift responsibility onto them, he had to admit Higoi wasn't wrong.
The Hyūga's Byakugan had played a significant strategic role in the first two Great Shinobi Wars. If it fell into the hands of Kumogakure, known for its ninjutsu research, and they unraveled its secrets, it would be a disastrous loss for Konoha.
Of course, even if Hiruzen agreed with this sentiment, he couldn't possibly voice his opinion now.
The blame for potentially sparking a war was currently on the Hyūga's back. If he actively spoke up to take it upon himself, he'd be forced to choose between abandoning a "comrade" or starting a war. The resulting deaths would then be on his head.
This was essentially a "trolley problem." Either choice would cost lives.
Even he didn't know how to choose. Instead, he was somewhat curious what this old fox, Higoi, was planning by saying all this.
"But we can't plunge Konoha into another desperate war just for that," Hiashi frowned, objecting.
To say he cared deeply for Konoha might be an overstatement. His primary concern was the Hyūga clan's future within the village.
Sacrifice one, avert war, save thousands.
This wasn't just a choice from Konoha's high command. It was pressure from the will of the entire village, a choice the Hyūga clan couldn't refuse.
If Hiashi truly chose to flee responsibility, he would undoubtedly become the village's target. The Hyūga clan would struggle to survive in Konoha.
Because every death in the coming war would be laid at their feet.
So, while it seemed there were two choices, from beginning to end, there was only ever one.
"I am, of course, aware of this."
Hyūga Higoi's face was obscure and inscrutable in the candlelight, his tone indifferent. "That is precisely why the branch family exists, is it not?"
"..."
Hiashi slowly lifted his head, looking at the main family elder before him, his expression stunned. "What?"
Unconcerned with Hiashi's gaze, Higoi turned towards the closed door. "Come in."
Click.
A cold wind carrying rain swept in as the door opened, as if someone had unveiled a reality no one wished to acknowledge. The candles before them flickered and dimmed, their swaying light scattering shadows chaotically across the walls.
"Hizashi?"
Hiashi stared blankly at the person entering the room, then at the unfamiliar face following closely behind.
The former was, naturally, Hyūga Hizashi, wearing a complex expression. The latter was a young boy with red-rimmed eyes.
"Hyūga Kumokawa?"
Seeing the person who had entered alongside Hizashi, the calm expression on Higoi's face finally cracked. He frowned, shouting a reprimand. "Get out! Who told you to come in here…"
"I brought him."
Before Higoi could finish, Hizashi interrupted, making the elder's face darken.
Hizashi would never have dared interrupt him before. He must have thought himself close to death, losing all reverence towards him.
Everyone present shifted their gaze to Hizashi and the boy behind him. Under the weight of these heavy, scrutinizing gazes, Hyūga Kumokawa lifted his head without hesitation or burden.
His eyes were red-rimmed, clearly having cried recently. Blood vessels marred his pure white eyes as his gaze swept over those present.
"I've come to see Lord Hizashi off on his final journey."
Seeing Hiruzen's surprised look, he offered an apologetic glance in his direction before looking at the other main family members, his voice cold. "I assume the 'virtuous and respected' main family clan head and elders wouldn't begrudge a dying man his final dignity?"
He emphasized the words "virtuous and respected" heavily, his tone laced with biting, sharp sarcasm, practically pointing and calling them shameless old farts.
Higoi didn't feel offended. Instead, he was surprised by Kumokawa's audacity.
'Is this child speaking out on Hizashi's behalf?
Has his resentment grown so great he disregards the gap in status?'
Indeed, the six main family elders' faces darkened. Higoi's eyes, in particular, gleamed with a cold light.
Hizashi was one thing—he'd overstepped, but he was a dead man walking.
But what did Hyūga Kumokawa think he was, daring to be so disrespectful in front of him?