"..."
Hearing the solution proposed by Higoi, the other main family elders all had a glint in their eyes, unanimously contemplating its feasibility.
It seemed this method could truly break the deadlock.
Regardless of whether the Land of Lightning's Daimyō misunderstood Kumogakure's demands, they had clearly stated they wanted the murderer's "corpse."
Even if Kumogakure discovered the "corpse" had no eyes, what then? Would they dare righteously continue demanding the Byakugan?
There was no such logic in the world.
Even if Kumogakure wanted to start a war, they needed a legitimate justification. Without one, the Land of Lightning's Daimyo wouldn't agree.
If they couldn't occupy the moral high ground, it would damage the Land of Lightning's reputation in the shinobi world. It would also hurt Kumogakure's economic situation, reducing the number of village missions.
Mission commissions came partly from the Land of Lightning's own people, and partly from people of smaller countries without shinobi villages.
Unless, like Sunagakure, they knelt at the Daimyō's feet like dogs—relying solely on the Daimyō's funding, vulnerable to cuts and layoffs if funds were reduced—mission commissions were the lifeblood of a shinobi village.
It could only be said the rules of the shinobi world were truly deformed. Villages and nobility were mutually dependent yet mutually wary. Shinobi brought slaughter and trouble to the people, yet people could only commission shinobi to solve those troubles. Shinobi, who didn't engage in production, needed the people's commissions to live.
The entire shinobi world existed in a weird and fragile balance.
Though the Hyūga main family elders couldn't think this deeply, they knew Kumogakure needed a reason to start a war.
"Hiashi, the time to face reality has come. Our ancestors did the same to preserve the Hyūga's Kekkei Genkai to this day."
Higoi looked at Hiashi's conflicted expression, his voice grave. "For the sake of the Hyūga clan, even brothers must be sacrificed. This is the destiny of the Hyūga main family! It is the fate of the Hyūga clan!"
"..."
It was very quiet. So quiet the sizzle of burning candles could be heard. Melted wax flowed silently, reflecting the firelight so close at hand.
No one in the room spoke. All waited silently for Hiashi's decision.
Based on Hizashi's past character, since he had decided to die in his brother's place, he wouldn't have made Hiashi play the villain. He should have spoken up to settle the matter decisively.
But now, his emotions were complex. Staring at his brother, who remained silent, the words left by that person before departing seemed to echo in his ears.
"It seems you're not yet prepared. In that case, let's make a bet."
That person chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a playful mockery. "You have chosen to be a father. So let's bet on this: will Hyūga Hiashi choose to be a brother? Or will he continue being a 'big picture' main family clan head?"
It was because of these words that Hyūga Hizashi chose silence.
Everything that had transpired so far was unfolding exactly as that person had said.
The Land of Lightning, Kumogakure, Konoha's high command, the Hyūga main family, even himself…
It was as if they were all chess pieces in that person's hand, moved and manipulated at will to their designated positions.
This ability to lay out strategies and manipulate human hearts deepened Hizashi's awe towards him.
Now, he simply wanted to see. If things proceeded according to the original course, without that person's interference, whether his death would truly be worth it.
"..."
The atmosphere in the meeting hall sank lower and lower. It felt like gasping for air in a swamp, the lungs filling with thick, sticky mud.
Hiashi felt nothing but chaos in his head. Staring at Hizashi's calm expression, he couldn't discern his brother's true thoughts. The look of struggle on his face gradually morphed into pain.
Fear of death. Guilt towards Hizashi. Responsibility to the clan. Reluctance to part with Hinata. Anger towards Kumo…
He wasn't truly cold-blooded. Just as with Hinata, he held affection for Hizashi. But these feelings were buried, deeply concealed beneath his cold, hard exterior.
Now, countless emotions intertwined into a vast net, like a tangled ball of yarn with no loose end to pull, tightening around his heart, halting the flow of blood within.
"Hiashi!" Higoi shouted in a low voice.
"I…"
Hiashi's body suddenly trembled. His chest heaved violently, like a broken bellows. His voice was hoarse. "I… I am the main family clan head. I…"
The words that followed couldn't be spoken. His entire body slumped. He lowered his head, not daring to look at Hizashi. A profound sense of powerlessness surged through him.
For the first time, he felt such intense self-loathing. For the first time, he understood the heavy, sickening weight of the "destiny" he had so lightly spoken of in the past.
Simultaneously, a flicker of relief appeared on Hizashi's calm face.
After Hiashi uttered those words, all hesitation and doubt were severed within Hizashi's heart.
He had lost.
And Hyūga Hiashi had also lost.
"Aniue-sama."
Hyūga Hizashi even showed a faint smile, looking at the hunched figure of Hiashi, who seemed humble enough to bury himself in the dirt. "I have some final words concerning Neji and that boy Kumokawa. May I speak with you alone?"
Hiashi's body trembled once more before he slowly nodded. Higoi and the others naturally had no reason to object.
Hyūga Kumokawa merely stood in place, making no move, watching the so-called "ugliness" of this great clan unfold.
Click.
The two entered another soundproof room, Hizashi leading, Hiashi following.
The sound of rain outside was abruptly cut off. Only ragged, heavy breathing could be heard.
Hiashi, who had kept his head lowered the entire time, seemed to regain a sliver of courage. He lifted his head to look at Hizashi standing before him, pursing his lips. "Hizashi, I'm sorry. I will take good care of Neji and that boy Kumokawa for you."
But after he spoke, Hizashi slowly shook his head, the relieved smile still on his face.
"Hiashi-sama."
Hizashi no longer addressed him as 'brother,' but used the formal honorific of the past, his tone calm. "Do you know? Even now, you are still arrogant."
"..." Hiashi was stunned. "What?"
"There is actually another choice within the plan Higoi proposed, one you all ignored."
Unconcerned with his shock, Hizashi spoke slowly. "If you truly had the resolve to face death, the courage to pay the price for your impulse… you could have gouged out your own eyes and then taken your life. The effect would be the same. No loss of the Byakugan. No war."
"But from beginning to end, you never considered it. So arrogant."
Seeing Hizashi's eerily calm expression, a sense of unease suddenly washed over Hiashi. He instinctively opened his mouth to speak.
But in the next instant—
Schlick!
A blurred black shadow appeared behind him. Hiashi only felt a sudden chill in his chest.
All his strength seemed to be instantly drained away. Stiffly, he slowly looked down towards the source of the chill.
A phantom hand protruded from his chest. No blood flowed, but water-like ripples spread across his torso.
Hiashi's body grew rigid. A trace of blank bewilderment appeared on his face.
'What… is this?'