Such a huge incident had occurred within the Hyuga Clan.
Most of the Hyuga Branch Family members naturally had no mood to return home.
They all waited within the clan compound, quietly anticipating how the situation would unfold.
Kumagakure was also worried about delays leading to complications, so they went to Konoha Village early in the morning to apply pressure.
It was only just noon, and the Third Hokage had already arrived again.
Many Hyuga Clan members spontaneously gathered around.
Although only a small fraction of people could enter the Main Hall.
The number of people was still several times that of yesterday.
At this moment, on the Hyuga Clan side, Hiashi, Hizashi, Sōshu, Jubee, Fujio, and a group of other Hyuga Branch Family Elites were all present.
On the Konoha Village side, it was only Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
However, the Third Hokage had specifically worn the Hokage Robe and the Kage Hat this time.
This attire, in Konoha Village, represented absolute authority.
The Third Hokage stood still with his hands clasped behind his back.
He said unhurriedly, "Hiashi, I have given you ample time. I trust that the Hyuga Clan can give me a satisfactory answer."
Hiashi first exchanged glances with the Third Elder, then looked at Hizashi standing next to him.
He spoke as if resigning himself to fate: "There's no other way..."
"If sacrificing just me can save the entire village..."
"I..."
Hiashi spoke gravely, but his gaze was directed at Hizashi next to him.
Hizashi, however, stood perfectly fine beside him and did not respond.
The Great Elder frowned and quickly interjected, "Wait, Hiashi!"
He looked back at Hizashi: "The Hyuga's Bloodline Limit is one of Konoha Village's important trump cards. The Hyuga Main Family's duty is to protect it forever."
Seeing that Hizashi hadn't voluntarily stepped forward, Hiashi could only insincerely continue the Great Elder's words:
"But... we can't drag Konoha Village into a war over this."
"Of course I know that," the Great Elder said solemnly.
"That is why... the Branch Family exists."
"We can only have Hizashi die in your place to satisfy those people."
When the Great Elder reached this point, surprise flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes. He glanced at Hizashi, who showed no expression whatsoever.
[It seems they had already planned this out long ago.]
Hiashi feigned shock: "No, how can that be."
The Great Elder said coldly, "Hizashi has also agreed."
At this moment, Hiashi naturally had to put on a show. He worriedly said:
"But what the other party wants is the secret of the Byakugan. If Hizashi dies, his abilities will also be sealed."
"In that case, the Land of Lightning probably won't let the matter rest."
The Great Elder nodded slightly: "That is likely their true goal."
"That's why the Land of Lightning demanded your corpse, Hiashi."
"We just need to pretend to agree, and then hand over Hizashi, who looks exactly like you. They shouldn't say anything more."
Hiashi's expression showed three parts shock, three parts reluctance, and four parts guilt as he looked at Hizashi and said, "B-but..."
The Great Elder interrupted Hiashi's performance: "Hiashi, the time has come."
"Our ancestors also protected the Hyuga Bloodline Limit this way. Even between biological brothers, one must be ruthlessly sacrificed."
"Because this is the destiny of the Hyuga Main Family."
"Furthermore, this is the fate of all Hyuga Clan members."
The Great Elder turned to face the Third Hokage, saying in a harsh tone, "Are you satisfied, Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to curb the Hyuga Clan, he certainly did not want the Byakugan to fall into Kumagakure's hands.
If it was just sacrificing one Hyuga Branch Family member, the scale was just right.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his Pipe, then slowly exhaled:
"As long as Kumagakure has no issues, then I have no objection."
"In that case, we will handle the rest ourselves. Please leave, Hokage-sama."
The Great Elder unceremoniously issued an order to leave, practically telling the Third Hokage to get lost.
The Hyuga had already paid the life of the Clan Head's younger brother; what did it matter if their tone was harsh?
The Third Hokage said nothing, turned around, and left.
"All of you, step out."
The Hyuga Main Family High-ranking Members waved their hands, driving out everyone except Hiashi and the Elders.
Both the Hyuga Main Family and Hyuga Branch Family retreated with various expressions.
The faces of the Hyuga Branch Family members were filled with sorrow, but they knew they could not interfere in this matter.
Hizashi, a person who wholeheartedly sought benefits for the Hyuga Branch Family, was about to meet his end this way.
The room was quickly cleared.
Hiashi's feigned expression gradually faded. He stared coldly at Hizashi, extremely annoyed that Hizashi hadn't played along with his performance just now.
The Second Elder, Jubee, had a volatile temper. He fiercely approached Hizashi, grabbed his clothes, and said:
"Why didn't you volunteer yourself to die in his place?"
Hizashi, the Hyuga Branch Family member, shed his usual respectful demeanor, swatted Jubee's hand away, and kicked Jubee.
Jubee had never expected Hizashi to resist, and the kick was so powerful that it instantly sent him flying, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
"Ugh... Ah..."
Hearing Jubee's painful groan, everyone present was stunned.
"Hizashi! Are you trying to defy your superiors!?"
Hizashi burst into laughter, his expression sinister as he spoke to Jubee:
"If you're asking someone for a favor, act like it. What? If you're dissatisfied, just kill me now."
Looking at Hizashi's crazed expression, Jubee froze, and the Caged Bird Curse Seal punishment he habitually prepared in his hand relaxed.
[That's right, since he is going to die in Hiashi's place, they naturally cannot kill him using the Caged Bird Seal.]
[If they did that, the Great Elder's plan to shift the Branch Family's resentment would be ruined.]
"Hizashi, what are you trying to do? Don't forget you still have Neji."
Hiashi shouted coldly. Seeing Hizashi's disobedience, he was also burning with rage.
Fearing Hizashi might harbor inappropriate intentions, he specifically mentioned Neji.
Hizashi saw his hypocritical older brother, his expression cold and disgusted, and he let out a cold snort.
"Don't worry, even though I deeply hate the Hyuga Main Family, I will still die in your place."
"However, I'm not doing this to protect you or the Hyuga Main Family."
"Instead, I am voluntarily choosing death for the sake of Neji, for the Hyuga Branch Family, and to protect the general populace of Konoha Village."
When Hiashi heard Hizashi's words, his face alternated between green and pale, and he was speechless.
Hizashi took two steps and stood at the doorway, his back facing everyone:
"Great Elder, just this once, I want to defy the Hyuga's destiny. I want to control my own fate."
"I will choose my own way to die."
Saying this, he pushed the door open and walked out.
The light outside was blinding, yet it completely enveloped Hizashi.
"Great Elder..."
The Second Elder, Jubee, looked at Sōshu with a questioning gaze.
The Great Elder waved his sleeve, showing no emotion regarding Hizashi's resistance:
"Let him be. After all, he is preparing to sacrifice his life for the Hyuga Clan."
Jubee cursed under his breath a couple of times but didn't actually chase after Hizashi to confront him.
Since Hizashi was about to die, he naturally had nothing to lose.
With the Caged Bird Seal and Neji still in the clan, Hizashi couldn't possibly run away.
It was just that Hizashi's behavior right before his death made them look rather disgraced...