Hiruzen Sarutobi: What a loyal and righteous child.
"Insolence!"
Hyuga Hiago's eyes turned cold. He stared intently at Hyuga Kumo and rebuked him in a low voice, "The Byakugan is the foundation of the Hyuga clan's century-long legacy! This is a choice that concerns the fate of the family. It is not for you to question!"
"A fine 'family fate'."
Hyuga Kumo's gaze swept over the face of each elder. His white eyes reflected the faint gold of the candlelight and the black silhouettes of the figures. He sneered, "Was my father being tortured to death by your cursed seal also because it concerned the fate of the family?"
The Main Family elders present jolted almost instantly. Their hands, resting on their laps, tensed. They subconsciously glanced at the silent Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was not a pleasant matter to be aired publicly.
Some things are insignificant until they are brought to light, but once they are, they carry an immense weight.
After all, Hyuga Kumo's father was a registered Jonin of Konoha. Therefore, regarding the cause of his death, they had always publicly claimed that he had sacrificed himself to protect the Main Family. This was also why Hyuga Kumo was able to enjoy certain "benefits."
Now that Hyuga Kumo had suddenly brought it up in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, they felt the vexation of having their dirty laundry aired in front of an outsider.
"It is the duty of the Branch Family to protect the Main Family. The Main Family is the root of the Hyuga clan. Your father died a worthy death!"
Hyuga Hiago's expression was terrifyingly grim. He felt that he had been provoked, and the arrogance of a superior was no longer concealed.
"A worthy death?" Hyuga Kumo said coldly. "Me, my father, Lord Hizashi—we have the same blood flowing in our veins as you, yet we can't even hope to learn the family's inherited ninjutsu. Now that you need us to fill the death toll, you remember that we share the same roots?"
"Insolence!"
"Arrogance!"
Two short-tempered Main Family elders stood up in anger. If it weren't for Hiruzen Sarutobi's presence, they would have already activated the cursed seal to punish him severely.
Facing their furious rebukes, Hyuga Kumo stood his ground with his head held high, but deep in his eyes, a light flickered.
The reason he was putting on such a show now was not, of course, because he truly didn't value his life. It was because he knew very well that if the next part of his plan went smoothly, he would no longer be able to stay in the Hyuga clan.
Even without the drama he was staging today, he would become a target of the Main Family's apprehension and would most likely be "suicided" for some unknown reason.
He could, of course, undo the Caged Bird Seal, but he couldn't reveal that just yet.
Therefore, what he needed to do was to make the Hyuga Main Family afraid to act against him.
He needed to find a new backer, one stronger than the Hyuga Main Family. He needed to find a new springboard, one larger than the Hyuga clan.
With this in mind, Hyuga Kumo glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was kneeling there silently like a stone statue, seemingly lost in thought.
At this moment, a flash of understanding crossed Hiruzen's cloudy eyes. He raised his gaze slightly, sweeping it across Hyuga Kumo's sorrowful face behind Hizashi.
So he really is speaking out for his father and Hizashi?
This child is indeed a loyal and righteous child. It's just that he is too shallow and can't hide his emotions.
But isn't this exactly the kind of subordinate that a superior likes best?
"It's just a pity," Hiruzen sighed inwardly. "If only his skills were a bit stronger."
The recent arrogant attitude of the Hyuga clan and the growing dissatisfaction of the Uchiha clan had made this Hokage feel a sense of apprehension.
His control over these two major Konoha clans was still too weak. So, he already had the idea of promoting subordinates from within the two clans. No matter what, he had to plant a few nails in the two clans to prevent any future movements from them without his knowledge.
This was a precaution that was almost instinctive for a superior.
Through various intelligence investigations and analysis of the Uchiha clan, he had already selected Kagami Uchiha's descendant, Shisui Uchiha. But for the Hyuga clan, he really couldn't find a suitable candidate. The Main Family members would not obey him, and the Branch Family members did not dare to defy the Main Family.
Servility had long been firmly engraved into their souls along with the Caged Bird Seal. Most of the Branch Family members had long grown accustomed to the superiority of the Main Family.
Now, it seemed that Hyuga Kumo was the most suitable candidate, but he felt that his skills were still lacking.
"Alright, Kumo, that's enough."
Hyuga Hizashi said this lightly. He caught a glimpse of Kumo's red-rimmed eyes and the sorrowful and resentful expression on his face.
The reason Hyuga Kumo had followed him was that he had come to return the ninjutsu scroll a short while ago, and Hyuga Hiago happened to be in the guest room as well.
At that time, Hyuga Hiago and Hizashi were discussing the matter of Hizashi dying in Hiashi's place. The more battle-experienced Hyuga Hizashi had promptly detected the sound of hurried breathing from outside the room.
He made an excuse to send Hyuga Hiago away and went out, only to find Hyuga Kumo standing outside the guest room, looking as if he had been struck by lightning.
Fortunately, he had stopped the suddenly enraged Hyuga Kumo in time. Otherwise, the boy, in his emotional state, would have definitely rushed in and might have even dared to attack Hyuga Hiago in his audacity.
"Sigh."
Thinking of Hyuga Kumo's emotional breakdown at that time, and looking at the boy's still resentful expression, Hizashi knew that the other truly considered him "family." Hyuga Hizashi couldn't help but feel a little touched.
He had not expected that his concern for the boy a while ago would make this parentless child so close to him, to the point where he couldn't hide his resentment upon hearing that he was going to die in his place.
This child is too loyal and righteous. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
"Wait, wait a minute."
Hyuga Hiashi came back to his senses, as if realizing something. He quickly stood up and said, "What do you mean 'final journey,' what do you mean 'dying man'? You all..."
Hyuga Hiago forcibly suppressed the anger of being offended and no longer looked at the boy who disgusted him so much. He said coldly, "We will hand over Hizashi's corpse as your substitute."
"Hizashi has already agreed."
This sentence made Hyuga Hiashi look at Hizashi in disbelief.
How could this be? How could Hizashi agree?
Doesn't Hizashi only have hatred left for me, his brother?
"But, but..." In his astonishment, Hyuga Hiashi spoke without thinking. "Doesn't the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure want the Byakugan? After Hizashi dies, his Byakugan will be destroyed. If that's the case, the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure won't accept it."
"From the actions of the Kumo ninja trying to kidnap Hinata, it seems that Kumogakure indeed has such intentions," a gloomy glint flashed in Hyuga Hiago's eyes. "But the condition given by the Land of Lightning is for us to 'hand over the corpse of the murderer Hyuga Hiashi'."
"We just have to pretend to accept this condition and hand over Hizashi, who looks identical to you. Then, Kumogakure will have no legitimate reason to continue being aggressive."
Upon hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi opened his mouth but couldn't speak. He subconsciously looked at the silent Hizashi.
Hyuga Hizashi's expression was very calm, as if he had completely accepted his fate.
But in fact, he was waiting.
Waiting for an answer, waiting for a choice.
He was waiting to see if his good brother would, as that person had said, give the same choice and answer.