An undefined unease rose in his chest, and Hiashi Hyuga's brows drew together. He tore off a strip of cloth to roughly bind the wound on his forehead, then bent down and pulled away the corpse's mask.
The dead man's eyes were wide open, yet his face was strangely calm. That calm made the body feel unsettling, as if the eyes were watching Hiashi Hyuga.
"…"
When he noticed the Hidden Cloud Forehead Protector on the corpse's forehead, Hiashi Hyuga froze for a brief moment. Then realization struck, and cold sweat broke out across his back.
It felt as if icy water had been poured over him, the chill running from his scalp down to his feet. The cold crawled up his spine and into his head.
Damn it. How could it be the Kumogakure ninja?!
Drip… drip…
Autumn weather was always changeable. Yesterday, Konoha had been under clear skies, but today it was covered in dark clouds as cold rain fell steadily.
Yesterday, Konoha had been filled with celebration, because peace had finally arrived. In a sense, it was even the submission of Kumogakure, something almost unheard of.
Today, however, Konoha matched the sudden change in weather. The bright sunlight could not break through the thick clouds, and the village sat under a heavy gloom.
Under the surface, the entire Konoha was restless. Rumors spread among the villagers, and people grew uneasy, even fearful.
In just one day, news spread that the delegation sent by Kumogakure had died in Konoha. Two Kumogakure ninja were blown up in their guest rooms, and the only survivor fled after shouting that Konoha had betrayed the alliance, only to die at the hands of the Hyuga Clan head.
Anyone could see what this meant. Whoever heard these rumors would think of the same four words.
"Silencing witnesses."
Inside the Hyuga Clan reception hall, a trembling old voice softly spoke those words. The dim room was lit by only two candles, their flames casting shadows over Hiashi Hyuga's lowered face, with blood still seeping through the white bandage on his forehead.
His shadow was not the only one on the walls. Eight silhouettes swayed in a row, as seven decision makers of the Main Family, including Hiashi Hyuga, knelt facing one another.
As for the last person.
"Huff."
Seated at the central position, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe. The smoke drifted down, and the candlelight cast a faint, blurred shadow on the floor.
"We have already received a formal inquiry from the Land of Lightning," he said calmly. "They believe that Konoha and Root never had any intention of forming an alliance, that you tore up the agreement unilaterally and even attacked the envoys from Kumogakure. They call it despicable and unforgivable."
"They have issued a final ultimatum, demanding that Konoha give an explanation. Otherwise, they will formally declare war on the Land of Fire."
Hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga's eyes darkened slightly as he asked, "Third Hokage, what kind of explanation do they want?"
"They want the corpse of the murderer, 'Hiashi Hyuga.'"
Hiruzen Sarutobi repeated the words exactly, then added, "Kumogakure has already begun gathering ninja at the border of the Land of Hot Water. It seems they are ready to launch an attack on the Land of Fire at any time."
When the Land of Lightning named "Hiashi Hyuga" as the culprit, the aged faces of the six Hyuga Clan elders looked especially dark under the flickering candlelight. The shadows made their expressions appear heavy and grim.
This was no longer just a matter between Kumogakure and Konoha. It had become a diplomatic crisis between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire, yet from start to finish the whole affair felt deeply strange.
Where had those Explosive Tags in the guest rooms come from? Why had the surviving Kumogakure ninja run to the Hyuga Clan compound and even tried to kidnap the Main Family's direct daughter, Hinata Hyuga?
As a Jonin, how could he have shown no resistance at all and died so easily at the hands of Hiashi Hyuga? And why was the Land of Lightning so precise in naming Hiashi Hyuga and demanding his body?
"This is a plot by Kumogakure. Their target is the Byakugan."
The elder of the Main Family, second only to Hiashi Hyuga in status, spoke up. His voice was hoarse and low, but his aged face remained calm.
"I also believe it is a plot, but that no longer matters," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, nodding before slowly shaking his head. "If no one wants to know the truth, then even if the truth is scattered across the streets, it will never take root."
"This…"
The people present fell into silence, and one Main Family Elder let out a sigh. "If Hiashi had captured that Kumogakure Ninja alive, the situation might have been better."
"It would not," Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and broke that naive hope. "According to intelligence gathered earlier by Root, there is now a secretary named Mabui by Fourth Raikage's side. She is one of the few female Jonin, and she is calm, sharp, and capable."
"This plan likely came from her," he continued. "Before the Kumogakure Delegation even arrived, they had already decided on one of two outcomes: either successfully take Hinata Hyuga away, or die at the hands of the Main Family. It was an open plot."
This time, Konoha had truly been outplayed.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected that Kumogakure, long known for being rough and direct, would now use such underhanded methods.
Based on the words shouted by Yurui before he escaped, the many villagers who witnessed the scene, and the fact that Yurui ultimately died by Hiashi Hyuga's hand, the matter was beyond cleaning up. It was like dirt falling into one's clothes, impossible to explain away.
Aside from those present who knew all the details, no one would believe this was not the doing of Konoha. Even the villagers of Konoha themselves would not believe it, and the blame had settled firmly on the village.
Now, Konoha had only two choices.
Either protect Hiashi Hyuga at all costs and go to war with Kumogakure, or sacrifice Hiashi Hyuga and bow to Kumogakure.
"..."
Hiashi Hyuga and the six Main Family Elders all understood this. Aside from Hizashi Hyuga, the expressions of the others darkened.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had handed the "choice" to them, it meant that the Hyuga Clan in truth no longer had a choice.
War meant death, and it meant many deaths.
The Land of Lightning had already named Hiashi Hyuga as the murderer. On what grounds could they ask the village to risk war just to protect him?
Once war broke out again, the currently weakened Konoha would surely become a target for other villages. Anyone could die in such a war.
People were selfish, and no one wanted to die for the sake of the Hyuga Clan.
"Since that is the case."
After a long silence, Hiashi Hyuga finally spoke. He tried to keep his voice steady, but it was still hoarse. "If my life alone can save the village..."
"Wait."
Before Hiashi Hyuga could finish, Hizashi Hyuga suddenly interrupted him and shook his head. "Hiashi, do not be so impulsive."
"The Hyuga's Byakugan does not belong only to the Hyuga Clan. For the village, it is also extremely important, and it absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure."
As he said this, Hizashi Hyuga glanced slightly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat at the head of the room.