"Ah… F-fa… Teacher! You caught them!" Naruto almost slipped up.
Minato's expression was grave, devoid of any joy. He glanced at Hinata first, then said, "There's trouble in the village. We're heading back immediately. Leave things here to Tazuna."
The three members of Team 7 had never seen Teacher Shingo look so serious. They immediately complied.
Hinata noticed Teacher Shingo's specific glance at her, and a sense of unease grew in her heart. What could have happened in the village? Could it be related to the Hyuga clan?
Naruto quickly bid farewell to Tazuna.
Minato tossed the bodies onto the pile. He had been the one to deal with all two hundred of them.
Minato, who appeared gentle, sunny, and handsome, was usually humorous and witty, but no one should mistake that for softness. He was utterly ruthless when it came to his enemies. The reputation of the Yellow Flash was not unearned. Although he hadn't killed as many people as Orochimaru, the number was still beyond what Naruto and the others could imagine.
When the battle at Gato's broke out, he had blocked the intersection. How could ordinary thugs and gang members possibly stand against Minato? While Sasuke was still cleaning up the scene, he had already eliminated more than two hundred people.
Minato had originally come over to give a few instructions, to remind everyone not to be merciful and let any enemies escape. However, a swift bird had descended from the sky, bringing news. He instantly understood what had happened in the village. Since it concerned Hinata, they needed to return as soon as possible.
He had taken some time to seal all of Gato's wealth into a storage scroll. There was no need to remain here any longer.
So he led the team on a swift return to the village. Minato's face was grim, and the three members of Team 7 didn't dare ask any questions.
As they sped past a house on the street, they noticed it seemed to have been on fire, though the flames were now extinguished. Minato casually remarked, "Those two did that after they escaped."
Naruto was shocked. "Teacher, were there any casualties?"
Minato glanced at Naruto. "It's hard to say if I hadn't been here."
Naruto's face filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Teacher."
As they moved at high speed, Minato continued, "Sasuke, your overall plan this time was good. You just failed to thoroughly investigate the enemy's exact numbers. You must analyze the actual situation. How could the boss of a shipping company only have a few dozen men? It's illogical."
Sasuke thought of the corpses of over two hundred thugs near the seaside warehouse, some of whom were even ninja. He realized his considerations had been far too incomplete.
"Hinata, as an observer, you must also be skilled at analysis. The more complete the intelligence, the safer you will be. If you need to leave someone alive, you must ensure they are completely immobilized. Remember, a person with all four limbs broken can still pose a threat to you. You can't just think that defeating the enemy is enough."
Hinata lowered her head, regretting that her soft-heartedness had led to Naruto getting injured. It was a good thing Naruto was okay; otherwise, she would have hated herself forever. "I understand, Teacher Shingo. I won't be so naive again."
Minato nodded slightly and turned to Naruto. "When on a mission outside the village, you must treat everyone as a potential enemy. You just believe whatever people say? You can't judge a person by their appearance. If I hadn't been here, those two would have escaped long ago. How much harm would they have caused? How many people would have died because of them? Do you think there will always be someone to clean up your messes?"
Naruto was deeply ashamed. Thanks to his father's intervention, he had avoided making a terrible mistake. "I'm sorry, Teacher. I was wrong."
Minato's expression softened slightly. In truth, Team 7's performance had been quite good. But facing a formidable enemy like the Otsutsuki, Naruto and Sasuke needed to grow faster. Otherwise, the future would be even more dangerous.
After the lecture, he fell silent for a while. The atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
Then, Minato spoke. "Hinata, there's a problem with the Hyuga clan."
Konoha Village
Hiashi and Hizashi had spoken for a long time. But in reality, Hiashi didn't have much of a choice. If he didn't agree, everyone in the Main House would suffer.
Hizashi also advised him that all the clan elders had died in the incident. Now, only Hiashi and Hizashi were left. Even if some members of the Main House objected, it would be useless. Hiashi could only reluctantly agree.
Regarding the victimized Branch House members from this incident, Hizashi suggested handing them all over to Kawasaki. Otherwise, keeping them in the clan would remain a hidden danger.
It was only then that Hiashi learned that Kawasaki and Orochimaru were allies. Hiashi guessed that with the Third Hokage dead, Kawasaki no longer bothered to hide his true colors.
Hiashi's cell door was open. After reaching an agreement, the two of them walked out.
Orochimaru and Kawasaki were already waiting for them.
Seeing Hiashi emerge, Orochimaru said in his raspy voice, "It seems you've made a wise choice."
Hiashi bowed deeply to Orochimaru. "Then, Lord Hokage, when will you release the members of our Main House?"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly. "Not so fast. Let's talk about something else first. Thirteen members of your Main House died. When the great elder was found, his Byakugan were already gone. As for the remaining twelve pairs of Byakugan, I intend to use them for research."
Just as Hiashi was about to refuse, Orochimaru raised a hand, gesturing that he wasn't finished. "My research is on the possibility of evolving the Byakugan. In any case, these eyes would have to be destroyed if left as they are. If my research yields results, I will share them with the Hyuga clan."
"A chance for evolution?" Hiashi mulled over these words. He looked at Kawasaki. Wasn't the Uchiha's Sharingan stronger than the Byakugan precisely because it could evolve?
A glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "According to ancient texts, the brother of the Sage of Six Paths, Hamura, inherited the power of the Byakugan. Back then, the abilities of the Byakugan and the Sharingan were on par with each other. But now? The Sharingan's power hasn't changed, but your Byakugan has degraded." Orochimaru shook his head as if in great regret.
Hearing Orochimaru's words, a hint of excitement appeared in Hiashi's eyes. "Such ancient records exist?"
This is all stuff Kawasaki told me, Orochimaru thought. What ancient texts? Outwardly, his expression remained unchanged. "So, do you agree or not?"
The bodies of all the Main House members were in Orochimaru's possession. The fact that he was even asking was a sign of respect. After this turmoil, the Hyuga clan had undergone a massive change. If they didn't seek change now, the clan's decline would be inevitable.
Hiashi sighed. "I can only hope that Lord Hokage will keep his word."
Orochimaru was very pleased. "Excellent. Since you've agreed, Neji, come out and meet your clan head."
At the sound of his name, Neji walked out and stood silently beside Hizashi.
When Hiashi saw Neji's eyes, he understood everything in an instant. He looked back at Hizashi's empty eye sockets and sighed. It was inevitable, anyway.
Hiashi bowed directly to Orochimaru once more. "I have one request, Lord Hokage."