Hyūga Kōku forced a bitter smile.
Facing Danzō, he could only lower his posture.
"We only intended to investigate Hyūga Hiashi's death. Hyūga Hō spoke too aggressively, which led to the conflict."
"After all… he was our young clan heir."
Not a single word—
About imprisoning Akira.
Or coveting his bloodline.
Danzō's voice was cold.
"Then are you finished with your investigation?"
"Can I take my man and leave now?"
Kōku hesitated.
His gaze shifted to Akira—
Who was looking at him with a faint, mocking smile.
Kōku had been there from the beginning—
Hidden in the shadows.
But things had spiraled completely out of control.
Most importantly—
Akira had broken free from the Caged Bird.
How could they let him walk away like this?
Seeing the hesitation—
Akira spoke first.
"Seems like Elder Kōku still wants to keep me here for a chat."
"I don't mind."
Black-blue flames flickered around his body.
The heat made even Danzō glance sideways.
Kōku's expression grew even more bitter.
They couldn't restrain him.
Akira had already slipped beyond their control.
And worse—
He clearly didn't care about the bigger picture.
If they forced him to stay—
He might just slaughter his way through the clan.
And he absolutely could.
"…No, no. We've finished our investigation."
"You may leave at any time."
Kōku forced out a strained smile.
Akira shot him a provocative look.
This—
Wasn't over.
"Let's go," Danzō ordered.
Akira followed him out with the Root members.
Once they left—
Hyūga Hō slowly sat up.
The moment he realized they couldn't suppress Akira—
He had chosen to play dead.
"How could you let him leave like that?!" he roared at Kōku.
This was no longer about Akira's bloodline.
Two main house heirs—
Were dead.
"How are you going to explain this to Fangxiang and Fu?!"
Those two—
Were the sons of elders Hyūga Fangxiang and Hyūga Fu.
They were meant to inherit their fathers' positions.
Hidden as secret forces of the clan.
And now—
Dead.
Kōku sneered.
"You think we should've kept him here?"
"So he could slaughter the entire clan?"
"Who here can even fight him now?"
"Akira is no longer someone we can control."
If he had a softer personality—
Maybe.
But Akira?
Not a chance.
"We can only contain the damage now."
"From this moment on—no branch family member is allowed to approach him."
Kōku sighed deeply.
Even he knew—
This order might not hold.
"This is a matter of life and death for the Hyūga clan."
Without the main house—
Would the Hyūga still be the Hyūga?
But first—
They had to deal with those two elders.
After all—
Each had just lost a son.
Walking behind Danzō, Akira suddenly asked:
"Danzō-sama… when are we making a move against the Uchiha?"
He still needed more Sharingan.
Danzō stopped.
Frowning, he scolded:
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"The Uchiha are still part of the village."
"Even if relations are strained, you can't be so extreme."
Akira: "???"
…Was this really Danzō speaking?
After a moment, Akira asked:
"Then can you take me to Root? I've been a member for so long and haven't even seen it."
"…Let's talk about the Uchiha later," Danzō said.
Akira rolled his eyes.
What exactly was he afraid of?
A Root member who didn't even know where Root was—
Wasn't that strange?
Danzō thought for a moment.
"You don't need to worry about the Uchiha for now."
This was the first time he'd met someone more eager than himself to deal with them.
As expected of a Hyūga—
Natural rivals.
"Prepare for the jōnin exam first."
Akira shrugged.
The jōnin exam…
He might not even pass.
Knowledge wasn't an issue.
Despite his brutal demeanor—
Back in the academy, he had consistently ranked in the top ten academically.
The real problem—
Was loyalty.
That part…
Might not go so well.
"After you pass, you'll resume Root missions."
Danzō paused.
"Then… I'll take you to Root."
Akira now had both strength and reputation.
Perfect as a right-hand man.
Originally—
Danzō had wanted Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru had no interest in Root.
Only the forbidden jutsu within had caught his attention.
And even then—
Danzō suspected he would leave once he learned enough.
After all—
He was Hiruzen's disciple.
Untouchable.
And now—
With Nawaki still alive—
Orochimaru hadn't walked down his original path.
He hadn't yet begun questioning life and death.
For now—
He was simply immersed in jutsu.
Which meant—
That future might never come.
Akira was dismissed.
Back home—
He buried himself in books.
Preparing for the jōnin exam.
Unlike the chūnin exam—
Which selected a few from many—
The jōnin exam evaluated individuals.
One at a time.
It required both strength—
And deep theoretical knowledge.
Lost in studying—
Akira didn't expect to see Natsuna again.
He stepped out to find food—
And froze.
Natsuna…
Was cleaning the house.
Akira: "???"
"Didn't you leave? Why are you back?"
She had run off so quickly before—
And now she was back just as fast.
Natsuna laughed awkwardly.
"Just… an accident. I think it's more suitable for me here."
Yeah right.
Akira rolled his eyes.
"What actually happened?"
Natsuna sighed helplessly.
"My grandfather wants me to marry Hyūga Hizashi!!"
…
So the brothers were both obsessed with her?
The older one died—
So now she had to marry the younger one?!
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