Chapter 34
"Tch... being pretty is the main point, isn't it!" The Nine-Tailed rolled its eyes, too lazy to even complain.
"A Xia! This is bad~!"
An anxious voice suddenly interrupted Naruto's thoughts.
Hyuga Suikeido, panting and out of breath, appeared before Naruto and the two girls.
Naruto had met him these past two days while playing at the Hyuga Clan Residence.
This guy was named Suikeido, similar in age to Hyuga Natsu, and was her childhood friend.
Of course... living together in a clan, almost all children of the same age could be called childhood friends.
"What's with all the panic!?"
Hyuga Natsu immediately stood firm, adopting a serious posture.
This calm demeanor, clearly a result of training, was very professional.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Hyuga Suikeido, the young man, took a few breaths before speaking again.
"Hokage-sama, Elder Homura, Elder Koharu, and Lord Danzo... the four high-ranking officials have brought several Anbu squads and surrounded our Hyuga Clan Residence!"
Hyuga Natsu's face was filled with shock: "What?!"
"Heh..."
Naruto shrugged.
The composure brought about by the maid training program was indeed not genuine.
Remaining unfazed when a mountain collapses before you is only possible if they haven't seen a real mountain collapse.
Someone like me, Uzumaki Naruto, is a truly born strong one.
Chapter 27: The Hyuga's Demise Crisis, NarutoAppears
As the New Year was approaching, the Hyuga Clan Residence, which should have been harmonious, was facing an unprecedented crisis.
Anbu and Root personnel had subtly formed a siege around the Hyuga.
Normally, Konoha's high-ranking officials would never issue such an order blindly.
The deployment of even Root was enough to prove the seriousness of the matter.
When Naruto and his group returned, the polite exchanges in the reception hall were coming to an end... Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hazuki, the Main Family Elder... all these Main Family figures were gathered there.
Branch Family members like Hyuga Hizashi also stood by or outside the door in their respective representative numbers, listening.
The simultaneous appearance of the four Konohahigh-ranking officials signified an absolutely major event.
In the center of the Japanese-style hall, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands behind his back.
His already short figure was now much more hunched.
In fact,
before Danzo made his move, he had already received the latest communication from Hidden Cloud Village.
The Raikage claimed... that Konoha must hand over the culprit who murdered the envoy.
And that so-called culprit, of course, referred to Hyuga Hiashi himself.
In other words, they were threatening Konoha, demanding the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan as a trade for their retreat.
Otherwise, they would resort to force at the border to seek justice for their deceased subordinates.
At that point, war would erupt... If it were just this, there would naturally be no need for all four high-ranking officials to visit together.
But the problem was, Danzo's side had uncovered new clues. He didn't specify what they were, only saying that everyone would understand when the time came.
"That's how things are."
Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the situation on the spot.
The Hyuga, who had somewhat anticipated this, showed various expressions.
"There's no other way..."
After some struggle, Hyuga Hiashi released his clenched fists.
"If offering my life alone can save the Village..."
"Hiashi..." Hyuga Hazuki couldn't help but look at her husband, her eyes full of worry.
"Don't be rash."
Just then, the Main Family Elder spoke in a calm, unhurried tone.
"The Hyuga's Bloodline Limit is an important trump card for the Village..."
He first emphasized the importance of the Hyuga's Byakugan.
"The duty of the Main Family is to always protect the Byakugan."
Then, the Main Family Elder looked at Hyuga Hizashi, who stood silently to the side.
"The Branch Family members... exist for exactly this kind of situation..."
At the critical juncture of the Hyuga's survival, the most experienced Main Family Elder cleverly defused the high-ranking officials' challenge.
Regardless of whether Konoha's high-ranking officials were targeting the Hyuga, a strategy of wits and courage was necessary.
Hiashi, as the head of the Main Family, absolutely could not die.
Hinata was still young, not enough to support the entire Hyuga.
Once Hiashi died, the entire Hyuga Clan would crumble... At that point, they would be at the mercy of others, becoming even more miserable than they were now.
"We just need to hand over Hizashi, who looks exactly like you!"
The Main Family Elder made his decision, which was also a clear statement to Konoha.
"..."
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado's expressions fluctuated.
Danzo, with his deeper cunning, was even more expressionless, his eyelids lowered, making it impossible to gauge his thoughts by observing his gaze.
So,
how would Konoha's high-ranking officials accept this proposed compromise?
The Main Family Elder remained seated, unmoving, awaiting the high-ranking officials' reply... Hyuga Clan Residence.
Naruto stood at the entrance.
A chilling atmosphere permeated this usually rigid clan.
Although there weren't many comedians and much joy here, it wasn't usually like today, where even puppies and kittens would avoid the area.
Standing on walls, by walls, on trees... were the masked group, meaning the Anbu and Root personnel.
Although they wore identical Anbu uniforms, their identities were actually easy to distinguish.
Those wearing "animal" masks were basically from Yūgao Uzuki's group.
Those wearing "oni, asura" type masks were subordinates of that Old Man, Danzo.
After a quick glance, Naruto noticed that several Anbu and Root squads had been deployed.
However, the white-haired Kakashi seemed to be absent.
He was probably on his way to the front lines, being the most excellent tool and enforcer, after all.
"Naruto..."
Just then, a purple-haired figure greeted Naruto.
It was Yūgao Uzuki.
It seems Anbu Squad Six members weren't all on the same mission... Naruto thought to himself.
"You shouldn't go in..."
Yūgao Uzuki gestured, indicating that unauthorized personnel shouldn't enter.
She spoke softly, a gesture of familiarity.
"It's fine, big sister." Naruto nodded slightly, instantly switching to an innocent, harmless demeanor.
The lightning-fast switch in his superb acting even left the Nine-Tailed speechless.
"How much does this kid... know how to deceive people..."
The Nine-Tailed mumbled.
"Naruto-kun~." Hinata, who also sensed the change in the clan's atmosphere, couldn't help but raise her right hand and gently grasp Naruto's sleeve.
In her heart, Naruto was her subconscious reliance.
Ever since being rescued on her birthday, Hinatahad completely undergone a change in her beliefs.
She trusted Naruto wholeheartedly and believed he could protect her.
"The Fox Demon, Uzumaki Naruto, actually knows Anbu members..."
When Hyuga Natsu saw this scene, she had entirely different thoughts.
Turbulent waves surged in her heart.
Having been awed multiple times, she could no longer guess Naruto's true status and situation.
Her heart grew increasingly fearful.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that her past actions of offending him were something only an idiot would do.
"Did Uncle Hiashi and the others get into trouble? I heard Grandpa Hokage is also here... Can you take me to see him? I'm quite familiar with Grandpa Hokage normally..."
Naruto scratched his head, his expression switching to shyness in an instant.
Give me, Uzumaki Naruto, some face; the Old ManHokage is an acquaintance of mine.
Yūgao Uzuki: "This... alright..."
Anbu were divided into different ranks.
Different squads had different responsibilities.
Among the Anbu Ninja from the squads present today, at least a third of them knew Naruto's identity inside and out.
Thus, with their assistance, Naruto, relying on his "Face Bloodline Limit" that he was born with, quickly made his way unimpeded to the entrance of the guest residence.
However, today was different from usual... The Hyuga Branch Family members who should have been guarding the door had been replaced by two Root Ninja.
Danzo's two subordinates looked extremely fierce just by their masks.
When Naruto intended to enter the house, these two 'door gods' directly blocked Naruto's path... and even Yūgao's.
Most Anbu obeyed the orders of the high-ranking officials, and even the Hokage.
But there was also a small group... the Root members... who only obeyed Danzo's command, also known as... fanatics.
—Commonly known as lackeys.
"So, here's a question."
Facing the obstruction, Naruto recalled a question.
"Two young men, are you hot today?"