After Xiao Yu finished its meal, Kaze left the Uchiha compound with Fugaku, heading toward the Hokage building.
Aside from the two of them, other notable figures such as Shisui, Itachi, and other talented members of the clan, as well as the Hyuga clan's head Hiashi, the main house elders, and the branch house representative, Hizashi, were all present.
No matter how you looked at it, this event would affect the stability of Konoha Village.
It was the most serious incident since the Nine-Tails' attack on the night of the chaos.
In order to reach a consensus with the two great clans, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was present, along with Koharu, Homura, and Danzo, who all attended this meeting.
Of course...
In order to accommodate so many people, Hiruzen didn't bother to host the meeting in his office.
Instead, he made use of the guest hall on the first floor.
Tatami mats were specially prepared with cushions for kneeling.
Kaze found kneeling pretty uncomfortable, so he just plopped down and sat cross-legged instead.
Normally, as just a Chunin, Kaze would have been stuck sitting in some corner of the room.
But since he was part of the reason for the meeting, he got a seat right at the front-left, next to Fugaku.
On the other side, Hiashi took the most prominent spot, with the main house elders clustered behind him.
Hizashi and some of the younger Hyuga clan members were standing against the wall.
Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura, and Danzo were all seated in the central guest positions, radiating authority without even needing to raise their voices.
"Hey, Kaze..." Fugaku, already kneeling, couldn't help but nudge Kaze about his posture.
This whole meeting was supposed to calm down Raikage's fury.
Naturally, as one of the main parties involved, Kaze was the focus of everyone's attention.
He was supposed to be all serious and repentant.
But instead, he just stayed sitting cross-legged, totally ignoring the formalities.
"Sit properly," Fugaku murmured, trying to keep things civil.
Kaze just shrugged it off, completely unbothered by the formalities.
"I swear, if looks could kill... I'd have died like, eighteen times by now," Kaze muttered to himself, catching Danzo's single-eyed glare drilling into him ever since he walked in.
There was a flash of disdain and contempt in his eyes more than once.
"It seems the representatives from both clans have arrived."
At this moment, Hiruzen slowly put down the cigarette pouch in his hand, his tone carrying a hint of weariness and sadness.
"I'm sure both clan leaders are already aware," he began.
"Due to someone's mistake, the representative from the Hidden Cloud Village unfortunately died in our village."
"The Raikage is furious about this."
"If we don't resolve this matter quickly, it could very well escalate into a war."
As he spoke, Hiruzen looked toward Hiashi.
In reality, before the Hyuga clan had arrived, the higher-ups in Konoha had already sent out feelers.
What was called a discussion was really just a formality.
As soon as Hiruzen finished speaking, a Hyuga elder immediately voiced his opinion.
"Although this matter doesn't have much to do with our Hyuga clan, for the sake of the village's stability, we are willing to do our part."
Right off the bat, the elder tried to distance themselves from the situation.
If you didn't know better, you'd think the Hyuga clan was being forced to take the blame.
"However, Hokage-sama, you're well aware that, as the clan with Konoha's strongest dojutsu, our Byakugan holds many secrets."
(T/N: Are you stuck in Infinite Tsukuyomi? Since when was Byakugan the strongest dojutsu?)
"If it were to fall into the enemy's hands, it could lead to endless problems."
"That's why, to prevent such an event, we developed a sealing technique called the Caged Bird."
"Once a Hyuga dies, the power of the Byakugan will be sealed."
"The secrets of our branch will not spread."
"We... are willing to hand over Hizashi's body."
Because they were twins, Hizashi and Hiashi looked identical.
Sending Hizashi's body to the Hidden Cloud Village would not only appease Raikage's anger but at the same time keep the secrets of the Byakugan safe.
But...
As for this decision, it was actually something the main house elders had discussed and decided on their own.
After he laid out the plan, Hiashi's face instantly turned white with shock.
"What did you say?!"
Hiashi shot up from his cushion, his mind racing. He'd thought they were all here to figure out a strategy, but instead, they were talking about sacrificing his own brother.
Even though their bond had grown distant over the years due to the division between the main house and the branch house, the idea of Hizashi dying in his place was still something Hiashi couldn't accept.
"Hiashi, sit down."
"This is the decision we've all agreed on, and Hizashi has already consented to the sacrifice," one of the elders said, his voice calm but firm.
Before Hiashi could respond, another elder spoke up in support.
"That's right."
"The purpose of the branch family has always been to protect the main house."
"And now, Hizashi will not only protect the main house's Byakugan, but he will also help stabilize the village."
For a moment, Hiashi felt like his mind was being hit by a heavy blow.
He couldn't believe the elders were treating Hizashi's death like it was the most natural thing in the world.
In disbelief, he quickly turned to look at Hizashi in the crowd.
Confusion, shock, and a sense of betrayal flooded Hiashi's mind.
"Hizashi!"
All the emotions he felt came out in a single, low shout.
Neji was only six years old now, how could Hizashi possibly be willing to throw his life away?
And why had no one consulted him about this huge decision?
Was he really the head of the Hyuga clan, or was he just a puppet?
"Brother..."
Looking at his brother, Hizashi responded softly.
He naturally couldn't bear to part with his son, Neji.
But if he didn't sacrifice himself, his brother would fall into the whirlpool.
Losing the position of clan head was one thing, but if things went wrong, he could even lose his life to a poisoned hand.
So, in the end, Hizashi steeled his resolve and gathered chakra to the tips of his fingers.
In the next second...
Hizashi leapt forward, passing over the kneeling elders of the main house, and charged straight for Hiashi.
Taking advantage of Hiashi's brief shock, he swiftly sealed his chakra points.
"Hi... Hizashi..."
Hiashi's eyes widened in surprise, and just as he tried to stop this, he felt his vision go black and his body tilt forward, collapsing into Hizashi's arms.
However, the kneeling elders of the main house remained calm and unmoving, with expressions of complete indifference.
This was all part of their plan.
If Hiashi had nodded in agreement, it would have been a satisfactory outcome for everyone.
If not, they would let Hizashi take action to shut him up.
Even the positioning of Hizashi had been prearranged.
The result pleased the elders of the main house.
Only in Hizashi's eyes was there a flicker of tenderness, a hint of reluctance.
Then...
Hizashi carefully placed the unconscious Hiashi on the tatami mat and knelt on one knee, apologizing to the Konoha higher-ups for his outburst.
"No."
Before the Third Hokage could speak, Danzo, who was sitting on the far right, spoke first, praising Hizashi's decisiveness.
And the Hyuga clan's sense of propriety.
"You did well, Hizashi."
"There's no such thing as being disrespectful or improper—everything is for the village."
"If Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama were still alive, they would surely be pleased with your actions."
(T/N: If those two were alive, then this wouldn't happen. And you won't even have the chance to be the Nabekage.)
"Although you come from the branch family, you are a fine ninja with the Will of Fire."
As he spoke, Danzo's gaze deliberately shifted toward Fugaku.
Although Fugaku was indecisive by nature, he was sharp enough to catch the subtle threat in Danzo's words.
Realizing the implication, Fugaku quickly swallowed and immediately spoke up.
"Our Uchiha clan is willing to take responsibility for this mistake."
"However, Kaze is still young, a genius with Lightning Release, and already possesses a complete Sharingan."
"It would be a waste for him to be sacrificed like this. I propose that another member of the Uchiha clan take his place."
"Please, Hokage-sama, grant us this request!"
As he spoke, Fugaku lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head.
In his mind, he believed that his sacrifice—willing to give up his dignity to protect Kaze—would deeply move Kaze.
But in reality...
From the side, a voice broke out in laughter.
"Hehehe..."
What started as a cold chuckle quickly transformed into uproarious laughter, then full-blown cackling...
"Hahahaha!"
"What a fine Will of Fire."
(T/N: Truly a fine Will of Fire. Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn… and apparently, that fire's about to consume the whole damn forest. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!)