The streets and alleys are filled with joy for two reasons. One is that the Land of Lightning and their village, Konoha, have finally signed a peace treaty. The other is that Konoha's second most powerful clan, the Hyuga clan, has split apart.
For ordinary citizens and average ninjas, this is a huge piece of gossip.
Outside the Hokage building, the envoy from the Land of Lightning could only bear this matter with a stifled face. After all, Konoha stated that their unauthorized entry into the Hyuga clan served as the catalyst for the Hyuga split. The fact that they didn't pursue the Land of Lightning's responsibility was already lenient.
In addition to the various deployments by Konoha at the border, and even Orochimaru appearing there, considering all factors, the Raikage reluctantly chose to quickly sign the peace treaty. After all, at this time, neither Konoha nor Kumogakure wanted to start a fight, although other ninja villages would love for these two major villages to clash.
In the jubilant village, there is a place that exudes a repressed and sad atmosphere, in stark contrast to the rest of the village.
Hyuga Clan.
Inside an ancient and solemn house, the room was filled with the elites of the Hyuga Clan's main family, and outside the door were kneeling ninjas from the clan.
On the bed inside the room was the Grand Elder, who was furious just yesterday in the Hokage meeting room, berating the Third Hokage. Today, he lies on a sickbed.
His face, which was flushed just yesterday, had overnight become gaunt and haggard. His weak, raspy cough echoed feebly throughout the room.
"Grand Elder!"
The Hyuga ninjas inside the room looked sorrowfully at their Grand Elder. This venerable man had been there since the founding of the Leaf Village and had weathered three Ninja Wars. It was unbelievable that he had fallen so low.
Lying weakly on the sickbed, the Grand Elder looked at the people of the main family, his face showing a frail and sorrowful expression. "Everyone, I'm afraid I can't go on. I have failed our ancestors, watching the Hyuga Clan get to this point."
"Grand Elder, don't say that."
"Sniff, Grand Elder, you'll be fine."
For a moment, people in the room started to sob softly, some comforting the oldest elder of the Hyuga Clan. Then, as if rallying for one last effort, the Grand Elder slowly sat up. He stared directly at Hyuga Hiashi.
"Hiashi! The division of the Hyuga Clan is not your fault. You don't have to blame yourself. I estimate I won't last much longer. I'm leaving you with a mess."
Upon hearing the Grand Elder's last words, Hiashi also spoke in a mournful tone, "Grand Elder, I will definitely restore the honor of the Hyuga Clan!"
A raspy laugh echoed in the room, as the Grand Elder, seemingly rallying once more, emanated a shred of his peak aura. His servants quickly stepped aside.
"Caged Bird Curse has divided the main family and the branch family, initiating the conflicts within the clan. Even if it were to disappear now, the same would happen in the future if someone deciphers the jutsu."
"I'm relieved! Do you know why?" The Grand Elder, looking at everyone, shed tears from his cloudy eyes. "I've been terrified for countless days and nights. If the Caged Bird Curse were to disappear, what would become of the Hyuga Clan?"
"Rivers of blood! I've woken up from nightmares seeing rivers of blood from the Hyuga Clan!"
"So, I am relieved! The nightmare has become real, but rivers of blood have not appeared!" The Grand Elder looked at everyone and said, "Remember this! Since the Caged Bird Curse has disappeared, end the hatred between the main and branch families in this generation. Don't pass it on."
"Main family! Branch family! We are all brothers of the Hyuga Clan!"
Seeing the Grand Elder still worrying about the future of the clan, Hiashi felt deeply sorrowful and supported him. "Grand Elder, rest assured, I will rejuvenate the Hyuga Clan and will not repeat the same mistakes."
"Remember! The division of the Hyuga Clan was not caused by the branch family, but by that old villain Shimura Danzo! If you hate the branch family, then how many of us will remain after a war? If you still hate the branch family, then you are the criminal of the Hyuga Clan! Our target is Shimura Danzo! The one who plotted against us!"
The Grand Elder's roar echoed in the room, reaching even the clan members outside, filled with deep-seated hatred.
"Clan Head! Hyuga Hizashi has arrived!"
"What!" Upon hearing this news, the room was filled with exclamations, and many people's eyes flared with anger, blaming the branch family for the situation.
"Shut up!"
The Grand Elder, seemingly deflated, yelled at everyone. After his aura subdued the crowd, he weakly raised his hand toward the door. "Hizashi was invited by me! Let him in!"
In a repressive and dull atmosphere, a figure slowly appeared in everyone's line of sight. Under countless gazes filled with hatred, anger, frustration, and helplessness, Hyuga Hizashi calmly walked into the room.
"Greetings to the Great Elder!"
Approaching, Hyuga Hizashi sincerely bowed. The Great Elder, frail and leaning on the armrest of his bed, surprisingly did not show anger but instead smiled.
"Hizashi, you're here, hehe, good, come here."
In a weak voice, Hyuga Hizashi respectfully approached, appearing on one side of the Great Elder, with Hyuga Hiashi on the other.
"Hehe, Hizashi, this isn't your fault. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have done as well as you. Though the branch family has left, they are still Hyugas. Don't tarnish the Hyuga clan's reputation in the future."
The Great Elder at this moment seemed like a kind old man. He took Hizashi's hand and put it together with Hiashi's.
"Hiashi! Hizashi! Before the main and branch families, remember, you are relatives connected by blood. I hope the animosity between the main and branch families ends with your generation."
Under the Great Elder's hopeful gaze, both Hyuga Hizashi and Hiashi were visibly moved and finally nodded solemnly.
"Hehe, good, although the Hyuga clan split under my watch, we are still one family."
With a hoarse smile, the Great Elder slowly took out a scroll from his chest and tremblingly handed it to Hizashi, "Hizashi, I'm not qualified to judge right or wrong between the main and branch families. This is the secret technique of the main family's Gentle Fist. I've decided to pass it to the branch family. Remember, we all have Hyuga blood. Don't tarnish our clan's reputation."
"Great Elder!"
Some people from the main family were filled with disbelief and anger, watching this unfold.
Ignoring their anger, the Great Elder turned and took out an emblem representing his position and placed it in Hiashi's hand, speaking weakly, "Hiashi, I'm leaving you a mess. The future of the Hyuga clan is now in your hands. I'm returning the authority to the head of the family. I hope you'll rejuvenate the Hyugas."
"Great Elder!"
Hyuga Hizashi held the scroll, tears welling up in his eyes. After putting aside the hatred, they truly were relatives connected by blood.
A cry echoed within the Hyuga clan.
The Great Elder, this "Hyuga Tiger" at the end of his life, finally closed the curtain. Although not perfect, he did all he could.
The Great Elder, who closed his eyes leaning on Hiashi's shoulder, may have had regrets at the end, but Hiashi's face was full of shock.
At the last moment, the Great Elder whispered in his ear, "The Hyuga must not go to civil war. You did well. Remember, don't act against the branch family without absolute strength."
Clearly, this aging tiger was not as generous as imagined. If he could wipe out the branch family without major losses, he would certainly do so. But since any move would lead to mutual destruction, he chose to endure and advised the future Hyugas to do the same.
Until one day when the main family rises, it will be time to wipe out the branch family.
The aging tiger took the blame for the Hyuga clan's division and shifted the main family's hatred to Shimura Danzo. Though not perfect, he concluded his life.
Hyuga Hizashi left under the hostile gazes of the main family members, carrying the scroll of the Gentle Fist technique with him.
…
Hokage Office.
"The elder of the Hyuga clan has passed away."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, looked out the window in the direction of the Hyuga clan and slowly exhaled a puff of thick smoke.
"He's gone, another old friend less."
A hint of loneliness flashed in his eyes, but Hiruzen composed himself, turned to the tired Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane and sighed, "You've both been working hard."
The two had recently been busy with diplomatic relations with envoys from the Land of Lightning. It wasn't fighting and killing, but it was indeed busy.
They were all old comrades, and both shook their heads. Koharu couldn't help but frown, "This time, Danzo went too far, meddling in the affairs of the great clans. His previous actions of extracting ninjas from major families already caused some dissatisfaction; this is too much."
Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement, "Exactly, if handled poorly, this could lead to civil war within the Hyuga clan. The village could even lose a major family. Danzo's actions this time are too risky."
Fortunately, Danzo wasn't present; otherwise, he would have been really frustrated. But he blamed everything on Orochimaru, who was preparing to return from the border and just sneered. Orochimaru didn't mind using his name for his apprentice's actions.
Hiruzen, inside the Hokage office, nodded in agreement with his two friends, "Indeed, Danzo was too bold this time. A single misstep could lead to significant losses for the village. We must give him a stern warning."
Now only the three of them were in the office, close friends and longtime companions who understood each other's thoughts.
Koharu frowned and said, "Danzo may be at fault, but let's put that aside for now. Hiruzen, what do you plan to do about the Hyuga branch family?"
"True, the division of the Hyuga clan could also be a good thing for the village. These super clans provide power, but they're also a double-edged sword," Homura Mitokado objectively said.
There aren't many clans in Konoha, but there are some strong ones that the village can control. However, two clans, the Uchiha and the Hyuga, stand above all, even above the rules of Konoha.
These clans have their own rules. Even outsiders must comply when entering their territories.
Some erring ninjas even face clan-specific disciplinary measures rather than Konoha's laws.
"Danzo might have gone too far, but the Hyuga branch family could be a useful tool. Not only does it weaken the Hyuga clan, but it could also act as an eye, or even a sharp blade, in the Uchiha territory," Hiruzen said after exhaling a puff of smoke.
Both Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement. At this point, they might as well use the branch family to help deal with the Uchiha.
"In that case, Danzo will have to take one for the team," Koharu quickly said. They're all for the village, and Hiruzen, lowering his Hokage hat, said softly, "Indeed, since the branch family has already accepted orders from the Root to station in the Uchiha territory, then we'll have to rely on Danzo."
Clearly, Danzo was about to take another fall. They were determined to keep the Hyuga branch family in the Uchiha territory, and naturally, someone had to take the blame, and that was Danzo.
~~~
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