There were indeed many supporters for Hyuga Kawa, especially among the common people and younger shinobi.
However, the number of neutral and opposing factions was also considerable, as the position of Hokage requires more than just raw strength.
He was too young, lacked seniority, and had not held any significant official posts. His experience and résumé in political affairs were almost blank.
In contrast, Tsunade still had many supporters. After all, her summoned slug, Katsuyu, played a massive role in treating the injured, saving countless lives.
Coupled with her unique status as the granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin, her past prestige earned her much goodwill and trust from the public; her foundation remained deep.
Jiraiya's prestige, accumulated during the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, was hard-earned. He also put in tremendous effort during the recent attack, offering initial resistance and coordinating the evacuation of citizens.
However, his decision at the time to "attack the core of the Chibaku Tensei, even if it meant potentially sacrificing some of those trapped," was vehemently criticized and attacked by opponents, who accused him of being excessively cold-blooded.
In comparison, Hyuga Kawa's final heroic act and posture of rushing toward the Chibaku Tensei seemed particularly "noble" and "brilliant" when contrasted with Jiraiya's action.
Therefore, in the unofficial ranking of public support currently circulating among the common people of the Land of Fire and Konoha, the order was Hyuga Kawa, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Hatake Kakashi...
"Hmm?"
Hyuga Kawa's gaze swept to the end of the article. Seeing the two names that were almost mentioned as an afterthought, a hint of mocking laughter surfaced in his eyes.
Sarutobi Asuma and Shimura Danzo.
Asuma's mention was understandable, as he was a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and held some influence and prestige among the Land of Fire's nobles.
But Shimura Danzo...
"That old man still hasn't given up. He's still cautiously probing, trying to see if he has a chance to crawl out of the gutter and onto the main stage," Hyuga Kawa thought, chuckling inwardly.
He was well aware that the sharp criticism directed at Sarutobi Hiruzen in the media meant that Danzo and the Root he controlled had clearly done their part to secretly spread rumors detrimental to Hiruzen.
In fact, the reason why Hyuga Kawa, who had only recently emerged in recent years, could be so quickly understood by the public of the Land of Fire after this attack must also be attributed to Danzo's efforts.
Naturally, Danzo was also sparing no effort to smear Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Danzo must have obtained the Caged Bird Seal and was doing all this to support Hyuga Kawa—his intended puppet—to become Hokage.
Even so, Danzo still held a sliver of unrealistic hope.
If possible, he would naturally prefer to be Hokage himself, standing openly before everyone, basking in the sun, rather than hiding behind a "puppet."
However...
Looking at the newspaper, at the public's bewilderment and scorn towards the unfamiliar name Shimura Danzo, Hyuga Kawa couldn't help but smile again.
That old guy must be furious right now, right?
Regardless, Sarutobi Hiruzen shouldn't think about remaining Hokage.
If nothing unexpected happened, Hiruzen would soon take the initiative to convene a Jonin meeting, announce his "retirement," and propose candidates for the Fifth Hokage...
Just as Hyuga Kawa was deep in thought.
A spoon holding clear porridge was silently offered before Hyuga Kawa, interrupting his contemplation.
Hyuga Kawa turned his head and saw that Hyuga Aoi had, at some point, sat down by the bed. She held a bowl in her hands, her face expressionless, solemnly stern, yet her eyes betrayed nervousness.
"I'll do it myself."
Hyuga Kawa gently folded the newspaper, handed it back to Hyuga Aoi, reached out for the spoon, and then took the steaming bowl of porridge from her hands.
The room fell quiet for a moment, leaving only the slight sound of chewing and the occasional faint clink of the spoon hitting the bowl.
Hyuga Aoi sat quietly beside him, her gaze fixed on his profile.
The sunlight streamed in from the side of Hyuga Kawa, outlining his sharp features, yet making his face seem somewhat blurred in the halo of light.
He was like a beautifully bound but obscure book.
Unfathomable, unreadable.
The silence lasted for a moment. Hyuga Aoi pursed her slightly dry lips and finally spoke: "Kawa."
"Hmm?" Hyuga Kawa responded, not stopping his action of drinking the porridge.
"The day before you woke up, the Third Hokage, he came to see me privately," she said.
Hearing this, Kawa's action of drinking the porridge paused almost imperceptibly.
But the pause was so brief it seemed like a mere illusion. He put the spoonful of porridge into his mouth, swallowed it, and then spoke with his usual placidity: "He asked about the events of the Hyuga clan that night, didn't he?"
"And about the eyes of me and Hyuga Neji?"
Hyuga Aoi nodded, hesitating as she continued: "I told him the information about the Tenseigan that Hyuga Neji mentioned that night, as well as the entire sequence of events."
Having said that, she looked up at Hyuga Kawa and asked: "Did I say something wrong?"
"Why do you think that?" Hyuga Kawa's tone remained calm, betraying no emotional fluctuation, as if merely discussing a trivial matter.
Hyuga Aoi was silent for a moment, then gently shook her head: "I don't know."
"I just feel that something is not right, as if I said something I shouldn't have."
Hearing her words, Hyuga Kawa's eyes flickered slightly.
He had long known that Hyuga Aoi would be questioned by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he also knew that she could only tell Hiruzen the truth.
Saving her from Neji's hands that night was initially to gain an extra 'credible' witness.
This was intended to mislead Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others, making them believe that the Tenseigan was similar to the Mangekyo Sharingan—both awakened through extreme emotional stimulation.
This move was originally part of the plan.
In fact, in Hyuga Kawa's original plan, having Hyuga Hinata as a witness was enough.
That's why that night, when 'Shadow' manipulated Hyuga Hizashi into the underground secret chamber, he jammed the door so the chamber didn't close completely.
Then, he had the black cat startle Hinata, guiding her to 'happen' to witness the scene. Hyuga Aoi's appearance was merely an accident; even Hyuga Kawa couldn't achieve absolute flawlessness.
But he quickly reconsidered: a slightly older member of the Main House, her testimony might be more convincing than that of the young Hinata. So, he simply saved Hyuga Aoi as well.
He hadn't expected Hyuga Aoi to voice such a feeling.
Hyuga Kawa was certain that he hadn't revealed any flaws in any detail.
But sometimes, the 'coincidence' itself is a flaw that isn't a flaw.
This had nothing to do with the completeness of the plan itself.
Because this was simply a doubt rooted in human nature, like a person who finds money for five consecutive days and starts to worry if tomorrow will bring bad luck.
This was an unfounded doubt, but also an unavoidable one.
A minor oversight, perhaps.
Hmm, it's better to address it early.
"What is the situation like within the clan now?"
Hyuga Kawa did not answer Aoi's question. He continued to drink the porridge unhurriedly, asking as if in passing.
Hyuga Aoi looked at Hyuga Kawa's calm, unwavering face. The inexplicable doubt in her heart was like a strong undertow, hard to grasp yet genuinely present.
"The situation within the clan is somewhat complex. Everyone's emotions are highly volatile, but order is barely stable."
She temporarily suppressed the doubt, slightly lowered her eyelids, and replied: "All the Main House members who held real power and could preside over the big picture were, that night, killed by Hyuga Neji..."
She paused here, then continued: "...they all unfortunately perished."
"The remaining survivors are mostly women and children. Although they haven't suffered much physical harm, the mental trauma is severe and will take a long time to recover..."
"On the Branch House side, casualties are also heavy. Currently, Hyuga Iroha and I are temporarily responsible for comforting and managing the survivors of the Main House and Branch House, respectively..."
"However, Iroha and the others have all been waiting for you to return."
After she succinctly finished describing the clan's situation, the hospital room fell silent again, with only faint sounds vaguely drifting in from outside the window.
"What about you?" Hyuga Kawa suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Hyuga Aoi was stunned. She instinctively looked up, suddenly meeting a pair of deep, light-blue eyes that were quietly gazing at her. Their eyes met.
"Are you waiting for me too?" Hyuga Kawa continued to ask.
Crinkle...
Hyuga Aoi unconsciously crumpled the newspaper in her hand into a ball.
If Hyuga Kawa's past coldness and distance had been like feathers often brushing against Hyuga Aoi's heart, leaving her with an inexplicably blocked feeling in her chest.
Then, this moment was like a forceful pinch on her heart.
Blood pumped out, rushing to all parts of her body. She even felt a little dizzy from the excessive blood supply, and she found it hard to breathe.
What does he mean?
What does he mean by saying that?
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