At this point, Hiashi Hyuga no longer looked to the Third Hokage for guidance.
Instead, his gaze fell on Uchiha Ryosuke.
Though Ryosuke's earlier words had been harsh, now wasn't the time to worry about that.
"You then," Hiashi said gravely. "What do you suggest we do about this situation?"
The Third Hokage's face turned even darker. He had been defending the Hyuga, and yet now Hiashi was asking Uchiha Ryosuke for advice?
That clearly meant he no longer agreed with the Hokage's proposal.
And to be fair, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt he'd already offered the most optimal solution under the circumstances. What could the Uchiha possibly suggest that would be better?
Ryosuke had been waiting for this very opportunity.
"This whole event was a conspiracy by Kumogakure, and they should be the ones giving your Hyuga clan an explanation."
"Maybe the Cloud isn't afraid of war—but are we, the Hidden Leaf, so afraid that we'll sacrifice our own to maintain peace?"
"Even dying on the battlefield would be more honorable than trading a clan member's life for a false peace!"
"Besides, if they dare threaten us like this today, what's stopping them from doing it again next time?"
"Are we to keep sacrificing our own just to appease their so-called peace terms?"
"That's why—my Uchiha clan is willing to lead the charge, and drive the enemy back ourselves!"
Hiashi was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected such spine and courage from this Uchiha.
Maybe that was the real difference between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans—pride.
If the Uchiha were showing such noble spirit, how could the Hyuga possibly back down?
He looked around at his clan members and saw that Ryosuke's words had lit a fire in their eyes.
Hiashi stood tall and declared:
"When even a bystander from the Uchiha clan is willing to show such resolve, how can we—the very target of this aggression—shrink away?"
"If the Uchiha and Hyuga fight together on the frontlines, even if the Fourth Raikage himself shows up, we have nothing to fear!"
Those words stirred the hearts of every Hyuga present.
"That's right, Clan Head!" one called out. "With our two clans combined, and support from the rest of Konoha's shinobi, Kumogakure wouldn't stand a chance!"
Even Hizashi, who had nearly offered his life the night before, now felt a bit foolish. Dying just to appease the enemy's rage? That suddenly felt meaningless.
The Third Hokage was stunned by what he was witnessing.
How had the Hyuga been riled into wanting war by a member of the Uchiha?
"Damn that Uchiha Ryosuke… Always stirring trouble," he thought darkly.
A war would bring countless casualties. But worse yet, this looked like the Uchiha were winning over the Hyuga—something that had dangerous political consequences.
Tobirama, the Second Hokage, had taught him this: putting the Uchiha in charge of the Konoha Military Police Force wasn't just about trusting them—it was about keeping them isolated and distrusted by the rest of the village.
If they were too powerful or too influential, they'd become a threat. That's why it had worked—until now.
Now, if the Uchiha and Hyuga truly joined forces, the balance of power would shift.
If the Uchiha ever became Hokage, it might even lead to civil war…
But what could he do now?
If he continued to pressure the Hyuga into making a sacrifice, he'd only further alienate them—and they might refuse altogether.
And it was all this damn Uchiha's fault.
What's worse, the Hyuga now trusted the Uchiha more than they trusted the Hokage himself.
Unforgivable.
In that moment, Hiruzen made a calculated decision.
"If you two clans are so eager for war, then so be it."
War would inevitably mean casualties. If the Hyuga and Uchiha both suffered serious losses, he, the Third Hokage, would come out stronger.
He spoke at last:
"Since you've decided, then so be it."
"Tomorrow morning, we will deliver your decision to the Kumogakure envoys—right here in the Hyuga compound."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Hiashi said firmly.
Now that both he and his clansmen had agreed, there was no more room for hesitation.
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"It's late. Rest well tonight and prepare yourselves for tomorrow's meeting."
The Next Morning
The Third Hokage arrived early at the Hyuga compound.
He had intentionally chosen this location for the negotiations, hoping to make the Hyuga the target of Kumogakure's anger rather than the Hokage himself.
To his annoyance, Uchiha Ryosuke was also present.
No matter. After the failed kidnapping and death of the envoy, Hiruzen now suspected that the Cloud shinobi had intentionally played weak in his presence.
Maybe he should've listened to Kakashi's advice and assigned more ANBU surveillance.
Still, he thought, this all works out. The Cloud being aggressive only fuels the conflict he secretly now wanted.
If the Uchiha and Hyuga suffered major losses, his own authority would be reinforced.
Soon, the Cloud delegation arrived—led by the blonde kunoichi Samui and several elite shinobi.
Seeing the tense, hostile Hyuga clan warriors around her, Samui had a very bad feeling.
Once inside the reception room, she immediately confronted them:
"Lord Hokage, after your deliberations last night, I assume you've come to a conclusion?"
"Are you prepared to hand over the one responsible for the death of our envoy?"
The Third Hokage's voice was calm:
"After careful discussion, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans believe that it is your side who owes us an explanation."
"After all, it was your envoy who attempted to abduct the Hyuga heiress."
Samui's face darkened with anger.
"This is slander!"
"Our envoy never did such a thing. He died outside the Hyuga compound."
"If Konoha insists on this story, then we'll report it to the Fourth Raikage—he'll ensure justice is served!"
But the Third Hokage showed no signs of backing down.
He had no interest in peace anymore. In fact, he now welcomed war—the more brutal, the better.
After all, he wouldn't be the one bleeding.
With both the Hyuga and Uchiha ready to clash with the Cloud, they could weaken each other, and Hiruzen would benefit either way.
Hiashi finally spoke:
"Enough lies. That nonsense might work on children, but not on us."
"If you want war, the Hyuga and Uchiha clans will be waiting for you at Konoha's border."
Samui was shocked.
They actually wanted to fight? This was nothing like what she had expected.
She turned toward Hiruzen.
"So this is your village's final answer?"
"Of course," the Hokage replied without hesitation.
Samui realized that threats wouldn't work anymore. They couldn't manipulate Konoha into submission like they had hoped.
Furious, she spat out one final warning:
"Then prepare for war."
She turned to leave with her entourage.
But before she could step outside, a mocking voice echoed behind her:
"Don't you dare not show up... whoever chickens out is the real coward."
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