[Ding!]
[Your lie has been judged as [Two-Faced], [Affected and Deceitful], [Using a Scapegoat], and [Swindling]. Hideki Hyūga, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and others have experienced intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [Convinced Beyond Doubt]. 3000 Truth Points obtained.]
[Remaining Truth Points: 14.651]
The system's prompt sounded in Hyūga Kumokawa's mind, yet he remained standing in place, unmoved, his expression one of profound grief.
"Then, send the body to the Land of Lightning."
Hyūga Hideki looked towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had remained silent throughout, and said respectfully, "Lord Third, I must trouble you to arrange an escort for this matter."
"Rest assured."
Hiruzen, sharply noticing the change in Hideki's attitude, knew inwardly that the Hyūga clan had been sufficiently chastised this time.
On the surface, however, he let out a deep sigh. "Konoha will remember the Hyūga clan's righteousness. I will absolutely not let Hizashi's sacrifice be in vain."
Having said that, he prepared to take the body and leave. But at that moment, a voice suddenly reached his ears.
"Grandpa Third... Lord Third."
Hyūga Kumokawa, his eyes slightly red, stepped forward.
He took a deep breath and said respectfully, "I beg your permission to allow me to join the team escorting Lord Hizashi to the Land of Lightning."
His firm, resonant words echoed in the reception hall, causing the several people present to instinctively turn their gaze towards him.
Several of the main family elders subtly straightened their postures, moving away from the candlelight in front of them and masking half of their aged faces in darkness.
Their cold eyes peered out, scrutinizing this unruly youth.
"Hyūga Kumokawa! You..."
Hyūga Hideki was clearly emotionally charged, raising his tone, wanting to rebuke the other party to remember his place.
But before he could finish speaking, the first one to refuse was unexpectedly another, unforeseen person.
"No!"
Upon hearing Kumokawa's request, Hyūga Hizashi, who had been kneeling silently before the "corpse," suddenly looked up and blurted out instinctively.
That lord had said he would bring Hiashi back.
Who knew what he might do during the escort journey?
Letting Kumokawa join the escort team,what if something unexpected happened?
However,to the others, his reaction seemed somewhat abnormal.
The few people present turned their heads with surprised expressions, looking at the "Hiashi" who was overreacting.
It was only then that Hizashi realized he was now "Hyūga Hiashi."
Under everyone's gaze, he broke out in a cold sweat and imitated Hiashi's cold, hard tone: "You are too weak."
Hideki and the others were stunned for a moment, but quickly remembered that Hizashi had called Hiashi away before his death, likely to leave a last wish, asking Hiashi to help take care of Neji and Kumokawa.
"Hmph, so what if Hiashi protects him," Hideki thought, casting a gloomy glance at Kumokawa. "Soon enough, I'll make sure this brat reunites with his dead father!"
Hyūga Neji was Hizashi's son; he truly couldn't touch him for now.
But killing Hyūga Kumokawa would be simple.
As long as it wasn't done publicly, Hiashi wouldn't likely make too big a fuss about it.
However, the next sentence that reached his ears caused Hideki's face to show astonishment.
"Let him go."
The person who spoke wasn't Kumokawa, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing to the side.
"Lord Third, this..." Several people, including Hizashi, looked over with doubtful and surprised eyes.
"Hizashi was probably the last family this child had in his heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, looking kindly at Kumokawa with a gentle tone. "Even if we don't allow you to join the escort team, you will definitely find a way to follow, won't you?"
Meeting Hiruzen's gaze that seemed to see right through him, Kumokawa nearly couldn't hold back a laugh.
On the surface, however, his eyes reddened as he bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, Lord Third. Truly, thank you. I only wish to see Lord Hizashi off on his final journey."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the Hyūga members with complex expressions, comforting them, "Don't worry, I will send an Anbu team to escort Hizashi's body. Taking care of this child won't be a problem."
In truth, he just wanted the Anbu ninja to observe Kumokawa's behavior along the way, to see if he was qualified to become that "nail."
"..."
The room fell quiet. Several main family elders exchanged glances silently in the candlelight, none speaking. Eventually, this silence became tacit acceptance.
Hideki's expression was extremely unpleasant. He could naturally see Hiruzen Sarutobi's fondness for Kumokawa and felt somewhat stifled for a moment.
If Kumokawa really became this Third Hokage's subordinate, it would truly be difficult for him to make a move against this damned brat again.
He really couldn't understand what was so good about this brat.
First Hizashi, then his own unruly eldest daughter at home, then Hiashi, and now even the Third Hokage valued this damned brat!
Kumokawa slightly turned his head to look at Hideki gritting his teeth in the distance, wondering when this old bastard's cardiovascular system would burst under the high pressure.
Perhaps a few more taunts from him could induce a fatal cerebral hemorrhage?
However, he abandoned this seemingly amusing idea.
Death by cerebral hemorrhage... that would be too easy a way out for this old fool.
BAM!!
A sudden loud noise shattered the room's tranquility. A cold wind blew into the room from the doorway. Everyone frowned and turned towards the source of the sound.
There, a small figure stood at the door. His wet black hair dripped with rainwater, and his chest heaved violently up and down.
The newcomer's eyes immediately fell upon the white cloth-shrouded "corpse." As if struck by lightning, he stood frozen in place, his mouth agape.
"He's finally here."
In a place unnoticed by everyone, the corner of Kumokawa's mouth curled upwards.
It resembled a cold smile, a jeer.
"Neji?"
Finally recognizing the visitor's face, Hizashi's expression changed slightly.
Why had Neji come?
Hyūga Neji walked forward stiffly, like a corpse. His legs gave way, and he knelt beside the "corpse."
"Your father sacrificed himself for the Hyūga clan," Hideki said, trying to soften his tone as much as possible. "To be able to fulfill his loyalty and duty as the head of the branch family is his..."
As if finally confirming something, Neji, his head hung low, suddenly stiffened. His body began to tremble uncontrollably.
The grief on his face was gradually replaced by anger, while Hideki continued his condescending chatter.
But just as Neji was about to lift his head, a warm hand pressed down on it.
"Do not speak recklessly so easily. That only reveals your weakness."
Kumokawa's voice was very soft as he slowly said, "Right now, you only need to calm down."
"..."
Neji's head remained bowed.
Tears fell incessantly onto the ground like a breached dam. His slightly trembling body, however, gradually grew calm.
Seeing this, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But in a place unseen by anyone else, on Neji's youthful face, lowered in submission, the look of anger had twisted into one of utter ferocity.
The others only thought Kumokawa was offering comfort.
But Neji, feeling the warmth and gentleness of that hand, somehow heard the true meaning within those words.
You are too weak.
Right now, no matter what you say, nothing will change.
You need to calm down now, hide the hatred in your heart, don't let anyone detect it.
Then, remember all of this. Engrave it upon your very bones. And then, destroy everything.
Just like that figure from the dreams.