Hyuga Hiashi did not die. Just like in the original tale, it was his younger brother, Hizashi, who perished in his stead.
The two brothers were identical in appearance. Hizashi, as a member of the Branch House, bore the Caged Bird Seal, a cruel curse that would destroy his Byakugan upon death, rendering it worthless. So, when Konoha handed over a corpse, it was his.
Upon receiving the useless body and ruined eyes, the Fourth Raikage didn't push further.
All he wanted was to offer an explanation to his village, to prove that Kumogakure's dignity had not been trampled upon. Gaining the body of a Hyuga was the furthest he could go without plunging his people into another war.
If he failed to negotiate a "victory," the discontent festering in Kumogakure would soon erupt.
Throughout the tense negotiations, Konoha's blockade of food supplies continued unabated. Merchants from the Land of Fire feared being hunted down, while Root agents relentlessly intercepted any ship rumored to be bound for the Land of Lightning.
Even when Kumogakure dispatched escorts, it hardly helped, ninja were far better at killing than protecting.
As for Konoha's tarnished reputation from attacking ordinary people...
Among the five great nations, everyone knew about Root. But for most common folk, the word meant nothing.
And if anyone dared question Konoha about the attacks, the Hokage's Office would respond with bureaucratic calm: "Konoha is a lawful village. Such actions are unthinkable. You may file an official request if you wish to investigate further."
Soon after, Konoha and Kumo formally signed an alliance treaty. The smoke of war on the eastern front at last began to fade.
Konoha then extended an olive branch toward Iwagakure.
To everyone's surprise, Ōnoki agreed almost immediately, no conditions, no demands. He merely declared a cessation of hostilities, then swiftly turned his gaze westward, toward the vast lands beyond the Land of Silence.
Years of failed southern expansion had worn him down. Fighting Konoha had become exhausting. Turning west, perhaps toward Sunagakure, or even employing rogue ninja like Akatsuki, seemed far more profitable. If they succeeded, he'd benefit. If they died, no compensation was required.
Sunagakure was the only one to come out ahead, though even that would prove short-lived.
Konoha, despite its "victory" over Iwagakure, was left bleeding. Pacifying Sunagakure and appeasing Kumogakure cost dearly.
Even with the Land of Fire's vast resources, the losses could eventually be recovered, but trust and pride were not so easily replenished.
The storm of public opinion against the Hyuga Clan and Kumo's posturing hadn't gone unnoticed.
There were plenty of sharp minds in Konoha. Most could understand the Hokage's reasoning, avoiding war meant fewer deaths, but that didn't make the resentment vanish.
Hiruzen knew all of it. Still, he carried on with the calm rhythm of duty, handling paperwork, training academy students, and visiting families who'd lost loved ones.
Quietly, without fanfare, Asuma Sarutobi left the village.
Roshi heard about it from Hayami and the others during a gathering at the old residence.
"The Third Hokage's son, he's got a screw loose," one of them muttered.
Akai, who handled missions at the center, frowned. "Protecting the Daimyō—isn't that an honorable task?"
Hayami and Kachi Onju exchanged a look.
Roshi answered before they could. "It's necessary," he said evenly, "but not something to be proud of."
Kachi Onju leaned back. "Just because we maintain good relations with the Daimyō doesn't mean he's the heart of the Land of Fire. The real protectors of this nation are us, the shinobi of Konoha."
"The Daimyō's got heirs and brothers," Hayami added coldly. "As long as they aren't under foreign control, their lives or deaths don't matter much."
Kachi shrugged. "Better if they live, though. Less political chaos that way."
The conversation faded into comfortable silence. Before leaving, they settled one last matter: starting next month, they'd hold a shared meal once a month at the old residence. Attendance wasn't mandatory; anyone could drop by.
It was Roshi's idea, approved by Grandma Momoka. He'd fund it himself: a simple dining hall, good food, and open doors.
Everyone agreed.
When the small meeting broke up, Hayami lingered.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Chunin Exam promotion ceremony will be held next year," he said. "In your squad, that Uchiha kid, Itachi, right? He's still a Genin?"
Roshi nodded. "He'll be ready."
Hayami smiled faintly. "Of course he will. The village sure knows how to make things difficult, handing him to you like that. I had to pull some strings myself."
Seeing Roshi's curious look, Hayami leaned back in his chair.
"You know, after Lord Hashirama disbanded the clans, not everyone was happy. But no one could oppose his will. When both he and Lord Tobirama were gone, that sense of order vanished. The Uchiha grew more defiant… and some of us began to have our own thoughts."
Roshi stayed silent. He could understand that sentiment. After all, the Senju had fought and won the wars of the Warring Clans era, only to dissolve their own clan and let the Uchiha rise as Konoha's most prestigious house. Resentment was inevitable.
"So yes," Hayami continued quietly, "some chose to back Advisor Shimura."
Roshi froze for a moment. 'So that's how it was…'
"Before, Lady Momoka never voiced her stance, so we stayed quiet," Hayami said. "But now that you're stepping forward, and you have an Uchiha under your command, I convinced a few of them to follow your lead. They may show up soon. Don't take it personally if they're… blunt."
Roshi didn't respond. But the realization weighed heavily.
Among the factions most hostile to the Uchiha and most eager to adopt Danzo's hardline stance, there had always been Senju blood.
No wonder, in the original timeline, after the Third Hokage's death, Danzo, despite holding power and allies like Homura and Koharu, was still utterly suppressed by Tsunade upon her return.
It wasn't only her authority as Hokage that kept him in check.,
It was the silent will of her grandfather's legacy.
and the loyalty of those who still carried the Senju name.
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