Chapter 200: The Coup Begins
Actually, the village had known all along that the Hyuga clan intended to transfer Hinata's Tenseigan to Hishi.
But considering the interests and consequences involved, the village turned a blind eye, using non-interference in Hyuga internal affairs as justification to let the clan do as they pleased.
If everything had gone smoothly, naturally all would be well. But now that an accident had occurred, the village could no longer pretend ignorance.
This Tenseigan wasn't just the Hyuga clan's property—it was also precious wealth belonging to the village.
Now that the Hyuga clan's reckless actions had resulted in losing such a treasure, the village naturally had to pursue accountability.
Lord Hokage was absent, and as temporary acting administrator, Shikaku Nara bore full responsibility for village affairs during this period. If something like this occurred, it would be serious dereliction of duty.
He absolutely wouldn't take the fall for this!
In a place like Konoha, you could lack strength, but you absolutely had to max out your political attributes. Otherwise, who knew when you might inexplicably end up dead.
Many matters were unspoken rules that couldn't be brought into the open. Once they went on the scales, even a thousand pounds couldn't hold them down.
Now that Shikaku Nara had righteously raised this issue, Hishi naturally could only swallow this bitter pill.
He could only say with a dark expression, "This is an internal clan matter. I don't need Jonin Nara to trouble himself."
"But now your clan's Tenseigan has been stolen by enemies. Doesn't it require the village's help to retrieve it?" Shikaku said coldly.
"You should know that pursuing culprits requires speed. If we're too late and he transplants the Tenseigan into himself, retrieving it will become exponentially more difficult."
Hishi desperately didn't want the village getting involved in this matter. After all, the village wouldn't help for free—who knew how much debt in favors and resources would pile up.
But just thinking about the Tenseigan's overwhelming power, and the Main House members' attitudes toward him after losing his eyes, he suddenly found himself willing to sacrifice anything.
"We were in the wrong in this matter. Whatever punishment the village decides for the Hyuga clan afterward, we'll accept it."
"Please have the village dispatch the strongest pursuit team currently available and help us retrieve the Tenseigan by any means necessary."
Hishi bowed deeply to Shikaku with utmost respect and humility, his tone as deferential as could be.
Shikaku immediately knew when to quit while ahead, patting his chest as he made a promise to Hishi.
"I'll arrange for pursuit teams immediately and do everything possible to capture Kabuto Yakushi."
The two briefly discussed coordination methods, then Hishi had someone escort Shikaku out.
After Shikaku returned, he indeed kept his promise, dispatching several jonin squads to hunt down Kabuto.
When this news reached the "Revive" organization, everyone was overjoyed.
The original threat had vanished, and Konoha's internal forces had become even more depleted.
"Quickly send word to Neji so he knows about this."
That very evening, Neji reappeared within the Hyuga compound.
Most of the patrol teams in the current Hyuga territory had already been replaced with "Revive" organization members. He moved through the compound as if it were uninhabited, with no danger of exposure whatsoever.
However, since he'd already "disappeared," he couldn't show his face openly and could only hide in the shadows.
The next day, the clan memorial ceremony convened.
Everyone wore plain mourning clothes and carried white flowers as they emerged from their homes, walking solemnly and gravely toward the clan cemetery.
This was a major event. Except for essential security forces, everyone would attend—including Lady Hinata and Hishi.
However, having lost their original eyes, both now had to make do with ordinary human eyes as temporary replacements.
Fortunately, many Branch House members now lacked Byakugan, so two pairs of ordinary eyes didn't stand out particularly in the crowd.
A memorial platform had been erected at the cemetery's front, with various ceremonial items arranged neatly.
Hinata and Hishi stood to one side of the platform, greeting arriving clan members. When the ceremony began, the two of them would be responsible for presiding over it.
Of course, given Hinata's young age, she couldn't actually handle the hosting duties. The real work would fall to Hishi.
As time passed, more and more people gathered, all standing neatly before the memorial platform, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Seeing that the time was about right, Hishi exchanged a few words with Hinata, then stepped to the front of the platform and announced loudly:
"Fellow clan members, first let me share some good news."
"Word has arrived from the Land of Iron. The Five Kage have signed a peace agreement. The war is over."
The crowd below fell momentarily silent, then erupted in tsunami-like cheers.
"Wonderful!"
"The war is finally over!"
But very quickly, the cheers transformed into weeping.
"My poor brother—just a few more days, if he'd only held on a little longer..."
"Father, can you see it? The war has ended..."
As if infected by the crying clan members below, Hishi also symbolically wiped his eyes, forcing out a few tears.
He stood patiently for a while, waiting for the clan members' sobs to subside somewhat before continuing loudly:
"During this war, our Hyuga clan produced countless heroic martyrs who gave their precious lives for the village's peace, for the clan's dignity, for their families at home..."
"Today we gather to pay respect to these clan heroes."
"Let us commemorate our heroes together and pray for them, hoping they can soon be reborn in paradise."
He assumed an emotional expression and was about to continue when he suddenly heard a cold laugh.
"Heh. When you need them they're heroes, but when you don't they're treated like dogs."
"How very Main House of you!"
"Who's there!" Hishi roared in fury. When he looked toward the sound, he saw a figure standing atop a tall tree, silhouetted against the rising sun, one hand on his hip as he looked down. His wide sleeves billowed dramatically in the wind.
The morning light outlined his slender silhouette, leaving a rainbow-hued halo behind him. He appeared almost like an angel descended from heaven to save mankind, his face obscured by light and shadow.
However, everyone present were Byakugan users with excellent vision. The moment they activated their eyes, they saw through the glare and recognized that familiar yet strange face.
"It's Hyuga Neji? Wasn't he missing?"
The crowd stirred again, with many members exchanging subtle glances and shifting their feet slightly.
"Need you even ask? He's obviously colluding with the hidden culprits!"
"Capture him!"
At Hishi's command, a squad of shinobi rushed toward that direction.