Following Hyūga Shin out of the Hokage building, Hyūga Shinichi and Shin had no way of knowing what transpired in the office after they left.
Shin had already expressed the Hyūga clan's attitude to Konoha's high-level officials. All they could do now was prepare. Whether Konoha decided to compromise or stand firm against Kumogakure, the Hyūga clan, as the core of the dispute, had to prepare for war. If the entire situation devolved into the worst-case scenario, the entire Hyūga clan might be pushed onto the battlefield.
"Is such a statement really okay?"
"If the Fourth Hokage cannot persuade the other high-level officials, won't the Hyūga be isolated by everyone else in the village?"
Walking down the street on their way back to the clan compound, Shinichi frequently saw passing ninja observing him and Shin with judgmental looks. The fermenting public opinion had affected many people's judgment. The Hyūga clan's situation was not as good as he had initially thought.
Shinichi turned his head and asked Shin beside him. This great-grandfather was clearly different from the Hyūga elders in Shinichi's memory, and Shinichi wanted to explore his truest inner thoughts.
"Isolated?"
"Perhaps..."
Hearing the question, Shin glanced at Shinichi, pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked:
"Shinichi, what is your view on this matter?"
"Do you think your great-grandpa did the right thing?"
"If it were you, would you be willing to hand over those few branch family members to save the village from the threat of war?"
"Sacrificing the minority to protect the vast majority... if it were you, would you do it?"
Shin's gaze deepened. Although he looked forward again when asking Shinichi, Shinichi knew that Shin was observing him.
"The branch family members did nothing wrong. They only did what they were supposed to do."
"Why should they be sacrificed?"
"Kumogakure is trying to take advantage; constantly backing down will only make them more aggressive."
"To those who reach out recklessly, you must chop off their hand so they feel the pain."
"Furthermore..."
"Before becoming a qualified Konoha ninja, I am first and foremost Hyūga Shinichi of the Hyūga clan..."
"If I can't even protect my own clan members, what's the point of talking about protecting the village? It would be too ridiculous."
Shinichi always knew what he wanted and clearly understood who the people he wished to protect were.
Shinichi was not a great person. He didn't possess the high degree of wisdom like Itachi Uchiha to look at things beyond his clan. In his eyes, the people he needed to protect were his family, friends, and clan members. Beyond that, if he had the capacity, Shinichi would uphold order and justice. But if he couldn't even protect those closest to him, the talk of maintaining order and justice would seem utterly laughable.
"Is that so... that really is a selfish answer."
"To be honest, I always hoped you could become a Hokage one day."
"But now it seems, with your capacity, you will only ever become the next head of the Hyūga clan."
Shinichi's answer was far too un-"noble." Although he said those words, Shin was not at all disappointed with Shinichi's response. In fact, a faint smile appeared on Satoru's face after hearing Shinichi's answer.
That was enough... the Hyūga clan fundamentally didn't need a "noble Hokage" who would sacrifice everything for the village. A strong clan head who could seek benefits for his clan members in the future was enough!
"Hokage? Honestly, I have no interest. I just want to live well in this world."
Shinichi replied casually, the images of powerful "antagonists" like Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Nagato, and others unconsciously surfacing in his mind.
"Hmph... you good-for-nothing."
Shin couldn't help but let out a light scoff, his tone a mix of teasing and exasperation.
No one knew what the Konoha high-level officials discussed after the Hyūga left. However, Konoha publicly responded to Kumogakure the next day.
In short, the response was summarized in one sentence: "You can have the person, if you come to Konoha and seize them yourselves."
To the outside world, this was undoubtedly a strong signal of defiance from Konoha. Immediately, the attention of all forces in the ninja world focused on Kumogakure.
Even Obito Uchiha, who was secretly cultivating his loyalists in Kirigakure, slowed his infiltration plans and turned his attention to Kumogakure, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation.
Since the Nine-Tails attack, Obito knew that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was not something he could seize at this stage. He needed powerful allies to strike together, and he needed some... convenient pawns. Only then would he have a chance to capture the Jinchūriki.
This conflict between Kumogakure and Konoha was a good opportunity for an invasion. If Konoha sank back into the quagmire of war, he would have a chance to set up his schemes within the village again.
Everyone was watching Kumogakure's reaction to Konoha's defiant reply. The Fourth Raikage was not known as an enlightened man. Konoha's message would likely infuriate the Kumogakure leader.
Indeed, shortly after Konoha's message was released, Konoha's border intelligence department reported the discovery of large numbers of Kumogakure troops rapidly advancing toward the border, taking a posture that clearly indicated they were preparing for war with Konoha.
Kumogakure's aggressive stance led to mounting pressure on the Hyūga clan. Hyūga clan members walking on the streets were now subjected to disdain and scorn from some, who felt that the clan's selfishness had dragged Konoha into the mud. This disdain and scorn were beginning to affect the daily lives of the Hyūga clan members.
It was January, the Lesser Cold season.
In recent days, both Konoha and Kumogakure have been deploying troops to the border. Although no conflict had erupted yet, a military arms race had begun. The Hyūga clan sensed the impending storm, and everyone became busy.
However, this atmosphere did not affect young Hinata. On this day, Hinata was out playing on the streets with her maid as usual; children her age couldn't stand being cooped up at home...
Heavy snow had fallen for several days, and the ground was thick with snow. Taking advantage of the maid's brief moment of shopping, Hinata was attracted by some small toys on the other side of the street and ran away from the maid's side.
Midway, however, several children, about seven or eight years old, blocked Hinata's path. A short, stout boy shoved Hinata on the shoulder, pushing the young girl into the snow:
"Hey! Aren't you watching where you're going?!"
"Byakugan monster!"
The chubby boy who pushed her instantly flipped the blame, looking down at the slightly dazed Hinata and yelling.
The other children accompanying him looked around. Seeing no adults intervening, they giggled, surrounded Hinata, and chimed in:
"The Byakugan monster dares to come out on the street?"
"If it weren't for you, the village wouldn't have to fight with other ninja villages!"
"You monster, hurry up and get out! You're not welcome here!"
The children seemed to be locals. Seeing Hinata's meek appearance, the darkness within them gradually amplified.
"Hey, speak up!"
The chubby boy grabbed Hinata's scarf and questioned her, his fist already raised, clearly ready to strike.
"Stop it!!!"
Just then, a clear, sharp shout rang out. The children turned their heads and saw a blonde boy quickly charging towards them. He rushed forward, forcefully pushed the older children aside, spread his arms, and shielded Hinata behind him.
The still-dazed Hinata looked up and recognized the boy standing in front of her. This was the son of her mother's best friend, and one of Hinata's own closest playmates—.Naruto Namikaze
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
70+ advanced chapters available.
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 30 Power Stones.
Bonus chapter for every 20 reviews/comments