Chapter 25: I Don't Care
"Life for a life is a reasonable demand." Nukarai unhurriedly surveyed everyone, as if victory was assured. "Why is everyone so agitated?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's silence made the Cloud delegation even more pleased. The smirks on their faces grew increasingly obvious.
Hyuga Hiashi simply watched the Third Hokage. Even though this concerned his life, concerned the very foundation of the entire Hyuga clan's existence, he said nothing—only waited.
Just then, a crisp voice filled with fury rang out, shattering the suffocating silence.
"Enough!"
Tsunade stepped past Sarutobi Hiruzen, walking right up to Nukarai's face. Those amber eyes burned with raging fire.
"You scum are shameless beyond measure!"
"What bullshit ceasefire agreement? Let's be honest—you're just trying to rob us while we're down! What do you think Konoha is? Some soft persimmon you can squeeze at will?!"
Nukarai's expression changed. He hadn't expected anyone to tear off the mask so directly.
Those listening understood—her words seemed to insult another "soft persimmon" as well.
"Last time it was Uzumaki blood. This time it's the Byakugan. You bandits really are incorrigible! I'm telling you—go back and tell your Raikage, what does the Cloud Village think it is?"
The Cloud delegation's faces turned ugly. Nukarai couldn't allow himself to back down—otherwise, hadn't his companion died for nothing?
"Lady Tsunade, we only seek an explanation... Can you bear the consequences of war?"
"Bear?" Tsunade laughed coldly. "What impressive airs. You don't need to try scaring me. War's consequences are equal. You should go back and ask your Raikage—can he bear them?"
Nukarai ground his teeth. "Lady Tsunade, I'm asking you."
Tsunade raised her hand lightly to cover her lips, a soft snort seeming to escape between her fingers.
"I can give you the answer right now. I don't care."
"I alone can represent Konoha, can represent the Land of Fire. But you—can you represent the Raikage, represent the Cloud Village, represent the Land of Lightning and tell me you don't care either?"
An invisible pressure emanated from her, making the Cloud delegation struggle to breathe. This wasn't chakra at work—it was the weight of those words.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart churned with mixed feelings. With things having developed to this point, if he continued hesitating, Konoha's dignity would completely vanish, and he as Hokage would lose everyone's trust.
He stepped forward, standing before everyone. In this moment, he surprisingly found some of the feeling from his youth.
Sarutobi Hiruzen briefly reminisced inwardly before speaking. "Cloud Village delegation, your demands—Konoha cannot possibly agree. Those who should demonstrate sincerity and prove they have no intention of provoking war... should be you!"
In an instant, Nukarai's face turned deathly pale.
They hadn't anticipated this situation at all. According to Lord Raikage's intelligence, Konoha was at its weakest—the Sannin had left, the Fourth Hokage had sacrificed himself, the village had just experienced the Nine-Tails attack. They absolutely wouldn't dare fight again.
But Tsunade, who shouldn't be here, had suddenly appeared and taken a hardline stance. Even the Third Hokage also...
This... this wasn't right... things shouldn't be like this!
Cold sweat began forming on Nukarai's forehead. If Konoha truly still had strength to fight, then the Cloud Village's plan had completely failed. Worse yet, if they returned empty-handed like this, no matter how loyal Lord Raikage was to his comrades, there would be no good outcome.
Just as the Cloud delegation found themselves in a dilemma, something even more devastating occurred.
Hyuga Hiashi, the "party involved," was first to step forward and declare his position. "Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade, regardless of circumstances, the Hyuga clan is willing to fight to the death for Konoha! The Hyuga are part of Konoha. Any enemy daring to offend Konoha must be prepared to pay the price!"
Nara Shikaku immediately followed. "The Ino-Shika-Cho are the same."
Uchiha Fugaku wouldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. If the Cloud Village wants to fight, our Uchiha clan is willing to charge to the very front!"
One after another, Konoha's major clans declared their positions. Regardless of size, their voices made the Cloud delegation nearly suffocate.
Nukarai's expression grew increasingly ugly. He looked around, panic intensifying in his heart.
He wasn't Tsunade—he couldn't say things like "I can represent Lord Raikage's attitude, represent the Cloud Village."
Nukarai forced out a smile. "Since Konoha's attitude is so resolute, we have nothing more to say. However, we hope Konoha won't regret today's decision. We'll return now and report to Lord Raikage."
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out." Tsunade said coldly. "Remember to deliver my words to your Raikage word for word."
Under everyone's gaze, the Cloud delegation left in disgrace. Sarutobi Hiruzen then ordered Anbu to follow and ensure they all left Konoha completely.
After the Cloud delegation fully departed, Hyuga Hiashi walked before Tsunade and bowed deeply.
"Lady Tsunade, thank you for speaking up for the Hyuga clan."
"I wasn't helping you speak," Tsunade waved dismissively. "The Hyuga are part of Konoha. I'm also a Konoha shinobi. That's all."
That's all.
Hyuga Hiashi's expression grew complex. Sharing his feelings was Uchiha Fugaku.
Probably only Tsunade of the Senju clan could say such words. But... the Senju clan had also vanished because of this. Was it... truly worth it?
In a corner not far away, two small figures celebrated their victory.
Hyuga Kiyonari and Hyuga Hinata stood together. They'd been quietly staying in the corner, witnessing the entire process.
When the Cloud delegation left, Hinata excitedly extended her palm to high-five Kiyonari.
"Yeah!"
But beyond her happiness, Hinata's eyes still hid a trace of worry.
She knew this was only the first stage of victory. Though the Cloud Village's threat was temporarily resolved, another enemy awaited her—certain stubborn main family members within the Hyuga.
Though the current Konoha under Lady Tsunade's leadership hadn't experienced conflict, as long as the Cloud Village's war threat remained, those people definitely wouldn't spare Uncle Hizashi.
Hinata gazed at Kiyonari's profile, secretly clenching her fists into round little buns.
Kiyonari noticed Hinata's expression change and asked with concern. "Hinata, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Hinata shook her head. This time, she didn't plan to involve Kiyonari.
This was an internal Hyuga dispute. The one who should step forward was herself—the main family heir!
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