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"Perhaps."
Hiashi was taken aback. He hadn't expected Kazuki to bring up Neji. His smile became somewhat strained.
He knew Neji had talent. But the boy's mindset had changed since his father's sacrifice.
During the Warring States period, the Hyūga were a major clan with powerful ninja.
It was said that a ninja called Hyūga Tenshin could even contend with Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.
Unfortunately, Hyūga Tenshin wasn't a single person, but an honorary title for the strongest Hyūga ninja.
It could be said this title was the Hyūga clan's highest honor.
Unfortunately, very few could reach that level.
Seeing Hiashi's expression – tempted yet hesitant – Kazuki knew the man hadn't made up his mind.
Fugaku opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't say what was on his mind.
After all, this was a Hyūga family matter. As an outsider, it wasn't his place to interfere.
"Enough." Kazuki put down his teacup with a touch of impatience.
"We all know why Hizashi died. Since the Third Hokage dared to do it, why don't you dare to talk about it? Or are you afraid he'll come after you? As Hizashi's child, Neji has the right to know the truth. I think he wants to know why his father sacrificed himself. Hiding it won't do any good. It might even ruin Neji, this genius."
Neji's inner conflict?
An easy problem to solve. Just swallow your pride and throw the Third Hokage under the bus.
He did the dirty deed. If he could do it, why can't you talk about it?
In the past, fine. But now? What are you afraid of?
"I..."
Hiashi wasn't afraid of speaking ill of the Third Hokage or revealing his secrets. He just didn't know how to face Neji.
Hizashi's death had always been a thorn in his heart, causing him guilt, preventing him from facing Neji.
"Make a clean break. You didn't do anything wrong. Besides, according to Hyūga clan rules, you, as clan leader, would never be the one sacrificed. Just be honest and clear. I believe Neji will understand. He's very smart. And precisely because he's smart, some things need to be made clear early. The longer you delay, the easier it is for him to get trapped in his own thoughts. By the time you confess, it'll be too late."
Kazuki had said everything he needed to say. Whether Hiashi listened was his own affair.
Frankly, this was a Hyūga matter. Kazuki didn't need to get involved.
If he weren't the Hokage's Advisor, if he weren't be connected to the Hyuga in the future, Kazuki wouldn't bother.
"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Advisor. I'll consider it."
Hiashi relented. Relenting meant the matter could be resolved. As for dragging the Third Hokage...
If you do something shameful, you have to be prepared for the consequences.
After leisurely having a couple cups of tea with Hiashi and Fugaku, Kazuki finally got to the point.
"For the next while, I'll need you two to look after the camp. I'm going to personally enter the battlefield for a time."
"???"
Hiashi and Fugaku's gazes froze.
Before they could ask, Kazuki proactively explained.
"Lately, Itachi has been too active on the battlefield. Unless I'm mistaken, Iwagakure will definitely target him. Ōnoki is a petty, stubborn old man. He might just pull the same stunt he used on the Third Raikage. Even if the probability isn't high, we can't take that risk. I don't want anything to happen to Itachi on the battlefield."
Kazuki knew what kind of man Ōnoki was. That's why he wanted to enter the battlefield personally.
For no other reason than to prevent Ōnoki from causing trouble.
That old man was top-notch at causing trouble. Itachi was strong and smart. Ordinary traps wouldn't catch him, wouldn't even lure him in.
But even the smartest person could be careless.
Besides, if Ōnoki employed the tactic that wore down the Third Raikage, even a smart person could get caught in the encirclement.
"Assistant-sama, you mean Ōnoki plans to target Itachi?"
Fugaku's heart skipped a beat. The Uchiha weren't afraid of death or sacrifice on the battlefield. But Itachi was his son. What father wouldn't worry?
His younger son was still laid up with injuries. If he lost his older son...
He didn't know how he'd face his wife.
Kazuki suddenly smiled.
"Iwagakure doesn't have many geniuses. Ōnoki is notoriously like A – even crazier, perhaps. I'm pretty sure he's already making moves. Itachi's appearance has caused Iwagakure's casualties to skyrocket. If this continues, Iwagakure won't be able to sustain such losses. So targeting him is inevitable. Ordinary methods just won't work on Itachi. They'll need a large-scale operation. That's Iwagakure's specialty."
If he didn't know Ōnoki was targeting Itachi, and just sat there doing nothing, that wouldn't be Kazuki's style.
Especially since he had sent Itachi out.
Don't compare me to that stubborn fool, the Third Raikage.
If the Third Raikage hadn't been so stubbornly foolish, he wouldn't have been worn down in the Land of Earth.
When danger came, the Raikage stayed behind to hold off the enemy, letting his guards flee first. That behavior was...
Who's protecting whom?
What's the point of Raikage guards then?
Were the Raikage's guards more important than the Raikage himself?
Kazuki certainly wouldn't think others' lives were more important than his own. But he would save his own people if he could. Ōnoki wouldn't find it so easy to ambush him.
I want to see what tricks you, Ōnoki, can pull here, abandoning the Land of Waterfalls battlefield.
"Oh, right. Write a letter to Kumogakure in my name. Tell the Raikage that Ōnoki is tied down on our side. They can go all out on the Land of Waterfalls battlefield without worrying about him coming to reinforce."
I dare you to leave. If you do, I dare to cause trouble.
Sorry, Shikaku, you'll have to sit in the Hokage's office a bit longer.
Shikaku had been writing to the camp, asking when Kazuki would return. Unfortunately, Kazuki couldn't give him a date. He could only tell him to hold on, hold on, and hold on some more.