Hyuga Clan Estate.
The vast compound was silent except for the muffled drumming of rain against the tiled roofs. Inside the main council hall, the air was heavy with incense and tension. Hyuga Hiashi sat at the head of the tatami dais, his hands resting calmly on his knees — but his knuckles were pale. Across from him sat his twin brother Hizashi, the Hyuga elders, and—seated slightly apart—the Third Hokage and his two Advisors.
A lantern flickered between them, throwing restless shadows across the polished floor.
One of the elders cleared his throat, his tone as rigid as his posture.
"Having Hizashi of the Branch House substitute for Hiashi," he said, "and activating the Caged Bird to destroy the Byakugan without leaving any trace — I still believe this is the best method."
The words dropped into the silence like stones into still water.
Across the low table, Sarutobi Hiruzen exchanged glances with Homura and Koharu. No one spoke, but the unspoken agreement between the three was clear. It was a brutal choice — but a tidy one. One death to prevent a war. One life to safeguard a nation.
It was, in their eyes, logical.
But Hiruzen's gaze lingered on Hiashi. The Hyuga Head's expression was calm, yet his restrained breathing betrayed the fury beneath.
He would never agree.
"Hiashi…" Hiruzen finally said, his voice soft yet solemn. "You know Konoha cannot endure another war. The Third Great Ninja War drained our strength. Danzo used it to challenge me — it forced my resignation as Hokage."
He folded his hands. "I carry responsibility for that. But I also carry the memory of those we lost. War leaves nothing but ashes."
His tone deepened, carrying the weight of decades. "Since Konoha's founding, we have endured three great wars. The Second Hokage sacrificed himself in one of them. You, of all people, should understand what that means — to offer one's life so the village survives."
The righteousness in his words pressed down like a mountain. Yet nowhere did he say the words "let your brother die". That was left to the Advisors, whose purpose was to voice what he could not.
Koharu's fan snapped open sharply.
"We have heard all our lives," she said coldly, "that the Branch House exists to protect the Main. If that is their duty, why hesitate?"
Homura nodded, his thin voice slicing through the air. "One man's life, exchanged for peace in Konoha — is that not an honor? Sacrifice one branch member, use the Caged Bird Seal to ensure the Byakugan is destroyed, and send his body with the Kumogakure envoy's remains to the border at dawn. Then everything is finished."
He leaned forward slightly. "Hiashi, your brother's face is identical to yours. For him to die in your place is not shameful — it is the glory of a Branch House member."
Their eyes turned toward Hizashi.
The twin. The copy. The expendable mirror.
The words, though cloaked in reason, felt like shackles closing around his throat. Hizashi's breath grew shallow. Sweat formed along his temples, and his fists trembled against his knees. In his mind, the Advisors' voices echoed endlessly:
Go die. Only if you die will peace remain. If you don't die, you'll condemn your clan. If you don't die, you'll be the sinner who started the next war.
'For the Main Family… for Konoha… for peace…' The phrases tangled like poison vines in his thoughts.
His eyes sharpened. Veins began to surface around his temples — the precursor to the Byakugan. A surge of killing intent rolled out.
"...What do you intend to do?" an elder demanded, lifting one hand. The veins around his own eyes bulged as he formed the hand sign to activate the Caged Bird Seal.
Bzzzt—
"Ahhhh!!!"
A piercing scream tore through the room as Hizashi collapsed, clutching his head. The searing pain of the cursed seal stabbed directly into his mind — an agony that felt like his brain was being branded from within.
"Stop it!" Hiashi's voice rang out, thunderous.
Out of deference to the Clan Head, the elder lowered his hand. The glowing seal on Hizashi's forehead dimmed, leaving his body twitching in the aftermath of pain.
"Hizashi." the elder said coldly. "This meeting is not for your opinion. As a member of the Branch House, you obey orders. If not for the Clan Head's mercy, you would already be dead — and we'd be done."
Hizashi panted, trembling, unable to lift his head. Every pulse of his heartbeat carried the aftershocks of pain.
"Brother…" Hiashi stepped forward, reaching to help him.
Slap!
Hizashi blocked the hand weakly but firmly. He staggered upright, one hand over his throbbing temple.
"I… am willing," he said through ragged breaths, "to sacrifice for the Main Family."
The hall fell silent. Even the Advisors paused.
Hiruzen's sigh was long, almost weary. "Hizashi… I will ensure your son, Neji, is cared for."
Hizashi bowed slightly. His voice trembled, but his eyes were steady. "Before I die, I will leave a will — that I willingly gave my life for Konoha and the Hyuga. My brother will keep it. If Neji ever grows to resent this, give him my letter. He will know my hand. He will believe me."
He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling slowly. "Let him live free of hatred… even if I cannot."
Before anyone could respond—
Thump, thump, thump!
Hurried footsteps echoed outside. The sliding doors burst open.
"Clan Head-sama!" a Hyuga guard called, breathless. "The Uchiha, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Aburame, Kurama… more than a dozen clan heads are here to visit!"
The elders froze. Even Hiruzen's brows furrowed in surprise.
A calm voice came from behind the guard.
"Since everyone's already here," Uchiha Yun said lightly, pushing past the threshold, "we may as well make this a full council."
Behind him, a column of Konoha's clan heads entered — Shikaku with his measured gait, Choza's heavy steps, Inoichi's sharp eyes, the Aburame in their cloaks, the Inuzuka's quiet confidence, and Shisui leading the Uchiha delegation with quiet authority. Their presence filled the hall like a rising tide.
Yun's eyes locked on Hiruzen. "It seems, Hokage-sama, you're eager to sacrifice Konoha's clans one by one to avoid war."
The Third Hokage's face remained still. "Watch your tone, Uchiha Yun."
Yun's smile did not fade. "Kumogakure wants the Byakugan today. What will they demand tomorrow? The Sharingan? The Ino–Shika–Chō's secret arts? The Aburame's insects? The Inuzuka's fangs? The Kurama's kekkei genkai?" His words struck like shuriken — each finding its mark.
Shisui stepped forward, his cloak shifting slightly. "Kumogakure used the alliance as bait. Their envoy infiltrated the Hyuga compound to steal the Byakugan. When that failed, they sacrificed him — turning his death into their excuse. And now, before their response even arrives, the Hokage's Advisors are already calling for a Hyuga sacrifice. We cannot accept that."
The gathered clan heads murmured in grim agreement.
Hiruzen's eyes darkened. The sight before him was unsettling: all of Konoha's major families standing together, united — not against an external threat, but against his decision. Even the Ino–Shika–Chō, usually the staunchest allies of the Sarutobi, stood with the Uchiha tonight.
'Why…?' he thought bitterly. 'Why can't they see? All of this, everything I do, is for Konoha's survival.'
He drew a slow breath. "After our earlier discussion, it was agreed that the Main Family need not die. Hizashi of the Branch House has already volunteered. This way, war can be prevented."
Shikaku took a step forward, his voice calm but carrying the weight of judgment. "Then allow me to ask, Clan Head Hiashi — do you consent to this?"
Hiashi froze. The question wasn't just for him; it was for every clan head present. If he agreed, the Hyuga would forever bear the stain of betrayal — selling one of their own to preserve themselves. If he refused, he would defy the Hokage's office.
The hall was silent. Only the rain whispered beyond the paper walls.
Then, slowly, Hiashi raised his head.
"I… do not agree!!"
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
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