"I'm not affected!"
"I'm not under Genjutsu!"
"It's all fake!!"
"You traitors who conspire to usurp the clan! You villains! You fools who forget the glory of the Hyuga Main Family and stoop to the level of servants—!"
"I..."
Watching Hyuga Hiashi, who, even after being subdued and carried away by a group of guards, was still screaming like a madman, completely devoid of his usual dignified and solemn demeanor.
All the Hyuga Clan members present had complex expressions.
It was clear that even Hyuga Hiashi couldn't withstand the combined assault of several Hyuga Jonin, most of whom were Main Family Ninja who weren't even afraid of the Caged Bird Seal.
In just a short while, he was exhausted by the relentless attacks of the Main Family Elders and pinned down on the spot.
The Hyuga Clan's combat weakness was clearly visible.
However, this was nothing new, as it was something the entire Konoha was well aware of.
What truly alarmed the Elders was the attitude Hyuga Hiashi displayed, still cursing the Branch Family even after being worn out by the prolonged fight.
Heaven knows if those were his true feelings or if the lingering effects of the Mangekyo Genjutsu were too profound.
They could clearly feel that after this battle, the Branch Family members around them were looking at the Main Family with different eyes.
A major crisis in clan governance!
However, no matter what thoughts he harbored, the Hyuga Elder could only suppress them and force a smile at Danzo Shimura, who had watched the whole spectacle.
"Danzo-sama, please forgive our rudeness."
"Hyuga Hiashi isn't usually like this when he's not under Genjutsu."
"It's fine."
Danzo Shimura waved his hand dismissively. As long as it benefited Konoha and allowed the Hyuga Clan to continue their past duties, Danzo didn't particularly care what happened within their clan.
"The Uchiha's inherently evil nature is such, and the power they awaken is also an unorthodox path. Hyuga Hiashi cannot be blamed."
"However, the treatment will require the Konoha Hospital's efforts, and I'm afraid it won't escape Hiruzen's eyes. I ask for your understanding on this point."
"It is only right."
The Hyuga Main Family Elders all secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
All the Shinobi Clans knew Danzo's stingy nature. If he went out and didn't bring back a direct descendant of a Ninja Clan for Root, it was considered a loss of manpower. Who didn't know that?
Now that he was willing to speak up and help the Hyuga Clan, it meant he considered them an ally.
The attitude he displayed now also secretly relieved the Elders.
Everything was unspoken.
The Hyuga Elders thought this with a sense of calm.
Danzo Shimura, however, felt he had seized a good opportunity.
He knew these Uchiha were restless. Seeing that the coup had no results, they immediately turned their attention outwards.
This time, he absolutely had to have a good talk with Hiruzen... "What?!"
Sure enough, just as Danzo Shimura had expected.
Upon hearing that Hyuga Hiashi had actually fallen under a Mangekyo Genjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly leaped out of his seat, looking at him with an incredulous expression.
Who would be so foolish as to cast Genjutsu on a Hyuga Clan head who was constantly surrounded by Byakugan?
Was there really such a fool in the world?!
That scoundrel Danzo, he wouldn't have some other scheme, would he?
"Hiruzen, I told you long ago."
Danzo Shimura sat calmly on the sofa, taking a sip of strong tea.
"You will regret it!"
At this critical juncture, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no mind to play games of regret with him, his expression constantly changing.
He had harbored doubts about Uchiha Shisui and Danzo Shimura even before this.
After all, the Kotoamatsukami's mind imprint was an unremovable black box; heaven knew what was truly inside.
"Danzo."
"Are you truly certain that this time it's not the Hyuga Main Family's attempt to usurp power?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts settled, his tone more serious than ever before.
Danzo Shimura's expression was one of course: "If they were truly trying to seize the clan head position, would they hand Hyuga Hiashi over to this old man?"
"Hiruzen, how can you be getting more foolish with age?"
Listening to his matter-of-fact tone, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave him a deep look.
Finally, he straightened up from his desk.
"Let's go."
"Let's go meet with the Main Family Elders."
"It's time for this farcical internal strife to come to an end."
With those words, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped out, walking directly towards the Konoha Hospital.
Danzo Shimura put down his tea, glanced at his retreating back with an unyielding look, snorted coldly, and then unhesitatingly followed.
Go then!
...When the two arrived at the top-floor ward of the Konoha Hospital, they saw a group of Main Family Elders waiting restlessly outside the ward door.
From inside the ward, an occasional roar like that of a struggling beast could be heard, yet it sounded muffled, as if a mouth was covered, making it impossible to discern what was being said.
In front of those Main Family Elders was a tall young man, gently asking something.
Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other man approach, he stopped his questioning and bowed respectfully.
"Third Hokage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, seeing him, habitually displayed his kind and gentle smile.
"Sōusuke."
"Are you Hyuga Hiashi-sama's attending physician?"
"Yes."
Aizen Sōsuke returned a steady and polite smile. "Hyuga Hiashi-sama's condition is somewhat complex; further consultation is needed before applying the appropriate Ninjutsu."
"Third Hokage, you are here because...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand casually, looking trusting.
"The matter is now of great importance, even an old man like me has to come and see."
"Sōusuke."
"This time, I'll have to trouble you."
Aizen's expression suddenly became several shades more serious upon hearing this. "Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost!"
"No need to be nervous," Hiruzen Sarutobi said reassuringly. "Sōusuke, you are the most outstanding Yin Release scholar among Konoha's younger generation."
"However, you are probably aware of the current situation... it's not suitable for certain 'families skilled in Yin Release Ninjutsu' to participate in the treatment."
"Under the circumstances, I can only entrust this heavy responsibility entirely to you."
"Sōusuke, don't blame this old man for not giving you more manpower."
Upon hearing this, Aizen Sōsuke immediately put on a deeply grateful expression and firmly guaranteed:
"Please rest assured, Third Hokage. Your subordinate has already examined Hyuga Hiashi-sama's mental state and has sufficient confidence."
"That's excellent."
A commoner Ninja recognized by the Hokage was a rare sight in all of Konoha. How could an ordinary person not be moved?
This was an unparalleled honor.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Sōusuke's loyal demeanor and couldn't help but smile with relief.
The old and young, working together for the village, complementing each other, no matter where it was placed, it would be a scene of an elder with keen insight recognizing talent, and a youth repaying with overflowing gratitude.
However, despite their seemingly harmonious interaction, both individuals' thoughts were not truly on the other.
After a brief greeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi walked directly towards the group of Hyuga Main Family members behind him, comforting them in a gentle voice:
"For such a serious incident to occur within the Hyuga Clan, located in the heart of Konoha, I, as the Hokage, am also not without blame."
"These past few days, due to a moment of oversight, the Hyuga Clan suffered this calamity, alas..."
With just a sigh, the few Main Family Elders present all had varied expressions.
In their eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi's current statement was no different from a cat crying over a mouse. One of the slightly younger Elders almost burst out cursing.
Ultimately, it was the most senior Elder who spoke first, his tone somewhat stiff:
"Please, Third Hokage, do not blame yourself."
"Such a major incident occurring is solely due to our Hyuga Clan's insufficient protection."
"Next time, we will surely make those scoundrels who dared to covet the Hyuga bloodline repay a hundredfold!"
His words clearly held a sting.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, continued to smile, revealing no inner change.
Afterward, he simply inquired about the specific process of how the Hyuga Clan discovered Hyuga Hiashi had fallen under Genjutsu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression gradually became solemn.
Mangekyo.
It was 'suspected' Mangekyo again!
Even with the Uchiha Clan severely weakened, he was still troubled by these eyes.
It seemed absurd.
He wondered what he had actually been busy with all these days.
What was Shisui, that seemingly loyal child, truly thinking?
What secrets were truly hidden within the Uchiha Clan?
Could anyone's cunning be so profound?
Although he knew he shouldn't overthink it at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts involuntarily rose with this term.
His peripheral vision inadvertently glanced at Danzo Shimura, who was following beside him but remained silent.
The person standing beside him now was the most impactful case under the Mangekyo Sharingan.
The only thing worth celebrating now was.
The Mangekyo's capabilities were not truly invulnerable.
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze inadvertently swept over the pure white pupils in the eye sockets of the Main Family members before him.
They could even so clearly perceive the effects of Mangekyo Genjutsu.
The Byakugan also had its unique aspects.
"As expected of the Hyuga Clan."
After listening to the Hyuga Elders' full account, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already roughly constructed the entire sequence of events in his mind, his voice steady:
"This time, if not for the Elders' Byakugan, not only the Hyuga Compound, but even all of Konoha would have suffered significant losses due to the loss of Hyuga Hiashi."
"Elders, you have done very well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, firmly grasping everyone's hands, his gaze resolute, his tone sincere: "The Hyuga Clan truly lives up to its name as Konoha's pillar!"
"Whatever past grievances there may have been between this old man and all of you, it seems that on the greater issue of Konoha, we share common ground."
"Please rest assured, this old man will do everything in his power today to restore Hyuga Hiashi-sama's sanity and break the Genjutsu's influence!"
It must be said, setting aside his administrative abilities and personal strength.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's ability to win over people, and his personal charisma augmented by decades of leading Konoha, were truly remarkable.
For a moment, if they hadn't already been certain that the disappearance of the Main Family was related to Hiruzen Sarutobi, perhaps even these Main Family Elders, who held high positions, would have been moved to tears of gratitude towards the Sandaime.
Fortunately, the Hyuga's acting skills weren't too bad.
"Thank you, Third Hokage."
The Hyuga Elder's expression was equally sincere and earnest, as he bowed deeply. "Hyuga Hiashi-sama's safety is now in the hands of Third Hokage."
"It is my duty."
Hiruzen Sarutobi responded with a serious expression.
However, whether it was a subtle jab at the earlier sarcastic response or a heartfelt warning, he added a gentle but firm reminder:
"I hope the Hyuga Clan will continue to use these Byakugan to contribute greatly to Konoha in the future."
The Main Family members nodded profusely.
"Without hesitation."
After this brief and effective exchange, Hiruzen Sarutobi left the hospital with Danzo Shimura.
It wasn't until this performance ended and they watched the two walk away that the Hyuga Elder subtly breathed a sigh of relief.
They had finally handled it.
Soon, the Main Family Elder put away his cautious demeanor and turned to face the young attending physician, lightly raising his chin:
"Mr. Aizen."
"Can we begin the treatment now?"
Aizen Sōsuke's smile remained, always so approachable, seemingly completely unfazed by the old man's mannerisms.
"Please wait a moment, sirs."
"There is still a small step that requires your cooperation."
As he spoke, his eyes, hidden behind thick lenses, did not linger on them at all. Instead, they seemed to pierce through all barriers, looking directly at Hiruzen and Danzo, who had not yet gone far downstairs, his tone gentle:
"As you all know, due to special reasons, the Byakugan's activation state is entirely different between the Main Family and the Branch Family."
"To ensure the effectiveness of Hyuga Hiashi-sama's treatment, I wonder if you would all demonstrate it for me one by one for examination?"
"That is only right."
The Elders had no hesitation whatsoever regarding this small request.
Aizen, just as he said, used instruments to record the Chakra flow data one by one, completely focused, his expression always intent.
However, when it was the Elder's turn.
The moment he activated his Byakugan, whether it was a deliberate defiance of Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandiloquent words just now, or if he noticed the young man's inadvertent glance towards the window as he looked at him.
His pure Byakugan, with a 360-degree field of vision and a range exceeding ten kilometers, also instinctively directed its attention.
It landed on Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
The next moment.
His body suddenly stiffened.