The Hyūga clan, long regarded as one of the two great dōjutsu families of Konoha alongside the Uchiha, had records of the Sharingan dating back to the Warring States era.
Especially after Uchiha Madara, the Mangekyō Sharingan had etched the Uchiha name into the memory of the entire shinobi world.
In truth, if not for the terrifying Wood Release of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, perhaps no one could have restrained Madara back then.
And now…
Within the Hyūga's 360-degree vision, two and a half pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan spun slowly. Though none of those eyes were directly fixed on him, the sheer force of that power…
"As long as there are leaves to fly, the fire will burn. The shadow of the flame will shine upon the village, and new leaves will sprout…"
Hyūga Hiashi's voice rang out. He turned toward the Fourth Hokage:
"The Hyūga clan has always remembered the First Hokage's purpose in founding Konoha. In the Warring States period, the average life expectancy was barely thirty. Even children who had just learned to hold a blade were forced onto the battlefield."
"Konoha was created to end that era of bloodshed—to stop the next generation from dying before their time. When the clans joined together, it was for the sake of stability."
"No person is flawless, and no mistake can erase all merits. But no matter what, the clans of Konoha, those who possess secret techniques and kekkei genkai, will never allow themselves to be penned in like sheep to the slaughter."
As he said this, Hiashi turned toward Shisui and Uchiha Yun.
"In this, the Hyūga stand together with the Uchiha."
When his words fell, Hiashi did not look at the Third Hokage—whose face had gone dark as iron—but instead turned and walked to stand behind the Fourth, Minato Namikaze. Bowing his head, he said no more.
Clearly, Hiashi's words placed his stance alongside all the clans of Konoha who possessed secret arts and bloodlines. Yet his action firmly placed him behind the Fourth Hokage.
Even two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan had to follow political order. Unless they intended to become another Madara, enemies of the entire world.
Uchiha Yun sighed inwardly. Danzō might be gone, but the struggles of high-level politics still stretched long ahead.
So then… Minato Namikaze, what choice will you make?
For a long moment after Hiashi's voice fell, silence reigned. Everyone present, even the ANBU of both Hokage, waited for the Fourth's reply.
"…Haa."
Minato let out a quiet breath. His gaze solemn, he looked upon his teacher's teacher—the man who had once placed him in the Hokage's seat.
Though the Third had indeed begun to relinquish power, a living former Hokage still carried enormous weight.
But now, for the first time, Minato possessed the right to stand against him.
"From here forward… Kinoe will lead my personal ANBU and the jōnin search squads to fully investigate the ruins of Root. Haiichi's intelligence division will remain on standby, prepared to gather every scrap of information on Root's past."
"If… Danzō truly committed these acts against Konoha shinobi—no, against Konoha's citizens—then he cannot be honored on the Memorial Stone."
As the words left him, Sarutobi Hiruzen opened his mouth to reply, but Minato continued before he could.
"However, no matter what, Danzō was one of Konoha's top officials. As the current Hokage, I bear responsibility for this. And above all, this darkness must never be exposed to the outside."
"Therefore, all records of Root are to be sealed. No one is permitted to speak of this."
Minato's eyes locked on the Third. The meaning in them could not be clearer: this was the limit of what the Fourth could do.
Politics, at their core, were built on compromise.
"…Is that so?"
Hiruzen sighed. His once-straight back now seemed slightly bent.
"As long as there are leaves to fly, the fire will burn. The shadow of the flame will shine upon the village, and new leaves will sprout…"
"We old ones are finished. New leaves have already sprouted. Fourth, you must understand—I never intended to cling to Konoha's reins forever."
"Sometimes, I merely glance back out of worry. Perhaps, as Jiraiya and Tsunade once said, our generation has always lacked trust in the next."
"But please believe this—whether it was myself or Danzō, everything we did was for Konoha."
Hearing this, Hiashi—still standing with head bowed—sighed silently to himself.
As expected…
Only the Third could so easily place himself upon the moral high ground.
Trust? From the Second Hokage onward—the founding of the Academy, the creation of the Book of Seals—how much trust had they ever given the Uchiha? How much trust had they shown the other clans?
Sometimes, Hiashi felt a strange relief. That the Byakugan, compared to the Sharingan, was indeed less threatening in peacetime, yet indispensable in war. Combined with the perpetual tension between the Main and Branch families… perhaps this was why the Hyūga had survived where the Senju and Uchiha had not.
…
"Uchiha Shion… As Homura said earlier, regardless of Danzō's crimes, you killed a member of Konoha's leadership, and destroyed Root in its entirety."
At Hiruzen's command, Enma transformed into an iron staff, pointing directly at Shion in the sky.
"Now, you must answer for your actions."
Floating above, Uchiha Shion spread his hands, his gaze toward the Third filled with ridicule.
"Didn't I make myself clear just now? Old man, even if you've mastered all five elemental jutsu, what can you possibly do to make me stay?"
Hiruzen's eyes locked on Shion.
"Minato, for Konoha's sake, he is too dangerous. I understand now that the next generation must be given trust."
"From here on, all of Konoha will be entrusted to you!"
Minato froze at those words. Could it be…
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal? No… impossible!
"Third-sama, you—"
But Hiruzen shook his head slightly.
"When a man grows old, sentiment blinds him. Perhaps I have always been wrong. But as the Hokage of the new generation, you will surely lead Konoha better than I."
With that, the Third's hands blurred through seals.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet!"
As a torrent of fire swept upward, Shion blinked, baffled.
…This was it?
Where was the Five Elements Great Explosion? Where was the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?
With a casual clap of his hands, forming the serpent seal, he countered.
Boom!!
A forest of trees erupted in an instant, colossal trunks surging forth and swatting the incoming dragon-flame aside.
As the dust settled, Shion and Hiruzen found themselves staring at each other, wide-eyed.
(That's it?)
(Why isn't he leaving?)
Their mismatched gazes clashed in silence, and for a moment even Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself awkwardly stuck.