"The Cloud Shinobi are here?"
Hyuga Hiashi's face darkened, anger simmering. "Good. Hokage-sama, let's confront them directly. Cloud must give the Hyuga family an explanation."
Sarutobi Hiruzen steadied himself, prepared to hear the Cloud delegation.
"Konoha!" one of the Cloud shinobi roared. "Our leader has vanished—clearly your doing! Hand him over immediately!"
Another bellowed, "This is Lord Leizu! You Konoha scum murdered him in cold blood! If you don't deliver the culprit, then prepare for war!"
"The murderer must be a Hyuga. Hand him over, or there will be no peace talks."
The brazenness left many in Konoha stunned. The Cloud shinobi stormed in, shouting accusations like thunder, grief plastered on their faces—but beneath it was a glimmer of triumph.
When they saw Leizu's corpse, their outrage grew louder, their voices echoing as spit flew in Hiruzen's face.
They dared to threaten the Hokage openly, brandishing war like a weapon.
Hyuga Hiashi's fury erupted. "Shameless! Your man broke into my clan's compound, tried to kidnap my daughter, and you dare twist this into our crime?" He pointed at the black-clad corpse. "Look at him—mask, scarf, night gear. Anyone can see he came as a thief!"
A Cloud shinobi sneered. "Lord Leizu liked night walks in heavy clothes—what of it?"
"You're the murderer, Hyuga Hiashi. You'll pay for Lord Leizu's death—with your life!"
"Yes! Either you die, or it's war!"
"Our armies are ready. If Konoha refuses, we march on the Hidden Leaf Village . We'll burn everything down!"
The Cloud delegation ignored every word of Hyuga Hiashi's rebuttal. Their eyes locked on Hiruzen, radiating killing intent.
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, exhaustion heavy. He turned to Hiashi. "Chief Hyuga, you claim this man infiltrated your compound and tried to kidnap your daughter. Were there witnesses?"
"My entire clan saw it!" Hiashi snapped.
"Anyone outside the Hyuga?"
"In the dead of night? Of course not. But isn't my clan's testimony enough? Look at his gear! His mask, his scarf! Is this not evidence?"
Hiashi's voice rose, fury boiling. He had come seeking justice, but Hiruzen's words hinted at something else—pressure to let the matter slide.
"As Hokage," Hiruzen said carefully, "I must protect the peace process between Konoha and Cloud. I hope you understand."
Hiashi's jaw tightened. He glared at the shameless Cloud shinobi, then snorted and left, his anger unspent.
The Hyuga would have to swallow this humiliation.
Hiruzen turned back to the Cloud representatives. "This was sudden. Let me investigate thoroughly before we proceed, yes?" His tone was soft, almost deferential.
The Cloud shinobi sneered. "We're not unreasonable. As long as you hand over the murderer and Hyuga Hiashi, we'll let this go. If not—prepare for war."
With mocking smiles, they turned and left.
From the shadows, Naruto clenched his fists, seething.
He had seen everything—the shameless accusations, the threats, the twisting of truth. Cloud had been the aggressor, yet they dared posture as victims.
His anger boiled. Grandpa Third, show some backbone! The truth is on our side. We don't need to cower!
But back in the Hokage's office, the conversation was colder.
"Danzo, you were right," Hiruzen admitted. "The borders must be reinforced."
"It's not enough to reinforce," Danzo said flatly. "What's your plan, Hiruzen?"
"The peace talks must continue," Hiruzen replied, voice tired. "Konoha's survival depends on it."
"So you'll sacrifice the Hyuga?" Danzo pressed. "Their Byakugan is one of our most valuable assets. If Cloud gets it, who knows what they'll create?"
"This requires careful thought," Hiruzen murmured. "There must be a way to protect both sides."
Danzo smirked. "Or we weaken the Hyuga now. Wouldn't be such a loss."
"Tomorrow, I'll speak to them personally," Hiruzen decided. "The peace treaty will be signed."
Outside the window, Naruto's face hardened.
The Hokage he admired as kind and wise now revealed another side—calculating, compromising, rotten to the bone.
No wonder Konoha's air always felt suffocating.
Hinata's uncle's death… it all started here.
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