"Hizashi, don't be rude to Hokage-sama."
Hyuga Hiashi finally spoke.
His face was dark, his eyes toward Sarutobi Hiruzen cold as ice.
At first, he thought about enduring the humiliation, swallowing it down, letting the Cloud Shinobi incident pass. The Hyuga clan had already tolerated more than enough.
But now?
Cloud Shinobi dared to demand the life of the Hyuga clan head—demand his body be handed over like an offering.
Their intentions were blatant. Their ambitions couldn't be clearer. There was no way Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't see it, yet still he pressured the Hyuga. Still, he leaned toward appeasing Cloud Shinobi's greed.
Hiashi could no longer stay silent.
"Lord Hokage… are you the Hokage of Konoha—or the shadow of Cloud Shinobi Village?"
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Hiruzen's face darkened, but in the next instant he smoothed it over, regaining composure.
"Clan Head Hyuga, watch your words."
Shimura Danzō stepped forward, his tone sharp and full of killing intent.
He locked eyes on Hiashi.
"House Hyuga claims Cloud Shinobi broke into your estate, attempted to abduct your young heiress, and was then slain by some mysterious individual. Tell me—where is this mysterious person?"
"If he exists, hand him over. Let Cloud Shinobi have their explanation, and this ends here. Your clan walks away untouched."
"But… if this mystery man was fabricated, if Cloud Shinobi was killed by Hyuga hands, then you owe both the village and Cloud Shinobi an answer."
"Breaking a peace treaty between two great villages isn't something your Hyuga clan can shoulder."
Hiashi clenched his jaw. The mysterious man was real—but he had no idea who it was, much less the power to produce him.
"I don't believe Anbu failed to investigate that night. Hokage-sama, stop hiding behind excuses. As the victim here, as a loyal clan of Konoha, are we really to pay with our head just to appease Cloud Shinobi's arrogance?"
Hiashi's voice thundered with grief and rage.
The Hyuga gathered around, eyes locked on Hiruzen, waiting for his answer.
Hiruzen exhaled, then raised his head.
"To protect this village, to preserve its stability and peace—that has always been the duty of Hokage."
"The long-term peace of Konoha is also something your Hyuga clan should cherish above all else."
"For the sake of the village… for everyone in Konoha… even as Hokage, at a critical moment, I will choose sacrifice without hesitation."
His words rang with heavy conviction. He believed every syllable.
Hiashi's eyes narrowed. "So, Hokage-sama… you've chosen us to sacrifice?"
"For the peace of Konoha. For the safety of the Hidden Leaf Village. For the countless villagers and shinobi who must not be thrown onto the battlefield as fodder… I ask the Hyuga clan head to lay down his pride, to surrender himself—for the greater good."
Hiruzen's voice grew resolute. His gaze did not waver, even under the fury of dozens of Hyuga eyes.
The room erupted.
The Hyuga stared in disbelief. This man before them—this Hokage—was not the Hiruzen they thought they knew.
Hiashi's face dimmed.
It was the weight of "righteousness."
When a Hokage stood on the moral high ground, even the head of Konoha's most ancient clan could not resist. Unless the Hyuga were ready to betray the village, Hiashi had no choice but to choke down the injustice.
"Hokage-sama, this matter…"
"Hizashi. Enough." Hiashi cut him off sharply.
Turning back to Hiruzen, his tone was cold.
"I must discuss this with my clan. Please leave."
Hiruzen stared into Hiashi's eyes for a long moment, then finally turned and left.
As they walked out, Danzō muttered, "Hiruzen, aren't you afraid he'll go back on his word?"
"Hyuga Hiashi is not that kind of man," Hiruzen replied. "Once he decides, he won't turn back."
"What about the risk of the Byakugan falling into enemy hands? That's an invaluable asset."
"The Hyuga will resolve it themselves. They've lasted a thousand years. Do you think they don't have countermeasures?"
Danzō's lips curled in a cruel smirk.
Hiruzen's expression softened into something almost sorrowful.
Sacrificing such a proud clan would be a heavy blow to Konoha. But for peace… he had already steeled his heart.
As they reached the gates, they were halted.
A lone figure stood before them, clad in black iron armor, blocking their path like a wall.
Naruto.
His voice growled through the armor, distorted and hoarse.
"Nice work, Hokage…"
He glared at Hiruzen, teeth grinding.
He had heard everything.
Hiruzen—the man who'd always felt like a grandfather to him. The kind face that handed him pocket money each month. The only warmth in his childhood, before Hinata.
Those soft, precious memories now felt twisted. Shattered.
Was this truly the same Sarutobi Hiruzen?
Or was this the real face of the Hokage?
"Who are you?" Hiruzen asked, stopping the ANBU readying to strike.
Naruto's voice came cold through the mask.
"Lord Third Hokage, you know what I think of you?"
"You want my evaluation?"
"… You suck."
"You suck at being Hokage."
-------------------------
For advanced chapters, visit patreon.com/Varnok