The news that an envoy from Kumogakure had died within Konoha spread through the village like wildfire.
The negotiations, which had been proceeding relatively smoothly until then, came to an abrupt halt.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had no desire to give away Konoha's interests, but he also wanted to avoid open conflict. As a result, some form of concession was unavoidable.
However, Kumogakure's stance was uncompromising. They demanded the death of the culprit.
That demand could not be fulfilled.
Hiashi Hyuga was the young clan head of the Hyuga Clan. He might die on a battlefield or during a mission, but sending him off to be executed for political appeasement was out of the question.
Konoha was not Sunagakure, and Hiashi was not Pakura.
Inside the Hokage Office, a small council meeting was underway.
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were present. Shimura Danzo was absent, having left the village on a mission.
Only the Third Hokage knew the details of that mission. In any case, Danzo would not be returning anytime soon.
For a brief moment, Hiruzen felt a strange sense of emptiness.
If Danzo were here, no matter what decision was made, there would always be someone to absorb the blame.
Why did he leave at such a convenient time…
Hiruzen exhaled softly.
Koharu and Homura, however, misinterpreted his sigh as concern for the village. To them, the Hokage was once again burdened by the weight of leadership.
As always, Hiruzen Sarutobi's image seemed to rise in their eyes.
Konoha, however, was indeed passing through a difficult period.
Since Uchiha Fugaku's attack on the village, one crisis had followed another. No one knew what would come next.
After a short silence, Homura spoke while placing an intelligence report on the table.
"According to our spies, the Fourth Raikage is mobilizing shinobi forces. This is not just posturing. There is a real possibility of a new Ninja World War."
"We have already made concessions," Hiruzen said in a low voice. "If Kumogakure refuses to accept reason, then we will fight if necessary."
But his words lacked conviction.
The Third Great Ninja War had ended not long ago. Even as the victor, Konoha had suffered heavy losses. Starting another war was not something he wished for.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was nearing fifty. After the recent internal attack and years of conflict, his mindset had become more cautious, more restrained.
"What does the Hyuga Clan say?" Hiruzen asked, shifting the topic.
This incident had originated from the Hyuga Clan. They could not remain silent.
But the Hyuga Clan was not unified.
Hyuga Tenku, the clan head, was still weakened from injuries sustained during the Second Great Ninja War. Even after treatment from Tsunade, his strength had not fully recovered.
Within the clan, several elders held significant influence, and Tenku's authority was slowly being eroded.
Hiashi's actions this time had already been criticized by many of them.
If the child had been kidnapped, they would have blamed Hiashi for failing to stop it.
Now that he had stopped it too harshly, they still found reason to criticize him.
Human nature rarely changed.
Utatane Koharu spoke quietly.
"Some Hyuga elders have proposed offering Hizashi in Hiashi's place."
The demand from Kumogakure was simple in form but cruel in practice. The killer must die.
Hiashi could not be sacrificed, so attention shifted to Hizashi instead.
As twins, Hiashi and Hizashi looked identical. With the Caged Bird Seal marking the branch family, Hizashi had long lived in the shadows, his expression worn and distant.
He could serve as a substitute without issue.
After all, in the Hyuga Clan, the branch family existed precisely for this kind of role.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back slightly.
"Let the Hyuga Clan decide internally first."
It was a delay tactic. He intended to shift responsibility back to the clan and wait for more favorable conditions before making any final decision.
In truth, he did not wish to bear the weight of this outcome.
And Hyuga Tenku understood that very well.
The moment he received word of the proposal, he saw through the Hokage's intent.
Konoha was considering the sacrifice of Hizashi if it could prevent war.
Tenku remained silent for a long time.
Hiashi was his son. So was Hizashi.
Hizashi had become branch family head by clan law, not by choice. That fact did not lessen the guilt in Tenku's heart.
If the situation truly reached the point of no return, even he might accept such a sacrifice.
But that was the worst possible outcome.
However, things were no longer following the original timeline.
Because Hayashi had told Himeji that nothing would happen.
That single statement, passed back to Tenku, changed everything.
Tenku chose to believe it.
It was not blind faith. It was a calculated decision. If Hayashi said there would be no issue, then there was no need to sacrifice anyone unnecessarily.
Under pressure from the elders, Hizashi was initially prepared to accept the sacrifice himself.
But Tenku immediately rejected it.
Placing a hand on Hizashi's shoulder, he said firmly,
"I will not allow my own son to die."
Hizashi froze.
For years, he had carried resentment and distance toward his father. Words rarely passed between them.
But in that moment, something in him cracked.
His eyes trembled, and for the first time in a long while, he felt overwhelmed by emotion. He even thought, absurdly, of going to Kumogakure himself to end the matter.
Tenku only gave a faint smile.
"Silly boy."
"Do you really think you can outplay your old man?"
"You're still too inexperienced."
Deep beneath the village, in a damp and winding underground facility, footsteps echoed through the corridors.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound was unhidden, deliberate.
The man called Yi stopped in front of a sealed door and pushed it open without hesitation.
Inside, dim light illuminated a single figure: Orochimaru.
He did not turn around. He continued working calmly over the operating table.
"A clone made from the First Hokage's cells," Yi observed.
As a skilled medical-nin, he immediately identified the composition of the specimen. His method of analysis was disturbingly direct, but effective.
Orochimaru did not hide his satisfaction.
"If you had shown this talent earlier, we would have achieved far more by now."
Hiruko, standing nearby, placed down his tools and joined the discussion.
"Our current collaboration is already progressing smoothly."
"Yes," Orochimaru replied in a hoarse voice. "What do you think of the results?"
"Better than the sixth generation we previously developed."
Hiruko studied the specimen with curiosity.
"Where did you obtain it?"
"That night, one of the shinobi who attacked Konoha," Orochimaru replied casually.
At that, Hiruko's interest deepened.
"Then I'm becoming more curious about this Akatsuki you mentioned."
"I am as well," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. "What about Danzo?"
"The transplant is almost complete," Hiruko answered. "We can begin soon."
Orochimaru raised a hand.
"No need to rush. There is someone I want you to meet."
"Who?" Hiruko asked cautiously.
Footsteps echoed again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Hayashi entered the room.
In the dim light, the red glow of his Sharingan was unmistakably eerie.
For a brief moment, his gaze shifted.
Kotoamatsukami.
Hiruko's expression went blank for an instant, then returned to normal.
"I will take my leave, Lord Hayashi," Hiruko said calmly, picking up his tools and exiting the room.
He felt nothing unusual. Nothing at all.
Orochimaru observed this with quiet amusement.
"A Mangekyō Sharingan user…"
In his hand, he now held a test tube containing Uchiha Yama's eyes.
"Are you planning to transplant them, Teacher?" Hayashi asked.
"Not yet," Orochimaru replied with a faint laugh. "I'd rather use them to study the Rinnegan."
"That works too," Hayashi said with a slight smile.
Orochimaru tilted his head.
"By the way, Kumogakure is getting restless again."
"They want the Byakugan," Hayashi replied.
"The old man will have a lot to deal with," Orochimaru chuckled.
"Uncle Hokage will only get busier," Hayashi said lightly.
In the 41st year of Konoha, a Kumogakure envoy died within Hyuga Clan territory.
Soon after, another rumor erupted across the village.
Shimura Danzo, disciple of the Second Hokage, leader of Root, former commander of the Konoha Military Police, and village elder and advisor, was secretly conducting human experiments.
And not just any experiments.
Sharingan, Wood Release, Byakugan, and multiple other bloodline abilities.
Konoha was shaken to its core.