"I never thought the old man would make such a decision."
Inside the Hokage Office, Jiraiya sat on the sofa, looking at the newly returned information.
In the letter, Hiruzen instructed Jiraiya to arrange a welcoming ceremony and notify the Hyuga clan to prepare for the return of the body.
The letter mentioned that the Fourth Raikage had already returned Hizashi's body.
Back then, Hizashi sacrificed himself, and the Kumo ninjas could only return with his body, which infuriated the Fourth Raikage.
He was after the Byakugan, so what good was a Branch family member's corpse?
He almost went to war with Konoha then, but ultimately gave up after being persuaded by Dodai.
However, Hizashi's body was still taken by Kumogakure's research department for study, and by now, everything had been thoroughly investigated.
It was just that the Caged Bird Cursed Seal was too abnormal, resulting in no gains regarding the Byakugan.
"Hyuga, huh..."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed as he looked at the mention of Hizashi's body in the letter.
He looked down on the Hyuga clan's Main Family. A clan where everyone had the Byakugan still imposed such restrictions. It was somewhat ridiculous, but the Hyuga clan had this tradition even before joining Konoha.
Even Hiruzen couldn't say anything, so it was even less possible for him to do anything.
"Forget it."
Jiraiya shook his head and said from the sofa, "Go to the Hyuga compound and notify Hiashi to come over."
An Anbu appeared, kneeling on one knee and responding, "Yes."
"Wait—"
Jiraiya seemed to recall something. Apparently, among Shinji's disciples, there was a Neji, who was Hizashi's son.
"Also, go to Shinji's training ground and call that Neji over."
"Yes."
After the Anbu responded, he disappeared.
"Heh, Shinji really did something big." Jiraiya leaned back on the sofa, looking at the ceiling and muttering.
Defeating the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki made Kumogakure no longer as arrogant as before, willing to humble itself and form an alliance with Konoha. This kind of thing was enough to make Shinji a hero of Konoha.
Even he, Orochimaru, and Tsunade couldn't do such a thing back then.
Moreover, Hiruzen's intention in the letter was for him to start spreading the news about Shinji's actions throughout the village.
"Hokage, huh. This kid is in for a lot of trouble." Jiraiya chuckled lightly at this thought.
Then he began to ponder how to quickly build up his reputation.
"Shikaku, hurry back."
—
Shikaku, who had just finished discussing some matters with Hiruzen, couldn't help but sneeze, rubbing his nose.
"Shikaku-senpai, please be careful to stay warm." Shinji spoke, though it wasn't too cold at the moment, just a hint of autumn.
"My apologies." Shikaku said with a hint of embarrassment.
"Hokage-sama, do you think we should bring Hizashi's body back first, or...?"
Hearing Shikaku's words, Hiruzen pondered for a moment and then asked Shinji, who was beside him, "Shinji, what do you think?"
Shinji rubbed his temples helplessly. He didn't want to deal with such matters, but it concerned his disciple's father.
He pondered for a long time before shaking his head and saying, "Sensei, I think it's better to continue with the team. After all, Hizashi can be considered to have done it for the village—"
At this point, Shinji stopped.
Hizashi's actions were more for Hiashi, and also for the village, and the foundation of all this was his son, Neji.
Hizashi mostly used this to ensure that his elder brother Hiashi and the village would show some care for Neji, given his voluntary sacrifice.
Therefore, if one were to discuss whether Hizashi was a hero of Konoha—
The definition of "hero" usually refers to those who sacrificed for the village, such as Minato, and the countless ninjas in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars.
But Hizashi's actions, in the end, were more of a tragedy under institutional oppression, though this choice was made by him voluntarily.
Hiruzen nodded, this was what he had been considering. Hizashi's death could not be called heroic, but Konoha did indeed avoid war with Kumogakure because of his initiative.
After a long pause, Hiruzen spoke faintly, "No, let Hizashi return to the village as a hero of Konoha, and then be buried at the Memorial Stone."
"Yes." Shikaku nodded.
Since Hiruzen had made his decision, he would no longer speak.
As Shikaku took his leave, only Hiruzen and Shinji remained in the carriage.
"Sensei, actually, there's no need for this." Shinji spoke, as Hiruzen's choice was likely also influenced by Neji being his disciple.
Hiruzen said with a laugh, "Haha, I still have some say, and after all, he's your disciple's father. Wouldn't it also be a good thing to let him live more in the sunlight?"
Neji was his grand-disciple. If he didn't strive for his grand-disciple, who would he strive for?
Shinji solemnly thanked Hiruzen. No matter what, most of the reason was because of him.
Hiruzen patted Shinji's shoulder, everything didn't need too many words.
—
Outside the Hokage Building, Hiashi and Neji met in front of the building.
Hiashi was startled as he looked at Neji, asking, "Neji, what are you doing here?"
Neji bowed to Hiashi, then calmly said, "Jiraiya-sama ordered someone to call me over."
Hiashi's brows furrowed at this, guessing the reason in his heart.
He said, "Then come with me. I also need to go there."
Neji nodded, then followed Hiashi's footsteps towards the Hokage Office.
...
"What!"
Hiashi looked at Jiraiya with a shocked expression, disbelief written on his face.
Jiraiya sat on the sofa, nodding. "The old man just sent back a message. On the day of his return to the village—"
Jiraiya paused here, glanced at Neji, who was beside him, and slowly said, "Hizashi will be buried at the Memorial Stone as a hero of the village. So, I hope you can keep the Hyuga clan members in line after you return."
After his shock, Hiashi bowed to Jiraiya, saying, "Thank you, Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama. I will certainly restrain them when I return."
Neji, who had been stunned, watched Hiashi bow, his fists tightly clenched.
Plop—
The crisp sound of a tear falling was exceptionally clear in the Hokage Office.
Neji looked at the wet stain at Hiashi's feet, and couldn't help but be startled.
Was he crying for his father?
Jiraiya looked expressionlessly at Hiashi, who was still bowing, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, speaking after a long moment, "Go. I hope there won't be any mishaps that day."
"Don't worry, Jiraiya-sama. I guarantee it in the name of the Hyuga clan head." Hiashi looked up, his eyes red as he promised.