Chapter 20: Konoha F4
"You're saying Hyuga Hizashi also supports Ritsu? Though he's Branch Family, he's also Hiashi's own younger brother!"
"Hokage-sama, I think this statement should be reversed. Though he's Hiashi's younger brother, he's also Branch Family."
Minato switched the order.
And with this change in order, the meaning naturally changed as well.
Hiruzen fell silent. After a moment, he couldn't help sighing. "Have the conflicts between the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family already intensified to this extent?"
He'd originally thought that someone like Ritsu—a Branch Family member with distant relations to the Main Family—rebelling was one thing. But as Clan Head Hiashi's own younger brother, even as Branch Family, Hizashi's treatment surely far exceeded other Branch Family members. There was no reason for him to rebel against his biological brother.
But looking at it now, he'd neglected attention to the Hyuga clan in recent years. He hadn't realized the internal conflicts between Main Family and Branch Family had intensified to the point where even Clan Head Hiashi's own younger brother would rebel.
"There's one thing I don't understand. How were Masamune and the other Main Family members killed? With the Caged Bird Seal, the Branch Family shouldn't have had the ability to resist, right?"
Hiruzen inquired about the key point.
"Ritsu has already erased his own Caged Bird Seal. Though Ritsu didn't elaborate, I boldly speculate that Ritsu personally killed Masamune and the other Main Family members."
"How did he do it?"
Hiruzen was extremely shocked.
Years ago, when he was full of ambition, he'd also researched the Caged Bird Seal. The result was crashing headfirst into an iron wall, wasting several months for nothing in the end!
Hearing now that Ritsu had erased his own Caged Bird Seal, he was truly startled.
However, his reaction was also quick. The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he'd asked a foolish question. "Minato, I asked a foolish question. The method to erase the Caged Bird Seal is naturally the most secret of secrets. Ritsu couldn't possibly tell you!"
Minato said nothing, merely nodding silently.
He could understand the Hokage's shocked indiscretion.
Because earlier, he himself had blurted it out before Ritsu without being able to hold back.
"Speaking of which, without the Caged Bird Seal, doesn't that mean Ritsu can also control other Branch Family members like the Main Family could?"
"I guess he should be able to."
"Doesn't that mean Ritsu is the new Main Family from now on?"
Their conversation stopped abruptly at this point.
Because someone arrived.
"Hiruzen, what are you still doing here?"
A middle-aged man with a cold expression and an X-shaped scar on his chin pushed open the door forcefully and barged in aggressively. His eyes were full of cruel, cold killing intent. He was none other than Konoha Village's so-called "Shinobi of Darkness," the Hokage's advisor and Root's supreme leader—Shimura Danzo.
"The Hyuga clan is about to rebel, and you're not summoning the jonin to quickly suppress the rebellion? What are you doing sitting in your office?"
Upon entering, Danzo immediately questioned loudly.
"Suppress what rebellion? When did the Hyuga clan rebel?"
"All the Main Family members remaining in the village have been slaughtered. Isn't that rebellion? Do you need to wait until Ritsu and the others charge into the Hokage Building before you recognize it as rebellion?"
"It hasn't reached that point."
Hiruzen remained unmoved, staring back at Danzo without yielding.
"Hiruzen, Danzo, what are you arguing about now? We could hear you arguing from outside the door!" Advisor Elders Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu walked in side by side.
"Hmph!"
Danzo snorted coldly but said nothing more.
All three sat down in the reception area. Minato also took a seat.
Though his youth stood out awkwardly among these aged faces, none of the three—Danzo and the others—said anything. Young as Minato was, he'd already proven his capabilities with dazzling battle achievements.
Moreover, as village leadership, they could all guess Hiruzen's thoughts. The Fourth Hokage candidate would most likely be chosen between Orochimaru and Minato.
In short, Minato wasn't an ordinary jonin. He indeed qualified to participate in the village's highest-level decision-making.
"Currently, Ritsu has rallied numerous Hyuga Branch Family members to execute Masamune and other Main Family members remaining in the village. He's proclaimed himself clan head and newly recommended six elders. Meanwhile, the legitimate Clan Head Hiashi is at the Eastern Front with some clan members. Oh, and to add—Ritsu used some unknown method to erase his own Caged Bird Seal."
"Overall, that's roughly the current situation. Everyone share your attitudes and solutions!"
Hiruzen didn't dwell on Danzo's earlier wild words but directly entered the main topic.
"My attitude is—kill."
Danzo spoke first, his voice low, killing intent fierce. "Today these Branch Family rebels dared kill the Main Family members. Tomorrow they might very well swing their blades at our necks. Kill everyone who participated in the rebellion!"
These words made Minato frown deeply.
What kind of talk was this from the Hokage's advisor?
"Danzo, you're too extreme. The Hyuga aren't the Uchiha. You and I both know the Hyuga Main Family-Branch Family system has deep-rooted problems. It was bound to explode someday—it just happened to explode in our hands."
Homura paused, then continued. "I think the urgent priority now is to recall Hiashi and the others from the front lines. Let Hiashi handle these rebellious elements like Ritsu. The village merely needs to assist from the side."
"Mass slaughter is indeed inappropriate. I don't need to elaborate on the Byakugan's importance. Killing too ruthlessly damages the village's strength. But if such insubordinate behavior isn't punished, wouldn't it encourage other potentially dissatisfied individuals to rebel? I believe we absolutely cannot foster this crooked trend. Therefore, the ringleaders must be executed! Use this to deter others harboring different intentions!"
Though Koharu was female, her killing intent was heavier than Homura's.
The three held different attitudes and views.
Danzo was most extreme, believing they must use killing to stop chaos and eliminate danger in its budding state. Koharu's killing intent was more restrained, believing they needn't kill too many but the ringleaders must be executed. Homura's view was mildest, not recommending the village interfere directly but hoping to manipulate Hyuga internal affairs through Hiashi.
After the three finished speaking, Hiruzen—who'd lit his pipe and begun puffing clouds—didn't judge their views. Instead, he turned his gaze to Minato and asked, "Minato, how do you think this should be handled?"
Minato's brow furrowed tightly.
He continued pondering for another seven or eight seconds before slowly speaking. "If it were me, I'd be more inclined toward Advisor Homura's handling method. The Hyuga Main Family-Branch Family conflicts run too deep. Killing alone cannot solve the problem. Slaughter should be the last resort when there are no other options."