Meanwhile, on the other side.
A large contingent of the Hyuga Clan racing toward New Konoha naturally drew the attention of its hidden and visible sentries; with the recent treaty between Kumogakure and Old Konoha… perhaps Uchiha Jin didn't care, but Kakashi cared a great deal.
So, on his orders, every Anbu of New Konoha—though kept away from Old Konoha's borders—quietly watched that direction from outside the new Village.
Thus, before the Hyuga reached New Konoha, an Anbu squad spotted and stopped them.
"You're from the Hyuga Clan?"
The squad was led by Uchiha Itachi.
Ever since he and Shisui had changed their minds, the Four-Symbol Seals on their bodies had been undone, and the two had even joined the Anbu together.
Obviously.
Unlike ordinary Uchiha who preferred to remain free Ninja, they chose the Anbu, sweeping away every obstacle for the Village from the shadows.
"Yes, we're the Hyuga Clan."
"This time our head, Fugaku, is leading us; we're coming to seek refuge in New Konoha."
"All of our clansmen are here. The Jonin Fugaku brought have been held up by Old Konoha's leadership and should still be fighting—please help our head!"
The one speaking was only a Hyuga Chunin; facing these New Konoha Anbu, every one of them felt anxious.
They had no choice!
At present they were only petitioners, not yet recognized by New Konoha, so he couldn't be sure whether help would come.
Still.
Thinking of their head's safety, he couldn't help pleading.
As for that…
Uchiha Jin simply nodded.
He gave no promise, only had a subordinate fire a signal flare, then told the Hyuga: "Head toward New Konoha; an Anbu will guide you."
"Whether we aid your head is for my superiors to decide."
The Hyuga felt a stab of disappointment at those words.
However.
Being allowed to proceed toward New Konoha already earned their gratitude, so they only nodded and hurried on.
They were only ordinary Ninja with Old Konoha pursuers at their backs; the best they could do was not burden their stronger clansmen.
Watching group after group of Hyua pass him and sprint toward New Konoha, Itachi's gaze was complicated; an indescribable feeling welled in his heart.
How ridiculous!
The Village he once believed in had become so despised that even the last great clan—the Hyuga—
—the clan that had always vied with the Uchiha for supremacy—was now willing to lower its proud head and throw its entire lot in with New Konoha.
Looking back, he had been such a fool!
Yet.
While Itachi was thinking, Kakashi arrived with the main Anbu force—and even his father Fugaku came with elite Uchiha.
"Captain. Father."
Itachi greeted them respectfully.
Kakashi gave a nod, then drew the White Fang of Konoha.
"The Hokage-sama orders: help the Hyuga!"
Next.
He turned into a bolt of lightning, eyes blazing with excitement, his Body-Flicker pushed to the limit as he shot straight toward the battlefield.
Yes!
Though Danzo had been the one to force his father's suicide, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been an accomplice.
He'd had no chance for two years; now that one had come, of course he would confront Hiruzen!
Fugaku, Itachi and the rest, hearing Kakashi's words, charged after him without hesitation.
Murderous light flashed in every eye—after all, nearly every clan in New Konoha bore a grudge against Hiruzen's faction…
Outside Old Konoha, in a dense forest.
With the aid of two Mount Myoboku sages, Jiraiya entered Sage Mode and single-handedly kept Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi pinned down; had he not clung to a last shred of hope, he could have killed them long ago.
"Hiashi, Hizashi."
"I'll give you one final chance—look around you."
"These are your Hyuga elite; isn't it a pity for them to die here?"
"Surrender!"
"As the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, I promise tonight's events can still go unpunished."
As he fought, Jiraiya kept urging surrender, pity flickering in his eyes.
In answer.
Hiashi and Hizashi, covered in wounds, blood at their lips, glanced around: under Hiruzen's rampage more than half their Jonin had fallen—and their hearts bled at the sight.
Especially Hyuga Hiashi!
He had known the defection would cost lives, yet seeing the losses still tore at him.
Still.
His gaze stayed resolute; after stalling this long, most of their clansmen should have reached New Konoha.
Thinking that, he sneered.
"Jiraiya, save your breath."
"Your word is worthless—you could abandon your own pupil's revenge; even your grand-pupil Uzumaki Naruto suffers so, and all you give him is cheap sympathy. Now that you're Hokage, you still can't restore his name."
"Fifth Hokage? Ha—what a joke!"
"Do you hold a shred of real power?"
"With so many Hyuga lives at stake, how could we entrust them to a puppet Hokage?"
"So enough talk!"
"We may die today, but most of our clan must already be inside New Konoha; they'll greet a new life."
"That—is enough!"
"I, Hyuga Hiashi, will die without regret; we brothers will wait for you in the Pure Land."
"Let's see how long your rotting Old Konoha can stand!"
Hiashi was wildly arrogant.
Having come this far, ready for death, he would no longer be timid.
At those words.
Jiraiya's face darkened further.
But just as he prepared to strike, a sharp whistle reached his ear.
"Raikiri!"
A flash of brilliant lightning burst forth—and a white-clad figure shot straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Ka-ka-shi!"
Jiraiya ground out the name, his voice turning ice-cold.