Fugaku's final sentence was nothing short of a killing blow straight to the heart.
Back then, after Senju Hashirama distributed the tailed beasts to the various nations, those countries lacked advanced sealing techniques. As a result, jinchūriki frequently went berserk.
The Uzumaki clan, however, possessed countless powerful sealing Technique. Unfortunately, their combat strength was not outstanding, which led perfectly to the saying: a man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.
The Uzumaki clan was besieged by the entire ninja world. As their so-called ally, Konoha only arrived when the Uzumaki were already on the brink of annihilation. A once-great clan was reduced to a single survivor—Uzumaki Kushina.
That was Sarutobi Hiruzen's "wise policy."
He did not dare to declare war on four great ninja villages at the same time.
If not for Uzumaki Mito—Senju Hashirama's wife and the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—there was a strong chance the Uzumaki clan would have been completely wiped out without Hiruzen lifting a finger.
When Sarutobi Hiruzen heard Fugaku's words, his eyes instantly sharpened, dissatisfaction nearly overflowing from them.
Yet he dared not openly state anything at this moment.
"I understand how you all feel," Hiruzen said slowly. "When I first assumed the position of Hokage, Konoha was still in ruins. The destruction of the Uzumaki clan was my mistake.
I will negotiate with Kirigakure and do my best to retrieve the Byakugan through peaceful means."
And just like that, the matter ended hastily.
The various clan heads exited the Hokage Tower one after another.
Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi walked at the front, but as they went, their pace gradually slowed, as if deliberately waiting for Fugaku.
When Fugaku finally caught up to them, Hiashi turned to him and said softly, "Thank you for speaking up for the Hyūga clan."
"It was for the sake of the village," Fugaku replied, forcing a smile onto his usually gloomy face—though that smile looked more unsettling than comforting.
"In a few days, Hizashi's child will be born. I will send you an invitation—please be sure to attend," Hiashi said, stopping and inclining his head slightly.
For clan heads, a full bow was unrealistic. This was already the closest equivalent.
Fugaku nodded. "I'll definitely be there."
Bang!
Shimura Danzō slammed his cane heavily against the floor and glared viciously at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Look at this! This is the result of your so-called appeasement policy! The Uchiha are becoming more and more lawless!"
Utatane Koharu nodded beside him.
"That's right, Hiruzen. The Uchiha's actions today clearly humiliated you in public."
Under the Hokage hat, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered with light and shadow. No one could tell what he was truly thinking as he continued puffing on his pipe.
"If you ask me," Danzō said coldly, "there isn't a single good Uchiha! They should all be sent to the battlefield and wiped out in one stroke!"
Mitokado Homura frowned.
"It's already too late for that. If we send the Uchiha to the battlefield now, the other clans will immediately link it to today's events.
At that point, everyone will think we're narrow-minded and unconcerned about the ninja clans. Our reputation would take a serious hit."
"Enough," Hiruzen said, narrowing his eyes.
"I already have a plan to handle this matter."
That evening, after finishing another day of training, Wen Lan went to the clan head's residence.
During dinner, Fugaku recounted what had happened earlier that day.
Wen Lan looked at him in surprise. He hadn't expected Fugaku to be this uncompromising—just for speaking up on behalf of the Hyūga.
That really wasn't Fugaku's usual style.
After thinking about it, Wen Lan shrugged inwardly.
Well, what's done is done.
"I publicly embarrassed the Third Hokage today," Fugaku said, lifting a cup of sake and sighing before downing it in one gulp.
"I imagine he'll start targeting the Uchiha next."
"So what if he does?" Wen Lan shook his head dismissively.
"When has the Third Hokage ever stopped targeting the Uchiha these past years?
Relying on kindness? That road doesn't lead far.
Back in the Warring States Era, why do you think peace was possible? Wasn't it because Senju Hashirama was overwhelmingly powerful—and because he joined forces with Uchiha Madara, beating the other clans so badly they couldn't even lift their heads?
Susanoo clad in the Great Buddha—two men suppressing four nations.
That saying didn't come out of nowhere.
Otherwise, the moment Hashirama and Madara died, would the First Shinobi World War have erupted immediately?
Respect is always forged at the edge of a blade. Truth only exists beneath absolute strength!"
Hearing this, Itachi felt a violent tremor in his heart. His eyes lit up as he stared at Wen Lan.
In the days that followed, Wen Lan trained every day with Might Duy and Might Guy.
The interactions among the three became increasingly frequent.
Wen Lan and Might Guy also grew much closer.
Though they only exchanged a few words during training, Might Guy no longer looked down on Wen Lan.
The weight Wen Lan carried increased all the way to eight hundred jin!
And today, Might Duy was finally going to teach Wen Lan the clan's ultimate secret technique—
The Eight Gates Formation!
"Young man," Might Duy said solemnly, "this taijutsu is something I spent twenty years researching and perfecting. It's called the Eight Gates Formation. Today, I'll teach it to you!"
Wen Lan's eyes narrowed slightly. Of course he knew of the Eight Gates—it was the culmination of Might Duy's life's work.
Might Duy began his explanation:
"The human body has eight gates—Rest, Heal, Life, Pain, Limit, View, Wonder, and Death. These gates act as limiters on the body's chakra. If they are kept open for too long, the body will collapse!
My Eight Gates Formation forcibly opens these gates, unleashing the body's extreme potential and allowing massive amounts of chakra to surge out!
Next, I'll explain everything in detail. You must listen carefully!
If there's anything you don't understand, ask immediately—this is an extremely dangerous technique!"
"Yes! Thank you, Senior Duy!" Wen Lan bowed deeply.
Might Duy smiled and began explaining the profound mysteries of the Eight Gates in detail.
Wen Lan listened intently, asking questions from time to time, all of which Might Duy answered patiently.
Only then did Wen Lan fully understand why Might Duy had relentlessly pushed him to train his body and increase his load.
To open the Eight Gates, one needed an exceptionally strong physique.
Otherwise, even if chakra forced the gates open, the body would be unable to withstand the impact and would collapse instantly—resulting in death.
Might Duy didn't just explain the theory; he also taught Wen Lan the techniques he had developed.
Only then did Wen Lan realize that moves like Daytime Tiger, Morning Peacock, and Lotus were not created by Might Guy—
They were created by Might Duy.
Honestly, Might Duy had simply been born in the wrong era.
If he had lived to see Minato Namikaze become Hokage, with his depth of taijutsu research, Minato would absolutely have treated him as a treasured talent.
Wen Lan even dared to say this:
When it came purely to taijutsu knowledge, in the entire Leaf Village—even Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara—none could compare to Might Duy.
Looking at Might Duy's smiling face as he earnestly taught him, Wen Lan sighed inwardly.
Originally, he had no intention of changing Might Duy's fate. After all, they hadn't been close.
But over this period of time, Might Duy had taught him everything without reservation.
That created a bond.
And this debt—
Wen Lan had to repay it.
—------------------------------
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