He needed a new patron, one stronger than the Hyuga Main Family, and a new platform larger than the Hyuga Clan. Thinking of this, Yunchuan Hyuga glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat kneeling like a stone statue, silent as if deep in thought. At that moment, a trace of understanding passed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's clouded eyes as his gaze lifted slightly and swept over Yunchuan Hyuga's grief stricken face behind Hizashi Hyuga.
So it was for his father and for Hizashi Hyuga that he spoke. This child was indeed someone who valued bonds deeply, just too straightforward to hide his feelings. Yet this was exactly the kind of subordinate those in power preferred.
"It's just a pity," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly. "If only his strength were greater."
The recent arrogance of the Hyuga Clan and the growing dissatisfaction of the Uchiha Clan had made this Hokage wary. His control over these two major clans of Konoha was still too weak, and he was already considering promoting people from within them. No matter what, he needed to drive a few Root nails into both clans so he would not be blind if they moved in the future.
This was almost instinctive caution for someone in power. On the Uchiha Clan side, after gathering and analyzing intelligence, he had chosen Uchiha Shisui, a descendant of Uchiha Kagami. On the Hyuga Clan side, however, there had been no suitable candidate.
Those of the Main Family would never obey him, and those of the Branch Family did not dare resist the Main Family. Obedience had long been carved into their souls along with the Caged Bird Seal, and most of the Branch Family were already used to the lofty position of the Main Family. Now that he looked at it, Yunchuan Hyuga seemed quite suitable, though his strength still felt lacking.
"Enough, Yunchuan. Stop talking."
Hizashi Hyuga spoke calmly, his peripheral vision catching Yunchuan Hyuga's reddened eyes and the grief and resentment on his face. Yunchuan Hyuga had followed because he had come earlier to return a Ninjutsu scroll, and Hizashi Hyuga happened to be in the guest room at the time. Hizashi Hyuga and Hiashi Hyuga had been discussing letting Hizashi Hyuga die in Hiashi Hyuga's place, and Hizashi Hyuga, with his greater combat experience, had noticed the hurried breathing outside the room.
He had found an excuse to send Hiashi Hyuga away before stepping out, only to see Yunchuan Hyuga standing outside as if struck by lightning. Fortunately, he had stopped Yunchuan Hyuga when his face twisted with anger, or the boy would have rushed in and might even have dared to strike at Hiashi Hyuga. Thinking of how Yunchuan Hyuga had lost control then, and seeing his lingering resentment now, Hizashi Hyuga felt a stir in his heart.
He had not expected that his care in recent days would make this orphaned child grow so close, unable to hide his anger upon hearing that he would die in his place. This child valued bonds too deeply, and it was hard to say whether that was good or bad.
"Wait, hold on."
Hiashi Hyuga came back to his senses, as if realizing something, and quickly stood up. "What do you mean by a final journey, by someone about to die? You…"
Hizashi Hyuga forcibly suppressed the anger he felt at being offended and no longer looked at the boy he found utterly repulsive. He said coldly, "We will hand over Hizashi Hyuga's body as your substitute."
"Hizashi Hyuga has already agreed."
Those words made Hiashi Hyuga stare at Hizashi Hyuga in disbelief. How could this be, how could Hizashi Hyuga agree? Had he not been left with nothing but hatred for me as his brother?
"But, but…" In his shock, Hiashi Hyuga spoke without thinking. "What Kumogakure wants is the Byakugan. After Hizashi Hyuga dies, the Byakugan will be destroyed as well. If that is the case, the Land of Lightning and Kumogakure will not accept it."
"From the attempt by the Kumogakure Ninja to abduct Hinata Hyuga, it is clear that Kumogakure did plan that," Hizashi Hyuga said, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "But the condition set by the Land of Lightning was for us to 'hand over the corpse of the murderer Hiashi Hyuga.'"
"As long as we pretend to accept this condition and then hand over Hizashi Hyuga, who looks just like you, Kumogakure will have no legitimate reason to keep pressing us."
Hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga opened his mouth but could not speak, and instinctively looked toward the silent Hizashi Hyuga. Hizashi Hyuga's expression was calm, as if he had already accepted his fate. In truth, he was waiting.
He was waiting for an answer, waiting for a choice. He was waiting to see whether his good brother would make the same choice and give the same answer as that lord had said.
"..."
After hearing the solution offered by Hizashi Hyuga, the other Main Family Elder showed a brief glint in their eyes and began to consider its feasibility together. The more they thought about it, the more it seemed that this method could truly break the deadlock. At the very least, it offered a way out that did not immediately lead to war.
No matter whether the daimyo of Land of Lightning had misunderstood what Kumogakure wanted, the demand had been stated clearly as the "corpse" of the culprit. Even if Kumogakure later discovered that the corpse had no eyes, would they really dare to continue demanding the Byakugan in righteous terms. There was no such justification to stand on.
Even if Kumogakure wanted to start a war, it still needed a proper reason, and without one the daimyo of Land of Lightning would never agree. Without moral justification, it would damage Land of Lightning's standing in the Ninja World, and it would also hurt Kumogakure's economy as commissions within the village dried up. Fewer missions meant fewer means to survive.
Aside from a portion of commissions coming from civilians within Land of Lightning, most tasks came from small countries without ninja villages of their own. Unless a village was like Sunagakure, kneeling before the daimyo and living off his favor, cutting off funding would force them to dismiss their ninja. Mission commissions were the very foundation of a ninja village's existence.
It could only be said that the rules of the Ninja World were deeply warped. Ninja villages and nobles depended on each other while guarding against each other, and ninja brought killing and trouble to civilians who could only rely on ninja to solve their problems. Ninja who produced nothing themselves then had to rely on civilian commissions just to live.
The entire Ninja World existed in a strange and fragile balance. The elders of the Hyuga Main Family did not think this deeply, but they understood that Kumogakure could not start a war without a reason. That point alone made the proposal acceptable.
"Hiashi, it is time to face reality. Our ancestors preserved the Hyuga Clan's Kekkei Genkai in this same way," Hizashi Hyuga said solemnly.
He looked at the conflicted Hiashi Hyuga and continued, "For the sake of the Hyuga Clan, even brothers must be abandoned when necessary. This is the fate of the Hyuga Main Family, and also the destiny of the Hyuga Clan."
"..."
The room fell silent, so quiet that the faint hiss of burning candles could be heard. Melted wax flowed slowly, reflecting the nearby firelight. No one present spoke, all of them waiting for Hiashi to make his decision.