The ward fell into a brief silence. Yunchuan Hyuga and Kakashi Hatake exchanged a quiet look in midair, understanding each other without words.
Almost at the same time, both nodded solemnly. "We will do our best."
"Good. There is still some time before departure, at least until the other four Kage respond," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. He patted Yunchuan Hyuga on the shoulder and smiled.
"Use this time to prepare everything. We will likely be away for a long time."
"I understand, Third Hokage," Yunchuan Hyuga replied with seriousness and a hint of excitement, as if moved by Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust. In reality, he was extremely calm at this moment.
He knew very well that no matter what he had done, it still did not compare to Kakashi Hatake's position in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart. From Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, it was clear that the one truly meant to stand before the Five Kage this time was Kakashi Hatake.
Moreover, if he dared to remove the Caged Bird Seal now, Hiruzen Sarutobi would immediately grow suspicious. He had previously drawn the blade called 'Greed', and that word had always been tied to ambition.
Even Danzo Shimura could see the stakes clearly, so how could Hiruzen Sarutobi be completely blind? The old man was indecisive, not foolish.
Even without evidence, doubt alone was enough for someone in power. Hiruzen Sarutobi's current 'trust' was not born of gratitude or contribution.
It was because Hiruzen Sarutobi believed he held Yunchuan Hyuga's life in his hands. How else could he trust someone from the Hyuga Branch Family, or dare to use someone whose life did not belong to himself?
Hiruzen Sarutobi might regret that Yunchuan Hyuga was of the Branch Family, but if he truly removed the Caged Bird Seal, the first to strike might not be the Hyuga Main Family. Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust was itself built upon the Caged Bird Seal.
The Hyuga Main Family held his life, but Hiruzen Sarutobi held it as well. From the beginning, Hiruzen Sarutobi never intended to let him become Hokage.
At most, he was to be a sharp and obedient "blade," one that would likely be handed to the successor after retirement. Everything Hiruzen Sarutobi did without restraint, including appointing him as a guard, rested on the belief that he would be bound by the Caged Bird Seal for life.
As long as the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead could not be removed, this blade would only ever be a blade. No matter how high his reputation or status rose, it would mean nothing.
"What a pity," Yunchuan Hyuga thought as he lowered his gaze. His lashes cast a small shadow, hiding the coldness in his eyes.
"Your calculations are bound to fail."
The only solution to this situation was to use a Zetsu-reasonable method. Through a lie that everyone could accept, he would remove his own Caged Bird Seal in full view of all.
By coincidence, Yunchuan Hyuga had begun preparing this lie long ago.
"By the way, Third Hokage," Kakashi Hatake suddenly asked as if recalling something. "The village's strength is already thin, and if the 'Espada' attack again while we are gone…"
Normally, a Kage leaving the village required secrecy to guard against invasion. But this was the Five Kage Summit, and Root could not be kept in the dark, at best leaving behind a Shadow Clone.
"I have thought about that," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a sigh. "I have already received replies from Tsunade and Jiraiya. They are on their way back now."
"Besides that, before we leave, we must strengthen the village further."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yunchuan Hyuga, or more precisely, at the 'Greed' at his waist. Seeing this, Kakashi Hatake's pupils tightened slightly, and he also glanced at the short blade 'Jealousy' resting nearby.
Without question, it was 'Jealousy' that had truly shown its power during this chaos. If Kakashi Hatake had not used it to manifest a Hokage mirror image of Obito Uchiha, Konoha might have faced two Susanoo and three members of the Espada.
Now freed from the burden of the Sharingan and wielding 'Jealousy', Kakashi Hatake could easily steal the later title of "Most Unpredictable No. 1" from Naruto Uzumaki. Against stronger ninja, the effect only grew greater.
This also made Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had not thought much of the 'Seven Deadly Sins' before, recognize the true power and terrifying potential of these seven weapons.
"Besides the three weapons that already have owners," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a glint in his eyes, "I plan to let all registered ninja attempt to see if they can gain recognition from the remaining four."
Apart from 'Greed', 'Jealousy', and 'Laziness', there were still Pride, Wrath, Lust, and Gluttony. The conditions for being chosen by the 'Seven Deadly Sins' were still unclear.
But with so many ninja in Konoha, it was impossible that not a single weapon could be drawn. Even one weapon comparable to 'Jealousy' would add a layer of security to the weakened village.
"Third Hokage, then I will take my leave first and go prepare?" Yunchuan Hyuga said.
"Mm. Remember to attend the Jonin Council. I will announce the existence of the Xu and the 'Espada', and declare the Five Kage Summit. You and Kakashi Hatake will be appointed as my guards," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied.
He nodded, then paused as if recalling something and looked up at Yunchuan Hyuga. "Also, regarding the conflicts between the Hyuga Clan Main Family and Branch Family…"
He stopped briefly and sighed. "I understand your dissatisfaction with the Main Family, but Yunchuan, you should understand that Konoha cannot endure further losses."
"If another tragedy like the Uchiha Clan massacre occurs, if another 'Fugaku Uchiha' appears, the 'Espada' may very well turn their gaze toward us again."
"So…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yunchuan Hyuga for a long moment and then said, "So you understand, right?"
Yunchuan Hyuga knew this was a warning. Using mutual destruction to pressure the Main Family was acceptable, but he could not let the Branch Family and the Main Family truly split by a Lie.
Since "Xu" was born from hatred, if large-scale death broke out due to the resentment the Branch Family held toward the Main Family, another Fugaku Uchiha might appear. Judging from why the Espada had shown up across the Ninja World so many times, they were likely collecting "Xu" of the same level as Fugaku Uchiha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to convene the Five Kage Summit not only to make the Four Kage understand the threat of "Xu", but also to end the long wars in the Ninja World and reduce how many "Xu" were created.
Yunchuan Hyuga was silent for a moment, then nodded calmly. "I understand, Third Hokage. I will try my best to restrain the Branch Family."
In truth, whether he restrained them or not no longer mattered. The fuse between the Main Family and the Branch Family was already laid, and it only needed one final spark to explode. The person who would light that spark had already been found by Yunchuan Hyuga, though the outcome would not match what Hiruzen Sarutobi imagined.
After offering a few final words of comfort, Hiruzen Sarutobi allowed Yunchuan Hyuga to leave the ward. kacha followed as Yunchuan Hyuga gently closed the door, but he did not leave the hospital and instead walked deeper down the corridor.
He stopped outside a single room and looked through the glass. Shisui Uchiha lay on the bed, his face pale, his breathing weak, clearly still in a deep coma. Beside the bed, Sasuke Uchiha sat in a chair, asleep with his head resting near the mattress.