Sarutobi Hi never finished his sentence, but Butterfly already understood everything.
Without the slightest hesitation, she bowed respectfully once more.
"Yes, Father."
Then she turned and walked out of the room with steady steps. Though her posture remained perfectly straight, her retreating figure carried the unwavering resolve of someone who had already staked everything.
Throughout the shinobi world, the sudden revelation felt like a bucket of ice water poured over every viewer's head.
In an instant, everyone was jolted awake from the bittersweet romance they had been watching. Shock, disbelief, and an icy chill replaced the sympathy and blessings they had felt only moments before.
"H-Hold on... I thought this was a love story. You're telling me... this was all planned from the beginning? Butterfly was deliberately sent to approach the Sage of Six Paths?"
"My goodness! The Sarutobi Clan actually dared to scheme against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths? Where did they get that kind of courage?"
One shinobi exclaimed in disbelief. To him, it was no different from ants plotting to slay a dragon.
"I was just saying the Sage of Six Paths was an innocent romantic... Now he just looks like a fool who got sold out without even realizing it."
"This scheme is unbelievable..."
"I've got an even worse feeling now. There's no way Butterfly gets a happy ending. And if something happens to her—especially if Kaguya is responsible..."
"I agree. Butterfly's death will probably be the final straw that completely shatters Hagoromo's faith in his mother, leading to their irreversible falling-out."
"My god... These ordinary humans not only dared to plot against a goddess, but judging from this plan—and Butterfly's performance—they may have actually succeeded! At the very least, they managed to drive a wedge between the Sage of Six Paths and his mother."
"Incredible... Truly incredible."
More and more people felt a shiver run down their spines.
They were witnessing a meticulously crafted conspiracy that transcended the gap in power between mortals and a deity.
The weak were not destined only to endure oppression.
They could also exploit the emotions of the strong, seize upon the cracks in their ideals, and weave a trap capable of bringing down even a god.
The very race Kaguya had dismissed as inferior had used the things she despised most—emotion and calculation—to strike what might prove to be a fatal blow against both her and her rule.
After Butterfly left, only Sarutobi Hi and his younger brother, Sarutobi Dan, remained in the room.
The silence was so oppressive it seemed almost tangible.
The bitterness and guilt gradually faded from Sarutobi Hi's face, replaced by the ruthless resolve of a beast driven into a corner.
Looking at his younger brother, he lowered his voice, every word carrying the weight of iron.
"Dan... I don't know whether this plan will succeed, just as that mysterious toad predicted."
"But our clan already stands at the edge of a cliff."
"One step backward... and we'll fall into the abyss."
Sarutobi Dan nodded heavily.
He understood the gravity of their situation just as well. There was no fear in his eyes—only unwavering determination to stand beside his elder brother until the end.
"I understand, Brother."
"We can't afford wishful thinking anymore."
"Just tell me what you need me to do. Even if I have to walk through mountains of blades or seas of fire, I won't hesitate."
Sarutobi Hi drew a deep breath.
His gaze drifted toward the window, as though he could see through the walls to the towering God Tree and the goddess who ruled from above.
"If everything goes according to plan, Butterfly will successfully drive a wedge between Hagoromo and Kaguya, turning mother and son against each other."
"If Hagoromo wins and overthrows his mother's reign of terror, then Heaven will have truly favored our clan."
"Every sacrifice will have been worthwhile."
"We'll once again see the light of day... and perhaps even reclaim everything that once belonged to us."
Then his expression darkened.
His voice sank even lower.
"But... if Hagoromo loses..."
"If he cannot oppose his mother..."
"Or if he simply lacks the resolve to do so..."
Sarutobi Dan quietly finished the sentence his brother could not.
"Then our clan—as the masterminds behind this scheme—will suffer a catastrophe far worse than anything we face now if Kaguya discovers the truth."
"She'll erase every trace of our existence in the cruelest way imaginable."
"Exactly."
Sarutobi Hi slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, only unwavering resolve remained.
"That's why we can't put all our eggs in one basket."
"Our clan must divide."
"...Divide?"
Sarutobi Dan's pupils contracted.
For the first time, shock and reluctance appeared on his face.
"Brother... you mean..."
"You will secretly leave this place with some of the clan's young seedlings."
Sarutobi Hi's tone allowed no room for argument.
"Go as far away as possible."
"Hide your identities."
"Disappear completely among other clans and wait for the right opportunity."
"As for me..."
"I'll remain here with everyone else."
"On one hand, we'll maintain appearances to avoid suspicion."
"On the other..."
"We'll serve as the decoy."
He placed a hand on his younger brother's shoulder.
Although his voice trembled ever so slightly, his determination never wavered.
"If those of us who stay behind fail..."
"If Kaguya discovers us..."
"If we're wiped out..."
"Then you..."
"...will become the clan's final spark."
"As long as that spark survives, the bloodline and will of the Sarutobi Clan will endure."
"And one day..."
"It may ignite into a blazing fire once more."
"No!"
"Brother, I can't accept this!"
Sarutobi Dan grabbed his brother's arm.
"How can I let you shoulder all this danger alone?"
"Let me stay!"
"You take the children and leave!"
"You're the clan head. The clan needs you more than anyone!"
"Precisely because I am the clan head."
Sarutobi Hi firmly grasped his younger brother's hand in return.
His eyes carried both the unquestionable authority of an elder brother and profound affection.
"That is exactly why I cannot leave."
"This is my responsibility."
"And it is the last thing I can do for all of you as your elder brother."
"Dan..."
"You're more resourceful than I am."
"You're better at hiding."
"And you're stronger when it comes to enduring humiliation."
"Only you can carry the clan's final spark."
"Only you can ensure our legacy lives on."
Seeing tears welling in his brother's eyes, along with the unwillingness he could no longer hide, Sarutobi Hi softened his tone.
His voice was filled with boundless affection and earnest instruction.
"Remember..."
"Surviving isn't cowardice."
"It's for the future."
"The future of our clan..."
"I leave it in your hands."
Sarutobi Dan trembled all over.
He knew his brother's decision had already been made.
Any further objections would be meaningless.
The crushing weight of grief and responsibility pressed down upon him like a mountain, making it difficult even to breathe.
In the end, he could only nod heavily.
His hoarse voice barely escaped his throat.
"...I understand, Brother."
"I swear..."
"I'll protect the clan's final spark."
Seeing that his younger brother had finally accepted his decision, Sarutobi Hi revealed a complicated smile of both relief and sorrow.
After a moment of thought, he said,
"If you're going to hide your identity completely and sever all ties with the name 'Sarutobi'..."
"Then your new clan will need a new name."
"Dan..."
"You should choose it."
"Let it mark a new beginning."
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