Right as the Fourth Raikage asked that question, an intelligence ninja sprinted toward them.
"Lord Raikage!"
"What is it?"
Everyone looked up.
"Konoha has issued an official announcement regarding the rumors about the Hyuga Byakugan."
"What does it say?"
The intelligence ninja reported swiftly.
"The Hyuga Clan Head, Hyuga Yamatsubaki, personally stated that the idea of Konoha selling out the Hyuga clan is a baseless fabrication. There is absolutely no transaction involving the Byakugan between Konoha and the Hidden Mist."
"He claims the Kaguya clan, due to the alliance between Konoha and the Mist, is deliberately trying to drive a wedge between Konoha and the Hyuga. He says they are disregarding years of friendship to spread lies."
"From this day forward, the Hyuga clan and the Kaguya clan are cutting all ties. They are finished with each other!"
As these words fell, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"The Hyuga and Kaguya are cutting ties?"
"Haven't they been allies for over a century?"
C's eyes lit up immediately.
"Lord Raikage, there's a chance to get a Byakugan!"
"Hmm?"
C explained, "If the Hyuga clan breaks with the Kaguya clan, it means the Hyuga have nowhere else to go but Konoha. Konoha holds absolute leverage over them."
"Since the Mist Village has already obtained a Byakugan, if our Cloud Village puts enough pressure on Konoha, they won't be able to refuse our demand."
"After all, if they can give one to the Mist, there is no reason they can't give one to the Cloud."
A Cloud ninja raised a doubt.
"But what if the Mist Village really did steal that Byakugan themselves?"
C shook his head.
"To steal it, there has to be an opportunity."
"Konoha has so many ninja, and the Hyuga Main Family members are so few. Under what circumstances would a Main Family member be forced to go to the front lines? There is simply no need for it."
"It was unnecessary, yet Konoha did it. What was the goal?"
"Wasn't it precisely to give the Mist Village that opportunity?"
The Fourth Raikage's voice dropped, heavy and serious.
"In that case, C, you will formulate the relevant plan."
"Yes, Lord Raikage!"
---
Once the Hyuga clan's announcement was released, it caused a massive uproar throughout the ninja world. Countless people were discussing it.
Some believed Hyuga Yamatsubaki's statement.
"That Kaguya clan is too shameless. They've had a friendship with the Hyuga for so many years, yet to save themselves, they framed the Hyuga like this. They aren't even human."
"A hundred years of friendship, just fed to the dogs."
"I knew it. Konoha wouldn't be that shameless."
"How could a ninja village sell out a ninja clan from within its own walls?"
"Especially when the Byakugan is so important to Konoha."
However, others held different opinions.
"The Hyuga clan is just cowering before Konoha, aren't they? The Mist Village having a Byakugan is a fact, isn't it? Why would a Main Family member suddenly go to a place like the front lines?"
"The Hyuga clan is too weak."
"Even after this, they still bow and scrape to Konoha."
"They're even worse than the Uchiha!"
"Worse? They are leagues below the Uchiha!"
Hearing these voices, Yashiro Uchiha was somewhat pleased.
Back in Konoha, Yashiro actually felt some sense of solidarity with the Hyuga clan.
Both were Konoha ninja clans, both had Dojutsu Kekkei Genkai.
Both were targeted by the village higher-ups.
When the Uchiha clan decided to launch their rebellion, Yashiro had once hoped the Hyuga clan would join them.
Together, they could have overturned Konoha's high command, with the Uchiha ruling and the Hyuga assisting.
But the Hyuga clan had disappointed Yashiro immensely.
Not only did they fail to seize the opportunity to resist Konoha's tyranny and unfair treatment alongside the Uchiha, but they also put in extra effort when hunting down the Uchiha clan.
"The Hyuga clan is far inferior to my Uchiha clan!"
"The entire clan is full of trash just like Uchiha Fugaku."
"They aren't fit to be called men; they are Konoha's dogs."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi's dogs."
"The facts are right in front of them, yet they remain this spineless. Living like this is worse than being dead."
Yashiro Uchiha scoffed coldly in his heart.
---
In contrast, Kaguya Den's mood was terrible.
"The Hyuga clan wants to completely break with my Kaguya clan?"
"They don't care about a hundred years of friendship at all?"
Kaguya Den had originally hoped that the Hyuga clan would break with Konoha, defect, and join the Kaguya clan. With the three clans—Uchiha, Hyuga, and Kaguya—united, they could carve out a territory in this ninja world and stand as equals against other ninja villages.
But he never expected the Hyuga to make such a choice.
"Hyuga clan, I am too disappointed in you."
"Too weak."
"I'm afraid if Hiruzen Sarutobi asked for your lives, you wouldn't even need others to do it; you'd hand your heads over yourselves."
"A hundred years of friendship, and you sever it just like that?"
---
Hiashi Hyuga was also puzzled by Hyuga Yamatsubaki's move.
"Father, why did you want to break ties with the Kaguya clan? We have a friendship spanning over a hundred years with them. Isn't this... improper?"
Hyuga Yamatsubaki snorted coldly.
"Hiashi, it seems you still haven't learned."
"I told you last time. In the ninja world, as the leader of a ninja clan, when you consider matters, do not think about right or wrong. Think about what action will be better for the future."
"The Hyuga clan cannot leave Konoha."
"The Kaguya clan's announcement, along with the appearance of those 'Ninja Kill' cards, has caused the emotions of our clansmen to become volatile again. At this time, we must do something to stabilize the family situation."
"Furthermore, while we do have a good friendship with the Kaguya clan..."
"We are, after all, two different ninja clans. previously, we were even in two different ninja villages."
"Friendship is friendship, but our interests are different."
"The Kaguya clan's announcement was undoubtedly an attempt to drive a wedge between the Hyuga and Konoha. It was the Kaguya clan who disregarded friendship first; we are merely doing the same in return."
"Is it that he can do it, but we cannot?"
"That would be too unfair. What use is such friendship then?"
Hiashi Hyuga frowned.
"But what if... the rumor about the village selling out our Hyuga clan and giving the Mist a Byakugan... is true?"
"Absolutely impossible."
Hyuga Yamatsubaki stated firmly, "The Lord Hokage would never do such a thing."
Hiashi Hyuga said no more.
---
Sand Village, Kazekage Building.
Rasa glanced at the intelligence report in his hand, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"I didn't expect Hyuga Yamatsubaki to make such a decision."
"It actually exceeded my expectations."
"In this case, the relationship between the Hyuga clan and Konoha has stabilized. It will be very difficult for them to rebel like the Uchiha."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi will also trust the Hyuga clan more."
"However, it still provided me with enough points."
Rasa looked at the system panel.
"30 consecutive draws, start!"