"Kazekage-sama, discussion about this suicide note has also erupted on Konoha's side. Many people are talking about it."
"It's as if someone is secretly pushing it from the shadows."
Of course someone was secretly pushing it. Otherwise, how could this suicide note have returned to his hands?
But since it had returned to him, Rasa could not simply do nothing.
Otherwise, he would be wasting that hidden pusher's "kindness."
"These materials can absolutely be published in Ninja World Weekly. Once they are published, the effect will definitely be excellent. It will cause an enormous sensation, and people in Konoha will even actively cooperate with me."
A smile appeared on Rasa's face.
The existence of the forged suicide note had been created by Rasa.
But the subsequent changes were an unexpected delight.
Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was in an extremely poor mood.
Large numbers of ANBU shinobi had gone out to investigate this matter, but they had not obtained much useful information. All they knew was that someone was secretly adding fuel to the flames.
"Hyuga Hizashi really was too pitiful."
"Being born into the Hyuga branch family was already miserable enough. And he was even twins with Hyuga Hiashi. Just because he was born slightly later, he fell into the branch family. Their fates became completely different."
"The main family stands high above, while the branch family is as humble as servants."
"He finally obtained a hope to change his fate, only to be deceived by Hokage-sama."
"Too tragic."
"If it were me, I'm afraid I would have turned into a vengeful ghost."
"The people of the Hyuga branch family are truly unlucky. Benefits are enjoyed by the main family, but sacrifices are made by the branch family. Maybe that's why the Hyuga clan is so weak-willed."
"After all, the ones making decisions are the main family, and the main family doesn't have to sacrifice anything. In their eyes, the branch family aren't even people."
As the discussion continued, the topic inevitably shifted to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Do you think Hokage-sama really did those things?"
"Is Hokage-sama truly that terrible a person?"
"If that's true, then what did our support and respect for Hokage-sama over all these years amount to?"
"And what does the Will of Fire amount to?"
"How terrifying. The human heart is too terrifying. You can know a person's face, but not their heart."
…
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was ugly.
"The suicide note is real? The handwriting completely matches Hyuga Hizashi's usual handwriting?"
"But that isn't right. I never did such a thing. I never gave such an order. And when Jiraiya fought Rasa, Hyuga Hizashi was already dead."
"In other words, this cannot be Hyuga Hizashi's revenge against me."
"After all, he didn't even know Jiraiya had been defeated by Rasa."
"Who forged this?"
"Too hateful!"
"Slander. This is pure slander!"
"Is the Hyuga clan taking revenge on me?"
"Because they were dissatisfied that I made the Hyuga clan sacrifice someone?"
"If that was the case, then they shouldn't have agreed back then."
"Let the Hyuga clan bear Kumogakure's wrath yourselves!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cursed the Hyuga clan fiercely in his heart.
"If you do something like this, then don't blame me, the Hokage, for showing no mercy!"
Previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi had held a fairly good impression of the Hyuga clan. He felt that the Hyuga clan understood the bigger picture and was willing to sacrifice for the village.
He had never expected them to create such a matter now.
This made Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude toward the Hyuga clan turn into hatred in an instant.
But the Hyuga clan felt extremely wronged.
Because they had no idea what was going on.
They had not even seen Hyuga Hizashi's suicide note.
They had no idea who had spread it.
When they heard the news, their first reaction was not sympathy for Hyuga Hizashi, but worry.
They worried that the appearance of such a matter would make the village target the Hyuga clan.
They worried that their own interests would be affected.
"That Hyuga Hizashi went too far!"
"He's simply a beast!"
"If he was dissatisfied and wanted revenge, fine. But he even had to drag us down with him?"
"He's dead. For him, everything is over. But what about us? We're still alive."
As for the contents of the suicide note, they did not care at all.
No matter how much grievance Hyuga Hizashi had suffered, it had nothing to do with them.
Whether he lived or died did not matter either.
Hyuga Hiashi stood there in a daze.
"Hizashi, so these were your true thoughts?"
"Father… was what you did right or wrong?"
"Is the Hyuga clan's situation truly better than the Uchiha's current state?"
"If the Hyuga clan had left Konoha back then, would things still have become like this?"
Hyuga Hiashi did not fully agree with Hyuga Yamatsubaki's thinking. Having his younger brother die in his place was also something Hyuga Hiashi had never wanted to see.
Now that Hyuga Hizashi's suicide note had implicated the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Hiashi did not hate Hizashi either.
He only thought.
"What kind of path is the true way out for the Hyuga clan?"
"What should I do?"
A deep, intense confusion appeared in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes.
Bang!
A stone struck Hyuga Neji.
Several nearby children looked at Hyuga Neji with extremely unfriendly expressions.
"Sinner!"
"Your father is a sinner!"
"Beat him to death!"
"Get out of our Hyuga clan!"
…
Neji clenched his fists and stared hard at them. But this only enraged the other side even more. They swarmed forward and beat Neji viciously.
Neji was alone. He could not resist at all.
When Neji was sent before Hyuga Hiashi, he was already seriously injured and unconscious.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at his nephew, and a trace of unbearable pity appeared in his eyes.
"Hizashi's son."
"Hizashi… I failed you."
"As your elder brother, not only could I not protect you, I even needed you to sacrifice yourself for me."
"I am incompetent. I could do nothing for you."
"And now, I cannot even protect your son."
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Neji, worry showing on his face.
Hyuga Hiashi knew very clearly that if Neji continued to remain in Konoha and remain in the Hyuga clan, his situation would definitely become extremely terrible.
The other members of the clan would hate Neji because they had been implicated by the suicide note.
Hyuga Hiashi also believed Hiruzen Sarutobi might target Neji because of the suicide note.
"Even if he survives, he will live in great pain."
"I cannot continue to watch helplessly and do nothing."
"Hizashi, I couldn't save you. But at the very least, I must save Neji."
"I will make sure he no longer lives such a miserable life."
"I will send him out of Konoha, somewhere else."
"Somewhere that can accept him."
Several names surfaced in Hyuga Hiashi's mind.
Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, the Sailing Corps… Sunagakure.
Before long, Hyuga Hiashi made his decision.
"Neji, this is the only thing I can do for you."
"I hope you can forgive this uncle of yours."
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