After receiving the ANBU shinobi's reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression improved somewhat.
"The Hyuga clan is still much better than the Uchiha clan."
"First, they are able to cooperate with this old man's work."
"Second, they are able to control the situation within their clan."
However, compared to last time, the situation within the Hyuga clan was no longer as well controlled this time.
After all, Hyuga Hiashi was not Hyuga Yamatsubaki.
Their thoughts were not the same.
Moreover, this incident was even more closely related to the Hyuga branch family.
Within the Hyuga clan, the number of branch family members far exceeded the number of main family members.
In this matter, there was no doubt that the branch family had suffered the greatest losses.
"The main family oppresses us. The village higher-ups also force us."
"Born as human beings, why do we have no human rights?"
"Even Hizashi, the son of the previous clan head and the younger brother of the current clan head, died so easily."
"Then what about us?"
"In their eyes, we are simply not considered people at all."
"Is there any meaning in us living like this?"
Hyuga Hiashi watched the ANBU shinobi leave, his gaze flickering for a long time.
Afterward, he returned to his study and sank into deep thought.
"What should I do?"
"Hizashi, what do you think I should do?"
"What must be done for the Hyuga clan to escape this cursed fate?"
…
Sunagakure's rumor team was still working hard.
On the battlefield, Sunagakure shinobi used this point to mock the members of the Hyuga branch family.
"You Hyuga branch family members are truly cheap."
"Konoha suppresses you."
"The main family humiliates you."
"You live like this, yet still remain utterly loyal to the Hyuga clan and utterly loyal to Konoha. Aren't you afraid you will become the next Hyuga Hizashi? Or do you think you are stronger than Hyuga Hizashi?"
The Hyuga shinobi grew furious when cursed like that.
But they also discovered that they could not refute it.
Because in their hearts, they too felt that those rumors were very likely true.
But they could not defy Hyuga Hiashi's orders either.
"The Caged Bird! That damned Caged Bird!"
"How long is this cursed thing going to bind us?"
Rasa looked at the system panel before him.
[Points: 1603!]
"The speed at which points are increasing has slowed down."
"Looks like I need to take some other action. The Hyuga clan is different from the Uchiha clan. They are far too cowardly. At this rate, who knows how long it will take for the points to rise to three thousand?"
"Should I design a ninja card for Hyuga Hizashi?"
"Or publish some related content in Ninja World Weekly?"
Just then—
A figure walked in.
"Kazekage-sama, a letter from Kumogakure."
"Kumogakure?"
Rasa accepted the letter and opened it. His eyes immediately lit up.
"The Fourth Raikage is willing to personally accept Sunagakure's interview and discuss Hyuga Hizashi's matter?"
"This came at exactly the right time!"
Rasa did not think that the Fourth Raikage taking the initiative to accept the interview at this time was because he wanted to speak on Hiruzen Sarutobi's behalf.
Most likely, as one of the parties involved, he wanted to solidify the matter of Hiruzen Sarutobi betraying the Hyuga clan.
That would benefit Kumogakure.
The current situation in the shinobi world was extremely delicate.
Iwagakure and Konoha had joined forces to attack Sunagakure. Logically speaking, two shinobi villages fighting one should have given them the advantage, but they had not gained any benefits at all.
Konoha had lost a major commander in Jiraiya.
Iwagakure had lost over a thousand shinobi.
Previously, Kumogakure had not wanted to act because they were waiting for an opportunity.
Once Sunagakure fell into a major disadvantage, Kumogakure would join the Konoha-Iwagakure camp and divide Sunagakure's benefits.
But now, dividing Sunagakure was already impossible.
Then Kumogakure would most likely aim at Konoha.
From Kumogakure's perspective, attacking Konoha had the highest chance of success and would bring the greatest benefits.
Rasa quickly issued an order to the newspaper office.
A reporter departed Sunagakure at great speed, heading toward the Land of Lightning.
"With an interview from the Fourth Raikage, reaching three thousand points won't be difficult."
"Even reaching four thousand, or even five thousand, is not impossible."
The Sunagakure army built a base with the Sun Disk at its core.
When Sunagakure shinobi raised their heads and saw the Sun Disk, they felt an intense sense of security.
By contrast, when Konoha shinobi saw it, they could not help feeling fear.
As for the Iwagakure shinobi, there was an additional trace of hatred in their eyes.
"Damn Sunagakure!"
At this moment, the Iwagakure shinobi's hatred toward Sunagakure had reached its peak.
"Konoha was clearly the main party attacking Sunagakure. Instead of targeting Konoha, Sunagakure set up our Iwagakure instead?"
"They're targeting Iwagakure far too much."
One Iwagakure shinobi sighed.
"Kitsuchi-sama was too impulsive. The moment he got the news, he immediately led the army over. He didn't conduct a detailed investigation at all, nor did he ask Tsuchikage-sama for instructions."
"I heard Tsuchikage-sama was furious."
"He cursed, saying it was all because of Kitsuchi that over a thousand Iwagakure shinobi were lost."
The Iwagakure shinobi across from him was somewhat moved.
"Tsuchikage-sama is truly great. The village weighs far too heavily in his heart."
"Even though Kitsuchi-sama was his son and also died in this incident, Tsuchikage-sama did not first grieve for Kitsuchi-sama. Instead, he blamed Kitsuchi-sama for causing the deaths of Iwagakure shinobi."
"That kind of Kage is a true Kage."
"He is much better than Konoha's Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Hiruzen Sarutobi clings to power. For his own interests, he suppresses the people in his own village in all kinds of ways."
"He is simply the shame of all Kage!"
"This time, they were supposed to be the ones who lost so many shinobi. Our Iwagakure suffered the damage for them."
Iwagakure.
Hearing such discussions, Onoki's mood improved slightly.
He had lost his son and over a thousand Iwagakure shinobi.
Even during the entire Third Great Ninja War, Iwagakure had rarely suffered such losses.
Onoki's mood had fallen to an extreme low.
"Kitsuchi…"
Thinking of Kitsuchi, Onoki could not help but sigh.
At this moment, Onoki's emotions were very complicated.
On one hand, Onoki did not actually want Kitsuchi to die. Even after Kitsuchi had led the Iwagakure army into Sunagakure's trap, Onoki still did not want Kitsuchi dead.
Onoki would rather Kitsuchi had chosen to escape.
Even if he survived in disgrace, even if he was spat on by everyone, Onoki still wanted Kitsuchi alive.
After all, only while alive was there still possibility.
Once dead, there was nothing left.
But on the other hand, Onoki discovered that Kitsuchi's death had actually produced an extremely positive effect on him.
It had turned him into a great Tsuchikage.
Even when facing his own son who had made a mistake, he treated him equally.
The village came first.
He had become greater than all other Kage.
"In that case, perhaps I don't need to be in such a hurry to step down from the Tsuchikage position?"
"After all, no one in Iwagakure believes I am someone who clings to power anymore."
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