372. Good Luck to You

"We're back."

Hearing the hoarse yet commanding voice, Hyuga Hiashi, who had been assertive just moments ago, suddenly changed his expression.

He looked at Danzo, who had unexpectedly appeared at the door, and couldn't help but feel a cold sweat break out on his back.

After all, the "Darkness of the Shinobi" was not as mild-mannered as the Hokage, Minato.

On the contrary, Danzo was known for his unreasonable stubbornness.

If Danzo wanted something done, it would be done without fail.

This was precisely why Hiashi had chosen to pressure Minato while Danzo was away from the village...

"It seems Clan Leader Hiashi is dissatisfied with my conscription of Hyuga shinobi?"

Danzo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Hiashi, who had suddenly become subdued.

Although his tone was calm, Hiashi, who was well aware of Danzo's methods, immediately broke into a cold sweat.

However, this matter concerned the very foundation of the Hyuga clan, so Hiashi had no choice but to brace himself and respond, "Lord Danzo, that's not what I meant. It's just that the clan elders, out of consideration for the well-being of our clansmen, hope that they can return to the village from time to time to rest and recuperate. As for the missions on the frontlines, the clan will definitely send sufficient forces to take over, and we will never delay the village's important affairs."

Hiashi repeated the same explanation he had given to Minato earlier, but compared to his previous confident demeanor, his tone was noticeably weaker now.

Danzo, of course, would not accept this excuse.


"Those Hyuga shinobi were personally selected by me. They are the most familiar with the situation on the frontlines. How can they be easily replaced? Clan Leader Hiashi, you should know what kind of responsibility you would bear if personal sentiments were to delay military operations, right?"

Feeling the pressure from Danzo's unyielding stance, Hiashi couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Although he had never fought alongside Danzo on the battlefield, he had heard of Danzo's iron-fisted methods in military affairs.

Once the matter was tied to war, the consequences would not only fall on him but potentially the entire clan!

Thus, Hiashi had no choice but to back down.

"It was my oversight. If the frontlines are so tense, then the clan will send more shinobi to provide support."

He quickly put on a righteous front, though whether he truly intended to send reinforcements or simply wanted to assess the situation was unclear.

Of course, Danzo didn't care about Hiashi's intentions.

He said indifferently, "It's rare for Clan Leader Hiashi to show such concern. Fortunately, the situation on the frontlines has improved significantly with the assistance of the Hyuga shinobi. Therefore, on my return to the village, I brought Hizashi back as well."

As soon as Danzo finished speaking, Hizashi's figure quickly entered from the door.

Seeing his younger brother suddenly appear, Hiashi keenly noticed something unusual in Hizashi's pale eyes—a glimmer of life!


But soon, that glimmer disappeared, and Hizashi's gaze and expression returned to their usual lifelessness, like a puppet on strings, as he greeted Hiashi, "I've caused you concern, Clan Leader."

Hearing his younger brother address him as "Clan Leader," Hiashi felt a pang of discomfort.

The brief glimpse of life he had seen in Hizashi's eyes felt like an illusion, fleeting and unreal.

Even Hiashi himself began to doubt whether he had imagined it...

But now was not the time or place for a heartfelt conversation, especially in the Hokage's office.

Just as Hiashi was about to find an excuse to leave, Danzo considerately spoke up, "You two brothers haven't seen each other in a long time. You must have a lot to catch up on. Go home and have a good talk. The Fourth Hokage and I won't keep you."

Danzo sat down on a chair, leaning on his cane, a faint smile on his face, looking like a kindly retired grandfather.

Hearing this, Hiashi quickly seized the opportunity to bow and say, "Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo, we'll take our leave now."

Minato nodded and said with a smile, "Make sure Hizashi gets some proper rest!"

As they left, Hizashi subtly glanced at Danzo, who returned the look with a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Everything was understood without words.

After the Hyuga brothers left, Minato turned to Danzo with curiosity. "Lord Danzo, what are you up to this time?"

In response, Danzo gently stroked his cane and said cryptically, "Some of the root beneath the great tree of Konoha needs to be exposed to the sunlight."

Danzo's words sent a shiver down Minato's spine.

The last time Danzo had spoken in such a tone was before the overthrow of the daimyo...

It was clear that Danzo was planning something big again, and this time, it likely involved the Hyuga clan.

As Minato watched Hiashi's retreating figure, he sighed inwardly. *Good luck to you.*

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"The elders are very angry that you haven't sent any messages back to the clan for so long. If they question you later, you must answer truthfully!" Hiashi walked briskly, continuously warning his younger brother.

"And remember, your attitude must be respectful. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, they'll use the Caged Bird Seal to punish me and make me experience unbearable pain, right?" Hizashi interrupted his older brother, stopping in his tracks and staring at Hiashi with an utterly indifferent expression.

Seeing his younger brother's unfamiliar demeanor, Hiashi's face darkened.

He spoke in a stern tone, "Hizashi, you must remember that you are a member of the branch family. The branch family exists to serve the main family. If you bring this attitude before the elders, you will face severe punishment!"

Although Hiashi was the clan leader, he did not have absolute authority within the Hyuga clan.

In many matters, he had to consult with the elders of the main family.

Even if he wanted to protect his younger brother, there was only so much he could do—especially when it came to the complex relationship between the main and branch families.

Thus, the best way to protect Hizashi was to ensure he didn't make any mistakes.

As for Hizashi, he looked at his older brother, who had been born mere seconds before him but had become part of the main family, and felt the last glimmer of hope in his heart extinguish.

His expression turned numb as he replied, "I understand."

Hizashi's eyes returned to their lifeless state, and he silently took a step back, falling in line behind Hiashi.

Seeing his younger brother calm down, Hiashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, under his lead, the two brothers arrived at the entrance of the Hyuga shrine.

Pushing open the doors, they were met with the sight of six stern-faced elders, already waiting for them...