Chapter 124 - Hiruzen Sarutobi Returns to the Village
"Kazane-sama, this is an internal matter of the Hyuga clan. There's no need for you to get involved, is there?"
Hyuga Hiashi spoke to Kazane with a mix of apprehension and respect.
He still vividly remembered the awe-inspiring might Kazane had displayed during their last encounter.
And now, after hearing what had happened at the Five Kage Summit, he was even more unwilling to make an enemy of Kazane.
"I'm just here to observe. I heard about the Hyuga clan's cruel Caged Bird Seal and wanted to see how it's etched onto the body."
Kazane wasn't surprised by Hiashi's attitude.
But since he was being so cautious, maybe things would go more smoothly from here on.
"Kazane-sama, this is strictly clan business. Even the Hokage wouldn't interfere—I hope you'll reconsider and not make a mistake."
To Kazane's surprise, Hiashi suddenly turned resolute—and even dared to threaten him.
From Hiashi's perspective, the issue with the Branch House wasn't a real threat. As long as the Caged Bird Seal existed, the Branch House couldn't rebel.
Kazane's presence, however, was the real danger.
Especially since the seal was tied to the Hyuga clan's legacy. Hiashi didn't get to be clan head just because he was the eldest son—
…Well, okay, maybe it was because he was the eldest son. But even an idiot who serves as clan leader for years would develop some political savvy—Hiashi was no idiot.
He had already deduced that Kazane and Hizashi must've struck some sort of deal.
This visit wasn't just to "observe"—Kazane clearly wanted control over the Caged Bird technique.
But even if Kazane obtained it, it would be useless. Once applied, the seal couldn't be removed. Possessing the technique meant nothing.
Still, he couldn't let Kazane get his hands on it. Whoever held the Caged Bird technique could control the entire Branch House—and if the Hyuga lost that power, it would spell doom for the clan.
So even though he feared Kazane, Hiashi had no choice but to step forward and oppose him as the Hyuga clan head.
His only hope was that Kazane would respect Hiruzen Sarutobi's authority and avoid meddling in internal clan affairs.
It was a desperate gamble, but when facing the strongest man in the ninja world, it was the only resistance he could muster.
"I'd like to see exactly how you plan to stop me from making a mistake. Enough with the nonsense—I'm here for one thing: the Main House must hand over the Caged Bird technique. You have three minutes to consider."
"Either surrender the Caged Bird technique… or the Hyuga clan, if it cannot be of use to me, has no reason to exist."
Kazane's voice carried clear irritation—Hiashi's stubbornness had pushed him too far. A mere jōnin actually dared to threaten him?
He no longer had any patience for games and delivered his ultimatum.
"Kazane-sama… you'd dare attack fellow villagers right here in the village?"
Hiashi was shocked to hear the undisguised killing intent in Kazane's voice.
He didn't doubt Kazane's words for a second. This was a man who dared to crash the Five Kage Summit—what wouldn't he dare to do?
"You have 2 minutes and 40 seconds."
Kazane's brows furrowed with frustration.
Konoha was already nearly fully under his control. The Hyuga clan's influence wasn't as crucial anymore.
In fact, arrogant clans like theirs were likely to become an obstacle in the future when it came time to reform the village.
If Hiashi continued to be this difficult, then perhaps the Hyuga clan had outlived its usefulness.
Realizing how impatient Kazane was becoming, Hizashi broke into a cold sweat.
He suddenly wondered if he had overestimated himself—inviting a wolf into the house. Kazane now had complete control of the situation.
Regardless of their inner thoughts, time ticked on, unbothered by their turmoil.
"One minute left."
Kazane's patience wore even thinner. He immediately cut the remaining time in half.
Hiashi's silence made everyone behind him even more nervous. The clan elders were sweating profusely.
They had dedicated their lives to the clan and were finally enjoying their twilight years—and now, this?
Yet none of them dared speak up to persuade Hiashi. Whoever did would be remembered as the eternal sinner of the Main House.
"Ten seconds remaining."
"10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4…"
Kazane's hand gripped the hilt of Shusui—he had made up his mind to strike.
"Clan Head, protecting the Main House is what matters most!"
"I agree to hand over the Caged Bird technique!"
Two voices rang out, one after the other.
Just as the two cowardly elders finished speaking, Hiashi—unable to bear the fear of death—also agreed to hand over the secret.
After all, what use was protecting the technique if everyone was dead? Staying alive was more important.
Luckily, they hadn't waited for Kazane to finish his countdown—he hadn't actually planned to count to one.
Had they hesitated any longer, they would've faced Kazane's massive, hundred-meter-wide Flying Slash.
Now that he had survived, Hiashi didn't play any more games and immediately revealed the Caged Bird's sealing technique to Kazane.
Kazane ran a simple test—and it worked perfectly.
With the technique secured, there was no reason to waste more time here.
Kazane's eyes narrowed slightly, and his Conqueror's Haki burst forth, sweeping across every Main House Hyuga present.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One after another, Hyuga Main House members collapsed to the ground, felled by the pressure of Kazane's Haki.
Finally, all of them lay unconscious.
Then Kazane passed the seal's method to Hizashi and left the Hyuga compound without another word.
He had done everything necessary. If Hizashi couldn't manage things from here, then he wasn't worth further investment.
Surely, when Clan Head Hiashi woke up and found a lovely new seal on his forehead, he'd be pleasantly surprised.
---
Afternoon
Hiruzen Sarutobi had returned to the village.
News of the Hokage's return spread like wildfire.
The Uchiha gate guards swiftly relayed the information to Kazane and Orochimaru.
And as Hiruzen walked the street toward the Hokage's office, he realized the situation was far worse than he had imagined.
The villagers—usually friendly—were even more cordial today. They kept praising him.
Praising him for having the wisdom to choose Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage candidate.
Some were even bold enough to openly (or subtly) ask when he planned to hand over the title.
But Hiruzen, bound by the long-standing image of a kind and gentle Hokage, could only smile in return, nodding along with their compliments of Orochimaru.
As for the bitterness in his heart? Other than Danzo, who else could understand?
With every step forward, the weight in his heart grew heavier.
By the time he reached the front of the Hokage building, his mind was shrouded in darkness.
Every single villager he passed along the way had come up to greet him—and to praise his "vision."
From the gates of Konoha to the Hokage's office—barely two kilometers—thousands of villagers had greeted him and complimented his "keen eye."
In all his twenty-plus years as Hokage, he had never received such enthusiastic treatment.
Yet today, there was not a hint of joy—only a bone-deep chill.
Stepping into his office, Hiruzen rubbed his cheeks, which had gone numb from forced smiling, and summoned the ANBU with the cat mask—his most trusted aide.
"Quick… go summon the two Elders!"
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