Chapter 26: The So-called Will of Fire
Hyūga Hizashi knew very well.
The reason he managed to survive was entirely due to a series of "coincidences".
The sudden attack by the Cloud Village's Eight-Tails Jinchūriki gave Konoha the opportunity to reverse public opinion and counterattack.
This alone wasn't enough to completely break the deadlock for him.
The dove faction led by the Third Hokage might still choose to sacrifice his life for that sliver of a chance for "peace".
The hawk faction led by Shimura Danzō would also be happy to see this happen.
Because it could damage the Third Hokage's prestige and also sow discord between the Hyūga clan and the Hokage faction.
Ultimately, he, Hyūga Hizashi, was merely a member of the branch family.
But what truly saved his life was the Cloud Village's baffling order to retreat.
And according to spy intelligence, an unknown powerhouse had engaged the AB Combo in direct combat in the Valley of the Moon.
The final result...
Half the Valley of the Moon was turned into ruins, while the AB Combo was severely injured and unconscious, and the Cloud forces retreated without fighting.
Now, including the Konoha leadership, the eyes of the entire ninja world were focused on that mysterious powerhouse.
Naturally, no one paid any more attention to him, the insignificant "scapegoat".
Originally, Hizashi hadn't connected that mysterious powerhouse to the masked man.
But after the reminder, thinking back now...
The same descent from the sky, the same mysteriousness, the same powerful strength.
...This folk song is called 'Caged Bird'.
...We... will meet again soon.
...I only came here to release the birds in the cage. But it seems he doesn't want to leave.
The past conversations resurfaced in Hizashi's mind. Words that were previously meaningless suddenly had an explanation.
Any coincidence is an inevitability within chance; when coincidence produces a unique outcome, then it becomes inevitable!
"You!!"
Looking at the figure radiating mystery, Hizashi's eyes widened, his twisted features unable to hide his shock.
"You're the powerhouse who appeared on the Valley of the Moon battlefield and defeated the AB Combo head-on?"
Hearing this, the ice-cold aura around Menma suddenly shifted, his tone tinged with amusement: "Can you calm down now and listen to me properly?"
With that, he ignored Hizashi's reaction.
He directly picked up the unconscious Neji and sat down improperly on a soft cushion in the tea garden pavilion.
Hizashi instinctively frowned upon seeing this.
However, remembering that this person was not someone he could afford to provoke, he could only suppress his ingrained traditionalism and sit properly opposite him.
"Your Excellency not only saved my life but also prevented the start of the Fourth Shinobi World War. You must surely yearn for peace..."
"Don't flatter yourself."
Before this label could be placed on him, Menma ruthlessly interrupted: "This was merely one way to achieve my goal."
A way to achieve his goal...?
Understanding that this person wouldn't fall for pleasantries, Hizashi stopped beating around the bush and asked decisively: "Then what is Your Excellency's goal?"
"I hope to obtain the assistance of the Hyūga branch family."
Hizashi's expression was firm, his gaze unwavering, as he stated decisively: "Our Hyūga clan is loyal and devoted to Lord Hokage."
"What if... I can grant freedom to the caged birds of the branch family?"
"True freedom?"
Hyūga Hizashi's expression froze, finally turning into a bitter smile: "For the branch family, death is the only path to freedom."
"Then, what about Neji?" Menma asked back.
Hearing Menma mention Neji, Hizashi's face instantly changed, losing the deliberately maintained calm composure.
He said gravely: "That is none of Your Excellency's concern! When Neji grows up, he will understand me, and he will understand the meaning of the Caged Bird."
"You're only deceiving yourself."
Menma stated calmly as ever: "He is different from you. What flows in his veins is hot blood that refuses to yield to fate. He wants to be the bird that flies freely in the sky, not the bird locked in a cage by the main family."
Hizashi averted his gaze, still insisting through gritted teeth: "Neji is still young now. When he hits his head against the wall enough times, he won't..."
"Impossible."
Menma interrupted: "One day, he will definitely break the shackles binding him and fly towards the sky."
"At that time, he will be like you, exchanging death for a brief moment of freedom, like brilliant fireworks. No matter how dazzling, after death, it's just nothingness."
"But I am different..."
Menma slowly leaned closer to Hizashi, his tone full of temptation: "Without needing death, I can bring Neji true freedom. And all of this rests on a single thought from you, his father."
Huff~ Huff~
A drop of cold sweat slowly slid down Hizashi's cheek. His chest heaved, his breathing becoming rapid.
His heart was deeply moved.
Undoubtedly, Menma's words struck his weakest point.
He could choose to die humbly for a brief moment of freedom.
But, he wanted Neji to live more freely, to live with flesh and blood.
Not as anyone's appendage, and certainly not burdened by a so-called "fate".
However...
Hizashi abruptly looked up and asked: "What exactly is this true freedom you speak of?"
The two met eyes. Menma's tone also became serious as he said gravely: "True freedom, of course, means completely removing the Caged Bird Cursed Seal, overturning this senile and corrupt main-branch family system!"
"Letting all branch family members become complete people, not tools without thought or freedom!"
"Fate is our own fate! Our own fate should rightfully be held in our own hands!!"
Menma's tone gradually intensified, while Hizashi's face grew paler, his eyes filled with struggle.
This guy definitely doesn't just want to use him and Neji; his goals are certainly not pure.
He wants to use the entire branch family to stir up turmoil within the Hyūga clan.
If that happens, the Konoha leadership will definitely not sit idly by; it will inevitably affect the situation in the entire village.
"Do you believe the Third Hokage's Will of Fire is correct?"
Just as Hizashi was still struggling, Menma suddenly asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"Of course..."
Hizashi answered automatically, but suddenly faltered.
The Third Hokage's... Will of Fire?
"'Where leaves dance, fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and again, leaves will sprout anew.'"
"'The young are the hope for the future. The older generation must trust and protect them. The sacrifices of the older generation are not meaningless; they will inspire the young, becoming the pillars who bear the future.'"
Menma recited this passage dramatically, sighing: "What a perfect ideology!!"
But his tone suddenly turned cold.
"Then after the Third Shinobi World War ended, among the names on those Memorial Stones, how many belonged to children under ten who couldn't even properly use the Three Basic Academy Techniques?!"
Looking into those deep blue eyes, watching them approach him bit by bit,
Hizashi mumbled, unable to retort, his body slowly retreating.
But Menma abruptly closed the distance, a glint of ice in his eyes, questioning sharply: "When the Tsuchikage, Raikage, Kazekage, and others were active on the battlefield, the battlefield was already littered with the cold corpses of those children!"
"And the Third Hokage and the rest of the Konoha leadership – where were they? Your Hyūga clan's main family – where were they?!"
Thump!!
Looking at Hyūga Hizashi, who had fallen to the ground before him, drenched in cold sweat,
Menma slowly sat back down, let out a long breath, and said coldly:
"Fate..."
"...is nothing more than a tool used by tyrants to bind thought, an excuse used by fools for self-consolation."
(End of Chapter)
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