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The Third Hokage was taking a contingent of his clan's ninja to the front lines. Kazuki didn't refuse. He approved all requests.
If you want to go, then go!
I'll be waiting for your good news.
If many die, it'll be the Sarutobi clan's loss.
The more such foolhardy people, the better. Then Kazuki wouldn't have to worry about mobilizing ninja for the front lines.
Unfortunately, after the Amegakure battle, the Sarutobi clan had suffered considerable losses. Having been burned, the Third Hokage wasn't willing to gamble with the clan's future.
This time, he only took a few dozen Sarutobi ninja to the front lines.
He didn't dare, as before, mobilize several hundred clan ninja at the drop of a hat.
If several hundred clan ninja were wiped out on the battlefield, the Sarutobi clan would be crippled.
Hyūga Hiashi had returned to the clan compound.
Kazuki was waiting for his good news.
Hiashi's return was a shot of adrenaline for the clan.
What many didn't know was that their clan leader's heart had turned black. He was no longer as merciful or indecisive as before.
It was either he act, or Kazuki would.
Hiashi chose to act himself.
If Fugaku could raise his sword, so could he.
Hiashi was confident he was no worse than Fugaku.
What Uchiha Fugaku could do, he could do too.
He just hadn't wanted to cause a big scene before.
Now, with Kazuki and the village backing him, the Hyūga clan could go all out.
Raising a sword against one's own clan required ruthlessness and determination.
Though Hiashi spent his days drinking tea, reading, and looking at the scenery – seemingly idle – he was actually suffering.
Two little figures were constantly pulling at him: a kind angel and an evil demon.
Back at the compound, Hiashi didn't immediately summon the clan elders.
Though anxious, the elders could only wait patiently. They rationalized: the clan leader had just returned and deserved some rest.
Rest well, build up energy, to face the coming troubles.
At night, Hiashi walked alone through the compound, accompanied by no one. Even his hidden guards had been dismissed.
After wandering aimlessly, somewhat out of character, Hiashi returned to the clan leader's residence.
He sent word for the elders to come to a clan meeting.
The messengers were puzzled. Some names were missing from the list.
Three Main House elders and two Branch House elders.
The messengers didn't know why these few weren't summoned. They could only follow orders.
Soon, the notified elders rushed to the clan leader's residence. They were more anxious than ever.
They desperately wanted to know where Hiashi had been, and how to resolve the clan's current troubles.
In the meeting hall, Hiashi sat in the clan leader's seat, quietly drinking tea.
The arriving elders, seeing this, could only sit in their places and wait for the others.
But as time passed, everyone noticed something.
People were missing.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin."
Deciding it was enough, Hiashi put down his teacup.
"Clan Leader, Third Elder and the others haven't arrived..."
The Grand Elder was taken aback. He reminded Hiashi that people were missing – more than one or two.
Hiashi said flatly, "No need. They don't need to come. There's no point."
"???"
What does that mean?
Hiashi's opening move stunned the elders.
Even the Grand Elder didn't understand. No need to come? No point?
What did he mean?
Were those few being excluded?
Or...
Sss!
Everyone present was old. From Hiashi's single sentence, they could deduce something.
Before they could think further, Hiashi continued.
"Everyone, since you're all dissatisfied with the village's arrangements and actions, let's prepare for a coup."
"What?"
"Impossible!!"
"Clan Leader, absolutely not!!!"
A coup?
Clan Leader, what are you thinking? A coup will only lead the clan into an abyss! It will destroy the clan!!
"Why not!"
Hiashi's expression didn't change, but his voice rose.
"The Uchiha secretly planned a coup because the village targeted them. Can't the Hyūga do the same? Or are we Hyūga inferior to the Uchiha?"
"Clan Leader."
The Grand Elder, forgetting clan rules, immediately stood to dissuade him.
"There are some conflicts and misunderstandings between the clan and the village. It's true we're being targeted. But we can't go to such extremes. It would ruin the clan. I believe any conflict can be resolved. A coup isn't wise."
"How? How can it be resolved? Tell me, Grand Elder!!"
Hiashi's emotions began to fluctuate.
"As clan leader, my goal is to lead the clan to survive. But our clan rules are now in direct conflict with the village's reforms. Not just now, but in the future, whoever sits in the Hokage's office, the Hyūga clan's conflict will remain. As clan leader, I must prioritize the clan's interests. And the village will no longer tolerate our refusal. So the only path is a coup."
If we can't integrate, then flip the table! If the Uchiha dared to plan a coup, so will the Hyūga!
We all have one head on two shoulders. Who's afraid of whom?
"Impossible!!"
"I refuse!!"
"A coup is absolutely unacceptable!!!"
Hiashi was indeed solving the problem. But his method was explosive.
Kazuki liked flipping tables and causing trouble, so Hiashi decided to copy him.
Be a little willful for once.
So what if he was the clan leader? Wasn't a clan leader still human?
Flipping the table? He could do that too.
Come on, everyone, let's go big and go strong! Let's march toward glory!!
Hiashi's suggestion of a coup terrified the elders.
Their intention was to negotiate, to handle things as smoothly as possible.
But Hiashi dropped a bomb right from the start.
A coup? Could they do that?
If word got out, the village's army would storm the Hyūga compound.
Then there'd be no talk of clan heritage.
The Hyūga would become a footnote in Konoha's history – a black mark on the pillar of shame.
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