Hearing Hiruzen's words, Hizashi, was momentarily stunned.
'Jonin?'
'Who?'
'Arata?'
"Why?"
He blurted it out instinctively. Though he realized the impropriety in the next moment, seeing that Arata kept his gaze forward without even glancing at him, he still couldn't suppress his irritation and asked, "Third Hokage-sama, he's just a waste!"
"Hiashi." Hiruzen glanced at him deeply and said calmly, "In your eyes, a young man capable of protecting his companions and escaping from the encirclement of nearly a hundred Kumogakure ninja is still a waste?"
"I can testify," Akimichi Todo, who was also present, suddenly spoke. "During the escort mission and the ambush, Arata's contribution was indeed indispensable."
"Him? Arata?"
Hyuga Hiashi glanced at him as if hearing a joke. No longer angry, he even laughed. "A waste who only awakened his Byakugan now? A waste who gets weak in the knees at the sight of blood? A waste who, as long as I-"
Before he could finish, Arata, who had remained silent, slowly turned his head and looked at him. His expressionless face softened slightly, forming a smile that carried no warmth.
"Senior Hiashi, you don't wear that outfit often, do you?" he said slowly, his tone calm. "Before you say your next sentence, you'd better think again."
Hearing the first half, Hyuga Hiashi frowned, not understanding why Arata suddenly brought up his clothing.
But Arata was right.
The outfit he wore was not his usual Hyuga clan attire; it was the standard jonin uniform.
Like the other jonin present, he wore the regulation green flak jacket over a black mesh undershirt.
Despite his age, Hyuga Hiashi, like Hyuga Hiashi, was also officially a jonin.
Thus, whether due to his main branch status or his seniority, he had never taken Arata seriously.
"So what if I say it?" Hyuga Hiashi sneered, staring into his eyes. "You're just someone who would crawl over the moment I crook my finger-"
"Jonin Hiashi!"
Seeing Arata narrow his eyes and hearing Hiashi's unrestrained words, the previously stunned Hyuga Hizashi suddenly snapped back to his senses and instinctively tried to stop him.
But unfortunately, he was too late.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust tore through the air, lifting Hyuga Hiashi's hair. The pressure distorted his face slightly. His eyes remained fixed on Arata, yet they froze.
His mouth was still slightly open, but the words "house dog" were swallowed back.
A cold wind seemed to brush past him. Behind him, a deep crack carved into the wall, sinking into the concrete.
A damp sensation spread across his cheek, sliding down to soak his collar.
A thin line of pain spread gradually; it was a razor-thin cut across his cheek.
At some point, Arata had raised two fingers.
And now, those fingers were firmly held by Hiruzen.
Seeing this, expressions across the room changed. Nara Shikaku showed no shock, only quiet contemplation.
You reap what you sow.
They had used Hyuga Hiashi to probe Arata, and now they had their answer.
Though… it exceeded expectations.
'A wind-style jutsu without hand seals?'
'Was he even still a Hyuga?'
At that instant, only a handful of people had been able to react.
If Arata had truly intended to kill him, Hiashi's throat would already have been slit.
"Sigh, Arata, don't be so impulsive."
Hiruzen sighed, gently pressing his hand down, his tone still warm. "Hiashi is your senior, after all."
"My apologies, Third Hokage-sama. I was reckless."
Arata did not resist. He lowered his two fingers and said sincerely, "I just think Senior Hiashi has grown old and forgotten his identity."
"The peace bought by other comrades risking their lives has slowly eroded his heart, making him polished yet arrogant, just like his clothes…"
As he spoke, Arata looked at the others present and said softly:
"A jonin's uniform shouldn't be this clean and neat. It shouldn't carry the scent of jasmine. It should smell of sweat and blood, that is what a jonin's uniform should be."
"So it's necessary to remind Senior Hiashi, this is Konoha's jonin council, not a Hyuga clan meeting. You are a jonin of Konoha, not an elder of the Hyuga main house. And I am also a jonin of Konoha, not a servant of the Hyuga main house."
"I believe your earlier words can be seen as a threat and provocation toward both your comrades and the Third Hokage."
"However, because you are my senior, you have been given a warning."
Hiruzen smiled with narrowed eyes, as if completely unbothered. "Alright, alright, that's a bit too harsh. I'm sure Hiashi just misspoke."
Then he turned to Hiashi, his eyes opening slightly, and asked with a smile, "Isn't that right, Hiashi?"
"..."
'Hiashi' seemed not to hear. His face was pale and dark.
Pale from fear of Arata's actions, dark from the anger he couldn't vent.
"Hiashi?"
That emotionless voice reached his ears, making him shudder back to his senses. He lowered his head slightly toward Hiruzen.
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama. I apologize. I spoke out of turn."
Under Hiruzen's gaze, devoid of warmth, a chill crept into his heart. He finally realized his current position.
Some things may seem trivial off the scales, but once weighed, they become immeasurable.
Unlike genin becoming chunin through exams, promotion to jonin is personally decided by the village's Kage, based on overall ability. Only those who meet the standard are promoted. It is the highest rank a ninja can achieve short of Kage.
There are only two categories: Special Jonin and Jonin. "Elite Jonin" is not an official rank. Every jonin is a pillar of the village.
Jonins are appointed directly by the Hokage, no approval needed, no questioning allowed.
His earlier actions could be seen as targeting Arata… but also as challenging Hiruzen's authority.
The difference lay in how Hiruzen chose to interpret it.
And now, it was obvious.
Arata was no longer the branch family member he could bully at will; he was now a Konoha jonin valued by the Third Hokage.
But was that all?
"Alright." Hiruzen nodded with a smile. "You're colleagues now. Apologize to each other, no grudges."
The moment those words were spoken, not only did Hyuga Hiashi suddenly lift his head in disbelief, but several others in the room also changed expressions.
The Third Hokage wasn't just helping Arata establish himself; he was making an example.
The chicken was Hiashi.
The monkeys… were them.
Sometimes you can reach out your hand, but if you reach too far, you'll get cut.
"..." 'Hiashi' lowered his head, resentment flashing in his eyes as his voice trembled. "Sorry."
"My apologies, Senior Hiashi." Arata nodded lightly. "I hope you understand, even members of the Hyuga clan are not limited to becoming strong through the Byakugan and Gentle Fist."
Hearing this, and recalling the glimpse of power Arata had just revealed, the expressions of those present toward 'Hiashi' became strange.
The traditionally rigid and conservative Hyuga clan… had actually forced out a ninjutsu prodigy like this, and driven him to become estranged and independent?
That was truly… unbelievable.