For Konoha, the Nine-Tails was a nightmare beyond comprehension. The horrific night more than a decade ago had left an indelible mark of terror on every inhabitant of the village. Thus, as the Jinchūriki Naruto completely entered his Tailed Beast state and began his rampage, the entire village trembled before that devastating power.
This time, however, there would be no Fourth Hokage to step forward and sacrifice his life to seal the monstrous creature. Furthermore, the shinobi who had fled from the battlefield had wasted no time in publicly revealing Naruto Uzumaki's true identity, instantly triggering an uproar.
The orphan of a hero, turned into a sacrificial pawn for the village leadership's power struggles?
In a heartbeat, the fury of the shinobi was matched by that of the common villagers. Within minutes, the Hokage Residence was surrounded by a swarming, incensed crowd. The two Hokage advisors, in particular, became social pariahs overnight. Had it not been for the protection of the Anbu, they likely would have been torn to shreds by the mob.
One must remember that since the conclusion of Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush" operation, the exposed scandals regarding the village had left many harboring a deep-seated resentment. Back then, with the Fifth Hokage Tsunade having just returned, people were hesitant to cause too much trouble. Coupled with the external pressure from the Resistance, they had chosen to maintain a temporary peace.
But today!
Anyone with eyes could see that Konoha was on the brink of collapse. With their inhibitions gone, the people screamed for a final reckoning against the filthy, corrupt upper echelon.
Watching the chaotic scene in front of the Hokage Residence, Sasuke curled his lips into a smirk, offering a sharp, meaningful irony: "How fascinating. The old fossils who claimed to act for the sake of the village are finally being viewed as enemies by the very villagers and subordinates they expected to support and understand them."
"Because they were too foolish," Neji remarked with a sigh. "They naively believed that through secrecy, those dark secrets would remain hidden forever. They never considered how to deal with the fallout once the truth came to light. Perhaps it is as Allen said, the leadership in most hidden villages lacks sufficient vision and capability yet clings desperately to power. The natural result is a never-ending cycle of tragedy."
As one of the victims, Neji naturally felt no sympathy for the two old-timers around the Third Hokage. However, he wasn't so extreme as to share Sasuke's burning desire to personally slaughter them to vent years of accumulated resentment. In truth, much of the bitterness regarding his father's suicide had dissipated after he killed the Raikage.
"I'm going to go slaughter those two old relics. Want to come?" Sasuke extended an invitation.
Neji shook his head slightly. "Apologies, I have more important matters to attend to. Enjoy your revenge alone."
With that, he followed Hiashi back to the Hyuga clan compound. The moment they crossed the gates, Hinata, who had been confined to the house, rushed toward them. "Father! I... I heard Naruto-kun has lost control! Is it true?"
"Yes, it's true. He has completely released the Nine-Tails sealed within him and is currently rampaging in the forest near the village," Hiashi replied bluntly, hiding nothing.
"Neji... Neji-niisan?! Why are you here?"
Hanabi appeared behind her sister, eyes wide with shock. She couldn't believe that Neji, who had defected from the village, could return so openly. She remembered clearly that on the night the Chunin Exams ended, her father had forbidden anyone in the family from mentioning Neji's name under threat of clan law.
"I've come to take you away from Konoha, to live in a brand-new place," Neji said, leaning down to smile and pinch his young cousin's cheek. Now that he knew the truth of his father's suicide, his hatred was no longer directed at the Main House, but rather at the Hidden Cloud and the Konoha high-ranking officials.
"Leave?!"
Hearing those words, Hinata's pupils dilated and contracted sharply. "Father, are you leading the Hyuga clan to defect from Konoha?"
"No. I am not leading you. You young people will follow Neji and leave Konoha together. I and the elder clansmen will stay to live or die with the village. From this day forward, Neji is the new Clan Head of the Hyuga. All of you must obey his arrangements."
Hiashi delivered his decision in a tone that brooked no argument. As a classic feudal patriarch, his attitude toward his daughters had always been one of commands rather than discussion.
However, this time, the habitually submissive Hinata broke character. She resisted fiercely: "No! I will not leave Konoha! I want to stay with you!"
"Stay? For that boy, Naruto Uzumaki?" Hiashi frowned instinctively. He was no fool; he had long noticed his eldest daughter's distinct attitude toward the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Yes! If Father wants to ensure the continuation of the clan, sending Hanabi away is enough. I have already donned a headband and become a shinobi; I must stand firm as one until the very end," Hinata declared, her stance absolute.
Her behavior caught everyone off guard. In the eyes of most, the eldest daughter of the Main House had always been soft-spoken and weak. No one expected her to have the courage to make such a life-altering choice at such a critical moment, especially when leaving Konoha was clearly the better chance for survival.
Seeing the rock-solid determination in his daughter's eyes, Hiashi confirmed one last time: "Have you truly made up your mind? Once decided, there is no turning back."
"I have. Let Hanabi follow Neji-niisan."
Hinata pulled her young sister into a tight embrace, whispering instructions: "Hanabi, remember to listen to Neji-niisan from now on. Don't be temperamental, okay?"
"Eh? Nee-chan isn't coming with me?" Hanabi asked, blinking.
"I'm sorry. Nee-chan has some important things to do. If fate allows, we will meet again."
As the last words left her lips, Hinata let go, wiped the tears from her eyes, and charged out the Hyuga gates toward the battlefield outside the village without looking back.
Watching her receding figure, Neji turned to Hiashi. "Don't worry. Hinata will be fine. Allen has already ordered the organization to bring Naruto Uzumaki back to the Sound Village alive. Chances are, she will end up there too."
"Then I leave it to you! Clan Head!"
Hiashi bowed deeply and respectfully to his junior. With this act, he sent a clear signal to the entire Hyuga clan: from this moment on, Neji was the supreme leader of the family.