Inside the conference room, silence fell once more.
Hyūga Hiashi lowered his head, saying nothing.
And silence, more often than not, meant acquiescence.
It wasn't that he didn't want to save his younger brother.
But before clan righteousness and Konoha's peace, his personal feelings seemed insignificant.
Seeing the anguish etched across Hiashi's face, the other clan heads felt a chill in their hearts.
Today it was the Hyūga.
Next time—would it be them?
If the blade fell upon their own clans, what choice would they make?
Hiruzen Sarutobi began once again to preach.
"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns on."
"The flames will continue to illuminate the village and nurture new buds."
He looked at Hiashi with an expression full of expectation.
"The Will of Fire is Konoha's faith."
"I hope you understand its true meaning, Hiashi."
He spoke gently for a long time.
Hiashi remained silent.
"Very well," Hiruzen sighed. "We will adjourn for now."
"Hiashi, return and think it over carefully before giving your answer."
Still, Hiashi said nothing.
Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
Brotherly love was difficult to sever.
But was it more important than Konoha's peace?
Many in the room sighed inwardly, their gazes filled with sympathy.
They could not oppose the decision of the village's leadership.
Hiashi, in the end, would have to yield.
"Cough."
At that moment, Uchiha Akihito—who had remained silent until now—slowly stood.
He did not speak immediately.
Instead, he swept his gaze across the room with a faint, ambiguous smile.
"Akihito," Hiruzen asked calmly, though his heart tightened, "do you have something to say?"
He was already wary.
The situation was nearly settled.
He could not allow Akihito to disrupt his calculations regarding the Hyūga.
Akihito let out a light chuckle.
"I was just wondering…"
"Isn't Konoha supposed to be the strongest hidden village in the ninja world?"
"Why, then, are we bowing our heads to Kumogakure?"
Before Hiruzen could reply, Akihito pressed on with a series of piercing questions.
"In the First, Second, and Third Great Ninja Wars, Konoha faced multiple villages at once—and still emerged victorious."
"Why now, facing only Kumogakure, do we shrink back before even fighting?"
"The First Hokage pacified the chaotic era."
"The Second Hokage strategized with brilliance."
"The Fourth Hokage needed only his name to make enemies flee."
"Their heroic deeds are still fresh in memory."
"And yet today, we speak of sacrificing comrades in exchange for temporary peace."
"Has Konoha truly fallen so low?"
His voice rang through the chamber like a hammer striking steel.
If he wanted the clans united against an external enemy, he had to ignite the fire in their hearts.
Those who offend Konoha—even across great distances—must be punished.
That was the sentiment he sought to awaken.
Akihito lifted his chin.
"Is Kumogakure truly so terrifying?"
"If you're afraid, then let the Uchiha handle it. We'll wipe them out. The rest of you can go home and mind your children."
The words were sharp—deliberately so.
Instantly, several clan heads slammed their palms against the table.
Too harsh.
The Uchiha might be proud—but did he take the rest of them for cowards?
They had chosen restraint for peace.
Who said they feared Kumo?
If it came to war—
They would not shrink back.
Voices erupted across the hall.
"Lord Hokage, we cannot concede this matter!"
"Kumo has gone too far! Let us meet them on the battlefield!"
Hiashi, eyes red, stepped forward once more.
"This began with the Hyūga."
"If war comes, the Hyūga will take the front line!"
The atmosphere surged toward open conflict.
Hiruzen felt cold sweat bead down his back.
He stepped forward, forcing composure.
"Akihito's words are not without merit…"
"But the village's current condition truly cannot withstand another war."
He was unsettled.
Akihito clearly intended to push for direct confrontation.
Akihito scoffed inwardly.
Konoha couldn't endure war?
Or was it that Hiruzen feared the consequences?
Win—and new heroes would rise.
Lose—and Danzō would seize the opportunity to force him out.
Better to avoid war altogether.
Akihito pressed on.
"Today we sacrifice the Hyūga."
"Tomorrow, when trouble falls upon another clan, will we sacrifice them as well?"
"I cannot speak for others."
"But the Uchiha will never accept such humiliation."
"Show weakness once, and the enemy will only grow bolder."
"Peace begged for is not peace at all."
His expression was one of righteous indignation.
You claim to act for Konoha?
So do I.
His words struck directly at the fears of every clan present.
If the Hyūga—one of the great noble clans—could be offered up,
What of them?
The advisors could no longer remain composed.
Koharu Utatane snapped sharply.
"Uchiha Akihito, what are you implying?"
"Are you trying to provoke war between Konoha and Kumogakure?"
Akihito shot back instantly.
"Kumo's fist is already at our face."
"Advisor, would you have me stand still and smile?"
Hiruzen hurried to smooth things over.
"Akihito, do not misunderstand."
"We are compelled by circumstances."
"You have fought on the battlefield—you know the cruelty of war."
"If conflict breaks out, countless innocents will perish…"
Homura added sternly,
"War is easy to speak of."
"When the time comes, will the Uchiha truly step forward?"
Akihito's gaze swept the hall.
His voice resounded with iron conviction.
"To die on the battlefield is an honor."
"To yield without a fight—is that the way of a shinobi?"
"Kumogakure is nothing worth fearing."
"If war is what it takes—"
"The Uchiha will march as one."
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