"Is this truly worth it?"
A shinobi at the side spoke in a low voice, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
"It is."
Koharu Utatane nodded without pause, her gaze firm enough to silence the unease in the room.
—
Not long after, the atmosphere within the Hyūga compound was just as suffocating.
Hizashi Hyūga sat opposite Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura. The weight in the air felt tangible.
"For the greater stability of the village," Danzō said coldly, "the Hyūga must hand over the culprit."
His tone carried no room for negotiation.
Hiashi's expression darkened.
"But it was the Hidden Cloud who attacked first. They attempted to abduct Hinata. If they had not—"
"Enough."
Hiruzen cut him off.
"Hizashi," he said steadily, "you should understand the situation the Hidden Leaf faces. Regardless of what the Hidden Cloud did, escalating the conflict has left us exposed."
Silence fell.
The decision had already been made.
Hiruzen would not have come in person otherwise.
Hizashi rose abruptly.
"I will take Hiashi's place."
His voice did not waver.
"I am willing to die."
The words echoed through the courtyard.
Neji's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Father—no!"
His fists trembled at his sides, anger and helplessness clashing in his chest.
Hizashi turned to him.
"This is not only for myself," he said quietly. "It is for the Hyūga's future."
"If we refuse, greater disaster may follow."
Hiruzen allowed himself a faint nod, as though a piece had fallen neatly into place.
"The Hyūga's sacrifice will not be forgotten," he assured.
Empty words.
Everyone present knew it.
The air grew heavier.
Danzō's lips curved faintly.
"As expected," he murmured. "Next, we should visit the Uchiha. Surely they will not refuse a small sacrifice for the sake of the village."
The group prepared to depart.
Hiashi's expression remained grim.
Yet as they stepped beyond the gate, he discreetly summoned a Hyūga shinobi and pressed a folded note into his palm.
The man stiffened briefly—then vanished into the shadows.
Hiashi exhaled slowly.
Shuoye Uchiha…
Do not disappoint me.
—
Elsewhere—
Shuoye Uchiha stood atop a flat stone within his private training ground.
The earth had been compacted firm. Wooden targets stood arranged in deliberate patterns.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Chakra surged within him, vast and controlled.
Today's objective was clear—
Integrate the Flying Thunder God, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and his mastery of haki.
A synthesis of speed, numbers, and overwhelming force.
"First—Flying Thunder God."
He stepped forward.
His figure vanished like lightning splitting the sky.
Only a faint afterimage lingered.
In the next instant, he stood atop a distant tree trunk, fists tightening.
A rush of air struck from behind.
Without turning, he shifted.
Another flash.
The attack sliced through empty space.
His lips curved slightly.
"Observation grows sharper by the day."
He formed seals.
Chakra split.
Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Several identical figures materialized around him, spreading outward in coordinated formation.
A net of presence.
"Attack."
The clones moved simultaneously.
Fists tore through the air.
Chakra detonated with each strike.
Targets exploded into splinters.
Wood fragments scattered like petals in a storm.
But Shuoye did not stop.
He studied the motion carefully.
How to fuse haki with clones effectively?
He gathered chakra again, focusing it into his arm.
A dark sheen formed over his fist.
Dense.
Condensed.
"Armament."
He drove his fist forward.
The impact cracked the air.
Every remaining target shattered at once, reduced to debris in a single overwhelming wave of force.
Dust settled slowly.
Shuoye lowered his arm.
Power flowed steadily within him now—refined, controlled.
"With this…"
His gaze lifted.
"I have stepped into the threshold of high Kage level."
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