"Regardless, given Konoha's current internal and external circumstances, it's high time we ended this war. Therefore, any obstacles hindering that goal must be removed."
"Although Kumogakure attempting to steal the Byakugan of the Hyuga's main branch is an extremely serious matter, compared to the overarching momentum of the war, we cannot hold them accountable at this moment," the Third Hokage stated, his tone tinged with helplessness.
For Konoha, this was indeed a correct and rational judgment. However, for the Hyuga clan, they obviously wouldn't see it that way. After all, they were entirely the victims in this incident.
Because of the timely response, the Hyuga clan hadn't suffered a second loss of the Byakugan. But considering the situation, if Kumogakure had actually succeeded in kidnapping Hinata last night, Konoha's response would likely have been the exact same tacit acquiescence... That was a terrifying thought. The Hyuga clan wasn't stupid; they could easily arrive at this hypothetical conclusion themselves.
If that were the case, the Hyuga could very well follow down the path the Uchiha were currently taking.
"From the perspective of the Hokage and the current situation, this handling is probably the most appropriate judgment..." Hagoromo didn't think the Hokage's method of handling the problem was wrong, but that didn't stop him from feeling there were issues with it.
"However, the so-called relationship between superior and subordinate isn't strictly complete domination and subjugation. Both sides simply bear different responsibilities and obligations. Regardless, the Hyuga clan has perfectly fulfilled their role as 'Konoha ninjas'; their performance is commendable. But the village, it seems, hasn't shouldered the responsibilities it owes them."
As the supreme leader of a village and a country, one must possess the magnanimity to shoulder what must be shouldered for their subordinates. Even a mafia boss knows that when an underling gets bullied, the big brother has to step up and settle the score.
In unavoidable circumstances, fighting to the bitter end might seem foolish and irrational, but swallowing one's pride can sometimes cost even more.
A Hokage cannot control the hearts of the people, and losing their hearts could very well lead to a systemic fracture.
Fortunately, the Hyuga clan was still quite loyal. Plus, they had only been startled this time and hadn't suffered any actual losses, so they could probably swallow the grievance. Otherwise, in a different scenario, Konoha might be facing a joint rebellion from both the Uchiha and the Hyuga.
The Third Hokage truly had heavy burdens on his mind... Konoha was indeed facing many problems right now: the departure of top-tier combatants, the instability of the Uchiha, and so on, all leading to a massive decrease in overall combat power.
But conversely, Kumogakure's current situation was no better. In Hagoromo's opinion, if they wouldn't negotiate peace, then so be it. Just let the stalemate drag on and see who breaks first.
The Third Hokage naturally understood the logic behind what Hagoromo was saying. As the Kage, Hiruzen had already considered such problems. And his considerations were far more comprehensive, profound, and complex than Hagoromo's glib remarks from the perspective of an outsider.
Hagoromo, after all, was just a lone wolf. He tended to consider certain issues too emotionally. When it came to managing a village, the Third Hokage was miles ahead of him.
"The Hyuga clan has indeed suffered a great loss this time. The village higher-ups have already made a decision to compensate them moving forward."
Emotional loss would be compensated with material favor. For a period of time hereafter, various Konoha resources would definitely tilt heavily toward the Hyuga. This should hopefully soothe the aggrieved feelings of the entire clan. These resources were basically ready-made anyway; at this point, the resources originally allocated for the Uchiha couldn't possibly be given to them anymore. Robbing Peter to pay Paul—withholding from the Uchiha to redirect to the Hyuga—was a perfect fit.
Standing in this cherry blossom grove, although the Hokage's expression didn't change, he was genuinely anxious inside, so much so that he unconsciously relit his pipe and put it back in his mouth.
The Hokage decided to shift the topic to official business.
"The reason you were recalled to Konoha this time is that the Uchiha situation has become critical. According to joint intelligence from the Anbu and Root, they are indeed preparing a rebellion..."
The Uchiha rebellion could basically be considered a given at this point, which was why Hagoromo needed to be brought back.
What exactly caused the Uchiha's alienation from Konoha? Being forced to integrate with their mortal enemies, the Senju, when Konoha was founded? The Second Hokage's somewhat sinister policies toward them? The actions of Danzo Shimura, the true disciple of the Second Hokage? Or the never-fading ambitions of the Cursed Clan?
At this stage, the reasons for the rebellion no longer needed detailed investigation. The key right now was figuring out how to respond.
However... Konoha truly possessed a terrifying digestive capacity. The two strongest clans before the hidden village system was established—the Senju and the Uchiha—were both swallowed whole, eventually leaving not even bones behind.
"Have your training sessions in Shikkotsu Forest yielded results?"
Hagoromo hadn't fought seriously in a very long time. But even judging by his combat power five years ago, he already possessed sufficient suppressive force.
His strength couldn't possibly have stagnated during this time. Although he had been through the chaos of war, one must remember he was only twenty years old. He would only have grown stronger.
"I've achieved the results I should have. The time wasn't wasted in vain," Hagoromo replied.
Five years was enough time for him to master "his own" Senjutsu—a Senjutsu slightly different from the rest.
"That's good... The Uchiha undoubtedly received the news of your return immediately. A new deterrent force will make them reconsider their actions. And I hope we can use the time bought to find a correct solution to the problem," the Third Hokage said.
Even now, he still hadn't given up on finding a bloodless way to resolve the Uchiha issue.
Actually, there was a very simple method—just allow the Uchiha to secede from Konoha and become independent. But Konoha couldn't possibly adopt such an approach.
In this situation, Danzo's thought process was the most correct and straightforward: the Sharingan either stays in Konoha, or it is completely destroyed... The underlying logic was exactly the same as Hagoromo's demolition job in Rouran.
"Adding just me probably won't make much of a difference, will it? With the Uchiha's immense pride... Shisui is more than enough to handle me," Hagoromo said.
The current Uchiha possessed two pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan: Shisui of the Body Flicker, and the Clan Head, Fugaku Uchiha.
This was also a major reason why Hagoromo rushed to seal the Nine-Tails the moment he returned to Konoha. If the Uchiha rebellion actually happened, they had every reason to make a move on the Nine-Tails.
Therefore, on this specific issue, Hagoromo was naturally at odds with the clan... This was the second time.
The Hokage didn't agree with Hagoromo's assessment; Hagoromo seemed to underestimate his own deterrent value.
In the eyes of those who truly understood the Kumogakure infiltration incident from years ago, Hagoromo wasn't just powerful; he was viewed as a genuine lunatic. Given the state he was in when he went to Kumogakure—severely injured with a severed arm—no one believed he could return alive. But not only did he survive, he actually succeeded in fully unleashing the Eight-Tails.
Madness paired with clear-headed execution, backed by the strength to support both—such a person was truly terrifying.
"Shisui... you don't need to worry about him for now."
Naturally, he didn't need to worry about Shisui; Shisui was on the village's side.
Hagoromo had guessed as much, so he didn't dwell on it. He then asked, "What about Jiraiya? He should be returning around this time as well, shouldn't he?"
Recalling all available combat power was undoubtedly the wisest move. If Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, also returned to the village at this time, the Uchiha would very likely stand down entirely.
But unfortunately, the Third Hokage temporarily couldn't contact Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was currently tracking Orochimaru, and Orochimaru's hiding skills were off the charts, which meant Jiraiya's whereabouts were equally unpredictable.
If you can't rely on someone, you can't rely on them. The Hokage had no choice but to give up on Jiraiya for now. "Anyway, your mission moving forward is to keep a close eye on the Uchiha..."
"But until I give further instructions, you must exercise restraint." The Third Hokage suddenly added this sentence, as he suddenly realized a certain possibility.
It seemed Hagoromo also harbored hostility toward the Uchiha.
"Rest assured. I have no interest in destroying the Uchiha. I will only act according to the Third's instructions. Though I will need a little autonomy," Hagoromo said with a smile.
...He lied. In truth, he wasn't entirely devoid of interest in destroying the clan.
He definitely had a little bit of intent.
Furthermore, he would only exercise restraint when he should exercise restraint. When he shouldn't, he wouldn't hesitate for a second.
If anything, when the time came, the Third Hokage really should be keeping a closer eye on Hagoromo instead.