"The people from Cloud Shinobi Village are here?"
Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. "That's perfect. Hokage-sama, we'll confront them now. Cloud Shinobi must answer for what they've done to the Hyuga Clan."
Hiashi's voice rang with righteous anger. Though he had been ready to depart, this development made him stay.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, having just regained a modicum of composure, gave a slow nod. "Let's hear what they have to say."
Moments later, a delegation of Cloud Shinobi stormed into the courtyard, expressions grim and eyes blazing with hostility. Their leader, a tall shinobi with sharp features and a jagged scar across his cheek, pointed at the covered body lying on the ground.
"You Konoha dogs! Our leader has vanished—don't think we don't know it's your doing!"
He strode forward, eyes burning. "Give him back. Now."
Another shinobi stepped beside him, voice filled with feigned grief. "He was a noble soul—Lord Leizu! And this... this is how he ends? Slain like a common thief?! You Konoha are despicable!"
"If you don't hand over the murderer and take responsibility—this means war!"
"The murderer is obviously someone from the Hyuga Clan," another added with false conviction. "Hand over Hiashi himself, or the peace talks end here and now."
A wave of murmurs spread through the Konoha side. Even seasoned ANBU glanced at one another in disbelief.
Cloud Shinobi had the gall to show up unannounced, act like victims, and immediately begin hurling threats. It was as if reality had flipped on its head.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply. But before he could speak, Hiashi's voice erupted like thunder.
"It was your people who snuck into my home in the middle of the night, kidnapped my daughter, and tried to flee like cowards. And now you dare show your face here and act like we wronged you?"
Hiashi pointed at the corpse. "He was dressed like a burglar! Black robes, face mask, clearly trying not to be seen—what kind of diplomat dresses like that?!"
The leader from Cloud scoffed. "Lord Leizu liked to take nightly walks. The air in Konoha is quite clean. So what if he was bundled up? Is that a crime?"
Another one sneered. "Looks like you just admitted to killing him, Hiashi. You'll have to pay for that. With your life."
"Exactly. Either he dies, or we bring the war to your doorstep."
"Our army is already preparing at the border. If Konoha refuses to deliver justice, the Land of Fire will burn."
Their tone, posture, and threats were all blatant provocations. They weren't interested in truth—they were angling for leverage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his temples, the weight of his age showing.
He turned to Hiashi. "Clan Head Hyuga… can you confirm that your daughter was indeed kidnapped?"
"Yes. My men and I saw it with our own eyes. We have the body. Isn't that enough?"
"Were there any other witnesses? Anyone outside of the Hyuga estate?"
Hiashi's expression darkened. "Who else would be awake at that hour? My clan's testimony should be enough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised a placating hand. "Forgive me. I don't mean to doubt you. But this concerns an impending peace treaty. We must tread carefully."
Hiashi clenched his fists. "So you're saying we should just swallow this injustice? That the honor of the Hyuga Clan means nothing?"
"I'm asking for patience," Sarutobi said quietly. "This is a delicate moment for all of Konoha."
Hiashi gave him a long, piercing glare, then scoffed and stepped aside.
He understood the message loud and clear—no matter what the truth was, Konoha would consider sacrificing the Hyuga Clan for the sake of peace.
The Cloud Shinobi leader gave a sneering smile. "We're not trying to cause trouble. But our conditions are simple. Hand over the murderer of Lord Leizu. Hand over Hiashi Hyuga. Do that, and this… unfortunate matter can be put behind us."
He didn't wait for a response and turned to leave with his group, clearly satisfied with the chaos they had created.
From the shadows, Naruto had been watching everything. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone pale.
"Bastards," he muttered under his breath. "They're the ones who tried to kidnap Hinata. And now they're turning it around?"
Naruto's eyes burned with rage. The hypocrisy, the lies, the smug arrogance of Cloud Shinobi—it was unbearable.
"Come on, Grandpa Third. Don't let them get away with this. You know the truth…"
But Sarutobi Hiruzen's face remained unreadable.
Later, back in the Hokage's office, he sat in silence with Shimura Danzō.
The atmosphere was heavy.
"You were right," Hiruzen muttered. "The border should be on high alert."
Danzō gave a thin smile. "Of course I was right. But that doesn't solve your problem, Hiruzen. What are you going to do now?"
"We cannot allow the peace talks to collapse. If war breaks out now, Konoha may not recover."
"And to preserve peace," Danzō said, folding his hands, "are you willing to sacrifice the Hyuga Clan?"
Hiruzen hesitated.
Danzō continued coldly, "Their Byakugan is one of our greatest assets. But if we hand over one of them—even Hiashi himself—it might prevent war. And more importantly, we could avoid losing face."
"You're talking about betraying our own."
"I'm talking about survival," Danzō said. "We give them one life to save thousands. That's a good trade in any shinobi's book."
Hiruzen sighed deeply. "There must be a better way… a solution where no one is sacrificed."
"That's not how the world works. You've grown soft in your old age, Hiruzen."
"I'll speak to the Hyuga myself tomorrow. Perhaps there's a compromise to be found."
Naruto, still using the Void Cloak of his Bedrock Armor, listened from the shadows. Every word cut deeper into him.
So this… was how decisions were made.
Behind closed doors, where honor and loyalty meant nothing.
Sacrifices made in the name of peace, while cowards wore masks of wisdom.
His heart thudded painfully in his chest.
The Sarutobi Hiruzen he knew—the kind, gentle old man—was nowhere to be found. In his place was a weary leader, ready to hand over an innocent man to appease liars.
Naruto clenched his teeth.
"No wonder Konoha always smells like rot," he whispered. "The roots are diseased."
And somewhere in the corner of his heart, something cracked.
He looked back toward the Hyuga estate.
At Hinata, who was still unconscious but safe.
At Hiashi, who was being offered as a pawn in a rigged game.
"This isn't over," Naruto swore quietly. "If the old man won't protect the people who matter… then I will."
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