Hyuga Clan Estate.
As Hyuga Hiashi's final words echoed through the hall, silence swept across the room. The Third Hokage and his two Advisors turned their gazes toward him, their faces unreadable.
"As an elder brother." Hiashi said firmly, "I will never allow my younger brother to die in my place. I cannot do that!"
The room stirred. Then Hiashi lifted his head, addressing not just the Hokage, but the many clan heads who stood watching.
"Although this is a premeditated scheme by Kumogakure, if war breaks out, both Hizashi and I will be the first to step onto the battlefield. Either the war ends, or Hizashi and I die both will in battle!"
His words rang through the chamber with unwavering resolve. Hizashi, standing behind him, raised his head quietly and moved to his brother's side. Though silent, his posture was enough, he would stand with his brother, as both Hyuga and men.
Utatane Koharu frowned. "Having Hizashi die in your place would only cost one branch member's life. But if war breaks out, both of you could lose your lives on the battlefield."
Before anyone could respond, Uchiha Yun stepped forward. His eyes were sharp, his tone unwavering. "Dying on the battlefield while cutting down enemies is not the same as being forced to commit suicide by the village and handed over to the enemy!"
He turned toward the assembled clan heads. "The great ninja clans together founded this village. We are willing to die for Konoha in battle, but we will never agree to die by Konoha's own hands!"
Mitokado Homura glared at him. "Everyone here is a clan head. Uchiha Yun, what is your standing? Can you even represent the Uchiha's decision?"
Shisui was about to respond, but Yun held up a hand to stop him. Then, without hesitation, he looked straight at the Advisors.
"Wherever a leaf dances, the fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout."
He paused. "I am one such leaf of Konoha, and so is Branch Head Hizashi!"
"But right now," he said, his voice hardening, "I don't see the fire burning. I don't see the shadow illuminating the village. I only see that you, the older generation, have become flames that devour Konoha's young leaves."
The room fell into heavy silence.
Then Akimichi Choza stepped forward. "Although our forefathers built Konoha to stop future children from being forced to the front lines, that doesn't mean we fear war!"
Yamanaka Inoichi followed. "Today, it's Hizashi of the Hyuga who must die for 'peace'. Tomorrow, will it be us? Are we to die just so that peace can continue?"
Aburame Shibi, silent until now, adjusted his glasses. "I don't intend to die one day just because I'm ordered to. I won't become another name erased for convenience, like Tatsuma when he was sent to Root."
One by one, the clan heads voiced their support, and even the unflinching Advisors found themselves momentarily speechless.
Finally, Nara Shikaku stepped forward. "Peace is never begged for," he said calmly. "If Kumogakure wants war, then we'll give them war."
"Ino–Shika–Chō stands ready to fight beside the Hyuga and the Uchiha."
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply. "You…"
Yun interrupted him, his voice rising above the murmurs. "Third Hokage, since Konoha's founding, every victory in the Great Ninja Wars was won by strength, not submission. I've heard that during Shodai-sama's time, no one dared offend Konoha. Our peace has always been built upon absolute power! Only by using war to end war, by making Kumogakure too afraid to move, is the true path to peace!"
Hiruzen's gaze swept over the assembly of determined faces. He sighed softly, then turned toward Kakashi. "Is this also Minato's decision?"
Kakashi straightened. "Sensei has already sent a Summoning Toad to summon Jiraiya-sama back to the village. Although the Hatake clan is now only me, I also agree with Uchiha Yun."
"Forcing one of our own to die for 'peace', that kind of peace isn't what Konoha stands for. If it comes to war, I'll fight Kumogakure myself."
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "Very well. Have my direct Anbu return to Minato's command. Cancel the Hyuga's surveillance. Prepare for war."
"Hiruzen!!!" Homura began, but the Third Hokage raised his hand to silence him.
He turned to Kakashi. "Tell Minato this: though I remain the Third Hokage, once war begins, I will follow his command as any other shinobi of Konoha."
Then, his tired eyes softened as he turned to Yun and Shisui. "This time, I will trust you as I once trusted your ancestor, Uchiha Kagami. Uchiha… do not disappoint me."
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped past the assembled clan heads and walked out of the council room. His back was stooped, his hair graying, but his presence remained that of the man who had once shielded a generation from death.
The two Advisors exchanged uncertain glances before following him out in silence.
They understood, the Uchiha who could rally all of Konoha's clans through reason were not madmen. And as long as they weren't mad, they wouldn't rebel. That was why Hiruzen had ultimately chosen to trust them.
This generation's Uchiha, with both the power of Kagami and the wisdom of the Second Hokage, might finally restore the clan's place in Konoha.
After the Hokage and Advisors left, Hiashi lowered his head and said in a steady voice, "Hiten, from today onward, your position as Main Family Elder is revoked. The Hyuga, now and forever, will never again make the decision to sacrifice a Branch member as an offering."
Hizashi looked up at his brother, surprise flickering across his face. Never before had Hiashi's words carried such warmth.
"Nii-sama," he said quietly, bowing his head, "the Branch Family will always follow the Main Family."
Hiashi nodded, his eyes calm and resolute. He turned toward the disgraced elder on the floor.
"Hiashi, you will regret this!" the old man rasped as he was led away.
Hiashi ignored him, stepping forward to face the assembled clan heads. He bowed deeply, ninety degrees, and spoke.
"No matter what, this matter began with the Hyuga. I hereby promise, as long as war continues, the Hyuga will never leave the battlefield."
The clan heads exchanged looks, then Shikaku let out a short laugh. "If the Hyuga Clan Head wishes to thank anyone, thank the Uchiha. Without Uchiha Yun's warning, we might not have even heard about any of this until it was too late."
Hiashi turned and bowed again to Yun and Shisui, but both raised their hands to stop him.
Shisui smiled faintly. "The Uchiha are a family of Konoha, always have been, and always will be."
And with those words, the tension that had hung for generations began to shift. For the first time in years, the Uchiha stood not apart, but among Konoha's clans, acknowledged as one of them.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
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✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
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