Chapter 24: I Want It All
The Hyuga Clan was exceptionally lively today!
Especially the Branch Family members. Originally, they weren't very enthusiastic about participating in such activities.
But as the announcement spread throughout the clan, they started becoming eager.
And their gazes were constantly fixed on Hyuga Makoto!
If Hyuga Makoto hadn't been sitting with Kakashi Hatake and Hyuga Hiashi, they truly would have wanted to go over and chat...
However, this enthusiasm continuously caused the Main Family members' blood pressure to rise, yet they could only endure it.
What occupied their thoughts the most now was how to handle future issues.
"Clan Head, Your Excellency, I'm afraid I must take my leave."
At the main table, Kakashi estimated the time and looked at the number of Hyuga Clan members present.
Only then did he politely turn to Hyuga Hiashi and speak.
He was originally here to support Hyuga Makoto and simultaneously gauge the extent to which the announcement had been disseminated.
Since his task was now complete, he naturally planned to depart.
"As an Anbu member, I might receive a mission at any moment, so..."
"Is that so? What a pity."
Hyuga Hiashi smiled and slowly stood up.
"In that case, Makoto and I will see you out."
"I shall obey your kind invitation."
Kakashi Hatake knew these two probably had something to discuss, so he did not refuse.
Hyuga Makoto was also very sensible; he immediately stood up and walked out with the two of them.
As expected, after they had escorted Kakashi Hatake out, Hyuga Hiashi stopped walking.
"Makoto, congratulations. You have truly exceeded my expectations."
"It was mostly due to good luck; Ao was just too anxious."
Hyuga Makoto stood to the side, chuckling lightly in response.
"Moreover, I must also thank Uncle Hizashi. It was his strict demands back then that made this possible, otherwise..."
"Hizashi thought highly of you, and you did not disappoint him."
Hyuga Hiashi's eyes held a trace of reminiscence before he became serious.
"However, there are some matters I need to remind you about."
"Clan Head, please speak."
Hyuga Makoto vaguely knew what Hyuga Hiashi was about to say, and he nodded cooperatively.
"I think you can feel the attitude the clan members have towards you today."
Hyuga Hiashi chose his words carefully before slowly speaking.
"You need to realize one thing: from now on, you will be a little different. But what I hope is..."
Saying this, he turned and looked seriously at Hyuga Makoto.
"You must maintain calmness and restraint, and not let certain things cloud your judgment. Do you understand?"
"...I understand, Clan Head."
Hyuga Makoto inwardly felt like complaining—why did this sound like a riddle?
Still, he seriously nodded and said in a low voice,
"Uncle Hizashi also admonished me similarly when he was training me. Although the meaning might be different, I will keep it firmly in mind!"
"Hizashi, huh..."
Hyuga Hiashi was somewhat speechless. Did his deceased younger brother seem to like Hyuga Makoto too much?
Did he even teach him such principles for handling life and affairs?
Suddenly, he became curious.
"Can you tell me, did Hizashi... ever mention me to you?"
"Uh..."
Hyuga Makoto was caught off guard by the question; he had been making things up!
"Clan Head, this might be somewhat offensive..."
"It's fine, just tell me directly."
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. His curiosity had truly been piqued.
He didn't know when it started, but his relationship with Hizashi had grown increasingly distant, even becoming unfamiliar!
He truly wanted to know how Hizashi viewed him behind his back.
"This... Alright then."
Looking at Hyuga Hiashi's gaze, Hyuga Makoto knew he couldn't avoid it.
After hesitating for a moment, he slowly started speaking.
"Uncle Hizashi told me that he hated you, as a member of the Main Family, immensely, so much that he even wanted to..."
"Is that so..."
Hyuga Hiashi seemed somewhat disappointed, but Hyuga Makoto's voice rang out again.
"However, he deeply loved you as his older brother and would risk his life to protect you. It's just a pity..."
"As... my older brother?"
Hyuga Hiashi froze, his eyes looking somewhat vacant.
In a daze, he seemed to return to that one night, seeing Hizashi's long-absent smile in his mind.
"I resent the Main Family, even to this day!
But today, I don't see you as someone from the Main Family, but as the older brother whom I died protecting. For me, this is the first time I have a choice; this is also a kind of freedom..."
Hizashi's voice echoed in his mind. After a long while, he sighed.
"I understand. Thank you, Makoto."
"As long as the Clan Head isn't angry..."
Hyuga Makoto truly felt a bit awkward, but Hyuga Hiashi showed a rare smile.
"I won't be angry. On the contrary, I should thank you. Thank you for helping me understand so much."
Saying this, he looked up toward the distance.
"You should go back first. You can't miss the celebration. Also...
If you encounter any problems in the future, anything you don't understand or can't handle, come find me. Got it?"
"Yes, I will take my leave now."
Hyuga Makoto was really struggling to maintain his composure. He immediately nodded and turned to leave.
He was seriously considering whether he should dig up Hyuga Hizashi's grave early.
This was too damn terrifying...
"But, I think I can make a move now, right?"
Although it was a headache, he managed to calm himself down.
During the afternoon celebration, he had already figured out the clan's patrol deployment and the Byakugan surveillance schedule for today.
He could definitely leave a Shadow Clone and slip away unnoticed.
However, there was one thing he was still hesitating about.
He could only accept one mission, and there was only one reward, but he wanted both Danzo's and Shisui's items...
After pondering for a long time, his gaze subtly began to harden.
"I'll go check it out first. If there's really a chance, then I'll have to trouble the Akatsuki Organization a bit..."
...
"Is there something, Lord Danzo? The assembly time is almost here."
As the sun set, in front of the Ninja Shrine in a remote valley in Konoha.
Two Buddha statues stood on either side, and Shisui was frowning as he looked at Danzo.
He didn't know why Danzo was looking for him at this time.
"If you use a genjutsu on Fugaku to persuade the Uchiha, but the Village doesn't change, what will you do?"
Just as he was thinking, Danzo spoke indifferently. This question made his brow furrow slightly.
"Lord Hokage promised me that things would definitely change."
"Even with his persuasion, the villagers' suspicion towards you won't easily disappear."
But Danzo dismissed it with disdain, which made Shisui hesitate.
"I understand, but it will just take some time..."
"Furthermore, people as suspicious as I am won't change easily."
But this time, Danzo didn't even give him a chance to finish speaking.
"Then what will you do when that time comes?"
"Lord Danzo..."
Shisui already sensed something was wrong; Danzo was revealing his true colors at this moment!
"Will you also use Kotoamatsukami on me then?"
"I..."
Shisui's pupils constricted. He didn't know how to answer this question, nor did he dare to answer rashly!
It was at this moment that Danzo rushed up to him with a ferocious expression.
"I'll take your Sharingan!"
"..."
A scarlet gleam suddenly appeared in Shisui's eyes. In an instant, he grabbed Danzo's wrist, and Danzo froze on the spot!
"Just an ordinary genjutsu..."
Shisui sighed lightly. He didn't dare to linger here.
"It will clear up soon. You can rest well for a while."
Buzz—
But just as he turned around, Danzo's figure suddenly reappeared in front of him!
Bang—
A heavy punch slammed into his lower abdomen, and the intense pain caused his body to bend.
Then Danzo landed several hard punches on his face, before pulling him up by his hair, and finally reaching out to gouge out his eye!
Shisui fell backward somewhat miserably. This scene seemed familiar to him.
Only in the past, it was phantom pain; now, it was real pain...
"This eye will be its replacement."
Danzo also uncovered the gauze on his face at this moment. A scarlet Sharingan quietly turned white!
He stared indifferently at Shisui. A group of Root Ninja instantly appeared and protected him.
"Give the other eye to this old man as well!"
Shisui knew the situation was bad. He immediately endured the pain and quickly formed hand signs.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Water Release: Raging Waves!"
The group of Root Ninja collectively unleashed Water Release techniques, quickly blocking the Great Fireball Technique.
Water mist instantly filled the area, and Shisui immediately took the opportunity to flee.
"Pursue."
Danzo snorted coldly, immediately ordering all the Root members to hunt down Shisui.
He remained standing there, quietly looking at the Sharingan in his hand.
"Mangekyo Sharingan, the same power as Uchiha Madara..."
A rare smile appeared on Danzo's face. Having already infused himself with Senju Hashirama cells, he desperately needed the Sharingan to balance it.
This was a plan researched by Orochimaru. With this power, he believed he could definitely become Hokage!
"Only the other eye is missing, but I'll go back and transplant this one first."
Sensing the energy within his body fluctuating, Danzo dared not hesitate.
However, just as he turned around, he suddenly spotted a figure that had silently arrived behind him!
"Who is it?!"
Danzo's expression changed drastically. He never imagined that on Konoha's territory, someone would try to catch the mantis while he was the oriole!
And they struck when he was most relaxed and triumphant?
But he didn't have time to think; a blade was already slashing fiercely toward him...
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