Chapter 130: Neji and Absolute Justice! The Hyūga Head Who's Even More of a Turtle Than Fugaku (10,000-Word Epic Chapter)

Mount Myōgaku.

After using the Reverse Summoning Technique, Jiraiya appeared directly before the toads, immediately declaring his intent to meet the Great Toad Sage.

The toads exchanged glances, uncertain.

Before they could react, however, a distant, echoing voice drifted through their minds—clear, calm, ancient.

The toad named Shin'zaku blinked, then slowly lifted his gaze to lock eyes with Jiraiya. His voice cracked like dry bark as he spoke:

"Young Jiraiya… the Great Elder has summoned you."

"Understood."

Jiraiya nodded, then stepped forward alone, vanishing into the mist.

Before him stood the Great Toad Sage—ancient, colossal, and painted in hues of orange-red. Deep crevices carved his face like ancient riverbeds. Around his neck hung a string of prayer beads, the largest of which bore a single, bold character: “Oil”, in faded lavender ink.

Jiraiya inhaled deeply. The air was thick with the scent of sake.

The Sage’s bottle sat beside him, half-empty. A cup rested nearby. The scent of fermented rice wine hung like a ghost in the air.

"Who dares enter?"

The Sage’s eyes remained closed.

Jiraiya’s lips twitched.

Of course the Sage knew he was coming. Why play the game again?

This ritual had been repeated too many times. How could the old toad still find joy in it?

Taking a breath, Jiraiya spoke with solemn precision:

"Great Toad Sage, in Leaf Village... I’ve uncovered a lead on the prophesied child you once spoke of. But I didn’t find it myself. It was a young ninja—Uchiha Iizumi—who told me."

"He knows the prophecy. He knows the identity of the chosen one."

"I suspect his Sharingan grants him foresight—just like yours."

Jiraiya laid out every detail he had gathered.

The Sage’s eyelids parted slightly—just a slit.

His gaze, molten orange, descended upon Jiraiya.

"You speak of a child... who prophesied the 'Savior'?"

"Yes."

Jiraiya nodded. "I saw no lie in him. And from what I’ve observed, he’s the kind of person who wouldn’t lie—even if it cost him his life."

A long silence.

Then, softly:

"Fascinating... Uchiha Iizumi. In all the futures I’ve dreamed, I’ve never seen such a figure."

Jiraiya froze.

Uchiha Iizumi had stirred the world. A storm in the making. A figure of his era—someone who stood at the crest of change.

And yet, the Sage—whose visions spanned centuries—had never dreamed of him?

This was impossible.

The Sage’s voice broke the silence:

"If you’ve found the child’s clue... why not take him as your disciple? Teach him to choose the right path. Bring peace to the Ninja World."

Jiraiya let out a dry chuckle.

"Iizumi refuses to tell me who the true prophesied one is."

He repeated the words Iizumi had spoken—verbatim, no embellishment.

The Sage fell silent.

Long.

Then, after what felt like an eternity:

"Logically... a youth of such caliber should be visible in my dreams. The only explanation is... he is too unique. Too exceptional. The very fabric of fate cannot grasp him."

Jiraiya hesitated.

"Great Toad Sage... he said that if the Ninja World is restored to normal, anyone could become the Savior. Do you think... he might be right?"

The Sage exhaled slowly.

"He has a point."

"But to restore peace... you need the Savior. Without the Savior, peace is impossible. Only through the Savior’s change can peace truly be born."

Jiraiya frowned.

Even the Sage acknowledged Iizumi’s words carried weight?

But not full agreement.

The Sage believed peace required a savior. Only after the savior reshaped the world would more saviors emerge.

But Iizumi?

He believed Absolute Justice—his own doctrine—could bring peace without a savior.

"I see," Jiraiya said, his face hardening. "We must uncover the true identity of the prophesied child. We must mold him into the Savior of the Ninja World. That is the only way to save everything."

He exhaled.

"Still... Iizumi’s words weren’t entirely useless. At least one thing is clear—he has met the child."

"If we trace the people he’s touched... we’ll find the one you dreamed of."

The Sage closed his eyes again, serene, unmoved.

Jiraiya bowed slightly and retreated.

When the young ninja had gone, the Sage opened his eyes once more.

His gaze drifted to the translucent bottle beside him. The sake inside shimmered, reflecting his orange pupils.

"I never dreamed of him..."

"But... Absolute Justice... I did see it. In my dreams."

"That Justice... it drowns the world in blood. The Ninja World would be shrouded beneath its shadow."

"Yet..."

"I can’t tell if this is good or evil."

"After all these years... I’ve never been baffled by a dream before."

"No wonder young Jiraiya rushed here so desperately."

"Uchiha Iizumi..."

"You’re no ordinary boy."

---

Meanwhile.

Outside the Hyūga Compound.

Clang.

A bloodied, razor-sharp kunai clattered to the ground.

Sasuke swallowed hard, staggering back.

The warmth of blood on his hands sent shivers up his spine. His breath came in ragged gasps. His small face was pale, eyes wide with shock.

The sensation of blade piercing flesh—the thick, wet resistance—haunted him. It wouldn’t leave.

He stared at the body sprawled on the ground.

Multiple wounds. Two fatal.

One: a kunai buried deep in the chest, piercing the heart.

The other: a gash across the back, a clean through-and-through. Sasuke’s own kunai—driven from behind, straight through the heart.

Sasuke’s face was bruised. But he didn’t care.

He looked down at the body pinned beneath the corpse—Naruto.

"Dunce... you okay?"

Naruto groaned, pushing the dead hand off his arm and crawling up.

"How could I be okay?!"

He winced, clutching his stomach. When he tried to stand, he fell back, gasping.

He ripped open his shirt.

A deep, blue palm-shaped bruise marred his chest.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

He coughed—then froze.

His eyes widened.

Sasuke’s gaze had shifted. His expression—once worried—had twisted into horror.

Naruto stared at his hands.

Blood.

Spattered across his fingers.

That’s why he felt so weak.

That’s why his body burned.

"This... is it?"

"Light or heavy?"

"This guy was strong!"

"We barely beat him!"

"But we did it—our own hands, our own will—killed an Evil Offender!"

"He bullied orphans in Ninja Academy. Caused one to cut his wrists."

"The teachers told us not to speak of it. Said the Academy would handle it."

"But no matter how 'serious' they were... they couldn’t bring back a life."

"He’s only three years older than us!"

"Iizumi-san said... only when the perpetrator dies can the victim finally rest."

"Sasuke... we did it."

"He’ll be proud."

"Stop talking!"

Sasuke snapped back, grabbing Naruto’s arm. "I’m taking you to the Leaf Village Hospital!"

Just as he struggled to lift Naruto—

A voice screamed through the air:

"HOLD!"

A Hyūga clan member had been attacked.

A child.

Dead.

If the Hyūga hadn’t noticed, that would’ve been a miracle.

Three Hyūga ninjas arrived in a flash—pale, tense, eyes scanning.

They saw the body.

They saw the two children—covered in blood.

And they saw the kunai still clutched in tiny hands.

"You killed him?"

One of them demanded, voice sharp.

Sasuke’s breath hitched.

Logic told him: deny it. A child’s word means nothing without proof.

But his heart—his pride—wouldn’t let him lie.

He stood tall, face set.

"Yes."

"But he was a bully. He drove an orphan to suicide. And neither the Academy nor your clan punished him properly. He walked free. He paid no price."

"We acted in the name of Absolute Justice."

"And if we let him live? He’ll only do worse. Justice demands he die."

The words rang true—on his side.

But to the Hyūga?

It was an open declaration of war.

"Kid!"

One of them snarled, stepping forward. "Don’t think wearing Uchiha clothes and spouting ‘Absolute Justice’ makes you the real Uchiha Iizumi!"

"You’ve murdered a Hyūga child! This is an act of war!"

"You think you can walk away?"

"Wait."

Another voice cut in.

The speaker stared at Naruto—pale, gasping, bleeding.

His Byakugan flickered, then narrowed.

"That blonde-haired kid... he’s the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Naruto Uzumaki."

The others froze.

"The Jinchūriki?!"

Then, eyes on Sasuke:

"This Uchiha... if I recall correctly, he’s the second son of Uchiha Fugaku."

Their expressions shifted—fear, shock, then dread.

A Jinchūriki.

A clan heir.

Both responsible for a murder.

This wasn’t a minor incident.

It was a crisis.

"Go. Notify Hiashi-sama."

---

"Hah!"

"Hah!"

"Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!"

A faint breeze brushed Neji’s face as he watched Hinata’s palm strike empty air.

She’d tried to use the technique—before she even mastered it.

Neji didn’t flinch.

He stepped forward, kicked her in the ribs, and drove his palm down—crushing her stomach.

"Gah!"

Hinata curled into a ball, whimpering.

Neji straightened. His gaze flicked to Hiashi, who looked disappointed.

Then down at Hinata.

"You haven’t even learned the technique. You’re already using it against me?"

"Your battle IQ is zero. The ninja world has no place for you. Maybe you should just stay home and be a lady."

Hinata bit her lip, trying to rise.

Just then—

A Hyūga ninja sprinted over.

"Hiashi-sama!"

He whispered urgently into Hiashi’s ear.

Neji’s attention snapped.

He saw Hiashi’s brow furrow.

Then, quietly:

"Did you touch the children?"

"No."

Hiashi exhaled—just slightly.

"Take me there."

"Yes."

Neji watched them go.

He looked down at Hinata—still struggling.

He scoffed.

"Tch."

Then, silently, he followed.

---

Not long after.

Hiashi arrived.

He saw the body.

He saw the two bloodied children.

As clan head, he should have spoken.

But he couldn’t.

Today had finally come.

He knew the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki followed Absolute Justice.

He knew Fugaku’s second son—Sasuke—did too.

And now… two of them had killed a Hyūga child.

Absolute Justice had reached the Hyūga.

"Hmph."

He exhaled heavily.

Then, to Sasuke—calm, cold:

"Even if you’re enforcing Absolute Justice... you need a reason."

Sasuke trembled under the weight of that gaze.

But he held his ground.

"I already told you."

A Hyūga ninja whispered the details.

Hiashi’s frown deepened.

Just as he opened his mouth—

A sudden shift in the air.

Dozens of figures—Anbu, masked and swift—descended from the trees.

At their head: Hiruzen Sarutobi, returning to the village.

Hiashi’s heart sank.

Not only was this tied to Iizumi’s doctrine…

But now the Hokage was involved.

"Naruto!"

Hiruzen rushed forward, eyes wide at the blood.

His face paled.

He tensed—instinctively wary.

The Nine-Tails was dangerous.

And in this state… it could erupt.

"Hokage Grandpa... I'm okay..."

Naruto forced a smile.

Then winced—pain flared across his body.

"Medical Ninjutsu!"

Hiruzen barked.

An Anbu medic stepped forward—treated Naruto.

"Hokage Grandpa... and him too."

Naruto weakly pointed at Sasuke.

Hiruzen nodded.

Another medic came.

Only when Naruto’s color returned did Hiruzen breathe.

Then—his voice ice:

"Hiashi. You’d better have a damn good explanation."

"Why is Naruto here? Why is he hurt? That mark on his chest—your Eight Trigrams Palm. Do you know what it means to injure the Jinchūriki like this?"

Hiashi, calm, solemn:

"Hokage-sama... this was beyond my control."

He recounted everything.

"If you doubt me... ask Naruto and Sasuke."

Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed.

He looked at Naruto—seven years old, eyes blazing with conviction.

"He’s right, Hokage Grandpa! That guy made someone die! He didn’t pay for it! How is that fair?"

So.

They came here to execute justice.

On a child who’d bullied an orphan.

They’d hurt to end a life.

And now—Naruto was on this path.

Hiruzen’s blood ran cold.

Iizumi had been gone for weeks.

And yet—Naruto was already this far?

He’d killed.

He’d broken the law.

And he didn’t even know the cost.

"Naruto..."

Hiruzen forced a smile. "The Hyūga child didn’t kill the orphan directly. His actions were wrong—but not enough to deserve death."

Sasuke cut in—voice small but firm:

"Hokage-sama... you mean his actions were only indirect? So he doesn’t deserve justice?"

"Exactly."

"But the Daimyō of Fire Country didn’t kill anyone either!"

Sasuke pressed on. "Yet Iizumi-san killed him. Because in Absolute Justice, even small malice is evil."

"A small lie becomes a great lie. A small cruelty becomes a great tragedy."

"Why should the punishment be light? That wouldn’t be fair to the dead."

"So we had to make him pay."

Hiruzen stared.

A child—seven years old—spouting Absolute Justice rhetoric.

It was Iizumi’s voice.

Iizumi’s logic.

Iizumi’s fire.

"Did Iizumi teach you this?"

Hiruzen’s smile cracked.

"No."

Sasuke looked up. "He said these things. I added my own thoughts."

Hiruzen…

Understood.

That’s why they were still under Iizumi’s influence.

Even without him here—she had already shaped them.

---

Nearby.

Hyūga Neji, only eight, watched from behind the crowd.

He saw the blood.

The face.

The body of a Hyūga child.

He recognized him—fourth-year student.

Ten years old.

A branch member.

Like him.

He’d been cruel.

He’d caused chaos in the Academy.

If he’d been older, he’d have been jailed for years.

But now… he was dead.

"Pay the price for killing someone..."

Neji whispered, echoing Naruto.

"Only by death can the victim rest..."

He repeated Sasuke’s words.

And for the first time—

A fire stirred in his chest.

"Father..."

He clenched his jaw. Blood seeped from his lips.

His fists shook.

"They’re right. Even if the guilt is indirect... the punishment must be total."

"I will never forgive the Main House. They murdered you."

And in that moment—

Neji’s gaze locked onto Naruto and Sasuke.

Not with hatred.

But with curiosity.

With fascination.

---

Meanwhile.

Akatsuki.

"Nagato... why is he so interested in Uchiha Iizumi?"

Konan’s voice was cold. "He’s asking us to investigate. That’s not like him."

Nagato paused.

"He says Iizumi’s existence threatens our plans. Especially her Absolute Justice—fundamentally opposed to our ideals."

"When we seek to control the world through Zetsu’s pain... Iizumi will be our enemy."

Konan crossed her arms.

"But when we begin, everyone will oppose us. Why is she special?"

Nagato frowned.

"Maybe a Dual Bloodline Limit user... is a threat to ‘Madara’ in a way no one else is. He sees her as the top priority."

"That’s not enough."

Konan shook her head. "I think she holds a secret tied to Madara. They’re both Uchiha. Maybe there’s a connection."

"Only that explains why he’s so focused. And if she knows something... it could be lethal."

"He hasn’t acted. Not yet. Which means he fears what she knows."

Konan’s eyes narrowed.

"You don’t trust him, either."

"No."

"I never have."

"I’ve been investigating Madara. I’ve seen him as a potential enemy."

Nagato nodded.

"Do what you must. But don’t jeopardize our goal."

"I know."

"I’ve already sent agents. They’re in the Land of Fire. Likely near Leaf Village."

"They’re clean. And I won’t tell Madara. Or Gen."

"Iizumi only targets Evil Offenders."

"Madara knows our secrets. But we don’t know his."

"We’ll watch. Wait. And when he slips... we’ll have a counter."

Nagato gave a slow nod.

---

Back in Leaf Village.

As Neji was lost in thought—

Footsteps.

A soft, steady rhythm.

He turned.

A Uchiha Police Force ninja approached—calm, composed.

Behind him: two women. One in Police Force gear. The other in a Leaf Special Jōnin vest.

On the shoulder of the Uchiha woman—a plump, fat orange cat.

Neji froze.

Every eye—Hokage, Hiashi, Anbu—turned to them.

Then, softly:

"Iizumi..."

Hiruzen murmured.

Neji’s breath stopped.

Iizumi?

He stared.

And the man—Uchiha Iizumi—turned.

Their eyes met.

One second.

Neji broke.

A wave of fear surged through him.

"I... I’m scared?"

He realized—he was afraid.

Why?

Why did this man—this Daimyō—look at him?

Was he special?

Neji trembled.

Iizumi passed by.

His gaze lifted—then turned away.

He joined Hiruzen.

And Neji saw—Hiashi’s face—uncomfortable.

Not just when the Hokage arrived.

But now.

That was impossible.

Hiashi had never looked this way before.

Neji’s mind raced.

---

"Iizumi-sensei!"

Naruto and Sasuke lit up.

Iizumi glanced at the body. Then Hiruzen.

His eyes—calm, still, unreadable.

Hiruzen felt the weight of them.

"Third Hokage... those who follow Absolute Justice do what they believe is right. Killing a villainous child? No crime."

"Why are you so worked up? It’s just one boy."

"Just one?"

Hiruzen’s eye twitched.

"Iizumi... you don’t get to decide what justice is. You’ve twisted Naruto’s mind. He’s a child!"

"You know his identity. If the village learns he killed a Hyūga—will they accept him?"

"You’ve pushed him down this path. He shouldn’t be this extreme!"

"If you cared for him... you’d have stopped him!"

The words were raw.

Hiruzen meant every syllable.

But Iizumi only stared.

Then spoke—calm, unwavering:

"If you truly care for Naruto... let go of your chains."

"He’s doing what’s right. If the village doesn’t accept him—then the problem is with the village."

"Why bind a blameless soul? Shouldn’t good people be judged by the sword?"

"Why not turn your anger toward those who reject him? They’re the ones with broken values."

Hiruzen was speechless.

Then—Naruto looked at him.

Not angry.

Not defiant.

Just... hurt.

"Hokage Grandpa..."

Naruto whispered, eyes down.

"I didn’t do anything wrong. If this isn’t enough... I don’t know what else I can do to be accepted."

"Would you rather I let an evil man live? Then be praised for it?"

"That kind of acceptance... I’d rather not have."

Hiruzen said nothing.

He wanted to explain:

"Being accepted isn’t about doing right. It’s about being loved. Feared. Needed. Respected."

"It’s about making people see you as safe, not a threat."

"But I know—once I say that... Iizumi will tear it apart."

And no one else—no one—would give him a single ounce of respect.

Not even the Hokage.

Then—

A medical ninja stepped forward.

"Hokage-sama... Naruto’s wounds are stabilized. But healing takes time."

Hiruzen forced a smile.

"Naruto... I’d never force you to do what you don’t want. Today was too heavy. You need rest."

"And you too, Sasuke."

"Yamada Ryosin."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Take Naruto and Sasuke back."

"Yes."

---

Hiashi watched as Naruto and Sasuke were escorted away—protected by Anbu.

The Hyūga Head said nothing.

"Hiashi," Hiruzen finally said. "You know how to handle this."

"I do."

Hiashi’s voice was low.

"Our child was wrong. His actions caused a death. He paid the price."

"I have no issue with Naruto or Sasuke. Their actions... were justified."

"The parents of the deceased... won’t object."

And for the first time in history—

Hyūga Hiashi was even more of a turtle than Fugaku.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end