Chapter 256: This is the Fifth Hokage! 【17】
Chapter 256: This is the Fifth Hokage! 【17】
"Hmph... What more is there to say?!"
The Kumo ninja coldly glared at Hyuga Hizashi.
Hizashi's expression turned grim as he directed his gaze towards the ninja inspecting the corpse, inquiring in a low voice, "There's no sign of manipulation, and the meridians are intact?"
The abnormality surrounding the Kumo ninja captain led him to suspect that someone had killed him and then used puppetry to deliver the body to their clan, deliberately instigating a raid for Hinata.
The intent was clear: to frame and bring downfall upon the Hyuga clan.
As Hizashi asked his questions, he lifted his head, his eyes sweeping over the figures already present: Uchiha Fugaku, captain of the Konoha Security Force, as well as Shikaku and others.
There were indeed people capable of such deeds within the Uchiha clan, and other families as well. The Uchiha clan's genjutsu could achieve this, and the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique could also make it happen.
However...
Hizashi's gaze met only the indifferent stares of Fugaku and the others.
"I hope Hyuga Clan Head doesn't suspect that we had a hand in this," Fugaku remarked, noticing Hizashi's glance. With his hands clasped behind his back, he spoke calmly, "This is not something our Uchiha clan would stoop to... Rather, it seems your Hyuga clan has recently come to regard itself as Konoha's foremost family."
Indeed, the Uchiha clan had no involvement in this matter, and they did disdain such underhanded schemes. However, not a single member of the Hyuga clan had attended their celebration the day prior, which slightly displeased Fugaku. He felt that the Hyuga clan had been growing too rapidly after the war, no longer giving due regard to the other clans of Konoha.
Fugaku's casual remark caused the Uchiha clan members to direct cold stares at the Hyuga clan, causing the atmosphere in the courtyard to freeze.
Witnessing this scene, a cold smile appeared in the eyes of the Kumo ninja.
Yes, this was exactly what they wanted—to see the Hyuga clan ostracized and isolated by the other families of Konoha. Standing against Konoha was not something they could achieve or dare to do at present, but the Hyuga clan must pay a price.
"I've never thought of our Hyuga clan as being above anyone else," Hizashi responded, his expression turning somber as he addressed Fugaku. "We are but one part of Konoha."
Fugaku, with his hands folded in front of him, remained silent.
As the two largest clans in Konoha at present, conflict between them was inevitable. The Uchiha clan controlled the Konoha Security Force, while the Hyuga clan oversaw the Inspection Force, leading to inherent conflicts of interest. However, both sides had been exercising restraint.
After all, neither side wanted to stir up trouble that would reach the Hokage, inviting his displeasure and potentially causing more harm than good.
Moments later, the ninja from the Shadow Guard's Second Division and the Interrogation Division thoroughly examined the Kumo ninja captain's body once more, eventually confirming that the cause of death was indeed Hizashi's Gentle Fist.
At this confirmation, the Kumo ninja erupted in fury, each of them glaring at Hizashi and the others, demanding, "You killed our captain! You must give us an explanation!"
"Infiltrating your clan territory? That's a baseless accusation! You're deliberately ruining the peace between us and Konoha, seeking to start another war!"
"You will bear the consequences!"
The commotion reverberated throughout the courtyard.
Hizashi's expression turned grim.
Noticing that Fugaku was merely a passive observer, and Shikaku remained silent, he felt a chill in his heart, sensing that the trouble was bigger than he had anticipated.
Hinata, hiding behind Hizashi, was also frightened by the loud shouts of the Kumo ninja, looking as if she were about to cry. She clutched Hizashi's clothes with her small hands, huddling close to him.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"If you don't give an explanation, you want to start another war?"
Upon hearing this voice, Fugaku, Shikaku, and the others immediately straightened their postures and looked towards the source, offering a respectful greeting.
The crowd parted, making way for the approaching figure.
"Hokage-sama," Shikaku said, bowing to Tsunade before intending to explain the situation.
Feng Ye waved his hand, interrupting him, "There's no need to explain, I already understand..."
Without sparing the Kumo ninja beside him another glance, Feng Ye instead crouched down and looked at the trembling Hinata, who was hiding behind Hizashi. With a gentle smile, he said, "Hinata, come here to me, don't be afraid.
Hinata looked at Feng Ye, her eyes timid as she spoke.
Feng Ye's warm and gentle smile eased the fear in her heart.
Feng Ye chuckled and said, "You weren't this afraid of me when you were just born. Back then, you would cry as soon as I handed you to Hizashi."
"Waa..."
Hinata didn't remember any of this, but she instinctively felt a sense of familiarity from Feng Ye, especially from his sky-blue eyes, which made her feel a strange attraction, almost like a blood relation.
Hizashi smiled at Hinata and said, "Hinata, go to the Hokage."
Hearing Hizashi's words, Hinata took a cautious half-step forward, then scurried a couple of steps and hid behind Feng Ye.
Feng Ye smiled as he ruffled Hinata's hair, playing with her for a moment before reaching out to pick up the three-year-old girl. Only then did he turn his attention to the Cloud ninja.
"..."
The faces of the many Cloud ninja turned difficult to read.
The one at the forefront hesitated for a moment before speaking up, his tone firm as he said, "Hokage-sama... The Hyuga clan is arrogant and domineering. They killed our captain and want to destroy the hard-earned peace between us. The Hyuga clan must give us an explanation for this..."
Previously, their words about not giving an explanation leading to another war were purely out of anger. Now that Feng Ye had appeared, no one dared to repeat such words.
If they really did provoke another war...
Forget about leaving Konoha.
Even if they made it back alive, the Fourth Raikage would probably twist their heads off.
"An explanation?"
Feng Ye smiled gently, his smile devoid of any anger. It was a warm and sunny smile. With Hinata in his right arm, he raised his left hand towards his opponent.
The body of the man who had been speaking wobbled, and he flew towards Feng Ye involuntarily.
Crack!
Feng Ye's fingers, which had been pinching the man's neck, exerted a little more force before letting go. A corpse fell to the ground.
"!!"
This scene shocked the many Cloud ninja.
Their eyes widened in terror, and they couldn't help but back away.
"The Hyuga clan are also ninjas of Konoha. As long as they are ninjas of Konoha, they are a part of Konoha. If you want an explanation from a Konoha ninja, then this is Konoha's explanation... Are there any other issues?"
Feng Ye smiled pleasantly.
These few sentences not only caused the Hyuga clan ninjas' expressions to change, but also made the Uchiha clan, as well as all the civilian-born ninjas nearby, take a sharp breath.
This was the Fifth Hokage!
This was the current Konoha!
In the eyes of the Fifth Hokage, every family and every ninja was treated equally, all considered a part of Konoha, and Konoha would never back down to other ninja villages over such matters!
"Doing this really might start a war, Hokage-sama... But this is indeed the attitude our Konoha should have."
Nara Shikaku took a breath, his eyes closing slightly as he murmured to himself.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
This was Konoha, with Feng Ye's strength that towered over the ninja world, with his dominant personality. It was absolutely connected to Feng Ye's ability to ignore the differences between clans and civilians, treating everyone equally.
Only Feng Ye, as the Fifth Hokage, could bring Konoha's unity to an unprecedented level.
This was the number one ninja village in the ninja world.
This was Konoha.
"Ho... Hokage-sama... How could you..."
Cold sweat beaded on the Cloud ninja's forehead, and he stared at Feng Ye, incredulous. But before he could finish his sentence, his body flew forward involuntarily, and he, too, became a corpse.
Feng Ye looked at the others and smiled faintly. "Any other issues?"
Silence.
"It seems there's nothing else. Then, dismiss."
Feng Ye's gaze swept over the crowd, and seeing no one spoke, he smiled faintly and walked towards the rooms inside the courtyard while holding Hinata.
(End of Chapter)
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