Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Strategizing Against Your Own Nichi
Sorry for the wait guys !
"One-sided compromises will never lead to a good outcome. Retreating and showing weakness will only provoke the enemy's stronger desire to attack, allowing them to take more and more, making us increasingly passive!"
Haru stepped forward, his imposing presence and voice growing louder.
He was not a native of this world; before his reincarnation, he had been instilled with such beliefs, shaped by the humiliations his country faced.
Even in the world of Naruto, the Cloud Village had not acted with integrity before.
When Naruto's mother was still a girl, the Cloud Village had sent people to abduct her.
Even until her death, Uzumaki Kushina had believed that the Cloud Village wanted to acquire the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan.
Only later did the Raikage admit that they had kidnapped Kushina to obtain the Nine-Tails.
First, there was the incident with Kushina, then Hinata's kidnapping.
This proved that the Cloud Village was not a noble entity; they too would take advantage of any situation without remorse.
What puzzled Haru the most was why the Cloud Village would cease their actions after acquiring Hizashi's corpse.
Clearly, this was Konoha showing weakness.
Afterward, the Uchiha clan was annihilated.
The disparity in strength between the two sides was glaring.
When Konoha was strong, they could easily abduct Kushina or threaten hizashi's life.
Yet during Konoha's weakest moments, the Cloud Village seemed to vanish, doing nothing.
They didn't reemerge until Killer Bee was "captured" by Sasuke.
Perhaps, viewed solely from a manga perspective, the early author hadn't considered the implications, making the Land of Lightning merely a backdrop that would be pulled out only when necessary to take the blame.
But the world he was in was not a manga; it was real.
In the original story, Hinata had been kidnapped by Cloud ninja at the age of three.
Members of the Senju clan had not appeared.
Yet after Haru's arrival, not only had he become a Senju, but the timing of Hinata's abduction had also changed.
It seemed like he had created a butterfly effect with his reincarnation.
"So who can guarantee that the Cloud Village won't continue their aggression once they receive Huzashi's corpse and realize they can't obtain the secrets of the Byakugan?"
"If that happens, and conflict arises between Konoha and the Cloud Village, wouldn't we be cutting off our own arm? Destroying our morale?"
"Even among the Hyuga clan, there are probably no more than five who exceed Hizashi in strength."
Haru pressed forward, forcing the Hyuga elder to reconsider their plan to sacrifice Nichi.
"And what do you think we should do?"
Just then, the usually silent Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up.
"Huh..."
Seeing that the Hokage finally broke his silence, the Hyuga elder let out a long sigh of relief.
If Haru continued to press, he might have to change his stance.
However, the elder did not dislike the current situation.
Even though Hizashi was from the branch family and a mere tool, he was still a tool of the main family.
Moreover, Hizashi's strength was indeed considerable; if he could be kept alive, it might help alleviate this crisis.
What would the Hyuga clan lose?
Nothing at all.
The only concern was that after he relented, the higher-ups in Konoha might retaliate.
So, now that Sarutobi Hiruzen had spoken, it was undoubtedly relieving the pressure on him.
As for the final outcome, that was a matter between the Hokage and Haru, unrelated to him.
Thinking this way, the Hyuga elder and other members of the main family all breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
"It's quite simple."
Haru turned around, facing the third Hokage who had asked the question.
"If we want to coexist peacefully with the Cloud Village, even the Land of Lightning, one-sided concessions will only lead to the other side taking more and more, pressing in on us. But if we strike back and then tell them we want to coexist peacefully..."
"It might actually achieve our goals."
Haru paused, "I know that at my age, such words lack persuasion, but Hokage-sama, just give the order, and I will lead the charge!"
Although his words sounded grand, if the Hyuga clan did not give up Hizashi, a conflict between Konoha and the Cloud Village was likely to erupt.
On the surface, this was essentially a binary choice.
To protect Hizashi and gain rewards, or to compromise and avoid conflict with the Cloud Village.
But in reality…
Of course, he would choose the former!
The chakra of Senju Hashirama combined with Senju Hashirama's Wood Release—wasn't that what the god of the ninja world was?
If they dared not to let him take the rewards, he would just have to see if he could crush them.
Moreover, if they took a step back…
Everyone present only knew about the events from Haru's perspective.
They were unaware of what the future would hold.
Though they claimed to hand over Hizashi to defuse the crisis, could it really be defused? They likely had no idea either.
Combined with Haru's passionate speech, the blood of the Hyuga clan, both main and branch family members, was ignited and began to burn.
Especially when Haru mentioned leading the charge, he could see some among them cracking their knuckles, eager to join him.
And for Hizashi, who belonged to the branch family, it was even more so.
At that moment, tears streamed down his face. He had never imagined that in the face of the Cloud Village's aggression, the main Hyuga clan would choose to sacrifice themselves to protect the family.
The higher-ups in Konoha would abandon him in exchange for peace.
Only Haru truly believed in the unfairness of the world and sincerely wanted to save him.
For this…
He was willing to intimidate the main family and defy the third Hokage.
He placed himself in the line of fire!
What kind of spirit was this?
It was a spirit of great fearlessness!
Not to exaggerate, at this moment, Hizashi not only recognized Haru but even wished to follow him.
If conflict truly could not be avoided, he would be willing to use his life to protect Haru on the battlefield!
A drop of water given in gratitude should be repaid with a fountain.
What more for a life-saving grace?
And Haru not only saved him but also saved Hizashi's future.
In the future, he might change the fate of the Hyuga clan!
Yes, Haru possessed such brilliance, such charm, such character.
Yet Hizashi could never have imagined.
That such a person, shining brightly in his heart, was currently thinking…
'Good, the Hyuga clan has been fooled by me; no one should want to take Hizashi's life anymore.'
As for the once noble third Hokage, even for the sake of his political feathers, he wouldn't contradict me at this time.
If there are no accidents, Hizashi's life should be protected.
'What rewards might I get?'
'Right, after Naruto gets out of school, I should take him out for ramen, hmm.'
In a moment, Haru's thoughts were many, and he felt no sentiment for saving Hizashi.
'Huh? Why is Hizashi looking at me like that?'