Naruto Birdcage

After the war with Iwagakure ended, neither Konoha nor Iwagakure showed any intention of actively presenting a peace treaty.

Iwagakure was preoccupied with handling the unrest caused by Kumogakure, while Konoha needed to focus on dealing with the persistent harassment from Kirigakure in the east.

Peace negotiations were left to the respective daimyos of the two countries.

Communication through letters, discussion of terms, and eventual dispatch of representatives to the borders of the Land of Grass to sign the agreements were carried out, with Konoha and Iwagakure each sending delegates to witness the process.

In gratitude for the aid provided by the Land of Wind, the Fire Nation sent generous gifts as a gesture of appreciation.

Although this war left Konoha Village severely weakened, it did not diminish the vast resources and wealth of the Land of Fire.

The daimyo further supported Konoha by funding the hiring of well-known ninja factions within the country to assist in handling Kirigakure.

In this ninja-dominated world where military strength heavily influences national power, the daimyo hoped for Konoha to regain its vitality as soon as possible.

At the moment, in addition to the problem with Kirigakure, what was giving Sarutobi Hiruzen a headache were the internal issues of Konoha.

Since his return to the village, a great deal of administrative work had accumulated, all of which needed his attention, piling up on his desk to the point of nearly burying him.

Suddenly, a ninja knocked and entered.

"Lord Hokage."

"Hmm." Hiruzen responded without looking up.

"The death of Hyuga Hitsuo... there has been progress."

Hiruzen, who had been immersed in reviewing official documents, froze for a moment.

He had long since put this matter out of his mind.

He put down the pen in his hand and glanced at the ninja, who had been sent by him earlier to investigate the Hyuga family's case, though the ninja had later joined him on the front lines.

"What progress?"

The ninja stepped forward and handed over a booklet.

Hiruzen took it, opened it, and began to read it carefully, his face showing signs of contemplation.

"You did well, you may leave now."

"Yes."

After the ninja left, Hiruzen didn't continue handling the paperwork, instead sitting there deep in thought.

It wasn't long before the door was pushed open again.

It was Danzo.

Hiruzen casually closed the booklet and placed it aside, saying, "What brings you here?"

"I came to ask, someone has to be appointed as the leader for Kirigakure."

Hiruzen's face remained impassive: "Who do you think would be suitable?"

Without hesitation, Danzo replied, "Orochimaru."

"You have such faith in your former subordinate?"

"I'm not the one who favors him, Orochimaru is already the choice of the people, you understand that, don't you, Hiruzen?"

"I will decide this matter myself, you don't need to concern yourself with it," Hiruzen said calmly.

Danzo was somewhat dissatisfied with Hiruzen's attitude, but he didn't lash out. Instead, he turned to ask, "What about the traitor?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the office suddenly fell silent.

Hiruzen sat there, his eyes fixed on Danzo, staring at him for a long time before he spoke, "I haven't found them yet."

Danzo then said, "Do you need my help?"

Hiruzen replied, "If you have any leads, you can give them to me."

As Danzo turned to leave, he suddenly heard Hiruzen's cold voice.

"Don't worry, I will never let the traitor live in this world."

After Danzo left the Hokage building, a Root ninja who had been waiting outside approached him.

"Where is Orochimaru?" Danzo asked.

"Lord Orochimaru is with Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade." the Root ninja replied.

Danzo frowned upon hearing this. "This guy isn't in any hurry."

Isn't he worried the situation will be exposed...?

"Go find him. After he comes out, have him come to me."

"Yes."

...

Hyuga Clan's estate.

Hiashi was also handling clan affairs in his study.

Since the number of clan members had sharply decreased, many of the clan's businesses were left unmanaged and had come to a standstill.

These businesses included both those within the village and those outside.

Otherwise, the lavish expenses of such a large family couldn't be sustained solely by the salary of the clan's ninjas.

Some matters could be handled by the elderly within the clan, while others required hiring specialized personnel to help manage.

The current Hyuga clan needed to go through a long recovery phase.

At this moment, Ayano suddenly entered holding a tea tray, setting it down gently on his desk.

"Hiashi, you've been working for a long time. Take a break."

Hiashi didn't respond, continuing to look at the document in his hands.

"Hiashi..." Ayano softly called.

Hiashi furrowed his brows and said, "I understand. You can leave now."

Ayano wanted to say something, but her words were caught in her throat as she stood there, hesitant.

"Hiashi, I..."

"What are you still doing here?"

Hearing Hiashi's cold dismissal, Ayano's face showed visible disappointment.

She had no choice but to silently pick up the tray and leave.

Ayano had tried to explain to Hiashi before that it was Lord Taikei's order, and she had no choice.

But Hiashi seemed to have already made up his mind about something, and his attitude toward her turned cold.

She walked out of the living room and happened to meet Hizashi, who was entering the courtyard.

"Lady Ayano." Hizashi greeted her with a bow.

Ayano's face immediately softened, revealing a gentle smile. "Ah, Hizashi, looking for Hiashi?"

Hizashi lowered his head and replied, "Yes, I have something to report to Lord Hiashi."

Ayano nodded. "He's in the study."

Hizashi bowed again and was about to enter the living room when he suddenly heard Ayano call out to him.

"Hizashi, you're marrying Ayari, huh?"

"Yes."

"Although Ayari has come of age, she is still very much like a child in many ways. You need to be more patient with her."

"Understood."

Hizashi walked into the living room.

Ayano stood in place, watching his back as a complex expression appeared on her face.

The four of them had grown up together, and their relationships were once very close.

When they were children, Hizashi always preferred to play with her.

But ever since Hiashi was made head of the clan and she became betrothed to him, everything had changed.

Hizashi and her sister both received unsightly Cursed seals on their foreheads, and their parents told them many things.

In the future, she would be Hiashi's wife, the lady of the Hyuga clan, with a status far higher than others.

She had to keep her distance from Hizashi and stay close to Hiashi.

For over ten years, she had done just that, until recently when Lord Taikei told her about the five-person list.

She panicked.

If she really left the village with Hizashi, how would she live?

Moreover, Lord Taikei's intention seemed to be to give her and her sister to Hizashi, which she found disgraceful.

But at the time, it seemed like there was no other way out.

If she didn't go, she would be left in the village to wait for death, eventually joining Hiashi in the afterlife.

She didn't want to die.

What was even more unexpected was that the village actually won, and Hiashi and the others returned.

The swift turn of joy and sorrow caught everyone off guard.

Meanwhile, in Hiashi's study, he was processing the information Hizashi had just shared.

"You're saying that, Hitsuo's death might be related to the traitor?"

"That's right, the stolen Byakugan is likely the work of the traitor!"

End of chapter

Exclusive access : Get 145 advanced chapters ahead of everyone else

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz