Hearing Chinya's analysis, though it was only a guess, Neji Hyuga still took it seriously.
Because what Chinya said made sense—if Hizashi Hyuga didn't change his mind, he would always remain a danger.
What if...?
What if this time the Kumo delegation's goal in coming to Konoha to form an alliance was truly ill-intentioned, truly aimed at obtaining the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan?
Neji Hyuga's expression gradually turned solemn.
But how could he change Hizashi Hyuga's mind? Neji Hyuga had absolutely no clue.
After all, Neji knew his father well. It was precisely because of that understanding that he knew his father wasn't someone easily changed.
Chinya patted Neji's shoulder and said, "Neji, I'll give you some time off recently. Go home and think carefully about how to persuade your father."
Neji looked at Chinya somewhat oddly but then silently nodded, turning toward the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
Chinya helplessly shook his head. If even Neji couldn't convince Hizashi Hyuga, there'd be no other way.
Although Chinya definitely had the ability to save Hizashi Hyuga, considering Hizashi's loyalty to the Hyuga Clan, even after being saved, he would return there again anyway—completely meaningless.
Only when Hizashi himself truly wanted to survive would Chinya consider rescuing him.
If even Hizashi himself didn't want to live, then what would be the point in Chinya saving him?
As Neji's teacher, Chinya had already gone far enough—he had done everything he possibly could.
Chinya looked at Uzumaki Sōnagi: "Alright, stop staring. Back to training."
Uzumaki Sōnagi asked curiously, "Dad, can you tell me about Mom? The part earlier, when you were talking with Neji, about her being captured by Cloud Ninja?"
Chinya frowned: "We'll talk when we get home. Right now is training time."
Sōnagi pouted and went back to training.
...
Neji was on his way back to the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
He was sure—the reason his teacher had granted him time off must be because Chinya had learned something crucial. He needed to go home and figure out how to properly persuade his father.
Because Chinya's training had always been strict—never giving Neji a single day off in over a year.
Yet this time, he was giving him a full period off.
Neji suspected his teacher's speculation wasn't just guesswork—it might turn out to be true.
The Kumo delegation's visit to Konoha was likely just a cover—their true goal was the Byakugan. Worse still, it could put his father in grave danger.
That's why Chinya said persuading Hizashi was urgent.
Although there was no evidence proving Chinya's guess correct, recalling Chinya's serious, solemn expression, Neji couldn't help but believe it instinctively.
Therefore, if Hizashi continued to serve the Hyuga Clan blindly without changing his thinking—he would die…
A sudden urgency gripped Neji.
When he reached home, Hizashi was very surprised to see Neji back so early.
"Neji, why are you back so early today?"
Neji answered, "My teacher gave me some time off."
"Chinya gave you some time off?" Hizashi Hyuga asked in confusion. "Why?"
Neji Hyuga immediately relayed Chinya's earlier speculation to Hizashi.
Hizashi listened, then gave a bitter chuckle. "I never expected Chinya to be this concerned. I truly feel ashamed."
Neji pleaded, "Father, please accept the teacher's help!"
But Hizashi shook his head. "Neji, my answer remains the same."
Neji said, clearly frustrated, "I don't understand. Why do you still remain so loyal to those in the Main Family after how they've treated us? Why, Father? Please tell me why—just why?"
Sighing deeply, Hizashi offered no reply.
Neji trudged back to his room, looking utterly defeated.
But he hadn't given up. Cross-legged on his bed, Neji wracked his mind, desperately thinking of a way to convince Hizashi.
Four days later.
The ninja dispatched by Kumo to establish an alliance had already entered Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hosted a formal welcoming banquet for the arrival of the Cloud Ninja.
That same evening.
With no sign of progress from Neji, Chinya guessed his attempt to persuade Hizashi must have failed.
And tonight, the Cloud Ninja would sneak into the Hyuga Clan Grounds to kidnap Hinata Hyuga.
Chinya had never expected Hizashi to be this stubborn.
In the dead of night.
The leader of the Cloud Ninja team stealthily made his way toward the Hyuga Clan Grounds.
This was because Hiashi Hyuga was currently not at the clan grounds, but inside the Hokage Tower.
In a show of respect for this alliance, Hiruzen gathered numerous clan leaders at the Hokage Tower to jointly welcome the Cloud Ninja.
Therefore, the Cloud Ninja leader intended to use this opportunity to abduct Hinata, the young daughter of the Main Family.
Hinata, being only three years old and completely defenseless, made for the ideal target.
Once she was taken out of the Hyuga Clan Grounds, the plan would essentially be complete.
Clearly well-prepared, the Cloud Ninja leader reached Hinata's room with practiced ease, knocked her unconscious, then carried her back along the path he came.
However, as Hiashi left the Hokage Tower, he passed by the outer wall of the Hyuga Clan Grounds and happened to spot the Cloud Ninja just climbing over the wall—with Hinata slung under one arm.
Immediately activating his Byakugan, Hiashi rushed forward and struck the Cloud Ninja leader down in one decisive blow.
When Hiashi removed the forehead protector covering the ninja's face and saw the insignia of Kumo, his pupils sharply contracted.
Realizing the severity of what had occurred, Hiashi quickly summoned several Hyuga ninjas to escort Hinata safely back to the compound. He then took the Cloud ninja's body to meet with Hiruzen Sarutobi, explaining exactly what had transpired.
After hearing everything, Hiruzen understood—the alliance had been nothing more than a pretense. The true objective of Kumo had been the Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan.
Hiruzen flew into a rage and immediately ordered the Anbu to seize all the Cloud Ninjas.
He then hastily composed a letter to Raikage A, demanding an immediate explanation for this incident.
Two days later, Sarutobi received a reply.
To Sarutobi's surprise, Raikage A denied the incident, claiming that Cloud Village had come to Konoha with sincerity for an alliance, yet Konoha had killed their ninja.
In the reply letter, Raikage A even turned around and accused Sarutobi.
If Sarutobi could not give him a satisfactory explanation, Raikage A would mobilize his ninja forces and wage war on Konoha.
To satisfy Raikage A, Sarutobi would have to hand over whoever killed their ninja.
In other words, Raikage A now wanted Hiashi Hyuga.
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