Just last night, the very different-in-temperament Big Sis Hinata had rarely taken the initiative to find him for a private conversation.
She had bluntly informed him of the about to happen [Konoha Crush Plan], and that Orochimaru's target was the Third Hokage.
What shocked Hiashi even more was that she calmly analyzed that the other great Ninja Clans, like the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, Inuzuka, and others, would likely choose to 'preserve their strength' in this attack targeting the Hokage.
They would not risk their lives to intervene in the master-student duel between the Hokage and Orochimaru, as they would to protect their own clans.
Hiashi initially found it unbelievable, even somewhat angry, believing it was a desecration of the village.
But Big Sis Hinata, leaning casually against the door frame, arms crossed, her condescending and knowing expression, instantly brought him back to that humiliating night nine years ago, the Kumogakure Envoy incident.
At that time, for the sake of the so-called 'greater good' and to avoid war, the higher-ups had almost unhesitatingly decided to sacrifice the Hyuga Clan to quell the matter.
At that moment, the 'trade-offs' and 'greater good' of Konoha's higher-ups were forever engraved in Hiashi's memory.
His daughter's words, cold and realistic, tore away the cruel power rules beneath Konoha's warm facade, leaving Hiashi speechless, his back chilled.
He was silent for a long time, looking at his daughter's eyes, so deep beyond her years. Finally, he slowly nodded.
Thus, there was this moment when he led the clan's private forces to strike, but with the clearly defined objective of the battlefield at the village gate, rather than directly heading to the battlefield where the Hokage was under attack.
Lost in thought, Hiashi, leading the Hyuga Clan's elite, soon arrived at the front line.
The battle situation here was much more intense.
Near Konoha's main gate was a mess. The tall wall had been smashed open a giant gap, with brick, stone, and wood debris everywhere.
The air was thick with the smell of blood, scorched matter, and faint poison gas.
Konoha's Ninja, under the command of Shikaku, were engaged in fierce battle with the invading Otogakure's Ninja forces.
The Otogakure's Ninja were clearly well-trained and tactically strange. Seeing their frontal assault contained by Konoha's gradually organized defense line, they immediately broke up into smaller units. One part retreated to the vicinity of the rampaging, awe-inspiring purple three-headed giant snake, using its massive body and terrifying attack power to resist stubbornly, drawing the main firepower of Konoha's forces.
Another part rapidly dispersed into two- or three-man teams. Using excellent disguise techniques, transformation techniques, they infiltrated Konoha's crisscrossing streets and alleys, or mingled with the panicked civilians, or lurked in the shadows of ruins, waiting for opportunities to ambush isolated Konoha's Ninja, destroy important buildings, and spread panic, keeping Konoha's defense system exhausted and unable to coordinate.
On the roof of a relatively intact, five-story building with a wide view, Shikaku stood with his brow deeply furrowed, his hands on the railing, staring intently at the chaotic battle below.
The cigarette in his mouth had long since burned out, leaving only a short stub, but he forgot to throw it away.
Beside him, Inoichi sat with his eyes closed in concentration, clearly using the clan's secret technique for communication liaison and sensory reconnaissance among the various units.
Choza stood nearby like a guardian deity, holding his giant iron staff, vigilantly protecting them.
"Shikaku-san!" Hiashi, with Iroha and a few other Jonin, lightly landed on the roof, making a faint sound.
Shikaku quickly turned. Seeing it was Hiashi and the several Hyuga Jonin behind him, and glancing at the dozens of Hyuga Ninja rapidly dispersing on other nearby rooftops, each finding an advantageous position, a flicker of relief passed through his eyes. He nodded, his voice carrying obvious fatigue and tension: "Hiashi-san, you've come just in time!"
He quickly pointed to several directions below, speaking rapidly: "The Otogakure's Ninja have changed their tactics. Their main force is holding their ground around the summoned creature, while simultaneously sending out many squads skilled in infiltration and disguise into the village! We don't have enough sensory Ninja. Ordinary Ninja have difficulty seeing through their Transformation Techniques. Several patrol squads have already been ambushed! The village is in complete chaos right now. We need the Hyuga's Byakugan to quickly find these rats and completely eliminate them! Otherwise, the consequences will be endless!"
The situation was even more troublesome than Hiashi had imagined.
He immediately understood the predicament Shikaku faced: the front line needed strength to resist the giant snake and the main Otogakure's Ninja forces around it, while the rear was being turned upside down by infiltrating Otogakure's Ninja, making it impossible to spare manpower in a short time.
"Understood." Hiashi wasted no words. He turned and gave a deep command to Hyuga Iroha and the others: "Iroha, take your men and coordinate with Shikaku-san's command! Break into smaller units. Each of you join a nearby three-man squad. Use the Hyuga's Byakugan to see through all disguises, locate enemy positions, and guide attacks! Remember, prioritize protecting civilians and important facilities. Fight quickly!"
"Yes! Hiashi-sama!" Iroha and the others responded in unison, then scattered, rushing towards different battle groups below.
They actively approached the Konoha squads that were searching or engaging scattered Otogakure's Ninja, looking frazzled, quickly identifying themselves and their intentions.
Soon, the battle situation began to change subtly.
"Three o'clock direction, behind that pile of rubble, two Chakra reactions, disguised as stones!"
"The running 'old woman' ahead, her Chakra Flow is wrong. It's a Transformation Technique!"
"The roof! Look out! There's one lying on top, holding an explosive tag!"
The voices of the Hyuga Ninja, through gestures or simple, short shouts, rang out in the squads they had joined.
The Byakugan, capable of seeing through everything, perceiving Chakra, now demonstrated astonishing counter-intelligence capabilities.
One by one, carefully disguised Otogakure's Ninja were easily exposed. Often, before they could launch their ambush, they were focused down by the prepared Konoha's Ninja, screaming as they fell.
The sounds of screams, Ninjutsu clashes, and explosive tag detonations echoed through Konoha's streets and alleys. But this time, it was mostly Otogakure's Ninja falling.
The morale of the Konoha's Ninja lifted. Their counterattack became orderly and efficient.
The spread of chaos was initially contained.
On the roof, Shikaku watched the changes in the battle below. His tense nerves finally relaxed slightly. He let out a long breath and took the cigarette stub from his mouth, throwing it away.
"As expected of the Hyuga. In this kind of counter-infiltration operation, they are irreplaceable." He said to Hiashi with sincerity.
Hiashi nodded slightly, but his gaze was cast towards Konoha's main gate, towards the purple three-headed giant snake that was still madly writhing its body, spewing poison mist and acid, destroying surrounding buildings in droves.
"If that summoned creature isn't dealt with, the pressure on the front line won't ease, and the Otogakure's main Ninja force will still have a support point."
Shikaku nodded, his expression turning grave again. He looked at Choza beside him, who stood like an iron tower: "Choza, that snake... we're counting on you. I'll have the others fully coordinate with you, draw its attention, and create opportunities for you."
Choza thumped the giant iron staff, as thick as a bowl, onto the roof with a 'thud'. A reliable smile appeared on his honest, round face, his voice booming: "Leave it to me, Shikaku! I've been wanting to take care of this sneaky snake for a while!"
With that, he took a deep breath. His massive body slightly squatted, and his hands formed hand seals: "Super Multi-Size Technique!"
Chakra surged from his body!
To the slightly astonished gazes of Hiashi and the surrounding Konoha's Ninja, Choza's figure rapidly expanded and grew larger, like an inflating balloon!
Within just two or three seconds, a giant over a hundred meters tall stood atop Konoha's ruins!
The iron staff in his hand also proportionally giantized, becoming a behemoth pillar over a hundred meters long, as if it could pierce the sky!
"Haah—!!"Choza let out a deafening roar. The sound waves rolled, even briefly drowning out the noise of the battlefield.
He took a step with his pillar-like giant legs, each step making the earth tremble. Wielding the sky-reaching iron staff like a furious mountain god, he charged towards the rampaging purple three-headed giant snake!
"Attack! Cover Choza!" Shikaku seized the opportunity and shouted orders.
The surrounding Konoha's Ninja were greatly energized. Fire Release, Wind Release, Water Release, binding Ninjutsu, even explosive kunai, poured down on the three-headed snake like a torrential rain. Although most had difficulty causing fatal damage to its thick scales, they successfully drew its attention and interfered with its attack rhythm.
The snake's three heads let out angry hisses, venom and acid spraying wildly.
Choza seized an opening. The giant staff swept horizontally, carrying the terrifying force to crush mountains and sever mountains, viciously slamming into the neck of the snake's middle head!
Bang—!!!
A dull, ear-splittingly loud impact rang!
The snake's middle head let out a piteous wail, violently flung backward. The scales on its neck cracked, blood spraying like a waterfall.
Choza, having gained the advantage, showed no mercy. The giant staff swung in a full arc and crashed down again. The other Konoha's Ninja's attacks also became more concentrated and fierce.
Under the furious blows of Akimichi Choza, this 'humanoid summoned creature', and the coordinated siege of the Konoha's Ninja, the purple three-headed giant snake finally could no longer hold on. It let out a series of reluctant wails. Its massive body collapsed with a crash, crushing several remaining buildings, kicking up a sky full of dust, and gradually lay still.
"We won!"
"We won!"
"Long live Choza!"
The Konoha's Ninja erupted in cheers. The pressure on the front line lifted.
The remnants of the main Otogakure's Ninja force that had been resisting around the snake, seeing their greatest support fall, had their morale collapse. They began to scatter and flee, but were pursued and killed by the high-spirited Konoha's Ninja. Their defeat was sealed.
However, before Shikaku, Hiashi, and the others could even sigh with relief, a figure suddenly appeared on the roof, kneeling on one knee.
The newcomer wore an animal mask and standard Anbu attire, but his forehead protector was slightly askew. He had obvious traces of smoke and fire and several wounds on his body, his breathing rapid.
"Shikaku-san! Hiashi-san!" The Anbu Ninja's voice carried uncontainable grief and urgency.
"Urgent report! The Third... the Third Hokage-sama... he... has sacrificed himself!"
As if a silent thunderbolt had struck the roof.
The bodies of several nearby Konoha's Ninja suddenly stiffened. The joy on their faces instantly froze, turning into unbelievable confusion and grief.
'The Third Hokage... dead?'
Hiashi's heart also pounded heavily. Although he had been mentally prepared, hearing the news still sent a shock through him.
He instinctively looked at Shikaku beside him, and at Inoichi, who had opened his eyes, his face somewhat pale.
The three's gazes met briefly in the air.
In Shikaku's eyes were heaviness and a hint of surprise. In Inoichi's eyes were cold calm and knowing. And Hiashi himself saw the same complex emotions in the other's eyes.
Not much surprise, only a deep 'just as expected', and worry for the future.
Everything was unspoken.