The Crime Scene (9:10 PM)
Ten minutes after the death of the Kumogakure envoy, the Hyūga compound was a scene of frantic activity, yet perfectly choreographed by Akimitsu.
The Emissary's body was quickly moved to the periphery of the compound, near the wall facing the forest, a location suggesting a confrontation at the point of infiltration. Hizashi and the Branch Family members executed the operation with ruthless efficiency, cleaning all evidence from Hinata's room.
The final act, before the arrival of Konoha's forces, was the self-destruction of the Kekkei Genkai. Akimitsu, with glacial composure, executed the chakra suction and nerve pressure technique that rendered his own Byakugan useless, ensuring that his body, when delivered, offered no secrets to the enemy.
The news reached the office of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, via a Hyūga Clan Anbu: a Kumo ninja had been found dead at the complex boundary. The message was clear: Frustrated Kidnapping Incident.
The Hokage, flanked by his advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, and with Danzō Shimura present (though uninvited), received Hiashi Hyūga in the tense calm of the night.
The Political Theater (9:30 PM)
Hiashi entered the Hokage's office, his face marked by contained fury and mourning. There was no trace of the fear he had felt hours before.
"Hokage-sama," Hiashi began, his voice a controlled thunder. "Kumogakure's envoy attempted to kidnap my daughter, the heiress of the Hyūga Clan."
The Hokage, with his pipe unlit, looked at Hiashi, his face wrinkled with worry. "An attempted kidnapping? By the peace emissary? Hiashi, the implications of this..."
"The implications are clear, Hokage-sama. Kumo's 'peace' was a ploy to steal our Byakugan. Their envoy, the ninja of their Main Branch, infiltrated the compound taking advantage of Konoha's guard change. He was intercepted and killed before he could touch my daughter."
Danzō, sitting in a shady corner, intervened, his tone harsh and direct: "And who killed the emissary? And why wasn't he captured alive for interrogation? This is a blunder!"
Hiashi took a deep breath, acting out the pain and obligation.
"The attacker was neutralized by the only high-level ninja who was in a position to intercept him. It was my father, Hyūga Akimitsu, the clan elder. He understood the risk. A living Kumo ninja who confesses the kidnapping plan is a declaration of war. A dead one is an incident Konoha can resolve diplomatically."
"Akimitsu?" Koharu asked, surprised. Akimitsu was a respected figure.
"Yes. My father made the ultimate decision in defense of the Village," Hiashi continued, his voice breaking slightly. "And to prevent war, my father sacrificed himself."
The tension in the room was palpable. Hiashi handed over a scroll: the official narrative. Akimitsu had killed the envoy, but to prevent Kumo from demanding the life of Hiashi, the clan leader, Akimitsu himself had immediately committed suicide, assuming responsibility for the incident to avoid sparking war.
"He gave his life and took the enemy's, Hokage-sama. Now, Kumo demands the body of the killer as 'justice,' or they will declare war."
The Hokage closed his eyes. The logic was horrible, but undeniable. The life of a Hyūga elder was a high price, but better than Hiashi's life (the main pillar) or an all-out war with Kumogakure.
Danzō stood up, his single visible eye shining with cold calculation. "The sacrifice narrative is politically sound. It allows Konoha to present itself as an unfortunate victim, forced to pay the price of peace. The body of the 'culprit' must be delivered immediately, as part of the 'treaty'."
The Hokage nodded, with a sadness that weighed on the atmosphere. "So be it. Akimitsu-sama's body will be delivered to Kumogakure. Peace will be bought at the price of honor."
Hiashi bowed, knowing his father had saved his daughter and the Main Branch. His plan, influenced by Chronos, had worked: Hinata was safe, and the Byakugan's Main Branch remained intact.
Chronos's Perspective (11:00 PM)
Far from the political drama, Uchiha Sora lay in his futon. His Chakra Sense had been on for hours, monitoring the flow of activity in the Village.
He detected the frantic movement of Anbu going in and out of the Hokage's office, the dense chakra concentration of Danzō and the advisors, and, finally, the solemn movement of a Konoha team heading to the Hyūga compound to retrieve a "diplomatic body."
Sora smiled slightly. It worked. The date was exact, the attacker was the emissary, and the kidnapping was prevented.
However, the System reminded him that his interference had caused a significant deviation from the original timeline, which was the death of Hizashi, the twin.
[Timeline Alert:] Hyūga Incident.
Original Timeline: Hizashi Hyūga dies for the "Sacrifice." Neji is condemned to hatred and the Seal.
Modified Timeline by "Chronos": Akimitsu Hyūga dies for the "Sacrifice." Hizashi Hyūga survives. Neji Hyūga is saved from the Seal of Hatred.
Sora frowned. The price had been much higher in terms of clan authority. He had saved Hizashi, but Akimitsu, the wise elder leader, had paid the price.
"The cost of saving Hizashi was the elder. But it's a price the main branch is willing to pay. And, most importantly, Neji's hatred will never be born. The next Hyūga generation will be more united. It's a strategic gain."
Sora felt a slight chill. Playing with time and destiny had unpredictable consequences. He had prevented a generational disaster, but now he had a new concern:
Root's Surveillance: The fact that an elderly ninja like Akimitsu had killed an elite Kumo ninja, and then committed suicide to cover the incident, was a narrative so convenient it could only be believed by desperation. Danzō, with his paranoia, would undoubtedly investigate the existence of the "leak" that had allowed the Hyūga to know about the attack.
Chronos: Sora, through his pseudonym, had intervened directly in the politics of the Great Nations. He had put himself on the map of the most dangerous forces in Konoha and Kumo, even if they didn't know it.
He looked at his System. The clock was still running.
ESTIMATED COUNTDOWN4 Years, 158 Days, 18 Hours.