The night was deep, and the lingering warmth of the Hyuga main house celebration had not completely faded, yet the backyard was already filled with the pungent smell of blood.
Hiashi, his face ashen, held the unconscious Hinata and reached out to lift the hood of the person lying before him.
Inside was Nagasaki Hiroaki, unmistakably wearing a Kumogakure forehead protector.
As the representative from Kumogakure to forge an alliance, his identity was known to the Hyuga Clan even before they arrived in Konoha.
After all, even if the Hyuga Clan was dissatisfied with the Konoha Leadership, they wouldn't cut off their own intelligence.
[How was he killed by me without any sign of dodging!?]
The Hyuga also used the most practical technique on the battlefield, the Exploding Point Strike, a move that infuses Chakra into the enemy's acupoints and causes them to explode directly.
But it was impossible to kill a Jonin, a ninja protected by Chakra, with a single blow.
[Unless the opponent had no intention of resisting at all!?]
As the thought arose, Hizashi was startled.
"Over there!"
"Quick!"
A series of urgent, chaotic footsteps approached from a distance, and the light of torches instantly illuminated the small courtyard as bright as day.
Hiashi's heart tightened, and he suddenly looked up.
He saw the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi leading Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and other Konoha Leadership members, all present with solemn expressions.
Even more striking, behind them followed a group of bloodthirsty, fully armed Kumogakure envoys. Among the leading figures, besides the negotiation deputy Tokijin, were three other Kumogakure Special Jonin.
At this moment, Tokijin's face showed a feigned look of grief and indignation.
"Hiashi! What... what is going on here?!"
The Third Hokage forgot to smoke his pipe, his pupils suddenly constricting as he looked at the scene before him.
[Could it be...!?]
Before Hiashi could answer, Tokijin suddenly lunged forward, not to attack, but to the corpse, letting out a mournful wail that would bring tears to anyone who heard it:
"Captain! Oh, Captain! What a terrible death you suffered!"
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and pointed at Hiashi, his voice shrill as he accused the Third Hokage:
"Hokage-sama! Is this how your Konoha treats guests?!"
"Our captain merely heard it was Hinata, the Hyuga Clan's main family daughter's birthday, and wanted to offer his congratulations to the Hyuga Clan Head."
"He was unarmed! And your Hyuga Clan actually... actually resorted to such a vicious attack?! Is this your sincerity in seeking peace?!"
This performance, twisting black into white and full of emotion, made the Konoha Leadership present look extremely displeased.
Hiashi felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, instantly understanding everything.
"Nonsense!"
Hiashi roared, his voice trembling with extreme anger.
"He snuck into my daughter's room, intending to kidnap Hinata! I intervened to stop him, what fault is there in that?!"
"Kidnap?"
The Kumogakure envoy's acting was superb, a look of unbelievable absurdity on his face.
"Evidence? Who saw it? Our captain is a dignified Kumogakure Jonin, how could he do such a despicable thing!"
"Clearly, your Hyuga Clan is bullying the weak, slaughtering our village's envoy, and disrupting the peace talks! Hokage-sama, today you must give us Kumogakure an explanation! Otherwise..."
As he spoke, the other three Special Jonin all showed expressions of sorrow and indignation as they looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kumogakure's words were left unfinished, but the implicit threat of war hung like dark clouds over a city, heavily pressing on the hearts of every Konoha Leadership member.
Hiashi had now fully realized that this was completely a trap.
He suppressed his anger and was about to say something when he saw the Third Hokage's eyes.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes held coldness and mockery, but no anger.
Hiashi immediately felt his heart turn cold, like a flame extinguished by ice water.
"To the esteemed members of Kumogakure, please rest assured. First, take Mr. Nagasaki's body back."
"The peace between Konoha and Kumogakure was hard-won, and I will not let anyone destroy it. We will do our best to compensate you for your losses."
"As for the rest, I will discuss it with the Hyuga Clan."
"I will give you all a satisfactory answer regarding this matter."
These words, like a final judgment, declared that Konoha would not help the Hyuga Clan.
Hiashi held the unconscious Hinata, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who appeared utterly selfless, and felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
At an unseen angle, a fleeting, cold smile touched the corners of the Kumogakure people's mouths.
They had won.
They didn't even need to apply further pressure; Konoha had already backed down.
When Dodai initially devised this scheme, he was certain that the Konoha Leadership, having just experienced the Nine-Tails Attack, severely weakened, and desperately craving peace,
Would never risk reigniting a war for the sake of 'just' the Hyuga family.
Some within the Konoha Leadership even wanted to rein in the Hyuga.
Their plan this time was a sure thing.
"Alright, since Hokage-sama has given us his assurance, we will take Lord Nagasaki's body back first."
"We hope Konoha can give us a satisfactory answer!"
The Kumogakure people went to Nagasaki's corpse, immediately carried it on their backs, and left, surrounded by others.
After the Kumogakure people had gone some distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Utatane Koharu beside him: "Go and ask about their conditions."
Utatane Koharu nodded knowingly and withdrew.
On Konoha's side, everyone present was an old fox; it was impossible for them not to see that this was a frame-up.
It was clear that Kumogakure wanted more benefits.
They had been wondering why Kumogakure had suddenly softened its stance during the negotiations.
It turned out they were waiting for Konoha here.
They just hadn't expected Kumogakure to be willing to sacrifice a Jonin's life; it seemed Kumogakure was going to make exorbitant demands this time.
Utatane Koharu gave Hiashi a reproachful look and hurried away.
The Third Hokage looked at the increasing number of people and sighed: "Hiashi, you were impulsive today."
Hiashi said nothing, the shock and disbelief in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a cold expression as he watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's performance.
The Third Hokage saw that Hiashi didn't respond but didn't mind, simply continuing:
"Take Hinata back for now; we'll discuss the follow-up matters later."
Hiashi gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep look, then, holding Hinata, called the other Hyuga Clan members and retreated to their compound.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, dismissing the others present.
He, however, walked towards the west.
"Hiruzen, where are you going?" Homura Mitokado asked, puzzled, as that was not the Hokage's office building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced around at the Anbu members beside him and said in a deep voice: "The Hyuga Clan compound is so complex."
"Kumogakure couldn't have infiltrated without a map and patrol routes."
Homura Mitokado understood the unspoken meaning. He looked in the direction the Third Hokage was heading.
"Danzo?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not answer.
But Homura Mitokado knew that no rebuttal meant it was definitely Danzo.
He waved his hand: "I'll go by myself; you keep an eye on the Hyuga Clan."
"Understood, Hiruzen."
...