Chapter 13: The Betrayer

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“Lord Hokage, although my eyes were cruelly blinded by those two Hyuga clan ninjas using underhanded tactics, I was still fortunate enough to capture both of them and have already handed them over to the Uchiha security squad,” Kawaki Aoba replied respectfully.

Danzo took a step forward. “The Uchiha and Hyuga clans both possess powerful ocular jutsu, so it’s inevitable they might cover for each other. I have already sent people to interrogate those two. I believe we will uncover the full truth.”

The exchange between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kawaki Aoba was smooth and seamless. Coupled with Danzo’s pointed remark, the second elder of the Hyuga clan began to sense that something was amiss.

Yet when asked exactly what was wrong, he could not put his finger on it—only a vague unease stirred deep within him.

As a knock sounded on the door, that uneasiness swelled to its peak.

“Enter.”

At Sarutobi’s command, a masked ninja stepped inside.

“Reporting to Lord Danzo, the matter has been thoroughly investigated,” the ninja said respectfully. It was likely a root operative.

“Since the truth has been uncovered, report it to the Hokage,” Danzo ordered.

“Yes.” After a respectful reply, the Root ninja faced Sarutobi and revealed the findings: “Lord Hokage, after receiving those two Hyuga ninjas from the Uchiha security division, we subjected them to urgent interrogation.

“The truth is that those two were ordered by the second elder of the Hyuga clan to attack a civilian genin named Kawaki Aoba, regardless of life or death. During the fight, they struck viciously, shattering the goggles Kawaki wore, causing severe damage to his eyes.”

“Lies!” Before the Root ninja finished, the Hyuga second elder furiously retorted, “I only ordered those two idiots to bring Kawaki Aoba back to our Hyuga clan!”

“Hmph. So you admit it, attacking a civilian ninja inside the village without cause, deliberately creating a crisis within the village—who gave your Hyuga clan such audacity?” Danzo snapped at the elder as if he had finally found a weak spot.

“That’s enough, Danzo. Don’t slander us with baseless accusations. Our Hyuga clan has never harmed the village. Even if I admit to sending those two fools to bring Kawaki Aoba back, that is a family matter of the Hyuga clan,” the second elder said stubbornly, though his face was dark with anger.

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He knew that since the Hokage and his advisor had already intervened, he could no longer hide the fact that he sent those two fools out. He resigned himself to confessing, still naïvely thinking this was merely a Hyuga family affair, unaware of the gravity of the situation.

“The Hyuga’s family affair? Forgive me, Lord Hokage, but I cannot agree with the second elder’s view. I am just an ordinary civilian ninja of Konoha. Since when did I have anything to do with the Hyuga clan? Or does the second elder of the Hyuga believe that Konoha’s affairs have become the Hyuga clan’s family matters?” Kawaki Aoba’s words were sharp and spoken openly before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As expected, the Hyuga second elder’s expression darkened even further. What did he mean by treating Konoha’s matters as the Hyuga clan’s? Such words were improper uttered in front of the Hokage. Despite his limited intellect, the elder could sense the malice in Kawaki’s tone.

He hurriedly explained, “You insolent brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Of course village matters fall under the Hokage’s jurisdiction. What I meant by family matters concerns only you, the brat who awakened the Byakugan.

“Once you awaken the Byakugan, you belong to the Hyuga clan. How I deal with you is a matter for our clan alone and does not violate village rules.”

“That is utterly ridiculous. I am just a civilian ninja, as any of my peers can attest. How could I have awakened the Byakugan? Even if the second elder wants to frame me, at least find a better excuse.

“Or does the second elder think that whenever the Hyuga clan dislikes a civilian ninja, they may enforce their clan’s rules by claiming that person awakened the Byakugan?

“Lord Hokage, such absurd reasoning is unacceptable. I implore you to ensure justice for me.” Saying this, Kawaki bowed deeply toward the empty window frame.

As a blind man who could see nothing, bowing to the air seemed only natural.

“Ahem, ahem.” Sarutobi cleared his throat to assert his presence. “Aoba, rest assured, the village will investigate thoroughly. If the truth matches your account, the village will ensure justice. As for the Hyuga clan,”

Sarutobi turned to face the second elder. “Everything requires evidence. If you claim Kawaki Aoba awakened the Byakugan and belongs to the Hyuga clan, then there must be proof.”

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The Hyuga second elder was speechless, opening his mouth but uttering nothing.

According to his information, Kawaki Aoba had only recently awakened the Byakugan. There was no photographic or similar evidence, and likely very few had even witnessed it firsthand.

Suddenly, the elder’s eyes brightened. He recalled the ninja who had delivered the message to him.

Grasping at a lifeline, he hurriedly said, “Ayano Miyamura, that genin girl, can testify. Her entire squad saw Kawaki Aoba awaken the Byakugan during a mission.”

Kawaki’s expression twitched. Ayano Miyamura—if his suspicions were correct—was the one who had betrayed him to the Hyuga clan.

She had indeed been his temporary teammate, a senior two years ahead of him.

With the clue provided by the Hyuga elder, Sarutobi quickly dispatched the Anbu to bring Ayano Miyamura’s entire squad.

It was a team consisting of a special jonin and three genin. Upon arriving at the Hokage’s office, the four appeared tense, with Ayano the most nervous.

“Lord Hokage, all members of this squad can testify. They witnessed Kawaki Aoba awaken the Byakugan,” the Hyuga second elder said, turning to the special jonin and locking eyes with the only female ninja among them.

Yet to his dismay, at that moment, the underage female ninja timidly averted her gaze.

She was avoiding him? Why would she avoid him?