Chapter 14: Those who wrong you know better than anyone else just how innocent you are.

Ayano Miyamura, a civilian genin with above-average talent, believed that after graduating successfully, she could quickly become a chūnin and then, through hard work, steadily rise to jōnin.

However, after completing several missions, she realized everything had changed. The world was not as she had imagined back in the jōnin academy.

Her close friend, who had similar grades, had already become a chūnin, while she was still struggling at the genin level with no hope of promotion in the near future.

What was the difference between her and her friend? Talent? No. Effort? No.

The real gap lay in their clans. She was merely a civilian ninja without any clan support, special bloodline, or secret techniques. Even learning the most common ninjutsu was an arduous task.

Days filled with hopelessness drove her to despair. Yet, just as she was ready to give up and resign herself to a mediocre life, an opportunity presented itself—a person with a diluted Hyūga bloodline, yet not bearing the Hyūga name, unveiled the Byakugan before her eyes.

She thought of the ninjas who served as vassals to great clans and decided to take a gamble. If she could gain the backing of the prestigious Hyūga clan, she believed her talent alone would be enough to at least reach the rank of jōnin.

Besides, this was not outright desertion. If she delayed, her teammates might seize the chance first, she rationalized.

But what she never expected was that after betraying her village’s secrets to the Hyūga clan, she would be confronted by the legendary Anbu.

One wonders if the Second Elder of the Hyūga clan had ever heard the saying: those who betray for gain may betray again for greater gain—or out of threat.

“I’m sorry, Second Elder of the Hyūga clan, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. During our last mission, we indeed formed a temporary squad with Senior Chūnin Masaka Yūhi’s team, but we never saw any so-called Byakugan,” Ayano Miyamura decisively denied the accusations, recalling the Anbu’s earlier words.

Her sharp denial was like a dagger plunged deep into the Second Elder’s heart. The elder’s eyes widened like copper bells as he glared at Ayano, as if he wished to devour the young girl whole.

As a member of the Hyūga main family, born superior and rarely handling affairs outside the clan, the Second Elder had never endured such treatment.

“Ayano Miyamura, you’d better think carefully before speaking. The truth is clear—you informed me that that brat Kawaki Aoba possessed the Byakugan, yet now you deny it. Are you mocking me? Or do you think the Hyūga clan has no power over you?”

The Second Elder’s words were fierce and sinister, leaving Ayano pale with fear.

At that moment, a cold snort interrupted the elder’s imposing aura.

“Hmph, as expected of the Second Elder of the Hyūga noble house, threatening Konoha shinobi right before the Hokage’s eyes. Do you really think Konoha belongs to the Hyūga clan?”

Such a righteous and resolute tone hardly seemed like something Danzo would utter. If not for his fierce, shadowed one-eyed appearance, Kawaki Aoba would have thought it was someone else using a transformation jutsu.

With a distinct *clack*, Sarutobi Hiruzen placed his pipe on the desk.

Everyone turned to look at him. Now, the normally mild old man’s eyes were piercing and sharp, a stark contrast that transformed him into a formidable presence.

“As Hokage, I am willing to trust the Hyūga clan’s reputation and have given you, Second Elder, many chances. But that does not mean I will tolerate a ninja from our village threatening a comrade,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said firmly as he rose, leaning on the desk with his hands, radiating an overwhelming aura.

It was the oppressive presence of the village’s shadow, the supreme force of the era’s top ninja.

This was the pinnacle strength of Sarutobi Hiruzen? This pressure was truly worthy of his title as the “Ninja Hero.”

Sensing the strength of Sarutobi Hiruzen with his own Kenbunshoku Haki, Kawaki Aoba was deeply shocked. Even with his max-level perception abilities, he had no confidence in walking away unscathed. Surviving as long as possible was his greatest hope.

Most of Sarutobi’s intimidating aura was directed at the Second Elder of the Hyūga clan, who, despite possessing jōnin-level skills, had never seen battle nor completed a mission. The elder was so stunned that he staggered backward repeatedly.

“No, Lord Hokage, the Hyūga clan meant no such thing. Just now, I was impulsive. All of this is the fault of Ayano Miyamura. I was so agitated by her lies that I spoke without thinking,” the Second Elder nervously wiped sweat from his brow.

Seeing the still impassive expression on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face, the Second Elder gritted his teeth and made a decision in his heart.

“Lord Hokage, I can prove everything I said is true. When Ayano Miyamura gave me that information, my guard was present and aware. If you examine his mind and retrieve those memories, the truth will be revealed.”

The Second Elder was desperate. Although a jōnin’s guard was valuable, at the end of the day, he was merely from a branch family. Trading him to clear the main family elder’s name seemed worthwhile.

Moreover, probing the mind was not necessarily fatal. As long as the subject cooperated, the damage would be minimal.

The Second Elder even felt fortunate the guard was newly assigned and knew little.

However, while the elder felt relief, everyone else in the Hokage’s office remained silent.

At that moment, Kawaki Aoba even felt a pang of sympathy for the Second Elder.

How could a person be so foolish?

Everyone in the room knew better than the Second Elder how unjustly he was accused—after all, they had all conspired, either actively or passively, in framing him.

To ask the very conspirators and perpetrators for help in uncovering the truth—how tragic was that?

“Probe the mind, huh? That’s not impossible. And in deference to the Hyūga clan, I, as Hokage, will give you one last chance. But this is the final opportunity. Send someone to fetch the head of the Inuzuka clan at once,” Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered an Anbu to summon reinforcements.

It’s worth mentioning that since the end of the Second Great Ninja War, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had become staunch supporters of the Third Hokage, and the Nara clan had been entrusted as Konoha’s chief strategists.