Chapter 54: Sarutobi Hishigata: Let This Matter End Here

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Fugaku Uchiha was stunned—was this brat really so shameless? But now, what was the point of saying anything?
“Of course it matters,” came the reply, as if the other had seen through Fugaku’s thoughts, startling him in turn.
“Sometimes, a mere fig leaf is crucial. As long as he is still around, there is room for both sides to ease tensions, preventing a complete breakdown of relations.
Of course, this only holds if neither side has the capability to utterly annihilate the other.
Captain Fugaku, what do you think my true trump card is? Is it the close friends of Master Shinku? My own talents? Or perhaps the Hokage’s favor?
Though all these are cards in my hand, none are the most important. My real reliance is my own strength, Captain Fugaku.”
Fugaku Uchiha: …
Suddenly, he felt either the other was mad or he himself was. A mere ten-year-old brat was standing before him claiming his strength could handle the Hyuga clan—and he hadn’t even refuted it immediately.
“Don’t believe me? Then let’s make a bet.”
“What bet?”
At the Uchiha Security Division, Kawaki Seiu had already set his sights on something valuable on Fugaku.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage’s office, Shinku Yuhi and other jonin stood opposed to the three members of the Hyuga main family.
“Hokage-sama, this is the situation. Although Seiu’s actions were extreme, they stemmed from concern for his comrades. As his teacher, I want to ask the Hyuga members—what exactly did Seiu do to make you so determined to see him dead?”
As he spoke, Shinku Yuhi turned sharply, his gaze icy as it locked onto the three Hyuga main family members seated across the conference table.
For what reason? Do you really not know?
The Hyuga Second Elder’s face darkened, looking at Shinku Yuhi as if he were being blatantly mocked.
With a bang, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
“Enough, Shinku Yu—”
Smack!
A sharp slap was dealt by Hyuga Hizuki, sitting beside him.

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“You fool, you’ve brought shame on the entire clan,” Hizuki’s cold glare fixed on the stunned Hyuga Second Elder. He had truly reached his limit.
This incompetent fool was nothing but a liability. Look at what he had done.
Dealing with Kawaki Seiu, scheming against Shinku Yuhi—none of that was wrong. The problem was his stupidity, having been caught with such a major weakness.
And what did the Hyuga clan have? Nothing but accusations of spying on and scheming against fellow village ninja.
Hizuki had already learned how things unfolded. Without that branch family ninja who first stepped forward, this matter would have had no connection to the Hyuga at all. They could have even spun the story to expose that brat’s senseless attacks on civilians. But now…
The Second Elder was a fool, and none of the ninjas in his branch had much intelligence either.
Having been caught red-handed, and still acting arrogantly within the family—that was beyond foolish.
If this guy weren’t part of the main family, Hizuki would have beaten him to death by now.
“Hizuki, Anmura, your attack on fellow village ninjas was far too much. As Hokage, I must give an explanation to everyone,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said with an unreadable gaze, looking at the two heads of the Hyuga main family, his meaning clear.
“The Hyuga clan is part of the village. Please rest assured, Hokage-sama. Once we return to the clan lands, we will provide the village with a full explanation,” Hyuga Anmura stood and bowed respectfully to Sarutobi Hiruzen, then turned to Shinku Yuhi.
“We sincerely apologize, Jonin Shinku, for the trouble caused by a foolish member of the Hyuga clan. Afterwards, we will make appropriate compensation and ensure such incidents never happen again.”
“Spare me the compensation. I only hope the Hyuga clan leader honors today’s promise and prevents any recurrence,” Shinku Yuhi’s tone was cold, his gaze still hostile.
Yet Anmura seemed unfazed, wearing a face of apology and deep respect.
Knock, knock!
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen lightly tapped his pipe on the conference table. When all eyes turned to him, he calmly said, “Since we are all ninjas of Konoha and the matter has been discussed, let this be the end of it.”
After that, the others were silent, except Hyuga Anmura and Hyuga Hizuki exchanged a quiet glance.
They understood Sarutobi Hiruzen’s meaning.
Hizuki’s gaze was somewhat lost. Ever since Kawaki Seiu appeared, how much had the Hyuga clan suffered? Could it really end so easily?
Suddenly, realization struck him.
Kawaki Seiu was now firmly under the Hokage’s protection and, being such a genius, was indeed worthy of Sarutobi Hiruzen’s full backing.

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As for their Hyuga clan’s stance, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s inaction was the greatest show of deference.
Handling things gently, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already granted the Hyuga clan the utmost dignity.
They must hold on to this dignity, lest they face a popular uprising by civilian ninjas against them.
And whether such a movement arises is entirely in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s hands.
Casting one last look at their own dazed Second Elder, he slowly closed his eyes.
What was he to do with such a blundering teammate?
The three Hyuga left, carrying the last shred of their clan’s dignity back to their lands.
Shinku Yuhi could only watch helplessly. Though unwilling, he knew this was the best possible outcome.
Had this been some minor clan, the consequences would have been very different.
Looking at the higher-ups of Konoha, Shinku Yuhi felt a bold thought stir within him for the first time in his life—might he one day have the fortune to replace one of these men and sit in that seat?
This experience only deepened Shinku Yuhi’s understanding of the importance of power and influence, and also gave birth to a burning desire within him.
Had there been no hope, he would not have dared dream. But Kawaki Seiu’s existence gave him both confidence and hope for the future.
The Konoha leadership before him had no idea what rebellious thoughts filled Shinku Yuhi’s mind.
Their thoughts were filled only with admiration, not for Shinku Yuhi himself, but for his exceptional genius disciple.
“Shinku, now that the Hyuga have left and there are no outsiders here, please have a seat,” Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first to speak, expressing goodwill toward Shinku Yuhi.