The Main Family’s Method (Please Subscribe)

At the Hokage Tower, quite a few influential ninja from the village had gathered: Jonin Commander Nara Shikaku, Military Police Force captain Uchiha Fugaku, Konoha higher-ups, members of the Hyuga Clan, Uzumaki Kushina, and others.

The Peace Accord was of great importance to Konoha. Yet only a day after the Kumo envoy had arrived, such severe casualties had occurred. If Konoha mishandled this, it could escalate into something far more serious.

After entrusting Naruto to Kimura, Kushina had been summoned to the Hokage Tower by the Anbu. She had already intended to demand answers. The Anbu were becoming increasingly incompetent—they had actually let a Kumo-nin sneak all the way into her home.

If she had not been training in Sage Mode, Naruto would already have been taken by the Kumo-nin.

That memory reminded Kushina of her younger self. The same identity, the same enemies—it was as though history were repeating itself, as if everything that had happened to her would happen to Naruto. Her heart burned with rage. If she had not prolonged her life by mastering Sage Mode, who would Naruto be able to rely on in the future?

The remaining Kumo-nin were still shouting outside, though the Anbu had restricted their movements. However, early that morning, the Kumo-nin had already spread word everywhere that their attendants had been killed.

Quite a few villagers and uninformed ninja had learned of the matter. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly ordered Konoha to forbid discussion of it, since it concerned the Peace Accord, many people could not help talking about it, and the news gradually spread.

"Hey, what happened with the envoy being killed?"

"No idea, but if the envoy was killed, can the Peace Accord still be signed?"

Someone beside them immediately shouted, "Idiot! If the envoy was killed, how could the Kumo-nin possibly still sign a Peace Accord with us?"

"Huh? Does that mean we’re going to war again?"

When many people heard the word "war," expressions of disgust immediately appeared on their faces. The war had lasted for years, and Konoha had lost countless ninja. Almost every so often, they would see families weeping and mourning their loved ones.

War meant death and destruction. Other than the side that stood to gain, no one liked war. This was especially true for Konoha’s civilians and lower- to mid-ranked ninja. They suffered the most in war, constantly fearing that they or their loved ones would die.

The atmosphere in the Hokage’s Office was equally heavy. Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a mouthful of smoke from his pipe. After a long while, he still did not speak about how to handle the matter, as though the situation were exceptionally difficult.

Seven Kumo envoys had arrived, and half of them were dead by the next day. Even if they knew those people harbored ill intentions, how could they prove it?

Having the Yamanaka Clan probe their minds was a good method, but a report had just come in: all of them had Sealing Jutsu in their brains, and parts of their memories had already been destroyed. Nothing useful could be uncovered. Even if they obtained intelligence from the dead men’s heads, there was no way to prove it was a Kumo-nin conspiracy.

The people had died in your village. Wasn’t accusing Konoha of slander simply a matter of Konoha’s word? If Sarutobi Hiruzen produced evidence, that was essentially how it would turn out.

Given the Kumo-nin’s style, they would definitely put on that sort of attitude. In fact, things had already become like this. If the Anbu had not restricted the Kumo-nin’s movements, they would already have caused a scene in Konoha.

"The Kumo-nin may never have intended to sign a Peace Accord with us. Members of their envoy group tried to abduct the Nine… the Fourth Hokage’s son and a Hyuga Clan member. That already reveals their purpose. Now, they merely intend to use the envoys’ deaths to extort us."

Nara Shikaku slowly explained the current situation. Although they had stopped them in time, the remaining Kumo-nin had reacted quickly and spread the news at once. It was no longer just Konoha’s civilians and ninja who knew; before long, the Kumo-nin would likely receive word as well.

When that time came, if negotiations failed, war would be the only option.

Mitokado Homura spoke. "Before coming here, I met with the Kumo Deputy Envoy. They flatly denied the abduction, and threatened that if we did not give them an explanation, the Fourth Raikage would immediately begin a war."

Shikaku frowned. "What about news from the border?"

"It hasn’t arrived yet, but I’ve already issued orders for heightened vigilance," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

Uzumaki Kushina could not help speaking. "Those Kumo-nin robbers still want an explanation? If I hadn’t stayed awake this time, Naruto would have been stolen away by those Kumo-nin bastards! Third Hokage, the Anbu had no reaction at all during this incident. All they know how to do is clean up afterward!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression did not look good after hearing Kushina’s words, but there was nothing he could say. Every word Kushina had spoken was true. The two Anbu members had indeed been somewhat lax, and since Kushina had once been abducted by Kumo-nin as a child, it was only natural that she was furious this time.

"We should arrest every remaining Kumo-nin and interrogate them thoroughly about what accomplices they have in Konoha. Otherwise, those bastards will come after Naruto again!"

Kushina’s accusations continuously echoed through the Hokage’s Office, making Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other three higher-ups look grim.

Danzo no longer had the patience to listen to Kushina’s complaints. He stepped forward half a pace and heavily struck the floor twice with his cane. "Enough. This is not the time to listen to your complaints. We should be discussing how to deal with the Kumo-nin. If you are truly worried about the Fourth Hokage’s son’s safety, you can hand him over to Root. Root will guarantee his safety and train him into a powerful ninja."

"What did you say?! You old bastard!"

Uzumaki Kushina nearly exploded at his words. Minato had told her quite a bit about that shithole called Root in the past. It was a place stripped of all humanity, one she did not even want to hear mentioned.

And now, this scar-faced old man actually wanted her son sent to Root. It instantly ignited the fury in Kushina’s heart.

Uzumaki Kushina glared at Danzo and said, "If you dare lay a hand on Naruto, I guarantee I won’t let you off!"

"Hmph." Danzo merely snorted and did not reply. He did not care about Uzumaki Kushina’s threats at all. A woman who did not have long to live still wanted to keep control of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?

Root had two Wood Style Subordinates. Having him manage the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was the best choice, rather than raising the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki into a useless waste through familial affection. Danzo silently thought that if the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki were handed over to him, he could guarantee that within a few years, Uzumaki Naruto would become a qualified weapon of war.

"You old bastard, you—"

Before Kushina could finish her angry retort, Sarutobi Hiruzen heavily knocked the table twice with his pipe, interrupting her.

"Enough. This is not the time to quarrel. Let’s discuss the Kumo-nin matter."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke harshly. After seeing that neither of them continued arguing, he turned his head and asked, "Homura, what explanation do the Kumo-nin want?"

"They…" Mitokado Homura paused and glanced around before speaking. "The Kumo-nin say that we must hand over the killers—Uzumaki Naruto and the Hyuga Clan’s Patriarch."

Some people in the room had already learned of this. Mitokado Homura had met the Kumo-nin that morning, yet the meeting was only being held near midday. How could he not have informed Sarutobi Hiruzen beforehand? Not only that, even Hyuga Hiashi knew of the Kumo-nin’s demand, which was why he remained so calm upon hearing it.

"That is absolutely impossible to agree to. It seems the Kumo-nin want war."

Nara Shikaku spoke calmly. One was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, while the other was the Hyuga Clan’s Patriarch. Let alone killing four Kumo envoys, even if they had killed forty, there was no way those two could be handed over.

There was no need to mention the importance of the Nine-Tails. The Fourth Hokage had sacrificed his life to leave the Nine-Tails to the village. As for the Hyuga Clan Head, even by conservative estimates, the Hyuga Clan had hundreds of ninja. Such a major clan was not something that could be manipulated at will.

When Uzumaki Kushina had first heard this, rage had also risen within her heart. But she immediately realized that handing Naruto over was impossible, so she did not speak.

Utatane Koharu spoke from the side. "Since the Kumo-nin have made demands, it means they do not particularly want war either. Otherwise, given the Fourth Raikage’s personality, the border should already be in crisis. These two demands still leave room for negotiation. As long as they do not ask for too much, we can make some concessions in the Peace Accord."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "That is what I think as well. If the Kumo-nin are willing to compromise, then even if we suffer some losses, we must sign the Peace Accord. After all, the war has lasted for years, and Konoha has just endured the Nine-Tails’ Rampage. We truly lack the strength to face another war."

"For the arrival of peace, Old Man is willing to bear this responsibility. Konoha’s losses can all be placed upon me alone."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with great righteousness. Then, with a solemn expression, he looked at Mitokado Homura and instructed him, "Homura, regarding compensation for the envoys’ deaths, as long as we can sign the Peace Accord, we can make some concessions."

"In truth, the Kumo-nin’s bottom line is extremely firm."

Mitokado Homura stepped forward and slowly said, "We cannot hand over Uzumaki Naruto or the Hyuga Clan Head. But the Kumo envoys are extremely adamant on this point. They insist on the killers, and would rather go to war otherwise. They will not accept any other demands."

"Is that so?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly took a puff from his pipe after hearing that and did not speak. He seemed caught in a difficult position, unsure what decision to make.

"I never expected peace to be so difficult to achieve."

"If the Kumo-nin want the killers, I have an idea." The Second Elder of the Hyuuga Main House stepped forward, his expression calm.

"Hyuga Hizashi looks exactly like Hiashi. If we hand them a corpse, then Hizashi’s corpse can be used to deal with them. Furthermore, Hizashi is from the Branch Family. Once he dies, the Caged Bird Seal will destroy his Byakugan. Even if the Kumo-nin obtain the corpse, they will not be able to gain the Byakugan’s secrets."

"That way, even if the Kumo-nin discover the truth afterward, they will have nothing to say. And Hizashi has agreed to this as well."

After the Second Elder of the Main House finished speaking, he quietly remained where he stood.

Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to approve of the idea as well and nodded. "That does sound feasible."

Hyuga Hiashi frowned and asked, "Second Elder, why do I know nothing at all about this?"

"Hiashi, protecting the Byakugan has been the Main Family’s mission since ancient times. The Kumo-nin’s intentions are obvious. Only by handing over Hizashi can we protect the Hyuga Clan’s Kekkei Genkai and preserve peace."

The Second Elder of the Main House spoke with slightly greater force. He was Hyuga Hiashi’s elder, and in such major matters, he had the responsibility to guide the Patriarch so that he would not make an incorrect judgment. That was also the duty of the Main House Elders.

"Moreover, Hizashi agreed to this. We are not forcing him."

After hearing that, Hyuga Hiashi’s resolve to die weakened somewhat. If Hizashi had agreed to it…

"Just because Uncle Hizashi agreed means you can send him to his death?!"

At that moment, someone suddenly spoke. The Second Elder of the Main House, Hiashi, and the others turned their heads and saw that it was Hyuga Kiyomi. Since she had also repelled the Kumo-nin who invaded the Hyuga compound that night, and her reputation within the Hyuga Clan had been steadily rising, Hyuga Kiyomi had come along as well.

Hyuga Kiyomi stepped forward half a pace. Anger smoldered in her pure white pupils as she coldly said, "How ridiculous. What did Uncle Hizashi do wrong that he has to be sent to his death?"