Chapter 158: Rasa's Despair
"Since you admit defeat, shouldn't you return the Byakugan, which Kirigakure stole from our Hyuga clan?"
This sentence instantly froze the smiles on the negotiators' faces.
While frowning, Ao turned his gaze towards Neji, narrowing his eyes slightly and giving off a slight pressure.
Neji, on the other hand, met his gaze without backing down, his pure white eyes filled with determination.
The atmosphere became incredibly tense, and even Nara Shikaku, who was responsible for negotiating on behalf of Konoha, couldn't find anything to say in response.
He could only glare at Neji with anger in his eyes. Are the Hyuga clan trying to influence the negotiations between the two countries? Can you afford the responsibility of delaying the ceasefire between the two sides?
Ao took a deep breath and said: "This Hyuga ninja... I remember your name is Neji, right? Are you speaking on behalf of Konoha or the Hyuga clan?"
His voice was calm, but it made Shikaku struggle to answer. If he answered on behalf of Konoha, the negotiations would likely break down. But if he answered on behalf of the Hyuga clan, it would expose their own shortcomings to the other side. Neither option was a good outcome.
However, Neji smiled and said: "No, this is not the village's intention, nor is it the Hyuga clan's intention. It is my own intention."
"Your own intention?"
Both the Konoha and Kirigakure delegation were stunned. They had thought that the Hyuga clan was unwilling to lose the Byakugan, so they specifically sent someone like Neji to cause trouble.
"That's right, it's my own intention," Neji proudly stared at Ao. Pausing as he directed his gaze towards Ao's covered eye, he then continued: "The Byakugan belongs to Konoha and also belongs to the Hyuga clan."
"This is a Konoha-only dojutsu and should not fall into the hands of Kirigakure." He calmly looked at Ao, then at the dumbfounded Konoha negotiators, and said lightly.
"My teacher, Uchiha Natsuo, also supports my idea."
"He told me: as descendants of a ninja clan, we have the responsibility and obligation to claim the characteristic Kekkei Genkai organs of our clan."
"He did the same back then, and now he supports me doing the same."
When Uchiha Natsuo attacked Danzo, it was for this reason.
And now, Neji is adopting an 'I'm his student' attitude and no one can say anything.
After all...
If the war continues, the one who will stop Terumi Mei will be Natsuo himself.
If even Natsuo supports Neji, who else has the right to speak?
The Kirigakure ninjas felt their hearts tighten upon hearing this. They could ignore other things, but they couldn't ignore Natsuo's words.
Don't forget!
The reason they came to seek peace is because Natsuo's actions forced them to do so.
Ao and Neji stared at each other for a long time, the atmosphere in the room feeling very tense.
Neji stared directly at him without backing down, although he didn't activate his Byakugan or release any chakra.
But even so, the Kirigakure envoys felt that an immense pressure fell on them, because this is a message from the strongest person in the ninja world.
Who dares to take it lightly? In the end, Ao took a deep breath.
"I understand that the Byakugan indeed belongs to the Hyuga clan."
"Young man, you have won." Ao finally backed down.
He had to back down. Because Kirigakure couldn't completely stop Natsuo, and if the war continued, Natsuo would end up bringing the war to the Land of Water. This was a burden they couldn't bear...
Of course, Ao was not easy to deal with. Although he backed away, he directly took out the Byakugan in front of countless people and then crushed it with his hand.
The destruction of the eyeball plunged the conference room into an uncomfortable atmosphere. But Neji smiled instead.
Whether the Byakugan was destroyed or not was not important. What was important was that there would be no more Byakugan in the hands of outsiders.
Of course, this was not important to himself either.
What was truly important was the sudden increase in his prestige after this incident.
Before today, no one thought that the Byakugan in Kirigakure's hands could be recovered. The Byakugan, known as one of the Three Great Dojutsu, had great strategic value.
Without the Byakugan, Kirigakure could not have discovered that the Fourth Mizukage was being controlled by a genjutsu.
Don't even mention Konoha, even the Hyuga clan has given up on getting the Byakugan back.
When Kirigakure was weakened after the Kage change, Ao, the holder of the Byakugan, personally came to Konoha to cooperate, and even the Third Hokage did not dare to demand that he return the Byakugan.
Now, the Fifth Mizukage is known as the strongest kunoichi in the Shinobi World, and her reputation surpasses even Tsunade.
Even if Tsunade is stronger than the Third Hokage, how can she demand the Byakugan back?
However, Neji actually pulled it off.
This has great significance for the Hyuga clan.
On that day, the entire Hyuga clan celebrated, both the main family and the branch family, raising their cups in high spirits.
Hiashi, in particular, completely changed his previous strict personality, spending a large amount of money to hold a banquet, smiling throughout the entire event, completely different from before.
During the event, he kept praising Neji, saying: "Neji, well done!"
"If your father could see you now, he would definitely be very proud of you!"
The elders of the main family also had smiles on their faces, saying: "Neji, well done, you haven't disgraced our Hyuga clan!"
Neji, with a smile on his face, humbly said: "The lost Byakugan, it is a regret for the Hyuga clan, and both the main family and the branch family have the responsibility and obligation to reclaim it."
"Although I am young, I understand this principle."
"Well said!"
The entire Hyuga clan cheered.
The loss of the Byakugan is a great regret for both the main family and the branch family.
During the negotiations, Neji showed an extremely firm attitude, although everyone knows that the granting of Kirigakure is due to Natsuo's reputation. But that doesn't prevent them from recognizing Neji.
But Neji's mouth curled up, revealing a very subtle smile. Although Neji's actions were bold, Kirigakure had no ability to refuse.
After all, what is the true situation of the so-called 'strongest kunoichi in the Shinobi World'? Others may not know, but can Natsuo not know?
But in the eyes of the outside world, Neji's steadfast attitude demonstrated his loyalty to the Hyuga clan as well as his firm determination to defend the clan's honor. For every member of the Hyuga clan, this is a cause for celebration.
"With this achievement, the way they look at me has really changed... They no longer underestimate me because of my age." Neji's eyes glanced over the surrounding Hyuga ninjas. 'Even the Third Hokage didn't dare to demand the Byakugan from the Kiri ninjas, but I, Neji, dare! Hyuga Hiashi cannot show his attitude in front of the Kiri ninjas, but I, Neji, can!'
Just with these words, it is enough to establish his prestige and make the members of the Hyuga clan completely regard Neji as a leader...
Even though he is only twelve years old this year.
"Next is strength... My strength is still lacking. Within a year, I must become an Elite Jonin who can defeat Hiashi!"
"Not only my own strength, there are also many shinobi in the family branch who can lend me their strength."
"Natsuo-sama can help unlock their Caged Bird, especially those high-level skilled shinobi who have children. They definitely won't want their children to become caged birds as well."
That wasn't the case with Hizashi? If it weren't for Neji, how could he have developed murderous intent towards his niece Hinata, thus provoking Hiashi's punishment?
He was a man who was willing to sacrifice his life for his brother Hiashi.
During this celebration Neji has already begun to search for suitable candidates discreetly. Now that he is in the spotlight he has enough influence, so with a proper reason, he can get the high-ranking members of the Hyuga clan to accompany him on a trip.
Of course, the candidates still need to be carefully selected.
The Hyuga clan's indoctrination education, although it has caused resentment among ninjas like Neji, there are also those who have truly been indoctrinated and willingly act as lapdogs for the main family.
'Even my own actions must be careful.' Neji thought to himself. 'Natsuo-sama is not the kind of person who would proactively help me solve the Hyuga clan's problem. If I mess up, he might not lend a hand...'
'Well... it's not impossible to get him to help. Should I first kidnap Hanabi?'
...
After a few more days of negotiations, Kirigakure finally signed a peace treaty with Konoha.
Honestly, this treaty is not harsh at all, and is even full of preferential treatment.
Not only does Konoha refrain from interfering in Kirigakure's diplomacy, but they also establish trade routes, form an alliance, without demanding compensation due to the destruction during the war...
If it weren't for Natsuo killing many Kirigakure shinobi, causing significant losses to his forces. Perhaps this defeat of Kirigakure is not a loss for them, but on the contrary they would have gained.
Of course, the mood of the Kirigakure delegation is not good. After all, their leader, Ao, lost an eye due to Neji demanding it in an almost threatening manner, making it difficult for them to be happy.
Ao who noticed the group's feelings said seriously: "Please don't make such expressions."
"Don't forget, the treaty we ultimately signed is so preferential."
"This is a completely equal treaty."
"It even benefits our side."
"With such a good result, what does it matter if I sacrifice an eye?"
Ao said with his voice full of pride: "We have not disappointed Mizukage-sama's expectations!"
"Wait... When Mizukage-sama grows stronger and reaches a point where she can defeat that Uchiha Natsuo, what can't we reclaim?"
Upon hearing these words, everyone gradually became spirited. They straightened their backs and lifted their heads high.
"That's right! We still have Mizukage-sama!"
"This time it was because we didn't know Natsuo's technique and we didn't know a way to counter it, but when we gather more information next time, Uchiha Natsuo might not be an opponent for the Mizukage-sama."
"What do you mean 'might not'? Mizukage-sama will definitely defeat Uchiha Natsuo!"
"That's right! Mizukage-sama is the strongest in the Shinobi World!"
They all cheered and regained their spirits. Their gaze became resolute again, filled with hope.
Neji, who was watching the Kirigakure group leave, was left speechless. Looking at the Kiri ninjas regaining their momentum, Neji's mouth twitched, wanting to make a sarcastic comment. 'What would your expressions be if you knew how your Mizukage-sama 'held back' the evil enemy, Natsuo?'
He really wants to see it. He was wondering if there might be a chance...
"Thinking about that..." Neji looked up and looked in Sunagakure's direction.
"So, Natsuo-sama is going to the battlefield against Sunagakure now, and Rasa seems to be the 'Strongest Kazekage' who was raised by Natsuo-sama."
He still remembered Natsuo's words when he left: "I'm going to the front line against Sunagakure to pick up my wife."
Neji continued to reflect. 'If the Suna ninjas obediently bowed their heads, it would be fine, but if they developed the same strange confidence as the Kiri ninjas and attacked Natsuo-sama...'
Neji's expression was strange. Suddenly he wanted to see the spectacle that would unfold on the front against Sunagakure.
'But nothing interesting should happen.' Neji thought. 'Natsuo-sama wiped out the entire Kumogakure ninja force. Even if the Suna Shinobi are confident, they shouldn't be so exaggerated.'
...
Meanwhile, on the front lines against Sunagakure...
"Natsuo! You've finally come to die!"
"Today is the day of your death. Our Kazekage will let you see what true strength is!"
"All the forces of Sunagakure are here, and the enemy is only one person. An army against one person, the advantage is ours!"
"Kazekage-sama, today is the day you become famous!"
The Suna Shinobi were extremely excited, holding their kunai and eagerly looking at Natsuo standing alone in the distance.
If it weren't for the lack of orders from their superiors, they would have already rushed over. Everyone was extremely excited, looking forward to the moment when the title of 'strongest shinobi' would fall on their Kazekage's head.
No one noticed the despair in Rasa's eyes.
"Enough! Stop talking, all of you!' Rasa felt like crying as he roared in his mind. 'You all want to kill me with your words?!'
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