Chapter 69: A Repeat of Hizashi's Death Incident!

Chapter 69: A Repeat of Hizashi's Death Incident!

Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived late to the scene, only to find a large crowd already gathered. To his surprise, the heads of the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans, as well as Hyuga Hiashi, were present. Adding to the tension, Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy stood nearby, showing no acknowledgment of Hiruzen's arrival.

The tension between Hiruzen and Kakashi was palpable. Following the recent allegations of betrayal, Kakashi's loyalty to the Hokage had dissolved into thinly veiled hostility. While Kakashi remained in Konoha, he clearly intended to challenge the status quo. For his part, Hiruzen refrained from labeling Kakashi a traitor outright, knowing such an action would further damage his precarious reputation.

Kakashi, meanwhile, had spent recent days reaching out to the clans of Konoha. His discussions were private, but his intentions were clear—he sought allies in his quest to bring about change. Today, his plans had been interrupted by the news of another Cloud incident, eerily reminiscent of a past tragedy involving the Hyuga clan.

Years ago, the Cloud delegation had attempted to kidnap Hinata Hyuga under the guise of diplomacy, seeking to obtain the Byakugan. When their scheme failed, they staged a murder and demanded reparations. Faced with the threat of war, Hiruzen pressured the Hyuga clan to surrender the "culprit," forcing Hizashi Hyuga to sacrifice himself in place of his brother, Hiashi.

Now, with Hiruzen's son, Asuma Sarutobi, accused of killing a Cloud emissary, the scenario was repeating itself. Kakashi saw the irony and ensured that key figures, including Hiashi and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, were present to witness how Hiruzen would navigate this crisis.

Hiruzen, however, remained unaware of the parallels or the careful orchestration behind the incident. The same hands that had manipulated events years ago were now pulling the strings again, ensuring that history would repeat itself with devastating consequences.

Hiruzen began his investigation, meticulously examining the scene for clues to clear Asuma's name. But despite his efforts, no evidence absolved his son. The crime scene had been expertly staged, leaving no room for doubt in the eyes of the witnesses. Every detail pointed to Asuma as the perpetrator.

The Cloud delegation, led by Dodai, was unrelenting. "There are no uncertainties, Hokage!" Dodai thundered. "Your son murdered one of our own! Will you shield him from justice? Or will you face the consequences of your inaction?"

Hiruzen's expression hardened, but his voice remained measured. "This matter requires careful investigation. I will not make a hasty decision without uncovering the truth."

Dodai stepped forward, his voice rising with fury. "You cannot delay this! Either hand over Asuma, or prepare for war!"

Dodai's ultimatum was clear. The Cloud delegation demanded retribution, presenting Hiruzen with three options:

1. Surrender Asuma Sarutobi for execution.

2. Provide ten pairs of Byakugan as compensation.

3. Refuse both demands and prepare for war.

The crowd erupted into murmurs of disbelief.

"This is absurd!" a Konoha shinobi shouted. "They're making a mockery of us! If they want war, let's give it to them!"

Hiruzen, however, knew better. Konoha, still recovering from recent conflicts, was in no position to face a war with the Cloud. Even worse, a war could draw in other villages, eager to exploit Konoha's vulnerabilities.

The options before Hiruzen were equally grim. He couldn't hand over his son, nor could he risk a war. That left one choice: appeasing the Cloud with the Byakugan.

Hiruzen's hesitation was evident, and the crowd noticed. Kakashi, watching from the sidelines, observed the Hokage's struggle with cold detachment.

"He's trapped," Kakashi muttered to Guy. "The same way he trapped others before. This is his reckoning."

Hiashi Hyuga also watched intently, remembering the pain of sacrificing his brother to satisfy the Cloud's demands. Now, Hiruzen faced a similar dilemma. Hiashi's lips curled into a grim smile. "This time," he whispered, "we won't be their pawns."

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, each clan awaiting Hiruzen's decision. Would he protect his son at all costs, even at the expense of Konoha's dignity? Or would he make the ultimate sacrifice, as he once demanded of others?

Hiruzen's silence spoke volumes. The weight of the decision bore down on him as he realized that no choice would leave him unscathed. The eyes of Konoha—and the entire ninja world—were on him.

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