Chapter 70: Who Does the Will of Fire Truly Protect?
Chapter 70: Who Does the Will of Fire Truly Protect?
"Wait!"
"I have something to say!"
The sudden interruption came from the Hyuga clan's ranks, as a young boy stepped forward. It was none other than "Neji Hyuga," or rather, Uchiha Yi disguised as Neji.
Seeing the hesitation on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face, Yi immediately grasped the direction of his thoughts. As expected, the Hokage seemed ready to deploy his usual rhetoric about the Will of Fire, persuading the Hyuga clan to sacrifice their own for the sake of peace and appeasement.
Yi knew this couldn't be allowed to happen. To prevent such a conclusion, he had to act—and Neji's identity was the perfect vehicle for his plan.
The crowd turned their attention to "Neji," visibly surprised. Many recognized him as the Hyuga clan's young genius but couldn't fathom why he was speaking out now. After all, matters involving relations between two major ninja villages were no place for a child.
Curiosity got the better of them, however, and they held back from stopping him, eager to see what the boy had to say.
"Oh?" Hiruzen smiled warmly, though a flicker of curiosity passed through his eyes. "Young Neji, what do you wish to say?"
Under the scrutiny of the crowd, "Neji" maintained an air of calm confidence, his serene demeanor earning the admiration of many. Even members of the Hyuga clan couldn't help but feel a swell of pride.
But what came next left everyone stunned.
"I think we should hand over the culprit, Asuma Sarutobi, to Cloud Village for justice," said "Neji" without hesitation.
The crowd collectively froze, jaws dropping in shock.
Was this truly a Hyuga speaking?
This wasn't merely bold—it was downright incendiary. To openly suggest sacrificing the Hokage's son was unheard of.
"Why do you say that?" Hiruzen asked, his smile never wavering, though those who knew him well could see the glint of anger in his eyes.
"Because the Hokage has always taught us," Neji replied, feigning innocence, "that where the leaves dance, the fire burns brightly. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and inspire new generations of leaves to sprout.
"Asuma, as a Konoha jonin, has benefited greatly from this village. Now that Konoha is in crisis, shouldn't he be the one to make a sacrifice for the greater good?
"By giving up one life—his life—we can prevent a war and save countless others. Isn't that the most straightforward choice?"
The boy's calm logic cut through the tension, leaving the crowd murmuring uneasily. Many avoided his gaze, unwilling to meet his piercing eyes.
The silence was broken when Kakashi unexpectedly spoke. "Neji makes a valid point," he said simply, his tone steady and unyielding.
"I agree with Kakashi!" Might Guy chimed in with equal determination, his unwavering friendship evident.
The tide began to shift, though most others remained silent, unwilling to take a stand.
Hiruzen's smile stiffened. "So, by that reasoning, Neji, why shouldn't the Hyuga clan make the sacrifice instead?" he countered smoothly.
"If the Hyuga were to offer up ten Byakugan, it would resolve this situation without costing any lives. Wouldn't that be better than sacrificing a single life?"
His words resonated with some in the crowd, who began nodding in agreement.
"You are clever, Hokage-sama," "Neji" retorted without missing a beat, his expression unchanging. "But tell me, why should the Hyuga bear the consequences of your son's mistakes?
"You suggest giving up our Byakugan to appease Cloud Village, yet you, of all people, should understand the consequences of handing such power to an enemy.
"Would you risk the safety of the village in the future to save one life now? Especially when that life belongs to the very person responsible for this crisis?
"The solution is clear: sacrifice Asuma. His life is a small price to pay for peace."
Once again, "Neji's" words struck a chord, leaving Hiruzen visibly shaken. The Hokage realized this wasn't the argument of a mere child.
After a moment's silence, Hiruzen spoke again. "No. You misunderstand the true meaning of the Will of Fire, Neji," he said firmly. "It's not about sacrificing individuals for the village—it's about protecting the next generation.
"Sacrifice should never be made lightly. The Will of Fire teaches us that the older generation must shield the young, allowing them to grow and prosper.
"We will not surrender Asuma. Nor will we offer up the Byakugan. If Cloud Village wants war, so be it! Konoha has never feared any enemy, and we will not start now."
Hiruzen's impassioned declaration silenced the crowd, many of whom felt a surge of pride in their Hokage's resolve.
But Uchiha Yi, still playing the part of Neji, allowed himself a small, sardonic smile.
"Well said, Hokage-sama," he replied coolly. "But if you truly believe in the Will of Fire, then why did my father, Hizashi Hyuga, have to die?"
The question landed like a thunderclap, and the crowd gasped in unison.
"Back then, the situation was no different from today. My father was sacrificed to placate the Cloud and avoid war.
"You claim to protect everyone in the village, but does that protection only extend to the Sarutobi clan?
"Tell me, Hokage-sama, is the Will of Fire meant to protect the village—or just your family?"
Yi's words were like daggers, cutting through Hiruzen's carefully constructed façade. The crowd murmured uneasily, their faith in the Hokage wavering.
"Hokage-sama," Yi continued, his voice sharp and unyielding, "if your son's life is more precious than the lives of countless others, then forgive me for saying so—but we Hyuga refuse to offer up the Byakugan.
"If war breaks out, we will not fight for Konoha. And if Konoha falls, we will surrender to the enemy instead.
"The choice is yours, Hokage-sama."
Yi's final words echoed in the stunned silence, leaving Hiruzen visibly shaken. The gathered crowd turned to the Hokage, awaiting his decision.
For the first time, Hiruzen found himself cornered, forced to confront the consequences of his hypocrisy.
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