Chapter 73: Hokage-sama, You Acted Too Fast!
Chapter 73: Hokage-sama, You Acted Too Fast!
"Is it true?"
"The fate of avoiding war lies entirely with Asuma."
The crowd collectively turned their gaze to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage. The ultimate decision rested on his shoulders: Konoha or his son?
Would he choose to be the Hokage of Konoha, sacrificing his son to preserve the village's fragile peace?
Or would he choose to be the Hokage of the Sarutobi Clan, protecting Asuma at the cost of pushing the Hyuga Clan and others to leave, resulting in Konoha's fragmentation and eventual collapse?
The silence stretched unbearably as everyone awaited Hiruzen's response.
---
Finally, Hiruzen broke the tension with a heavy sigh.
"I am the Third Hokage of Konoha," he said, his voice burdened with pain. "If sacrificing Asuma can ensure peace, then so be it."
His tone was resolute, but the sorrow in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. He turned to his son, Asuma.
The younger Sarutobi smiled faintly, showing no fear. "Father, I trust your choice."
For a brief moment, father and son locked eyes. Memories of better times flashed through their minds—days when Asuma was still a boy, training with his father.
But that time was long gone. Asuma had grown distant over the years, their bond strained by arguments and misunderstandings. Yet in this moment, there was a bittersweet reconciliation.
Hiruzen drew a kunai, his hand trembling.
"Asuma…" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Then, with one swift motion, he plunged the kunai into his son's chest.
---
The crowd collectively gasped as Asuma staggered backward, blood gushing from the wound.
Sarutobi Hiruzen knelt beside his son's lifeless body, tears streaming down his face.
For the briefest of moments, the entire crowd seemed to hold its breath.
And then—
"Ah, Hokage-sama!" Neji's voice rang out, loud and clear. "You acted too fast!"
---
All eyes turned to Neji, whose face showed exaggerated shock.
"What are you talking about?" Hiruzen growled, his tone hoarse with grief.
"I didn't finish my point earlier!" Neji said innocently. "When you asked if we'd stay if you sacrificed Asuma, I was about to say that the Hyuga Clan… still plans to leave Konoha!
"After all, if you can kill your own son so easily, how could we possibly trust you to protect us?"
---
The crowd was stunned.
"You…" Hiruzen's voice cracked, his hands clenching into fists.
Neji shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, if you're willing to eliminate your own family, then what chance do the Hyuga have of surviving under your leadership? Who's to say we won't end up like the Uchiha Clan or the Senju Clan, wiped out until nothing remains?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned an alarming shade of red. "You… you lied to me?!"
"Well," Neji replied with a faint smirk, "it's not my fault you jumped to conclusions. I never said sacrificing Asuma would guarantee anything. Maybe you should've asked for clarification before acting."
---
Hiruzen's breath hitched, his vision swimming. A moment later, he coughed violently, spitting blood onto the ground.
"Hokage-sama!" Jiraiya rushed forward to steady his teacher, glaring at Neji with barely contained fury.
The Toad Sage's aura radiated killing intent, something he didn't even notice himself. Neji, however, remained utterly unfazed.
"I've had enough!" Hiruzen roared, pushing Jiraiya away as he staggered to his feet. "Is this truly the will of the Hyuga Clan?!"
"Yes," Neji said bluntly.
"You leave me no choice!" Hiruzen declared. "As Hokage, I hereby declare the Hyuga Clan traitors to Konoha! All members of the Hyuga Clan are to be classified as rogue ninja and dealt with accordingly!"
---
The crowd collectively gasped again.
As Hiruzen finished speaking, dozens—no, hundreds—of masked ANBU operatives materialized behind him, their chakra signatures filling the air with an oppressive weight.
"Are those… ANBU?" someone whispered.
"Since when did Konoha have so many?"
The sheer number of operatives was staggering, enough to rival the entirety of Konoha's known forces. And yet, their presence only deepened the crowd's unease.
---
Neji raised an eyebrow, his expression calm despite the tension.
"Well," he said lightly, "this is unexpected. I didn't realize Konoha had been stockpiling forces in secret. Fascinating…"
"Neji," Jiraiya growled, "it's not too late to stop this. Just apologize, and maybe we can still find a peaceful resolution."
Neji laughed softly.
"Apologize? For what?" he asked. "For pointing out the truth? For standing up to a hypocritical leader? No, Jiraiya-sama, I won't apologize for that."
---
The atmosphere grew heavier, the tension nearly unbearable.
Jiraiya glanced at Hiruzen, who gave a slight nod. It was clear that diplomacy had failed.
Jiraiya sighed. "Then I guess we do this the hard way."
---
But before anyone could act, Neji raised his hand.
"Wait," he said.
"What now?" Hiruzen snarled.
Neji smiled faintly. "I'm just curious about something.
"You've declared us traitors, yes? So tell me, Hokage-sama…
"If you had this many ANBU at your disposal, why didn't you use them to protect the Uchiha? Or the Senju? Or anyone else who suffered under your so-called leadership?
"Or is the truth simply this: you've never cared about protecting the village. Only yourself."
---
The words hit Hiruzen like a physical blow.
For a moment, it seemed as though time had stopped.
Then, without a word, Hiruzen collapsed to the ground.
Jiraiya rushed to his side, his expression grim.
The crowd erupted into chaos, shouting and arguing amongst themselves.
And amidst it all, Neji stood calmly, a faint smirk on his lips.
Let's see how you clean up this mess, old man.
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