Chapter 43: The Hyuga Struggles (3)

Naruto walked towards Hinata with a calm expression.

He had already sensed that her chakra reserves were nearly depleted and that she was merely putting on a brave front so, to end the conflict quickly, he gestured for her to sit beside him allowing her some rest and it would also help her keep her image.

Hinata nodded, sitting down near Naruto. She trusted Naruto to handle the situation, though her exhaustion was evident.

Just as she sat near him, he asked the remaining Hyugas, "So, how do you want this all to end? I can make an example out of you and we will have another Uchiha-like situation here but honestly, I find this idea distasteful."

"You have no right to interfere in our clan matters." shouted one of the elders from the crowd while the rest murmured in agreement with him.

Hinata wanted to say something but before she could, Naruto had already made his move, "No right?" he echoed, his tone shifting into one of playful menace. "Why would I care about that? I'm strong—so I will interfere. Simple as that."

The whole crowd was stunned. They know that the Ninja world is brutal and the might makes right is the only philosophy that works here. Yet, being told so brazenly in the face was a bit humiliating.

"Hinata, what do you want to do here?" Naruto asked Hinata this time as he didn't want to interfere much here as this clan is Hinata's family and he couldn't go on a rampage here.

Hinata hesitated, then straightened her shoulders. "Those who attacked us… we'll execute the elders. I have no use for them. The others can be marked and made to work as labourers. But before that, I want to know if there was anyone else involved and their exact plans."

"Hmm, let me make a guess, these guys were targeting Hanabi, they can use Hanabi to influence you."

As he spoke, Naruto began walking towards the elder who had shouted earlier. His imposing presence made the older man shrink back instinctively. Stopping just in front of him, Naruto grabbed the elder's arm with a firm grip.

"Tell me, oh respected elder of the mighty Hyuga clan, what exactly were you planning today?"

"Nothing, we just wanted to hold young lady Hanabi as a hostage to influence the clan heir."

"Now now, why don't you be more open, I can sense lies coming out of your mouth."

Replied Naruto with a sweet smile but his actions were of a devil right now. He twisted the arm of the elder while speaking and with the sound of a snap, his forearm was bent at an unnatural angle.

The elder screamed but Naruto kept on smiling.

"I told you" the elder gasped, struggling against the pain. "That was our plan! We only wanted to end the clan heir's influence ..."

"Another lie. Elder, I am asking you so politely, as a junior, I respect my elders, shouldn't you as my elder provide me with the truth and set an example."

There was another series of cracks, accompanied by the elder's hysterical screams. The courtyard grew tense as even those who wanted to intervene found themselves frozen in fear. Their bodies refused to move from that position.

Hinata, watching from the side, felt unsettled. She had never seen Naruto like this before.

"Ahh looks like the elder here won't provide me with the true answers. I wonder if.." Naruto paused for a few seconds as he scanned the entire compound before his eyes spotted a young man among them.

"Hey, look at that, you look just like the elder down here. Maybe you can provide me with some answers." Naruto sounded quite cheerful as he turned to move towards that man but before he could take a second step, the elder on the ground suddenly shouted.

"Wait! Not him, please... I..I will tell you everything, please spare him."

The young man who was the son of the elder also fell down on the ground scared of Naruto.

Naruto looked at the elder down on the ground with an expressionless face.

"Go on then."

"We… we planned to mark young Lady Hanabi with the cursed seal and use her to control the clan heir. The plan was suggested by Lord Danzo. He promised us higher positions in the village. We did this for the benefit of the Hyugas… because everyone believed the heir was unfit to lead. "

"Oh, now that makes sense. You know, you tried harming people I hold very dear to me, I want to end you right now, but this is Hinata's battle, I will let her be the judge, jury and executioner."

Naruto stared at him in silence for a moment before speaking again.

"You endured so much pain to protect this plan. But the moment your son was threatened, you folded. You understand the love of a parent for their child. Yet, you were ready to harm another parent's child. Forget it. You're already dead to me."

Naruto shook his head and started walking towards Hinata.

"You're exhausted," he said, squatting beside her. "How about I have a few clones guard them? You can decide what to do with them in the morning."

Hinata just nodded as she was really tired at that moment. She decided to go with Naruto to his mansion.

Naruto meanwhile used his Conqueror's Haki, rendering the remaining attackers unconscious. He left two clones behind to ensure none of them escaped.

Hiashi has also dealt with the branch family members and calmed them down.

..............

"Naru-chan, I am worried for you. You don't have to do these things yourself you know." asked a concerned Kushina from within Naruto's mind-space.

"Don't worry Mom, you know I have already killed ninjas before, so breaking a few bones is not much."

"Yes, but this felt a little different. And are you sure it's okay for Hinata to carry the burden of executing those elders? They're still her family. She's too young for this."

"Hmm, even I thought about it, but this is still her battle, I can only support her decisions. This will also help her grow."

"But son, you will face trouble from the village if such a big decision is made. Don't forget, since the Uchihas are gone, Hyugas have become even more crucial." Minato also expressed his opinion on this matter.

"Aghh, that is another trouble, but we can just look into it when the trouble comes. If negotiations fail, strength will always work."