Chapter 27: The Spirit of a Great Nation
This has always been the philosophy of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
It is also the reason why he has repeatedly overlooked Danzo's mistakes.
Especially on the night of the Nine-Tails incident.
The sacrifices made by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki, along with countless lives in the village, forced him to agree to Danzo's proposal for human experimentation.
Transplanting Hashirama Senju's cells into normal people to gain Wood Release techniques, thereby obtaining the power to suppress tailed beasts.
Even though he initially held optimistic thoughts, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood clearly in his heart that conducting such human experiments would inevitably sacrifice many lives.
In other words, when faced with the interests of the village and human lives, the scales in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart ultimately tipped.
At that moment, his heart turned dark.
However, the outcome was contrary to expectations; every living entity involved in the experiments, without exception, was unable to withstand Hashirama's cells.
Not only did they fail to regain control of Wood Release, but they were also utterly defeated.
Even the determined Sarutobi Hiruzen wavered at that moment and chose to give up.
But…
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura had not only grown up together as childhood friends but were also the light and shadow of Konoha Village.
He knew very well that even if he chose to abandon the experiments out of mercy, Danzo would continue with them until he achieved Wood Release.
And indeed, things developed that way; Danzo and Orochimaru hit it off, kidnapping children from nearby villages and successfully creating Yamato, who could use Wood Release.
Upon seeing Yamato, Sarutobi Hiruzen solemnly condemned Danzo's actions, yet internally he was secretly pleased.
This way, the village had regained Wood Release.
With that power, they could suppress the Nine-Tails.
This undoubtedly aided Naruto's growth and the stability of the village.
Most importantly, he took this opportunity to bring Yamato into his Anbu, distancing him from Danzo.
He could inherit his will of fire.
Cherish comrades, cherish the village.
This further solidified Sarutobi Hiruzen's beliefs.
Where there is light, there must be darkness; without either side, the world cannot function normally.
To obtain the Wood Release of the First Hokage, he didn't hesitate to stain his hands with blood, darkening his heart and allowing Danzo to continue his inhumane experiments. In the end, however, the land of Konoha bore the most robust trees.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened, filled with the shock Haru had brought him.
If Haru had showcased his Wood Release from the very beginning, why would he and Danzo need to engage in such human experiments?
Haru was the successor of Hashirama!
The God of Shinobi of the new era!
Gulp.
Sarutobi Hiruzen swallowed hard, feeling a wave of anxiety.
In fact, it wasn't just him.
As disciples of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, both Koharu and Homura were equally shocked and filled with anticipation for Haru's future.
Their thoughts were far more cunning than Sarutobi Hiruzen's.
Just Haru's Wood Release was enough to make them side with him.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if they had to choose between the Hyuga clan and Haru, they would unhesitatingly choose the latter.
Even if the main family was completely wiped out, they could just support the branch family to take their place; after all, children born from the branch family wouldn't be affected by the cursed seal and would possess perfect Byakugan from birth.
Thus, even if Haru was aggressive toward the Hyuga clan, they wouldn't intervene.
The two exchanged glances, choosing silence and having no intention of intervening.
"What… do you want?"
At this moment, the Hyuga elder couldn't keep his composure anymore; it had been several minutes since Haru had sealed off the Hyuga clan members.
Yet, the high-ranking officials of Konoha hadn't even tried to stop or reprimand Haru; they hadn't even said a fair word.
This was clearly enabling Haru's actions.
"I will not allow Hizashi to die!"
Haru declared emphatically, his words directed not only at the Hyuga clan but also at the high-ranking officials of Konoha behind him.
However, one thing surprised Haru.
He had thought that after making such a statement, the Third Hokage would stand with the Hyuga side.
Yet, this man remained silent.
Even now, as Haru reiterated his refusal to let Hizashi die, the high-ranking officials of Konoha simply watched as if it were a show.
Could it be…
Aside from wanting Hizashi to sacrifice himself, did the Konoha high-ups actually have other means to quell the conflict?
Was this behavior merely to suppress the Hyuga clan?
Was it possible that from the very beginning, the Konoha high-ups didn't genuinely want anyone to die, or didn't want Hizashi's life?
Their true purpose might be to use this opportunity to knock the Hyuga clan down a peg, showing them how miserable they would be without the village's support.
On the surface, they were handing over Hizashi's corpse, but in reality, they were bowing their heads to the Konoha high-ups.
But ultimately, this was just Haru's speculation.
However, the current situation suggested that Hizashi's life and death didn't seem particularly important in the eyes of the Konoha high-ups, leading Haru to form such an idea.
Regardless of the truth, it would take some effort before this matter came to an end.
The Hyuga elder glanced at Haru, then at the Konoha high-ranking officials standing not far away.
Hiss…
After some thought, the Hyuga elder inhaled sharply, then explained in a solemn tone, "Whether it is the main family or the branch family, they are all part of the Hyuga clan."
"The reason we are doing this is merely to protect the secrets of the Hyuga clan, and to ensure the stability of the village, we have no choice but to compromise with the Cloud Shinobi Village."
"I watched Hizashi grow up; how could I bear to let him die?"
"Everything is for the sake of the village!"
The Hyuga elder spoke seriously, as if it were truly for the greater good.
Yet, Haru found this statement amusing.
If he hadn't read Naruto, he might have been convinced by this rhetoric.
But in reality, to these clan members, the branch family existed merely as tools.
If they genuinely treated the branch family as humans, it was an act of forced sacrifice for the village.
Was it necessary to hide the truth from Hizashi for years without telling him?
Even the Third Hokage, Haru felt that his actions this time were problematic.
A regime that obtained peace by sacrificing its own people was this the will of fire?
To put it nicely, it was a forced compromise made for the village's sake.
To put it bluntly, this was weakness.
In the country Haru came from, the bravest individuals always protected the people well!
That's the spirit a great nation should have!
"Hyuga clan, listen clearly."
"We favor peace, but peace attained through struggle exists; peace sought through compromise leads to…."
"Death!"