Inside the Hokage's office.
"Slander! This is slander! Lord Hokage! Do you also believe that we Hyuga are all cowards?!"
Hiashi questioned the Third Hokage, his face flushed with anger.
"Hiashi, it's not that I think so, but some villagers already hold that opinion." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
"You know the current situation. Our comrades are fighting bloody battles at the front lines, yet you, as the Hyuga Clan Head, remain in the rear without doing anything. It's inevitable that rumors will spread. Hiashi, you need to consider the bigger picture and avoid giving the villagers more reason to speculate."
"But with such an incident happening in our clan, how can I just leave?!" Hiashi retorted.
Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "So, you think that compared to the life and death of the village, your Hyuga clan's internal affairs are more important? The death of one Hyuga is a major event, while the sacrifices of those comrades on the front lines are insignificant?"
This heavy accusation instantly made Hiashi's face pale. "I wouldn't dare!"
Hiruzen's eyes softened slightly, and his expression became gentler. "Hiashi, I know the Hyuga are facing difficulties. The village will support you. I will thoroughly investigate the murder of Hitomi. Such an incident happening in Konoha... I will not allow the culprit to escape justice!"
Hiashi stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed. "I understand. Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction. "There's a supply unit departing from the village in two days. Go back and prepare."
After Hiashi left, the smile on Hiruzen's face gradually disappeared.
'Still too young, Hiashi. So easily revealing your thoughts on your face. Losing your composure over the death of just one clan member.'
He walked to the French windows behind his desk, his gaze deep as he looked out at the village scenery.
'If Minato were this young, how would he deal with those old geezers…
'If the war ends smoothly, how can I retire in peace?'
...
Hyuga Clan Compound.
Hiashi returned to his residence and saw his father and Ayano were there. They were kneeling in the center of the living room, seemingly waiting for him.
Hiashi walked in and, seeing his father in the main seat, silently knelt down beside him.
The white-haired Takaguya leaned on his cane and glanced sideways. "Looking quite disheveled, Hiashi."
Hiashi closed his eyes slowly. Across from him, Ayano's face was filled with worry.
Takaguya slowly asked, "What made you lose your composure?"
Hiashi abruptly opened his eyes, his voice laced with anger. "Those Byakugan are clan secrets. Outsiders couldn't possibly know of it. I suspect those old geezers from the Branch Family are restless! I was planning a thorough investigation, but the Hokage wants me to rush to the front lines. He said there are rumors spreading in the village. It must be those Uchiha people fanning the flames!"
Upon hearing this, Takaguya sighed. "You have greatly disappointed me, Hiashi."
Hiashi snorted coldly. "With such an incident in the clan, as the Clan Head, I will naturally take full responsibility."
But Takaguya said, "They are just the eyes of dead people. Lost is lost. But does your current behavior suit that of a Clan Head? This behavoir will only make the branch family members and the Uchiha down on you even more."
Hiashi widened his eyes in disbelief. "Those are the Byakugan! Our Hyuga Clan has always strictly controlled the outflow of our bloodline. How can we just lose them?!"
Takaguya said, "What if they are lost? Without our Hyuga bloodline, another Byakugan clan won't just appear. At most, there will be a few more people in the ninja world possessing the Byakugan."
Hiashi remained silent.
Takaguya continued, "What? Do you feel ashamed?"
Hiashi didn't speak.
Takaguya said indifferently, "If this is unbearable, why not relinquish your position as Clan Head?"
Anger welled up inside Hiashi, but he suppressed it. "What do you suggest we do now?"
Takaguya replied, "Go to the front lines. The war is intense and requires the Hyuga's strength."
Hiashi frowned. "What about the clan's matters?"
"The Lord Hokage should look into it."
"He said he would investigate thoroughly."
"Then let the Lord Hokage investigate."
"But..."
"But what?" Takaguya glanced over, interrupting him.
"Are you afraid the Hokage won't find anything, or are you afraid he will?"
"..."
"Do you consider this a scandal? Are you worried that it will damage your prestige as the Hyuga Clan Head if it gets out?" Takaguya questioned, his eyes narrowed.
Hiashi remained silent, his face grim.
"Hiashi, is the Hyuga name so shallow in your eyes?
"Do you not know the Uchiha's reputation among the common people? But has anyone shaken their status all these years?
"Let the people say what they want. The key is how the Hokage will view you. Do you want him to think you're someone who only cares about your own clan and ignores the village's life or death? Have you considered the consequences? Do you think that's more serious compared to villagers snickering at you on the street?"
Hiashi's eyes flickered, his expression changing for a long time before he took a deep breath. "I understand. I was foolish."
Takaguya nodded and then asked, "How is that child?"
Hiashi said, "I personally tested him last night. There's no problem."
"No problem now doesn't guarantee the future. With the Byakugan theft, that child might become a variable in the eyes of the Branch Family." Takaguya stated, "To ensure that child's absolute loyalty to the clan, Ayano should show him more care and concern while you're at the battlefield."
Hearing this, Ayano quickly lowered her head and responded, "Understood."
Takaguya then said to Hiashi, "Hiashi, you are the head of the Hyuga Clan. You must understand that maintaining the stability of our clan is paramount! Never allow internal strife within the family!"
"I know."
Takaguya sighed softly and murmured, "Chaos is an abyss...
"An abyss that opens its bloody maw and devours everything... After I die, give him my eyes."
"Master Takaguya!" Ayano exclaimed in shock. "He's just a Branch Family member. How can he be worthy of the Main Family's eyes?!"
Takaguya frowned slightly. "What? Do you think the Branch Family is inherently inferior to the Main Family? Your sister shares the same blood as you, and she's also from the Branch Family.
"It's this kind of mentality that has caused the conflict between the Main and Branch Families to deepen to this point."
Ayano immediately lowered her head and remained silent.
"Go and prepare. Be careful at the front lines. It's not like the village. Every battle achievement you make there is far more important than finding the culprit in the village. I will handle the clan's matters."