Hokage’s Office.

  “Snder! This is snder! Hokage-sama, do you really believe the Hyuga are cowards who shy away from death?!”

  Hiashi’s voice thundered with fury as he confronted the Third Hokage.

  Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed heavily. “Hiashi, it’s not what I think—it’s what people in the vilge have already begun to say.”

  “You know exactly how things stand right now. Our comrades are shedding blood on the front lines. But you, the head of the Hyuga cn, remain in the rear, doing nothing. Rumors are bound to spread. Hiashi, you must think of the bigger picture. Don’t give the vilgers more reason to specute.”

  “But something this serious has happened within our cn—how can I just walk away from that?” Hiashi snapped, unable to hold back.

  Sarutobi’s gaze grew colder, his voice calm but sharp. “What, you think the affairs of the Hyuga cn outweigh the life and death of the entire vilge? That the death of a Hyuga is a tragedy, but the sacrifices made on the battlefield are meaningless?”

  The accusation hit hard. Hiashi’s face darkened, a mix of shame and anger. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  Sarutobi’s eyes softened slightly. “Hiashi, I understand the Hyuga are going through a difficult time. The vilge won’t turn its back on you. As for the death of Hyuga Yoshio, I’ll ensure a full investigation. Something like this happening in Konoha—I won’t let the culprit walk free.”

  Hiashi’s face shifted between pale and flushed as he stood there in silence. At st, he bowed slightly. “Understood. Thank you, Hokage-sama.”

  Sarutobi nodded with a hint of approval. “There’s a logistics team leaving for the front within the next couple of days. Go make your preparations.”

  After Hiashi left, the smile faded from Sarutobi’s face. He walked to the rge window behind his desk and looked out over the vilge.

  Still too young, Hiashi. Wearing your heart on your sleeve like that—losing a single cnsman and you’re already rattled?

  His eyes turned somber.

  If Minato’s just as inexperienced… how’s he going to deal with those old warhawks?

  If the war doesn’t end soon, how can I step down in peace?

  Hyuga Compound.

  When Hiashi returned to his residence, he found his father and Ayano already there, kneeling formally in the middle of the room, clearly waiting for him.

  Without a word, Hiashi stepped inside and knelt beside his father.

  The old man, Hyuga Taikei, hair white with age, leaned on his cane and gave Hiashi a sidelong gnce. “You look pathetic, Hiashi.”

  Hiashi slowly closed his eyes, frustration boiling beneath his calm exterior. Across from him, Ayano looked on with visible worry.

  “What’s thrown you off your game?” Taikei asked slowly.

  Hiashi’s eyes snapped open, voice thick with anger. “The Byakugan is our cn’s greatest secret! Outsiders should never have known about it. I suspect those scheming elders in the Branch House have been acting out of line! I was preparing to investigate, but now the Hokage wants me to leave for the front, all because of some ridiculous vilge rumors—clearly the Uchiha are behind it, stirring the pot!”

  But Taikei only sighed. “You disappoint me, Hiashi.”

  Hiashi scoffed. “Something like this happens to the cn, and as cn head, I will take full responsibility.”

  “And yet you fil like a child over a few stolen eyes,” Taikei said bluntly. “So what if they’re gone? They’re just corpses’ eyes. Without the Hyuga bloodline, there’s no way anyone can recreate the Byakugan. At worst, the shinobi world just gains a few people who can use it. That's it.”

  Hiashi fell silent, jaw clenched.

  Taikei continued, voice low. “What? You think it’s shameful?”

  Still, Hiashi didn’t answer.

  “If that’s enough to shake you, maybe you’re not fit to lead the Main House anymore,” Taikei said coldly.

  Hiashi’s fists tightened, but he swallowed his anger. “Then what do you suggest I do?”

  “Go to the front. The war’s entering a critical stage. The vilge needs the Hyuga’s strength.”

  Hiashi frowned deeply. “And what about the investigation?”

  “The Hokage said he’d handle it, didn’t he?”

  “He said he’d look into it.”

  “Then let him.”

  “But—”

  “What?” Taikei cut him off with a sharp gnce. “You’re worried he won’t find anything? Or that he will?”

  Hiashi didn’t answer.

  “You’re treating this like some great scandal. Worried it’ll tarnish your prestige as the great Hyuga cn head?” Taikei’s eyes narrowed.

  Hiashi sat still, silent as stone.

  “Tell me, Hiashi—does the Hyuga name mean so little to you?”

  “You know exactly how the Uchiha are seen by the common folk. Yet despite the whispers, has anyone ever truly shaken their standing?”

  “Let the vilgers gossip. What matters is how the Hokage sees you. Do you want him to believe you only care about your cn and don’t give a damn about the vilge? Do you understand what that would mean? What’s worse—some vilgers ughing at you behind your back, or losing the Hokage’s trust entirely?”

  Hiashi’s eyes flickered, face shifting from fury to dread to reflection. After a long silence, he finally sighed. “I understand. I’ve been foolish.”

  Taikei nodded. “And the boy? How is he?”

  “I tested him myself st night. He’s fine,” Hiashi replied.

  “He’s fine for now. But after what happened, the Branch House will see him as a potential threat.” Taikei’s voice was grave. “We need to ensure his absolute loyalty to the cn. While you’re away, Ayano, I want you to watch over him closely.”

  Ayano immediately bowed her head. “Understood.”

  Taikei turned back to Hiashi. “You are the head of the Main House, Hiashi. Keeping the cn stable must be your top priority. You must not let internal strife tear us apart.”

  “I understand.”

  Taikei let out a long breath, almost a whisper. “Chaos is a void…”

  “A great maw that swallows everything…”

  He paused, then added, almost absently, “When I die, give him my eyes.”

  “Taikei-sama!” Ayano gasped, eyes wide. “But… he’s from the Branch House! How can he be worthy of the Main House’s eyes?”

  Taikei’s brows drew together. “What, you think the Branch House is born inferior to us? Your own sister is from the Branch House, and she carries the same blood. That very attitude is why the rift between Main and Branch runs so deep.”

  Ayano fell silent, bowing her head in shame.

  “Go make your preparations,” Taikei said at st, his tone more measured. “And be careful at the front. It’s nothing like the vilge. Every battlefield victory you earn out there means more than uncovering a killer ever will. Leave the cn to me.”

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