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Shin looked at Hiashi Hyūga’s grim face, which looked like someone had just died in his family, and felt rather speechless.
“I killed him. Just tell the Third Hokage. Do you really think Hiruzen Sarutobi can demand an explanation from me?”
“Besides, Hiashi Hyūga, aren’t you even a little concerned about ‘why’ the Kumo delegation leader was here?”
Shin’s words snapped Hiashi back to reality. He realized that was the more important question—why was the Kumo delegation leader in the Hyūga compound?
“Why?” Hiashi asked Shin. As the only witness, Shin was the only one he could ask.
“The Kumo delegation leader came for Hinata. He wanted to kidnap her. Then he ran into me and, well… met his glorious end.”
Shin told Hiashi the whole story directly.
Hearing this, Hiashi erupted in fury. The audacity of Kumogakure! Sneaking into the Hyūga compound to commit a crime? Did they think the Hyūga Clan was easy prey?
“Are you thinking, ‘Kumo thinks the Hyūga Clan is easy prey’?” Shin asked, watching Hiashi’s expression flicker between anger and calculation.
“How did you know?” Hiashi was momentarily stunned. How did Shin know his thoughts?
“Just a guess. Anyone would think that in this situation.” Shin shrugged. He couldn’t actually read minds.
“But you’re right. Kumo does think the Hyūga Clan is easy prey. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have targeted you.”
“Kumo clearly covets your clan’s Kekkei Genkai. Don’t they also covet the Uchiha’s Sharingan? Of course they do. But they didn’t target the Uchiha. Clearly, they think the Hyūga are an easier target.”
Shin’s tone was flat, but Hiashi sensed the underlying disdain.
“The Hyūga Clan is definitely not weaker than the Uchiha Clan!” Hiashi retorted defensively, his pride stung.
“Don’t kid yourself. The Uchiha are leagues ahead of the Hyūga.”
In Shin’s eyes, the gap between the Hyūga and Uchiha was immense. He didn’t know about the Warring States period, but currently, the Hyūga were completely outclassed.
Even after the Uchiha massacre, the surviving Itachi Uchiha could still wipe the floor with the entire Hyūga clan.
Being looked down upon like this should have infuriated Hiashi, who valued his clan’s honor above all else. He should have challenged Shin, but knowing it was futile, Hiashi suppressed his anger.
“Since you saved my daughter, the Hyūga Clan will take responsibility for this matter,” Hiashi said seriously.
“???” Shin stared at him, bewildered. Was Hiashi an idiot?
“You saved Hinata. The Hyūga Clan will not let our benefactor take the blame. I will tell the Third Hokage that I killed the Kumo delegation leader.” Hiashi declared righteously.
He believed that given the Hyūga Clan’s standing, even if he admitted to killing the Kumo delegation leader, the Third Hokage wouldn’t punish them severely.
Besides, Kumo was clearly at fault this time. Hiashi felt confident.
This would also repay the debt he owed Shin Uzumaki. Hiashi didn’t like owing anyone, especially not Shin.
“Well, you certainly have integrity.”
Shin gave Hiashi a thumbs-up, then took the confused Hinata’s hand and left.
Hiashi might act tough now, but will he cry later? Shin looked forward to seeing how this played out.
He had intended to help Hiashi by taking Hinata away, but Hiashi had refused. Shin wasn’t the type to force his help on others.
So, he’d just watch the show. He looked forward to the day Hiashi regretted his decision.
Shin paid no further attention to the matter. He went off to spend time with little Hinata, hoping to improve her affection. She was adorable; he didn’t want to force her to leave. He wanted her to come with him willingly.
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Hiashi went to examine the corpse. Seeing the unrecognizable state it was in, his mouth twitched, and a new wave of fear towards Shin washed over him.
If I anger Shin Uzumaki, will I end up like this?
Just the thought sent shivers down his spine.
He instructed a few clan members to take the mangled corpse and followed them to the Third Hokage.
It was late, but Hiruzen was still working in the Hokage Tower.
“Hiashi, what is it?” Hiruzen looked up, puzzled by Hiashi’s late-night visit.
“Sandaime-sama, I have something important to report.”
Hiashi gestured to his clansmen, who brought forward the Kumo delegation leader’s body.
Hiruzen stood up abruptly. Although the body was beaten beyond recognition, the Kumo forehead protector revealed everything.
“Hiashi, what happened?” Hiruzen asked gravely.
“Sandaime-sama, this is the leader of the Kumogakure envoy delegation. He came to my home attempting to kidnap my daughter. I confronted him, and in the ensuing struggle… I accidentally killed him,” Hiashi reported.
The two Hyūga clansmen behind him looked horrified. Did the Clan Head really strike that hard?
Even Hiruzen momentarily forgot the man’s identity, staring at Hiashi in disbelief.
Beaten into this state? That’s not an accident. That’s clearly intentional, brutal force.
“Hiashi, you should know… this is troublesome,” Hiruzen said, taking a drag from his pipe, his face etched with worry.
Regardless of whether Hiashi acted intentionally, the Kumo delegation leader was dead. This meant the peace negotiations were likely ruined.
Hiashi remained silent. He left the decision to Hiruzen, trusting the Hokage to protect his own people.
“Sandaime-sama, I expect Kumogakure to give the Hyūga Clan an explanation. I will take my leave now.”
After a long silence, Hiashi left with his clansmen, leaving Hiruzen alone with the corpse.
“Go, summon the rest of the Kumo delegation.” Hiruzen ordered a hidden Anbu agent.
Hiruzen was also angry. How dare these Kumo Shinobi cause trouble in Konoha?
His initial thought was still to seek justice for the Hyūga Clan. He didn’t believe Hiashi would lie; Kumo was clearly at fault.
Soon, the remaining members of the Kumo delegation were brought in. They sensed trouble the moment they were summoned.
Seeing their leader’s corpse, they understood immediately. Their plan had been exposed. And he’d been beaten so badly he was unrecognizable.
Konoha Shinobi are too ruthless!
If not for the clothes, they wouldn’t have recognized their captain.
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