Orochimaru and Anko Mitarashi walked through the crowd. The Hyūga clansmen naturally recognized Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, and the gathered members automatically cleared a path for him. The ninja world was ultimately a place where power spoke loudest. Even the Hyūga showed the respect and deference due to a powerhouse like the Sannin.
The young Anko Mitarashi clearly had some awareness of the Hyūga Clan. Seeing that the Hyūga, Konoha's supposedly largest clan, showed such respect for her master, her vanity was greatly satisfied. She unconsciously straightened her back as she walked beside Orochimaru.
Orochimaru himself, however, calmly glanced at the slightly arrogant Anko beside him and said in his husky voice:
"Anko, the Hyūga Clan is not simple."
"Don't be rude when you meet people!"
At Orochimaru's reminder, the smile on Anko's face gradually faded. She looked at Orochimaru with admiration and nodded heavily.
"I understand, Master."
Although Anko didn't agree with Orochimaru's words in her heart—in her mind, no ninja in the world was better or stronger than her Master Orochimaru, not even the bloodline clan Hyūga—she still obeyed. Orochimaru was the person she admired most and regarded as family.
Given Orochimaru's nature, he knew exactly what Anko was thinking. However, he had no intention of forcing Anko to agree. For the Hyūga, simply maintaining surface-level politeness was enough.
Orochimaru led Anko to the Main Temple. It so happened that Hyūga Hiashi, accompanied by the family members of the deceased, stepped out of the temple to greet Orochimaru. Just as Anko had originally thought, even the Hyūga showed deference to a ninja of Orochimaru's caliber.
"Clan Head Hiashi, thank you for receiving us."
After a brief greeting, Orochimaru's gaze shifted to the family members of the deceased standing beside Hiashi, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying. The usually cold-faced Orochimaru put on a serious expression. In full view of the crowd, he actually bowed slightly to the family members and said softly:
"My apologies... I failed to protect my subordinates."
Orochimaru's voice was low, and the deep sense of sorrow and self-reproach in his tone caused the already grief-stricken family members to cry even harder. Since they were too overwhelmed with grief to speak, Hiashi softly sighed and stepped forward to speak on their behalf:
"Lord Orochimaru, please do not say that."
"They were ninjas. They knew the risks before stepping onto the battlefield. We will always remember their courage and fearlessness."
"This is something... no one wanted to happen. It is not your responsibility."
"That you could take time out of your busy schedule to attend their memorial... I thank you on behalf of the Hyūga for your presence."
As he spoke, Hiashi slightly bowed to Orochimaru on behalf of the bereaved families. Hyūga Hizashi, standing behind Hiashi, also bowed. Although the family members were consumed by their grief, they respectfully bowed to Orochimaru as well, expressing their thanks.
Orochimaru said nothing more. He glanced at the coffins and the photos placed on them, then sighed softly. Accepting incense from an attendant, he led Anko forward to pay his respects. As Orochimaru performed the ritual, the sound of the families weeping resumed.
The clansmen watching from outside, hearing the heart-wrenching cries of their family members, felt deep empathy, their mood growing heavy.
In recent years, too many clansmen had died in battle, a number comparable to those who died during the height of the Third Great Ninja War. Although some felt that this was abnormal, the Hyūga Clan had investigated and found no evidence of foul play.
What could the Hyūga clansmen say about such results, besides simply lamenting, "Life is fickle"? Were they to protest to the Konoha high command that their assigned missions carried too high a risk?! The war had reached this stage, and every clan in Konoha had suffered heavy losses.
Compared to those clans, the Hyūga were still relatively fortunate. In all of Konoha, perhaps only the Uchiha, who managed the Village's security, were in a slightly better state, though still not by much.
The fact that Orochimaru, the supreme commander of the front lines, personally came to mourn his fallen subordinates demonstrated a deep respect for the Hyūga Clan.
"Clan Head Hiashi, I have another matter I wish to discuss with you. I wonder if..." After offering incense, Orochimaru returned to stand before Hiashi. He pondered for a moment before asking tentatively.
"Lord Orochimaru, let's step aside to talk." Hiashi heard this and exchanged a look with Hizashi. Then, Hiashi gestured toward a side hall.
"Anko, wait here for me," Orochimaru instructed, then followed Hiashi and Hizashi, who were leading the way.
What Orochimaru and Hyūga Hiashi discussed could only be known by the few individuals present. The meeting lasted only ten minutes or so. Then, Shinichi saw Orochimaru emerge from the side hall with a composed expression. After calling for Anko, Orochimaru left the Hyūga compound.
Orochimaru's entire visit—from entering the compound to mourn the deceased to his departure—lasted only a short while. Shinichi's gaze tracked Orochimaru and his disciple the entire time. Shinichi even knew the details of the conversation between Orochimaru and Hyūga Hiashi in the side hall. Although he couldn't hear their voices, Shinichi could read their lips, a mandatory skill for the Hyūga to gather information.
"He wants us Hyūga to support him and Danzō..."
"In exchange, he is willing to provide our Hyūga ninjas with necessary care on the battlefield."
"Is this an offer of cooperation or an attempt to coerce the Hyūga...?"
Shinichi frowned, digesting the information he had "read," pondering to himself. Shinichi knew that Danzō and the Elders wanted to push for the confinement of the Jinchūriki. The Hyūga had remained neutral on this issue, but if it ever came to a decisive vote, the Hyūga would be one of the Fourth Hokage's trump cards.
However, supporting the Fourth Hokage was based on a personal relationship. If Orochimaru used the lives of Hyūga ninjas as a bargaining chip, Shinichi could already predict what Hiashi would do.
But... Orochimaru dared to use such a thing as leverage. If the contents of this meeting were exposed, it would not be good news for Orochimaru.
Unless...
"He is confident that he won't be replaced as the Supreme Commander of the front lines."
"Right now in Konoha, aside from the Fourth Hokage and Jiraiya, there seems to be no one who can take his position..."
After a moment of thought, Shinichi understood the source of Orochimaru's confidence.
It was simply... power.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
60+ advanced chapters available.