"Go to the battlefield?!"
Hyūga Hiashi's sudden announcement stunned Shinichi. He was momentarily unable to react, questioning his father skeptically. As the Hyūga Main Family head, why would Hiashi suddenly need to go to the battlefield? Was there some mistake?
"Why do you need to go to the battlefield?"
"What happened? Has the situation reached a point of life and death for the Hyūga Clan?"
After a brief moment of shock, Hyūga Shinichi quickly composed himself, though he still felt confused. Although Konoha was still under the umbrella of the Third Great Ninja War, the surrounding situation had largely stabilized.
The existing conflicts were merely small-scale probing and skirmishes between villages—battles conducted solely to solidify gains.
The intensity was nowhere near that of the height of the Third Great Ninja War. Even when the war intensity was highest, the Main Family had already joined the battle. However, at this stage, the Hyūga Main Family wasn't needed, as the current state of war couldn't shake Konoha or the Hyūga.
But for Hiashi to say he was going to the battlefield now—the news was far too sudden. Shinichi was completely unprepared.
"It's inconvenient for us to explain the specifics to you."
"We called you here only to let you know about this matter."
"Until I return, you must listen to your Great-Grandpa's guidance, study hard, and train diligently. Do not be lazy."
Hiashi did not intend to explain too much to Shinichi. In his view, although Shinichi was mentally mature, he was still just a child and could not offer assistance in this matter.
However, even without an explanation, Shinichi had his suspicions:
"Is it because of Lord Orochimaru?"
Hearing the name Orochimaru, everyone present was stunned.
"I overheard your conversation with Lord Orochimaru."
"I apologize, Father."
Shinichi did not conceal his action. Although peeking was out of line, given his status, he would not be punished even if he admitted it.
As expected, hearing Shinichi's explanation, Hiashi showed no anger. Instead, he nodded with resignation, confirming Shinichi's suspicion.
Hyūga Shin, standing nearby, stepped in to explain:
"In recent years, the number of Hyūga clansmen killed on the battlefield is nearly two hundred."
"Considering the casualty rates of other ninja clans in various battles in recent years, our Hyūga Clan's losses account for a significant proportion."
"Although some clans have similar casualty numbers, we Hyūga are a bloodline clan. To put it bluntly, an ordinary ninja is no match for a Hyūga."
"Coupled with the uniqueness of the Byakugan, our Hyūga ninjas are typically high-priority protection targets in a unit. This casualty rate is abnormal."
"Orochimaru came to the Hyūga compound today. Shinichi, since you overheard, you must know what he said?"
"We suspect that Orochimaru is deliberately targeting the Hyūga to pressure us."
"Therefore, we plan to have Hiashi lead elite guards to the front line as a supervisor to monitor Orochimaru!"
The sacrifice of nearly two hundred Hyūga ninjas—to a layman, the number might not mean much, but a quick calculation clearly revealed the severity of the casualties.
The Fourth Great Ninja War required a coalition of the Five Great Nations and the Land of Iron Samurai, totaling only about 80,000 ninja forces.
Even if calculated equally across the six major powers, a single Hidden Village could mobilize only about 13,000 ninjas.
Considering the relatively weaker strength of the Mist and Sand Villages and the Land of Iron, Konoha's maximum mobilization capability in that war was only about 15,000 ninjas. Of that number, 3,000 were part of the Sarutobi Clan's forces.
Fifteen thousand—that was the ninja force a village could mobilize during its peak. Given the brutality of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha's current mobilizable force was likely only around 7,000 ninjas, including various ninja clans, civilian ninjas, Anbu, and other sources.
The Hyūga Clan alone had lost nearly two hundred ninjas in the last two years, which was a blow that almost shook the clan's current foundation.
Even in their prime, the Hyūga Clan could mobilize a maximum of about 4,000 ninjas. After the brutal Third War, mustering 1,500 was already a stretch. Losing two hundred ninjas was naturally a severe blow.
This situation had to be stopped. Even if the casualties were Branch Family ninjas, the Main and Branch Families were interconnected. If the Branch Family was weakened to a certain extent, how could the Main Family survive?!
Given the Hyūga Clan's limited influence, suggesting that the Hokage remove Orochimaru from his front-line command was impossible.
Orochimaru had the Council Elders as political allies, giving him greater authority than the Hyūga Clan. More importantly, he was one of the Legendary Sannin and one of the strongest ninjas in Konoha.
If they removed him as commander, there was no ninja capable of replacing him. Unless the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, or the Fourth Hokage personally took over, they would never replace Orochimaru just because the Hyūga Clan asked. Furthermore, these individuals held critical positions, and Jiraiya was a free spirit whom even the Third Hokage struggled to command.
All the Hyūga Clan could do was suggest to the Fourth Hokage that a supervisor be sent to the front line to monitor and scrutinize all of Orochimaru's orders. And the only person in the entire Hyūga Clan with the status and position to take on this duty was the Clan Head, Hyūga Hiashi. He planned to go to the front line himself to supervise Orochimaru's actions.
As for why Hyūga Shin could not go, it was due to the Elder's advanced age and declining Taijutsu skill. If something truly unexpected happened, Hiashi was better equipped than Shin to escape or resolve the situation. After all, Hyūga Hiashi was the man who managed to escape certain death during the siege led by Ōtsutsuki Toneri!
Hiashi and Shin likely realized that their clan had inadvertently become entangled in the political struggles of Konoha's high command. They didn't want to take sides regarding the "Jinchūriki safety" issue, but now someone was forcing them to choose. For this reason, the Hyūga felt it necessary to demonstrate their strength and resolve, lest others think they were easily manipulated.
Shinichi pondered Hiashi's words carefully, his brow furrowed. Hiashi mistakenly assumed his son was worried about his safety.
"Shinichi, don't worry. Although I'm going to the battlefield, I won't be engaging the enemy directly."
"Besides, I will arrange guards. With the Hyūga elite protecting me, I will surely return safely."
"And the mission won't take too long. Neither we nor the Mist ninjas, nor any other village, can sustain the war much longer."
Listening to Hiashi's words, a look of guilt flashed in Shinichi's eyes. He knew that the changes and deviations in events were probably caused by his alteration of the Minato couple's future. As for Hiashi's assurances, Shinichi couldn't help but feel his father was deliberately jinxing himself...
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