"…"
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Hyūga Hiwa froze for a moment.
Jōnin?
Who?
Hyūga Kumokawa?
"Why?"
The question slipped out instinctively. Though he realized it was inappropriate the next second, he saw that Hyūga Kumokawa continued staring straight ahead, not sparing him a single glance. Unable to hold back his irritation, he asked, "Sandaime-sama, he's nothing but a failure!"
"Hiwa." Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him a deep look and said calmly, "In your eyes, is a young man who managed to protect his comrades and escape from an encirclement of nearly a hundred Kumogakure shinobi still considered a failure?"
"I can vouch for that," Akimichi Dōtō, who was also present, suddenly spoke up. "Kumokawa's role during the escort mission and the ambush was absolutely indispensable."
"Him? Hyūga Kumokawa?"
Hyūga Hiwa glanced at Hyūga Kumokawa, as if he'd heard a joke. His anger faded, replaced by a laugh. "A failure who only just awakened his Byakugan? A failure who gets weak in the knees at the sight of blood? A failure who, as long as I…"
Hearing this, before he could finish, the previously silent Hyūga Kumokawa slowly turned his head toward Hyūga Hiwa. His expressionless face softened into a faint smile that held no trace of warmth.
"Senior Hiwa, you don't wear this outfit often, do you?" he said slowly, his tone calm and even. "Before you say the next words, you'd best think them over carefully."
At the first half of the sentence, the interrupted Hyūga Hiwa frowned, not understanding why Hyūga Kumokawa was suddenly mentioning his clothes.
But Kumokawa was right.
The outfit he wore wasn't his usual attire within the Hyūga clan. It was a Jōnin uniform.
Similar to the other Jōnin present, he wore standard green armor on the outside and a black undershirt with protective mesh on the inside.
Despite his advanced age, Hyūga Hiwa—like Hyūga Hiashi—was actually at the Jōnin rank.
Whether due to his status in the main house or as a senior, Hyūga Hiwa had never taken Hyūga Kumokawa seriously.
"So what if I say it?" Hyūga Hiwa stared into his eyes and sneered. "You're nothing but someone who would come crawling the moment I crook my finger…"
"Jōnin Hiwa!"
Seeing Hyūga Kumokawa narrow his eyes at Hiwa's unrestrained words, the previously dazed Hyūga Hizashi suddenly snapped back to attention and instinctively moved to stop him sharply.
But unfortunately, he was a step too late.
Whoosh!
A burst of air pressure let out a sharp whistle, blowing back Hiwa's hair. The wind pressed against his face, creating ripples. His eyes remained fixed on Hyūga Kumokawa but had frozen slightly.
His mouth was still slightly open but had stopped. The word "house dog" that was about to follow was swallowed back.
A chill wind seemed to pass by. Behind him, a deep crack had sunk into the concrete wall. He felt a wet sensation on his cheek, trickling down his jaw and soaking his collar.
A stinging pain slowly spread across his entire cheek—a razor-thin cut had split open there.
At some point, Hyūga Kumokawa had raised two fingers, which were now being held down by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Seeing this, the expressions of everyone present changed. Nara Shikaku's eyes showed no surprise, only thoughtful consideration.
They had gotten exactly what they wished for.
They wanted to use Hyūga Hiwa to test Hyūga Kumokawa, and now they had received the appropriate response.
It was just somewhat beyond their expectations.
Wind Release ninjutsu without hand seals? Was this person truly a member of the Hyūga clan?
In the instant Kumokawa had acted, only a very small number of people could react.
If he had truly wanted Hiwa's life earlier, the man's throat would likely have been slit already.
"Sigh, Kumokawa, don't get so worked up."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly, gently pressing down as he continued in a mild tone, "Hiwa is still your senior, after all."
"My apologies, Sandaime-sama. I was impulsive." Hyūga Kumokawa naturally didn't resist. He lowered his raised fingers and said sincerely, "I just felt that Senior Hiwa has grown old and forgotten his place."
"The peaceful life that other comrades in the village have fought and bled for has gradually eroded his heart, turning him arrogant and rude, just like his clothes…"
As he spoke, Hyūga Kumokawa looked at the others present and said softly, "A Jōnin's uniform isn't this clean and pristine. It certainly doesn't carry the scent of jasmine. It should be stained with the smell of sweat and blood—that's what a true Jōnin's clothes are like."
"So, I felt it necessary to remind Senior Hiwa: This is a Konoha Jōnin meeting, not a Hyūga clan assembly. You are a Jōnin of Konoha, not an elder of the Hyūga main house. I, too, am a Jōnin of Konoha, not a servant dog of the Hyūga main house."
"I believe the words earlier can be seen as Senior Hiwa threatening and provoking a fellow shinobi and the Third Hokage."
"However, since he is a senior, he received only a reminder."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, his eyes narrowing as if showing no anger at all. In a gentle voice, he said, "Alright, alright, that's a bit harsh. I think Hiwa simply misspoke without ill intent."
With that, he turned to Hyūga Hiwa, his narrowed eyes opening slightly as he asked with a smile, "Right, Hiwa?"
"…"
Hyūga Hiwa seemed not to hear. His face was now pale and gloomy.
The paleness came from fear of what Hyūga Kumokawa had done, while the gloom stemmed from having nowhere to vent his resentment and rage.
"Hiwa?"
The emotionless voice reached his ears. Hyūga Hiwa shuddered violently and came back to his senses. He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and lowered his head slightly. "Yes, Sandaime-sama. My deepest apologies. I spoke without thinking."
Under Sarutobi Hiruzen's unsmiling gaze, his heart grew cold. At this moment, he finally understood his current position.
Some matters might seem trivial at first, but once they escalate, they carry enormous weight that cannot be ignored.
Becoming a Chūnin through the exams was different from being promoted to Jōnin. Jōnin promotions were made directly by the Kage of each village after comprehensive evaluation of all abilities. Only those who met the standards were promoted. It was the highest ninja rank in the village besides the Kage.
Jōnin were divided only into "Special Jōnin" and "Jōnin," with no "Elite Jōnin" title. Every Jōnin was a pillar and top combat asset of the village.
Jōnin were promoted directly by the Third Hokage without needing anyone else's approval, and no one was allowed to question it.
His earlier behavior could be seen as targeting Hyūga Kumokawa, but it could also be viewed as defying the authority of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The difference depended on what the Third Hokage thought.
And now, Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts were clear.
Hyūga Kumokawa was no longer the branch member he could scold and beat at will. He had become a Konoha Jōnin recognized and valued by the Third Hokage.
But was that all?
"Alright." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a smile. "You'll be colleagues from now on. Apologize to each other, and no holding grudges."
At these words, not only did Hyūga Hiwa snap his head up in disbelief, but several others present also changed expressions.
What the Third Hokage wanted wasn't merely to help Hyūga Kumokawa establish his footing. He also intended to send a clear message to the rest of them.
The example was naturally Hyūga Hiwa, and the rest were the various ninja clans present.
Sometimes you could reach out your hand, but if you stretched it too far, it would get cut by the blade.
"…" Hyūga Hiwa lowered his head. Resentful anger flashed in his eyes as his voice trembled. "Sorry."
"Sorry, Senior Hiwa," Hyūga Kumokawa nodded lightly. "I hope you understand that even members of the Hyūga clan aren't limited to growing stronger solely through the Byakugan and Gentle Fist."
Hearing this, the others recalled the glimpse of power Hyūga Kumokawa had shown earlier. Their gazes toward Hyūga Hiwa turned strange.
The traditionally insular and conservative Hyūga clan had somehow forced out a ninjutsu genius—and driven him to the point of alienation and independence?
This was truly…
***
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