Naruto: Fire-Release system

Chapter 72: I'm a Good Person—Villainy Isn't My Role!

Hiashi's words were a bombshell.

Everyone present was stunned into silence, their expressions a mix of disbelief and shock.

The Hyuga Clan, one of Konoha's oldest and most prestigious clans, was declaring its intent to leave the village. This wasn't just unprecedented—it was unthinkable.

For decades, even amidst wars and betrayals, no village had ever seen a clan attempt to sever ties like this.

The crowd's thoughts swirled in chaos.

Was the world going mad, or was it just Konoha?

No, the truth was obvious: Konoha had gone insane.

Those familiar with the backstory knew this wasn't an impulsive decision. It was the culmination of years of mistreatment and hypocrisy.

For years, Konoha's leadership had exploited its clans, twisting loyalty into subjugation. Now, the Hyuga were simply doing what any oppressed group would—walking away.

But the consequences?

Without the Hyuga, Konoha's strength would drop even further. The Uchiha were already gone, the Senju long dissolved. How could Konoha hope to maintain its position among the Five Great Shinobi Nations?

The mere rumor of this event would embolden Konoha's enemies. Spies among the crowd would undoubtedly report back, sparking dangerous machinations from rival villages.

Even Pig-Deer-Butterfly, Konoha's famous trio, looked shaken. Their usually steady stances wavered.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya—the great toad sage and one of Konoha's legendary Sannin—stood frozen. His normally brash and decisive demeanor was replaced with uncertainty.

He wasn't Hokage, so he lacked the authority to make promises or concessions. At the same time, his presence wasn't enough to resolve the Hyuga's grievances.

If the Hyuga stayed, the conflict would fester, jeopardizing the village's stability.

If the Hyuga left, Konoha's already depleted strength would plunge further.

For once, Jiraiya didn't know what to do.

---

"Sigh… If this situation is my fault," Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice heavy, "then I'll take responsibility. I'll even step down as Hokage, letting Jiraiya take over as the Fifth Hokage.

"Neji… what do you say to that?"

Hiruzen's words were a masterstroke. His frail voice and sorrowful demeanor struck a chord with many, filling them with pity.

In an instant, the crowd's outrage began to shift.

Have we been too hard on the Hokage? some began to wonder.

To others, the aged Hokage's willingness to shoulder blame seemed noble, a stark contrast to the harsh accusations leveled against him.

For Uchiha Yi, disguised as Neji, it was nauseating.

What a shameless old man.

Yi had laid the truth bare, exposing Hiruzen's duplicity for all to see. Yet with just a few well-crafted words, Hiruzen had turned himself into a victim, making others second-guess their judgment.

This man is terrifying, Yi admitted to himself. Not because of his strength, but because of his ability to manipulate perception.

Even now, some in the crowd seemed ready to forgive Hiruzen's sins. Yi clenched his fists, resisting the urge to lash out in frustration. Burning the village to the ground would be satisfying, but it wasn't the solution.

No, I have to stay calm, Yi reminded himself. I'm the good guy here, not the villain.

Taking a deep breath, Yi's expression remained serene.

"Hokage-sama," he began, his voice steady, "you've misunderstood us.

"The Hyuga have never harbored resentment toward you. We're simply addressing the situation at hand.

"Your son, Asuma, is at the center of this crisis. His actions have angered the Cloud Village.

"And while you claim that Konoha is prepared for war, let's be honest—without the Uchiha, Konoha is a shadow of its former self.

"Should we really gamble with war when we're this vulnerable?"

Yi's words stung. The crowd shifted uncomfortably, knowing he spoke the truth.

"War would be a disaster," Yi continued. "And so, we've decided to take the safest course of action—removing ourselves from harm's way.

"But this isn't about resentment or vengeance. It's about survival.

"Unless, of course, you'd prefer to sacrifice Asuma to appease the Cloud Village. After all, wasn't that the decision you made for my father, Hizashi? Or is the Will of Fire only meant to protect your family, Hokage-sama?"

Yi's calm yet cutting words left Hiruzen visibly shaken.

The old Hokage had no rebuttal. Deep down, he knew Yi was right.

The only way to defuse the situation was to hand Asuma over to the Cloud.

---

Around them, murmurs spread like wildfire.

"Neji's got a point…"

"If sacrificing Hizashi was acceptable back then, why isn't it now?"

"Is the Will of Fire only for the Sarutobi clan?"

Even those who had begun to pity Hiruzen now questioned his motives.

---

For a moment, Hiruzen seemed to falter. His shoulders slumped, his expression one of profound regret.

Perhaps I've truly failed, he thought. Have my decisions brought us to this point?

But regret was a luxury he couldn't afford.

---

"No!" Hiruzen suddenly straightened, his voice resolute. "I've made mistakes in the past, but I cannot sacrifice my son, just as I cannot sacrifice anyone else in this village!

"Konoha stands united or not at all. If war is inevitable, so be it—we will face it together!"

Hiruzen's words were bold, but the crowd remained silent.

The cracks in his leadership were now too deep to ignore.

In the crowd, Hiashi whispered to "Neji," his voice trembling.

"What do we do now?"

Yi's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Wait," he said softly. "The old man is running out of moves. Let's see how his allies respond."

---

Indeed, the spotlight now shifted to Jiraiya.

Would the Toad Sage defend his master, or would he admit that Konoha was standing on the edge of ruin?

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