CHAPTER 340

You Will Know Sooner or Later

After a tense argument, Danzo Shimura slammed the door behind him and strode out.

The massacre of the Uchiha clan the previous night had left Konoha in turmoil. While the official narrative pinned the blame entirely on the S-rank rogue ninja Uchiha Itachi, those who operated in the shadows knew the truth: Danzo, the leader of Root, had played a pivotal role. It was he who had manipulated Itachi into the massacre, preying on the young prodigy's loyalty to the village and exploiting his desperate desire to prevent a coup.

Danzo had no regrets. The Uchiha had been a threat to Konoha's stability for years, their clan's growing distrust toward the village leadership a danger he could not ignore. Now, with most of the clan eradicated, he had expected to consolidate his influence. However, with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, still holding power, Danzo had been sidelined—again. His failed attempt to claim authority left him with no choice but to retreat into the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to replace the "light" he deemed weak.

But for now, he knew better than to challenge the Hokage's decision. It was in his best interest to stay hidden, let the chaos settle, and ensure that any consequences of the Uchiha extermination fell on others.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage had his own responsibilities to handle. He couldn't afford to let Danzo dictate the narrative of the Uchiha's downfall. There was one remaining Uchiha in the village—Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke.

As per the reports from the hospital's medical-nin, Sasuke had been found unconscious at the scene. He had likely witnessed the slaughter firsthand, as he had awakened his Sharingan—a rare and early manifestation of the kekkei genkai, considering his age. His condition was unstable, and his Sharingan remained active even in his sleep, a clear indication of the trauma he had endured.

Hiruzen entered the Uchiha compound, now eerily empty. He found Sasuke in the main hall, staring blankly at the floor, his eyes still glowing red with the double-tomoe Sharingan. The boy's body trembled slightly, but when the Hokage approached, he looked up.

"Sasuke," Hiruzen called gently.

The boy clenched his fists. "Hokage-sama," he muttered.

"What happened last night?"

Sasuke's face twisted with pain and fury. His voice shook, but his resolve did not waver. "Don't worry, Hokage-sama. I will train. I will get stronger. And one day, I will kill that man."

Hiruzen sighed. He had expected this response. The truth of Itachi's sacrifice—how he had chosen to slaughter his clan to protect Konoha—was too cruel for Sasuke to bear. And per Itachi's request, it was a truth Hiruzen would not reveal.

Hatred would be Sasuke's fuel for now. Itachi had set this path for him, and Hiruzen had no choice but to let it play out.

---

A Few Days Later, at the Hyuga Clan Estate

Unlike the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan remained unaffected by the recent upheaval in Konoha. Their structure remained intact: the Main House presided over the Branch House, the Caged Bird Seal ensured order, and their influence within the village remained unchallenged. But while the Uchiha's demise solidified the Hyuga's standing, it also served as a grim warning.

Hiashi Hyuga, the clan head, sat in his private chamber, sipping tea as he read reports from the branch family. One detailed an explosion outside the village, possibly linked to a Tailed Beast. Another confirmed the complete annihilation of the Uchiha, leaving only a single survivor—Sasuke.

Hiashi frowned. The destruction of the Uchiha proved that even the most powerful clans were not untouchable. If the village's higher-ups could orchestrate the downfall of a centuries-old bloodline, what would stop them from turning their attention to the Hyuga?

Still, Hiashi believed that as long as the Hyuga clan remained obedient and politically neutral, they would avoid such a fate. Other noble families in Konoha, however, would see the Uchiha's extermination as a dangerous precedent—one that could breed dissent against the village leadership.

For now, Hiashi's main concern was the future of his clan. Specifically, the potential of his daughter, Hinata, and his nephew, Neji.

In the Hyuga training grounds, the two children stood facing each other. Their fight today would determine Hinata's training path—whether she would continue as a standard academy student or receive the clan's elite instruction.

Hinata and Neji exchanged bows before forming the Seal of Opposition. Then, their battle began.

With their Byakugan activated, every strike was precise, every movement measured. Neji, older and more experienced, had superior speed. But Hinata, despite her gentle demeanor, had remarkable strength. The two clashed in a blur of palm strikes and footwork, their Gentle Fist techniques on full display.

As the match continued, Neji frowned. He could feel it—Hinata had improved significantly. Two years ago, she had been easy to defeat, but now she matched him blow for blow.

He wasn't jealous of her progress. She had earned it through hard work, just like him. But what truly angered him was the system that kept them apart. If not for the Caged Bird Seal, my father would still be alive…

Neji's moment of hesitation was all Hinata needed. Seizing the opening, she struck decisively, knocking him off his feet.

Neji lay still for a moment before sighing and conceding. He was older, yet he had only managed a draw against Hinata. That was a loss in his eyes.

Hinata, panting, turned to her father with bright eyes. "Father, I won! That means I can bring Naruto over to play, right?"

Hiashi's expression remained neutral, but internally, he sighed. He knew why Hinata was so eager—Naruto Uzumaki, the village's Jinchūriki, had unknowingly been a source of inspiration for her. However, Naruto had not been seen in public for several days.

Something has changed.

Hiashi didn't want to tell Hinata the truth. If Naruto had been taken in by the ANBU for training, or if the village was reconsidering his Jinchūriki status, it could mean trouble for the boy—and heartbreak for his daughter.

But there was no way to shield her from the truth forever.

Sooner or later, she would find out.

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