Chapter 31: The Hyuga Clan is Targeted

Ever since their partnership with external forces began, the Hyuga Clan had become unimaginably wealthy. The profits from mineral trade and various hidden investments transformed them from a proud yet somewhat reserved clan into one of Konoha's most financially dominant powers.

Even branch family members—who once lived under tight restrictions—now received monthly stipends five or six times larger than before.

Compared to that, the conditions of other ninja clans were downright miserable.

So when the village's high council gathered once again in the Hokage's office, the motive was clear.

"I agree with Danzo," Utatane Koharu said, her voice as sharp as ever. "Forget their strength. That kind of wealth is dangerous. They've grown arrogant, ignoring village-issued missions altogether. If every clan starts doing this, what will become of Konoha?"

She leaned back in her chair with a frown, her arms crossed tightly in front of her chest.

Danzo's lips curled in satisfaction. "Exactly my point. We must cut this off at the root. Now."

He stood abruptly, voice commanding as he stared down at Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

"We must act now, or we lose control of the village."

"Enough!"

The desk shook violently as Hiruzen slammed his palm down, rising to his feet with a surge of authority that silenced the room.

"You'll sit down and shut up, all of you!"

Danzo flinched slightly, but his eyes didn't waver.

Hiruzen's voice was laced with restrained fury. "Danzo, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you aiming to destroy Konoha from the inside out?"

Danzo scoffed. "Everything I do is for the good of the village. You know that!"

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "You always say that. 'For the village.' First it was the Uchiha, now it's the Hyuga. What happens when both clans unite against us? Will you offer your own life to protect Konoha then?"

There was no mistaking the venom in his words.

Years of built-up frustration finally erupted.

Danzo's ambitions were no secret to Hiruzen, but this—openly plotting against a second noble clan—crossed a line.

The Hokage took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the anger bubbling in his chest.

Across the room, Homura Mitokado stayed silent, observing everything with a cryptic smile playing at the corner of his lips. He neither supported nor opposed anyone—preferring to wait and see where the wind blew.

As for Koharu, she fell silent under Hiruzen's rebuke. Deep down, she knew he was right. Danzo had long offended the Uchiha. If he pushed the Hyuga as well…

If those two clans truly allied, who in the village could stop them?

The reality was grim: Konoha's strength came from unity, not division. If civil war broke out, even the strongest village in the world would fall.

But Danzo? He didn't care about logic. His mind was a fortress built on conviction.

"I'm telling you now," he growled, "This has to be done. No matter what method it takes."

His tone was cold and final.

"You will not," Hiruzen declared, his voice low but unyielding. "I am the Hokage. As long as I live, I won't allow this village to descend into infighting!"

Danzo glared at him, lips curled into a sneer. "You'll regret this."

And with that, he turned and stormed out of the office, his cloak flaring behind him like a shadow fleeing the light.

---

Hyuga Clan Compound

Meanwhile, far from the tense debates in the Hokage's office, the Hyuga Clan grounds were serene.

Sunlight danced across the polished courtyard tiles, reflecting off the ornamental pond. Inside the main hall, Hyuga Tokuma, the clan head, lounged lazily, sipping tea with his legs stretched out.

Rings adorned every one of his fingers, glittering like treasures from another world.

Beside him, several elders of the clan sat comfortably, also sipping tea and chatting in hushed tones. None of them seemed remotely concerned about the ongoing war.

"Father," came a respectful but firm voice.

A boy around fifteen or sixteen approached—Hyuga Hiashi. With long, flowing hair and a Konoha forehead protector tied proudly across his brow, he looked every bit the heir of a great clan.

His voice, however, held concern.

"The war is reaching its peak. Shouldn't we send out our elite to support the front lines?"

Tokuma didn't even look up. "And why would we do that?"

Hiashi's brow furrowed. "Because the Village is at war. We've barely contributed—"

"Barely?" Tokuma laughed. "We sent five Jonin, twenty Chunin, and over a hundred Genin just two days ago. That's more than enough."

An elder named Hyuga Fire snorted. "Exactly. This war benefits no one in our clan. Why should we risk our lives for a cause that gives us nothing?"

He narrowed his eyes at Hiashi. "Do you really think you understand the cost of war, boy?"

Hiashi fell silent. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, but he said nothing.

Over the years, he had changed. The boy who once acted with arrogance had grown into a young man of conviction and discipline.

But conviction alone wasn't enough.

The truth was harsh: the Hyuga Clan had changed—and not just in strength.

They had become a business empire wrapped in a ninja family.

Seven or eight years ago, the shift began. Now, the clan prioritized wealth, strategy, and preservation above blind loyalty to Konoha.

"Understood," Hiashi finally said, bowing respectfully before turning to leave.

As he disappeared down the corridor, Tokuma snorted. "He still doesn't get it."

"He does," Hyuga Fire muttered, watching the boy's retreating figure. "That's why he said nothing."

For all his youth, Hiashi understood exactly what the elders were doing.

This wasn't cowardice. It was survival.

"The Third Hokage only sent a couple of his own clan to the front," Tokuma continued, voice now cold. "As for the council members' clans? They haven't even shown their faces. They want others to bleed so they can reap the rewards."

And so the Hyuga Clan stayed still—not because they were weak, but because they refused to be pawns.

---

In the Shadows

Far away from both the Hokage's office and the Hyuga compound, Jaxon read quietly inside his custom-built carriage.

His gaze never left the parchment in his hands.

Reports from Ah Fu. Updates from rogue ninjas. Progress logs from secret laboratories.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

The black market had taken root. Missions flowed under false names. Funds were being funneled to Orochimaru. And the scientists he recruited were beginning their preliminary studies into chakra-enhancing technology.

Ten years of silent groundwork.

And now?

The storm had begun to brew.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)