Chapter 34

The Anbu reported directly to the Hokage—they were an elite force loyal only to him.The entire village fell under their surveillance. No movement, no incident could escape their notice.

So of course, there was no way Hashirama didn't know why Hoshikawa Haru had come.

Kazumi was Haru's friend. The moment anything happened, the Anbu would have delivered the news to the Hokage. Hashirama was simply playing dumb.

Left with no choice, Haru got straight to the point.

"Sensei, Kazumi's caged bird seal was triggered. She's been unconscious ever since. Isn't there anything you can do?"

Hoshikawa Haru blinked, eyes wide with mock innocence, as though he'd just suffered a great injustice.

Hashirama coughed into his hand and responded with mock seriousness.

"That little girl is unconscious? Hmm… is that so?"

He turned his head toward the open air and called out, "Someone! Summon the head of the Hyuga clan. Tell him to come here immediately."

Seeing Hashirama putting on such an exaggerated performance, Haru couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Before long, measured footsteps approached from the corridor outside. When Hyuga Ryufeng entered, his eyes landed briefly on Hoshikawa Haru. He paused for a moment, then resumed his steps and bowed formally.

"Greetings, Hokage-sama."

Hashirama waved amiably. "No need for such formality, Clan Leader Hyuga."

"I assume there's a reason I was summoned?" Ryufeng glanced sideways at Haru as he spoke.

Hashirama grinned. "Nothing too serious. This kid said one of his friends is unconscious and asked me if I could help."

"But since that friend belongs to the Hyuga clan, I thought it best to bring in the clan leader to discuss things."

Hyuga Ryufeng's eyes flickered. He looked from the Hokage to Haru, then sighed quietly.

"Kazumi is from the Hyuga branch family. It's an honor for her to receive such concern from the Hokage."

He wasn't surprised. This matter was never going to end quietly.

The main family had acted arbitrarily, targeting a branch member. Under different circumstances, the issue could've been handled with minimal fallout. But Kazumi wasn't just any branch member—she was associated with Hoshikawa Haru.

The elders had miscalculated. They had assumed Kazumi was weak, someone they could trample with no consequences. They hadn't factored in Haru.

Now, Ryufeng was caught in the middle: torn between upholding the authority of the main family and respecting the Hokage's influence. A difficult place to be.

Hashirama spoke again, his tone laced with subtle pressure.

"As Hokage, I must look after all the villagers—no matter their family or status."

"Surely the Hyuga clan agrees with that, don't you think?"

Ryufeng paused, then nodded with a wry smile. "Of course. Hokage-sama is correct. However… the elders—"

He trailed off deliberately, the implication clear: If the main family wanted to stir up trouble, the Hokage would have to intervene directly.

"Haha, naturally. Don't worry, Clan Leader Hyuga," Hashirama said with an easy smile.

Ryufeng let out a breath of relief. With the Hokage offering support, he now had the political cover he needed.

A sharp glint flashed across his eyes. The elders had bypassed him when they made their move. That had undermined his authority.

Since they had shown no courtesy, he would show them none in return.

After a few more pleasantries, Ryufeng bowed and exited the office.

Hoshikawa Haru had been silent through the exchange, quietly observing. Once they were alone, he turned to Hashirama, clearly dissatisfied.

"That's it?"

Hashirama propped his chin up on his fingers, smirking. "What did you expect?"

Haru made a face. "I thought I'd get to make the Hyuga elders pay. Otherwise, what's the point?"

"Relax," Hashirama said with a sly smile. "There are plenty of ways to get justice."

"The decision to activate Kazumi's curse seal wasn't Ryufeng's. It was the elders acting on their own. They're the ones who'll be feeling the heat soon."

Hoshikawa Haru frowned. "But can Ryufeng even control the elders?"

"He couldn't before," Hashirama said casually. "But with a little quiet help from me? Oh, he will."

Haru narrowed his eyes, staring at his teacher as if trying to read his mind. Hashirama shifted in his seat.

"What's with that look?"

"I'm just surprised," Haru said. "Is my beloved teacher capable of such… underhanded tactics?"

Hashirama chuckled and gave his trademark goofy smile—eyes half-lidded, innocent to a fault.

Haru sighed. Hashirama's unpredictability was nothing new. He was used to it by now.

"What about Kazumi? What happens to her next?"

"Don't worry," Hashirama assured him. "Ryufeng will take care of it."

Haru didn't say anything, but frustration simmered behind his eyes. Hashirama noticed and patted him on the head.

"Life's never a straight path. There'll always be obstacles."

But Haru lifted his gaze with quiet defiance. He didn't agree.

Hashirama sighed again. "Fine. If you're still upset, go do something about it. Just don't kill anyone."

A dangerous glint flashed in Haru's eyes. He was more than ready to act.

Hashirama watched him and shook his head. Silently, he lit a stick of incense—for the Hyuga elders, presumably.

Just then, Tobirama entered, face expressionless as usual.

"Brother, everything's been investigated. Those elders were sloppy. They thought they were careful, but I found what I needed."

"All the evidence is compiled."

Hashirama's eyes lit up. "Perfect. Send it to Clan Leader Hyuga. He'll know what to do with it."

Tobirama nodded. His hatred for internal corruption ran deep.

A flicker of cold killing intent passed through his eyes. If not for the political complications, he would have taken care of them himself—permanently.

With a rustle of robes, Tobirama turned and left.

Hoshikawa Haru watched him go and offered a silent moment of pity for the Hyuga clan. Getting targeted by Tobirama was never a good sign.

But he also knew: they had brought it upon themselves.

"Sensei, I'll take care of the rest."

Without waiting for a reply, Haru slipped out, ready to make his move.

Hashirama waved after him like he was swatting away a fly. "Shoo. Go do your thing."

Hoshikawa Haru walked out of the Hokage's office with a grim look. He made a mental note to only come here again if absolutely necessary.

Outside, he was immediately surrounded.

Izawa Ikumi stomped over, furious. "Well? What did Lord Hokage say? Those bastards better pay!"

Fujido Takatora nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed.

Uchiha Wang said nothing, but his cold aura made it clear—he was ready to draw his metaphorical sword at a moment's notice.

Seeing their support, Haru was genuinely moved.

"Well," he began, "it's not the worst outcome… but it's definitely not what I hoped for."

"We'll probably have to handle this ourselves."

His words stunned them.

Uchiha Wang rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So the Hokage can't get involved openly. Not unexpected."

"'Not unexpected'? Sounds more like favoritism to me!" Izawa Ikumi snapped, completely ignoring Haru's presence as she vented her frustration.

Fujido Takatora offered a calmer view. "Maybe… maybe there's something he can't say. Something political."

Unlike Ikumi, Takatora preferred to tread carefully—he knew that power always came with limits.