That Would Only Reveal Your Weakness
[Ding!]
[Your lie has been judged as [Two-Faced], [Feigning Affection], [Substituting One for Another], and [Stealing the Beams and Replacing the Pillars]. Hyuga Hiago, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and others have experienced intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [Firmly Convinced], gaining 3000 Manifestation Points.]
[Remaining Manifestation Points: 14651]
The system's notification sounded in Hyuga Kumo's mind, but he remained standing in place, his expression sorrowful and unmoved.
"Then let's send the body to the Land of Lightning."
Hyuga Hiago looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silent from beginning to end, and said respectfully, "Lord Third, we'll have to trouble you to send someone to escort it."
"Rest assured."
Keenly sensing the change in Hyuga Hiago, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that the Hyuga clan had been taught a lesson this time. On the surface, however, he let out a deep sigh. "Konoha will remember the righteousness of the Hyuga clan. I will not let Hizashi's sacrifice be in vain."
With that, he was about to leave with the body, but at that moment, a voice suddenly reached his ear.
"Lord Third... Lord Third."
Hyuga Kumo, his eyes slightly red, took a step forward, let out a deep breath, and said respectfully, "Please allow me to join the team escorting Lord Hizashi to the Land of Lightning."
The resonant words echoed in the reception hall, causing the few people present to subconsciously look over.
Several Main Family elders sat up a little straighter, avoiding the candlelight in front of them, hiding half of their aged faces in the darkness, their cold gazes spying on this unruly youth.
"Hyuga Kumo! You..."
Hyuga Hiago was clearly getting emotional. He raised his voice, wanting to scold the other to be mindful of his status.
However, before he could finish, the first person to refuse was, surprisingly, someone else entirely unexpected.
"No!"
Hearing Hyuga Kumo's request, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been kneeling silently before the "corpse," suddenly looked up and blurted it out instinctively.
That lord said he would bring Hiashi back. Who knows what he will do during the escort.
What if something happens to Kumo if he joins the escort team?
However, to others, this reaction seemed a bit abnormal.
The few people present turned their heads in surprise, looking at the overly reactive "Hiashi."
Only then did Hyuga Hizashi realize that he was now "Hyuga Hiashi." Facing everyone's gaze, he broke out in a cold sweat and imitated Hiashi's stern tone, saying coldly, "You are too weak."
Hyuga Hiago and the others were stunned for a moment, but they quickly remembered that Hizashi had called Hiashi away before he died. They assumed it was to leave a will, asking Hiashi to help take care of Neji and Kumo.
"Hmph, so what if Hiashi is protecting him," Hyuga Hiago glanced at Hyuga Kumo with a gloomy look in his eyes, thinking to himself, "Sooner or later, I'll reunite this brat with his dead father!"
Hyuga Neji was Hyuga Hizashi's son, so he couldn't touch him now. But killing Hyuga Kumo was another matter. As long as it wasn't done in public, Hiashi wouldn't make too much of a fuss with him.
However, the next words that reached his ears made Hyuga Hiago's face show astonishment.
"Let him go."
The person who spoke was not Hyuga Kumo, but Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was standing to the side.
"Lord Third, this..." Several people, including Hyuga Hizashi, cast questioning gazes.
"Hizashi was probably the last relative this child had in his heart."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, his kind gaze turning to Kumo. He said gently, "Even if we don't let you join the escort team, you will surely find a way to follow, won't you?"
Meeting Hiruzen's gaze, which seemed to see right through him, Hyuga Kumo almost couldn't hold back a laugh. On the surface, however, his eyes reddened, and he bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, Lord Third. Thank you so much. I just want to see Lord Hizashi off on his final journey."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and looked at the complex expressions of the Hyuga members, comforting them, "Don't worry, I will send the Anbu to escort Hizashi's body. Taking care of this child will be no problem."
In fact, he just wanted the Anbu to observe Hyuga Kumo's performance along the way, to see if he was qualified to become that "nail."
"..." The room fell silent. The several Main Family elders exchanged glances quietly in the candlelight, none of them speaking. In the end, this silence became a tacit agreement.
Hyuga Hiago's face was very ugly. He could naturally see Hiruzen Sarutobi's fondness for Hyuga Kumo, and for a moment, he felt somewhat aggrieved.
If Hyuga Kumo really became a subordinate of this Third Hokage, it would be difficult for him to lay a hand on this damn brat again.
He really couldn't understand what was so good about this brat. First Hizashi, then his own disobedient eldest daughter, then Hiashi, and now even the Third Hokage valued this damn brat!
Hyuga Kumo tilted his head slightly, looking at Hyuga Hiago, who was secretly clenching his teeth in the distance. He wondered when the old fool's cardiovascular system would burst from high blood pressure. Perhaps if he taunted him a few more times, he could force the other to have a fatal stroke?
However, he gave up on this seemingly interesting idea.
Dying of a stroke would be too easy for this old bastard...
Bang!!
A sudden loud noise broke the silence in the room. A cold wind blew in from the door. Everyone frowned and turned to look in the direction of the sound.
A small figure stood at the door, wet black hair dripping with rain, chest heaving violently.
The newcomer saw the "corpse" covered with a white cloth at a glance and stood there, mouth agape, as if struck by lightning.
Finally here.
In a place no one noticed, the corners of Hyuga Kumo's mouth lifted into a curve.
It was like a sneer, like a mockery.
"Neji?"
Finally seeing the newcomer's face clearly, Hizashi's expression changed slightly.
Why is Neji here?
Hyuga Neji walked over stiffly, like a walking corpse. His legs gave way, and he knelt beside the "corpse."
"Your father sacrificed himself for the Hyuga clan," Hyuga Hiago said, softening his tone as much as possible. "To be able to fulfill his loyalty as the head of the Branch Family is his..."
As if finally confirming something, the low-headed Hyuga Neji suddenly stiffened, his body trembling uncontrollably.
The grief on his face was gradually replaced by anger, while Hyuga Hiago continued to drone on condescendingly.
But just as Neji was about to raise his head, a warm hand rested on it.
"Don't speak rashly. That would only reveal your weakness."
Hyuga Kumo's voice was very soft. He said slowly, "For now, you just need... to calm down."
"..."
Hyuga Neji still kept his head down, tears falling to the ground like a broken dam. His slightly trembling body gradually calmed down. Seeing this, the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, where no one could see, on Hyuga Neji's lowered, youthful face, the anger had already turned into ferocity.
The others only thought that Hyuga Kumo was comforting him, but Hyuga Neji, feeling the warmth and gentleness of that hand, somehow understood the true meaning in those words.
You are too weak.
No matter what you say now, nothing will change.
You need to calm down now, hide the hatred in your heart, and don't let anyone find out.
Then, remember all of this, carve it into your bones, and then destroy everything.
Just like... that figure in the dream.