Chapter 29: Chapter 29
The atmosphere in the Hyuga household had grown extremely tense.
It was like a rickety hut in a storm.
Hyuga Hiashi silently held the Caged Bird scroll.
After taking it from Orochimaru, neither Orochimaru nor Haruki came to claim it back, which vaguely suggested to him that this was intentional.
Regardless of the purpose, the only solution he could think of was for the main family to relinquish control of the Caged Bird.
But he was not the clan head.
Moreover, in the Hyuga family, the elders held more decision-making power in a certain sense.
Hiashi's expression was uncertain.
After hesitating for a long time, he heard Hyuga Kazushi's voice.
He opened the door to see a silent and grave face.
"Father, all forty branch family ninjas are dead, right?"
"How do you know that?"
Kazushi, having returned directly to the Hyuga estate, had not noticed the situation in the village of Konoha.
Suddenly hearing Hiashi's rather certain question, Kazushi couldn't help but be a little surprised.
"It's not just me, everyone knows."
Hiashi felt a wave of dizziness; he had still harbored a sliver of hope earlier.
"What do you mean?!"
A rare look of panic appeared on Kazushi's face.
"I don't know who leaked the news, but now all the villagers in Konoha already know about the Hyuga family's affairs," Hiashi said, forcibly maintaining his composure.
Kazushi nearly lost his balance upon hearing this.
Everyone knows?
How is that possible?
He took several deep breaths, then suddenly disappeared from the hall.
About ten minutes later, he reappeared.
But his face was tinged with anger, and the chakra emanating from his body was terrifying.
"Who! Framed the Hyuga family?!"
Kazushi had just taken a lap around Konoha and heard many rumors.
Had it not been for the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would have slapped those gossipers to death with Eight Trigrams Palm.
But even if the situation improve the rumors couldn't be stopped.
"In just one day, it spread like wildfire; there must be someone behind this."
Kazushi's cold voice rang out.
"Father, what should we do now?"
Hiashi hesitated slightly, then asked, "The situation is very unfavorable for us. Even the Hokage cannot silence the masses. And most importantly, no matter the process, the result is indeed correct."
Kazushi's body trembled.
"You're right; let's go consult the elders."
The two immediately left the hall and went to the elders' residence.
After reporting to the guards, they met with the elders.
"This must be the work of a Clan within Konoha."
The elder's face was also very grim; he had never expected things to escalate to this point.
"The priority now is for Kazushi to contact the Hokage and Danzo Shimura to reveal the truth. Also, stabilize the branch family members and explain the situation to them. If anyone still dares to cause trouble, use the Caged Bird."
"Understood."
Kazushi's breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The elder is indeed reliable.
Hiashi remained silent.
Soon.
At the request of the Hyuga family, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately convened a Jōnin meeting, and Danzo Shimura recounted the events, followed by a public notice.
But to their surprise.
Public opinion was not one-sided.
Instead, it was a mixed bag with divided opinions.
Due to too many loopholes.
Especially the mysterious person's kidnapping and subsequent killing, which was simply illogical.
Many people, especially the branch family members, believed that the main family had colluded with the Hokage to hide the truth.
...
New Konoha Bookstore.
The first bookstore purchased by Omiki.
Haruki was reading a novel.
"Tsk, this plot is too cliché."
He shook his head. After reading countless strange online novels, he found it hard to get used to these.
Omiki smiled but didn't comment.
He brought up the main topic: "I have already sent people to find Jiraiya-sama, and as per your suggestion, discussed the new book's agency. I've also contacted Princess Tsunade and Orochimaru-sama. Initially, they weren't interested, but after reading your letter, they all agreed."
"Mm. Let's see what conditions Jiraiya, that stingy guy, can agree to, but we must take at least half."
The reason Haruki involved the Sannin was naturally to find backing.
With the Sannin and him, who would dare provoke them in Konoha?
Additionally, it would benefit Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
With his modern media operations, the bookstore would never lose money.
Moreover, aside from Jiraiya's new book, he had gathered many authors to write the stories he provided.
Novels that sold well in another space-time.
Like "Demon Slayer."
"I understand."
Omiki nodded, then asked, "Should we add fuel to the fire regarding the Hyuga family? Since the Hokage intervened, our previous efforts have been greatly reduced."
"No need."
Haruki took out a letter and handed it to Omiki
"What is this?"
"A letter of accusation from the Sand Village Anbu."
"How did you get this, sir?"
"Forged."
Haruki shrugged, "Danzo Shimura pushed all the blame onto the Sand and Cloud Villages, but if a letter of accusation from the Sand Village Anbu arrived in Konoha now, accusing us, stating that the Sand Village never cooperated with the Cloud Village, nor kidnapped Hyuga family ninjas, it would be quite entertaining."
"Will they believe it?"
"They will. These people are just bystanders; they get excited about explosive news. As for the truth, it may no longer matter.
Moreover, the Sand Village didn't do it. Even if the Third Kazekage finds out, he would just think it was the Anbu's doing. No, even if he knows, they would likely jump in, not wanting to miss a chance to strike at the Hyuga family.
Find an opportunity to post this letter on the bulletin board and quietly push it."
"Yes!"
Omiki put away the letter and immediately disappeared.
The situation quickly escalated.
---
The next day, Haruki walked through the streets.
All of Konoha seemed to be boiling.
Everyone was burning with gossip.
It had been a long time since anything like this had happened.
Coupled with the rebound from the previous war's suppression, it ignited Konoha.
Even the public opinion from Konoha White Fang's suicide might not be this intense.
Haruki thought as he arrived at Orochimaru's laboratory.
"How's the Chimera Technique ?"
He had left Hiruko for Orochimaru to handle.
"An incomplete forbidden technique; it places a great burden on the body when merging with Kekkei Genkai."
Haruki recalled Hiruko's bandaged appearance in the original work and nodded.
Orochimaru's judgment was accurate.
"Can it be modified?"
"Modify? You don't need this kind of thing, so why waste time?"
"What about you? I heard that merging five Kekkei Genkai can create a perfect immortal ninja. Aren't you always seeking immortality?"
"It's not that simple. The drawbacks are too great; it's not as good as my Living Corpse Reincarnation."
Haruki fell silent for a moment.
In the original work, Hiruko seemed to solve the body issue using the solar eclipse.
But so many years earlier now, the Chimera Technique was even rougher.
Perfecting it would require extensive research and experiments.
This posed a significant problem.
Money.
Haruki's funds mainly came from the Oshima Trading Company.
But he hadn't used a single penny for himself, giving it all to Orochimaru and the orphanage.
Especially Orochimaru, who consumed eighty percent of the funds.
Haruki squinted in thought.
Orochimaru didn't have time to research, but maybe Hiruko could.
But loyalty was an issue.
And those forty Hyuga branch ninjas, he hadn't killed them; what Danzo Shimura and others saw were merely wood clones.
Might as well have them work with Hiruko on the research.
Once it's almost done, then talk to the Hyuga family.
By then, the situation would be set, and with intertwined interests, even if they knew it was his scheme, they wouldn't say anything.
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