Chapter 76: Chapter 74: Does Your Cow Smoke?
Chapter 74: Does Your Cow Smoke?
So many shinobi—are they all from Konoha?
Seeing thousands of shinobi standing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, all of them at least Chūnin-level, both Konoha residents and spies from other villages were deeply shocked.
It wasn't about how powerful these shinobi were but about how suddenly they appeared and how many of them there were.
"Third Hokage, are these shinobi all from the Sarutobi Clan?"
"Neji" asked in mock astonishment, though internally, he remained calm.
With Black Zetsu's intelligence, he had long been aware of their existence. His plan was to force Hiruzen to reveal them. By applying pressure step by step, he had successfully drawn out Hiruzen's hidden forces.
Without this pressure, Hiruzen wouldn't risk showing these forces. After all, letting the Hyūga Clan leave Konoha without retaliation would expose him as an incompetent Hokage, powerless to stop a prominent clan's departure.
Hiruzen understood that Konoha's people, already shaken, needed reassurance to restore their faith in the village.
"Yes, they are mine!" Hiruzen admitted.
This revelation had the desired effect. The Konoha villagers who had been feeling uneasy finally began to relax.
Although Hiruzen's character had been tainted by recent events, Konoha was still their home. Abandoning it wasn't an easy decision for most of them.
Neji, however, wasn't bothered. Convincing the Hyūga Clan to leave Konoha was already a significant blow to the village. The minor players didn't concern him.
"You, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, what about you?"
"Will you leave with the Hyūga, or will you stay in Konoha?"
Neji's question was directed at the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
"..."
The question, though simple, left Nara Shikaku speechless.
He felt disappointed in Konoha but was also unsure about the future of the Hyūga aligning with Amegakure. After some contemplation, Shikaku decided to remain silent.
"What about you, Kakashi?"
"Want to come along?"
Neji turned to Kakashi, ignoring Shikaku's silence.
"Sigh…" Kakashi sighed deeply, reflecting on his past.
"My father, my sensei, Rin… They all gave their lives to protect this village," Kakashi murmured.
"Stop with the monologues!" Neji interrupted sharply. "Just give your answer already!"
Kakashi coughed awkwardly, slightly startled by Neji's bluntness. After a moment, he replied, "I'll go with you."
Turning to Might Guy, he said, "Guy, your path is different. Staying in Konoha is best for you."
"Oh, Kakashi, my dear friend!" Guy exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up and flashing his trademark smile. "I believe in your decision! My youth will continue to burn brightly!"
---
"Alright," Neji announced, "everyone who wants to leave Konoha has made their decision."
Hiruzen's face darkened. "Then, as Hokage of Konoha, I hereby declare: the Hyūga Clan and Hatake Kakashi are traitors to the village! All Konoha shinobi are ordered to eliminate these traitors immediately!"
With the Hokage's decree, many Konoha shinobi reluctantly drew their weapons, ready to attack.
Meanwhile, spies from other villages retreated to watch from a safe distance, unwilling to get involved in Konoha's internal strife.
The tension in the air was palpable.
Hyūga Hiashi's face grew serious as he signaled for his clan to gather together, preparing for the inevitable battle. It was clear to him that, while Hiruzen's forces held the advantage, Neji's calm demeanor suggested he had a hidden card to play.
Hiashi couldn't help but wonder if Neji had secured Amegakure's support. If Hanzo the Salamander had joined forces with the Hyūga, their strength would be on par with Hiruzen's. In such a stalemate, would Hiruzen dare to attack?
Confidence surged within Hiashi at the thought.
---
Neji's voice rang out once more.
"Hahaha! I didn't expect the Sarutobi Clan to hide so many shinobi. This force must account for at least half of Konoha's current strength, right?"
"And training all these shinobi couldn't have been easy," he continued, feigning admiration. "I wonder, Hokage-sama, how did you manage it? Did you perhaps acquire the Six Paths Sage's Great Treasure to do so?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"The Great Treasure of the Six Paths Sage exists?" someone murmured.
---
Hiruzen's heart sank. He hadn't expected Neji to bring up the treasure again, especially not in such a provocative way. If the crowd began associating his hidden forces with the mythical treasure, it would spell endless trouble for him and the Sarutobi Clan.
Realizing this, Hiruzen prepared to strike Neji down immediately.
---
"Wait!" Neji shouted. "I have one last question!"
"What is it?" Hiruzen growled, halting his attack.
Neji's tone turned serious. "Hokage-sama, does your cow smoke?"
"What?" Hiruzen blinked, completely thrown off by the bizarre question.
Neji elaborated, his voice calm and measured.
"I ask because I just saw smoke rising from the Sarutobi Clan compound. For a moment, I thought perhaps your cow was smoking and caused a fire."
The crowd fell silent, their confusion turning to shock as they realized what Neji was implying.
---
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