บท 88: The Awakening of the Hyuga Patriarch's Hidden Power

"The Hokage, Danzo, and others, it seems you've grossly misinterpreted our clan's strategic choice to maintain a low profile over decades, even centuries, and silently enduring and obeying all of your previous power grabs as a sign of weakness. This misunderstanding, however, ends now.",

"The very idea that you could manipulate the deployment of our clan members in this war, intending to reduce our numbers through strategic 'sacrifices', as if we're merely named on a 'kill list' to be checked off, is not only reprehensible but a betrayal of trust and agreements that we got from everyone once Konoha was founded.",

"Therefore, we will not stand idly by while such plans are enacted against us anymore...", Hirayoshi declared, his voice laced with a newfound assertiveness, mirroring the slight disdain once shown to them.

He continued, his tone turning sharply condescending like the tone previously used on them by Danzo and Hiruzen was, "Reflect on the absurdity of your strategy. Now, to ensure such a sinister 'plan' is avoided completely, I present a list of shinobi designated for Hiashi's Eastern Division. This list is non-negotiable for me. I trust you understand that excluding even a single name from this list would certainly be a grave error on your part.",

As Hirayoshi spoke these words, a scroll suddenly appeared in front of Hiruzen's face, seemingly from thin air.

As Hirayoshi concluded his declaration, the dynamics within the council hall shifted dramatically.

Members of Hiruzen's faction, previously seated, instinctively rose to their feet, rallying around the Hokage and his Advisors in a circle in a protective stance.

The sudden emergence of dozens of Anbu and Shinobi from the room's concealed compartments added to the atmosphere of heightened alertness, their presence rapidly transforming the hall into a battlefield of tension.

Yet, despite this mobilization, all eyes remained transfixed on the figure of Hirayoshi. The Hyuga Patriarch, once perceived as frail and unassuming, now stood enveloped in a radiant white light at the epicenter of a chakra vortex that seemed to stretch and warp the very air around him.

His presence was overwhelming, filling the hall with a palpable force that made it seem as though he was omnipresent, his spirit and power engulfing every inch of the space.

The magnitude of chakra he displayed was unlike anything those present had ever witnessed before. It wasn't just the quantity but also the sheer intensity of his chakra that left everyone in awe and fear.

It seemed boundless as if tapping into an ancient, inexhaustible wellspring of power. That chakra, in its essence, had entirely different characteristics from all the other kinds of chakra they had encountered before; it was as if it were somehow "alien" in nature.

Even to the more seasoned and powerful shinobi, many of whom had lived through countless battles and had seen the prowess of legendary figures, the spectacle before them was unparalleled.

Hirayoshi's chakra not only filled the hall but seemed to press against their very souls at all times, a testament to a strength that defied the laws of nature as they knew it.

Meanwhile, after Hirayoshi's awe-inspiring display of power, the initial shock that gripped the Anti-Hokage faction quickly morphed into a calculated decision.

Understanding the gravity of the moment, they moved with a unified purpose, rallying behind the Hyuga Patriarch—effectively 'splitting' the hall in two.

They knew that the power dynamics between the two opposing political currents of Konoha had changed once again, and this time, it was considerably in their favor and for their cause.

Their movements were swift, a clear indicator of their allegiance and a physical manifestation of their support.

Each coalition member positioned themselves as a united front behind Hirayoshi, signaling a deep recognition of the newfound strength he brought to their joint cause.

Despite their previous hesitation and indecision about supporting the Hyuga clan against the pressures exerted by the Hokage's Faction just now, the members of the Anti-Hokage coalition now recognized the strategic advantage in aligning themselves with Hirayoshi's show of strength.

The coalition's sudden, swift pivot to unequivocally support the Hyuga Patriarch was a testament to its understanding of the political landscape.

They realized that the display of formidable chakra was not just a demonstration of individual might but a symbolic assertion of the Hyuga and, by extension, the Anti-Hokage faction's rising influence within the village.

Although they didn't know exactly what the nature of that power was or why the Hyuga clan had hidden it for so long, seeing Hirayoshi so confident about using it now openly didn't matter.

The Hyuga Patriarch wasn't someone to make reckless decisions on gambling about this kind of open tearing of the face against the Hokage, like some teenager if he didn't have such power for real backing him up.

Sakumo, standing near the Hyuga Patriarch, had seamlessly transitioned into his full 'battle mode,' his formidable presence subtly blending into the surroundings.

This readiness to strike, almost shadow-like in its stealth and swiftness, served as a silent declaration of his preparedness for any forthcoming conflict.

His demeanor was a clear sign that he, too, recognized the gravity of the moment and was prepared to defend their newfound stance at a moment's notice.

Fugaku, Setsuna, Kiyomi, and the rest of the Uchiha clan members had similarly escalated their readiness for battle; their Sharingan activated in a silent show of solidarity and preparedness.

Simultaneously, all Hyuga clan members positioned behind the Patriarch had their Byakugan activated, their pale, veined eyes scanning the hall with intense vigilance.

Amid this tense atmosphere, Hikari was a contrasting figure. His fists were clenched not in anxiety but in excitement, and the unfolding events seemed to stir a sense of anticipation within him.

Conversely, Takumi appeared almost dazed, overwhelmed by the rapid escalation and the sheer magnitude of chakra emanating from the Patriarch.

Hiashi, with his calm demeanor, appeared as though he had been expecting this moment of confrontation.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Hiruzen still looked in disbelief, even though dozens of seconds had passed in silence since the outburst.

His seasoned eyes, having witnessed countless battles and beheld numerous forms of chakra manipulation throughout his storied life, now reflected an unparalleled level of astonishment.

The sudden and overwhelming display of power from the Hyuga Patriarch had caught him entirely off guard, presenting him with a form of strength and energy that was both enigmatic and profound.

This wasn't merely a demonstration of raw power; it was something more—a manifestation of chakra that felt both ancient in its origin and extremely 'modern at the same time'. It was a paradox that defied his extensive knowledge and experience, leaving him grappling for comprehension.

As he watched, still trying to reconcile the reality before him with his understanding of the ninja world's mechanics, Hiruzen couldn't help but acknowledge the magnitude of what he was witnessing,

'This is already at a stable Peak Kage level of chakra, and it is still rising. This is impossible...', He thought to himself, a mixture of respect and fear threading through his realization.

The revelation that the Hyuga clan possessed such a monumental secret, a power that could very well redefine the dynamics of not just the village but the entire shinobi world, was jarring.

Even though he might've recently somewhat guessed that the Hyuga clan harbored some big secrets, this still threw him out of his shoes completely as he didn't nearly guess that this was the extent of it.

This moment of revelation also spurred a deeper introspection within Hiruzen. 'What on Earth forced them to lay low for so long, then...? ' he pondered, the question echoing through his mind. It was a perplexing consideration.

Such power could have easily placed the Hyuga at the forefront of the village's defense or its power structure, yet they had chosen a path of restraint, their true capabilities shrouded in secrecy until this pivotal, almost historic moment.

Hiruzen, despite the shock of the moment, found his analytical mind engaging with the puzzle presented by Hirayoshi's chakra. It was unlike anything he had felt before—alien, foreign, and deeply unsettling in its unfamiliarity,

'Yet, why does it feel so alien and foreign-like in comparison to Hirayoshi's ordinary chakra? I guess this might be some kind of an ancient energy source then.', He pondered, trying to make sense of the profound difference.

With this realization, a sense of relief began to seep through the initial wave of shock, as Hiruzen thought, 'Perhaps, then, this isn't as bad as it seems now. As long as we manage to locate it in the future, or counter it somehow...',

This line of thinking allowed him to see a glimmer of hope amidst the upheaval. If this power stemmed from an ancient energy source, then there might be ways to understand it, prepare for its implications, or even find means to counteract it in the future after some brainstorming.