Hinata: I'm in charge of Konoha.

Chapter 72 Why are you afraid of dying?

"The Hokage said he would give us a satisfactory answer."

Hiashi Hyuga sighed.

Despite what Hiruzen Sarutobi said, the clan leaders of the ninja clans were well aware of the current situation in Konoha.

With the loss and fall of a large number of top-level experts, Konoha is now in its weakest period in decades.

"Brother, please have faith in the Hokage."

Seeing this, Hyuga Hizashi spoke softly, trying to calm Hyuga Hiashi down.

"I hope so —"

Hiashi Hyuga nodded slowly.

"slow."

One day, an elder from below suddenly spoke up, which drew everyone's attention.

"What are Elder Mori's thoughts?"

Someone asked.

Hyuga Mori's eyes flickered as they landed on the man standing next to Hyuga Hiashi, who was at the head of the group.

"It is certainly fortunate that Lady Hinata is safe and sound."

"But the Cloud Village is always cunning and difficult to deal with. It is very likely that they are making a fuss about this, or even turning the tables on us."

This remark drew nods of agreement from everyone present.

"I'm also worried about this."

Hiashi Hyuga nodded in agreement.

"Moreover, the village is currently weak. If Kumogakure were to take drastic action over this matter and war were to break out again, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"At that time, our Hyuga clan will be in the eye of the storm."

"This will surely give others a pretext to criticize them."

Hinata Mori's expression was grave as he continued.

But his words made Hiashi Hyuga frown slightly.

What kind of talk is that?

They, the Hidden Cloud Village, attacked the Hyuga, but from this clan elder's words, it sounds like the Hyuga were still in the wrong.

"so what?"

Hiashi Hyuga calmly countered with a question.

"Lady Hinata's strength is certainly commendable."

"But over the years, everyone has known Hinata's personality very well."

"Now they've taken it upon themselves to attack Yunyin, turning what could have been a peaceful matter into a bloody incident."

"Kumakure will surely be furious. To avoid getting bogged down in war in the future, I think it's necessary—"

At this point, Hiashi Hyuga could barely contain his anger.

If this clan elder dared to utter even the slightest dissent to his daughter, he would immediately rebuke him.

"Hand over the murderer."

"Hinata Mori!"

As soon as the murderer was uttered, Hiashi Hyuga slammed his fist on the table, his Byakugan eyes fixed on the clan elder, his whole body radiating uncontrollable rage!

Outsiders are trying to take away one's own child, and yet someone on one's own side is willing to hand over one's own flesh and blood.

How could this old man say something that hurts his loved ones and pleases his enemies?

"Clan leader, please calm down. I wasn't referring to Lady Hinata."

Hyuga Mori gently stroked his long beard, trying to dissuade Hyuga Hiashi.

"What do you mean?"

Hiashi Hyuga's expression darkened upon hearing this.

Neji.

"Hyuga Mori, you old bastard!"

The moment Neji uttered those two words, how could Hiashi and Hizashi not know what the old man was up to?

Hyuga Hizashi immediately flew into a rage, his Byakugan eyes snapping open as he glared fiercely at the clan elder like a wild beast.

How dare they think of making Neji Hinata's scapegoat?!

How could he, as a father, accept this?!

"The mission of the branch family is to protect the main family and exchange Neji for Lady Hinata."

"7

"This is the fate of those who separate from their families."

"This has been the Hyuga tradition for a thousand years!"

Facing Hyuga Hizashi's anger, Hyuga Mori spoke coldly.

"Those who seek to gain favor will ultimately die and their souls will perish."

"Faced with the Cloud Village's yet-to-be-purge, you actually want to betray your clan in exchange for so-called peace?!"

"To utter such hurtful words, you are truly unworthy of being called Elder Rixiang!"

Hyuga Hizashi, enraged, laughed and rebuked.

"I think Elder Sen's words make a lot of sense."

"In every war in the past, my Hyuga clan has always been at the forefront, and countless people have sacrificed their lives."

"If one person's life can be exchanged for the lives of many more of our people..."

"It's worth it."

At this moment, another Hyuga elder chimed in.

"I think Elder Sen is right."

Faced with such absurd remarks, the other clan elders not only did not refute them, but instead discussed the feasibility of the matter with expressions of approval!

"Our Hyuga clan has stood firm in the ninja world for a thousand years. When have we ever feared anyone!"

"If everyone were like you, so greedy for life and afraid of death, we would have already perished in the Warring States period!"

Hiashi Hyuga was also filled with uncontrollable rage at this moment.

Although these people didn't intend to involve Hinata, their absurd remarks were simply unacceptable to him.

"Lord Hiashi, you are the head of a clan, you must consider the bigger picture."

"What if I send you all to Kumogakure?"

At that moment, an untimely voice suddenly rang out.

"presumptuous!"

"I am a clan elder, how could I—"

"Hinata-sama?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Sen immediately rebuked the visitor for being disrespectful, but upon seeing the figure at the gate, his words abruptly ceased.

"Oh, right."

"To be precise, it means sending your corpses to Kumogakure."

Hinata, who had overheard the gist of the conversation at the meeting room door, tilted her head at the so-called elder of the Hyuga clan, looking quite approving.

"Lady Hinata, do you even know what you're saying?!"

"I am from the same main branch of the family as you!"

Xiang Sen looked grim that day.

"My dear father, before sending their bodies to Kumogakure, put them in cages first."

"That way they won't be the main family anymore."

Hinata looked innocently at Hiashi Hyuga, who was sitting in the main seat in front of her.

"Hinata-sama!"

"I'm doing this for your own good!"

Seeing this, Hyuga Mori could no longer sit still. He stood up and glared angrily at Hinata!

However----

A jet-black knife, as black as ink and resembling a dagger, was held against his neck!

"Hinata!"

This scene left everyone present stunned; no one expected Hinata to resort to violence so easily!

Hiashi Hyuga was so shocked that he stood up and tried to stop his lawless daughter.

But then I thought—

Is it really necessary to care whether this old bastard who wants to betray his people lives or dies?

"Lady Hinata, please calm down—"

Hyuga Mori couldn't help but break out in a sweat as he looked at the Flying Thunder God Blade resting against his neck.

Years of pampered life in the main family had almost made him forget what fighting was, or what it meant to be a ninja.

So much so that when Hinata suddenly attacked, Hyuga, who was known for his taijutsu, didn't even have a chance to react.

"Are you afraid of dying?"

Hinata looked at the old man in front of her with an expression of incomprehension.

Why are you afraid of dying?

"Weren't you acting all righteous and awe-inspiring just now?"

"You want Neji to die in my place?"

Why are you scared when it's your turn?

The twelve-year-old Hyuga girl, with her somewhat immature face bearing the unique innocence and ignorance of a young girl, looked at the Hyuga elder in front of her who was terrified of death and posed a soul-searching question.

"I—I am an elder of the Zong family."

That day, Mori knew Hinata's personality and her wicked sense of humor very well.

That bewildered and ignorant look on her face was all an act; she just wanted to see her make a fool of herself!