Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"Sōgen, what exactly happened here? What forced you to use that thing?" Uchiha Kamaru impatiently approached and asked. Elder Uchiha An also quietly moved closer, pricking up her ears to wait for Sōgen's answer.

"This one!"

Zongxian pondered for a few seconds, then took two steps and stepped onto a nearby tree trunk that was slanted into the ground. Looking down at the forty-five high-ranking ninja of the clan, including the three elders, he spoke loudly:

"I think everyone is probably wondering what exactly happened here. Explaining it one by one would be too troublesome, so I'll just give a general overview. Just now, the Root forces attempted to assassinate me here again. They gathered Root's most elite troops and attacked me and the Hyuga clan head. This isn't the first time. Let's put aside the old grievances for now. This time, I have evidence. If the village doesn't give my clan an explanation, I will not let it go. Anyone who dares to provoke the Uchiha must pay the price! So, everyone, prepare for battle!"

"Yes, Chieftain!"

The tribesmen, their anger mixed with heightened excitement, responded loudly.

They were furious about the attack on their clan chief in the village, and excited by the chief's tough attitude!

The murderous aura, sharp as swords, was released unrestrainedly, its immense killing intent almost materializing into a visible sea of ​​blood!

[Chapter 69: I'm absolutely furious! (5000 words! Requesting votes! Requesting investment!)]

The Uchiha's killing intent and fighting spirit were so intense that Hyuga Hiashi didn't dare to get too close for a moment. Instead, he led his trusted subordinates from the clan to a position that was neither too close nor too far, watching the forty-odd Jonin-level Uchiha warily.

Seeing so many Jonin from the Uchiha clan made Hiashi Hyuga envious.

Even if it's the Uchiha clan, if I'm not mistaken, those forty-odd Jonin have practically exhausted the clan's entire essence. Even though Uchiha Munen has only been the clan leader for less than half a year, he has already gained the support of the Uchiha clan's Jonin.

No need to look back.

With his Byakugan, he could see the twenty-two Hyuga Jonin standing behind him, which was probably the most reliable force he had in the clan!

In terms of the number of Jonin, Hiashi Hyuga was confident that the Uchiha clan had far more Jonin than his own. However, unfortunately, as the clan head, he could not fully control all the clan's power. The elders of the main branch enjoyed immense power, which diminished the clan head's authority and made it difficult for Hiashi Hyuga to act freely.

Especially after the death of his younger brother, Hyuga Hizashi, the head of the branch family, his power was further diminished by the elders, making him seem worlds apart from the powerful Uchiha Munen...

"Hiashi-senpai."

While Hiashi Hyuga was lost in thought, Sogen came over and greeted him.

"Zongxian-kun, the unity of the nobility is truly enviable."

Hiashi Hyuga snapped out of his daze and gave a natural, comfortable compliment.

"It was forced upon us!"

Zongxian waved his hand to show humility. The Uchiha clan, united as one? This sounded rather ironic. The Uchiha clan was indeed very united, and they would unite to protect the clan's honor. But once they lost their external enemies, the Uchiha clan would fall into internal strife due to their own arrogance.

These are all things clearly recorded in the clan's historical documents.

Even the forbidden technique Izanami, which counters the forbidden technique Izanagi, was developed to resolve internal strife within the Uchiha clan. This shows just how insane the internal strife within the Uchiha clan was in the past, and it's not entirely unfounded to say that the Uchiha clan was a dangerous clan.

Uchiha

They definitely have a crazy streak in their bones!

The most terrifying thing is that when Uchiha go berserk, they often trigger the power of their Sharingan, allowing them to naturally gain the power to go mad!

"Let's get down to business! Hiashi-senpai, what are your plans for the future?"

Zongxian cleared his throat and steered the conversation to the main topic.

He didn't come here to say nice things to Hiashi Hyuga, although it did sound very pleasant.

"An eye for an eye, of course!!!"

Upon hearing Zongxian's question, Hyuga Hiashi's face immediately darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, word by word, that as the head of the Hyuga clan, he had almost been killed by the Root members inside the village. Such humiliation was unprecedented. At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi felt as if he had a volcano about to erupt in his chest. If he did not vent his anger, he would always hold a grudge.

"Hyuga has a temper too!"

Zongxian carefully examined Hyuga Hiashi, who was teetering on the edge of rage, for a few seconds, then nodded slightly without saying anything more.

It seems that this time, the low-key Hyuga clan leader, Hiashi Hyuga, has really been angered!

This is a good thing!

Although he didn't think Hiashi Hyuga could really retaliate in kind, the opposing side was the Hokage. Whether Hyuga's anger could actually burn the Third Hokage remained to be seen.

Just then, someone arrived.

Kurama Murakumo appeared before the Uchiha and Hyuga clans with seven Jonin from his clan. Upon seeing those pairs of murderous red and white eyes, Kurama Murakumo and the seven Jonin from his clan all took two steps back.

That's fucking scary.

Being stared at by so many Sharingan and Byakugan eyes, I felt like my underwear was being seen through.

"Chief of the Saddle Horse Clan".

Zongxian greeted him in a friendly tone.

then,

The clansmen suppressed their killing intent, and Kurama Murakumo hurriedly led the seven Jonin of the clan closer. He approached Sogen and whispered, "Sougen, just say what you need to say. As long as you don't mind Kurama's meager strength, I will support you to the best of my ability."

"Thank you so much, Senior Congyun!"

Zongxian thanked him and then shut his mouth.

The arrival of the Kurama clan was just the beginning. Not long after, the clan heads of the Aburatsuka, Kazamatsuri, Ise, and other clans, along with their Jonin, arrived one after another on this desolate land. The clan heads and the numerous Jonin were all startled by the killing intent of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. They exchanged glances, realizing that things were unlikely to end well today.

Before long, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio arrived together, and from afar they could see the outstanding-looking Akimichi Torifu.

"Hizu-kun."

Akimichi Torifu arrived in front of Hyuga Hiashi.

The portly old man looked at Hiashi Hyuga and asked softly, "Is there really no other way?"

"Senior Torifu, just now, I almost died." Hiashi Hyuga tried his best to maintain a calm tone as he answered the question from the elder who had no grudge against the Hyuga clan. "If I choose to endure this now, what face do I have to serve as the head of the Hyuga clan? Moreover, if I were to back down this time, do you think he would be grateful for the Hyuga's tolerance? Or would he think that we Hyuga are easy to bully?"

Faced with the gaze of Hiashi Hyuga's pure white eyes, Akimichi Torifu was speechless.

It was his fault.

They actually had such an absurd and unrealistic idea.

Hiashi Hyuga was right. Whether for his own sake or for the honor of the Hyuga clan, he couldn't back down now. Besides, he knew his old friends very well; in their youth, they had been willing to sacrifice everything for the village, but now, in their old age, they had become like this…

"I'm sorry, Hiashi-kun, I spoke out of turn!"

"It's alright. I understand Senior Feng's good intentions, but there are some things I simply have to do!" Hyuga Hiashi's attitude was firm, without the slightest wavering.

Akimichi Toki walked away dejectedly.

In this desolate wilderness, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive. The murderous aura of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans made everyone feel immense pressure. Moreover, they were not so forgetful as to forget the deep crimson Susanoo from before!

It was during this time of trepidation, when one dared not utter a sound,

The third generation leader, along with two advisors and a large number of secret agents, finally appeared.

"Lord Hokage!"

The heads of the Kazamatsuri and Ise clans, who arrived ahead of schedule, greeted the third generation.

These two clans are also staunch supporters of the Third Hokage, or rather, partners of the Sarutobi clan. The Kazamatsuri clan has long controlled the Ministry of Education, while the Ise clan holds great power in the Ministry of Medical Affairs. Whether from a personal or economic perspective, they would never betray the Third Hokage.

"Wind Festival..."

Just as the Third Generation was about to speak when the heads of the Kazamatsuri and Ise clans stepped forward, someone interrupted him.

"Lord Hokage, is the village planning to exterminate my Hyuga clan?"

Hiashi Hyuga stepped forward and almost roared as he questioned him.

This was a situation that no one had anticipated.

In many people's minds, if the Uchiha are arrogant, the Hyuga are a traditional and rigid clan. Their rules, words and deeds, and even their clothing give people a sense of antiquity and vicissitude. The clan head, Hiashi Hyuga, is a model for the Hyuga clan.

Serious and unsmiling, dignified and solemn, with an elegant demeanor... This is how people perceive Hiashi Hyuga.

Hiashi Hyuga's roaring out like this truly surprised countless people.

"Hiashi, what are you saying? No one wants to wipe out the Hyuga clan. The Hyuga clan is an indispensable part of Konoha." The Third Hokage frowned. He had not expected Hiashi to launch an attack in such a brutal and direct manner. Based on his understanding of Hiashi, he thought they wouldn't get to the point so quickly.

There was no extra time for him to think of a solution, so he could only manage to say, "I already know what happened here, and Gen's reckless actions will certainly be severely punished..."

"Acting without authorization?"

Zongxian chuckled.

The mocking laughter interrupted the Third Hokage's voice.

Hiashi Hyuga remained expressionless, completely unmoved by the Third Hokage's words.

"Lord Hokage, I don't care about the reasons behind this. I just want to know how the village plans to explain things to my clan?" Hiashi Hyuga opened his Byakugan, and the bulging veins around his eyes looked quite frightening to be honest.

at the same time,

The Hyuga clan's Jonin stepped forward, silently expressing their support for their clan leader!

"Please don't forget about the Uchiha clan. We also need an explanation for this attack!" Zongxian stepped forward and stood side by side with Hyuga Hiashi. His scarlet eyes held a six-leaf windmill pattern that was different from the three-tomoe pattern.

Just a fleeting glance,

The third generation lowered his eyes, avoiding eye contact with Sogen.

"Hiashi, and the Uchiha clan head, I've investigated this matter thoroughly. It involves several leaders of Root, led by Aburame Ryoma..."

"I've already said, I don't want to know why, I just want to know what the village plans to do?"

Hiashi Hyuga's attitude was aggressive.

The Third Hokage was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "The Root leaders who planned this operation are all dead, dead here..."

"So this matter ends here? After all, the planners are all dead, aren't they? As the saying goes, dead people are no longer held accountable. No matter how powerful the Uchiha or Hyuga are, they can't do anything to the dead... Is this what you mean, Hokage?"

Zongxian spoke in a low voice.

But it was precisely this gentle, indifferent voice that sent a chill down one's spine.

Behind him, the Jonin of the Uchiha clan excitedly activated their three-tomoe Sharingan. Youngsters like Uchiha Hokuto even placed their hands on their sword hilts, clearly ready for battle.

This subtle change caused a drastic change in the expressions of the clan leaders present.

If a fight really breaks out,

Isn't Konoha doomed?

Many people grew anxious, worried that a conflict might actually break out. However, at this moment... no one dared to step in and mediate, fearing that their families would be dragged into it.

With his gaze lowered, the Third Hokage also saw the ring of ribs around the deep crimson Susanoo and felt the terrifying chakra fluctuations so close at hand. His face darkened, and he took a deep breath. "After Danzo fell into a coma, it was my responsibility as the Hokage not to properly supervise Root. For this, I am willing to resign from the position of Hokage!"