"Would you repeat that again!?" the Third ground out with barely constrained anger at the man standing in front of him, the new ambassador from Kuro. The man remained stoic, despite trembling violently on the inside in face of the powerful Hokage's anger. A good politician had to bluff all the time, after all.
"You heard me. Under the guidelines of our new peace agreement, we demand reparations for the wrongful death of one of our most prized retired shinobi. You also wrongfully did an autopsy on him without our permission and certainly have learned all of his secrets by now. The only way Raikage-sama will be satisfied is if we are allowed to retrieve an intact body of the man responsible for our ambassador's murder." the new ambassador spoke with a stern expression.
"You will forgive me for saying this but…bull-fucking-shit! We have evidence and witness accounts that placed your 'retired' shinobi in the act of kidnapping Hyuuga Hinata! We obviously followed procedure with a hostile shinobi in our territory!" the Hokage almost shouted as he slammed a fist on the desk, cracking it a little.
"What evidence is that? We have confirmed reports that there were absolutely no traces of our previous ambassador anywhere in the Hyuuga compound and none on the Hyuuga girl who accused him of abducting her. Here is what we feel truly happened: the previous ambassador was just taking a walk outside the compound wall when a young and infamous prankster decided to surprise and assault the man. Why would he have expected an attack in a village he had just signed a peace agreement with?" the ambassador spoke calmly with a fake puzzled look before continuing.
"And to make it worse, the boy yelled out a blatantly false statement that would send a random man nearby into a blind rage. After the ambassador was brutally murdered by the same man, the Hyuuga clan attempted to cover it up by having a young innocent girl lie about a kidnapping attempt and procured the gag and rope themselves. The reports also said that the young prankster himself disappeared right before the other Hyuugas appeared, apparently not wanting to be caught responsible for the ambassador's demise. Because of that, he cannot be considered a reliable witness, even if we did not take his history of being an untrustworthy public nuisance into account." the ambassador said, laying out all his carefully prepared lies.
The Hokage kept his deadly glare burning into this hateful man, but inwardly he was stunned.
What this man said nearly matches the official ANBU report word for word. That Kumo kidnapper really did not leave any trace, even on the young girl and the ropes, which was a near impossibility. How did Kumo get their hands on the report and Naruto-kun's file? Because the ANBU reports could be accessed by any nin with high enough clearance, I ordered them to strike Naruto-kun's near death experience, the Kyuubi's chakra, and any evidence, including the blood and kunai used by the Kumo nin, from the official record. This was all done to protect the S-ranked secret of Naruto-kun's jinchuuriki status…I didn't think it would come back to bite us in our collective ass!
"I honestly believe we have a better case than you do, and we will win if we held court in neutral territory over this…especially when we call your entire village in as witness to the young prankster's character. With that, I will repeat our one simple demand. Give us the intact body of the man responsible for our ambassador's murder. If you do not comply, I have been personally authorized by the Raikage to declare our newly signed peace treaty dissolved and we will escalate our military's presence on our border." the ambassador reiterated.
"You dare threaten us?!" the Third snarled, increasing his killer intent at the ambassador, who blanched a little.
"W-we are simply doing what was required in response to the unprovoked murder of one of our most respected retired shinobi. Are you sure you want to risk heavy losses for an alleged murderer if things were to escalate between us? We all know Konoha is still weakened by the Kyuubi no Kitsune's attack. I'm also sure your current reports state that our military force is already back up to full strength after the last Great War. I wonder how your village, weary after so many losses, would feel if it was found out many more deaths could have been easily prevented by the life of one single man? You don't have to worry about this being public. We will keep this quiet and you can just explain the Hyuuga man's death in any way you want." the ambassador pressed his advantage.
The air grew heavy with tension each passing moment as the Hokage seemed to contemplate killing the man in front of him to just go ahead and get things started with Kumo.
"Get out." the God of Shinobi finally spat out before he did something he would regret.
The ambassador decided not to press his luck any more and made for the door.
"I will be back later tonight for the official response." he quickly blurted out before exiting.
After Hiruzen felt Naruto come and go and he had a few minutes to gather his thoughts, he realized there was no way out of this. It would either result in the death of one man or the deaths of many in a village with its morale still low and tired of death. He sighed and waved his hand. A dog-masked silver-haired ANBU instantly appeared in front of his desk.
"Inu, you have heard all of that. Find the leaks in the ANBU information network and seal them. Use any means necessary, and I don't care who were responsible. Just make sure to pump them for all information they have before they disappear." he ordered.
"It shall be done, Hokage-sama." Kakashi almost growled from behind his dog mask, angry at having been compromised. He then disappeared out of the office to carry out the new orders.
Hiruzen, who was feeling every bit of his old age, tiredly stood up and looked out the window at his village, as if this would help him come to a decision. He remained staring at the sun slowly setting beyond the majestic forest surrounding this quiet village for almost an hour, before he finally turned around and buzzed Tamae on the intercom. The coming darkness seemed to signify the Hokage's sober mood.
"Get me Hyuuga Hiashi. Tell him this is urgent."
Later in the evening in the Hyuuga Meeting Hall
"This is unacceptable, brother! How could you have already agreed to this?!" Hizashi exclaimed at his older brother just after Hiashi relayed the Hokage's account of his meeting with the Kumo ambassador. They were standing on the main floor among the top elders from both branches of the clan as they argued over this development.
"Your brother is right…we cannot allow you to be sacrificed! You are the head of the Hyuuga clan, the most noble and respected clan in Konohagakure! Even more importantly, we also cannot allow our Byakugan to fall into their hands!" cried one elder.
"Let the cowards fight us! We will beat them back like we always have done!" another elder raged. Hiashi held out a hand for silence.
"I appreciate your sentiments. However, we have no choice in this situation. Kumogakure has outmaneuvered us completely. Even if we decline the reparations, then go to war and somehow come out victorious, what do you think will happen? This country, weary of conflicts, will blame this clan for this new conflict and we will lose our reputation and standing. This is my fault, since I have killed the man in blind rage without any thought to the consequences afterward. I have failed one of my own teachings in always accessing any situation with a calm heart and mind. For that, I must pay." Hiashi stated calmly, obviously prepared to meet his fate.
"This does not mean you should just give yourself up! You have a responsibility to rule over our clan and ensure its continued prosperity!" Hizashi tried to reason with his older brother, but he and the other rebellious elders were suddenly struck silent by a large blast of killing intent.
"That is ENOUGH! This has already been decided! Our loyalty is to the village first and the clan second! It was, has been, and will always be that way for as long as this village stands! I will not allow myself to be the one person responsible for the possible destruction of our home and our children's future!" the clan leader paused to calm himself.
"I only came here to inform you of my decision and offer my goodbyes, not to allow any of you to change my mind. I have already spoken of what I need for all of you to do after my death, and I expect all of you to carry out your tasks." Hiashi then directed his gaze at his twin.
"The same goes for you too, my brother. You must understand why I have to do this, and I expect you to raise my daughters alongside your son to be strong in my stead. Now…I do not have long, and I wish to spend my remaining time with my daughters before I leave to face my fate. I wish you good fortune after this dark day. Farewell." he finished his speech. He then immediately walked out of the hall, pointedly ignoring several still-protesting elders in his wake. Hizashi clenched both of his fists hard enough to draw blood and gritted his teeth.
It is you who do not understand that this clan will fall apart without you! The elders will panic and try to use both your daughters to gain more power and influence with others who would take advantage of the confusion. I cannot imagine them ever being happy when they may be used as political tools any day. Worst of all, I will be powerless to stop all this because of this damnable seal! he almost growled at that thought, before his expression softened some.
I can feel this clan is inching ever closer to the day when this segregation would end and my son will be one of the first few to be set free. However, I fear that will never come to pass without you as clan head to oversee this. For once, the clan truly needs you more than the village does, and I will go against my own fate in order to save you and this clan, brother.
Hizashi left the hall with a determined gait, heading for his house.
Hizashi's house, a few minutes later
Hyuuga Neji knew something was wrong tonight. His father hadn't come back home yet and the entire compound was in an uproar. He had a bad feeling about tonight, as if his life would change forever after this. It was just like the night before he lost his mother on her last mission when he was younger.
The front door opened swiftly to reveal his grim-faced father entering. Hizashi then immediately went into his bedroom to get changed from his grey robes into a set of pitch-black mission robes, as if he was getting ready for a night mission. Neji was watching all of this with increasing trepidation.
"Is something the matter, Father?" he tried to get his father's attention but Hizashi continued his preparations, seemingly ignoring his distressed son. Only when he finished a few minutes later did he turn toward and kneel down in front of the young boy with an expression that seemed to say he was going off to a battle he would not return from. Neji's lips began to tremble and tears were now streaming down his cheeks.
"Neji…my son, I need you to know that I am extremely proud of you. Despite that damnable seal on your forehead, you continued to excel and outshine everyone else in this clan; even your two cousins. It is because of that you will be able to live on and grow stronger even when I am not around. Tonight, I am going out to make a choice I can be truly proud to call my own after having been mocked by fate my whole life." Hizashi then gripped his crying son's shoulders tightly.
"Someday, you will be freed from your curse, and you will be able to make any fate your own. In the meantime, continue growing strong and do your best to protect the clan and those that are precious to you…do you understand me?" Hizashi implored of his son. Neji was stunned at his father's unusually passionate speech, but he didn't dare say anything for he believed if he did, then his father would take that as the cue to leave and not return.
Unfortunately for him, Hizashi continued anyway by tightly hugging his son with a whispered 'I love you.' before releasing and rising to leave. Neji did not want this, and quickly latched on to his father's leg tightly.
"NO! Father! You can't –" his pleading was cut short by his father's soft chakra strike to the back of his neck, completely unseen. He instantly relaxed and fell limp in his father's arms. As he was gently laid on the living room's couch, the last thing Neji saw before his eyes completely closed was his father putting a blanket over him with a serene expression, like how one would put his son to bed any night.
Same time at Hiashi's home
Hiashi stared down at his two beloved daughters sleeping in each other's arms in their favorite place, which was a large and very comfortable chair in the living room.
Hinata and Hanabi apparently tried to stay up late because their father was suddenly called away for his talk with the Hokage. They wanted to greet their father when he came home finally, but they fell asleep before that.
Hiashi smiled forlornly. He did not want to leave them, but he wouldn't allow them to experience war if he could help it. He reached down to gently rub Hinata's forehead. She shifted a little under the touch and ended up resting her cheek on the top of her younger sister's head. Hanabi was curled up in a small ball on Hinata's lap, her head resting against her older sister's chest.
Hiashi let out a shuddering sigh and allowed a tear to roll down his cheek before wiping it away. He would truly miss them, and prayed to every deity out there that they would pull through after his death with his brother helping them out. After a long minute of standing over his sleeping daughters, he gently laid out a blanket over them to keep them warm. After one more reluctant glance, he then quietly left the living room.
After bowing to the gate guards, Hiashi slowly made his way alone down the long and dark walkway leading from the compound into the village. It was nearly midnight as he slowed his pace. He did not need to be at the Hokage tower for a good while and he would enjoy this final stroll before his upcoming death.
It was interrupted, however, when he suddenly stopped after a few minutes of walking and instantly activated his Byakugan.
"Whomever you may be, you cannot hide from my all-seeing eyes. You may as well come out now." he quietly declared to a nearby lone tree on the side of the road. The tree's dense leaves shook and split open to reveal a black-clad man leaping down upon Hiashi's ready form.
Hiashi effortlessly dodged a preemptive palm strike from the landing assailant before he rushed in to disable the man. He would not make the mistake of killing his opponent this time. He would just merely beat this man to within an inch of his life instead.
He opened with a blindingly fast flurry of two-fingered chakra strikes, which his attacker easily parried or matched blow for blow. Dancing around each other like a pair of graceful performers, the two combatants descended into a beautiful and almost quiet exchange of blows and parries that went on for a long minute with neither party landing a successful hit.
It wasn't long before Hiashi realized he was facing a Gentle Fist user; and an excellent one, too. He was also irritated to find that his Byakugan couldn't penetrate through the man's head wrappings, preventing his attacker's identity from being revealed at this moment. Somehow, this man had access to the 'anti-Byakugan' seals usually used by ANBU for their masks.
"You aim to defy your clan head's wishes. Why?" he quizzed tersely as he increased his tempo to try to overwhelm his attacker. The black-clad man remained silent, however, and easily matched his pace, before shoving him back to get some distance. This was so he had room to spring into a fast combo that just barely managed to overwhelm Hiashi's defense, leaving him with a numb right arm.
Frowning at his unmoving arm as if it betrayed him, Hiashi snapped back to the attacker with a cold glare as he reared his left arm back.
"Hakke Kūshō (Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm)!"
A powerful and precise blast of pure chakra shot out of his palm in the direction of his attacker. However, the black-clad man was prepared and easily somersaulted forward high into the air over the blast.
CRACK!
The blast instead hit the tree the assaulter was just hiding in, breaking the tree's top half off and it crashed to the ground with a loud thump.
Meanwhile, the airborne man easily sailed over his opponent, twisting in the air to avoid one more blast of Vacuum Palm that continued harmlessly into the night sky. He then landed behind Hiashi, who was already whirling around and striking out to meet this man's assault. However, it was still too much as the assaulter easily rushed in under the strike and deftly disabled his opponent's remaining arm with several more júken strikes.
Hiashi stumbled back with a growl, not willing to give up even with his arms sealed. He tried to spin to activate his Kaiten (Revolving Heaven). However, his attacker already anticipated this as he quickly dashed in to gracefully land a flurry of júken strikes along the length of his left leg.
Almost stumbling onto the ground in an undignified heap, Hiashi barely managed to remain standing on his good leg with nothing but the full extent of his pride. He let out a defeated sigh as he watched his attacker relax and straighten up to slowly remove the head wrapping.
"If I had known it was you from the beginning, I would gone through this scuffle much more carefully and differently. It is rather irritating to have my every move predicted rather effortlessly, –"
The black-clad man finished removing everything, revealing himself as the identical twin of Hiashi.
" – Hizashi."
"Indeed…that is why I have hidden my identity. It was the only way to defeat you, Hiashi."
The clan head snorted slightly as he allowed his brother to gently help him over to the tree trunk he just broke in half a moment ago.
"Do not patronize me. You have always been slightly more skilled than I."
"I find that interesting, because I believe the opposite." Hizashi retorted with a small smirk as he helped his twin sit down against the tree trunk in a dignified manner. Hiashi would not be able to get to some help on just one leg without crawling, which would be bad for the clan head's image, so the only thing he could do was to wait and recover his mobility.
Hizashi squatted down next to him with a regretful sigh.
"Forgive me, my lord. I feel I must disobey your orders."
"Hizashi…why are you doing this? You know they will not just give up on this. You should not have stopped me, unless you want to be responsible for the death of thousands." Hiashi tried to reason as he stared his brother in the eyes, despite his immobile body.
"Any conflict with Kumogakure will not happen, and I will make sure of it. However…you must live. Your daughters and our clan need you alive more than this village needs you dead. I have decided I will take your place instead to ensure the best possible outcome for both the clan and village."
Hiashi's eyes widened slightly as his brother continued.
"Since I am your identical twin, they will likely not have noticed the switch until after the 'reparations' have been confirmed through the official channels. By the time they discover the ruse, there would be nothing they could do without making fools of themselves internationally. As a result, we will be able to keep the Byakugan out of their hands. This is what I have chosen to do in order to protect our clan, and especially our own family." Hizashi explained with a determined expression.
"What if you are wrong and they decide to go to war anyway? You will have died for nothing, Hizashi! What about your son?!" Hiashi tried to reason once more, his desperate eyes locking with his twin's steady eyes. Hizashi broke eye contact after a moment, slowly stood up over his brother's form, and stared longingly back in the direction of the Hyuuga compound.
"The people in Kumo would have to be imbeciles to go to war over a false body. Deception is a large part of a shinobi's job after all. We just have to get them to think they have won until it was too late. They then would not be able to do anything without looking like fools." Hizashi let out a slightly exasperated sigh before continuing.
"For a man with all-seeing eyes, you are blind to how much your daughters need you without Hitomi-sama around. Only you would be able to truly ensure their freedom and happiness, since I will not be able to do much as long as I carry this seal on my forehead."
Hiashi had to agree with that assessment, but there was no one else he trusted more than his own brother.
"Neji is mature and capable already, and you know as well I do that he will be able to handle himself just fine. My only request in regards to my son is that that you help guide him into becoming a strong and honorable man in my absence." Hizashi finished and smiled like a prideful father at the thought of his son, before his expression turned somewhat sad.
"Forgive your little brother his selfishness. All my life, I felt like I have been mocked by fate, especially when my beloved son, an once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, was branded simply because I was a few minutes late in our own births. Tonight is probably my one chance to make a true choice…to die the way I choose doing what I want, which is to ensure the best outcome for the clan, and more importantly, the best future for our children." he spoke thoughtfully while Hiashi could only listen in silence.
"Before I take my leave…I want you to understand this, Hiashi. I may have resented my fate, but I never resented you at all our entire lives. I will always be proud to have served the true head of our clan and, more importantly, proud to be your brother." Hizashi ended his heartfelt speech by moving calmly in the direction of the Hokage tower, never looking back while leaving his final words behind.
"Goodbye, big brother."
Hiashi could only sit in silence, his head following the departing figure of his twin. He already lost his desire to plead for his younger brother's return. How could he continue when he had seen nothing but fierce resolution in those pale eyes?
As his immobile body remained propped up against a lonely tree next to this lonely stretch of the dark walkway, his quiet voice carried out into the still midnight air that just barely reached Hizashi's ears.
"Goodbye, little brother."
Fifteen minutes later in an empty park near Hokage Tower
"Wow, that was rough. I took way too long finishing those exercises this time." Naruto thought as he leaned back on a park bench, exhausted from his latest round of exercises.
"Naruto-san?" a voice surprised Naruto into sitting upright on the beach as he snapped toward the source. He saw that it was Hizashi coming into view, easily recognized by the hitai-ate adorning his forehead.
"Hizashi-san? What are you doing out here this late?"
"I should be asking the same of you. It is more odd for a young child to be out here compared to an adult merely taking a stroll." Hizashi inquired with a raised eyebrow as he stopped nearby. Naruto put on a sheepish grin and scratched the back of his head.
"Hehe…I'm sure you've realized I'm not like most kids. I was just resting after finishing my exercises and was about to go home when you showed up."
Hizashi nodded, satisfied with the explanation.
"I see, Uzumaki-sama. I am on my way to see Hokage-sama for a mission, so I shall see you around." he politely dismissed the conversation as he made to walk past on the way to the Hokage tower. Naruto had something on his mind he wanted to ask, though.
"Hizashi-san, if you have time, I have a question." he called out in an apprehensive tone. Hizashi stopped to glance back at the blonde and inclined his head to show he was listening.
"I was thinking about what you said the other day about your clan's history and the seal. If it was so bad, why hadn't anyone come up with a better seal? Something that everyone in the clan can use to protect the Byakugan without all that pain and control." Naruto carefully inquired in a neutral tone. Hizashi was surprised by this question and had to take a moment to think over his answer.
"I am not exactly sure, Uzumaki-sama. My best guess is that, in the beginning, the clan was proud of the seal as it protected their pure bloodline from being stolen and tainted by their enemies. They did not realize the implications that they just laid the foundation for a truly segregated system the clan is using now. By the time the branch members became dissatisfied with the way things have become, the entire clan were already set in their ways. It is now tradition to use the seal and they all just accepted it as the way of life. I suppose that is why not many have thought about modifying the seal up until now." he offered and Naruto could only furrow his eyebrows together in deep thought.
"Now, I need to go, so be sure to get home safe and have a good evening." Hizashi finished by bowing slightly and turning in the direction of the Hokage tower to begin walking again.
"Hizashi-san, can you tell me what this mission is?" Naruto quickly blurted out. The older man stopped for a moment and spoke without turning around.
"I cannot tell you, but I can say it is to protect my own precious people. Goodbye, Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto's mind suddenly flashed back to his fight with Neji in the Chunnin exams, a lifetime ago.
Hizashi was going to die. Concentrating, Naruto could see the grief and sadness rolling of the Hyuuga man in waves. "No." He thought. "Neji will not lose his father, not this time."
"Hizashi-san." The boy said quietly, causing the man to turn his head.
Narrowing his eyes, Naruto continued. "Are you giving yourself up to Kumo?"
Hizashi's eyes widened before he smiled gently. "You are aware of the affairs of the village at such a young age, impressive. I suppose this is a result of spending so much time in the Hokage office."
Looking up at the full moon in the sea of stars, Hizashi bowed. "I have but one request Naruto-san."
"Please look after my son Neji, and tell him that-
He was rudely interrupted by a punch rocketing towards his face, before catching the punch of one Naruto Uzumaki.
"You can tell him yourself! I won't let you give yourself up to Kumo! Think about your brother! Neji! Everyone who cares about you! I wont let you kill yourself!" Naruto screamed as he burst into a flurry of punches and kicks, aiming to knock out the older Hyuuga.
Hizashi however, was just as strong as Hiashi, the head of the clan, and was way above young Naruto's level, blocking and weaving around his attacks.
"Naruto-san, you are friends with the Nara's correct?" Hizashi questioned. A swift nod among the unending attacks was his only answer.
"I see. Then are you familiar with their shogi analogy of the 'King'?" This caused Naruto to hesitate for a brief moment.
"I'm doing this to protect my 'King'. My son, you, Hinata, the youths of the village. The future. This has to be done."
He sighed and resolved himself. "I am dying for what I believe in. I apologise if my son in unable to accept my death and loses himself to hatred. Please, take care of him."
Then a single strike to Naruto's solar plexus immobilised the young boy and made him collapse to the ground. "Goddamit! Don't kill yourself you idiot! Theres gotta be another way! Oi! Wait!"
Naruto watched the Hyuuga disappear into the darkness toward the Hokage tower with a soft smile, the feeling of failure and grief overwhelming him.
The Hokage's office
The Third Hokage sat at the desk, waiting patiently for the arrival of Hyuuga Hiashi. In the room with him were two ANBU - one of them Kakashi - and the Kuro ambassador. In the center of the office was a scroll laid out with a large storage seal array. The ambassador was growing nervous by the second as the other three occupants leveled their glares at him, as if they were wishing for him to slowly die by melting into a puddle.
"I expect this to be kept quiet. We will deny anything if this comes to light." the Hokage ground out through gritted teeth. The ambassador flinched at the leader's harsh tone before nodding nervously.
"When you retrieve the body, you will sign this statement that declares you have retrieved your so-called 'reparations' for Kumogakure and we will not speak of this ever again. Is that understood?" the Third continued as he pointed at a piece of paper on the desk, his glare intensifying.
"B-believe me, we want to keep this quiet on our ends too. I will sign as soon as I have confirmed it was Hyuuga Hiashi himself." the ambassador tried to steel his own nerves against the Third's anger, but failing miserably.
It felt like eternity for him under the unbearably imposing presences of the two ANBU and the Hokage until the office's door finally clicked and creaked open to reveal Hizashi Hyuuga.
It took the Hokage all he had to keep his face schooled in a neutral expression even with the massive shock he was experiencing. The ANBU were lucky they had their masks on and it took considerable effort to keep their bodies from showing any reaction.
What the hell is going on? Why is Lord Hiashi's twin brother here? was the singular thought of the three as they easily recognized him by the hitai-ate always covering the seal on his forehead.
"Lord Hyuuga Hiashi reporting." Hizashi said shortly with a scowl. The Hokage saw something in the new arrival's pale eyes that made him think he should at least play along. He really hoped this man knew what he was doing.
"You have come, Lord Hiashi. You do understand why you are here, correct?" The ambassador asked nervously, visibly relieved at having a distraction, as 'Hiashi' walked to the center of the office.
"Yes, I am to die and give up my body for my 'crime' of killing one of your 'retired' shinobi for 'no reason'. Let us just get this farce with so I do not have to deal with any of you thieving cowards a second longer." 'Hiashi' retorted dismissively as if the Kumo man was even less than a cockroach to him. The ambassador bristled at the tone and insult but said nothing, not wanting to cause any more problem than necessary when they were so close to their goal.
He then took out a photo of the real clan head to compare to 'Hiashi's' visage. The one minute the ambassador spent studying and comparing between the photo and the person was the longest ever for Hizashi, the ANBU, and the Hokage.
"It's a match. Take your hitai-ate off and we will proceed; I'm sure Hokage-sama would prefer to keep the insignia here." the ambassador suggested, and another new bout of tension was rising in the air. They knew they would be found out if Hizashi took the hitai-tie off and revealed the hidden seal.
"If it is all the same to you, I am doing this as a duty to protect Konohagakure from an unnecessary war. I would prefer to die knowing I have served my village to the very end, so please allow me to keep my hitai-ate on until after my last breath has left the body." 'Hiashi' coolly replied without missing a beat. The ambassador took a moment to think before silently nodding.
Everyone almost exploded with relief, but they had to keep up the charade. 'Hiashi' kneeled formally on the floor next to the sealing scroll and closed his eyes as if in mediation. A long moment of grave silence persisted in the air before the dog-masked Kakashi decided to begin preparing for the inevitable. However, the Hokage stopped him.
"I will do this one. It is my responsibility, since I allowed this to happen." he grimly said as he slowly moved behind 'Hiashi' and took a small quick-injection syringe from the ANBU. He then gripped the kneeling man's shoulder tightly and leaned his head down next to his ear.
"I am really sorry for allowing this. You will receive the highest honors and your clan will forever remember you as a hero." he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.
Hizashi only nodded once with a serene expression before he felt a small prick at the base of his neck. He felt a calming numbness overtake his entire body almost all at once…it was welcoming actually. His last thoughts were of his older brother and nieces, his deceased wife, and finally, his son. He let a small smile grace his face.
In just three seconds, his body fell limp in the Hokage's grip, devoid of all life.
Hyuuga Hizashi had just passed away instantly and painlessly as a hero to his clan and village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen silently and gently laid the body down onto the sealing array with trembling hands. After a moment of silence out of respect, he slowly removed the hitai-ate to reveal that the seal disappeared, having already worked its magic sealing Hizashi's Byakugan and all of its secrets. The people in Kumogakure would not be able to learn anything from this man's body now. The Third then sealed the body into the scroll with a loud 'poof'.
The ambassador silently walked over to the desk to sign the statement. As he set the pen down and turned around, he cried out in surprise as a hand suddenly grabbed him by the neck and swung him into a wall, cratering it inward. The ambassador was trying to let out a strangled cry of protest when he was frozen solid by the Hokage's glare and killing intent.
Hiruzen's face was old and wrinkled but his eyes looked virulent, cold, and calculating, as if they were the eyes of Shinigami looking at its newest soul to eat. The ambassador felt like he truly would die any moment just looking into his powerful gaze.
"You…may have won, but this will be the last time. After tonight, no Kumo ambassador or shinobi is welcome here until further notice, unless absolutely necessary. That means you will leave the village's premises within ten minutes of this conversation or I will have you imprisoned for open hostility. In addition, if I ever see one single Kumo nin set foot anywhere in our country without express permission from our people for any reason at all…you tell your Raikage I will personally come and show them exactly why I have lived this long, and why I am known as the Kami of Shinobi!" the Third Hokage spat out before he harshly tossed the terrified ambassador to the floor with a loud crash.
The whimpering man thought of nothing but escaping as he frantically scrambled to his feet, grabbed the scroll, and ran out the office as fast as his feet could carry him. It was as if the Shinigami was breathing down his neck.
"Follow him all the way out to the Lightning border, and make sure he can't even stop for rest. In addition, send someone out to the Hyuuga compound to deliver the news and ask for an explanation." the Third growled as the two ANBU bowed and vanished.
He was not relieved that they might have protected the Hyuuga clan's secret. He was still angry that he still sacrificed a life to supposedly protect thousands. It did not matter if it was a nobleman or a servant…a person's life was still lost this day and he had to allow it on his watch without any resistance.
All of the emotions Sarutobi Hiruzen kept in all day finally overflowed as he yelled in rage and smashed his fist on the desk, splitting it in two.
Hyuuga Hizashi was gone.