r18novel Chapter 445 The Tacit Understanding Between the Konoha Ninja Clan
Chapter 445 The Tacit Understanding Between the Konoha Ninja Clan
Deep within the Hyuga clan's territory, a tense atmosphere, completely different from the usual tranquility, permeated the air.
An hour earlier, Hyuga Hiashi, accompanied by his youngest daughter Hanabi and escorted by several Hyuga ninjas, had rushed back. He didn't even have time to change out of the head of the clan's kimono, which was slightly dusty, before gently pushing the six-year-old, somewhat bewildered Hanabi into the arms of his wife who came to greet him.
"Take Hanabi to the inner room. No one is allowed to approach without my permission." Hiashi Hyuga's voice was low and urgent, and his usually serious face was now covered with a layer of frost.
He looked at his wife's worried eyes and the unease reflected in Hanabi's pure white eyes, and sighed inwardly.
"The ancestral lands require the highest level of security."
Mrs. Hyuga nodded, asking no further questions, but simply held Hanabi tightly in her arms, gently comforting her.
She knew that what could make her husband so anxious, even without time to explain, was no ordinary matter, and was probably related to the faint sounds of explosions and chaos coming from outside.
She gave Hyuga Hiashi a deep look, then turned around and, with Hanabi in tow, retreated quickly into the inner courtyard under the protection of two Hyuga female ninjas.
Hiashi Hyuga watched his wife and daughter leave, then turned and solemnly ordered several trusted clansmen who were already waiting in the courtyard corridor: "Fire Gate!"
"Here!" A Hyuga ninja with a handsome face, around twenty-five years old, and wearing a Konoha headband on his forehead, immediately knelt on one knee.
He was a Jonin from the branch family and one of Hinata Hyuga's capable assistants in clan affairs after Hinata succeeded to the position of clan head. He gained the core trust because of his ability and loyalty.
"You immediately select two Jonin, five Special Jonin, and twelve Chunin to guard the clan territory!" Hiashi Hyuga spoke very quickly, but his reasoning was exceptionally clear.
"Activate all security barriers around the clan territory and deactivate the backup defensive ninja tool depot. No one is permitted to enter or leave without my authorization! Your sole mission is to protect all clan members within the clan territory, especially the women and children!"
"Yes, Lord Hiashi!" Hyuga Himon nodded heavily, a resolute glint in his eyes.
This means that even if high-ranking officials or members of the Anbu come, they should be treated with caution until they receive clear instructions.
Without saying another word, Fire Gate quickly stood up, called out the names of several ninjas who had been prepared, and the group spread out silently in groups of three to begin their defense mission.
After doing all this, Hiashi Hyuga took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all the chaotic thoughts in his chest.
He strode towards his room, and when he came out a moment later, he was wearing a standard green vest of a Konoha Jonin, with a Konoha headband neatly tied around his forehead.
Wearing the attire that represents the ninjas of Konoha, combined with his tall stature and serious face, he exuded a dignified and composed aura.
He walked out of the mansion gate and came to the open training ground in the front yard, which was usually used by the clansmen to practice soft boxing.
At this moment, dozens of figures were already standing solemnly on the training ground.
Five Jonin, led by Hyuga Iroha, stood at the forefront, each with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor.
Behind them were more than ten special Jonin standing ramrod straight, and behind them were more than sixty Chunin with equally solemn expressions, but no fear in their eyes.
Everyone had changed into combat vests and headbands, with the uniform Hyuga clan crest on their backs, and waited quietly.
This is the foundation and private military power of the Hyuga clan, one of the oldest and most powerful families in Konoha.
Although the "Night of Defection" six years ago caused some of the branch family's elites to defect to the Land of Stars, damaging the family's strength.
However, after six years of recuperation and reform, especially under the leadership of the new clan leader Hinata Hyuga, or "Big Sister Hinata", a series of radical but effective reforms.
The clan system was abolished, the caged bird system was abolished, clan resources were integrated, and the clan's secret soft fist technique, which had been kept secret, was opened to all clan members.
The Hyuga clan's cohesion and overall strength were, to some extent, strengthened and enhanced.
The force before them was the entire elite force that the Hyuga clan could immediately mobilize.
With over sixty Chunin and nearly twenty Special Jonin and Jonin, although not as powerful as the once-glorious Uchiha clan, they were still a fighting force capable of destroying a country.
Looking across the ninja world, apart from the five great nations, no other ninja village can muster such combat power.
Hiashi Hyuga's gaze slowly swept over each familiar face. He could see tension in the eyes of some of the younger clan members, as well as maturity and composure in the eyes of the seasoned Jonin.
Amidst this solemn atmosphere, he still keenly sensed a hint of worry lurking deep in everyone's eyes.
Just then, at the front of the group, a senior Jonin hesitated for a moment before finally lowering his voice to ask, "Lord Hiashi... Miss... how is the situation with the clan leader?"
Upon hearing this, although no one made a fuss, almost all the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan instantly turned their eyes to Hyuga Hiashi, their pure pupils clearly reflecting undisguised worry and concern.
What they were worried about was, of course, the current clan leader, Hinata Hyuga, who had given them and their children a free future, but was now trapped in the competition venue and had disappeared without a trace.
A complex emotion welled up in Hiashi Hyuga's heart.
There was a mix of emotions:感慨 (gǎn kǎi, mixed feelings), 欣慰 (xīn wèi, gratification), and a faint, indescribable sense of loss.
What's disheartening is that in just six years, the prestige of this old clan leader, who had served for over a decade and considered himself to be diligent and conscientious, has been completely replaced by his own twelve-year-old eldest daughter.
Thankfully, his daughter took his place. She was the girl who stood up like a comet streaking across the night sky during the darkest moment six years ago when the family was in its most turbulent period, facing a crisis of trust and on the verge of division due to the defection of the Japanese.
He still vividly remembers that afternoon that changed the Hyuga clan.
At the clan assembly to decide on the new clan leader, facing the anxious branch family members and the main family members with their own thoughts, Hinata, the usually shy and introverted eldest daughter, suddenly displayed a completely different demeanor.
She strode confidently to the head of the table, her usually downcast eyes now sharp as knives, sweeping across the room. Then, in a clear, firm, and unquestionable voice, she announced three things to the public:
First, effective immediately, the Hyuga clan's system of main and branch families, which has lasted for hundreds of years, is hereby abolished.
Second, once the technology is mature, she will personally research a safe way to remove the "Caged Bird" curse mark on the foreheads of all existing clansmen. Until then, the "right to activate" the curse mark will be transferred to the clan leader and can only be used for serious crimes against the clan.
Third, from today onwards, all Hyuga clan members who have not been marked with the Caged Bird Seal, as well as future newborns of the Hyuga clan, will never be marked with the Caged Bird Seal again. The Hyuga clan will have no lineage!
The meeting was in uproar. Members of the clan vehemently opposed the move, believing it to be self-destructive and undermine the foundation of the family.
However, Hinata, the eldest sister, coldly posed a few questions: The Caged Bird has protected the Hyuga for hundreds of years, but has it ever prevented Hizashi from the branch family from defecting?
The clan system ensured the purity of bloodlines, but did it ever produce strong individuals like Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju in the Hyuga clan?
Is the Hyuga Caged Bird a shackle that protects the clan, or a cage that restricts the Hyuga clan's flight?
She further pointed out that Hyuga Hizashi's forces, who defected from Konoha to the Land of Stars, have already broken free from the caged bird trap. If Konoha's Hyuga clings to its old ways, its talent pool will inevitably be lost in the future, and the clan's decline is foreseeable.
Rather than sinking with outdated rules, we should break free of shackles and embrace new possibilities.
In the end, what the main family members could not refute was the burning gaze in the eyes of the hundreds of Hyuga branch family members kneeling below the stage!
Those pairs of Byakugan eyes terrified all the main family members, who feared the emergence of another Hyuga Hizashi, and also the appearance of a "Hyuga Itachi".
From then on, a new chapter began for the Hyuga clan of Konoha.
Six years have passed, and the new generation of children no longer suffers from the fear of being caged birds. The atmosphere within the family has also been renewed. Although there are still some conservatives composed of former main family members who grumble, the overall cohesion, especially the younger generation's worship and loyalty to the clan leader Hinata, has reached an unprecedented level.
Now that Konoha is in turmoil, the clan members' first concern is not Konoha itself, but the safety of the young clan leader. This concern fills Hyuga Hiashi, the father of the former and current clan leader, with mixed feelings.
But more than anything, it's a feeling of pride.
He suppressed the turmoil in his mind, took a deep breath, straightened up, and his Byakugan suddenly glared at the Jonin who had asked the question. He then scanned the entire arena, his voice loud and steady: "Over at the tournament venue, the Third Hokage is present, along with elite Anbu guards and numerous Jonin from Konoha! Hinata, as the head of the Hyuga clan, is far superior to all of you in both strength and wisdom. There's no need to worry excessively about her safety!"
"What we need to do now is fulfill our duty as Konoha ninja, protect the village, and repel the invaders! This is the best support we can give our clan leader!"
Hiashi Hyuga's words were like a reassuring pill.
He was the former clan head and Hinata's biological father; his words, to some extent, represented the clan head's authority.
The tense expressions on the faces of the clansmen eased slightly, and some of the Hinata Shinobi thought of sparring with the new clan leader.
While the gentler personality could only be described as having excellent strength, the other, more hot-tempered personality had beaten many of their Jonin to the ground.
With this in mind, although the worry in everyone's eyes had not completely dissipated, the panic and helplessness disappeared, replaced by determination and a desire not to let them down.
"Everyone, check your equipment. Target: battlefield towards Konoha's main gate. Move out!" Hyuga Hiashi said no more, waved his hand, and was the first to leap onto the roof of the mansion.
"Yes!" Dozens of Hyuga ninjas shouted in unison, their voices not loud, but they were filled with a sharp spirit.
The next moment, figures dressed in green vests leaped up, following closely behind Hiashi, and flew across the rooftops of the Hyuga clan's territory, rushing towards the center of the village and the main gate of Konoha.
Their movements were silent yet incredibly swift, demonstrating exceptional training skills.
Hiashi Hyuga took the lead, his Byakugan already activated, allowing him to see the flow of chakra, the structure of buildings, and the movements of people within a 360-degree radius and a two-kilometer radius.
He could "see" the smoke rising from many places in the village, the chaotic chakra of civilians fleeing, and the scattered battles between Konoha ninjas and Sound ninjas.
His gaze involuntarily drifted further away, towards the direction of the Fire Shadow Rock.
In that direction, he vaguely "saw" several massive chakras colliding and erupting violently, far exceeding anything he had ever seen in his life, even surpassing the Nine-Tails' rampage twelve years ago.
"Hinata...you must be safe..." Hiashi Hyuga thought heavily.
Just last night, Hinata, the boss with a very different temperament, took the initiative to find him and had a private talk.
She bluntly informed him of the impending "Konoha Crush Plan" and that Orochimaru's target was the Third Hokage.
What shocked Hiashi Hyuga even more was that she calmly analyzed the other major ninja clans, such as Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, and Inuzuka, and realized that they might selectively "preserve their strength" in this attack on the Hokage, rather than risking their lives to intervene in the Hokage's battle against Orochimaru like they would when protecting their own clan.
When Hiashi Hyuga first heard this, he found it unbelievable and was even somewhat angry, believing it to be a desecration of the village.
But Hinata, the leader, simply leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, her disdainful and knowing expression instantly bringing him back to that humiliating night nine years ago, the incident involving the Cloud Village envoy.
At the time, for the sake of the so-called "big picture" and to avoid war, the higher-ups decided almost without hesitation to sacrifice the Hyuga clan to quell the incident.
At that moment, the "weighing" and "big picture" of Konoha's leadership left a deep impression on Hiashi Hyuga.
His daughter's words, cold and realistic, tore away the cruel power rules beneath Konoha's veil of warmth, leaving Hiashi Hyuga speechless and chilled to the bone.
He remained silent for a long time, looking into his daughter's deep eyes that were beyond her years, and finally, he slowly nodded.
Thus, he led his family's private army to attack, but his target was clearly the battlefield at the village gate, rather than heading straight for the battlefield where the Hokage was attacked.
Before he knew it, Hiashi Hyuga led the elite of the Hyuga clan to the front lines.
The fighting here is much fiercer.
The area around the main gate of Konoha was in complete disarray, with a huge gap smashed in the tall wall, and bricks and wood scattered everywhere.
The air was filled with the smells of blood, burnt food, and faint toxic fumes.
The ninjas of Konoha, under the command of Shikaku Nara, are engaged in fierce combat with the invading Sound Ninja forces.
The Sound Ninja were clearly well-trained and tactically unpredictable. Seeing that their frontal assault was being contained by the gradually organized defenses of Konoha, they immediately broke into smaller groups. Some retreated to the vicinity of the rampaging, awe-inspiring giant purple three-headed serpent, relying on its massive size and terrifying attack power to put up a stubborn resistance and draw Konoha's main firepower.
The other group quickly dispersed into two- or three-person teams, using their excellent disguise and transformation techniques to infiltrate Konoha's crisscrossing streets and alleys, either blending into the panicked civilians or lurking in the shadows of ruins, waiting for an opportunity to ambush lone Konoha ninjas, destroy important buildings, and spread panic, keeping Konoha's defense system busy and unable to defend itself.
On the roof of a relatively intact five-story building with a wide view, Nara Shikaku was frowning, his hands on the railing, staring intently at the chaotic battle below.
The cigarette he was holding had long since burned out, leaving only a short butt, but he forgot to throw it away.
Beside him, Yamanaka Inoichi was concentrating with his eyes closed, clearly using a family secret technique to conduct communication and reconnaissance among the various units.
Akimichi Choza, carrying the enormous iron bar, stood guard vigilantly to the side like a door god.
"Shikaku Jonin!" Hyuga Hiashi, along with Hyuga Iroha and several other Jonin, landed lightly on the rooftop, making a soft sound.
Shikaku quickly turned around and saw Hyuga Hiashi and several Hyuga Jonin behind him. He glanced at the dozens of Hyuga ninja who were rapidly spreading out on other rooftops not far away, each finding a favorable position. A hint of relaxation flashed in his eyes, and he nodded, his voice tinged with obvious fatigue and tension: "Hiashi Jonin, you've arrived just in time!"
He quickly pointed in several directions below, speaking rapidly: "The Sound Ninja have changed their tactics. Their main force is holding the area around the summoning beasts, while they've sent out a large number of specialized stealth and disguise squads to infiltrate the village! We don't have enough sensory ninjas, and ordinary ninjas can hardly detect their transformation techniques. Several patrol squads have already been ambushed! The village is in chaos. We need Hyuga's Byakugan to quickly find these rats and eliminate them completely! Otherwise, the consequences will be dire!"
The situation was more complicated than Hiashi Hyuga had anticipated.
He immediately understood the predicament Shikaku was facing: on the front lines, he needed strength to hold off the giant snake and the main Sound Ninja forces around it, but the rear was being turned upside down by the infiltrated Sound Ninja, leaving him unable to spare any resources for the time being.
"Understood." Without further ado, Hyuga Hiashi turned to Hyuga Iroha and the others, issuing a stern order: "Iroha, you lead your men and coordinate with Shikaku's command! Break into smaller groups, each of you join a three-person squad nearby. Use your Byakugan to see through all disguises, pinpoint enemy locations, and guide the attack! Remember, prioritize protecting civilians and vital facilities, and finish this quickly!"
"Yes, Lord Hiashi!" Hyuga Iroha and the others responded in unison, and then scattered to different battle groups below.
They approached the Konoha squads that were searching or fighting scattered Sound Ninja and seemed somewhat overwhelmed, quickly identifying themselves and stating their purpose.
Soon, the battle situation began to subtly change.
"At the three o'clock position, behind that pile of rubble, there are two chakra reactions, disguised as rocks!"
"That 'old woman' running to the left front, her chakra flow is off, it's a transformation jutsu!"
"Rooftop! Watch out! There's one lying on top, holding explosive tags!"
The voices of the Hyuga ninjas rang out in the squads they joined, through gestures or simple, short shouts.
The Byakugan, capable of seeing through everything and discerning chakra, was now displaying astonishing counter-espionage capabilities.
One by one, the carefully disguised Sound Ninja were easily exposed. Before they could even launch a sneak attack, they were attacked by the prepared Konoha ninja and fell down screaming.
Screams, the sounds of clashing ninjutsu, and the booming of exploding tags echoed through the streets of Konoha, but this time, it was mostly the Sound Ninja who fell.
The morale of the Konoha ninja was boosted, and their counterattack began to become more organized and efficient.
The spread of chaos has been initially contained.
On the rooftop, Shikaku watched the battle unfold below. His tense nerves finally relaxed a little. He exhaled a long breath and took the cigarette butt out of his mouth and threw it away.
"As expected of Hyuga, his role in this kind of counter-infiltration operation is irreplaceable," he said sincerely to Hyuga Hiashi.
Hiashi Hyuga nodded slightly, but his gaze was fixed on the main gate of Konoha, where the three-headed purple serpent was still writhing wildly, spewing poisonous mist and acid, and destroying the surrounding buildings.
"If we don't deal with that summoning beast, the pressure on the front lines won't be reduced, and the Sound Ninja's main force will still have something to rely on."
Shikaku nodded, his expression turning serious again. He looked at the towering Akimichi Choza beside him and said, "Choza, that snake is up to you. I'll have the others work together to distract it and create an opportunity for you."
Choji Akimichi slammed the massive iron bar, as thick as a bowl, onto the roof with a thud. A reliable smile spread across his honest, round face, and his voice boomed, "Leave it to me, Shikaku! I've had my eye on this scoundrel for ages!"
Having said that, he took a deep breath, his massive body slightly crouching, his hands forming a hand seal: "Super Multiplication Technique!"
Chakra surged from his body!
Under the slightly astonished gazes of Hiashi Hyuga and the surrounding Konoha ninja, Choza Akimichi's figure rapidly swelled and grew larger, as if being inflated!
In just two or three breaths, a giant over a hundred meters tall stood atop the ruins of Konoha!
The iron rod in his hand also grew proportionally larger, becoming a colossal pillar a hundred meters long, seemingly capable of piercing the sky!
"Drink—!!" Akimichi Choza roared, his voice booming and briefly drowning out the clamor of the battlefield.
He strode forward with his massive, pillar-like legs, each step causing the earth to tremble. Wielding his towering iron rod, he charged towards the rampaging, three-headed purple serpent like an enraged mountain god!
"Attack! Cover Choza Jonin!" Shikaku seized the opportunity and shouted the order.
The Konoha ninjas around them were greatly encouraged. Fire Release, Wind Release, Water Release, binding ninjutsu, and even explosive kunai poured down on the three-headed serpent like a torrential rain. Although most of them could not cause fatal damage to its thick scales, they successfully attracted its attention and disrupted its attack rhythm.
The giant serpent's three heads hissed angrily, spewing venom and acid haphazardly.
Choza Akimichi seized an opening, and with a sweeping motion of his giant club, carrying the terrifying power to shatter mountains, he slammed it hard into the neck of the giant snake's head in the middle!
boom--! ! !
A dull, deafening bang that made everyone's eardrums throb!
The giant snake's head in the middle let out a mournful cry as it was smashed backward, its neck scales shattering and blood gushing out like a waterfall.
Dingza pressed his advantage relentlessly, swinging his giant club in a wide arc and bringing it down again, while the attacks from the other Konoha ninjas became even more concentrated and fierce.
Under the ferocious attacks of Akimichi Choza, the "humanoid tailed beast," and the coordinated assault of the Konoha ninja, the purple three-headed giant snake finally succumbed, letting out a series of unwilling howls. Its massive body collapsed with a crash, smashing down several remaining buildings and stirring up clouds of dust before gradually coming to a standstill.
"We won!"
"We won!"
"Long live Choza, the Jonin!"
The Konoha ninjas cheered, and the pressure on the front lines eased considerably.
The remaining Sound Ninja forces, who were resisting the giant snake, collapsed in morale when their greatest support fell and began to scatter and flee. However, they were relentlessly pursued by the high-spirited Konoha ninja, and their defeat was inevitable.
However, before Shikaku, Hiashi, and the others could even catch their breath, a figure suddenly appeared on the roof and knelt on one knee.
The newcomer wore an animal mask and standard smuggler attire, but his headband was slightly askew, and he had obvious burn marks and several wounds on his body, and was breathing rapidly.
"Shikaku Jonin! Hiashi Jonin!" The voice of the ANBU ninja was filled with suppressed grief and urgency.
"Urgent report! The Third Hokage... the Third Hokage... he... has died!"
It was as if a silent thunderbolt struck the roof.
The Konoha ninjas around them froze, their joy instantly turning into disbelief, bewilderment, and grief.
The Third Hokage... is dead?
Hiashi Hyuga's heart skipped a beat. Although he was mentally prepared, hearing the news with his own ears still shocked him.
He subconsciously looked at Shikaku beside him, and at Yamanaka Inoichi, whose eyes had opened at some point and whose face was somewhat pale.
The three people's eyes met briefly in the air.
Shikaku's eyes held a heavy weight and a hint of surprise, Yamanaka Inoichi's eyes held a cold calm and understanding, while Hyuga Hiashi himself saw the same complex emotions in the other's eyes.
There wasn't much surprise, only a deep sense of "I knew it," and worry about the future.
it is more than words.