Chapter Fifty: The True Purpose

“So, your clan leader’s friend happened to receive intelligence about a surprise attack from the Hidden Cloud, and sent you here?” Hyuga Hiashi approached to check Hinata’s condition as he finished listening, his tone tinged with disbelief.

Uchiha Rei nodded. “Yes. Isn’t everything before us exactly as described?”

As he spoke, Rei silently apologized in his heart, “Clan leader, forgive me…”

“In any case, thank you for your warning.” Hiashi sighed, cradling the unconscious Hinata in his arms. “I never expected the Hidden Cloud to resort to such actions. It was our Hyuga clan’s negligence today.”

To be infiltrated so easily despite possessing the Byakugan, and to nearly lose his daughter—this was a humiliation for him and the entire Hyuga clan.

Holding Hinata close, Hiashi asked with confusion, “What is the Hidden Cloud thinking? Are they truly willing to spark another war just for the Byakugan?”

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Rei shook his head. “No, I fear the Hidden Cloud’s motives are not so simple.”

Hiashi was taken aback, unsure how to respond. “What do you mean?”

Rei did not answer directly, instead posing a question of his own. “Even if I hadn’t appeared, wouldn’t you have been able to rescue Hinata?”

“That’s correct.”

Hiashi nodded; he had enough confidence in his abilities. He had already caught up to Kamoi, and with continued attacks, could have rescued Hinata without issue. However, in that moment, he might have ended up killing Kamoi outright.

Rei followed Hiashi’s train of thought. “So Kamoi actually stood little chance of taking Hinata away. Would you agree?”

Hiashi’s pupils contracted; what Rei said was true. Even with the Hyuga clan unusually lax in their defenses tonight, allowing Kamoi to slip in, Hiashi had reacted the instant Hinata was in danger. Even if he hadn’t, this was the Leaf Village, and the Byakugan’s abilities could be used for immediate pursuit. The likelihood of Kamoi escaping back to the Hidden Cloud was minuscule.

Seeing Hiashi’s agreement, Rei continued, “Then isn’t it possible that Kamoi knew from the start he was doomed, but still chose to come?”

After a slight pause, Rei went on, “Perhaps he never cared whether he succeeded. Hinata’s Byakugan wasn’t his true target. What he wanted was actually…”

“Death!”

Hiashi’s expression turned cold as he uttered the word that Rei had left unsaid.

Though it was only speculation, the analysis just now made the possibility seem highly likely.

Kamoi might have intended from the outset to die within the Hyuga compound, ideally at the hands of Hiashi, the Hyuga clan leader. In that case, the Hidden Cloud could leverage his death to pressure the Leaf Village.

At that point, the Leaf would face just two choices: either hand over Hiashi, the Hyuga clan leader, to appease matters, or choose war.

If they chose the former, the Hidden Cloud would smoothly obtain the Byakugan—a far more probable outcome than abducting Hinata and returning home.

If the Leaf chose the latter, refusing to hand Hiashi over, the Hidden Cloud could use this as a pretext to launch a full-scale war against the Leaf. Though it was only a pretext, it would quickly unify the Hidden Cloud’s resolve. Under the banner of revenge, their faltering frontlines could be galvanized in an instant.

Meanwhile, although the Leaf was the real victim, they would be painted as the peace-breaker, the instigator of war.

Thus, no matter what choice the Leaf made, if this plan succeeded, it would never be a loss for the Hidden Cloud!

Realizing this, Hiashi was seized by fear. If things truly unfolded this way, the entire Hyuga clan would be plunged into an abyss.

Given the current climate, the whole village longed for peace. Would the village truly risk another war for the sake of the Hyuga clan?

Hiashi sighed inwardly, knowing it was impossible.

If events proceeded as expected, the Hyuga clan would ultimately be sacrificed to preserve peace.

At that moment, from the distance came a clamor—noisy and harsh against the quiet night.

Uchiha Rei looked toward the source, speaking in a deep voice, “At this hour, it seems the rest of the Hidden Cloud delegation has arrived to demand an explanation.”

A flicker of coldness flashed in Hiashi’s eyes, quickly replaced by calm. “Rei, you didn’t come here tonight just to warn the Hyuga, did you?”

Rei’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded, “You’re right.”

Hiashi shook his head, speaking directly, “What does the Uchiha want? Speak plainly.”

“We wish to establish a friendly relationship with the Hyuga, and stand together in the village,” Rei said, then shifted his tone, “I fear tonight’s incident won’t be resolved so easily.”

He gestured toward Kamoi. “That man is already injured. Once the Hidden Cloud arrives, if he insists you attacked him, the consequences will be much the same.”

After a pause, Rei added, “He could even die from his injuries, and the Hidden Cloud would still pin the blame on you and the Hyuga…”

Hearing this, Hiashi’s fists clenched slightly.

If earlier speculation was correct, the situation Rei described was highly likely. The Hyuga would be unable to defend themselves no matter what.

With a sigh, Hiashi looked at Rei. “I agree to build ties between our clans. But how do you propose to resolve the current crisis?”

Though cooperating with the Uchiha so suddenly felt rushed, Hiashi realized after careful thought that it was not unreasonable. The Uchiha’s standing in the village was poor, but after tonight, the Hyuga’s was little better. Though the two clans had competed in secret, there had never been true conflict, so working together would not be difficult. Moreover, the Uchiha now had someone with the Mangekyo Sharingan; though the village’s higher-ups might not welcome them now, the future could change.

Rei, hearing Hiashi’s agreement, felt a weight lift from his heart. He had worried before coming that Hiashi might be stubborn, or that things would not proceed as he hoped, making the situation troublesome. He was no god, unable to control hearts—he could only guide the flow. But he was not wholly unprepared; if the worst happened, he had contingency plans.

Fortunately, things had gone smoothly so far, and there was no need for drastic measures.

After gathering his thoughts, with the distant noise growing closer, Rei spoke, “I’d like to ask you, Clan Leader Hiashi, to play a part in a little drama. Here’s what we’ll do…”

Hearing Rei’s plan, Hiashi took a deep breath and, after a moment, said, “I agree.”

The plan was bold—some might call it reckless—but there was no doubt that, if they carried it out, even the village could not yield to the Hidden Cloud.

Thus, neither he nor the Hyuga clan would suffer for it.

Moreover, the Uchiha’s involvement would help shoulder the fallout from this affair.

Even if they failed, the Hyuga would have the Uchiha sharing the burden.

Seeing everything proceeding smoothly, Rei bid farewell, shouldering the still illusion-bound Kamoi as he left.

Hiashi, meanwhile, began gathering his clansmen before the Hidden Cloud delegation arrived.