Warlock Invasion of Naruto.

"If you're afraid of death, you're not an Uchiha!" At that moment, a confident female voice came from outside the room.

Chiho, Shisui, and Fugaku walked in.

It was Chiho who was speaking.

Although she disliked Issei, Chiho needed someone to support her in order to become the clan leader because Shisui and Issei were close. So Chiho had been trying to win over Shisui recently, which also led to her getting involved with Issei.

Of course, the most crucial point is that this matter involves the Uchiha clan members, so even if it weren't for personal gain, she would still have to take action.

"Lord Third Hokage, Lord Danzo." The three bowed slightly.

A short while later, the Anbu ninja returned, bringing with them new conditions from the Cloud Village ninja.

"Third Hokage, the Cloud Village envoys are all ready to depart. They say you must either hand over Lord Hiashi or Kakashi and Issei—it's a choice!"

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[181. Chapter 180 The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix, the Disunity Within the Wealthy Family (Part Two)]

"This is outrageous! Do the people of Kumogakure think we Uchiha are made of clay? How could they make such a demand?!"

As soon as the ANBU ninja finished speaking, Chiho's face darkened, her beautiful face filled with anger. Compared to her reserved personality, which she used to barely even smile, she had undergone a huge change after awakening her Sharingan.

Issei is one of the strongest members of the Uchiha clan, a possessor of the three-tomoe Sharingan, and has the potential to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan in the future. He already possesses Kage-level strength. The ninjas of Kumogakure really dare to ask for an exorbitant amount.

In particular, Issei and Kakashi killed the Cloud Village envoy to save Naruto and Karin. They deserved to die just for the Cloud Village people harming Uzumaki Shiki in Konoha. Now they are even turning around and accusing others.

"The conditions set by Kumogakure are outrageous!" Even Shisui, who is usually mild-mannered, couldn't help but speak out. Kumogakure's conditions were no different from declaring war on Konoha and the Uchiha clan.

Fugaku Uchiha, who was standing to the side, also looked rather grim, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at the Third Hokage and Danzo, wanting to see what decision they would make.

"We cannot agree to any of these conditions," the Third Hokage said in a deep voice.

It's obvious that Kumogakure wants to fight Konoha again. Where does their confidence come from?

This worried the Third Hokage, who wondered if Kumogakure had joined forces with other villages to use such a clumsy scheme to deliberately provoke Konoha.

"It seems they really want to start a war!" Danzo's eyes flickered slightly, and his tone was somewhat solemn, but that was not what he really thought.

If war were to actually break out, it would actually be in Danzo's best interest.

Because in wartime, he and his Root unit would need to carry out some highly difficult and secret missions behind enemy lines.

In this way, the roots, which had suffered heavy losses, could quickly absorb new members and recover their strength during the war.

At the same time, during the war, he can build more merits through his roots, further consolidating his position and power.

Most importantly, his situation—where he lost his position as Hokage's advisor due to the "Golden Horn and Silver Horn Out-of-Control Incident" and needed the Third Hokage's protection—will also be reversed.

The Third Hokage faced criticism for causing a war shortly after his reinstatement, and his position as Hokage was threatened.

The Third Hokage was likely dethroned again after the war, and these past few years have been the time for Danzo's resurgence.

Once the third generation steps down, in order to hold onto power, he will definitely join forces with him to suppress the newly appointed fifth generation. In this way, he will have the opportunity to compete for the position of the sixth generation in the future.

The wars in the ninja world will never stop, because the conflicts between the various ninja villages have a long history. After each war ends, it is only a time for the ninja villages to recuperate and prepare for the next war.

If handled properly, the Fifth Hokage will only be a transitional figure. The era of Danzo will eventually arrive, and Konoha will reach its peak under his leadership. Unifying the ninja world is only a matter of time.

The third generation's expression was complicated, clearly aware of the consequences of war breaking out. He continued, "If possible, I would like to talk some more."

"Hiruzen, you're too naive. Kumogakure's attitude is very clear; they're leaving Konoha no room for maneuver. There's no point in continuing the discussion at this point," Danzo said with a grim face.

"Danzo, you..." The Third Hokage's eyes changed slightly as he looked at Danzo with surprise. He had planned to take this opportunity to give the Hyuga a warning and also to give the Uchiha a heads-up, but why did he look so determined to accept the challenge?

Danzo's words put him in an extremely awkward position, where he could easily offend both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans.

The Third Hokage's attitude greatly disappointed the members of the Hyuga main family, and one of the main family elders stormed off in anger.

It's unrealistic to hand over the head of the Hyuga clan, or Kakashi, the fourth Hokage's disciple, a young genius jonin who became famous throughout the ninja world; or Issei, who appears to be just an ordinary jonin but actually possesses Kage-level strength.

But if war were to break out, it would result in even larger-scale bloodshed and sacrifice, which is a real dilemma.

Compared to the Uchiha clan, who were eager for war, the Hyuga clan clearly did not want to fight.

An eerie silence fell over the room as the Third Hokage was undecided.

A short while later, the elder from the main family who had just left returned, followed by a Jonin from the Hyuga branch family. The two of them walked into the backyard together.

The branch family Jonin looked exactly like Hyuga Hiashi; he was his twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi.

The two were born of the same mother, but due to a very short difference in their birth order, they had completely different fates. Hyuga Hiashi, who inherited the main family, had everything, while Hyuga Hizashi was treated like any other member of the branch family. He did not receive any special treatment because he was the second son of the clan head. On the contrary, he was subjected to even stricter requirements during his upbringing.

"Third Hokage, Lord Danzo, Elder, Elder Brother." Hyuga Hizashi calmly entered the room and bowed to everyone.

"Hisashi? What brings you here?!"

Hiashi Hyuga was slightly taken aback.

“Hisashi, you tell us yourself,” the elder of the main family said in a deep voice.

Hyuga Hinata nodded and said, "Everyone, I have learned what happened. Whether it's handing over the person or starting a war, it's unacceptable for Konoha."

The elder brother is the clan leader, shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading the clan; Kakashi is the son of White Fang, a disciple of the Fourth Hokage, and an idol and role model for many younger generations in the village; Issei is also one of the Uchiha clan's most prominent figures, having made many military achievements.

I am just an insignificant person, of little use, so let me die in place of my brother.

My brother and I are twins, and unless you are a close relative, most people can't tell the difference.

The reason why the Cloud Village wanted its elder brother to "pay for his life" was also to avoid the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.

I will commit suicide after the ninjas of Kumogakure take me away from Konoha. After my death, the Caged Bird Seal will destroy my Byakugan.

My death will not only shut the Cloud Village ninjas up, but also prevent them from receiving the Byakugan, and at the same time, it will prevent war from breaking out.

This is the best choice!

Hyuga Hizashi calmly gave his thoughts, as if he were not the one about to die, but someone insignificant.

"No! Hizashi!" Hiashi Hyuga exclaimed in shock, "I was the one who killed the leader of Kumogakure, how can I let you die in my place?!"

Compared to Hiashi Hyuga's excitement, the others remained relatively calm.

Although the elders of the Hyuga main family still looked rather grim, they secretly nodded when they looked at each other, clearly believing that the branch family dying for the main family was a viable method. Although it was still somewhat shameful, at least the clan head and Byakugan would be preserved, and at the same time, there would be no need to compromise or ask for help from the village's higher-ups, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

Chiho frowned slightly, but this was an internal matter of the Hyuga clan, and she didn't want to get involved.

Shisui looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing that the Third Hokage and Danzo remained silent, and even Issei didn't speak, he could only sigh inwardly.

A hint of disappointment flickered in Kakashi's deadpan eyes. Is this the political game in the village? What do human lives really mean?

Did his father die for a village like this back then?

How utterly ironic!

“Brother, I’m not doing this for the family, nor for the so-called boundaries between the main family and the branch family. I’m doing this for myself. I’ve tried to fight back, but being a caged bird is my inescapable fate. I want freedom, and death is the only way for me to escape this caged bird. This is my own choice. This is the most relaxed and free moment of my life. I hope you can grant me this request!”

Hyuga Hizashi's eyes were a little moist, and he spoke earnestly.

He looked at his 32-year-old brother with a somewhat wistful expression, recalling his brother's love and care for him when he was a child, and his father's strictness towards him.

Later, his elder brother gradually changed, becoming like their father, the head of the main family and the clan leader of the Hyuga clan. The main family and the branch family were ranked in a hierarchical manner, and the authority of the main family was inviolable.

Given this, he chose death for the sake of freedom, which was his most powerful indictment of the caged bird system and the system of the main family and the branch family.

"Hizashi, I can't do this, you... ugh!"

Hyuga Hiashi still couldn't agree, but Hyuga Hizashi suddenly attacked, striking his lower abdomen with Gentle Fist. The chakra instantly blocked his meridians, and Hyuga Hiashi cried out in pain before collapsing into his younger brother's arms.

"Excuse me." Hyuga Hizashi looked at the elder of the main family next to him and helped Hyuga Hiashi to sit down against the wall.

Then, he looked at the Third Hokage and Danzo: "Third Hokage, I beg you!"

"Hizashi, you didn't have to do this. You could definitely find another way to solve this..." Looking at Hizashi's resolute expression, as if he were facing death, the Third Hokage couldn't finish his sentence. He even felt a little guilty and regretful, thinking that he shouldn't have gone to such lengths.

Danzo remained silent with an expressionless face. Who would have thought that Hyuga Hizashi would appear and ruin his plans?

The so-called warning to the Hyuga clan was Danzo's way of preventing the Hyuga from colluding with the Uchiha clan, and also to alienate the Hyuga clan from the Third Hokage. Given the Third Hokage's current indecisive style, he certainly wouldn't be disappointed, and that's exactly what happened.

However, Hyuga Hizashi suddenly appeared, ready to die in Hiashi's place, something Danzo never expected.

At the last moment, all their efforts were in vain.

"Go and inform the Cloud Village ninjas that Konoha has given them an explanation." Danzo ordered the Anbu ninja beside him. This time, the objective had been basically achieved. As for offending the Hyuga clan, he didn't care at all, because the Hyuga clan didn't support him in the first place. Now, it was enough to make the Hyuga clan stop supporting the Third Hokage. Sooner or later, he could use the Uchiha clan to make an example of them and let the other ninja clans see his methods.

"Yes." The ANBU ninja clenched his fists, bowed slightly to Danzo and the Third Hokage, and then turned to leave. He also felt extremely aggrieved, but he had to control his emotions to convey this humiliating decision to the envoy from Kumogakure.

"Everyone, disperse." Seeing that Danzo had given the order, the Third Hokage sighed and gestured for Kakashi and the other four Uchiha to leave.

The group bowed and then left the Hyuga clan's residence.

"Third Hokage, Lord Danzo, I'll go back and make some preparations. Neji hasn't gone to sleep yet," Hyuga Hizashi said respectfully, a trace of lingering affection in his eyes. He was free, but the heavy fate of his incredibly talented son had only just begun.

"Go." The Third Hokage nodded, his voice very low.

The Hyuga main family members summoned servants to carry Hyuga Hiashi away, and then addressed the Third Hokage and Danzo:

"Third Hokage, Danzo, we old folks won't see you out."

Their tone was stiff, their resentment was palpable, and they were utterly disappointed by the weakness of the third generation.

"We won't bother you any longer."

The Third Hokage reluctantly agreed and left the Hyuga main residence with Danzo.

"Kakashi and Uchiha Issei are getting so close; it's probably not just a chance encounter. We need to be careful," Danzo suddenly said halfway through the journey.

"Hmph!" The Third Hokage glared at Danzo and quickened his pace to leave. By this point, he knew he had been tricked by Danzo, but there was nothing he could do now. Danzo was now trying to poach Kakashi, which was simply taking advantage of him.

......

On the other side, on the way back, Chiho, Shisui, Issei, and Fugaku remained silent.

As they approached the clan's territory, Chiho suddenly stopped, and the other three also stopped and looked at her.

Chiho said in a deep voice, "Clan leader, have you seen the true colors of the higher-ups?"

Fugaku: "..."

"Do you really believe that these high-ranking officials are sincere in resolving the conflict with the Uchiha and meeting our reasonable demands?" Chiho then asked.

Fugaku fell silent again. The events of the night had shaken him, but it seemed there was no better way than negotiation. If he resorted to force, what difference would there be between him and Madara Uchiha?

The Uchiha clan ultimately belonged to Konoha, not to rebels.