Naruto Birdcage

Hyuga Clan Estate.

Hiashi, dressed in black, walked out of the living room.

In the courtyard were Ayano, Hizashi, Ayari, Hakumen, Natsu, Tokimasa, Tetsu, and many other ninjas from the Hyuga clan.

Also present was Makoto, all wearing black clothing, gathered here.

"The clan feels much quieter now," Hiashi said.

The people here were nearly all the members of the Hyuga clan, except for Taikei and a few servants.

The once-proud ancient clan of Konoha had now declined alongside the village.

Apart from the Hyuga, other clans in Konoha had faced similar fates.

"It will get lively again in the future." Ayano said.

With Hiashi at the lead, Hizashi and Ayano walked side by side toward the main gate of the clan estate.

Makoto followed behind, walking with the younger generation of the clan.

On the way, Hiashi calmly asked, "Has anything happened in the clan before we returned?"

Ayano softly responded, "Nothing major, everyone in the clan has been praying for you, hoping for your safe return."

Hizashi's expression remained neutral as he gazed ahead, not responding.

Hiashi nodded and said, "That's good. Yesterday, we captured some rogue ninjas. I wonder how Lord Hokage will handle them."

Ayano was surprised, "Rogue ninjas?"

Hiashi replied indifferently, "Yes, before the war with the Iwa ninjas ended, some people who lost faith in the village fled. Now that the war is over, they are trying to sneak back in."

"I see... These people are indeed despicable."

Hiashi suddenly sneered, "There's no such thing as something so easy in this world. Hizashi, what do you think?"

Hizashi glanced ahead, slightly bowing in response, "What Lord Hiashi says is true."

Makoto noticed that Natsu beside him was breathing a little faster.

It was already the third day since the front-line ninjas had returned, and the atmosphere in Konoha was somewhat solemn today.

When the Hyuga clan arrived at the Memorial Stone, many people were already waiting there, all dressed in black.

Among them, a few more prominent figures were gathered together.

Makoto finally saw the other two of the Legendary Sannin.

Jiraiya's arm was still wrapped in bandages, the injury not yet healed.

Standing between Jiraiya and Orochimaru was a blonde woman, who was most likely Tsunade.

Unfortunately, she was facing away from Makoto, so he couldn't see her face directly.

Next to the Three Ninjas were Namikaze Minato and a woman with long red hair, tall and beautiful, unmistakably Uzumaki Kushina.

Suddenly, Ayari tapped him on the shoulder, "What are you looking at?"

Makoto said, "The Sannin."

Ayari sighed, "Lady Tsunade has also returned to the village."

Makoto shifted his gaze from those people and looked elsewhere, noticing a group of people with black hair and eyes gathered together.

The person leading them had a resolute expression, with distinct tear grooves on his face.

On either side of him were a graceful and beautiful woman with long black hair and a young boy.

Has the Uchiha clan only been reduced to this many…?

Makoto thought to himself, realizing the situation was no better than that of the Hyuga clan.

The group stood there quietly for a while when they heard someone say that the Hokage had arrived.

The crowd made way for the four people slowly approaching.

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with the two Hokage advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzo.

This was the resting place of the Konoha heroes, the Memorial Stone, surrounded by a vast group of tombstones.

The site had undergone an emergency expansion, adding more than two thousand additional spaces.

Makoto stood in the second row of the crowd, his eyes scanning the Memorial Stone for a long time.

However, the number of names was overwhelming, so densely packed that it was dizzying.

His position wasn't close enough, and he couldn't find Iroha's name.

The Third Hokage recited his speech, and among the crowd, some couldn't help but quietly sob.

Most of those present were people related to the deceased.

The memorial service lasted for nearly an hour, but unfortunately, the overcast sky didn't match the somber mood, and no rain fell.

When the ceremony was over, the crowd slowly began to disperse.

Makoto didn't leave with the Hyuga clan.

He noticed that Orochimaru was still standing alone among the tombstones.

"Is Lord Orochimaru feeling guilty?"

Orochimaru glanced sideways when he heard the voice, seeing that it was Makoto.

There were no other outsiders in this area besides them.

He sneered, "Mourning for the dead is meaningless. If death had any significance, it would only exist when it can be exploited."

"Their deaths paved the way for me, and naturally, I will repay them. I will lead Konoha to greater strength."

Such absurd and pompous words coming from him were truly ironic.

Makoto retorted, "Lord Orochimaru thinks that this will allow you to lie back and ascend to the position of Hokage without worry?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this. "What do you mean?"

Currently, he was hailed as Konoha's savior, with a reputation unmatched in the village.

Even though Minato was widely respected, Orochimaru didn't believe that the other could step on him to rise to power at this moment.

Even if Sarutobi-sensei stubbornly supported Minato, Orochimaru still had the Daimyo behind him.

Makoto said, "Do you already forget why Konoha suffered such a crushing defeat in the battle against the Iwa ninjas, Lord Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru paused for a moment, then suddenly realized in shock.

"Before the Hokage steps down, he will undoubtedly do everything he can to root out the traitors and tear them apart.

Until this matter is resolved, Konoha will never have peace!"

"Lord Orochimaru, there's a saying: the higher you stand, the harder you fall.

You are at the peak of your power now, and it's inevitable that some people may point their arrows at you."

The autumn wind was cold, causing Orochimaru's clothes to rustle.

Makoto's words struck him like a blow to the head.

He had thought that everything was in place, that he only needed to wait for the crown to be placed upon his head.

If this matter were exposed, his fate would undoubtedly be the most tragic.

The cemetery in front of him was his ladder to the pinnacle, but a small misstep could turn it into an abyss that would consume him!

Orochimaru's mind raced, thinking of ways to break the situation.

He asked, "What should I do?"

Makoto calmly replied, "Naturally, eliminate the traitor."

Orochimaru's eyes shifted slightly. "Explain in detail."

Makoto spoke slowly and steadily.

"The traitor is the hatred of everyone in Konoha; they must be killed without mercy, and with lightning speed to eradicate them completely.

No one should have the opportunity to make use of this situation.

This traitor should preferably be silent and have no connections."

"The most important point is, after Lord Orochimaru does this act that will be applauded by all, you must immediately report to the Daimyo.

Make sure that the Daimyo is also pleased with this."

A silence followed.

Orochimaru glanced at Makoto, meeting his pitch-black eyes.

They appeared ordinary, yet to Orochimaru, they seemed to conceal far too many things.

This kid is too good at hiding things.

Aside from himself, no one else probably knows his other side.

"Makoto." Orochimaru said slowly.

"You are more ruthless than I thought."

"Lord Orochimaru is joking," Makoto replied.

"This isn't something I did, so what does it have to do with me?"

End of chapter

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