Naruto: I Am Uchiha Sasuke!?

Konoha Village, within the Hyuga Clan's estate.

"What did you say? A Kirigakure ninja attacked you?"

Hyuga Hiashi's face darkened, his voice laced with anger.

This incident stirred painful memories.

Years ago, during peace negotiations with the Cloud Village, a similar event had taken place. Under the cover of night, a masked shinobi had attempted to abduct Hinata. Fortunately, Hiashi had discovered the intruder in time and killed him. But when he removed the mask, he was shocked to find the enemy was a Cloud Shinobi.

What followed was political turmoil. Cloud Village exploited the situation, demanding retribution. Despite Konoha's strong position, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had conceded to their unreasonable demands in an effort to avoid war. Hiashi, as the Hyuga Clan Head, had been forced into a difficult position. Ultimately, his twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi, had sacrificed himself to settle the matter.

That decision had haunted Hiashi ever since.

And now, Kirigakure, the weakest of the Five Great Villages, dared to lay their hands on his daughter?

"Yes, Father," Hinata confirmed, her voice trembling slightly. "If Sasuke-kun hadn't come to my aid, I would have been captured. The Mist Chūnin was strong..." She shivered at the thought.

Though still young, she understood the cruel reality of the ninja world. If she had been taken, she knew she would have suffered unimaginable horrors.

Hiashi clenched his fists. "Sasuke, I owe you a great debt for saving my daughter. The Hyuga Clan will not forget this favor."

Sasuke inclined his head slightly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. This was precisely what he had wanted—favor from one of the strongest clans in Konoha.

"Sasuke, your strength is exceptional," Hiashi continued, assessing the young Uchiha. "Capturing a Chūnin alive at your age... you're far more skilled than I was at that time."

Another elder of the Hyuga clan nodded. "Indeed. Konoha's famed genius lives up to his reputation. If you ever require assistance, do not hesitate to seek us out."

"Of course, I also hope you will consider tutoring Hinata when you have the time," Hiashi added.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I'll do what I can."

Hiashi observed him carefully. Strong, intelligent, and carrying the Uchiha bloodline... A thought took root in his mind.

"If he were to marry into the Hyuga Clan…"

A union between the Uchiha and Hyuga would create an unmatched bloodline. As Hanabi was his preferred successor, allowing Hinata to introduce Uchiha genes into their lineage could further strengthen their clan.

"I must find ways to bring them closer together," he mused.

"Hokage-sama must be informed immediately," Hiashi declared. "This attack will not go unanswered."

With that, he and several Hyuga elders left for the Hokage's office, bringing the captured Mist ninja with them.

Hokage Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's face grew serious as he listened to Hiashi's report. His son, Asuma, stood beside him, his expression grim.

"Are you certain of this?" Hiruzen asked.

"Absolutely, Hokage-sama. The Kirigakure ninja is downstairs as proof," a Hyuga elder affirmed.

"This is an outrage!" Another elder exclaimed. "They clearly seek to steal the Byakugan! We must respond with force!"

Hiashi's voice was sharp. "Hokage-sama, we have already endured humiliation once. We will not allow it to happen again."

Asuma spoke up. "Father, Kirigakure obtained a Byakugan during the last war. If we do nothing, they'll only grow bolder."

Hiruzen exhaled heavily, his gaze unreadable. "Hiashi, Asuma, we must not be hasty. The interrogation is not yet complete. We cannot assume this attack was sanctioned by Kirigakure's leadership."

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Hiashi interrupted, "this is not an isolated incident. We must act decisively."

Hiruzen remained calm. "Since the last war, Kirigakure has remained isolated, limiting its interactions with other nations. It seems unlikely that they would risk provoking Konoha."

"Still," he added, "I will see that this matter is thoroughly investigated. The Hyuga Clan will have its answers."

Hiashi's jaw tightened. "Answers? That is all?"

The Hyuga elders looked equally displeased. This was the same rhetoric they had heard during the Cloud Village incident. Empty words and pacification.

Hiashi straightened, his voice resolute. "If Konoha refuses to take action, we, the Hyuga Clan, will handle this ourselves. We will go to Kirigakure and demand justice!"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Hiashi, do you realize what you're saying? A direct military incursion into another nation is an act of war! You would throw away the peace Konoha has worked so hard to maintain? Do you understand the casualties that would follow?"

"You speak of peace, Hokage-sama," Hiashi replied coldly. "But what good is peace if our enemies exploit it to prey on us?"

Hiruzen sighed. "I understand your anger, but private retaliation is not the answer. Consider the consequences. If war breaks out, the sacrifices of the Hyuga Clan will be far greater."

Hiashi's hands clenched into fists. "Sacrifices?"

His mind flashed to his brother, Hizashi. To Neji's bitter resentment. To the burden his clan had already borne for Konoha's so-called peace.

Without another word, he turned on his heel and left, his expression unreadable.

As the Hyuga Clan exited the office, Hiashi's thoughts churned.

War? Peace? What noble ideals…

But deep down, a crack had formed.

For the first time, Hiashi found himself questioning the leadership of the Third Hokage.

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