88. The Awakening of the Hyuga Patriarch’s Hidden Power

88. The Awakening of the Hyuga Patriarch’s Hidden Power

"The Hokage, Danzo, and others, it seems you've grossly misinterpreted our clan's strategic choice to maintain a low profile over decades, even centuries, and silently enduring and obeying all of your previous power grabs as a sign of weakness. This misunderstanding, however, ends now.",

"The very idea that you could manipulate the deployment of our clan members in this war, intending to reduce our numbers through strategic 'sacrifices', as if we're merely named on a 'kill list' to be checked off, is not only reprehensible but a betrayal of trust and agreements that we got from everyone once Konoha was founded.",

"Therefore, we will not stand idly by while such plans are enacted against us anymore...", Hirayoshi declared, his voice laced with a newfound assertiveness, mirroring the slight disdain once shown to them.

He continued, his tone turning sharply condescending like the tone previously used on them by Danzo and Hiruzen was, "Reflect on the absurdity of your strategy. Now, to ensure such a sinister 'plan' is avoided completely, I present a list of shinobi designated for Hiashi's Eastern Division. This list is non-negotiable for me. I trust you understand that excluding even a single name from this list would certainly be a grave error on your part.",

As Hirayoshi spoke these words, a scroll suddenly appeared in front of Hiruzen's face, seemingly from thin air.

As Hirayoshi concluded his declaration, the dynamics within the council hall shifted dramatically.

Members of Hiruzen's faction, previously seated, now found themselves instinctively rising to their feet, rallying around the Hokage, and his Advisors, in a circle, in a protective stance.

The sudden emergence of dozens of Anbu and Shinobi from the room's concealed compartments added to the atmosphere of heightened alertness, their presence rapidly transforming the hall into a battlefield of tension.

Yet, despite this mobilization, all eyes remained transfixed on the figure of Hirayoshi. The Hyuga Patriarch, once perceived as frail and unassuming, now stood enveloped in a radiant white light, at the epicenter of a chakra vortex that seemed to stretch and warp the very air around him.

His presence was overwhelming, filling the hall with a palpable force that made it seem as though he was omnipresent, his spirit and power engulfing every inch of the space.

The magnitude of chakra he displayed was unlike anything those present had ever witnessed before. It wasn't just the quantity but also the sheer intensity of his chakra that left everyone in awe and fear.

It seemed boundless as if tapping into an ancient, inexhaustible wellspring of power. And that chakra in its essence had entirely different characteristics from all the other kinds of chakra they ever encountered before, it was as if it were somehow "alien" in nature.

Even to the more seasoned and powerful shinobi, many of whom had lived through countless battles and had seen the prowess of legendary figures, the spectacle before them was unparalleled.

Hirayoshi's chakra not only filled the hall but seemed to press against their very souls, at all times, a testament to a strength that defied the laws of nature as they knew it.

Meanwhile, in the wake of Hirayoshi's awe-inspiring display of power, the initial shock that gripped the Anti-Hokage faction quickly morphed into a calculated decision.

Hiashi, with his calm demeanor, appeared as though he had been expecting this moment of confrontation.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Hiruzen still held a look of true disbelief written all over his face, even though dozens of seconds already passed in silence since the outburst.

His seasoned eyes, having witnessed countless battles and beheld numerous forms of chakra manipulation throughout his storied life, now reflected an unparalleled level of astonishment.

The sudden and overwhelming display of power from the Hyuga Patriarch had caught him entirely off guard, presenting him with a form of strength and energy that was both enigmatic and profound.

This wasn't merely a demonstration of raw power; it was something more—a manifestation of chakra that felt both ancient in its origin and yet extremely 'modern at the same time'. It was a paradox that defied his extensive knowledge and experience, leaving him grappling for comprehension.

As he watched, still trying to reconcile the reality before him with his understanding of the ninja world's mechanics, Hiruzen couldn't help but acknowledge the magnitude of what he was witnessing,

'This is already at a stable Peak Kage level of chakra, and it is still rising. This is super crazy...', He thought to himself, a mixture of respect and fear threading through his realization.

The revelation that the Hyuga clan possessed such a monumental secret, a power that could very well redefine the dynamics of not just the village but the entire shinobi world, was jarring.

Even though he might've recently somewhat guessed that the Hyuga clan harbored some big secrets, this still threw him out of his shoes completely as he didn't nearly guess that this was the extent of it.

This moment of revelation also spurred a deeper introspection within Hiruzen, 'What on Earth forced them to lay low for so long then...?', He pondered, the question echoing through his mind. It was a perplexing consideration.

Such power could have easily placed the Hyuga at the forefront of the village's defense or its power structure, yet they had chosen a path of restraint, their true capabilities shrouded in secrecy until this pivotal, almost historic moment.

Hiruzen, despite the shock of the moment, found his analytical mind engaging with the puzzle presented by Hirayoshi's chakra. It was unlike anything he had felt before—alien, foreign, and deeply unsettling in its unfamiliarity,

'Yet, why does it feel so alien and foreign-like in comparison to Hirayoshi's ordinary chakra? I guess this might be some kind of an ancient energy source then.', He pondered, trying to make sense of the profound difference.

With this realization, a sense of relief began to seep through the initial wave of shock, as Hiruzen thought, 'Perhaps, then this isn't as bad as it seems now. As long as we manage to locate it in the future, or counter it somehow...',

This line of thinking allowed him to see a glimmer of hope amidst the upheaval. If this power stemmed from an ancient energy source, then there might be ways to understand it, prepare for its implications or even find means to counteract it in the future after some brainstorming.