Chapter 113: Pursuit
Two days later, another army of ninja gathered at Konoha's main gate. This time, there was no designated Commander-in-Chief; Tsunade herself took command of the front line. Among all the clans, the Uchiha Clan stood out—their Clan Head personally led the troops to war. In contrast, other Konoha Clans sent only their best members while their leaders remained behind.
The division among the clans was evident, with the Uchiha and Hyūga Clans fielding the largest numbers.
"The Uchiha Clan Head is leading the troops in person, really putting his neck on the line."
Although the Hyūga Clan sent many elites, their Clan Head showed no intention of participating in the battle. Their elevated status in Konoha gave them little reason to take such risks. After all, the so-called high-ranking Konoha members valued the Hyūga Clan's place in the hierarchy.
"That's enough, mind your own business."
The Hyūga Clan leader cast a glance at the Uchiha contingent, his thoughts hidden. Their position in Konoha was already secure, so there was no need to fight so hard. On the battlefield, the Byakugan served as an exceptional radar, ensuring the Hyūga remained vital in wars. However, the strict family hierarchy dividing the main and branch families limited their overall strength. This, perhaps, made them more palatable to Konoha's higher-ups. After all, who among those in power wouldn't favor reliable subordinates with solid abilities who avoided creating trouble?
"Uncle, the Hyūga Clan is quite well represented this time," Fugaku said quietly, standing beside the Clan Head.
"What's the point of having large numbers?" his uncle replied dismissively. "Strength is what counts on the battlefield."
The Uchiha Clan Head didn't spare the Hyūga a glance, radiating an aura of unwavering confidence. The rivalry between the Uchiha and Hyūga had simmered openly and covertly for years. The Hyūga had used their high status to undermine the Uchiha whenever possible. Their tradition of splitting the clan into branches only deepened the divide, making it difficult for them to produce true masters.
Fugaku shifted the topic. "Uncle, if we go, will we have to follow Kawakaze Hatake's commands?"
The Hyūga Clan was no longer his focus. In the grander scheme of things, they were just one of many obstacles in the Uchiha's struggles. Internal conflicts had already drained much of his attention.