Chapter 44
Neiki moved openly through Konoha under the pretext of searching for Hanabi Hyuga, deliberately revealing himself as the culprit and provocatively taunting the villagers. Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others quickly saw through his intentions.
"It's clear now," Hiruzen stated. "He's trying to sow discord within Konoha."
"If any of the victims attack him, it will give him a legitimate reason to press the detonation button," added Shikaku Nara.
Neiki's aim wasn't just to cause explosions but to create internal strife. Whoever attacked him would become a target of Neiki's wrath and the anger of those who suffered from the subsequent explosions.
This was both a physical and psychological attack designed to fracture the already weakened village.
"We have only ten minutes. Try to control the situation and don't let him succeed," Hiruzen ordered.
The command spread quickly through the ranks. However, Neiki's blatant actions made it impossible to suppress the news, and soon, most of Konoha's villagers knew that Neiki Hyuga was behind the explosions.
Tensions rose rapidly. Like Iruka, many ninjas, driven by the deaths of friends and family, converted their grief into anger and could barely restrain themselves from seeking revenge on Neiki.
"Don't stop me!" Anbu ninja Yugao Uzuki glared coldly at Kakashi, blocking her path.