Chapter 106: The Hyuga Clan Is Trapped, Casts the Abstention Vote at Last!

“Hiashi, what do we do?”

“We probably shouldn’t have come here—now, is this so-called Jonin meeting even worth continuing?”

“We need to think of a solution quickly—Itachi’re the head of the Hyuga clan!”

“…”

Many Hyuga elders began speaking cautiously.

Originally, they had been quite pleased, since the Hidden Leaf’s high command and the Uchiha were clashing, while the Hyuga could sit back and watch, needing no part in either side’s bloody struggle…

Especially as they watched countless ninja clans suffer at the hands of Root, or even join the Uchiha’s side, they could still coldly observe everything, even sneering at those clans.

The Hyuga’s Caged Bird Seal had once subjected them to so much injustice, but now, with this event, they instantly felt their ancestors had been prophetic.

It was precisely because of the Caged Bird Seal that the Hyuga had avoided this crisis.

Even someone as evil as Root’s Danzo had no interest in bothering the Hyuga.

But now?

After witnessing today’s scene, the Hyuga clan was suddenly trapped.

There was no way out.

All other ninja clans had refused to attend this Jonin meeting, leaving the Hyuga standing out like a crane among chickens.

Hyuga Hiashi: “...”

His face was grim, even as he couldn't help rolling his eyes.

What do we do?

How was he supposed to know?

He had originally planned to watch how the Uchiha clashed with the Hidden Leaf’s high command, even expecting that both factions would later try to court the Hyuga.

Then, with some room to maneuver, he could wait until the two sides exhausted themselves, and only cast the Hyuga’s vote after the winner was clear.

But damn it.

Uchiha Jin’s faction didn’t show up—and now the Hyuga were left in an awkward position. Was he truly expected to side with the village’s high command?

No, absolutely not!

If they sided with the Hidden Leaf’s high command, wouldn’t they enrage the Uchiha faction?

Not vote at all?

That wouldn’t work either!

Since Uchiha Jin’s faction didn’t appear, if the Hyuga abstained, they’d directly anger the village’s high command.

If they won in the end, the Hyuga would be in deep trouble.

What do we do?

Hyuga Hiashi was now trapped in an impossible dilemma.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead; his mind twisted in agony, and he had no idea what to do.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no interest in the Hyuga—he himself was caught in turmoil.

The Uchiha faction’s absence was, in fact, somewhat beneficial.

Because then Jiraiya could directly ascend as the Fifth Hokage.

But the problem was, without Uchiha’s participation, could Jiraiya truly command respect as Fifth Hokage?

Then…

Should they go and “invite” the Uchiha faction?

After much thought, he still felt it was unnecessary.

After all, if Jiraiya failed to command respect, that was, in a way, advantageous to him—it would make his behind-the-scenes control of the Hidden Leaf easier.

“Sarutobi, what do we do?”

“Should we go fetch the Uchiha faction?”

“Time’s up—should we wait a little longer?”

As Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered, Tobi and Mizukage both spoke up.

Clearly,

They too were uncertain about how to handle this situation.

Even Jiraiya had unconsciously turned to look.

And in response,

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, then spoke calmly: “I see no need to wait. We gave prior notice; their absence is their own decision. Let’s treat it as an abstention.”

“Let’s begin!”

After saying that.

With resolve, Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered the Anbu to close the doors, then rose to deliver his remarks.

His speech was utterly clichéd!

He first recounted his achievements as Hokage, then admitted his past mistakes, and finally declared that due to his advanced age, he would resign and oversee the election of the Fifth Hokage.

Immediately after,

The voting began!

Everyone present at this Jonin meeting was a loyalist to Hiruzen Sarutobi, so all voted for Jiraiya.

Only the Hyuga clan was in agony.

Who to choose?

For the Hyuga, this was a painful decision.

Although under normal circumstances Jiraiya seemed certain to win, the Uchiha faction’s absence left him with a quiet unease.

What were the Uchiha plotting?

Until he understood that, he dared not lightly choose Jiraiya.

“Clan Head, it’s time to decide!”

“We must choose whom to support now.”

“Vote for Jiraiya? Or vote for the Uchiha?”

“...”

The Hyuga members began speaking.

Almost everyone else had already voted; all eyes now turned to the Hyuga.

So,

They were truly desperate!

Hyuga Hiashi was even more desperate—sweat dripped from his brow—but after a long silence, he spoke: “Abstain.”

“This...?” The Hyuga members were stunned.

Yet,

Before anyone could object, Hyuga Hiashi gave his reason.

“The Uchiha faction is suspicious—they’re plotting something.”

“I don’t believe they’d surrender so easily, not after nearly killing each other with the village’s high command.”

“So, abstain.”

“We remain neutral toward both the village’s high command and the Uchiha.”

“Let them both win or lose—but never let go of the Hyuga’s Byakugan!”

“At worst, neither side will favor us—but that’s still better than backing the wrong side and paying the price!”

Many Hyuga members sighed.

They had to admit their clan head was right.

For the Hyuga, this was perhaps the safest choice.

After all…

The Byakugan was too vital to the village, especially during wartime—no other secret technique could replace it.

Neither sensory jutsu nor the Aburame clan’s techniques could come close to replacing the Hyuga’s Byakugan, so whichever side rose to power would likely only suppress the Hyuga slightly.

Nothing more.

Precisely because of this, nearly all Hyuga Jonin cast abstention votes.

Half an hour later.

After the village tallied all votes, the winner was unquestionably Jiraiya.

Hiruzen Sarutobi cleared his throat.

He gave the Hyuga clan one cold glance, then rose to solemnly announce:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the results are in.”

“Let us congratulate Jiraiya as the village’s next Fifth Hokage!”

“The new Hokage’s inauguration will be tomorrow morning!”