Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-4008620-20190902190023/@comment-25632268-20190904230857

FlatZone wrote: Then they should have Killed Hiashi, his death would have worked. Neji is stronger than Hiashi now and a better character anyway, he could take lead of the Clan at age 18 by Hiashi's last breath making it happen.

It would make sense for Hiashi to sacrifice to protect his daughter, but I believe the goal there was to shake Naruto, and at that point Hiashi and Naruto were complete strangers to each other. So, pretty much only Iruka could fit this role.