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Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Completely Different Directions

Chapter 201: Completely Different Directions

The three of them headed straight to the study upon returning home. No one spoke further on the matter along the way. Hyuga Hiashi only briefly mentioned the future of the legions, but even his few words were steeped in caution and wariness.

His meaning was clear: once these legions matured and stabilized, they could spiral out of control and eventually pose a threat to the Hyuga clan itself.

This decentralization of power was almost akin to establishing vassal lords.

Although the current legion commanders remained obedient and loyal, they had been granted the authority to command fellow clansmen. Over time, influenced by power, it was uncertain whether that loyalty would endure.

Without the traditional check of the Caged Bird Seal, the threat of instability loomed.

Hinata, initially excited, gradually sobered up under her father's words. She recalled the scene—hundreds of warriors instantly falling into formation at her command. The Hyuga forces, organized into precise square formations, demonstrated their discipline and unwavering loyalty. It was awe-inspiring, instilling a powerful sense of security.

Yet that very sense of order bred unease.

Reflecting more deeply, Hinata began to understand. Based on their current structure and development path, the legions could indeed become the family's strongest external force—apart from Ryosuke himself.

But should any of these legions develop ulterior motives, they might become adversaries no less dangerous than any threat the clan had faced in history.

Inside the familiar, dimly lit study, Hinata hesitated before speaking.

"Maybe we should take back some of their authority. At the very least... we can't give them too much freedom."

"For example, recruitment should first be approved by the clan council."

"And regarding disciplinary matters within their ranks, we should also intervene to some extent..."

"No," Ryosuke interjected with a small chuckle, "That approach is too overt. It would only sow disappointment."

He turned to his father. "Don't worry, Father. I'm here."

He understood their concerns.

Suspicion and caution were the hallmarks of those in power. Peace is always the hope of the powerful. It is the powerless—the barefoot ones—who benefit from chaos, for only in disorder can they claw their way to relevance.

These were truths known by all who stood atop society.

Especially by someone like Hiashi—naturally cautious, a man who preferred everything within his grasp, be it power, reputation, or influence.

So when the legions, still in their infancy, displayed such remarkable capabilities, the immediate reaction was excitement—followed by fear.

Uncontrollable variables were deadly.

Many brilliant people throughout history had either rebelled or been driven to rebellion by the suspicion of their superiors. Ryosuke understood that.

"But doesn't this situation sound familiar?" Ryosuke asked calmly, tapping the tabletop. "Konoha and Hyuga. Konoha and Uchiha. Father, don't you think your current thinking resembles how Konoha once looked at us?"

Hiashi paused, stunned.

Then, it clicked.

Although their positions were now reversed, the comparison was apt. They were Konoha. The legions were now akin to the Hyuga... and the Uchiha.

"We already understand our own clan's stance, so I'll skip discussing the Hyuga," Ryosuke continued. "But the Uchiha clan's situation is more delicate. Their betrayal of Uchiha Madara revealed something: they preferred unity. They desired integration and peace. That much is clear after long observation."

"So why did the Uchiha eventually rebel against Konoha?"

Ryosuke stopped tapping. He lifted his eyes and emphasized:

"First, because Konoha grew suspicious of them. Then that suspicion turned to active mistrust, which in turn pushed the Uchiha to alienate themselves from the village."

"Second, the Uchiha were powerful. On the battlefield, their accomplishments were second to none. That power bred pride."

"They gave so much, received so little, and were still treated as threats. If you ask me, it was inevitable they would revolt."

Under the faint desk lamp, Ryosuke leaned forward slightly.

"Compared to the Uchiha's attitude toward Konoha, the legions today are utterly loyal to the Hyuga. To start doubting them now, based on fear of what might happen... is premature."

"They've only just completed their first mission. If we strip away their rights now, right when they return victorious, we might as well dissolve the system altogether."

Hiashi, who had been tempted by Hinata's reasoning, fell silent. After a moment, he nodded in agreement.

Beside him, Hinata asked softly, "What about the third point?"

She had noticed Ryosuke's fingers tapping three times.

"The third point..."

Ryosuke smiled, his confidence palpable.

"The first two are speculation, theory. But the third is a certainty: Konoha lacked a leader like Senju Hashirama—a man strong enough and tolerant enough to unify power."

"If Konoha had someone like that, the Uchiha wouldn't have dared to rebel—not even if they were suspected."

He paused for effect.

"The legion system we're proposing may not be perfect. But no system ever is. To ensure its stability, you don't just need a solid framework—you need external force. I am that force."

"As long as I exist, Hyuga will continue to thrive. The legions will stay loyal. You don't need to worry about that."

That was the crux of it all.

Ryosuke had told Hinata before: with him present, she could afford to be bold. That boldness extended beyond diplomacy and expansion—it applied to the internal evolution of the clan as well.

Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata nodded in acknowledgment.

Perhaps they had been too focused on not burdening Ryosuke, unconsciously excluding him from many considerations—resulting in issues that should never have arisen in the first place.

Regarding the future of the legion system, Ryosuke's answer had given them a reasonably acceptable direction. Yet, in contemplating his input, both Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata began to reflect on a deeper matter: the importance of trusting those one employs.

In the past, the Hyuga clan had always adhered to a cautious, conservative approach—developing slowly while staying hidden. Within that framework, being overly careful never caused any issues.

But now... things had changed.

If the clan truly wished to grow rapidly, they would need to nurture their own ninja forces. Members had to learn to think independently, handle critical decisions, and shoulder real responsibility. Power would need to be delegated. Opportunities would have to be shared.

The old way—where subordinates were ruled with tight control—would no longer work. As the Hyuga moved into the future, both their practices and mindset had to evolve alongside reality.

"I think Ryosuke is right... What is the Hyuga clan's real focus right now?" Hinata spoke up, her voice calm yet firm.

"In the other world!" she continued. "If we can truly explore other worlds as we've envisioned, I doubt anyone in our family would waste time on petty internal disputes."

"We've already discovered two different worlds. And who knows how many more await us? We have far more important goals than squabbling over limited internal resources!"

---

Meanwhile, at the open square near the Konoha Memorial Monument...

Lively chatter filled the air, voices rising from ninjas belonging to various clans.

Only a few families remained quiet during the chaos—and they were, predictably, the major clans of Konoha. The Hyuga clan was among them.

But unlike the others, the Hyuga stood out—not for their silence, but for something else.

Despite having the largest group present, the Hyuga clan lacked a clear leader on-site. Only Hyuga Iroha, a senior ninja known for his combat skills, appeared to hold any authority.

"Look at that. They brought so many Genin. What is this? A mission or a field trip?" someone scoffed.

At a short distance from the main gathering, several of Konoha's senior advisors waited for Jiraiya's arrival.

Among them, Mitokado Homura sneered in disdain. "Does Hiashi not understand the importance of this mission? Sending Genin like this... It's arrogance, plain and simple! Just like the Uchiha—power's gone to his head!"

During the last allied mission, the Land of Fire and Konoha had dispatched around a hundred ninjas, all of whom were at least Chunin level. Even the retired Third Hokage had participated in secret.

This time, the mission force had doubled in size. And once again, the root of the problem—according to the elders—was Hyuga.

In missions of this scale, especially in peacetime, Genin were usually left out to prevent unnecessary casualties and delays. Yet the Hyuga not only reduced their upper-tier combat force but also brought dozens of Genin along. Were they using this mission as a large-scale trial for their younger generation?

Even Koharu Utatane, usually more diplomatic, looked visibly displeased.

"When Jiraiya arrives," she said coldly, "we should file a formal request to recall all these Genin. This is absurd."

"You brought these slow-moving children along just to drag us down, didn't you?" she muttered under her breath.

In the previous mission, Koharu herself had led the Konoha side and represented them in the allied council. This time, she was once again slated to lead—making her even more frustrated about the potential hindrance the Hyuga posed.

But Tsunade stood with her arms folded, watching the scene unfold with cold amusement.

"You all seem to be forgetting something," she said.

"When we held that strategy meeting, Hyuga Hiashi made a specific request. He asked that his clan be allowed to command and manage their own team independently. And you all agreed."

Her words froze the advisors in place.

Tsunade continued, "You were the ones who told me not to be impulsive. That as long as the Hyuga were willing to participate, we should accommodate their 'small' requests."

Koharu, mid-rant, suddenly stopped as if a switch had been flipped. Her brow furrowed as the memory slowly resurfaced.

Back then, they had indeed agreed.

"The Hyuga clan has that monster—Hyuga Ryosuke. His strength rivals most of Konoha's top-tier combat power. If they ever chose to leave the village, many nations would line up to support them."

"That's why," Tsunade said, her voice low and steady, "as long as they're still cooperating with us, we've decided to be flexible."

"For this mission, they agreed to handle reconnaissance and perception duties. And if they want to send Genin along with them, that's their choice."

Koharu was silent, then muttered, "But I only agreed assuming they would send fewer people. Now they've flooded us with children. How can I lead this mission effectively?"

"If we're attacked en route, or if negotiations in the Land of Rain go south... if Akatsuki returns... how do you expect me to organize a battle formation with so many untested Genin?"

"Then we'll just have to assign more forces to support you."

The voice came from behind.

Startled, the group turned to see Jiraiya standing with his arms crossed, looking toward the dense crowd of Hyuga Genin.

He sighed.

"To be fair, you're not wrong. The Hyuga did hide their strength in the past. But now that they have power and influence beyond Konoha's control, they've chosen to step out of the shadows."

"And the fact that they're still willing to participate in this mission... That's already more than enough."

Jiraiya's voice turned serious.

"Have you forgotten what our real focus is now?"

His gaze swept across the advisors.

"It's the Akatsuki. It's the alliance. We still don't know what Nagato and his group are planning. But we do know one thing: he's alive."

"I've confirmed that several Akatsuki members have resumed activity. They're accepting high-bounty commissions again."

"That means the organization's still intact. Nagato's still pulling the strings. And if he moves... it could bring a new disaster upon the ninja world."

"We have to rally as many allies as possible before that happens. And make them believe how serious this threat really is."

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