Inside Danzo's home.
Yuto Uchiha, Hizashi Hyuga, Tatsuma Aburame, and Baki were all present.
Danzo said to Baki, "The plan is for the official matches to begin one month from now. The operation will start with your Kazekage. The ninja you've hidden outside Konoha will attack simultaneously, creating diversions across the village. Our people will intercept any reinforcements sent by Konoha, while coordinating actions with your Sunagakure ninja."
Baki nodded. "Alright, I understand."
After Baki left, Danzo began a smaller meeting.
First, Danzo assigned a task to Yuto Uchiha. "Yuto, have your men already stationed in Konoha before the operation begins. As soon as we start, immediately launch surprise attacks on nearby ninja to create chaos. Don't get bogged down in fights. Once the ambush is done, immediately regroup with me."
Yuto Uchiha accepted the order respectfully. "Yes! Sir Danzo!"
Danzo then turned his gaze toward Hizashi Hyuga. "Hizashi, you and your men will intercept incoming reinforcements outside the exam battlefield. Try your best to prevent anyone from entering the exam grounds and causing disruptions."
Hizashi Hyuga responded with a complicated expression. "I understand."
Finally, Danzo issued orders to Tatsuma Aburame. "Tatsuma, you and the former Root ninja will move with me. Once we link up with Yuto's team and confirm that Minato Namikaze has been eliminated, begin clearing out the Sunagakure ninja!"
Danzo only wanted to use Rasa and Sunagakure. Konoha was his — he wouldn't let Sunagakure take even a sliver of it.
In addition to creating chaos, Danzo tasked the Akatsuki organization with assassinating Sunagakure ninja.
Danzo was feeling exhilarated. In just one more month, he would become the Hokage of Konoha, and his face would be carved into the Hokage Rock!
His long-cherished dream was finally within reach!
Danzo spoke solemnly. "For this mission, everyone must fulfill their roles accordingly. If we succeed, then everyone's wishes will come true. Yuto, your group will become the rightful Uchiha clan, and those Uchiha clansmen led by Fugaku Uchiha may be disposed of at your discretion.
"Hizashi, at that time, your Branch family will become the Main family, and the former Main house members will be under your control, completely at your disposal!"
Yuto Uchiha had already begun smiling widely, fantasizing about life after success.
Meanwhile, Hizashi Hyuga looked troubled. He had never wanted Konoha to descend into internal chaos, and his feelings hadn't changed. But… right now, he was already trapped by forces beyond his control.
...
Hizashi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga clan compound.
Brooding silently, Hizashi sat motionless at the entrance, gazing at the clear blue sky.
"Father."
Seeing Neji approach, Hizashi managed a smile. "Back from training already? How did it go? Did you encounter any problems while training?"
Neji shook his head. "No."
Hizashi Hyuga patted the spot beside him. "Come, sit down, Neji. It's been a while since we last had a real conversation."
Neji sat next to Hizashi.
Hizashi looked at Neji and sighed. "Time really flies. You've really grown, Neji."
Neji didn't speak but gave Hizashi a strange look. Something about his father today just felt off.
In fact, recently Neji had sensed something odd. The strange part was that all the Branch family members seemed to be hiding something.
And now, sitting beside Hizashi, Neji couldn't shake a growing sense of unease.
Hizashi asked suddenly, "Neji, what do you think of me?"
Neji replied, "Father is wonderful. I deeply admire Father."
Hizashi chuckled softly. "Is that so... I'm glad to hear that. Neji, in the end, your path will be one you must walk alone. You have many different paths before you—don't hesitate to choose boldly when the time comes. You're still young, after all—you have room to make mistakes. But whatever you do, don't lose your way. Know clearly what it is you want. Do you understand?"
Neji's heart pounded with increasing anxiety. "Father, what exactly are you planning to do?"
Hizashi glanced at Neji with some surprise. So Neji had sensed it already.
He reached out and gently ruffled Neji's hair. "Our path as the Branch family has always been narrow. I want... to carve out a new road for our clansmen. This is something the head of the family should do. I hope to become someone truly worthy of your admiration, Neji."
Neji grabbed Hizashi's arm. "Father, please tell me. What exactly is going on? Lately, everyone in the clan has been acting strangely... and so have you. I can't shake this terrible feeling inside."
Hizashi exhaled deeply. "There's nothing happening at all. Just focus on doing well during this year's Chunin Exams. Show off all your abilities without holding back. Don't underestimate Hinata either—she's not the same shy little girl she used to be. I can see it clearly in her eyes.
So remember, fate isn't unchangeable. Fate can change, if only through your own efforts. I believe you can do it too."
Hizashi stood up, watching a flock of birds flying into the sky from a distant tree, and spoke somewhat dazedly. "I also believe... I can do it. I will forge a bright path for our clan, bringing forth an entirely new destiny."
Neji stared silently at Hizashi's towering figure, yet he felt strangely empty inside.
...
Three days passed.
Sasuke had begun receiving special training from Kakashi, aimed at helping him fully master [Chidori].
And today, Naruto encountered the eccentric old man—Jiraiya, who hadn't returned in quite some time.
Naruto recognized Jiraiya the moment he saw him. After all, it wasn't hard to recognize someone whose posters were displayed at Shindai's adult puppet store.
After returning to Konoha, Jiraiya immediately went to see Minato Namikaze. Upon hearing that Naruto had been training hard for the Chunin Exams over the past month, he became eager to offer the boy some guidance.
Naruto was more than happy to receive Jiraiya's instruction because Shindai had previously mentioned how incredibly strong Jiraiya was. When Naruto asked Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki about him, they both confirmed that Jiraiya was just as powerful as Shindai had said.
However, after spending a short time with Jiraiya, Naruto began to feel like he had been tricked. Since no matter how he looked at it, Jiraiya didn't seem like a strong ninja at all—he looked more like a perverted old creep.
Naruto decided to observe for a few more days, and if things stayed the same, he'd go find Shindai and call out the scam!
Meanwhile, Hinata was undergoing special training. During this month, Pakura had taken a leave of absence, and Hikaku Uchiha had also stopped working, leaving Shindai's Puppet Shop to be run automatically by puppets.
Shindai had temporarily paused his research. With Orochimaru and Kabuto already handling studies related to Naruto, and Shindai's research not being focused on biology, he couldn't contribute much there. Therefore, he assisted in training Hinata.
Right now, Hinata was learning the Rotation.
Previously, during the battle against Haku in the Land of Waves, Hinata released a large amount of chakra from her chakra points, shattering the ice that had frozen her in place. This was the prerequisite for using the Rotation.
Therefore, in Shindai's opinion, Hinata should be able to master the Rotation.
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