Kankuro currently possessed two puppets. One was *Puppet: Corpse Crow*, created by the legendary genius Sasori—later a rogue ninja—before he defected from Sunagakure.
Kankuro always carried the *Corpse Crow* wrapped in bandages on his back, using it for substitution tactics to confuse opponents.
The other puppet, sealed inside a scroll within his ninja gear pouch, was one of several crafted by Shindai.
So many years had passed, yet Sunagakure's puppet masters had made absolutely no progress. They showed no innovation in their puppet-making and never attempted to dismantle and study the puppets left behind by Shindai and Sasori. Instead, they treated these old puppets like treasures, assigning them exclusively to promising young puppet masters.
For instance, Kankuro—the son of Kazekage Rasa.
Thanks to his status as the Kazekage's son, Kankuro had already received Sasori's *Corpse Crow* and Shindai's *Prototype Unit Number Two*.
Why was Shindai's puppet called *Prototype Unit Number Two*? Because that was the name Shindai had officially reported—meaning "Prototype Unit Number Two."
He had created a total of four puppets for Sunagakure, each named plainly such as Prototype Unit Number One, Two, Three, and so on.
Although both Shindai and Sasori were now rogue ninja and enemies of Sunagakure, Kankuro still held a deep admiration for them.
Because the puppets crafted by Shindai and Sasori each had unique characteristics, they are considered the greatest puppet masters in Sunagakure's history—none of today's puppet masters can surpass them.
And now, set to face one of those legendary figures—Shindai—Kankuro felt a rising tension within himself.
At dusk,
Naruto finally passed Gamabunta's test and was officially accepted as his partner.
As the days passed, unrest continued to grow both within and beyond Konoha.
One week before the official matches of the Chunin Exams began,
Shisui and Itachi visited Minato Namikaze in the Hokage's office.
Shisui spoke seriously to the Fourth Hokage, "Lord Fourth, I can't be certain, but something has felt wrong in Konoha recently."
Minato put down the scroll in his hand and asked, "Shisui, what exactly feels wrong?"
Shisui looked at Itachi, who answered, "Recently, Yuto Uchiha has been frequently organizing secret meetings. Since guards are stationed around the meeting locations, we couldn't get close enough to find out what's being discussed.
These gatherings include members who used to oppose both the Fourth's policies and those of our clan head. Therefore, we suspect they may attempt something during this year's Chunin Exams."
After a moment of contemplation, Minato said, "Shisui, Itachi—you two will lead part of the guard unit and Anbu to monitor Yuto Uchiha and his group."
"Yes!"
As Shisui and Itachi left, Minato remained deeply troubled, his brows tightly furrowed.
As the Chunin Exams' official matches approached, an ominous feeling steadily grew within Minato Namikaze. It felt as if a great storm was about to descend.
Last night, on his way back from his duties, someone tossed him a note.
The note contained only a few words: "Watch out for Danzo and Sunagakure."
Minato had intended to immediately pursue the individual using [Flying Thunder God], but the sender was well-prepared and vanished into the crowd the instant the note was tossed.
In the crowd, Hizashi Hyuga remained unnoticed.
Inside the Hyuga clan compound, Hizashi held a family meeting.
Members of the Branch family sat before him.
Hizashi spoke, "You all understand deep down what Danzo hopes to gain by removing the Caged Bird Seal. His goal is to use our strength to seize political power in Konoha.
Yet this conflict must not drag Konoha into it. Konoha is in a stable state now. The irreconcilable issue lies solely between the Branch and Main families. That is why, as the leader of the Branch family, I am issuing you a command."
Hizashi took a deep breath before continuing, "When chaos erupts during the official matches, do not follow Danzo's orders! Obey the Fourth's command—and protect Konoha!"
The Branch family members looked at Hizashi with shock.
They had indeed been suffering greatly in recent days. Their resentment was never toward Konoha itself, but toward the Main family—for treating them so poorly.
Although the Caged Bird Seal had been removed, they were deeply reluctant to help Danzo spark internal chaos in Konoha.
Unfortunately, they were already tied to Danzo's cause and could only try to justify it to themselves—such as believing that if they helped Danzo seize control of Konoha, they would no longer be the Branch family and wouldn't have to secretly hide the fact that their Caged Bird Seals hadn't truly been lifted yet.
Yet unexpectedly, Hizashi was telling them not to follow Danzo's orders and instead obey Minato Namikaze.
One of the Hyuga clansmen hesitated before asking, "But Lord, Danzo has also placed a cursed seal on us. Won't we suffer if we don't help him? Now that our Caged Bird Seals are gone, won't the Main family surely turn against us?"
Hizashi explained, "We needn't worry about the Cursed Seal—it's the Tongue Calamity Root Seal, a mark used to stop people from revealing secrets. If someone tries to speak about specific forbidden topics, their whole body paralyzes—they can't speak or move.
Danzo used this seal on every member of his former Root division to bind subordinates and prevent them from exposing his secrets.
Therefore, as long as we do not discuss matters related to Danzo, this seal becomes useless. There's no need to be concerned—it won't affect us at all."
I don't think Danzo has any chance of success. He lacks every quality required of a Hokage, and even with Sunagakure's support, he still won't manage it.
If we join Danzo in staging this coup, what awaits us will be doomsday. From start to finish, all we've ever wanted is equal status. Therefore, there's absolutely no need for us to follow Danzo and stage a coup.
"As for the Main Family…"
Hizashi Hyuga closed his eyes, silent for a moment before reopening them with firm determination. "Everything—every single thing—stems from our clan's so-called traditions, upheld and enforced by the revered Hyuga elders.
That's why… I'll take care of those elders myself. And at that time, I will bear everything alone! I will become the criminal of the Hyuga clan and face all consequences head-on!
By then, Branch family members will greatly outnumber the Main Family, and without the [Caged Bird] seal binding them anymore, I know you'll be able to take care of things yourselves. Your future will change."
Hizashi finally revealed his true plan—one destined to reshape the future of the Branch family.
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