After seeing off the Third and Fourth Hokage and his wife, Hiashi, leading Hyūga Shinichi back inside, was prompted by a desire to impart some lessons.
Once back inside, Hiashi did not immediately dismiss Shinichi, but spoke:
"It was your first time meeting the Third and Fourth Hokage, and your conduct was appropriate. You are indeed worthy of being my son, Hyūga Hiashi."
"Tell me, what are your observations and impressions of the two Hokage-samas?"
Judging people is a very important skill for a ninja. When on missions, ninjas who excel at reading people can often avoid more dangers and have a higher survival rate. Since Shinichi was being groomed by Hiashi as the heir, this ability was of utmost importance.
"Having only just met them, the information is ultimately too scarce," Shinichi shook his head and replied.
Not giving Hiashi a chance to look disappointed, Shinichi changed the subject and continued:
"However, I can still draw some conclusions."
"The Third Hokage-sama appeared old, seasoned, and amiable, but during the conversation, the Fourth Hokage-sama's words and gaze seemed subtly to revolve around the Third."
"It's hard to imagine that the Fourth is the Hokage of our village; he looks more like the Third's nephew or son."
"But, although the Fourth shows respect everywhere to the Third, he is not without his own ideas."
"His promise to you, Father, before leaving, should be the signal he was trying to release."
"While I can't analyze their personalities, I believe the relationship between them may not be as completely seamless as they presented."
Hiashi's initial thought was merely to ask for his son's first impression of the two Hokage. He never expected to hear such a profound analysis from Shinichi.
Staring blankly at Hyūga Shinichi, Hiashi's expression froze.
After a long time, Hiashi snapped back to reality, suddenly squatting down and grasping Shinichi's arm, his voice filled with emotion: "Did you analyze all of this just now?!"
"Is there more?"
Hiashi had already been deeply shocked by Hyūga Shinichi's ninja talent, but talent and talent are different. Just like the current head of the Nara clan, Nara Shikaku possesses political wisdom far beyond ordinary people, but his Ninjutsu talent is only average.
Hiashi had never imagined that his extraordinarily gifted son would be so perceptive in the area of "reading people."
"What else would you like to know, Father?"
"If you're asking for my view on the entire affair, I think this is a rare opportunity for our Hyūga Clan."
"Did the Fourth Hokage-sama not promise to help the Hyūga Clan as much as possible?"
"If you ask me, we should use this opportunity to make a few minor, painless requests and ask the Fourth Hokage for assistance."
"That way, our Hyūga Clan and the Fourth Hokage can naturally establish a good, mutually beneficial relationship. Afterward, our two families can interact more frequently."
Hearing Shinichi's words, Hiashi's excitement began to subside.
Hmm... A child is a child after all. Although Shinichi had some insight into people, that was all it was!
However, Hiashi felt no disappointment. Instead, he slowly straightened up and gently patted Shinichi's head, "guiding" him: "You are indeed clever, but you still have much to learn!"
"To read people, you must read their hearts; to listen to words, you must listen for the underlying meaning."
"The Fourth Hokage saying he would help the Hyūga Clan as much as possible was nothing more than a verbal politeness."
"Even if the Fourth truly would help us as he said, why should we use such a precious opportunity now?"
"Wouldn't it be better to wait until the Hyūga Clan truly encounters some difficulty before asking for his help?"
Hiashi smiled as he spoke to Shinichi. At this moment, he genuinely enjoyed the satisfaction of educating his son. Everyone has a teacherly side; even some people today enjoy "pointing things out" while driving or playing a game, and Hiashi was certainly one of them, especially in front of his son.
"No, Father. If you interpret it that way, you are making a big mistake."
Shinichi shook his head, clearly holding a different opinion from Hiashi.
"Judging from the titles exchanged between you and the Fourth Hokage during the tea ceremony, the personal friendship between our Hyūga Clan and the Fourth Hokage should not be considered deep."
"If you believe that you can simply rely on the goodwill from this one escort mission to ask the Fourth Hokage for a major favor should something happen to the Hyūga Clan in the future, that is far too naïve."
"We Hyūga are Konoha ninjas; we are supposed to follow the Hokage's orders. In principle, the Fourth Hokage does not owe us anything, because performing our duty is simply our 'obligation' in his eyes."
"The reason he said what he did was actually to draw our Hyūga Clan closer to him."
"If that is the case, then we should trouble him more! Only through this 'mutual benefit' can our two families establish a deeper connection, don't you agree?!"
Hyūga Shinichi offered a faint smile, slightly tilting his head to look up at Hyūga Hiashi. That look of having everything under control caused Hiashi's expression to momentarily freeze.
"Hmm... what you're saying... has some merit..."
Although Hyūga Shinichi was young, Hiashi couldn't help but nod as he carefully considered the boy's words. He's right. Based solely on this one interaction, the two families hadn't established any deep friendship. If something truly happened to the Hyūga Clan in the future, this current relationship would likely be useless. To deepen the relationship, a more profound bond was needed.
"But... Shinichi, while what you say has some merit, the Hyūga Clan currently lacks nothing. What kind of favor should we ask the Fourth Hokage for?"
"And the balance... It's not easy to control!"
As he spoke, a look of contemplation appeared on Hiashi's face. A moment later, he stared at Shinichi, seemingly having thought of something, but then he shook his head, sighing with a hint of regret:
"It's a shame... our Hyūga ninjas have our own way of growth. Otherwise, asking the Fourth Hokage to take you on as a disciple might be a decent 'request.'"
"Your talent is definitely not inferior to Hatake Kakashi."
"What a pity..."
As he spoke, Hiashi's face was filled with regret. His words also caused Shinichi's expression to dim slightly.
Hiashi's words were not entirely truthful. The biggest reason was the Hyūga Clan's pride at work. As one of Konoha's most powerful bloodline limit clans, their Main Family ninjas were always trained internally and simply looked down on other ninjas, even the Fourth Hokage.
In reality, this phenomenon was not unique to the Hyūga Clan. The Uchiha Clan, the Nara Clan, the Akimichi Clan, and other ninja clans—while their young members might have teachers in their early years, in practice, all the Ninjutsu they learned was the secret arts passed down through the family for generations. These clan descendants rarely learned Ninjutsu outside of their inherited secret techniques. Whether for the sake of so-called inheritance or the clan's dignity, this system constrained many clan descendants.
Although Hyūga Shinichi did not hold this traditional view, having been born Hyūga, his path of growth was, for the time being, dictated by Hiashi.
While he, too, wanted a Hokage as a teacher, the timing didn't seem right. Moreover... if he couldn't prevent the Nine-Tails' attack from happening, even becoming the Fourth Hokage's disciple would yield limited returns.
But fortunately, there was still time, and he had already figured out how to use the information he possessed.
As for Hyūga Hiashi's current dilemma... Shinichi had a plan:
"Father, could we request that the Fourth Hokage-sama teach our Hyūga Clan the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"I heard that the Fourth Hokage-sama's greatest mastery is the Space-Time Ninjutsu called the Flying Thunder God. I am very interested in that technique, and if possible, I want to learn it."
"Space-Time Ninjutsu is very compatible with our Hyūga Clan's nin-taijutsu and could greatly enhance our strength."
Hyūga Shinichi shifted his gaze away from Hiashi, lowered his head slightly, and spoke in a deep voice.
The Flying Thunder God! For someone like him who feared death, learning that technique would significantly increase his survival rate during the many crises ahead. If he could have his wish, Shinichi would definitely make good use of the Flying Thunder God, bringing the concept of the "Returning Minato," one of the supreme conceptual gods, into this world!
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"How do you... hmm..."
Hiashi was surprised that Shinichi, who rarely left the compound, knew so much about Namikaze Minato. But after a moment's reflection, he was relieved. With so many ninjas caring for Shinichi, it wasn't surprising that one of them might have mentioned Minato.
Hearing his son's interest in the Flying Thunder God Technique, Hiashi stroked his chin in thought.
"The Flying Thunder God, huh—"
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