"Borrow the Forbidden Scroll of Seals?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought he had misheard and asked in a deep voice. Seeing Hiashi nod seriously, Hiruzen's expression changed. After pondering for a moment, he did not immediately refuse, but continued to ask:
"What is this? The Hyūga Clan is interested in Forbidden Jutsu?"
"You must know how dangerous the forbidden techniques recorded in the Forbidden Scroll are, correct?"
"In Konoha, the research of Forbidden Jutsu has always been strictly prohibited."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was grave, his entire demeanor completely different from before, and a subtle pressure enveloped Hyūga Hiashi.
Sensing the pressure from Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hiashi remained calm and explained in an even tone:
"We are not interested in the Forbidden Jutsu recorded in the scroll. Rather, my son, Hyūga Shinichi, is interested in the Flying Thunder God Technique, and thus wishes to borrow the Forbidden Scroll to see if he can learn the technique."
Hiashi had no intention of hiding his son's exceptional talent. In recent years, the Hyūga Clan's prestige in the Village had been eclipsed by the Uchiha. The Uchiha Clan had successively produced geniuses of the caliber of Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi. Compared to them, the Hyūga's younger generation seemed far weaker. Letting the outside world know about Hyūga Shinichi's excellence would greatly benefit the Hyūga Clan's reputation.
"Your son wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
"Hyūga Shinichi... is that the child who was sitting next to you at your house earlier?"
"How old is he?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was one of astonishment and disbelief. He had considered many possibilities, but he never expected Hiashi to be requesting the scroll for his son. However, he couldn't rule out that this was simply an excuse by Hiashi.
"Borrowing the Forbidden Scroll, you say..."
"If it is the Hyūga Clan, it is not entirely out of the question!"
After a long deliberation, Sarutobi Hiruzen conceded. Hiashi was not surprised by the Third's promise; in his view, this was expected.
Ostensibly, only the Hokage could read the Forbidden Scroll, and Konoha strictly forbade the research of Forbidden Jutsu, but that was only on the surface. From Hiashi's position, he knew much of Konoha's darker side; the research of Forbidden Jutsu was always ongoing in Konoha. Moreover, quite a few ninjas had successfully read the Forbidden Scroll, but these people were all affiliated with the Hokage's faction.
Using the Hyūga Clan's name, borrowing the Forbidden Scroll was not difficult. Furthermore, unlike the Uchiha Clan, their power was not ostracized by the Hokage's faction; on the contrary, Konoha had always relied heavily on the Hyūga Clan's abilities.
"Hiashi, since you say your son, Hyūga Shinichi, wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, how about this: find a time and have your son come here. I can allow him one week to review the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"You know, allowing a ninja outside the Hokage to review the Forbidden Scroll is already an exception. Naturally, the scroll cannot leave the Hokage Tower, can it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't fully believe Hiashi's story. He certainly didn't want the Hyūga Clan to gain access to the other forbidden jutsu in the scroll. Since Hiashi claimed his son wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God, then let his son come to the Hokage Tower to read it! Hiruzen secretly didn't believe a five-year-old brat could master the Flying Thunder God—being able to read was an achievement enough, let alone mastering that technique.
"Excellent! Thank you, Third Hokage-sama!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's agreement was surprisingly quick. Hiashi was immediately beaming with joy upon receiving the Third's promise.
"Heh heh, my son was underestimated after all!"
"But this is good. One week—with Shinichi's photographic memory, he might be able to memorize the entire Forbidden Scroll!"
Hiashi muttered inwardly, unable to hide his delight.
"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave, Hokage-sama."
"I will bring Shinichi to borrow the Forbidden Scroll in a couple of days."
"These Hyūga ninjas can be assigned by you. Just have them return when the mission is complete."
Hiashi bowed again and, as he turned to leave, gave Hyūga Hizashi a look. Hizashi understood and quietly lowered his eyes.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not detain Hiashi. After the Clan Head left, he spoke warmly with the Hyūga ninjas for a few moments before calling an Anbu to lead the Hyūga ninjas out of the office.
When the Hokage's office returned to silence, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat back down behind his desk. It was at this moment that a puff of smoke rose from the floor in front of him.
"Poof!!"
Danzō Shimura, leaning on his cane, emerged from the smoke and approached Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk, questioning him in a heavy tone:
"Hiruzen, how can you allow outsiders to review the Forbidden Scroll? And allow an irresponsible brat to review it?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
Danzō had overheard part of the previous conversation in the office. As the leader of Root and a member of the Konoha Council, Danzō could enter and exit the Hokage's office freely, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was extremely tolerant of him.
"The Hyūga Clan is one of Konoha's strongest fighting forces; they are hardly outsiders."
"Besides, it's just a child who admires the Flying Thunder God Technique. You don't need to be so agitated."
"I've met Hyūga Shinichi; he is only five years old. Although he seems very mature, a child is a child."
"Agreeing to a harmless small request, what harm can come of it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not get angry at Danzō's sudden appearance and questioning. Instead, he explained calmly.
"Even so, the Hyūga Clan is too presumptuous!"
"To dare make such a request, Hiruzen..."
Before Danzō could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and interrupted: "I actually agreed to this on behalf of Minato."
"Danzō, Minato is the Fourth Hokage!"
These two short sentences immediately silenced Danzō.
He's right... Namikaze Minato and the Sarutobi Hiruzen standing before him are the Hokage...
...
By the time Hyūga Hiashi returned to the compound, it was nearly evening. Hyūga Shinichi had also finished his training for the day and returned to his residence.
He was currently sitting beside a beautiful woman, quietly watching her knit a small gray sweater.
Hyūga Hanako (日向花子) was Shinichi's mother in this life. His looks had inherited seven parts from her. Hanako had a gentle temperament and was the quintessential, traditional Japanese wife. Since marrying Hyūga Hiashi, she had naturally devoted herself to her husband and child, rarely going out.
She was young but poured all her time into her husband and child. Hyūga Shinichi had been deeply loved by Hanako since childhood, and even as a transmigrator, he could feel the powerful maternal warmth from her. This woman was the person Hyūga Shinichi swore to protect!
"Mom, this little sweater isn't for me, is it?"
"Is it for my future sister?"
"It's too early to knit it now, and the color is too plain; it's not suitable for a girl."
Hyūga Shinichi sat by the window, watching his cheap mother carefully knit the sweater, and said with a chuckle.
"A future sister?"
"How do you know it will be a sister? Maybe it will be a brother."
"Isn't a plain color better? It's fine for either a boy or a girl, isn't it?"
Hyūga Hanako stopped her work and lightly stroked Shinichi's head, smiling.
"I have a premonition it will be a sister. My premonitions are usually pretty accurate."
"If it's a girl, the clothes should be more vibrant."
Hyūga Shinichi leaned his back against the wall, his hands tucked behind his head, speaking with full confidence.
Hyūga Hanako glanced at her exceptional son, and perhaps thinking of something, she suddenly said:
"She won't be like you... Her future world will be gray."
"Shinichi... you must protect your little sister well in the future. You must make her world colorful."
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