"Understood! Please come with me, you two..."
Hyūga Kō sensed the Anbu's voice was somewhat familiar, but he didn't have time to think about it carefully. He instructed the Branch House member beside him: "You two go report to the Clan Leader!"
The gatekeeping Branch House members executed the order without a word, like puppets.
"Is the Main House member leading the way for me?"
Looking at Hyūga Kō, who was all smiles and seemed to be trying to leave a good impression on him, Hyūga Hizashi felt an indescribable taste in his heart.
This appearance was truly ugly to the extreme...
He didn't want to be inexplicably superior like the Main House; he just wanted to live as an independent individual.
However.
Seeing Hyūga Kō, who used to be domineering in the clan grounds, reveal this side.
A trace of pleasure inevitably appeared in Hyūga Hizashi's heart.
This scene proved it.
— The Main House, at least a considerable part of the Main House, was only showing off in front of the Branch House by relying on the Caged Bird!
In the outside world, if one didn't have the ability, this layer of identity was nothing!
Clan Guest Hall.
The Hyūga Clan Leader, also Hyūga Hizashi's biological father, Hyūga Tenzō.
He sat upright in the main seat, waiting for the arrival of Sakumo and Hizashi.
Below him were several Main House members discussing the situation, as well as the Branch House members who accompanied them as guards according to custom.
Seeing the two step into the gate of the guest hall, Hyūga Tenzō slowly stood up. With an official and friendly smile, he walked over: "You two, why have you come to my Hyūga clan grounds today?"
"Does the Third have any instructions?"
Hyūga Hizashi stared tightly at his father.
Watching his father's posture as he rose from his seat, the movement of walking towards him.
And that smile...
These were all things he had never seen before.
And at this moment, Hyūga Tenzō was also pondering the Anbu's intention.
What happened?
He saw the scene when Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru fought.
As the Clan Leader, he naturally wasn't a straw bag like Hyūga Kō. His use of the Byakugan was among the best in the clan.
It didn't matter if there were one or two straw bag Main House members who held positions without doing anything.
The Hyūga Clan had a big business and could afford to support them.
As long as the successor was strictly selected.
Hyūga Tenzō was very amazed in his heart.
Although the Hyūga Clan rarely used the Byakugan at full power within the village to avoid suspicion, there were always some opportunities for Hyūga Tenzō to capture the state of important figures.
Like today.
In his Byakugan, Sarutobi Hiruzen's meridian vitality and chakra abundance were as if he were more than ten years younger...
How did this old guy do it?
Therefore, he was quite anxious waiting for Hyūga Hizashi's report, asking Hyūga Kō multiple times whether Hizashi had returned.
Wanting to maintain neutrality, allowing the Hyūga to enjoy the protection of the hidden village without having to bleed for it...
Required maintaining a clear-as-fire observation of the village situation...
Sitting on the fence wasn't that easy.
"I voluntarily joined the Anbu."
Hyūga Hizashi suppressed his excited heart and trembling hands, slowly removing his mask: "If the Hyūga Clan has matters that need to be communicated with Lord Hokage, or if there are unspeakable difficulties..."
"You can convey them to me, and I will write a report to report to Lord Third in a timely manner!"
The moment Hyūga Hizashi spoke.
Hyūga Tenzō already felt something was wrong.
Although, to maintain the ruling management system of Main House and Branch House, Hyūga Tenzō had always strictly executed Hizashi's status and treatment according to Branch House standards.
Because if his youngest son went to be a beast of burden, then other clansmen naturally weren't allowed to have objections!
This was the best endorsement Hyūga Tenzō designed for the clan rules, and the effect was significant.
It was just making his youngest son suffer a bit, but it could exchange for the endurance of the rest of the Branch House and a substantial increase in the Main House's evaluation of him.
Such a method could be called a tested Caged Bird warrior.
But after all, Hyūga Hizashi was still his son; he could recognize the voice.
Hyūga Tenzō's heart thumped, and his white eyes slowly widened!
His youngest son actually joined the Anbu privately without notifying him?
"Hizashi, why is it you!"
Hyūga Kō's eyes widened, and a nameless anger rose in his heart as he shouted loudly: "Why did you come back just now! I told you to return and report immediately after checking. Are you deaf?!"
Damn it, just now he actually smiled at him!
I am Main House!
Hyūga Kō was surprisingly angry. As a Main House member with no ability, his sense of superiority came from this absolute control over the Branch House.
This control had lasted for more than twenty years and had never failed.
And his anger did not only represent himself; there was much anger in the hearts of the Main House members present.
You, a Branch House member, actually dare to discuss cooperation with the Hokage privately?
If there's talk, it must be us Main House members talking. You are just executing work, bargaining chips!
And getting on the table yourself?
This is a shameful betrayal!
Hyūga Kō's gaze quickly swept over the reactions of the other Main House members, felt assured, and was preparing to continue his outburst.
This was his true duty.
— As a Main House member without strength, he could only be a meat trumpet speaking harsh words.
Lacking strength and diplomatic skills, he could only assume such an ecological niche.
"What is his name?" The silent Hatake Sakumo pointed at Hyūga Kō and suddenly spoke.
Hyūga Kō's face stiffened, and a basket of words was choked back into his throat.
"Hyūga Kō." No one spoke. After a moment, Hyūga Hizashi answered with a smile.
"I'll remember you." Hatake Sakumo nodded: "I've worked in the Anbu for a long time, but this is the first time someone has demanded the Anbu directly under the Hokage to report to a ninja clan to their face..."
"Since I heard it, I can't pretend it didn't happen."
Hatake Sakumo's tone was calm, but it carried a trace of coldness: "Hyūga Kō, are you demanding the Anbu to serve you? Are you very dissatisfied with Hizashi joining the Anbu?"
Meeting Hatake Sakumo's gaze, Hyūga Kō, who was still arrogant just now, instantly went soft.
"No! I didn't mean that..." Hyūga Kō stammered: "I just..."
He was incoherent for several seconds and couldn't say anything.
Hyūga Tenzō watched this scene and shook his head slightly.
Closed management was certainly beneficial to the continuation of the Hyūga Clan, but it did make the clansmen deficient in vision and interaction, even childish.
"But this shortcoming is unavoidable. The Hyūga must establish Main House and Branch House; the ancestral laws absolutely cannot be changed!"
"As long as Hiashi is cultivated well, for the continuation of the family, these are all necessary!"
Such a thought flashed through Hyūga Tenzō's mind as he rescued Hyūga Kō:
"Very sorry, Kō absolutely has no other thoughts. He never leaves the clan grounds and has no concept of the Anbu."
"He is ignorant. Please forgive him; I will definitely discipline him strictly."
And at this moment, Hyūga Tenzō noticed the White Fang short sword at Hatake Sakumo's waist, and his expression became solemn.
So it was that man?
It seemed that his youngest son really sold himself for a good price...
"Is that so?" Hatake Sakumo nodded: "I understand."
Hatake Sakumo was very satisfied with Hizashi's performance, which was why he was willing to stand up for him.
Hizashi didn't say Sarutobi Hiruzen invited him, but emphasized in front of his clansmen that he actively entered the Anbu.
This was a 'certificate of allegiance'.
It left a way out for the game between the Hokage and the Main House, taking the matter onto himself on the surface.
Well done.
"Hizashi, perform well in the future. I think highly of you." Hatake Sakumo patted Hyūga Hizashi's shoulder, his figure disappearing from the spot like a ghost.
"So fast!" The Hyūga present exclaimed in their hearts.
With this speed, even with the Byakugan activated, it would probably be hard to keep up, right?
Even if they could see clearly, their bodies probably wouldn't be able to react...
Hyūga Hizashi stood in the center of the guest hall. At this moment, he scanned the expressions of the Hyūga ninja present.
No longer bowing his head, no longer humble.
And the Hyūga Main House members who met his gaze naturally had anger in their hearts, but Hatake Sakumo's questioning of Hyūga Kō was still ringing in their ears.
The Anbu mask hanging on Hyūga Hizashi's face was still in their eyes.
For a time, wherever Hyūga Hizashi's gaze reached, the Main House members instead snorted coldly and turned their heads away.
At this moment, in the depths of the eyes of the Hyūga Branch House members present, there was an extremely envious light...
What prestige and freedom was this?
Finally, Hyūga Hizashi and Hyūga Tenzō, father and son, looked at each other.
"I'll go down to rest first. In the future, please don't send anyone to clean my room." Hyūga Hizashi said slowly: "If you feel I'm causing trouble for the family, I can move out."
"How could that be, Hizashi..." The knuckles of Hyūga Tenzō's fist under his sleeve protruded, but he maintained his demeanor on his face:
"The family supports you. How could these requests not be met? Haha!"
Hyūga Hizashi nodded gently: "Thank you for your understanding."
And this action made the anger of the Main House members present rise again...
What does this mean?
That is the Clan Head, and also your father!
What is the meaning of this attitude of interacting as equals?
Walking out of the guest hall gate.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" Hyūga Hizashi suddenly laughed loudly.
This laughter was loud, hearty, and vaguely carried a trace of sobbing.
Laughing towards the sky as I go out, today I am not a caged bird...
This laughter resounded through the Hyūga clan grounds.
It aroused the anger of the Main House, but also etched itself firmly in the hearts of all the Branch House members.
Hyūga Hizashi looked up. On the distant Hokage Rock, the statue of the Third Hokage seemed to be plated with a layer of gold under the afterglow of the setting sun.
"Lord Third..."
Hyūga Hizashi bowed devoutly towards the Hokage Rock:
"Thank you for your kindness! Hizashi has no way to repay, only this body!"
And on the other side of the village.
Uchiha Fugaku led the members of the Police Force, reporting the ins and outs of today's events to the current Clan Head, Uchiha Isshin.
Uchiha Isshin puffed on his pipe, smoke curling up, his brows furrowed tightly.
As the younger brother of Uchiha Setsuna, he was the spokesperson for the Uchiha Hawk faction.
The news brought by Fugaku made him very unhappy.
How could a rotten old man rejuvenate?
"Used the First Hokage's forbidden technique?"
Uchiha Isshin angrily spat out a mouthful of smoke, cursing: "Motherfucker, damn Senju Tobirama, won't stop even after death!"
Fugaku chuckled.
Within the Uchiha clan grounds, as long as it was an elderly Hawk faction member, this sentence could be said to never leave their lips.
Curse when pupil power declines, curse when children's ninjutsu training is poor...
Fugaku sometimes suspected that these old men would blame the Second Hokage even for constipation.
"Clan Leader Isshin, let's not talk about Senju Tobirama first, we have to face the problem!"
Uchiha Fugaku looked serious: "With the strength displayed by the Third Hokage, do you think anyone in our clan can contend with him?"
"His disciple, that guy Orochimaru, hides ninjutsu that even the three-tomoe cannot see through."
Thinking of the ability Orochimaru displayed, Uchiha Fugaku looked strange.
It really wasn't that he lacked EQ and deliberately commented on the spot that Orochimaru was 'like a monster'.
That posture was truly too grotesque...
Snake spits me, I spit snake, snake spits sword again?
Burned by Fire Release of the Third's level, opens mouth to spit snake again, snake spits self, and status refreshed?
Wait, is this a mini Izanagi?
As a contemporary figure of real power in the Uchiha Clan, the Vice-Captain of the Police Force.
Fugaku knew about the forbidden technique that could rewrite yin and yang reality...
Once hailed as the Uchiha's second life, Izanagi.
This was also one of the sources of Uchiha Fugaku's pride.
After all, such a powerful and mysterious Dōjutsu really couldn't be found in a second family in the Ninja World even with a lantern...
But seeing Orochimaru's performance, Fugaku couldn't hold it together.
The heroes of this world are truly as numerous as carp crossing the river...
"Tricks and sorcery, not worth mentioning!"
Uchiha Isshin snorted coldly:
"Absolutely impossible to be as miraculous as Izanagi! As for Sarutobi Hiruzen... after all, he is the son of that Sarutobi Sasuke. It's understandable that he has some talent."
"Indeed inferior, but Orochimaru doesn't need to go blind... You say all day to maintain a tough stance, but we can't be tough without capital, right?"
Uchiha Fugaku facepalmed and sighed: "You also know, our three-tomoe clansmen are not many now... and there are no geniuses among the young children."
"That Shisui is okay, but he is a descendant of Uchiha Kagami..."
Hearing this, Uchiha Isshin fell silent.
After a long time, this Uchiha elder sighed: "Fugaku, I am not a stupid person."
"Being Hawk faction doesn't mean rebellion, but an inheritance of thought, it is vigilance!"
Uchiha Isshin said slowly: "The village was co-founded by the Senju and Uchiha clans..."
"Granted, the Great Clan Leader and Lord Hashirama fought to the death for some reason, but didn't we Uchiha maintain loyalty?"
Uchiha Fugaku chuckled: "I heard from the elders in the clan that when the Great Clan Leader left, he didn't call anyone. He walked out from the main gate of Konoha, and you all thought he was going for a walk..."
"As a result, they suddenly started fighting in the Valley of the End. At that time, the clansmen didn't react..."
Uchiha Isshin gave Uchiha Fugaku a knock on the head in annoyance.
"Stinky brat! How could he not have called!"
Speaking of this matter, Uchiha Isshin's gaze also became somewhat cloudy:
"He called, but at that time everyone really didn't want to live unstable days anymore, so they said they would consider it. The enthusiasm was indeed not high..."
"Everyone was thinking, with the Great Clan Leader around, and Lord Hashirama being a good person, even if that Senju Tobirama was bad, he couldn't do anything to the clan, right?"
"Unexpectedly, Lord Madara and Lord Hashirama suddenly fought to the death! Lord Madara perished, and Lord Hashirama was also seriously injured, allowing that Senju Tobirama to take over as the Second Hokage, and when neither of them were around..."
Great Clan Leader was the unique title the Uchiha Clan used for Uchiha Madara.
And for Senju Hashirama, this elder who had experienced the Warring States period also maintained a certain respect.
But when mentioning Senju Tobirama, it was completely different.
Resentful light flickered in Uchiha Isshin's eyes: "This person absolutely cannot be trusted..."
"From the Warring States period, his hands were stained with who knows how much Uchiha blood. He also had a morbid desire to research the Sharingan and Uchiha bloodline, dissecting who knows how many of our clansmen..."
"After the village was built, he ostracized the Uchiha at every moment, blackened the image of the Great Clan Leader, making the village children think he was a murderous demon, creating momentum for the next Hokage election!"
"After he became Hokage, his methods were even more ruthless!"
"To divide the Uchiha, he took the most talented 'Kagami' as a guard, using this to split the Uchiha..."
Uchiha Fugaku frowned: "Taking him as a guard, that counts as accepting clansmen into the high level, right?"
"Just looking at this point, naturally it is so." Uchiha Isshin snorted coldly: "But why is it that when Senju Tobirama stayed behind to cover the retreat back then, only 'Kagami' died!"
"Of 'Kagami's' teammates, who are now the high-level officials, has anyone looked after the Uchiha?"
"Can all these be explained by coincidence?"
"That Shimura Danzō, his malice towards the Uchiha has never dissipated... He even takes pride in it all day long, labeling himself as most like that son of a bitch Senju Tobirama."
"Those Root ninja are blatantly monitoring the clan grounds!"
Uchiha Isshin shook his head:
"I asked you to read more history books, not to harm you! It's because I'm afraid you'll be fooled! How can there be good people among Senju Tobirama's disciples and grand-disciples?"
"If we don't maintain the Hawk faction stance and let the children inherit this will, then when the old people are all dead and no one remembers these things, that will be the day the Uchiha Clan is eaten clean and exterminated!"
"Do you understand!"
Uchiha Isshin looked at Uchiha Fugaku with disappointment that he wasn't living up to expectations.
Uchiha Fugaku nodded as if he understood: "Then when can we restore our glory? Could it be that we just go on like this..."
"Wait, endure."
Uchiha Isshin said slowly: "We are not admitting defeat, we are waiting for a turning point!"
"Our bloodline contains infinite possibilities; this is the Uchiha's core advantage..."
"When the next Great Clan Leader, Young Master Izuna appears, everything will be fine!"
And on the next day.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who arrived early at the Hokage office.
Was also thinking about the Uchiha issue in his heart...
"The Second Hokage left behind a fortune, but also left a mess..."
"Still a historical legacy issue of a thousand years of accumulated grievances. Hard to handle!" Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, falling into thought.
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