"So, you called us here just for this matter?"
As the sun set, inside the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a calm expression.
However, inwardly, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief: Thank goodness, he really isn't looking for me!
Today, in Root, he was looking at the research report sent to him by Orochimaru, as well as that scalp-tingling 'debt collection letter'.
As a result, before he even had time to fantasize about becoming the Hokage, he heard that the Anbu had come knocking!
This really scared him. After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen had truly brought the Anbu to surround him and the entire Root before...
Fortunately, only one person came, and it was to tell him to go to the Hokage's office for a meeting.
But he still didn't dare to completely relax until he finished listening to Sarutobi Hiruzen's account, allowing his hanging heart to finally settle.
"That's right, I want to hear your opinions."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had no idea what Danzo was thinking. He glanced at Danzo, then looked at Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura before continuing to speak.
"I personally feel that this is a good opportunity to deal with the current situation of the Hyuga Clan."
"Indeed, especially since he is from the Branch House, it's just..."
Utatane Koharu nodded with a somewhat troubled expression, and Mitokado Homura immediately followed up.
"He is not Hyuga Hizashi. I am worried about whether he can shoulder all of this."
"Danzo, what do you think?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't object, but instead looked curiously at his old friend.
"The idea is very good."
Shimura Danzo entered his working state very quickly and spoke calmly.
"The Hyuga Clan is too 'united', always placing their own interests above Konoha, especially that time a few years ago..."
These words immediately caused a look of displeasure to appear on the faces of the few people present.
During a village-wide grand event, even those lunatics from the Uchiha came, yet you all didn't show up just because of the legitimate daughter's birthday?
Even if you just sent an elder, just one, everyone would have a way to step down gracefully...
It even ended up in that state eventually; anyone would be displeased in their hearts.
"It's just that Koharu and Homura both said it very clearly. That kid is probably not qualified. Do you want to let him come to my place for training?"
Just as everyone fell silent, Danzo continued speaking. These words immediately made Sarutobi Hiruzen roll his eyes.
The Hyuga had never had anyone enter the Anbu, and Root couldn't pull anyone in either.
Now that there was this opportunity, Danzo naturally wanted to give it a try!
"It seems you guys don't understand that child very well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Danzo, then continued speaking faintly.
"Makoto has very good interpersonal relationships; he is a child who possesses the Will of Fire."
"..."
Danzo instantly didn't want to talk anymore. The 'Will of Fire' had been brought out, what else could he say?
"Moreover, his usual performance isn't bad either."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't mind and continued speaking.
"Having someone guide and train him in the Anbu is enough."
"Since you say so, Third Hokage..."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, and then the two immediately stated their stance.
"Then we have no objections, it's just Hyuga Hiashi's side..."
"I will visit him personally and tell him that I took the initiative to invite Makoto to join."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had long thought of how to handle it. Finally, he cast his gaze towards Danzo.
"What about you, what do you think?"
"Hmph, I reserve my opinion."
Danzo coldly snorted with some dissatisfaction. Anyway, whether he agreed or not, it would be the same.
"Then think about it carefully."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and nodded, then he stroked his chin.
"Actually, I also have a question to think about carefully."
"What question?"
"You even recommended Itachi to join the Anbu. If we don't recruit someone from the Hyuga, will the village think we are biased towards the Uchi..."
"No need to overthink it!"
"?"
"I completely agree!"
"..."
....
"I heard you went to see Lord Third?"
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse, inside the pavilion of the Hyuga Clan Head's mansion.
Hyuga Hiashi asked softly while drinking tea, and Hyuga Makoto immediately nodded.
"Yes, Lord Clan Head."
"Then..."
Hyuga Hiashi put down his teacup and spoke meaningfully.
"Is there a result regarding your desire to join the Anbu?"
"About this..."
Hyuga Makoto scratched his head. He knew Hyuga Hiashi would ask, but he didn't expect it to be so direct.
As for the result, he already had it.
After all, he had already obtained the benefits!
[Name: Hyuga Makoto]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Moon Otsutsuki (5%)]
[Dojutsu: Tenseigan (1%)]
[Chakra Nature: Yin, Yang]
Now, Hyuga Makoto could be said to have undergone a complete transformation.
Especially his eyes; even he himself didn't expect his eyes to evolve into the Tenseigan!
"Although, my Tenseigan is a bit different..."
Before coming, he had already checked. His Tenseigan was not the azure blue of Otsutsuki Toneri.
Instead, it was just like the Tenseigan inside Hamura's shrine, a pale gold color.
He didn't know if it was for this reason, but he had gained two very interesting abilities.
One was a special Puppet Control Jutsu, and the other was 'Tsukimi no Mikoto'.
Especially 'Tsukimi no Mikoto', this jutsu allowed him to resonate with the Tenseigan on the moon, thereby descending energy!
"According to the description, although I might be influenced by those lunatics on the moon, I won't be easily locked onto..."
Those lunatics on the moon, although a civil war left only the old, weak, sick, and disabled, they could truly control the Tenseigan.
Hyuga Makoto planned to try it out later. He wanted to see what extent this influence would reach, and at the same time, he wanted to confirm the status of those guys.
"If there's only one blind guy left, then I can really consider going up there and striking hard..."
Besides this, there was one more crucial thing, and that was that his Caged Bird seal had become ineffective!
After all, the Caged Bird targeted the Byakugan, but what did it have to do with the Tenseigan?
"Even if my eyes' development level is only 1%, their essence has already changed..."
Even if he reverted back to the Byakugan now, and even if the Caged Bird mark was still there, none of it could affect him!
He was even somewhat glad that the mark hadn't been erased.
"A Branch House member suddenly losing the Caged Bird but still being alive, that would be the most terrifying thing..."
It was just that he had the answer, but he couldn't speak carelessly.
Pondering for a moment, he finally revealed an embarrassed expression.
"Lord Clan Head, so you already knew."
"I know, but it's limited to only me knowing."
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. If it wasn't for his tacit approval, how could it have reached this step?
"Makoto, now it's time to answer my question."
"Lord Clan Head, Lord Third won't let me speak carelessly."
Hyuga Makoto spoke cautiously, but seeing Hyuga Hiashi frown, he immediately added.
"However, Lord Third did keep my application report."
"Oh?"
Hyuga Hiashi raised an eyebrow. Accepting the application so swiftly was enough to show...
"The Third Hokage already has a lot of issues with the Hyuga!"
Actually, this wasn't strange. The village and the clans inherently had conflicts.
Although he felt that compared to the Uchiha, the Hyuga were much better.
But the impact of the incident back then was too terrible, and Hizashi's encounter also made him have a thought of 'going against the ancestors'.
Over these years, he was still thinking about whether he should do it and how to do it.
Right at this time, he noticed Hyuga Makoto.
At first, he was also very doubtful. Did Hyuga Makoto know what he was doing? Why would this kid have the thought of joining the Anbu?
Thinking back and forth, he suspected if this kid had heard something while boarding at Hizashi's house?
However, he didn't delve into it carefully, because he had an idea!
"Let him try. Not only can I see the village's attitude, but if it succeeds, maybe I can borrow the village's help in the future."
That was why this whole scene played out, and he indeed saw some results.
"Since the Third Hokage told you not to speak carelessly, then let's stop here."
Thinking of this, he finally spoke in a low voice.
"Also, before this matter has a result, it is strictly between you and me, understand?"
"Yes."
Hyuga Makoto honestly nodded. He definitely wouldn't speak carelessly; this was a matter of life and death!
"It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
Hyuga Hiashi put down his cup and stood up, speaking slowly and earnestly.
"By the way, Hinata trusts you very much. No matter what happens in the future, try not to let her lessons fall behind."
"I understand, Lord Clan Head."
Hyuga Makoto nodded seriously, then said softly.
"Then I will take my leave first."
After saying this, Hyuga Makoto swiftly left.
He actually wanted to leave a long time ago. After all, he still had too many things to ponder over.
"Hizashi, was this your thought back then?"
Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi watched quietly. After a good while, he sighed softly.
"I don't know what step this will lead to..."
Accompanied by his murmurs, his thoughts also returned to that punch he took that night.
However, he didn't notice that by the window of the large house behind him, Hinata was holding little Hanabi, also watching Hyuga Makoto's departing back...
....