The Hyūga clan was divided into the main house and branch house.
For generations—
The main house controlled the branch.
Hiruzen understood very well—
That many branch members harbored resentment.
If the Caged Bird were removed now—
In the middle of war—
The Hyūga would descend into internal chaos.
And that—
Would affect Konoha's stability.
Something Hiruzen absolutely would not allow.
That was why—
He made this request.
"That's not something I can control," Akira said with a troubled expression.
"You know me—I have a giving personality."
"If they kneel and beg me, bring money, gifts…"
"I might not be able to refuse."
…What kind of "giving personality" was that?!
They had to kneel AND pay?!
Apologize to all kind-hearted people right now!!
Hiruzen rubbed his forehead.
"Just say what you want."
He understood.
Akira wouldn't move without benefit.
"Edo Tensei."
"…Then go remove the Caged Bird for them."
Rejected instantly.
That technique—
Was absolutely off-limits.
Akira clicked his tongue.
"Then I want access to eight genjutsu from the ninjutsu library."
He already had two.
With eight more—
He could max them out.
And combine them into Yin Release.
From nothing—
Into something.
"Agreed."
Hiruzen nodded immediately.
Compared to Edo Tensei—
This was trivial.
Akira continued.
"I also want to see the Scroll of Seals."
"Absolutely not."
Another instant rejection.
Hiruzen knew exactly what he was aiming for.
Edo Tensei.
Not happening.
"Then open the ninjutsu library to me."
Hiruzen hesitated—
Then nodded.
Classic negotiation.
Ask for something outrageous first—
Then settle for what you actually want.
"So why genjutsu?" Hiruzen asked.
"You're doing fine with Fire Release."
Akira was clearly talented.
Even if he didn't openly research—
His results spoke for themselves.
A substitution technique rivaling Flying Thunder God.
An S-rank Fire Release.
A new bloodline limit.
That counted.
"I'm not good at genjutsu."
"I want to understand it better."
Akira answered honestly.
After all—
Uchiha genjutsu was a problem.
Against weaker enemies—
Fine.
But against jōnin-level Uchiha—
Risky.
He couldn't exactly say:
"I want to counter Uchiha."
He'd be locked up on the spot.
Hiruzen muttered:
"You sure you don't have Uchiha blood?"
Aggressive.
Fire Release.
Now genjutsu.
"Just missing the Sharingan…"
Akira casually touched his forehead protector.
…He actually had one.
Hidden.
Better not reveal that.
Hiruzen asked:
"Want me to take you to pick the techniques?"
"After the jōnin exam," Akira replied.
He didn't have enough EXP yet anyway.
"Fine."
Akira could only apologize to the branch family.
It wasn't that he didn't want to help—
The Hokage simply offered too much.
Soon—
The jōnin exam began.
Location:
The Hokage's office.
Present:
The Hokage.
Three advisors.
Ten jōnin.
All watching him.
Akira sat alone at the table.
This wasn't just a test—
It was surveillance.
Cheating?
Impossible.
There had originally been a combat test—
But Akira didn't need one.
His strength was already proven.
This—
Was about thinking.
He flipped through the paper.
Relief.
No mind-reading genjutsu.
Just—
Theory.
Strategy.
Village perspectives.
Essay questions.
Good.
He might've failed otherwise.
"Begin."
The timer started.
Akira began writing.
Unlike the chūnin exam—
Which selected from many—
The jōnin exam was individual.
Candidates were already proven.
This was just confirmation.
Time passed.
Beep.
Akira put down his pen.
Submitted his paper.
The Hokage and advisors graded it immediately.
"Not bad."
Hiruzen and Danzō both nodded.
Passing score.
That was enough.
Jōnin exams were notoriously difficult.
Passing was already success.
"I don't agree."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu spoke.
"In terms of character—this is questionable."
"He opposes his own clan."
"Disrespects authority."
The real issue—
He didn't respect them.
They had no intention of letting him pass.
As long as they were here—
He wouldn't become jōnin.
"Hyūga Akira passes."
Danzō spoke coldly.
He stamped the paper with the Hokage seal.
Final.
He looked at them.
"Any objections?"
Silence.
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