Hyuga Bunjin was happily eating snacks and drinking tea. As the Hyuga Clan Head, he usually had nothing to do and was very idle.
In the current Konoha, the Hyuga Clan, as an important strategic Bloodline Limit, could live a very comfortable life as long as they didn't cause trouble or stir up problems.
He didn't need to go to the battlefield, nor did he need to practice, making his life even more comfortable.
But…
My Hyuga Clan is the strongest!
This catchphrase of his old father was deeply etched in Bunjin's mind.
So, cultivation?
Forget it, too tiring!
Why make things difficult for himself? Didn't he know his own capabilities?
Anyway, Bunjin was very open-minded; he still had his sons, didn't he?
He turned to look at the two boys in the yard, bruised and swollen from being beaten, and Bunjin smiled with relief.
Good boys, unlike him, they weren't spineless or lacking in perseverance.
He picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth. On the table, stacks of empty plates were already piled high.
Three-quarters full. He'd save room for lunch.
Bunjin burped and picked up his tea.
Just then, a Clansman Instant (Shunshin) appeared on the ground, kneeling on one knee.
Bunjin's hand trembled in fright. He looked at the Clansman, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Clan Head, Danzo has arrived."
Bunjin's expression changed. That Danzo fellow never came with good intentions. That insidious Hiruzen Sarutobi is targeting my Hyuga Clan!
Perhaps it had something to do with withdrawing from the Anbu, but the Hyuga Clan wasn't the only one who withdrew from the Anbu.
No, quickly go and invite my father here.
"…" Bunjin pondered.
My father can't do it anymore!!!
"Where is he?" Bunjin asked calmly.
"Five streets away," the Clansman replied.
"Is he coming for us?" Bunjin asked, just in case he was passing by.
"Clan Head, the surrounding area is all residential…" the Clansman said.
Unlike the Senju, who actively integrated into the Village, or the Uchiha, who were located in the bustling center of the Village, the Hyuga Clan's territory was a bit more secluded.
With many people living together, the land occupied was also large.
The surrounding area was all residential, so the most prominent presence could only be the Hyuga. The few streets nearby might as well be called Hyuga Town.
So…
Quickly go and bring my sister back!!!
Bunjin looked at the Clansman and said, "Go call Hitomi back. Make sure she comes back. The Hyuga Clan's life and death depend on it!"
"Ha!" With that, the Hyuga Shinobi Instant (Shunshin) left.
Hurry up!
Bunjin was a bit anxious, then let out a sigh of relief.
I, Bunjin, don't dare to give Danzo a cold shoulder, but my sister does!
As for why my sister dares, it's because the Mushi-Hime dares!
As for why the Mushi-Hime dares, it's because Uzumaki Mito dares!
In this Village, as long as Mito dares, even the Hokage doesn't dare!
Whether it was the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, or the Sandaime, they all feared Mito!
On this point, Bunjin saw it clearly.
But it's still not safe!
I don't dare!
After thinking for a moment, Bunjin called out, "Fuyu!"
A female Hyuga Shinobi landed outside the corridor. She had short hair, was in her thirties, looked quiet and gentle, and wore a maid outfit.
She was the maid who had always looked after Hitomi.
If it was her…
But Hitomi would dislike her…
"Never mind, it's nothing," Bunjin said, pacing back and forth in the room.
Hyuga Fuyu quietly retreated.
"Shiki!"
A male Hyuga Shinobi landed in the corridor.
"When Danzo arrives later, lead him in first. Just say I…" Bunjin racked his brains, trying to come up with a suitable, not-too-excessive excuse.
Sick, no, no, too low-level.
He'd just deal with it; he couldn't be too disrespectful.
Thinking of this, Bunjin made a bitter face, then slowly straightened his expression, forcing out a Clan Head's aura, and said, "I'll meet you, Danzo!"
Danzo met Bunjin in the reception room. The fellow had a smiling expression.
Seeing this, Danzo nodded in satisfaction. This Bunjin fellow was quite sensible.
"Hyuga Clan Head, you know why I'm here, don't you?"
"Danzo, your face?" Bunjin retorted.
"Hmph! I fell!" Danzo said coldly.
No, that's too low-level, isn't it? The punch marks haven't even faded. Doesn't he look in a mirror? Who is he fooling?
Bunjin stared at Danzo, then said after a while, "How careless of you. Shiki, go get some medicine and apply it to Danzo."
This fellow, how perceptive.
Danzo looked at Bunjin, his gaze becoming more satisfied.
"That…"
"No rush. Come and taste the tea here. It's rare for you to visit; we can't let the Hyuga Clan appear to lack hospitality," Bunjin said, starting to brew tea.
He moved unhurriedly, with the demeanor of a distinguished family.
"Alright," Danzo said, watching Bunjin brew tea.
Then half an hour passed…
This, is it an illusion? It feels like something quietly slipped away…
Danzo watched Bunjin's calm movements and remained silent for a while.
Another half an hour passed…
"How long does this tea need to brew?" Danzo said grimly.
Oh dear…
Bunjin's hand paused, then he flared up and shouted, "Where is everyone?! How long does it take to get medicine?! Did they fall into the outhouse?!"
"Family Head!" A Hyuga Shinobi landed in the corridor and said, "Shiki ran too fast earlier and broke his leg on the way."
"Is he alright!!!" Bunjin suddenly stood up, a look of anxiety on his face, making to leave, but then he turned to look at Danzo and said, "Sorry, Danzo, I'll go see him first. Shiki is a brother I grew up with! I'm very worried about him. Please forgive our poor hospitality."
"Farewell!"
With that, Bunjin rushed off in a hurry.
Watching Bunjin's retreating figure, Danzo's face turned ugly, and he clenched his fists.
This fellow! Who is he fooling?!
However, they couldn't break ties!
I'll see how long you can hide!
Thinking of this, Danzo sat down steadily.
Then another hour passed…
Danzo's face was grim, and his body was trembling with anger.
This Bunjin fellow, how dare he!
But, he wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal!
Let's see what tricks you can play!
There were some things the Hokage couldn't do, but he, Danzo, could!
The Village needed manpower. As people of Konoha, shouldn't they provide it!?
The logic was simple.
Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to do it, but he, Danzo, could!
It just depended on whether these Shinobi Clans still had any shame.
Danzo sat silently, still as water.
After an unknown amount of time, a hurried footsteps sound came.
A young girl, with a long sword at her waist, walked in, her emotionless, cold Byakugan fixed on Danzo.
Is that Hyuga Hitomi of the Branch Family…
Danzo narrowed his eyes. This fellow, wasn't she at odds with the Hyuga Main Family?
Was the intelligence wrong?
But the intelligence said she lived alone outside for years, with no contact with the Hyuga Clan.
"Speak, what is it?" Hitomi sat cross-legged, slamming her sword onto the table, and said coldly.
"Can you make the decisions?" Danzo asked.
"The Branch Family does the work, what decisions does the Main Family make?" Hyuga Hitomi said, "If you're capable, go find the Main Family to do the work."
How many people were in the Main Family, and it was simply impossible.
Things were getting complicated.
Danzo turned to look, but Bunjin's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Behind a door, Bunjin drank his tea with a smiling expression.
"Root needs elite manpower to fight enemy Shinobi," Danzo said.
"Wait, isn't that Anbu's job?" Hitomi said.
"Root needs to undertake more dangerous missions," Danzo said, "Some missions that cannot see the light of day require the resolve to live anonymously and to die if the mission fails, acting as the Roots beneath the great tree, secretly helping the great tree clear obstacles to its prosperity."
It sounded quite normal.
Hitomi stared at Danzo and said, "So, what about the compensation?"
"…" Danzo narrowed his eyes.
Compensation…
"This is all for the Village, voluntary participation," Danzo said.
"So my Hyuga Clan not only has to provide people but also pay money?" Hitomi said coldly, "How shameless!"
Danzo's face twitched.
How could they say that! These Shinobi Clans! Not willing to contribute anything to the Village!
"Isn't the Hyuga Clan a Shinobi of the Village?"
"Since it's voluntary, then let's forget about it," Hitomi said coldly, "The Village has enough with the Anbu; what does it need Root for?"
"By the way, who sent you? The Hokage? Do you have a document?"
No!
However, who in the Village doesn't know that Hiruzen and I are as close as two peas in a pod?
Such things cannot be said aloud.
It relies on unspoken understanding.
But this fellow doesn't respect unspoken understanding!
Danzo's face twitched.
"What's going on!"
"I thought it was a Hokage's order. Seriously, what a waste of time."
Hitomi sneered, "Who do you think you are? The Hokage?"
Danzo was triggered!
His eyes, spewing fire, glared at Hitomi.
"How ridiculous," Hitomi sneered, "He really thought he was! If you want people, if you want money, anything is fine, just let the Third Hokage come!"
But the Third Hokage would never do such a thing.
Danzo understood the Third Hokage.
But Danzo didn't understand Hitomi.
He narrowed his eyes, firmly committing Hitomi's face to memory.
Hitomi placed her hand on her sword, staring dangerously at Danzo.
According to intelligence, this fellow was as foolish as Tsunade.
Danzo's eyelid twitched.
He silently stood up, wanting to say some harsh words.
Who do you think I am?
I am the Hokage's Assistant!
But Danzo realized…
The position of Hokage's Assistant.
Useless!!!
"Hyuga Clan! Hmph!"
Danzo stormed off!
"Oh, Danzo, why don't you stay for a meal!" Bunjin, feigning just having arrived, said in surprise, "What happened!?"
"You're something else! Bunjin!" Danzo said coldly, turning his head and leaving.
Watching Danzo's departing figure, Bunjin sat down next to his sister with a smile, saying, "You've grown up, you can even protect your brother now. I knew you'd feel for your brother~"
"How disgusting!" Hitomi said, turning her back to Bunjin.
Bunjin, looking hurt, started brewing tea again.
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