Inside the Hyūga Clan compound, in the inner courtyard where the main family resided, Hyūga Hiashi, heir to the Hyūga Clan, stepped into the main room where important matters were discussed.
The room was traditional and elegant.
At the center, Hiashi's father—the current head of the Hyūga Clan—sat formally on his knees, his expression stern.
"Father."
Hiashi walked before him, bowed respectfully, and greeted him.
"Hiashi, sit."
The Hyūga Clan head rested both hands on his thighs and looked calmly at his successor.
"Yes."
Hiashi answered respectfully, then sat upright on his knees.
"There is something I want you to do."
"What is it?"
Unlike his younger brother, as a member of the main family and the clan's heir, Hiashi had rarely taken missions after becoming a ninja. Most of his time had been spent studying under his father.
So when he heard that his father had taken the initiative to arrange something for him, a faint sense of anticipation rose in his chest.
"I want you to go to the Academy."
"The Academy?"
Hiashi looked puzzled.
He did not understand why his father would suddenly send him to the Ninja Academy.
Could it be that his recent performance had disappointed him?
Thinking of that, Hiashi's already strict and serious personality made him immediately begin reflecting on his recent conduct.
Seeing the change in his son's expression, a trace of worry flashed through the Hyūga Clan head's eyes.
This child was disciplined and proper, but too stiff.
As the heir of the Hyūga Clan, he would make an excellent guardian of tradition.
But compared to that genius of the Shimura Clan, Kizaru, he was still far behind.
When would the Hyūga Clan produce someone like Shimura Kizaru?
Even if his strength could not match Kizaru's talent, at least having his political sense and resourcefulness would be enough.
Sighing inwardly, the Hyūga Clan head looked at Hiashi again and began to explain.
"Shimura Kizaru. Disciple of the Third Hokage. He recently became the principal of the Ninja Academy, and he is responsible for the village's reforms in medical ninjutsu and scientific research. You know this, yes?"
"Yes."
Hiashi answered seriously.
"In this reform, the first project Kizaru is handling involves investment into a classified research program. If that research succeeds, it will not only strengthen the village, but also create tremendous commercial value."
Hiashi nodded as he listened.
"But for some reason, the Uchiha Clan has become involved in that research. Their relationship with Kizaru has also grown closer."
At this point, the Hyūga Clan head frowned slightly.
After the Senju declined due to war and eventually dissolved into the village, Konoha's two most prominent clans became the Uchiha and the Hyūga.
As great clans, competition between them was inevitable.
Most of the small and medium-sized ninja clans followed the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, or the Hokage's aide, Shimura Danzō, and occupied many middle-level positions in the village's departments.
There were only so many benefits to go around.
Once the smaller clans took their share, the larger remaining piece naturally became something the Uchiha and Hyūga competed over.
As loyal supporters of the Hokage, the Hyūga Clan had obtained more actual benefits than the Uchiha, who had been confined to the Military Police Force and suppressed by the village.
As the head of the Hyūga Clan, Hiashi's father understood this very clearly.
The Hyūga Clan's current status as one of Konoha's great clans came from two things.
First, their unique Byakugan bloodline and solid clan strength.
Second, their loyalty to the Hokage.
Capable and obedient.
That was the image the Hyūga Clan had maintained in the eyes of the Hokage's upper circle.
But now, an unpleasant sign had appeared.
And it had made the Hyūga Clan head wary.
Shimura Kizaru was the successor favored by the Third Hokage, a war hero from the Second Shinobi World War, and a genius recognized by the entire village.
Yet someone like him had grown close to the Uchiha.
The Hyūga Clan head did not know whether this was the will of the Third Hokage and Danzō, or Kizaru's own decision.
But either way, this was not a situation the Hyūga Clan wanted to see.
If the Uchiha moved ahead of the Hyūga and expressed support for Kizaru first, gaining his favor and trust, then once Kizaru became Hokage in the future, he would naturally trust and reward the Uchiha.
And once the Uchiha gained the Hokage's trust, they would inevitably begin encroaching on the Hyūga Clan's interests within the village.
Because of that concern, the Hyūga Clan head decided to send his son, the clan's young heir, to the Ninja Academy.
Originally, he had considered having Hyūga Toda, the elder's child, build a relationship with Kizaru as a classmate and win his trust.
But after secretly observing Hyūga Toda for some time, the Hyūga Clan head gave up on that idea.
That child was far too eager.
In the end, the Hyūga Clan head's only comment and suggestion for the elder was simple:
While he was still young, he should try harder to have another child.
Since Hyūga Toda was unsuitable, the clan head thought it over and finally decided to entrust this task to his own heir.
"Father, I understand. You want me to express the Hyūga Clan's goodwill to Kizaru."
After listening to his father's explanation, Hiashi roughly understood the purpose behind this arrangement.
"Not enough."
The Hyūga Clan head shook his head.
Hiashi looked at his father, unsure what else was required.
"You must do more than express goodwill. You must become Kizaru's friend. Earn his favor and his trust."
The Hyūga Clan head's voice grew heavier.
Hiashi's expression froze slightly.
As the young heir of the Hyūga Clan, one of Konoha's great families, this was the first time his father had ever ordered him to take the initiative in becoming someone else's friend.
Until now, it had always been others who approached him.
"Kizaru is different from the Third Hokage. Whether in strength, talent, political skill, or strategy, he is a genius among geniuses."
There was a rare note of admiration in the Hyūga Clan head's voice.
At the same time, he felt a little envious of Danzō and the Shimura Clan.
"I have a feeling that under his leadership, Konoha will become stronger than ever before. He is the kind of genius who can change the structure of the shinobi world, just like the First Hokage once did."
Hiashi had heard of Kizaru's reputation and some of his achievements. He also knew that Kizaru was powerful.
But he had never imagined his father would evaluate him so highly.
"Father… is Kizaru truly that remarkable?"
Hiashi looked at his father in disbelief.
"Hiashi, you are the future head of the Hyūga Clan. Your vision must be broader."
The Hyūga Clan head stared at him sternly.
"As clan head, every decision you make will decide whether the family rises or declines."
Hearing the disappointment in his father's tone, Hiashi lowered his head in shame.
"I will study harder, Father."
The Hyūga Clan head sighed softly.
Looking at his son's lowered head, his voice suddenly became sharp.
"Raise your head. As the heir of the Hyūga Clan, you must never lower it so easily."
"Yes, Father."
Hiashi quickly raised his head and met his father's stern gaze.
His answer was firm.
Seeing that, the Hyūga Clan head nodded and showed a faint smile.
"Your talent is excellent as well. But in this world, there will always be a handful of geniuses who stand beyond ordinary talent. They surpass human limits and accomplish things that seem almost divine."
"The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama-sama, and Uchiha Madara were such people."
"And now, Kizaru is the same kind of genius."
"Do not feel discouraged. Some people are simply born above the clouds."
Hiashi silently nodded.
Though he was still young and unwilling to fully accept it, he calmly took in his father's words.
At that moment, Hiashi suddenly understood how his younger brother felt.
Between himself and Kizaru, the gap was like the one between the branch family and the main family.
"I have already obtained the Third Hokage's approval. Starting tomorrow, you will work at the Ninja Academy. Everything will follow Kizaru's arrangements."
Seeing that Hiashi had accepted reality, the Hyūga Clan head finally spoke of the specific arrangement.
"Yes, Father. I will complete the task you have given me."
Hiashi looked at his father and answered firmly.
"Good."
The Hyūga Clan head's tone softened.
"I'll be counting on you, Hiashi."
"It really is exhausting, isn't it…"
At three in the afternoon, Kizaru stood at the gate of the Ninja Academy, already finished with work, and let out a slow sigh.
Carrying the lunch box he had brought to school that morning, he walked out of the Academy in a very good mood.
At this hour, most people were still busy with work, so there were not many pedestrians on the street.
Since it was still early and the streets were quiet, Kizaru did not go straight home. Instead, he headed toward the commercial street near the Academy.
His left hand rested in his trouser pocket, while his right hand carried the lunch box.
With a lazy smile on his face, Kizaru prepared to enjoy a pleasant afternoon tea.
Soon, he stopped in front of a dessert shop that was quite popular in the village.
Today, Kizaru planned to have dango with matcha.
Since it was three in the afternoon, there were not many customers inside.
Kizaru looked into the shop and soon spotted a familiar figure from behind.
A smile spread across his face.
He slowly walked inside.
Coming up behind the familiar figure, Kizaru raised his left hand and placed it lightly on the man's shoulder.
Feeling the touch on his shoulder, Hatake Sakumo, who had been drinking tea, immediately turned his head.
"Yo, Sakumo-san."
Kizaru greeted him with a lazy smile, then took a step forward and sat down beside him. He placed the lunch box in his hand on the table.
"Five skewers of dango, extra honey… and a cup of matcha."
After sitting down, Kizaru looked toward the shop owner and casually placed his order.
Once he finished ordering, he turned back to Hatake Sakumo and asked with a smile,
"So, Sakumo-san… how did Yuki-chan perform?"
Hearing Kizaru's question, Hatake Sakumo gave a bitter smile.
For a moment, he did not know how to answer.
"Looks like they gave you quite the headache."
Kizaru rubbed his chin and spoke in his usual slow tone.
"Those three children are all talented. But their relationship is complicated. They cannot function properly as a team."
The stubborn Uchiha Inari.
The equally stubborn Hyūga Toda.
And the equally troublesome Shimura Yuki.
After recalling the past behavior and personalities of those three, Kizaru nodded and sighed.
"That does sound awful…"
"All three of them are aiming for you. They keep saying they want to challenge you, and none of them respect the others. They argue constantly."
Looking at Kizaru, Hatake Sakumo revealed the heart of the problem.
"Ooh… how scary."
Kizaru dragged out his words lazily.
"I can already imagine it. That really is troublesome."
Hatake Sakumo looked at Kizaru sitting in front of him.
As he worried over how to properly teach those three students, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.
Perhaps he could ask Kizaru for help.
If Kizaru stood before them as an overwhelming opponent, those three might finally be forced to cooperate.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 200 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.