Authority No Longer Matches Strength

Late September, Konoha 61.

Konoha, Hyuga residence, Hyuga Hiashi's study.

Tsunade has been back in the village for several days, and the results of the Kage Summit have been announced.

The issue of the Impure World Reincarnation was resolved, and peace was restored to the Shinobi World.

Konoha keeps a complete Impure World Reincarnation technique, while the other major Shinobi Villages jointly keep one Impure World Reincarnation. Furthermore, the Five Great Shinobi Villages have reached a consensus on their attitude towards Akatsuki: they share intelligence on the Akatsuki, and if any Akatsuki member's whereabouts are discovered in the Shinobi World, Five Great Shinobi Villages have a responsibility to eliminate them.

However, these are just statements made by the village's higher-ups.

As one of Konoha's top clans, the Hyuga Clan naturally knew more about the truth behind the talks.

The Ninja World may not have the idiom "raising an enemy to enhance one's own importance," but they still know the general meaning.

After the Kage Summit, instead of investigating Akatsuki, the other ninja villages began to expand their military and increase their efforts to train new generations of ninjas.

Even in villages like Sunagakure and Iwagakure, which are not wealthy, the Daimyo allocated a large amount of funds to them.

The Akatsuki may pose a great threat, but Konoha Akatsuki an even greater threat.

Each village wanted to see Konoha and Akatsuki fight to the death, ideally with Hinata and the Akatsuki leader dying together – that was the outcome the other ninja villages wanted to see.

Just like Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha back then.

"The situation in the Shinobi World is becoming increasingly chaotic."

Hyuga Hiashi sighed, "Our Hyuga Clan is now at the forefront of the storm. This is our most glorious moment, but also our most dangerous moment."

As the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Hiashi has been under immense pressure lately.

This pressure comes not only from the outside, but also from within the Hyuga Clan.

A powerful family will inevitably make some people complacent, and this complacency is likely to cause resentment among others.

Especially for ninjas without Kekkei Genkai, the Byakugan is the source of jealousy.

"Father, why worry? If my plan succeeds, our Hyuga Clan will become a top clan in the entire Shinobi World, and even the entire universe."

Hinata sipped her tea, adopting an air of 'life is as lonely as snow'.

"Now that Father's Rinnegan is no longer a threat, if Father were to use his full strength, he would be able to fight even the leader of the Akatsuki."

This isn't Hinata bragging; now that Urashiki Otsutsuki is dead, Hyuga Hiashi Rinnegan at will.

After being strengthened by Urashiki's Chakra, Hyuga Hiashi's Chakra reserves were also greatly increased.

In Konoha today, if Hinata considers herself the strongest, then Hyuga Hiashi is strong enough to rank second; he should be stronger than Jiraiya.

Hyuga Hiashi, "According to your information, my Rinnegan and the Akatsuki leader's Rinnegan seem to have different abilities..."

"Hmm..."

Hinata pondered for a moment and then explained, "It must be because our eyes come from different sources!"

Hyuga Hiashi's Rinnegan lacks the abilities of the Outer Path, Animal Path, and Asura Path, making it slightly weaker in ability compared to Nagato's Rinnegan.

"Speaking of which..."

Hinata suddenly scratched her head, looking somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Father, if you reveal the Rinnegan, won't some people think you're the mastermind behind Akatsuki?"

Hyuga Hiashi: "..."

Damn it, you know what, this kind of thing could actually happen.

Hyuga Hiashi was extremely frustrated. Ever since he obtained the Rinnegan, there had always been various reasons preventing him from using its abilities Hyuga Hiashi Rinnegan.

Initially, it was due to the influence of Urashiki's spiritual energy; now, it's also about avoiding misunderstandings...

Hinata asked, "So, what brings you here today?"

Hyuga Hiashi pushed aside his jumbled emotions and looked at Hinata, saying, "Hinata, do you remember what I told you before: when you're strong but not strong enough, you have to rely on someone stronger to ensure your survival?"

Hinata nodded seriously.

The Hyuga Clan once very strong, but Hyuga Clan strength must be controlled by the Hokage in order to secure a chance for the Hyuga Clan survival.

Hyuga Hiashi continued, "However, the Hyuga Clan now... is too strong!"

Hinata asked in surprise, "If we can continue to grow stronger, then there's nothing to be afraid of. What is Father worried about?"

Hinata believed that the path to immortality was within reach, and that she could also help Hyuga Hiashi, Hanabi, her mother, Hizashi Hyuga, Neji, and others complete their life evolution along with her.

Who does the Hyuga Clan have to fear?

Hyuga Hiashi said slowly, "Now... the power that our Hyuga Clan holds is no longer commensurate with our strength."

"Puff--"

Hinata spat out a mouthful of tea onto Hyuga Hiashi's face and said in surprise, "Father, you wouldn't be thinking of staging a coup like the Uchiha Family, would you?"

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head slightly and asked in return, "Hinata, you have shown amazing talent since you were a child. You are a super genius that the Hyuga Clan has never seen before... But if you weren't my daughter, do you know what I would do?"

Hinata: "..."

Hearing this, Hinata had a general idea of what Hyuga Hiashi was going to say next.

Sure enough, Hiashi Hyuga Hiashi continued, "When the power of one clan surpasses that of the Hokage lineage, conflict will naturally arise between them."

"This conflict may not be what either side wants, but it is a very real one."

"When the Hokage wants to make a certain decision, he has to consider the attitude of our Hyuga Clan, and the attitude of our Hyuga Clan can even influence the Hokage's decision... Over time, the relationship between the two sides will become estranged."

"This is... the possessiveness of those in power!"

Hinata stared blankly at Hyuga Hiashi, and murmured, "Then... what should we do?"

Hinata never expected that Hyuga Hiashi would consider things so deeply.

However, this possibility does not entirely disappear.

Wasn't the Konoha White Fang, who once dominated the Shinobi World, killed because of this very conflict?

Hyuga Hiashi voice, "Fifth Hokage... I've been observing her for a long time. Given her personality and magnanimity, she shouldn't care about these things."

"But what about the Sixth Generation and Seventh Generations... no one can guarantee that."

After glancing at Hinata, Hyuga Hiashi said, "Hinata, you have ambitions that I cannot reach. Perhaps one day, our Hyuga Clan will have the power to unify the Shinobi World."

Hinata was about to speak, Hyuga Hiashi continued, "But before that, we all need to lie low for now and continue to build up our strength."

Hinata leaned close to Hyuga Hiashi and asked in a low voice, "Father, do you really want to do this?"