Top-Secret Guard Mission!

"Tap... tap..."

In the courtyard, the shishi-odoshi struck the stone slab rhythmically, producing crisp, clear sounds.

After chatting for quite some time with Shin Hyuga, one of the Hyuga Clan elders, in the front courtyard, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki were finally led into this courtyard by Shin.

This was a separate courtyard specially used by the Hyuga Clan to receive guests. Experts from the Branch Family guarded the outside, preventing outsiders from approaching. Inside stood several small houses and a pavilion.

Under Shin Hyuga's guidance, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and the others first went to a small room and drank a cup of warm water. After tidying up their appearances slightly, they came to the waiting pavilion in the courtyard.

After waiting in the pavilion for a while, Hyuga Hiashi, as the host, finally brought Shinichi here to receive Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others. Under Hiashi's guidance, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato, and the others went to a spring in one corner of the courtyard to wash their hands and rinse their mouths.

Only then did they return to the front of the Tea Room and enter through a small side door.

After entering the Tea Room, Hiruzen Sarutobi led the Namikaze couple in properly admiring the calligraphy, paintings, exquisite handicrafts, and water-heating kettle prepared by the Hyuga Clan. Only afterward were they allowed to sit in seiza.

The complicated seating procedure was merely a small part of the Hyuga Clan's inherited Tea Ceremony...

The Hyuga Clan's strict rules did not merely restrain every member of the Hyuga Clan. Anyone dealing with the Hyuga Clan could also sense their rigid hierarchy and formality.

It was clearly not Hiruzen Sarutobi's first time visiting the Hyuga Clan. The older man seemed capable of appreciating the pleasures of the Tea Ceremony. Once seated, he watched Hyuga Hiashi light the first charcoal for the tea gathering with a smiling expression.

Although Minato Namikaze was young, his temperament was naturally as gentle as water. Born into a civilian family, he had rarely experienced such tea culture, but his character and upbringing allowed him to remain composed before all these layers of rules.

As for Kushina, Shinichi had originally thought that, with her fiery personality and dislike of restraint, she would be extremely uncomfortable with this Tea Ceremony culture. Yet unexpectedly, Kushina's conduct was exceptionally proper. She was even more familiar with this ancient Tea Ceremony than Minato.

After giving it some thought, Shinichi quickly understood.

Although Kushina Uzumaki was an orphan, she differed from Minato, who came from a civilian family. The Uzumaki Clan could also be considered a distinguished family, and after entering Konoha, the young Kushina had received Mito Uzumaki's protection and instruction.

Kushina's fiery personality was sometimes nothing more than a protective facade.

Sitting on the tatami, Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze over Shin Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi. Then his eyes fell on Shinichi Hyuga, who sat beside Hiashi and was carefully observing the Namikaze couple.

After briefly looking over the handsome young boy, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a gentle smile.

"This child is your son, Hiashi?"

"I never expected him to be this grown already. I recall his name is Shinichi?"

Using Shinichi Hyuga as an opening, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally began the conversation.

Hiashi, who was pouring tea for the guests, instinctively straightened his back upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi mention his son.

"I didn't expect the Third Hokage to still remember this brat's name."

"Shinichi, aren't you going to greet our guests?"

The presence of a child could ease the solemn atmosphere of a tea gathering to some extent. Hearing this, Shinichi bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Namikaze couple.

"Welcome to the Hyuga Clan, Grandpa Hizashi. Welcome, Big Brother Minato and Big Sister Kushina."

Unlike Hiashi's form of address for the Third Hokage and the others, Shinichi Hyuga's way of addressing Hizashi and Minato sounded much more intimate. Hearing how his son addressed them, Hiashi raised a brow and quietly observed the expressions of the three. Then he feigned anger.

"Shinichi, that's far too disrespectful!"

However, Minato, who had remained silent until then, repeatedly waved his hands. He looked at Shinichi with a gentle smile and smoothed things over. "Hiashi, how is that disrespectful?"

"I think that form of address is quite good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi also nodded with a cheerful smile. He was rather pleased by Shinichi calling him Grandpa.

The Hyuga Clan... one of Konoha's largest Kekkei Genkai clans. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen often felt enormous pressure when dealing with the Hyuga Clan.

Because of the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal, Main Family shinobi possessed absolute control over Branch Family shinobi. This meant that the Hokage faction held nowhere near as much influence in the hearts of Hyuga Branch Family shinobi as the Main Family did.

Simply put, even after Hyuga shinobi entered Konoha's system—joining the Anbu, becoming team leaders, serving in the Reconnaissance Unit, and so on—they still remained centered around the Main Family. It carried the feeling of a state within a state.

Furthermore, because of the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai, the odds of outstanding shinobi appearing in the Hyuga Clan were far beyond what civilian families could compare to.

Even as Hokage, when Hizashi and Minato wanted to assign work to shinobi from such a powerful clan, they often had to discuss it with members of the Main Family.

Now, Shinichi Hyuga's humble and friendly attitude naturally earned Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze's goodwill, rapidly drawing both sides closer.

"Clan Head Hiashi, Elder Shin, we came to the Hyuga Clan this time because there is an important matter we wish to discuss with you."

After a few simple exchanges, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Minato a look. Minato understood, and the conversation finally turned to the main subject.

"Fourth Hokage, calling it a discussion is far too polite. Whatever the village requires, as long as the Hyuga Clan can cooperate, we will certainly do our utmost."

Hiashi's expression grew serious. Yet his words carried none of the arrogance common among great clans. To Hyuga Hiashi, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Minato Namikaze held rather different positions in his heart.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi had been active in the Shinobi World, Hiashi had still been a young man. He had never truly felt much about Hiruzen Sarutobi being called the "strongest Hokage."

But Minato Namikaze was different. They belonged to the same generation, both pillars who had experienced the Third Shinobi World War. Whether in strength or character, Minato had earned Hiashi's recognition. Back then, the Hyuga Clan had even offered some support for Minato's rise to Hokage.

From the perspective of strength and reputation, Minato was worthy of becoming Hokage. From the Hyuga Clan's perspective, someone of Minato's background and temperament becoming Hokage would not affect the Hyuga Clan's status and authority within the village.

Therefore, when facing Minato, the Hyuga Clan did not mind making things convenient for him.

"Thank you, Clan Head Hiashi."

"This time, I'm afraid we truly must trouble everyone in the Hyuga Clan."

"To be honest with you all, my wife, Kushina, is already pregnant."

"You all know that she is the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. During childbirth, the seal within a Jinchuriki's body weakens, and at that time, Kushina's control over the Nine-Tails will also weaken."

"For a Jinchuriki and for Konoha, the weakening of the Nine-Tails' seal signifies tremendous danger. If our enemies learn of this and seize the moment of Kushina's delivery to attack Konoha, it could bring catastrophic disaster upon the village."

"To prevent any accidents, the Third Hokage and I have secretly decided on a location for Kushina's delivery. It is far from Konoha's central district. Even if something unexpected happens, it will lessen the impact on Konoha."

"At the same time, we plan to form a special operations squad to guard Kushina during her delivery."

"The Hokage's direct Anbu forces go without saying, but I also hope Hyuga Clan shinobi with the Byakugan can lend us a hand."

"Only with Hyuga Clan shinobi can we ensure that nothing goes wrong!"

Kushina's pregnancy and delivery were absolute secrets within Konoha. Very few people knew of them.

However, informing the Hyuga Clan's upper ranks of such a secret was not a problem.

Even with a child like Shinichi present, Minato had no intention of avoiding the subject. The reason was simple: Shinichi Hyuga was a child of the Main Family, destined to become the Hyuga Clan's leader in the future.

Hyuga Hiashi and Shin Hyuga quietly listened to Minato's words. Upon hearing that it was only a "simple guard mission," they exchanged glances, both inwardly relieved.

This was a small matter that was easy to cooperate with, not some excessive demand.

They had not expected the two Hokage to personally visit over such a "small matter."

But... what the Hyuga Clan considered a small matter was, in the eyes of the Third and Fourth Hokage, something that could destroy Konoha. It concerned a Jinchuriki; there could not be the slightest relaxation.

The Hyuga Clan focused on its internal affairs, so their understanding naturally differed from the Hokage's.

At the side, a gleam flashed through Shinichi Hyuga's eyes as he heard Minato's words.

The guard mission for Kushina's delivery would actually involve the Hyuga Clan as well!

This way, not only would the intelligence Shinichi Hyuga possessed finally have a use, but even if it was exposed, it would have a reasonable explanation.

Hehe... could Obito Uchiha's mask possibly block the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai?!

He would expose him right on the spot!