Danzo, Minato Is the Hokage!

"Borrow the Scroll of Seals?!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought he had misheard and asked in a grave voice. When Hiashi nodded solemnly, Hiruzen's expression changed. After pondering for a moment, he did not refuse outright and instead continued, "What, is the Hyuga Clan interested in forbidden books as well?"

"You should know that every Forbidden Jutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals is extremely dangerous, shouldn't you?"

"In Konoha, research into Forbidden Jutsu has always been prohibited."

Hiruzen's tone was solemn. The aura he displayed was completely different from before, and a faint pressure descended upon Hyuga Hiashi.

Feeling the pressure from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hiashi remained calm and explained evenly, "It is not that we are interested in the Forbidden Jutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals. Rather, my son, Shinichi Hyuga, is interested in the Flying Thunder God Technique and wishes to borrow the Scroll of Seals to see whether he can learn it."

Hiashi had no intention of concealing his son's exceptional talent. Over the years, the Hyuga Clan's reputation within the village had been overshadowed by the Uchiha Clan.

The Uchiha Clan had successively produced geniuses on the level of Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha. Compared to them, the younger generation of the Hyuga Clan appeared far too weak.

To a certain extent, letting the outside world know of Shinichi Hyuga's excellence would also greatly benefit the Hyuga Clan's reputation.

"Your son wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

"Shinichi Hyuga... was that the child sitting beside you in your home just now?"

"How old is he?"

Hiruzen's tone was astonished, and he was deeply surprised. He had considered many possibilities, but he had never expected Hiashi to be borrowing the Scroll of Seals for his son.

Still, he could not rule out the possibility that this was merely an excuse from Hiashi.

"Borrow the Scroll of Seals..."

"If it is the Hyuga Clan, then it is not impossible!"

After pondering for a long while, Hiruzen relented. Hiashi was not surprised to hear this. In his view, it was only to be expected.

On the surface, only the Hokage could read the Scroll of Seals, and Konoha explicitly forbade research into Forbidden Jutsu. But that was only on the surface.

Having reached Hiashi's position, he was already aware of many of Konoha's darker sides. Research into Forbidden Jutsu had always been carried out within Konoha.

Moreover, quite a few ninja had successfully seen the Scroll of Seals. It was simply that all of them belonged to the Hokage's faction.

With the Hyuga Clan's standing, borrowing the Scroll of Seals was not difficult. Furthermore, unlike the Uchiha Clan, their strength was not rejected by the Hokage's faction. On the contrary, Konoha had always relied heavily on the Hyuga Clan's abilities.

"Hiashi, since you say it is your son Shinichi Hyuga who wishes to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, then how about this? Find a time and have your son come here. I can give him one week to study the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"You know that allowing any ninja other than the Hokage to read the Scroll of Seals is already an exception. Naturally, the Scroll cannot be allowed to leave the Hokage Building, can it?"

Hiruzen did not fully believe Hiashi's words. Naturally, he did not want the Hyuga Clan to lay hands on the Forbidden Jutsu within the Scroll of Seals. Since Hiashi claimed his son wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, then his son could simply come to the Hokage Building and study it there!

Deep down, Hiruzen did not believe that a five-year-old brat could learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. It would already be impressive if the boy could read, much less learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Good! Then thank you, Third Hokage!"

Hiruzen had agreed quite readily, and Hiashi immediately beamed after receiving the Third Hokage's promise.

Heh, my son has still been underestimated after all!

But that is fine. With one week, given Shinichi's ability to remember everything at a glance, he will probably be able to memorize the entire Scroll of Seals!

Hiashi thought to himself, unable to conceal the delight on his face.

"If there is nothing else, Hokage-sama, I will take my leave."

"In a couple of days, I will bring Shinichi here to study the Scroll of Seals."

"As for these Hyuga Clan ninja, please arrange for them as you see fit. Once they have completed their mission, simply have them return."

Hiashi bowed once more. As he turned to leave, he gave Hizashi Hyuga a look. The latter understood and silently lowered his eyes.

Hiruzen did not try to keep Hiashi. After the latter left, he warmly exchanged pleasantries with the Hyuga Clan ninja before summoning an Anbu agent, who led the Hyuga Clan ninja out of the office.

Only after the Hokage's Office had returned to silence did Hiruzen sit back down behind his desk. At that moment, a cloud of smoke rose from the floor in front of him.

Bang!!

Leaning on his cane, Danzo emerged from the smoke and walked up to Hiruzen's desk, questioning him in a grave tone, "Hizashi, how could you allow outsiders to read the Scroll of Seals? And even permit some ignorant brat to read it?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

Danzo had happened to overhear some of the conversation in the office earlier. As the leader of Root and one of Konoha's Council of Elders, Danzo could freely enter and leave the Hokage's Office, and Hiruzen had always indulged him greatly.

"The Hyuga Clan is one of Konoha's strongest fighting forces. They are not outsiders."

"Besides, he is merely a child who admires the Flying Thunder God Technique. There is no need for you to get so worked up."

"I have met Shinichi Hyuga. He is only five years old. Though he seems mature, a child is still a child."

"What effect could agreeing to such an insignificant request possibly have?"

Seeing Danzo suddenly appear and question him, Hiruzen did not grow angry. Instead, he calmly offered a few explanations.

"Even so, the Hyuga Clan has gone too far!"

"To dare make such a request, Hizashi..."

Before Danzo could finish, Hiruzen waved a hand and interrupted him. "I agreed to this on Minato's behalf."

"Danzo, Minato is the Fourth Hokage!"

Those two brief sentences directly shut Danzo up.

That was right... Minato Namikaze, not Hiruzen Sarutobi, was the Hokage...

By the time Hyuga Hiashi returned to the Clan Compound, evening was approaching. Shinichi Hyuga had also finished his day of training and returned to his residence.

He was currently keeping a beautiful woman company, quietly watching as she knitted a small gray sweater.

Hyuga Hanako, Shinichi Hyuga's birth mother in this life. He had inherited seventy percent of his looks from her.

Hyuga Hanako had a gentle temperament and was a very standard, traditional Japanese wife. Ever since marrying Hyuga Hiashi, she had naturally devoted herself to supporting her husband and raising their child. Though she was young, she had poured all her time into her husband and child.

Shinichi had been doted on by Hana since childhood. Even as a transmigrator, he could feel that maternal radiance from her.

This woman was someone Shinichi Hyuga had sworn to protect!

"Mom, that little sweater is not for me, is it?"

"Is it for my future little sister?"

"Isn't it a bit early to start knitting it now? And the color is far too plain. It does not suit a girl."

Sitting by the windowsill, Shinichi looked at his adoptive mother carefully knitting the sweater and spoke with a grin.

"Future little sister?"

"How do you know it will be a sister? It could be a little brother."

"What is wrong with a plainer color? Whether it is a boy or a girl, they can wear it. Isn't that good?"

Hana paused her work at her son's words, then gently stroked Shinichi's head with a smile.

"I have a feeling it will be a little sister. My instincts have always been quite accurate."

"If it is a girl, brighter colors would be better for her clothes."

Leaning against the wall with his hands behind his head, Shinichi spoke with complete confidence.

Hana glanced at her outstanding son. For some reason, she suddenly said, "She is different from you... Her future world will be gray."

"Shinichi... you must protect your little sister well in the future. Make her world colorful."