Winning Over Hyuga Clan Funding with Empty Promises

At the Konoha Front Line, word had already spread that Shin'nosuke Sarutobi would soon arrive to take over responsibility for the defenses along the Land of Lightning. Quite a few people had begun to show their displeasure.

After all, these were the achievements they had earned by following Lord Orochimaru. Now someone was coming to snatch the fruits of their labor. If one person could come, then a second could too. After all, how could someone parachuted into the position not bring along trusted subordinates? They were not only here to steal Orochimaru's achievements, but also to divide up theirs. How could anyone possibly be satisfied with that?

"Lord Hizashi."

Inside a wooden cabin at the front line, when Uchiha Yoruro respectfully came to meet the Hyuga Clan's representative, the usually stern head of the branch family also revealed his respect and bowed slightly. "Lord Yoru, you are too courteous."

Uchiha Yoruro was merely a Chūnin, while the other party was an Elite Jonin. He needed to address him as "Lord"; that was simply the distinction between superior and inferior, especially within the great clans.

Yet Uchiha Yoruro was also Orochimaru's disciple. That identity made Hizashi Hyuga return the courtesy, as it was an honor bestowed by status. Thus, the two exchanged polite formalities.

"Lord Hizashi, Teacher Orochimaru sent me to ask about the Hyuga Clan's assignment roster. The front line will soon be reorganized."

What had originally been a single front now had two commanders-in-chief. One would be responsible for the defenses facing the Land of Lightning, while the other would oversee the Land of Water. The personnel stationed at the front, especially those from the great clans, would need to be reassigned.

This time, Uchiha Yoruro had come as Orochimaru's representative. In everyone's eyes, even if the village delayed Orochimaru's ascension for certain political reasons, it would at most postpone the timing. During that period, they might seek some benefits for themselves, but no one would ever imagine that such a ninja would defect.

Therefore, facing Uchiha Yoruro's question, Hizashi Hyuga nodded respectfully. "Lord Yoru, you may simply call me Hizashi. There is no need to be so formal."

As the most rigid of clans, the Hyuga Clan placed great importance on etiquette. Knowing this, Uchiha Yoruro did not take those polite words seriously. Instead, he smiled and nodded. "Captain Hizashi, I'll leave it to you."

Adding "Captain" conveyed a Chūnin's respect for a Jonin. "Lord" sounded overly distant, whereas "Captain" could bring them closer together. Hearing that form of address, Hizashi Hyuga immediately showed a somewhat forced but friendly smile.

Although the ninja world valued strength above all else, unless one had reached the Super Kage level where they could look down on everyone, social etiquette remained the foundation of this world.

"The Hyuga Clan has long made its arrangements. Lord Yoru, this is the Hyuga Clan's roster. Please review it."

They had long received news that a commander-in-chief would be parachuted into the Land of Lightning to snatch the fruits of their labor, so naturally every major clan had made preparations. Looking at the Scroll handed over to him, Uchiha Yoruro smiled.

Upon opening it, the smile on Uchiha Yoruro's face deepened. Sure enough, everyone in Konoha now believed that Orochimaru becoming the Fifth Hokage was only a matter of time. This time, the Hyuga Clan was also placing its bet on Teacher Orochimaru.

Nearly all the Hyuga members assigned to the Land of Lightning were from the branch family. Though those assigned to the Land of Water were likewise mainly members of the Hyuga Branch Family, the presence of the branch family's clan head on the roster was enough to explain everything. More importantly, several Main Family members would be arriving from the rear.

The Hyuga Clan's sincerity was certainly apparent. Uchiha Yoruro smiled and nodded. "Then many thanks, Captain Hizashi."

"Lord Yoru, you are too courteous."

There had been plenty of formalities, but the reason for consulting the major clans in advance was this roster. One reason was to see who was willing to align themselves with them; another was that this counted as a privilege of the Noble Houses.

If you were a civilian ninja, then sorry—you only needed to wait for your transfer orders. You went wherever you were told to go. But the noble great clans were different. They were consulted in advance, and if something seemed unreasonable, they could discuss it beforehand.

Privilege had never disappeared, from ancient times to the present.

At that moment, Uchiha Yoruro narrowed his eyes and understood why there would later be signs of the Hyuga being undermined. It seemed they had backed the wrong side politically. But did the Uchiha still care about that? From shortly after Konoha's founding, the Uchiha had held no place in its political sphere.

"Captain Hizashi, there is something I'm not sure whether I should say."

After hesitating for a moment, Uchiha Yoruro revealed a troubled expression. Though Hizashi Hyuga was from the branch family, he was still half a clan head, after all. His brow faintly furrowed. Naturally, he secretly wondered whether Lord Orochimaru wished to test something.

"Please speak plainly, Lord Yoru. Whatever it is, the Hyuga Clan will certainly offer its full support."

Hizashi Hyuga's words were flawless and measured. As for claims that the Uchiha and Hyuga did not get along? What nonsense. The two clans had no conflict of interests at all. The Hyuga Clan consisted of reconnaissance and close-combat ninja, while the Uchiha, though known as all-rounder ninja, still specialized in ninjutsu and Shuriken. The two noble clans had never had a conflict of interests.

The so-called conflict of interests was merely that the Uchiha had always wanted to enter Konoha's center of power. That was all.

Seeing Hizashi Hyuga's impeccable way with words, Uchiha Yoruro was not displeased. Instead, he smiled. "Captain Hizashi, I believe you know about the situation with the village's Anbu."

Anbu? That single sentence immediately put Hizashi Hyuga on guard. At the same time, he had already guessed that this had to be Lord Orochimaru's test, not Uchiha Yoruro's own idea.

Uchiha Yoruro continued with an easy smile. "Captain Hizashi, you should understand the problems Teacher Orochimaru will face after succeeding as the Fifth Hokage, just as the Fourth Hokage did after taking office."

Since villages had been established in the Shinobi World, there had never been a case where a new Kage took office while the previous Kage was still alive. Konoha's Third and Fourth Hokage had been the first example, and thus an obvious conflict of authority had arisen.

The Third Hokage was still the Hokage. Though he had stepped down, what exactly was his position supposed to be? He could be regarded as a high-ranking elder, but there still needed to be a distinction. Thus, Konoha's decision at the time had been to preserve the Third Hokage's authority over the Anbu. (During Nine-Tails Night in the anime, someone loudly exclaimed that they were the Third Hokage's Anbu, clearly indicating that there was also the Fourth Hokage's Anbu.)

Thus, the Third Hokage's Anbu became an independent department similar to Root, while the newly appointed Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, needed to form his own Anbu. Before that, he relied on the original Anbu for support.

Upon considering this, a trace of emotion appeared on Hizashi Hyuga's face. Once Orochimaru inherited the position of Fifth Hokage, the first issue he would face would be forming the Fifth Hokage's Anbu.

"Lord Yoru, you mean?" Hizashi Hyuga had clearly already guessed something, but he was evidently cautious. Uchiha Yoruro merely smiled and nodded lightly.

"That's right. Teacher Orochimaru's Fifth Hokage Anbu needs manpower."

An olive branch, extended early to win people over with tangible benefits. The Anbu were equivalent to an ancient emperor's imperial guards—the Hokage's trusted inner circle.

"What is needed?" Hizashi Hyuga remained cautious. Though the temptation was considerable, it was obvious that such a temptation would not simply be placed before him for no reason.

Sure enough, seeing that the other party was tempted, Uchiha Yoruro smiled and nodded. "Funding! Gold would be best. In the future, the Hyuga and Uchiha will each receive two membership slots."

Anbu members were all selected from among civilian ninja, since that avoided entanglements involving clan interests. But these two slots should not be underestimated. Members sent by great clans would certainly be Elite Jonin.

With such strength, becoming an Anbu Squad Leader was practically guaranteed. That was real authority.

Upon hearing this, Hizashi Hyuga's breathing immediately grew heavier, while Uchiha Yoruro smiled. He was using his teacher's name to gather some funding, all for his teacher's research.

Wasn't it only proper for a disciple to serve his teacher and solve his problems?

Teacher Orochimaru probably would not blame him after learning of it. After all, no one ever thought they had so much money that it burned their hands. He would not have dared do this with anyone else, but Orochimaru was someone wholeheartedly devoted to research and willing to delegate authority.

More importantly, he knew he had to fleece as much as he could while he still had the chance. Otherwise, once his teacher defected, there would be no opportunity left.

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