Without a doubt, the strongest clans in the Land of Fire were the Uchiha and the Senju.
Even a five-year-old knew that.
But among the second-tier clans, which one stood at the top?
Some would name the Sarutobi Clan with its powerful summoning beasts, while others would point to the midsized clans that possessed wondrous secret techniques.
There was one name, however, that would unquestionably rank among the strongest in the second tier.
It was the Hyuga, a powerful, prestigious clan that resided in the eastern reaches of the Land of Fire.
The Hyuga Clan descended from Ōtsutsuki Hamura and was also one of the founding clans that joined Konoha Hidden Village in its earliest days.
Its members inherited the Byakugan and possessed abilities unique in the shinobi world, such as the Gentle Fist.
To preserve the purity of their bloodline, the Hyuga Clan was divided into the Main Family and the Branch Family, with the Main Family inheriting the abilities of the Ōtsutsuki generation after generation.
The Branch Family was responsible for expanding the clan and keeping its bloodline circulating, serving as a means for the Main Family to produce descendants when necessary.
If he wanted to find someone strong enough to rival Uzumaki Ashina, visiting the Hyuga Clan was certainly the right choice.
As for their relationship, the same old saying applied: there were no eternal enemies when interests were at stake.
Mito thought he was trying to get something for nothing, but Kyosuke had already prepared a gift.
A generous gift the Hyuga Clan could never refuse.
As a guest paying a visit, Kyosuke naturally made no attempt to conceal his presence.
Not long after he entered Hyuga territory, a guard from the Branch Family appeared before him.
"Halt!" The guard took a Gentle Fist stance, showing no carelessness whatsoever on account of his age.
His build and appearance might fool people, but the surging chakra inside Kyosuke was like a blazing lightbulb in the dark.
It was hard not to notice.
"I am Uchiha Kyosuke. I wish to see Lord Tennin."
Hyuga Tennin was one of the most formidable fighters of the Warring States Period.
Half the reason later generations called the Hyuga a powerful clan that could stand alongside the Uchiha and Senju lay in this mighty ninja.
At his peak, Hyuga Tennin could even suppress the two gods when they relied on their conventional powers-in other words, without using Susanoo or the Wood Human Technique.
That alone was enough to show how terrifying his strength was.
Facing someone like him, Kyosuke made no attempt to play clever little games. Honesty was the first step toward establishing communication.
"Uchiha Kyosuke." The guard's expression shifted. Clearly, he had heard of him.
Comparing him with the descriptions in their intelligence, the guard quickly determined that the boy really was Kyosuke.
At present, the Hyuga Clan remained outside the conflict and had never declared a clear position.
They would not agree to join the fighting, but neither would they refuse anyone a visit.
In the original storyline, despite being a powerful clan of Konoha, the Hyuga repeatedly escaped danger and survived peacefully until their son-in-law Naruto became Hokage.
That distinctive wisdom was certainly not to be underestimated.
The guard's reaction alone revealed something of it.
"So the commander of the Kyosuke Legion has come in person." The Hyuga Branch Family guard bowed slightly with impeccable courtesy and personally led the way. "Please follow me, sir. I am sure Clan Leader Tennin will be delighted to meet you."
The moment Kyosuke gave his name, someone hidden nearby had already relayed the precise information through coded gestures.
With the Byakugan, exchanging intelligence over vast distances was no problem at all.
By the time he reached the central compound, a squad of ninja was already waiting to receive him.
At their head stood a girl in a fitted white outfit. She was beautiful, but the cold severity in her expression spoiled the overall effect.
"Hello. I am Yayoi Hyuga. Clan Leader Tennin is waiting for you in the main hall."
"Lead the way." Kyosuke withdrew his gaze, faintly sensing that someone was watching him.
Activating his Sharingan, he looked toward the grand estate ahead, but found nothing unusual.
"The Byakugan's long-range perception, huh? What an irritating ability."
He deactivated his Sharingan and followed her as though nothing had happened.
Let them look if they wanted. It wasn't as though he were some young maiden afraid of being stared at.
Beside him, Mito Uzumaki asked expressionlessly, "Are you sure you want me tagging along?"
"What's there to worry about?" Kyosuke replied with a smile. "If we get to anything important, I'll make sure you can't hear it."
"...Heh. You really are shameless, and completely open about it."
"Thank you. The Uchiha have always been that way. It's better than certain two-faced clans."
"You!"
Just then, the girl ahead suddenly turned around and looked at Ponytail beside him. "It seems this person is not your maid?"
"Her?" Kyosuke waved a hand casually. "Her name is Mito Uzumaki. She's the princess of the Land of Whirlpools."
"..." The Hyuga girl stared at him for a long moment, a strange gleam appearing in her white eyes. "If I remember correctly, the Uchiha are currently at war with the Land of Whirlpools."
"Yes, you remember correctly. That's exactly right." Kyosuke nodded and added, "This princess is my captive."
"...I see." Yayoi Hyuga looked back at Ponytail and nodded. "Forgive my rudeness, Princess Mito."
"It's fine. Just pretend I'm not here." Mito pressed a hand to her forehead, wishing she could disappear on the spot.
Still, she was very interested in Kyosuke's plan and wanted to hear how this damned bastard intended to swindle the Hyuga Clan.
"Hopefully the negotiations fail and the Hyuga kill him outright," the girl muttered, not even believing it herself.
Had they truly been so impulsive and quick-tempered, the Hyuga Clan could never have stayed out of the conflict for so many years.
Soon, under Yayoi Hyuga's guidance, the two arrived at a reception room steeped in traditional Japanese style.
There, they met a refined middle-aged man: Hyuga Tennin, one of the foremost fighters of the Warring States Period.
"Lord Tennin." Both Kyosuke and Mito paid their respects.
"Welcome." Hyuga Tennin closed his book and smiled at them. "What brings you both here? Is there something the Hyuga can do for you?"
"Here's the situation." Kyosuke pointed to the girl beside him. "By taking a hostage, I forced Uzumaki Ashina to abandon his plans to launch an attack. However..."
Kyosuke then described Mito's capture in detail and explained how he had threatened the Uzumaki.
He cheerfully recounted the whole affair, unaware that Hyuga Tennin's smile had grown a little cooler.
The clan leader realized that he seemed to have invited a major problem into his home.
The boy spoke casually, yet the more casual he sounded, the more Tennin could sense his determination to get what he wanted.
"If I'd known, I would have had Yayoi stop him."
"But with that mysterious Space-Time Ninjutsu, others might not have been able to keep him out."
After the boy finished, silence lingered between them for a while before the Hyuga clan leader slowly spoke. "Then you wish for the Hyuga to intervene in your war with the Uzumaki?"
"Yes." Kyosuke nodded, then suddenly glanced at the two women beside him.
"May I speak with you alone?"
Before you continue