The So-Called Hyuga (Part 2)

Although Hyuga Ao had long sensed that the conversation inside the room had ended, the person within seemed intent on testing her patience, and it was only three hours later that they finally spoke.

"Come in."

Hyuga Ao entered and gave a slight bow. "Head of the clan."

Hyuga Hayato rose and slowly paced over to stand before her, the aura of an old-guard Elite Jonin filling the room.

"A method for gathering full-body strength, sharp sensory perception, a solid foundation in Gentle Fist, and even the ability to use Rotation. Not bad—this branch family has finally produced a promising seedling. Would you mind telling me about it?"

Hyuga Ao felt her breath catch, but quickly adjusted her state to withstand Hyuga Hayato's oppressive presence.

At the same time, she sensed his presence suddenly intensify, every cell in her body screaming that this man was watching her. A quick glance confirmed that Hyuga Hayato had already activated his Byakugan.

"Old fox," Hyuga Ao cursed inwardly.

Since that was the case, it was time to put on an act.

Relying on her control from Dan forging, she rapidly fine-tuned her gaze, breathing, heartbeat, and expression, while considering how to answer.

"To answer the head of the clan, Ao'er has naturally strong perception since birth. After training in Gentle Fist and learning acupoint striking, I could vaguely sense my own acupoints without the Byakugan, and control the opening and closing of some of them."

"So for techniques like Rotation, once I understood the principle, I could use it. At the same time, because of this perception, I naturally grasped how to exert force, and Gentle Fist came easily to me. It's as if I just know what kind of force and what kind of palm strike is correct."

That was Hyuga Ao's explanation.

Don't ask—ask, and it's natural talent. Don't these people believe in bloodlines? I'm a genius, believe it or not?

The truth!

Hyuga Hayato activated his Byakugan and carefully observed Hyuga Ao's heartbeat, expression, and blood flow, finding no signs of lying.

Then, a surge of joy welled up in Hyuga Hayato's heart. Under the pressure of an Elite Jonin's aura, she remained clear-headed, neither servile nor arrogant. With talent like this, she belonged in the Hyuga Clan—she should be his daughter-in-law.

The Hyuga Clan had struck gold this time, Hyuga Hayato couldn't help but marvel.

Once he was certain, Hyuga Hayato withdrew his aura, instantly becoming genial and kind, his whole demeanor turning benevolent.

"Ahem, Hyuga Ao—no, Ao'er. Do you have any difficulties in your daily life? Is the monthly allowance enough?"

Hearing this, Hyuga Ao's heart settled. It seemed the Main Family wanted to win her over. She might as well go along with the process, and so she responded:

"Head of the clan, the monthly stipend from the clan hasn't been reduced. With my parents' savings added, I have no trouble with food or daily expenses. There are no difficulties."

Hearing this, the smile at the corner of Hyuga Hayato's mouth deepened.

"Then has anyone been bullying you? If so, rest assured, I will stand up for you."

"Head of the clan, the clan rules are strict, and no one has bullied me."

"Hmm." Hyuga Hayato pondered for a moment, then shifted the topic:

"Ao'er, do you know the current situation of our Hyuga Clan?"

"The ninja world has been at peace for a long time, with no external wars. Konoha is thriving, with no internal troubles. Within the village, we are the largest ninja clan besides the Uchiha Clan. Naturally, the clan's situation is excellent."

"Ah," Hyuga Hayato sighed.

"Ao'er, you only know one side of it. The current ninja world only looks calm on the surface, but beneath it, undercurrents are already stirring. War could break out at any time."

"And now, the Uchiha Clan grows increasingly arrogant. The village hopes to support the Hyuga Clan to counterbalance them, but to be honest, the Hyuga Clan is no match for the Uchiha Clan."

Hyuga Hayato paused. "Do you know why?"

"Why?"

Hyuga Hayato fixed his gaze on Hyuga Ao, his tone heavy.

"Because our Hyuga Clan has no Kage-level ninja. Without our own Kage, we lack the backbone to speak firmly. When something truly major happens, you must have a Kage-level."

Hyuga Ao looked up in surprise. "Kage-level?"

"A Kage-level refers to a ninja whose strength reaches the level of a Hokage. The Kage of every village are at this level."

With that, Hyuga Hayato placed a hand on Hyuga Ao's shoulder and spoke earnestly:

"And now, I see in you the hope of a Hyuga Kage."

"So, are you willing to take me as your teacher and carry that banner?"

Seeing Hyuga Ao silent, Hyuga Hayato continued:

"I promise, if you take me as your teacher, you will receive treatment equal to Hiashi's—funds, medicine, tools, I won't skimp. And once you become my disciple, I guarantee that no Main Family member will ever use the Caged Bird on you. So, are you willing?"

Hearing this, Hyuga Ao finally nodded in satisfaction and bowed. "Disciple Hyuga Ao greets my teacher."

"Good, good, good." Hyuga Hayato helped Hyuga Ao up. "What do you think of our young clan head?"

"Huh?" Hyuga Ao was confused. The process was done—why bring up Hyuga Hiashi again?

In truth, Hyuga Ao hadn't adjusted her way of thinking. If she were still male, things might have ended there.

But now she was female—how could he let a disciple he'd painstakingly cultivated go to someone else? Naturally, good fortune should stay within the family.

Though a bit bewildered, Hyuga Ao still described her impression of Hyuga Hiashi:

"The young clan head is generous and humane, values relationships but isn't good at expressing them. Overall, he's a good person."

"Then are you willing to accept him as your future husband?"

The dagger was finally drawn!

Hyuga Ao felt she'd been played. Everything today seemed like a discussion, but in truth, she had no room to refuse.

She'd anticipated all of that, but this last move caught her completely off guard.

Sly. So this was his real goal. Everything before was just setup.

Hyuga Ao cursed inwardly, but she knew she had to agree now whether she wanted to or not. Even if she wanted to refuse, there was no leeway left.

I've been played, Hyuga Ao thought. But for now, she had no choice but to accept. Agree for the moment—as for later, heh, who could say?

"Disciple is willing."

"Good! Good! Good!" Hyuga Hayato paid no attention to Hyuga Ao's expression. In his view, she had no possibility or reason to refuse.

What was so bad about being the clan head's wife? Besides, the Caged Bird wasn't meant to be ornamental.

Hyuga Hayato continued, "Alright, then here's a task for you."

Hyuga Ao returned home with a dark face, finally understanding the full picture of today's events.

The Hyuga clan's consistent policy was to align with the Hokage, and the pointer to the next Hokage was the Jinchuriki. Those closest to the Jinchuriki were most likely to become Hokage.

So once they learned of Hyuga Ao's relationship with Kushina, pulling her in was inevitable.

Then, in the process of recruitment, they discovered an unexpected bonus—her strength. The Main Family realized she was a rare genius of the Hyuga clan, and with the clan's current power gap, they truly needed a genius.

So Hyuga Hayato decided to bind Hyuga Ao completely, tying her to the Main Family's chariot.

The final task Hyuga Hayato gave her was actually simple: the Hyuga clan's manpower and resources were at her disposal, as long as she continued to maintain good relations with Kushina. They could even teach Kushina some Hyuga techniques.

Because only Hyuga Ao could do this now. Anyone who approached Kushina after she became a Jinchuriki would be marked, but Hyuga Ao wouldn't.

So the Hyuga clan needed to use Hyuga Ao to get close to Kushina, and thus to the next Hokage.

"Sigh." Hyuga Ao didn't want to think about these things anymore. She looked up at the pure white, translucent moon in the sky, thinking of Kaguya up there, of the Tenseigan, and her mind gradually drifted.

She fantasized, fantasized about those powerful forces, beginning to crave strength. Strength alone could guarantee freedom.

At this moment, Hyuga Ao truly began to yearn for power.

Snapping back to reality, Hyuga Ao tallied the gains and losses of the day.

Today's harvest was actually huge. First, she'd secured the full support of the Hyuga clan. Before, she hadn't dared to train her body too hard because she lacked sufficient resources to sustain it.

But now, with the Hyuga clan's full backing, most of the petty scheming in Konoha had drifted far away from her. She could focus on cultivating herself and developing in peace.

If she was being strict, she'd only agreed to an engagement with Hyuga Hiashi, and that was a matter for the future.

"Hmph!" Hyuga Ao calculated the timeline. Hinata belonged to the baby boom after the Third War ended, meaning Hyuga Hiashi had originally married after the Third War. So her situation was about the same.

A dark look flickered in Hyuga Ao's eyes. "If I still haven't broken the Caged Bird after the Third War, then I'll have to take a gamble."

Hyuga Ao rubbed her small face and let out a weary sigh. If her big dragon were still here, none of this would be so troublesome.

"Keep it up, girl."

"But still, today I've seen the Hyuga clan for what it is. The current Hyuga is just a mansion propped up by the Caged Bird. The upper echelons only want to preserve the old ways, maintain the status quo, and refuse to change—they pin all their hopes on others."

"But the Caged Bird only seems sturdy. The moment there's hope of breaking it, the Hyuga clan will immediately fall apart."

"The Main Family has long been tiresome!"