Returning to the Village

The next day, the three set out again.

Just like on their way there, everything was calm and uneventful.

The three boarded a ship leaving the Land of Artisans and headed for the Land of Fire.

Perhaps because they were eager to return home, the journey back to the village seemed a little faster than the trip to the Land of Artisans. Before any of them realized how time had passed, they had arrived before Konoha's gates.

After smoothly passing Konoha's security inspection and identity verification, all three entered the village.

Seeing the familiar Konoha once more, Minato Namikaze was fine, but Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi felt as though a lifetime had passed. At the same time, they felt an indescribable sense of peace.

"Come on. Let's go to the Hokage Building."

Minato Namikaze was the first to break the other two from their thoughts, leading them toward the Hokage Building.

Like all Konoha ninja, teams returning from missions outside the village were supposed to report to the Hokage immediately upon their return and give an oral account of the mission.

Then, within a few days, they were to submit a written mission report.

Knock, knock.

Minato Namikaze knocked on the Hokage's Office door in a steady rhythm.

"Come in." A dignified yet composed middle-aged voice came from inside the Office.

Creak. Minato Namikaze pushed the door open and entered.

"Lord Hokage, Jonin Minato Namikaze, together with Chunin Kakashi and Genin Hyuga Kazuya, has come to report."

When he mentioned Hyuga Kazuya's status as a Genin, Minato Namikaze could not help looking a little helpless.

"Minato. It's good that you're back."

Setting aside the document in his hand, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the travel-worn trio.

"You three should go back and rest first. The mission report can wait."

The Third Hokage's concerned words warmed the hearts of the three members of Minato's Squad.

"Lord Hokage, we're fine. Rest can wait."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, picked up the Pipe beside him, took a slow puff, and said, "How did this mission go?"

"It was successfully completed, but..."

"But what? Did something happen?" Seeing Minato Namikaze hesitate, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurriedly asked.

"Kazuya, Kakashi, you two should go back first. I'll report to the Hokage myself."

"Alright, Teacher Minato. Goodbye, Lord Hokage."

After hearing Minato Namikaze's words and seeing how hesitant he had been earlier, Hyuga Kazuya already understood that there were some things he and Kakashi were better off not knowing.

Once Hyuga Kazuya and Kakashi had left, moving beyond his sensory range,

Minato Namikaze said uncertainly, "Lord Hokage, this mission's objective was to investigate the massive number of orders appearing in the Land of Artisans and act according to the situation. We discovered that Sunagakure had placed the orders with the Land of Artisans."

"That's perfectly normal. With that many weapons, aside from the Five Great Ninja Villages, no other force would really need so many." Hiruzen Sarutobi analyzed the matter, somewhat unsure of what Minato Namikaze was trying to say.

"That isn't the problem. The problem is that the force they sent to receive the weapons was far too strong."

"Too strong? How many people did Sunagakure send?" Seemingly realizing something, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression immediately turned serious.

"There were seven Jonin alone, including two Elite Jonin: Scorch Release Pakura and Magnet Release Rasa."

Frowning deeply, Hiruzen Sarutobi unconsciously lifted his Pipe and took a deep puff.

"I understand. I'll investigate this matter."

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know exactly where the problem lay, his long career as a ninja had taught him to remain vigilant toward all abnormal events.

"There's one more thing. Hyuga Kazuya contributed greatly to this mission. It was also his final killing blow that destroyed the weapons Sunagakure had purchased."

No longer dwelling on whether there was a spy within the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi became curious upon hearing Minato Namikaze mention Hyuga Kazuya's contribution. "How so? How did he land the killing blow?"

"A bow and arrows. Kazuya sniped them from afar with a bow and arrows."

"A bow and arrows?"

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's smoking motion paused. Looking extremely surprised, he asked again.

"A bow and arrows?"

"Yes, a bow and arrows." Minato Namikaze answered with absolute certainty.

In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. What impact would a Hyūga clansman who used a bow and arrows have on the Hyuga Main Family?

Would it cause unrest within the Hyuga Clan? Internal conflict?

What effect would it have on the Main Family, which had always upheld tradition?

And what means would the Main Family use to solve this problem?

Or would the Hyuga Main Family simply go all the way and activate the Caged Bird, killing Hyuga Kazuya outright?

That would only widen the rift between the Hyuga Branch Family and the Main Family. Who knew what kind of disaster it might plant for the village in the future?

Should he prevent these things in advance?

For example...

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi saw the image of White Fang Hatake Sakumo in his mind. Back then, hadn't he tacitly allowed those events because White Fang's reputation was too high, and he might have had a negative impact on the village in the future?

What? Was he going to do the same thing now?

No.

He absolutely could not allow the White Fang Incident to happen a second time. He could not do something to people simply because they might have a negative impact on the village in the future.

Having thought it through, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long breath. He had already made his decision.

"Keep this matter concealed. You must also instruct Hyuga Kazuya not to let outsiders know that he uses a bow and arrows." With a dignified, unquestionable tone, Hiruzen Sarutobi issued his decision on how to handle the matter.

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, the heart Minato Namikaze had held in his throat finally settled.

Given his political awareness, he naturally understood what kind of impact Hyuga Kazuya's existence would have on the Hyuga Clan.

"Don't worry, Lord Hokage. I'll arrange it. I'll write this mission report to say that we completed the mission through the elusive nature of the Flying Thunder God Technique, concealing Hyuga Kazuya's contribution."

"Mm. That would be best."

After a period of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to be considering how to compensate Hyuga Kazuya. Money alone was too simple, while resources were unnecessary—such a large Clan would naturally not lack resources for its talented members.

That left only ninjutsu.

"Let Hyuga Kazuya choose one ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals as compensation."

Whew. He let out another breath. The promise of compensation for Hyuga Kazuya had been fulfilled as well, and another weight lifted from his heart. Minato Namikaze was very pleased.

"Alright, Lord Hokage. I'll tell him."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first. I'll go tell Kazuya the good news."

"Mm, alright. We'll leave it at that for now. But you must properly instruct Hyuga Kazuya about the bow and arrows."

Before Minato Namikaze left, Hiruzen Sarutobi still worriedly reminded him once more.

"Don't worry. I will." Minato Namikaze smiled confidently, his tone firm.

From beginning to end, neither of them had considered the possibility that the Hyuga Main Family would accept Hyuga Kazuya's use of a bow and arrows. The Hyuga Main Family's stubbornness and isolation were well known among the upper ranks of the entire ninja world.