046 Hizashi: Audacious Tenzo, how dare you collude with Kirigakure?

Hizashi Hyuga, clad in a beige squad captain's trench coat, arrived at the gates of the clan compound.

Normally, Anbu members did not wear their uniforms after getting off duty.

First, it was to keep their identities confidential. Even with such a rule in place, though, the effect was limited.

After all, once someone joined the Anbu, the ordinary missions they carried out naturally became fewer. At most, during rotation breaks or days off, they would take on a few easy assignments.

Their former teammates would understand.

The pay from doing missions during their breaks was secondary. The main reason was to relieve the immense pressure brought by Anbu work.

Tasks such as escorting goods not only allowed them to chat and enjoy the scenery, but also helped them stay in shape.

Second, the Anbu was, after all, the Hokage's direct violent enforcement arm, with duties such as surveillance.

Wearing Anbu clothes made others feel pressured and unwilling to approach.

But Hizashi Hyuga was different...

He had been personally invited into the Anbu by the Hokage in public. Everyone in the village knew...

And besides, he liked this outfit.

He had never had many friends. Most of those he could call close friends were people he had met in the Anbu...

Hizashi Hyuga looked at the gates of the clan compound and smiled faintly.

Whenever he saw the clan crest embedded above them, the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead would turn slightly cold.

Yet the Anbu uniform on his body gave off warmth, driving that chill away.

"Brother Hizashi, long time no see..."

"You look so sharp in that outfit! This off-white trench coat is different from the old one..." The Branch Family member guarding the gate greeted Hizashi with shining eyes.

His name was Hyuga Iroha.

Although the Main Branch had forbidden the Branch Family from discussing Hizashi's affairs.

How could they possibly stop it?

The story of Hatake Sakumo accompanying Hizashi back to the clan compound and directly confronting Clan Head Hyuga Tenzo had spread by word of mouth among every Branch Family member, like a banned storybook novel that was nevertheless passed around like mad.

Back in the era of ninja clans, the Branch Family had not even dared to entertain fantasies like that...

At most, they had hoped the next clan head might understand the Branch Family's hardships and treat them with consideration...

As for directly confronting the clan head, standing as equals, and throwing back one's head in laughter before walking out the door?

That was the ultimate Branch Family fantasy!

"I've merely been fortunate enough to earn Lord Hokage's regard..." The corners of Hizashi Hyuga's mouth lifted unconsciously. He stopped to chat with the Branch Family clansmen and said with emotion, "Has the clan been doing well lately? You know, I don't return very often now. I have work to do for the village."

"I've made a few friends in the Anbu, and I've neglected my old brothers in the Branch Family."

Hizashi Hyuga intentionally, or perhaps unintentionally, revealed his current circumstances—he was valued by the Hokage, and he was doing well in the Anbu...

There was certainly an element of showing off.

But his real purpose was to ease the Branch Family's concerns about joining the Anbu...

Only if he, the trailblazer, was doing well could he prove that this path was the right one. Besides, that was simply the truth.

"Brother Hizashi, it's fine, it's fine. You should focus on your important work outside first!"

Hyuga Iroha first instinctively glanced around, then lowered his voice slightly. "The Main Branch has been discussing you a lot lately. They say a situation like this hasn't happened in a hundred years, and they've even been talking about Lord Hokage..."

Hizashi Hyuga narrowed his eyes. "What have they been saying?"

Iroha felt that Brother Hizashi, who had been speaking so amiably just moments ago, had suddenly become dangerous.

His tone was still fairly calm.

But combined with that Anbu trench coat, it gave the impression that he might draw his blade the next second...

Iroha steadied himself and said quietly:

"They haven't said anything too excessive. Basically, they say that Lord Hokage suddenly interfering in Hyuga affairs has somewhat broken the unspoken rules. Why hadn't he discussed it with them first?"

"It's more like a complaint..."

Hizashi Hyuga snorted coldly.

If they had been cursing, he would not only report it to Lord Hokage, but also go have a word with Minister Danzo!

The generous and benevolent Hokage might not care about the Main Branch's grumbling, because he possessed a great character.

But Minister Danzo would definitely treat it as a serious matter!

Even if it was only a complaint, Hizashi would still report it.

"Brother Hizashi, will we get a chance too?" Another Branch Family member guarding the gate was named Hyuga Kamon.

He was still a teenager, and he did not beat around the bush.

Hyuga Kamon looked at Hizashi with bright eyes. "The Anbu still needs people, right? I heard the village recently established a Patrol Force. Even if we can't join the Anbu, going there would be fine too..."

Hyuga Iroha froze. Young people really were bold—was he really speaking that directly?

But he immediately seized the opportunity and said eagerly, "Brother Hizashi, I want to go too!"

Hizashi Hyuga smiled inwardly.

His plan was already half successful...

Iroha and Kamon were both exceptionally talented ninja among the Branch Family.

And the more talented they were, the stronger their yearning for freedom...

"I'll remember what you're thinking."

Hizashi Hyuga smiled faintly. "Tell the Branch Family brothers to come find me anytime something comes up."

"If I'm not around, go to Lord Sakumo... If it's urgent enough, you can even go directly to Lord Hokage..."

"Though we are of the Hyuga Branch Family, we are Konoha ninja first and foremost."

"Lord Hokage's Will of Fire treats every ninja who wants to work for the village equally," Hizashi Hyuga said softly.

"You probably don't know this..."

"Even Duy, whom everyone mocked, had his potential discovered by Lord Hokage!"

"He mastered an incredibly powerful secret technique. His Chakra is even stronger than mine, and he has become a Special Jonin. He is now my colleague, serving as the Anbu's physical training instructor."

Iroha and Kamon stared wide-eyed.

That Might Duy?

He was even stronger than Brother Hizashi?

The longing in their eyes grew even more intense, while the image of Hiruzen Sarutobi in their hearts became ever loftier.

Lord Hokage, who could turn stone into gold...

Hizashi Hyuga took in their reactions and smiled inwardly. Everything went without saying.

Done!

Iroha and Kamon opened the door for Hizashi. Their manner was attentive, but they sincerely wanted to do it.

This was the Branch Family's hope!

As Hizashi stepped inside, he saw Hyuga Ko with a Branch Family member beside him, once again pointing things out everywhere.

Their gazes met.

Hyuga Ko's smile instantly froze.

He had received Hyuga Tenzo's orders to find Hizashi today and bring him back to the clan for a talk...

Hyuga Ko had figured that even if Hizashi had joined the Anbu, he was still from the Main Branch.

Open hostility was out of the question, but they still had to maintain appearances.

But then he saw that beige squad captain's trench coat.

Hyuga Ko's body seemed to move beyond his control. A smile unconsciously appeared on his frozen face as he warmly greeted Hizashi.

"Hizashi, it's been a long time!"

He had completely forgotten that when Hizashi confronted Hyuga Tenzo, he had been the first to jump out.

"Ko, it's you." Hizashi Hyuga said with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Still the same as ever..."

Hyuga Ko's expression stiffened, but he had no intention of arguing with Hizashi Hyuga.

As a talentless member of the Main Branch, one of the few ways he could feel his own importance was by throwing his weight around in front of the Branch Family.

After so long, he truly felt hollow and bored inside...

Did he not also want the respect of ninja beyond the clan grounds?

A thought flashed through his mind.

If he could, would he be willing to give up his Main Branch status and trade places with the current Hizashi Hyuga?

He instinctively rejected the thought, yet another voice seemed to rise within him.

"Sigh, I don't want to either..."

"Hizashi, the Clan Head has something to discuss with you. I was just about to look for you." Hyuga Ko forced a smile, then turned and left without much interest.

Hizashi Hyuga quietly took note of that reaction.

The Main Branch did not seem to be completely united either...

When they arrived at the Clan Head's Reception Room—

Hizashi and his father, Clan Head Tenzo, sat facing each other with a board of chess between them.

Both waited for the other to speak first.

After a long while, Hyuga Tenzo finally spoke. "The Kaguya Clan has sent a letter."

"Father, so you've been secretly colluding with hostile forces outside the village all along..."

"Are you here to turn yourself in?"

Hizashi's reply made the Clan Head, who had always prided himself on having everything under control and understanding the art of balance, lose his composure.

Starting off by pinning such a huge charge on him...

Are you trying to get your father killed?!

PS: Dear readers, Xiaofan will be adjusting the update schedule.

Starting tomorrow, there will be one update at midnight and one at noon.

If the writing goes smoothly, there may be extra updates after midnight.

I'm writing in greater detail, and Xiaofan hopes to connect the plot smoothly and coherently. I hope all you dear readers can understand!