047 Comparison is the thief of joy, and the Hokage at least makes some sense

Millennia-old ninja clans were particular about such things.

Like the chessboard and chess box laid out before Hyuga Tenzo.

They appeared to have been placed casually, yet their arrangement was anything but random.

Together, these objects conveyed a subtle psychological message—"Konoha and the shinobi world are like a game of chess; the clan head has much to ponder..."

This was Hyuga Tenzo's usual tactic.

He had intended to use that atmosphere to make his son, Hizashi, understand his difficulties and thus seize the initiative...

But he had never expected Hizashi to be so utterly unsporting, refusing to play along with his cryptic Zen riddles...

Instead, he slapped the ironclad label of village traitor right onto his head!

Hizashi Hyuga adjusted the collar of his trench coat, his cuffs rustling faintly in the wind.

His father's usual move had never failed him either!

And combined with that Anbu trench coat, Hizashi's words...

Were far more intimidating than some damned chessboard and chess box!

Hyuga Tenzo even suspected that if he had truly done something like that, his son might actually drag him off to the Anbu and have the Interrogation Department whip him into a spinning top...

"Hizashi has gotten smarter. He knows how to borrow influence now..." Strangely enough, even as Hizashi threw those barbs at him, this thought crossed Hyuga Tenzo's mind:

"He's been promoted too. Looks like he's doing well in the Anbu?"

Hyuga Tenzo composed himself and spoke in a deep voice. "What are you talking about, Hizashi!"

"The Hyuga Clan is one of Konoha's pillars. How could I, its clan head, do something as disgraceful as colluding with foreign powers?"

"The Hyuga and Kaguya Clans are blood relatives of a thousand years, like the Senju and Uzumaki. Lord Hokage has always known about our occasional correspondence."

"The Hyuga have never leaked the village's secrets. Maintaining contact with the Kaguya Clan was to infer Kirigakure's movements from their letters, giving the village an intelligence advantage!"

"I summoned you this time because Lord Hokage once said that if there were any problems, I could first discuss them with you, as an Anbu." Hyuga Tenzo looked completely aboveboard.

Hizashi Hyuga's expression did not change. He merely nodded slightly.

He knew those were facts, and there was precedent for them.

On the eve of the First Shinobi World War, the previous Hyuga Clan Head had judged Kirigakure's intent to wage war from a Kaguya letter and reported it to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

To a certain extent, it had allowed Konoha to prepare.

But nearly thirty years had passed...

In Hizashi's eyes, the current connection between the Hyuga and Kaguya Clans was more an assertion of independence—before war began, even the Hokage had no right to interfere with the Hyuga Clan's private dealings with its relatives and old friends...

If it was truly as Hyuga Tenzo claimed, then why had he never reported it before?

"The moment I entered the Anbu, Father suddenly obtained intelligence from the Kaguya Clan?"

"Since Lord Third took office, is this the first time?" Hizashi Hyuga asked quietly. "Are you worried about the village, or afraid that I might see something?"

"That's because there was never any intelligence valuable enough before. I didn't want to disturb Lord Third," Hyuga Tenzo said without so much as a blush or a skipped beat.

Having thick skin was a basic qualification for being clan head.

As Hizashi Hyuga read through the letter, his brows gradually furrowed.

It stated that, citing the increasingly dire situation in the shinobi world, the Third Mizukage had recently introduced a policy called the "Bloody Mist Village," intended to strengthen Kirigakure's shinobi combat capabilities.

The general idea was to emphasize real combat, encourage Kekkei Genkai ninja clans to prove themselves through strength, and select the best of the best to find Kirigakure's future.

It might result in significant casualties, but for the sake of better preparing for war, it was supposedly worth it.

Anyone with eyes could see it. Even if they did not state it outright, they would be highly likely to suspect...

Wasn't this really just using a pretext to stir up internal conflict?

Yet interestingly, the Kaguya Clan was tremendously excited by this, believing it was the Third Mizukage's support for them.

This clan possessed the Kekkei Genkai known as Shikotsumyaku, which allowed them to manipulate their bones for attack and defense, while also granting them astonishing recovery from external injuries.

Their members were mostly arrogant and cruel by nature, worshipping bravery and ruthless combat.

The purpose of this letter also made Hizashi feel that this clan was difficult to judge.

In order to secure greater legitimacy, the Third Mizukage had publicly displayed for a long time the correspondence concerning Kumogakure and Konoha's diplomacy, as well as other hidden villages supporting Konoha and condemning Kumogakure.

He was making it clear that the shinobi world's situation truly was tense, thereby proving the legitimacy of his "Bloody Mist Village" policy.

After the Kaguya Clan saw it...

They actually hoped that, once they had relied on their strength to become the Fourth Mizukage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—who wielded influence in the shinobi world—would speak out in support of them!

After all, the Kaguya Clan's reputation within Kirigakure was not exactly good.

For this reason, the Kaguya Clan hoped Hyuga Tenzo would step in and make arrangements in advance...

Seeing the corner of his son's mouth twitch, Hyuga Tenzo could only shake his head helplessly.

His reaction back then had been much the same as Hizashi's...

He did not know how to judge this clan.

They were at least clever enough to realize their reputation in the village was poor...

But could they not see that this was very likely a scheme by the Third Mizukage?

And they were already dreaming of becoming the Fourth Mizukage!

Thus, after witnessing the Third Mizukage's methods, Hyuga Tenzo unexpectedly felt a trace of relief in his heart.

Thank goodness the Hokage was still the Hokage.

In all things, comparison was what people feared most!

Sitting in the position of Hyuga Clan Head, he was naturally resistant to the Hokage extending his hand into the clan...

But after Hizashi joined the Anbu, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not been stingy with the treatment and position he was due...

Granted, this was also meant to make the Branch Family yearn for the village—a scheme to drive a wedge into the Hyuga Clan.

But at least they were reasonable about it. Besides, the Branch Family was still Hyuga. No matter how fierce their conflicts became, it was still an internal matter...

How could they be like Kirigakure?

At the slightest disagreement, they were ready to hold an Unlimited Mizukage Election Tournament!

Forget being elected Fourth Mizukage—with the Kaguya Clan's brains, it was hard to say whether any of them would still be alive in a few years!

Hyuga Tenzo and Hizashi exchanged a glance.

The two could not help but admire the power of the "Shikotsumyaku."

For a clan with such astonishing intelligence to survive for a thousand years just like the shrewd Hyuga Clan, the only explanation was that they could fight.

"Father, there are many vacancies for Byakugan users in the Anbu and the Patrol Force."

"Lord Sakumo has reserved six positions for the Hyuga Clan."

Hizashi Hyuga spoke slowly. "I've delivered the message. Whether you choose to agree or refuse will not affect my invitation to the brothers of the Branch Family."

Hyuga Tenzo narrowed his eyes.

He had anticipated this day long ago...

The Hokage's great hand would not be satisfied with taking away just one member of the Hyuga Branch Family.

And Hizashi Hyuga would not remain stagnant either. He would definitely rally the Branch Family to prove his own worth.

"If I lower my stance after only a few months, without even seeing what happened in Kirigakure, wouldn't that make me a laughingstock..."

"But compared to them, the Hokage may still be willing to reason."

"Better to guide than block. Let's observe the results for now." Hyuga Tenzo closed his eyes and thought to himself, If the Hokage goes too far in bullying us, it won't be too late to demand an explanation!

A moment later, Hyuga Tenzo slowly opened his eyes.

"Time is of the essence. Whether it is the matter of Kirigakure or the Branch Family joining village affairs..."

"I wish to speak with Lord Hokage in person!"

"Hizashi, can you go notify him?"

Hizashi Hyuga glanced at his father in some surprise.

Worthy of being the Hyuga Clan Head... His ability to adapt to the wind was truly admirable!

He did not want to hand all the credit to his son. He wanted to bypass him and speak to the Hokage personally, seeking a new level of balance.

"What, are you scared?" Hyuga Tenzo said calmly.

"Hmph..." Hizashi Hyuga smiled disdainfully.

A quarter of an hour later, Hyuga Tenzo and Hizashi arrived at the Hokage Office Building.

But the moment he entered the room, Hyuga Tenzo's heart skipped a beat.

Why was Shimura Danzō here too?

In his impression, this man was not much different from the Third Mizukage...

After forcing himself to hand over the Kaguya Clan's letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his Tobacco Pipe and began smoking by himself, seemingly lost in deep thought.

Shimura Danzō, meanwhile, let out a heavy snort. His gaze sharp as blades, he narrowed his eyes at Hyuga Tenzo.

Hizashi Hyuga could not help but smile faintly.

He truly wanted to pat his father on the shoulder and return his earlier words to him: "What, are you scared?"