Orochimaru and Uchiha Obito were very similar.
They were both walking treasures from head to toe!
However, Uchiha Obito was truly a walking treasure, while Orochimaru's value was reflected in his knowledge.
Cloning technology, cell transplantation technology, and research data on curse marks...
Feeling the information welling up in his mind, Hyuga Makoto could not help but smile.
Sealing Jutsu went without saying; these were genuine sci-fi level techniques and heavy-duty exploits.
Not only did they cover all the technologies he had envisioned, but they even came with complimentary data on curse marks!
This stuff is literally an "Artificial Sage Mode"...
Although he did not know why Orochimaru could not practice Sage Mode, the man had always researched it.
Especially after developing the curse mark through Jugo, he had conducted in-depth research and analysis on natural energy!
No wonder that Mitsuki guy learns Sage Mode in the future...
Hyuga Makoto knew how powerful Sage Mode was, and he thought of something else.
Could it be that Otsutsuki Hamura also relied on the Natural Force to reach the top in one go?
In his memories, when the Sage of Six Paths went to Mount Myōboku to train, Otsutsuki Hamura had already been controlled and put into AFK status.
After the Sage of Six Paths returned, he easily crushed him!
If not for the "Talisman of the Sage" from Mount Myōboku, probably nothing to do with the Hyuga Clan would have ever happened.
Yet after he recovered, he possessed strength comparable to his older brother's, and together they sealed Kaguya. So...
Hyuga Makoto could not help guessing whether the Natural Force contained within the "Talisman of the Sage" had been absorbed by him, leading to such a change!
If that really is the case, natural energy might help me even more.
Hyuga Makoto's eyes glowed slightly; after all, he was "the most standard Moon Ōtsutsuki".
Besides, he had always wanted to drop the word "Moon" from his identity, and a true Ōtsutsuki could not do without natural energy!
The Ten-Tails itself belongs to nature...
Thinking of this, Hyuga Makoto stopped worrying about other vexing problems and began to study Orochimaru's data with full concentration.
This data did not contain cultivation methods, but at least it allowed him to understand the natural energy of this world!
And while he was studying, inside the office of the Hokage Office Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi and three others had also started a meeting.
"That's pretty much how things stand. What are your thoughts?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and said in a deep voice, while Danzo and the other two looked at each other in dismay.
They really had not expected Kakashi's Squad to be so unlucky...
What they expected even less was that Hyuga Makoto had actually uncovered such a serious problem with Orochimaru!
"As for the specific details, I'm not entirely clear either."
Danzo was silent for a long time before he slowly spoke, though he felt a bit awkward inside.
He and Orochimaru had indeed maintained contact all along, but he truly had no idea what kind of shady business Orochimaru was pulling behind his back.
Orochimaru hadn't told him!
If they went to investigate Orochimaru now, and actually dug up something incriminating...
Thinking of this, Danzo immediately straightened his expression.
"But Hiruzen, troublesome as Orochimaru may be, I believe our current priority should be to focus our energy on the Uchiha!"
"Indeed. Recently, villagers' complaints against the Police Department have been increasing, and their gatherings are becoming more frequent as well."
Mitokado Homura nodded after a moment of thought, but Utatane Koharu held a different opinion.
"Yet Orochimaru's problem is equally severe. If he truly harbors malicious intentions, the threat he poses to Konoha will only be greater than that of the Uchiha."
"That's right. Besides, as I've said before, the Uchiha are comrades, not enemies."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was extremely earnest.
"At least not yet. Moreover, I've already made some arrangements."
"Arrangements?"
Danzo was somewhat startled; how come he knew nothing about such a matter?
"When did this happen?"
"Just starting now. I'll let you know if there are any subsequent developments."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want to elaborate, as he was much more concerned with Orochimaru.
"Danzo, I hope you will properly investigate Orochimaru. He's far too dangerous."
"But the Uchiha problem is getting worse and worse, you-"
Danzo was clearly somewhat displeased, but Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him.
"Danzo, don't harbor malice toward everyone simply because of a surname!"
"Yet their actions look nothing like comrades! What you should be doing is carrying out our teacher's will!"
"The teacher didn't mean to isolate them either; he considered all the clans. Don't forget Kagami Uchiha."
"I naturally haven't forgotten. His dojutsu helped me, but not everyone is Kagami!"
"Enough, Danzo! I am the Hokage!"
Looking at Danzo's "I'm the only one who's right" expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly angered.
Furthermore, he realized that he seemed to have been led astray by Danzo again!
They were clearly discussing Orochimaru, so how did the conversation turn back to the Uchiha?
Seeing Danzo's lips twitching as if he wanted to say something, he immediately cut him off.
"I order you to investigate the Black Market immediately, especially those wearing Black Cloaks with Red Clouds. Do you understand?"
"..."
Danzo's words of "You'll live to regret this" were forcibly swallowed back down before he could utter them.
He was also furious, though he blamed himself for having been one second too slow back in the day.
One second!
"Hmph, I understand. I will do as you see fit."
This scene made Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura shake their heads repeatedly.
Even though they had witnessed it many times, it always felt fresh...
"Good then. I trust you will handle it well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood finally improved somewhat; although Danzo argued with him, his professional competence was unquestionable.
However, he did not dismiss the meeting yet, as he had other matters to attend to.
"Now, we can move on to the next topic."
"Hmph."
Danzo let out a cold snort, while Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura both looked somewhat puzzled.
"Third Hokage, is there anything else?"
"It's about Ao."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe and leisurely spoke.
"He was killed by Makoto, and the Byakugan needs to be returned. However, I believe we can do more."
"Do more? You mean..."
Mitokado Homura instantly realized something, and Utatane Koharu also asked thoughtfully.
"Third Hokage, are you planning to inform the Hyuga about this?"
"Correct. After all, this is Makoto's achievement, which is no more than he deserves, and..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, turned his head, and cast his gaze in the direction of the Hyuga clan grounds.
"They have also suppressed the information, but this matter violates Anbu regulations, so I need to consult with you all first."
"This..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's words instantly perked all three of them up.
Anbu missions were indeed strictly confidential, but the rules were set by them!
And in Ao's case, there was a vast amount of room to maneuver.
"In principle, I have no objection. Hyuga Makoto's performance this time showed both courage and resourcefulness, and he is worthy of commendation."
Mitokado Homura touched the frames of his glasses, and Utatane Koharu also straightened her posture.
"I've read the report. Kakashi's evaluation of him is that though he lacks experience, his strength is already no less than my own."
"Furthermore, using Ao as the reason for an official notification is completely logical, and the Hyuga won't be unreasonable."
Though Danzo was annoyed, he stroked his chin at this moment as well.
"Besides, the Main Branch already has few people. Unlike the Uchiha, there's no need to worry about them causing any trouble."
Although the Hyuga placed family interests above those of the village, they were truly different from the Uchiha!
Their foundational principle was to "support the Hokage", even though they didn't really care who the Hokage was...
Moreover, the conflict between the Main Branch and the Branch Family was right there out in the open, and the Main Branch happened to be low in numbers.
If not for the Caged Bird, they probably would have engaged in a civil war long ago!
The opening provided by Hyuga Makoto had already been made, and it was only natural for them to push a little harder.
Even under the worst-case scenario where the Main Branch wanted to turn traitor, the Branch Family-for the sake of their own and their descendants' destinies-would be ghosts if they ever followed them!
"So, I support you."
Danzo said in a deep voice, an answer that immediately made Hiruzen Sarutobi laugh, though Danzo's next sentence caused his expression to freeze.
"Having more Byakugan can also better deal with the Uchiha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his brow in some pain, even though a consensus had been reached on this matter.
Yet his old friend's attitude toward the Uchiha truly made his heart weary...
And just as their meeting was drawing to a close, Hyuga Makoto slowly opened his eyes within the room.
His expression was somewhat dazed, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching.
What the hell, even this works?!
Before you continue