Transformation

"So, you called us here because of this?"

As the sun set, Shimura Danzō looked calmly at Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Hokage's office.

But inside, he let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness. He really wasn't looking for me!

Today, he had been reading the research report Orochimaru had sent him in Root, along with that "debt collection letter" that made his scalp tingle.

Before he even had time to fantasize about becoming Hokage, he heard that the Anbu had come knocking!

That had terrified him. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi had genuinely brought the Anbu to surround him and all of Root...

Fortunately, only one person had come, and that person had merely told him to attend a meeting in the Hokage's office.

Even so, he hadn't dared relax completely. Only after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation did his suspended heart finally settle.

"That's right. I'd like to hear your opinions."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no idea what Danzo was thinking. He glanced at Danzo, then turned to Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura before continuing.

"Personally, I think this is a good opportunity to deal with the current situation of the Hyuga Clan."

"Indeed. Especially since he's from the Branch Family, but..."

Utatane Koharu nodded with some difficulty, and Mitokado Homura immediately followed up.

"He isn't Hizashi Hyuga. I'm worried about whether he can shoulder all of this."

"Danzo, what do you think?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not object. Instead, he looked curiously at his old friend.

"It's a good idea."

Shimura Danzō entered work mode quickly and spoke calmly.

"The Hyuga Clan is too 'united.' They always place their own interests above Konoha's, especially that incident a few years ago..."

Those words immediately put displeased expressions on the faces of everyone present.

It had been a grand celebration for the entire village. Even those lunatics from the Uchiha had come, yet the Hyuga had all stayed away because of the birthday of their heiress?

Even sending an elder would have been fine. Send one person, and everyone could have saved face...

In the end, things had even developed into that state. Whoever it was, they would have been unhappy.

"Still, Koharu and Homura have made it clear that the boy probably isn't qualified. Should we have him come train under me?"

As everyone fell silent, Danzo continued speaking. His words immediately made Hiruzen Sarutobi roll his eyes.

No one from the Hyuga had ever entered the Anbu, and Root had never managed to recruit anyone either.

Now that he had this opportunity, Danzo naturally wanted to give it a try!

"Looks like you don't understand that child very well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo before continuing in a drawn-out tone.

"Makoto is well-liked. He's a child who possesses the Will of Fire."

Danzo immediately lost the desire to speak. Now that Hiruzen had even brought up the "Will of Fire," what else could he say?

"Besides, his usual performance isn't bad either."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not mind. He continued,

"With someone in the Anbu to guide and train him, it'll be enough."

"Since you put it that way, Third Hokage..."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance, then immediately stated their positions.

"Then we have no objections. It's just that Hyuga Hiashi..."

"I'll pay him a personal visit and tell him that I took the initiative to invite Makoto to join."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had already decided how to handle it. Finally, he turned his gaze toward Danzo.

"And you? What do you think?"

"Hmph. I'll reserve my judgment."

Danzo gave an unhappy snort. At this point, whether he agreed or not made no difference.

"Then think it over carefully."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile, then stroked his chin.

"Actually, there's something I need to think over carefully as well."

"What is it?"

"You recommended Itachi to join the Anbu. If we don't recruit someone from the Hyuga, will the village think we're favoring the Uchiha..."

"Don't overthink it!"

"?"

"I completely agree!"

"I heard you went to see Third Hokage?"

Under the moon and sparse stars, inside the pavilion at the Hyuga Clan Head Mansion, Hyuga Hiashi asked softly while drinking tea. Hyuga Makoto immediately nodded.

"Yes, Clan Head."

"Then..."

Hyuga Hiashi set down his teacup and spoke meaningfully.

"Has there been any result regarding your desire to join the Anbu?"

"This..."

Hyuga Makoto scratched his head. He knew Hyuga Hiashi would ask, but he hadn't expected him to be so direct.

As for the result, he had one.

After all, he had already obtained all the benefits!

[Name: Hyuga Makoto]

[Age: 13]

[Bloodline: Moon Ōtsutsuki (5%)]

[Dojutsu: Tenseigan (1%)]

[Chakra Nature: Yin, Yang]

The current Hyuga Makoto could be said to have undergone a complete transformation.

Especially his eyes. Even he hadn't expected both eyes to evolve into the Tenseigan!

"Although my Tenseigan is somewhat different..."

He had already examined it before coming here. His Tenseigan was not the deep blue of Otsutsuki Toneri's.

Instead, like the Tenseigan inside Hamura Temple, it was a pale golden color.

He did not know whether this was related, but he had obtained two very interesting abilities.

One was a special Puppet Manipulation Technique, and the other was "Tsukuyomi."

Tsukuyomi was especially interesting. This technique allowed him to resonate with the Lunar Tenseigan and thereby draw down its energy!

"According to the description, although I may be influenced by those lunatics on the moon, I won't be easily located..."

Although only the old, weak, sick, and disabled had remained on the moon after a civil war, those lunatics could genuinely control the Tenseigan.

Hyuga Makoto planned to try it in the future. He wanted to see how far this influence would go, and he also wanted to confirm the condition of those people.

"If there's only one blind man left, then I can really consider going up there and throwing a few heavy punches..."

Besides that, there was one more important matter: his Caged Bird had become ineffective!

After all, the Caged Bird targeted the Byakugan. What did it have to do with the Tenseigan?

"Even if my eyes are only one percent developed, their essence has already changed..."

Even if he reverted to the Byakugan now, and even if the Caged Bird seal remained, it could no longer affect him!

He was even somewhat glad that the seal had not been erased.

"A Branch Family member suddenly losing the Caged Bird while remaining alive would be the most terrifying thing of all..."

However, although he had an answer, he could not say anything recklessly.

After pondering for a while, he put on an embarrassed expression.

"Clan Head, I didn't realize you already knew."

"I know, but only I know."

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. If he had not tacitly approved it, how could things have reached this point?

"Makoto, you should answer my question now."

"Clan Head, Third Hokage told me not to say anything recklessly."

Hyuga Makoto spoke cautiously. When he saw Hyuga Hiashi's brow furrow, he immediately added,

"However, Third Hokage did keep my application report."

"Oh?"

Hyuga Hiashi raised his eyebrows. The fact that he had accepted the application so readily was enough to show...

"Third Hokage already has quite a serious grudge against the Hyuga!"

Actually, this was not strange. The village and the clans were naturally in conflict.

Although he felt that the Hyuga were still much better than the Uchiha, the incident back then had been too damaging. Hizashi's fate had also given him the thought of "betraying his ancestors."

Over the years, he had continued thinking about whether he should do it and how he should proceed.

At precisely this moment, he had noticed Hyuga Makoto.

At first, he had also been puzzled. Did Hyuga Makoto know what he was doing? Why did this boy want to join the Anbu?

After thinking it over, he suspected that the boy might have heard something while staying at Hizashi's home.

However, he had not investigated too deeply, because he had come up with an idea!

"Let him give it a try. That way, I can see the village's attitude, and if it succeeds, perhaps I can make use of the village's help in the future."

That was how this whole matter had come about, and he had indeed seen some results.

"Since Third Hokage told you not to say anything recklessly, let's leave it at that."

Only after thinking this did he speak in a low voice.

"Also, until this matter produces a result, only you and I can know about it. Understood?"

"Yes."

Hyuga Makoto obediently nodded. He certainly would not say anything recklessly. This was a matter of life and death!

"It's getting late. You should go back and rest."

Hyuga Hiashi set down his cup and rose. He slowly spoke earnestly,

"By the way, Hinata trusts you very much. No matter what happens in the future, do your best not to neglect her lessons."

"I understand, Clan Head."

Hyuga Makoto nodded seriously, then said softly,

"Then I'll take my leave first."

With that, Hyuga Makoto quickly left.

He had actually wanted to leave long ago. After all, he still had far too many things to think through.

"Hizashi, was this what you had in mind back then?"

Hyuga Hiashi quietly watched him leave. Only after a long while did he let out a soft sigh.

"I wonder how far this will go..."

As he murmured, his thoughts returned to the punch he had taken that night.

He failed to notice that by the window of the large house behind him, Hinata was holding little Hanabi and watching Hyuga Makoto's departing figure as well...