Don't Kneel Once You've Stood Up

"That is Sarutobi Hiruzen's own power, still under his control. Why do it this way?"

Hearing Hyuga Tokuma's question, Hyuga Hane replied indifferently:

"Compared to the Sarutobi Clan rotting in the future and becoming a malignant tumor that Konoha must excise, isn't it better to die in battle as a hero? Only by controlling the number of shinobi can the Sarutobi Clan survive securely under the rule of other Hokage."

"A tall tree catches the wind. In the end, they are not the Senju Clan; their prestige is insufficient. The Senju Clan could exit the stage gracefully, but they cannot."

The Senju Clan was indeed integrated into the village by the Second Hokage, or one could say, wiped out as a clan.

Standing from the perspective of the Second Hokage, such an action actually had many benefits.

First, it solved the problem of future succession for the village.

The prestige of the Senju Clan was simply too high. If they continued to exist, the Hokage of Konoha would only ever be surnamed Senju, or be related to the Senju. Over time, the Senju would inevitably develop rifts with every other shinobi clan.

It would be one thing if there were many talented descendants, but during the Second Hokage's time, the Senju Clan lacked powerful shinobi, and Tsunade was still too young.

Therefore, keeping the Senju at the center of Konoha was a recipe for disaster.

Second, integrating into the village and no longer identifying as Senju was the best possible finale for the clan.

Looking at the fates of other direct descendants of the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura, one can see that the Senju integrating into the village was actually a good thing.

The Uchiha Clan was almost completely wiped out by Itachi; the Uzumaki Clan was scattered across the shinobi world, living miserable lives; the Kaguya Clan was exterminated; the only remaining Otsutsuki on the moon is Toneri; and the Hyuga Clan protects itself humbly through the Caged Bird.

By comparison, only the Senju Clan met the most dignified end: coexisting and perishing with Konoha!

What does it matter if their descendants are not surnamed Senju?

They will all be proud that their ancestors were of the Senju Clan.

As for the Sarutobi Clan, because the Third Hokage held power for too long, they gained power similar to the Senju, but without sufficient prestige.

After all, the Senju were one of the two clans that founded Konoha and were at the forefront of the first two Great Shinobi Wars. Shinobi clans might have had complaints about Senju Tobirama's repressive policies, but they could not harbor resentment toward such a Senju Clan.

The same cannot be said for the Sarutobi Clan.

Standing at the pinnacle of power, one cannot step down without bloodshed.

Think of the squad originally led by Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai.

The former was the next head of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and the latter was the child of high-ranking members of the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans.

Asuma and Kurenai were also lovers, making it easy to see that the leaders of the shinobi clans at the time were still the Sarutobi Clan.

Was it glorious?

It was very glorious, but when the Third Hokage fought Orochimaru, not one of these clans came to help him.

Could they not break the Four Violet Flames Formation?

That is a Konoha ninjutsu; how could they possibly be unable to break it?

Even the Yamanaka Clan could have sent four Jonin to control the Sound Four and force them to dispel it themselves.

However, no one would do that.

The Third Hokage had been Hokage for too long, and the Sarutobi Clan's power had expanded too much. With the Uchiha massacre and Hizashi being handed over to the Cloud Village, the shinobi clans no longer trusted the Third.

Letting him die in a battle defending the village was the last shred of dignity the shinobi clans and Orochimaru left him.

Hyuga Hane put away his thoughts and reminded the silent Tokuma: "Keep these things in mind, but that is enough. The future of the Branch Family does not lie in Konoha; there is no need to get involved in the conflict between the shinobi clans and the Hokage."

"The Third Hokage letting you enter Root and having Danzo fix his gaze on the Hyuga Clan may well be an attempt to draw out those of you who are dissatisfied with the village and the Main Branch."

"Him and the Fourth leaving the village was intentionally giving Danzo an opportunity to make a move."

"He is, after all, the Third Hokage of Konoha. You can trust in his power, but you must never trust in his benevolence."

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as Hyuga Tokuma bowed his head and replied: "Yes!"

The Third Hokage was truly cunning. He had almost believed the Third's nonsense earlier due to his words.

Now that he thought about it, no one could actually verify whether those words were true or false.

Besides, if he truly lacked ability, how could he have suppressed the Darkness of the Shinobi World and balanced the power of the shinobi clans until now?

Perhaps the most important reason he couldn't take action against the shinobi clans was that the Sarutobi Clan itself was the largest shinobi clan!

And now, this former "Shinobi Hero" still couldn't help but take action against his own clansmen, even if the goal was to ensure the better continuation of the Sarutobi Clan...

However, he was in no position to judge the other man for what he was doing now.

The other man was doing it for the future of the Sarutobi Clan, while he was doing it for the future of the Hyuga.

Thinking of this, Hyuga Tokuma's mood gradually returned to calm.

"Then, when the time comes, what do you need me to do? Should I hand that technique over to Danzo?"

"You don't need to take action this time; just wait for Danzo to fail. It is not yet time for it to be born."

Hyuga Hane glanced at the charred marks on Tokuma's palms. "Retire and rest for now. In the future, just keep an eye out for two people surnamed Yakushi in Root for me."

Even though Ranmaru had been knocked unconscious by him and Raiga Kurosuki had been severely wounded, it would not be an easy task for Hyuga Tokuma to kill the latter.

"Yes!"

Hyuga Tokuma obeyed and was about to leave using the Body Flicker Technique, but he heard a calm, gentle voice come from behind.

"Since you've already stood up, don't kneel back down. Reporting to me while on your knees would feel quite uncomfortable, wouldn't it, Senior Tokuma?"

Hyuga Tokuma paused, a surge of complex emotions roiling within his heart.

He offered no reply, but after leaving, he carefully reviewed his actions once more to ensure he hadn't negatively impacted Hyuga Hane's plans before finally falling into a deep sleep.

Today, the battle against Raiga alone had exhausted his stamina, and having to act in front of Danzo and the Third Hokage afterward had left him physically and mentally drained.

In the underground space, several minutes after Hyuga Tokuma had departed, a cold sneer echoed through the air.

Hyuga Meigoku stepped out from the shadows, mocking him with a cold laugh: "A fine method for winning over subordinates!"

Glancing at him casually, Hyuga Hane smiled faintly: "It's far less direct and effective than Impure World Reincarnation; even if you harbor treacherous thoughts, there is still nothing you can do."

Hyuga Meigoku's face darkened, and he glared at him unkindly: "If you have the guts, release the control of the Impure World and fight me one-on-..."

Thud!

A coffin appeared out of thin air, sealing him inside along with his unfinished words.

"You only need to focus on your reconnaissance mission; don't spend all day thinking about useless things."

Having retrieved the old senior who, aside from having usable strength, only ever looked for trouble, Hyuga Hane began to ponder.

The Fourth Hokage's desire to head to the battlefield stemmed from the intelligence he had shown him today.

The Third Mizukage, two Tailed Beasts, Terumi Mei, Karatachi Yagura, Kisame Hoshigaki...

What a formidable lineup. If it weren't for the fact that some of them hadn't fully matured yet, the Konoha front lines would have already collapsed.

However, committing so much combat power would leave the Mist Village severely crippled if they suffered too many losses. If the Mizukage had even a shred of rationality, he would never have made such a choice.

But then again, the Third Mizukage had long been under the control of another, so such a decision was hardly surprising.

Hyuga Hane narrowed his eyes.

By having the Fourth take on the role of Hokage early, he was now bogged down by administrative affairs, and with Rin and Kakashi being kept under close watch by a Fourth Hokage worried about their mental states, they couldn't leave the village for missions.

In the end, it forced you to act, didn't it...

Madara, I have given you the best stage; do not disappoint me.

Let me see just how strong that toad's prophecy truly is.