We're Companions!

Hearing Minato's words, Jiraiya looked toward Hyuga Hane and muttered, "I heard you chose guards from both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. He must be one of them, then."

"Yes, Hane is very strong. He helped me defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

"Oh? You cleaned up those troublesome fellows?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, casting an surprised glance at Hyuga Hane. "That's quite impressive."

In the two days that had passed, without any intelligence channels, the outside world still did not know that Hane had mastered the Flying Thunder God.

Thinking of this, the smile on the corner of Minato's mouth became even more pronounced. "Hane has already learned the Flying Thunder God. With the two of us together, no one can keep us here."

Jiraiya, who had only been surprised that a member of the Hyuga Branch Family possessed such strength, widened his eyes. "A second user of the Flying Thunder God?"

"My mastery of the Flying Thunder God hasn't reached the Fourth's level yet, but when combined with the vision of the Byakugan, I have a certain advantage in long-distance teleportation," Hyuga Hane stated calmly.

Two Flying Thunder God users, one of them from the Hyuga Clan, and the enemy had no intelligence on it... Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, since you aren't unprepared, I won't say anything more."

"You are the Hokage now. I will act as a Jonin and follow your orders."

A rich smile appeared on his face as he joked, "Come to think of it, I really want to see Orochimaru's expression. He was the one most likely to compete with you for the position of Hokage. Seeing the title of Fourth Hokage behind your name, his mood must be quite complicated."

"I heard from the Third that it was Senior Orochimaru who gave up the competition for the Hokage position, which is why I was able to succeed him smoothly," Minato shook his head.

Jiraiya was stunned and scratched his head.

"I actually didn't know that. That guy Orochimaru never told me."

Recalling how he had boasted about Minato in front of Orochimaru earlier, only to see the man remain completely calm, Jiraiya frowned slightly.

Was Orochimaru laughing at him behind his back at the time?

Even with his thick skin, he felt a bit embarrassed...

Shaking his head to cast the uncomfortable thoughts from his mind, Jiraiya looked at Hyuga Hane again and sighed, "The village is truly full of talent now. Looking at you all, I feel like we Sannin are about to be phased out by the new era."

Hyuga Hane shook his head. "My strength still needs to continue improving; I am far from reaching Senior Jiraiya's level."

Jiraiya's strength was beyond doubt. Without any intelligence, he could fight the Six Paths of Pain to that extent. Provided the power scaling didn't collapse, his strength was among the top in the Shinobi World.

"That's right, Teacher, you are still very young. There are still many things I need to learn from you."

Minato chuckled, ending the topic. He looked at the map on the table and said, "Let's talk about how to deal with those two Jinchuriki."

"Do you have any thoughts, Hane?"

After Jiraiya left, Minato looked at Hyuga Hane, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, and sighed.

"It's just the two of us now. As friends, you can speak freely, right?"

He had intended to use this opportunity to bring Hyuga Hane into the village's core, but he hadn't expected the latter not to offer a single suggestion.

Hyuga Hane pointed to his forehead. "I have already spoken with Lady Tsunade. Even if the Caged Bird Technique has been broken, you shouldn't make your intention to involve me in decision-making so obvious."

Namikaze Minato was stunned and said helplessly:

"You knew? Was I being too obvious?"

Hyuga Hane did not answer the question and continued:

"Your line of thinking has deviated from that of a Hokage. Between having a powerful Hyuga Branch member or offending the Hyuga Main Family and losing the future support of the Hyuga Clan, you should have chosen the latter."

"...Perhaps."

Minato fell silent for a moment, then revealed a bright, cloudless smile.

"But... we are comrades!"

"Watching a comrade live with a false face, rarely showing a smile, and choosing to ignore it or look away—I can't do that!"

"I will change things. Senior Tsunade has already laid the foundation for me, and I will change the Hyuga!"

"..."

Looking at Minato's unwavering gaze, Hyuga Hane sighed. "I understand, but until you change things, don't ask me to participate in decision-making."

Although many of Minato's philosophies and ideas differed from his own, he respected Minato's will and character.

However, you no longer need to change them.

The visual connection with Hyuga Meigoku remained active. The reanimated ninja held a scroll in his hand and slowly retreated into a coffin that had suddenly appeared.

Inside that scroll... were the 28 pairs of Byakugan from the Main Family. Aside from Hiashi and his wife, every Byakugan of the Main Family was there!

"Alright," Minato agreed, smiling. "Then let's talk, just the two of us. You won't object to that, right? What are your thoughts on this war?"

Hyuga Hane: "The Third Mizukage has staked the entire future of the Mist Village on this. There must be voices of opposition within. We can use rumors to weaken their combat effectiveness."

Minato thought for a moment. "What if we spread the rumor that the Third Mizukage is under a genjutsu? We could even have a Hyuga ninja state this in front of the Mist forces. As a Kage, his behavior is far too irrational."

He was gentle toward his comrades, but if he could reduce the village's casualties, he would not be picky about his methods when dealing with enemies.

To be merciful to an enemy was a betrayal of the Hokage title and the village's ninjas!

"...That is feasible."

It was more than just feasible. When a Hyuga ninja used their Byakugan to look into the mind of the Third Mizukage, they would discover that he was indeed being controlled by a genjutsu.

Have you read the script, too?

Giving Minato a strange look, surprised that he had immediately linked the situation to genjutsu, Hyuga Hane continued, "But this way, the Third Mizukage cannot be moved. It is best to keep him alive as a target for rumors and attacks."

"I will arrange for this," Minato nodded. "Root has spies within the Mist Village who can serve as an asset."

Since the Hokage had personally arrived at the front lines, command of the various units naturally fell to him; Jiraiya had taken the initiative to place himself in a subordinate position just now so as not to make things difficult for Minato.

After all, respecting one's teacher and following the path of righteousness had always been a "fine tradition" of Konoha; if Jiraiya did not say it himself, Minato certainly would not find it easy to command him.

As for Root... Danzo himself did not want Konoha to lose this war, so some of his personnel had already been handed over.

"Hmm..."

Having decided on this matter, Minato frowned and fell into a silent, contemplative state.

Seeing this, Hyuga Hane did not use honorifics this time and asked directly, "Do you have other concerns?"

Minato felt a bit pleased by the change in Hyuga Hane's tone and did not hide anything. "What is your take on Root? Or rather... do you think their existence is necessary?"

The other party had always used honorifics, which had made him feel as though they were deliberately keeping their distance.

Hyuga Hane's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you planning to make a move against Danzo?"

"No, it is the Third who wants to pave the way for me."

Sighing softly, Minato turned his gaze toward the door of the command room, his tone complex. "Konoha must have already been brought under Danzo's control."

There were some things the Third had not kept from him; after all, now... he was the Hokage!