Judging by Shinichi Hyuga's actions...
His open dissatisfaction with the Third had made the Shimura Clan a mere sideshow.
Everyone present could sense the tension in the air.
The Third felt utterly powerless. The political maneuvering he had once been so proud of was useless against Shinichi Hyuga; instead, Shinichi had turned him into an example to establish his own authority.
Shinichi Hyuga was very satisfied with how the major clans had reacted.
The ruling class in Konoha had grown far too corrupt.
All the power was concentrated in the interest group led by the Third.
Though the Third seemed to have stepped down, his influence could be seen in every candidate from Konoha's major clans.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clan was practically a vassal of the Sarutobi Clan, and the current Ino-Shika-Cho trio were staunch supporters of the Third.
The Moonlight, Steel, Izumo Clan, and Hatake Clan—the smaller ninja clans—had secretly pledged their loyalty to the Third as well.
The Third and Konoha's elders had become a cancer on the village.
This corrupt Konoha needed to change, little by little.
He didn't want his daughter to be warped by the Will of Fire. Everyone had a part to play in safeguarding the mental and physical well-being of the young.
"Shinichi Hyuga, the Hokage is the supreme leader of Konoha. You should obey his orders." The Third furrowed his brow as he stressed this to Shinichi Hyuga.
"Leader? When the First invited the various clans to join him, the condition was that he wouldn't interfere in their internal affairs.
"Look at things now. I just have one question:
"Does the Hokage's promise still stand?"
Shinichi Hyuga swept his gaze over the clan heads gathered around them and asked.
His question challenged both the First and the Third.
What had happened at the Hyuga clan meeting was now out in the open, known to all the clan heads.
The Third had openly gone against the First's words. So did the Hokage's word still carry any authority?
These ninja clans were just as worried that the Third would interfere in their internal affairs.
Shinichi Hyuga's warning had opened their eyes to how much the Third had already done.
The Third was left speechless.
Minato Namikaze was the most awkward person there.
He was the current Hokage, yet neither of the other two seemed to care much about his feelings.
"Shinichi, the Third was only concerned about the Hyuga Clan's development. He meant no harm.
"The First's word still stands, of course.
"The Hokage and the village won't interfere in the internal affairs of any clan."
Minato Namikaze's words settled the matter. He had to defend the First's credibility, since it was the foundation on which the village stood.
Shinichi Hyuga smiled when he heard Minato Namikaze's words.
That was exactly what he had been waiting for.
The clan heads of Konoha had been waiting for those words, too.
As soon as Minato Namikaze spoke, the Third's expression turned distant.
He took out the pipe at his waist and lit it.
He took a long drag. Only then did he realize that he was no longer the Hokage in power.
Even as a tool under his control, Minato Namikaze wouldn't obey him completely.
He had lost one of his safeguards. The change in his fortunes made him understand why Shimura Danzō had so desperately wanted the Hokage's position.
Shinichi Hyuga noticed the Third's unusual behavior.
The unwillingness in his eyes showed that he wouldn't give up easily.
Their gazes collided, sparking between them.
"It's getting late. The Hyuga Clan still has some business to attend to, so I'll head back and take care of it."
Shinichi Hyuga chuckled and waved to everyone present.
Then he leapt high into the air and disappeared into the darkness.
The others were left staring at one another.
Shinichi Hyuga returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound.
After the upheaval, the Hyuga Clan had returned to order.
Their defenses were well organized, just as one would expect of a great clan that had survived since the Warring States period.
Hizashi Hyuga and the Third Elder were leading the Hyuga Clan's own guard force.
They waited at the entrance for Shinichi Hyuga to arrive.
The only thing that surprised Shinichi Hyuga was seeing Hyuga Hiashi among the welcoming party.
"Clan head, I've realized my mistake. Please put the past behind us. From now on, I'll follow your instructions." Hyuga Hiashi looked apprehensive. Though still weak, he spoke sincerely.
Shinichi Hyuga looked him over carefully. Hyuga Hiashi had recovered from his near-mad state.
He was still somewhat weak.
Then Shinichi Hyuga's eyes settled on Hizashi Hyuga, who seemed different somehow. He began to piece things together.
Perhaps Hizashi Hyuga's advice had made Hyuga Hiashi accept the outcome.
"You don't need to feel bitter. You'll see the Hyuga Clan grow stronger than ever.
"I have only one demand: don't become the next Great Elder.
"Don't join forces with outsiders to do anything that harms the Hyuga Clan or its members.
"Understood?"
Shinichi Hyuga's voice turned stern at the end.
Hyuga Hiashi was good at preserving the status quo, but when faced with malice, he often failed to strike back decisively.
Given the circumstances, if he truly submitted, he would be best suited to serve as an elder in charge of routine affairs.
"Understood!
"Clan head, these are the records of our communications with the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon. I was wrong!"
Hyuga Hiashi hurriedly nodded and handed Shinichi Hyuga a scroll, readily admitting his mistake.
He felt relieved, and a little self-deprecating. Shinichi Hyuga was the one who truly embodied the Hyuga Clan's dignity.
He had sensed something unusual in Shinichi Hyuga's words.
Only then did he understand that the Great Elder had probably been executed for colluding with Shimura Danzō.
His attitude had changed so quickly partly because Hizashi Hyuga had persuaded him.
But it was also because he had looked through some records and confirmed that Shinichi Hyuga's claims were true!
He had nearly endangered his own child. The Otsutsuki Clan on the moon had already set their sights on his unborn daughter.
[Special use of the Byakugan: determining the sex of an unborn child.]
"The Otsutsuki Clan?"
Shinichi Hyuga opened the scroll. It contained a diagram showing the location of a teleportation array, along with some information about their communications.
Only now did Shinichi Hyuga fully understand why Hyuga Hiashi had changed so much.
"Hiashi, remember my warning. You may leave."
Shinichi Hyuga put away the scroll. Since Hyuga Hiashi had shown good sense, he would let him continue serving the Hyuga Clan.
He hurried to the Hyuga Clan's nursery and found his daughter.
She was sleeping peacefully!
The logistical support of a great clan was truly impressive.
Thump~
A faint sound came from behind Shinichi Hyuga. Black Ghost Conan reappeared.
"Were you smashed to pieces?" Shinichi Hyuga asked, baffled. As far as he remembered, Black Ghosts couldn't be destroyed.
"You're really greedy. Didn't you notice? Our abilities have adapted somewhat to this world."
Black Ghost Conan rolled his eyes at Shinichi Hyuga.
His memories were identical to Shinichi Hyuga's, and he had already formed a few guesses.
The fact that he could exist in this world for so long had made him realize that some things were different.
But some traits remained unchanged. For example, as long as Shinichi Hyuga didn't die, he could keep coming back forever.
"I'm going to see Reiko!"
Black Ghost Conan ran over to Reiko Hyuga. This made Shinichi Hyuga suspect that Conan had given up fighting just so he could see Reiko sooner.
Shinichi Hyuga quickly let the thought go. Black Ghost Conan had retained most of his original traits.
He really had been too greedy. This was no ordinary world. Even with his current strength, he could easily be sealed and controlled. He still needed to work harder.
Realizing he had underestimated this world, he opened the panel bestowed on him by the Earth Will.
It was his greatest asset.
[Name: Shinichi Hyuga Available worlds for manifestation: Detective Conan, Ajin, ??? Manifested templates: Kyogoku Makoto, Haibara Ai, Ajin No. 002. Manifestation Points: 13874]
The panel showed that he had gained over three thousand Manifestation Points. Was that the equivalent of more than three thousand Genin?
It couldn't all have come from members of the Shimura Clan.
If converted into the equivalent of jonin, that would be more than thirty. With Root shinobi involved, that made sense.
As expected, killing elite shinobi yielded more Manifestation Points.
No wonder Shimura Danzō had fought him so desperately.
No matter who died, they were an important part of his forces.
Shimura Danzō wouldn't let this go, either.
He stopped thinking about those old men who spoiled the mood and focused on building up his strength.
The characters from the first two worlds could no longer offer him much help. Now he finally had enough Manifestation Points to draw a new world.
That was why he had been saving them all this time.
"Draw!"
Ten thousand Manifestation Points vanished!
The panel in his mind played a cheap animation, then turned into a video player and began showing images.
"The sea—fate—Nika—"
At last, the available worlds on the panel gained a new entry: the One Piece World.
It was within Shinichi Hyuga's expectations.
Judging by the powers shown in that world, its upper limit was lower than that of the Naruto world.
But it had countless abilities, and it could help him a great deal right now.
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