"Don't worry. Today is, after all, a joyous occasion for Lord Hokage."
There was a hint of mockery in Shinichi Hyuga's voice as he surveyed everyone around him, watching for their reactions.
His aura had erupted for only an instant.
In the Ajin World, an Ajin's innate ability to intimidate only worked on ordinary people. In this world, after adapting to his strength, it affected only those who were weak and lacked mental fortitude. He could also control its range.
For now, it was a weakened version of Conqueror's Haki, but this intimidating ability could grow stronger with training, and its future potential was even greater.
The intimidation just now had been aimed mainly at the Hyuga Clan's Great Elder.
The consequences left everyone stunned.
No matter what, the Hyuga Clan's Great Elder was a registered jōnin of Konoha. And he'd been subdued by sheer force of presence?
Shinichi Hyuga's display had completely changed everyone's understanding of his strength.
And the aura, brimming with killing intent, was worlds apart from the Shinichi Hyuga of legend, who had been crippled because he refused to kill. It was as if they were two different people.
No one would ever know what Shinichi Hyuga had gone through during this time.
After obtaining the template of Tanaka from the Ajin World, he had killed rogue ninja and bandits, amassing a full ten thousand materialization points.
That was ten thousand Genin.
Through the process, he had adapted to the Ajin template.
He had even combined it with his own traits, greatly enhancing it in certain aspects.
Kakashi was stunned. The Shinichi Hyuga before him was nothing like the person he knew.
"Kakashi, tell your teacher I'm taking my leave. I wish him a child soon!"
Shinichi Hyuga's voice had returned to normal.
Hearing it, Kakashi Hatake couldn't help feeling that there was some special meaning behind his words.
Though the wedding was only a formality, Shinichi Hyuga's actions now were a complete break with Minato Namikaze.
Shinichi Hyuga stood and walked straight toward the exit of the hall.
He paid no heed to Kakashi Hatake, who seemed to want to say something but held back.
The moment he stepped outside, he looked back at Kushina Uzumaki, his gaze settling on her belly.
No wonder they're holding the wedding at this time. Has this world's protagonist begun to take shape?
He didn't linger. He turned and left.
Behind him, more than a dozen jōnin from the Hyuga Branch Family followed, moved by his resolve.
Seeing his supporters steadfastly at his back, Shinichi Hyuga felt a measure of comfort.
These dozen or so people could all be considered his disciples.
Their willingness to follow him at a time like this made them steadfast supporters.
The Hyuga Clan had around a hundred jōnin eligible to attend clan meetings.
Originally, a third of them supported him.
The most important reason was that his Taijutsu school had given rise to the Hyuga Kick Technique, which was entirely different from the Hyuga Gentle Fist.
Since the Hyuga Main Family forbade the Hyuga Branch Family from learning the Sixty-Four Palms of the Eight Trigrams and Rotation, his Taijutsu had spread widely. His performances in particular had made it popular throughout the Hyuga Clan.
Those who learned it formed a following. Even if they weren't personally devoted to him, they wouldn't make things difficult for him.
He had originally been confident he could secure the position of hidden lineage leader. He hadn't expected the Great Elder to side with the Third. And the weak-willed clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, would most likely continue to back the Great Elder.
His original plan now needed to be even more foolproof. He wouldn't allow any mistakes.
He could only hope that the clan meeting would be a little fairer.
He felt somewhat uneasy. Whenever people were involved—and especially when a few old schemers were among them—the clan meeting became far too unpredictable!
He was only one candidate.
So if the other candidates disappeared, he would be the only one left to choose!
"Sir, has something changed?" asked Hyuga Heiyuan, one of the supporters behind Shinichi Hyuga. He had never seen Shinichi Hyuga like this before.
"Heiyuan, the rules have changed! But those are their rules. Now we'll play by mine. Bring people to learn the new Taijutsu tomorrow! The old kicking techniques really did have major flaws."
Shinichi Hyuga smiled. Hyuga Heici was the subordinate he trusted most, yet he knew just as little about politics. Or perhaps politics in this world simply had a way of justifying itself, no matter how bizarre its institutions were.
The Great Elder's behavior at the gathering had already made certain things clear.
"Sir, I was just about to say that some of our comrades seem to have other ideas." Hyuga Heiyuan didn't quite understand Shinichi Hyuga, but he was troubled by the sudden loss of several allies. He leaned closer and told him what was happening.
"The fact that you're willing to follow me already says enough."
Seeing Hyuga Heiyuan catch on belatedly, Shinichi Hyuga's suspicions were confirmed. Some of his supporters had wavered. It didn't take much thought to guess who was behind it.
The Third was a master at manipulating people.
That only strengthened Shinichi Hyuga's resolve to make sure the other candidates didn't appear at the clan meeting.
Only after Shinichi Hyuga had disappeared from view did the people in the hall break into separate groups and begin discussing what had happened.
The Hyuga Clan's Great Elder had a flushed face and looked utterly ashamed as he left through a side door.
He had been the one to lose the most face. As a member of the Hyuga Main Family, he should have been warned by the Caged Bird seal and struck back when Shinichi Hyuga made his move.
But he had simply endured the pain, and Shinichi Hyuga had ignored it completely.
The Third stood behind Minato Namikaze, his expression shifting. He had felt killing intent like that before, from Hatake Sakumo. Shinichi Hyuga's had been even more violent.
He was even more displeased with what had just happened.
Why? He knew perfectly well that the Third supported the Hyuga Clan's Great Elder, yet he still dared to resist?
Shinichi Hyuga had completely slipped out of his control. He wouldn't tolerate someone like that.
"Minato, it seems your former comrade isn't very happy with you. He chose to make such a scene at your wedding."
The Third spoke as though he were looking out for Minato Namikaze, but his words were meant to turn him against Shinichi Hyuga.
"I'm sure he'll understand my position."
Minato Namikaze still wore his warm, winning smile. Perhaps because he was about to become a father, he could understand Shinichi Hyuga a little better.
Just a few days ago, he had been debating whether to help Shinichi Hyuga.
After learning that the Third already supported the Hyuga Clan's Great Elder, he didn't want to cause unnecessary division.
The village was still recovering its strength.
He had even considered trying to persuade Shinichi Hyuga to accept the arrangement.
His ninja way was to sacrifice everything for the village. He would become a Hokage who stayed out of the clans' affairs within the village. That was also why Sarutobi Hiruzen had chosen him as his successor.
"That's right! He's been getting a little too unruly. He needs a good reminder of his place."
The Third took the pipe from his waist and formed a hand seal with one hand to light the tobacco.
Not far away, beneath the platform, Shimura Danzō narrowed his one remaining eye.
The Third was still a dignified elder who paid attention to where he was. He shouldn't be smoking at a time like this.
He remembered seeing that gesture once before.
Not long afterward, Hatake Sakumo had died.
And in the end, the blame had fallen on him.
It seemed Shinichi Hyuga was someone worth winning over.
At this moment, he envied his old partner, whom he knew so well. The man seemed retired, yet his grasp on power had only grown stronger!
There were even rumors now calling him one of the Twin Jewels of the Land of Fire and the strongest Hokage in Konoha.
The shameless rumors were spreading as if they were true. There was no need to guess who was behind them.
"Shinichi Hyuga, I hope you don't disappoint me."
Shimura Danzō surveyed the surroundings. He had long since grown used to hiding in the shadows. It was all he could do.
Being controlled like this by the Third, the village's public face, had kept him in the shadows for too long. Now that the Fourth Hokage had fully taken office, it was time for him to make a move.
The Hyuga Clan was a perfect place to start.
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