A Ninja With Obvious Weaknesses is a Good Ninja.

"No need to worry; after all, today is a joyous occasion for our Hokage."

Shinichi Hyuga's tone carried a hint of mockery as his gaze swept across the crowd, eager to gauge their reactions.

The burst of his aura had lasted only an instant.

The intimidation talent of an Ajin, which only affected ordinary people in the Ajin world, had adapted to this world. Now, it targeted those with low strength and insufficient mental fortitude, and he could even control its range.

It was currently a weakened version of Conqueror's Haki, a deterrent ability that would grow stronger with his cultivation and held even greater potential for the future.

The intimidation just now had been directed primarily at the Great Elder of the Hyuga clan.

The consequences left everyone in shock.

The Great Elder of the Hyuga clan was, by any measure, a registered Jonin of Konoha. To think he had been suppressed by mere aura?

This display by Shinichi Hyuga completely altered everyone's perception of his strength.

Moreover, that murderous aura was a world apart from the legendary Shinichi Hyuga who had been crippled for refusing to kill; they were like two completely different people.

No one would ever know what Shinichi Hyuga had experienced during this time.

After obtaining the template of Tanaka Koji, the Ajin, he had accumulated a full ten thousand manifestation points by slaughtering rogue ninja and mountain bandits.

That was ten thousand Genin.

In the process, he had already become fully adapted to the Ajin template.

By combining it with his own traits, he had even enhanced certain aspects countless times over.

Kakashi Hatake was somewhat stunned; the Shinichi Hyuga before him was completely different from the person he knew.

"Kakashi, tell your teacher that I'll be taking my leave. I wish him a healthy child soon!"

Shinichi Hyuga's voice returned to a calm state.

Falling into the ears of Kakashi Hatake, the words felt as though they held some special, hidden meaning.

Although this wedding was merely a formality, what Shinichi Hyuga was doing now was a clean break from Minato Namikaze.

Shinichi Hyuga stood up and walked straight toward the exit of the hall.

He ignored Kakashi Hatake, who seemed to have more to say.

The moment he stepped outside, he looked back at Kushina Uzumaki, his gaze falling upon her lower abdomen.

No wonder they are holding the wedding at this time. Has the protagonist of this world begun to gestate?

He did not linger, turning to leave.

Behind him, over a dozen Jonin from the Hyuga branch family felt the call and followed in his wake.

Seeing the unwavering supporters standing behind him, Shinichi Hyuga felt a sense of gratification.

These dozen or so individuals could all be considered his disciples.

That they were willing to follow him at such a time proved they were his steadfast supporters.

There were about a hundred Jonin in the Hyuga clan qualified to attend the clan meeting.

Originally, one-third of them supported him.

The most important reason was his taijutsu style, which had formed the Hyuga Kick Technique, a style entirely different from the Hyuga Gentle Fist.

Because the Hyuga main family forbade the branch family from learning the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation, his taijutsu had spread widely, and his performance had made it particularly popular within the Hyuga clan.

Those who learned it became his followers; even if they weren't loyal to him, they wouldn't make things difficult for him.

He had originally been confident in securing the position of the hidden lineage, but he hadn't expected the Great Elder to defect to the Third Hokage. Furthermore, that weak-willed clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, would likely choose to continue supporting the Great Elder.

His original plan needed to be more secure; he could not allow any mistakes.

He could only hope that the clan meeting would be fair.

He felt a measure of anxiety; as long as people were involved—especially when it concerned a few old schemers—the clan meeting became far too uncontrollable.

He was merely a candidate.

Therefore, if the other candidates simply disappeared, he would be the only one left to choose from!

"My lord? Has something changed?" asked Hyuga Heiyuan, a supporter behind Shinichi Hyuga, who had never seen him act this way before.

"Heiyuan, the rules have changed! But those were their rules; now, we are going to play by my rules. Bring people to learn the new taijutsu tomorrow! The old kick technique indeed had major flaws."

Shinichi Hyuga smiled. Hyuga Heici was his most trusted subordinate, yet he was equally clueless about politics—or perhaps, the politics of this world existed in a self-contained loop, governed by all sorts of bizarre systems.

At the venue, the Great Elder's performance had already made certain things clear.

"My lord, I was just about to say, some of our companions seem to have other ideas," Hyuga Heiyuan said, not fully understanding why, but deeply concerned about the companions who had suddenly defected.

"The fact that you are able to follow me already says enough."

Seeing the slow-to-react Hyuga Heiyuan, Shinichi Hyuga's suspicions were confirmed. Some of his supporters had wavered, and a moment's thought was enough to know who was pulling the strings.

The Third Hokage was a master at manipulating human hearts.

This only strengthened Shinichi Hyuga's resolve: he could not allow the other candidates to appear at the clan meeting.

Once Shinichi Hyuga was no longer in sight, the people in the assembly hall broke into small circles, whispering to one another.

The Great Elder of the Hyuga clan, his face flushed red with shame, slipped out through a side door.

He was the one who had suffered the greatest humiliation; as a member of the Hyuga main branch, he knew full well that the Caged Bird should have triggered a warning and a counterattack the moment Shinichi Hyuga made his move.

Yet, Shinichi Hyuga had simply ignored that agony as if it were nothing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood behind Minato Namikaze, his eyes shifting. He had once felt that same killing intent from Hatake Sakumo, though Shinichi Hyuga's was even more brutal.

He was deeply displeased by what had just transpired.

Why? How could the boy dare to resist, knowing full well that he was backing the Great Elder of the Hyuga clan?

Shinichi Hyuga had completely slipped beyond his control, and he would not tolerate such a person.

"Minato, it seems your former comrade is quite dissatisfied with you. To cause such a scene at your own wedding."

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke as if he were looking out for Minato Namikaze, but his words were clearly meant to poison the air against Shinichi Hyuga.

"I believe he will understand my position."

Minato Namikaze maintained his infectious smile; perhaps because he was about to become a father, he felt a flicker of empathy for Shinichi Hyuga.

Only a few days ago, he had been agonizing over whether to help Shinichi Hyuga.

But after learning that Sarutobi Hiruzen had already thrown his support behind the Great Elder of the Hyuga clan, he had chosen not to invite unnecessary friction.

The village was currently in a period of recovery, after all.

He even harbored the thought of persuading Shinichi Hyuga to accept the arrangements.

His own ninja way was to sacrifice everything for the village, and his commitment to being a Hokage who would not interfere in the internal affairs of the clans was precisely why Sarutobi Hiruzen had chosen him as his successor.

"Indeed. He has become a bit restless. He needs to be brought to heel."

At this, Sarutobi Hiruzen drew the pipe from his waist and performed a hand seal to ignite the tobacco.

Not far away, standing below the dais, Shimura Danzō narrowed his only remaining eye.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was a man who cared deeply about appearances; he shouldn't be smoking at a time like this.

He had seen this gesture once before in his memory.

Not long after that, Hatake Sakumo had died.

And the final blame for that had fallen squarely on his own shoulders.

It seemed Shinichi Hyuga was a target worth courting.

He felt a twinge of envy for his familiar old partner; though seemingly retired, the man's grip on power had only grown tighter.

Rumors were even circulating now about the Twin Jewels of the Land of Fire and the title of Konoha's strongest Hokage.

Such shameless propaganda, spread as if it were gospel—he didn't need to guess who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Shinichi Hyuga, I hope you do not disappoint me."

Shimura Danzō scanned his surroundings. He had long grown accustomed to lurking in the shadows, and he was destined to remain there.

He had been kept under the thumb of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage in the light, for far too long. Now that the Fourth Hokage was fully installed, he needed to make his own moves.

The Hyuga clan would be the perfect point of entry.