The Hyuga Clan Compound

Konoha

Hyuga Clan Compound

Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga Clan, led a large number of guards and waited at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

With a sound of movement, several figures descended from the sky; it was Uchiha Nara and his four guards.

"Hiashi Rizu, I am truly unworthy of your personal welcome."

Naraku was somewhat surprised to see the Hyuga Clan leader personally leading the welcoming party.

"Clan Chief Naraku, your visit truly honors my Hyuga Clan. Please come in."

Hyuga Hiashi forced a smile onto his usually expressionless face, waved his hand in acknowledgment, and then turned and walked into the Hyuga Clan Compound.

As the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi personally came to greet him, which showed sufficient courtesy and respect.

"Okay, thank you for your help."

Naraku and followed in Hyuga Hiashi's footsteps, walking side by side with Hyuga Hiashi towards the Hyuga Clan Compound.

The two patriarchs of the great ninja clans traveled together, followed by many guards, making quite a grand entrance, but they remained silent throughout the journey.

A short while later, they arrived at the Clan Head Residence. Hiashi waved to Naraku.

"Please"

"Please, do as the host says."

Naraku was not arrogant; he responded very politely.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded and led the way into the mansion, taking Naraku the spacious and luxurious reception room.

After some pleasantries, the two took their seats. Hyuga Hiashi clapped his hands, and servants who had been waiting served tea and pastries.

"Our Hyuga Clan has a thousand-year-old tradition, and these pastries are all made using ancient methods. Naraku- kun, please have a taste."

"Hmm, soft and crispy, not bad."

Naraku picked up a pastry, tasted it, and nodded slightly in praise.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded, the pleasantries were over, but Hiashi didn't try to find a topic to talk about. As the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason, Hiashi waited for his guest to get down to business.

"Hiashi- kun, the Third Sarutobi Hiruzen, has worked tirelessly and devoted himself to Konoha, but in this Shinobi World War, Konoha has suffered severe losses, and the people are impoverished."

Konoha was repeatedly invaded by neighboring countries. Although Konoha won the wars and repelled the invaders, it never received the reparations it was owed.

This caused widespread resentment among the ninja and villagers of Konoha. The Konoha ninja, who risked their lives at the Hokage's command, met such a tragic end, as if it were child's play. It's truly lamentable...

Naraku his teacup and took a sip. His purpose in coming here was to win over Hyuga Clan, or rather, to ease tensions with the Hyuga Clan.

"Shinobi World War, the Hyuga Clan suffered heavy casualties. The Third Hokage hadn't even finished distributing the compensation. However, since the Third Hokage resigned to take responsibility, it's not entirely unreasonable."

Hyuga Hiashi nodded in agreement, saying that everyone was aware of Konoha's predicament. The Finance Department had been delaying the payment of pensions to many ninja clans and ninjas, and it was clear to everyone that the treasury was depleted to the limit.

"The Hyuga Clan has never participated in the Hokage election in the past. I wonder what their thoughts are on the Third Hokage's abdication and the nomination of the Fourth Hokage?"

Naraku down to business, wanting to know the details of the Third Hokage's efforts to win over the Hyuga Clan.

" In the Jonin election, Naraku- kun, you have 63 votes and are in first place, while the Yellow Flash has 61 votes and is in second place. The others all have less than 20 votes, which is too much of a difference to be considered for a tie with the two of you."

Yellow Flash is kind-hearted, powerful, and has made outstanding contributions in the Ninja War.

Naraku- kun, your contribution is also significant, and the support of many Konoha Jonin demonstrates your reputation.

However, most of us in the Hyuga Clan still admire the Yellow Flash more.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded, speaking softly and subtly explaining his choice of supporter.

Naraku fell silent upon hearing this. Naraku didn't know how the Third Hokage Faction had won over the Hyuga Clan, but Naraku still wanted to explain the advantages and disadvantages for both sides, speaking gently:

"The Yellow Flash was kind and powerful, that's true. I personally admire Namikaze Minato Yellow Flash very much, but the battle for Hokage..."

However, I cannot abandon my candidacy simply because of personal admiration. Hiashi- kun, the Hyuga Clan, and the Uchiha are all ancient clans, and all are clans with Kekkei Genkai form of Dōjutsu.

Within Konoha, the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha are natural allies. We share the same ideal: to protect the eyes of our clan members and to prevent our Kekkei Genkai leaking out.

"Both of our families possess immense power. If someone from Dōjutsu clan like ours could become Hokage, I believe it would be a stroke of luck for our Dōjutsu. Hiashi -kun, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Naraku Hyuga Hiashi glanced at Naraku, picked up his teacup, and appeared to be deep in thought.

"Although I am the head of the Hyuga Clan, it is not a one-man show. Many elders and other senior members support Sarutobi Hiruzen, Naraku. Even if I wanted to support you, it wouldn't be so easy to unify the Hyuga Clan's opinions."

Hiashi's mind, but he wouldn't say it Hiashi, instead whispering:

"Naraku- kun, as clan heads, you are probably well aware of the clan's factions without me needing to elaborate. The Third is admired by many members of our clan."

Naraku nodded slightly in understanding Hyuga Hiashi spoke. Even though the Uchiha Clan and the Hokage had many grudges, many still revered the Third Hokage; the Hyuga Clan, with whom the Hokage had relatively little conflict, were even more so.

"I see, I understand now. I heard that your younger brother Hizashi, has had a son. When Hizashi Hidden Mist the East Coast, Hizashi proved to be a very reliable comrade."

"You flatter me. It's a pity that Hizashi was punished within the clan. During the East Coast Battle, some members of the Main House went missing on the battlefield, Hizashi didn't discover it in time. The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan may have already leaked out."

Upon hearing Hyuga Hiashi sighed and said softly, "Regarding his twin brother, although they are from different Branch House of the Main House, the two have a deep bond. Although Hiashi never shows it, he feels guilty towards Hizashi in his heart."

"What? Such a thing happened? Why didn't the Hizashi say anything at the time?"

Naraku was somewhat surprised. In the peace talks between Konoha and Hidden Mist had already paid reparations, so it shouldn't be a problem for them to ask for the Byakugan back.

"The battlefield was chaotic, and Hizashi injured. He only regained consciousness after a week of recuperation. Members of the main branch of the Main House secretly followed him to the battlefield. All the Hyuga Clan members who were protecting him were killed in action. By the time they realized what had happened, the peace talks had already ended."

Upon hearing this, Naraku rubbed his temples with his right index finger. In such a situation, Naraku or the Third Hokage couldn't be blamed.

The upper-class ninjas of Konoha were somewhat familiar with the Hyuga Clan's Main House and Branch House system.

At the same time, this system is also what makes Konoha wary of the Hyuga Clan. If the Hyuga Clan and Konoha were to break apart, those Hyuga Clan members would definitely follow the Hyuga Main Family, and there would be no need to win them over.

"The members of the Main House may have simply died somewhere on the battlefield, and it's not necessarily that their Kekkei Genkai was lost."

"Hiashi, I have been famous for many years, but I have never taken on a disciple. If possible, how about I mentor Hizashi's son?"