Beginning of Change

On the banks of the Konoha river.

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto encountered the adorable Sasuke.

With just a few words, the three became friends.

After all, childhood friendships are so simple.

As the three sat chatting by the riverbank, a boy who looked several years older than them, yet appeared very mature, suddenly appeared.

Sasuke, seeing the older boy, rushed forward affectionately: "Brother!"

The newcomer was none other than Itachi Uchiha, one of the Laughing Quartet.

Itachi reached out and tapped Sasuke's forehead: "It's getting late, even when you're playing, you need to be mindful of the time."

Sasuke pouted, covering his forehead: "It's just that since you became a ninja, brother, you have less time to play with me."

Itachi said gently and helplessly, "I'm sorry, Sasuke."

Itachi looked at Uzumaki Menma and Naruto, smiling as he said, "It seems you've made friends, Sasuke, so even when I'm not around, you won't be bored. Alright, it's late, we should go home. Say goodbye to your friends, Sasuke."

Sasuke bid farewell to Uzumaki Menma and Naruto: "Menma, Naruto, I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Sasuke."

Uzumaki Menma and Naruto waved.

After saying goodbye to Sasuke and Itachi, Uzumaki Menma and Naruto returned to Root.

After Naruto finished his meal, a Root ninja escorted Naruto back.

Hyuga Compound.

Inside Hyuga Hiashi's room.

"What? Brother, you've reached a cooperation with Lord Danzo? Isn't that throwing ourselves into the lion's den?!"

Hizashi Hyuga was shocked to learn that Hyuga Hiashi had gone to Root to seek help from Danzo.

Hyuga Hiashi said calmly, "Calm down, Hizashi, let me finish."

Hizashi Hyuga took a deep breath, calming his somewhat rapid breathing.

Hyuga Hiashi explained, "Hizashi, I've said it before, I want to abolish the main and branch family system, but as long as the elders are there, it's absolutely impossible to abolish it. Therefore, to abolish the main and branch family system, we must abolish the elders!"

Hizashi Hyuga frowned deeply: "There's no need to seek help from Root for that. The Hokage might help us."

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head and explained, "Hizashi, you also know that I am only the clan head in name. The real power holders within the Hyuga Clan are the elders, and the Hokage cannot interfere in the internal affairs of the Hyuga Clan.

Even if I seek help from the Hokage, and the Hokage agrees to help me, if the elders find out and claim that the ninja clans have independent autonomy, then even if the Hokage agrees, it will be useless.

And then the elders will dismiss me as clan head. If I lose my position as clan head, then I will never be able to abolish the main and branch family system."

Hizashi Hyuga clenched his fists, unwillingly saying, "But... you should understand what kind of existence Root is, brother. What conditions did you agree to with Lord Danzo?"

Hyuga Hiashi nodded: "Yes, I promised Lord Danzo that as long as he helps us abolish the elders and the main and branch family system, then the Hyuga Clan will send a portion of its ninja to join Root."

"What?!"

Hizashi Hyuga stood up in shock, incredulously saying, "How could you agree to such a thing, brother? This is tantamount to pushing our clansmen into a fire pit!"

Hyuga Hiashi reassured him: "Don't worry, Hizashi, I'm not the kind of person who pushes our clansmen into a fire pit. The most repulsive thing about Root is that 'eliminate the self' training method, but that training method has now been abolished, and Lord Danzo has also promised me that after the Hyuga Clan's ninja join Root, I can regularly go to Root to check on the situation, and it's not forced."

Hizashi Hyuga worried, "But the risk is too great. You know what kind of person Lord Danzo is."

"What really made me make this decision wasn't this condition, but that child, Menma."

"Uzumaki Menma?"

The small figure that had been coming to his house to find Neji recently appeared in Hizashi Hyuga's mind.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded: "You also know that Uzumaki Menma and Naruto are Jinchuriki, but as a Jinchuriki, Lord Danzo has not restricted Uzumaki Menma's freedom and even dotes on him in every way.

I learned from the Hokage that, for Menma's sake, Lord Danzo has almost used the entire Root's research staff to develop a Bloodline Completion Elixir to supplement the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline in Menma's body, and even exchanged the opportunity for Menma to learn the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques from the Hokage at the cost of a second Bloodline Completion Elixir.

The children of the Nara Clan, the Akimichi Clan, the Yamanaka Clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, as well as Neji and Hinata, can freely enter and leave Root to find Menma.

Root's core ninja, Yamanaka Fu, and Ryoma Aburame are also teaching Menma.

All of these signs indicate that Lord Danzo is cultivating Menma as his successor, and I also confirmed this with him before seeking his help.

And Lord Danzo's answer to me was that he wants to cultivate Menma to be the next Hokage!"

Hizashi Hyuga asked in surprise, "The next Hokage?"

Hyuga Hiashi nodded: "That's right! There's no need for Lord Danzo to deceive me about this matter. The children of the ninja clans can freely enter and leave Root, and the inhumane 'eliminate the self' training has been abolished. All of these signs indicate that all of this is being prepared for Menma's future."

Hizashi Hyuga thoughtfully said, "In other words, if that child Menma runs for Hokage in the future, then the Hyuga Clan will side with Menma?"

Hyuga Hiashi confirmed: "Yes, even if Menma fails to become Hokage in the future, he will at least be the leader of Root. With the relationship between Neji and Hinata, plus the Hyuga Clan's initial support, it will only be beneficial for the Hyuga Clan."

After Hizashi Hyuga pondered for a long time, he asked, "What do you want me to do, brother?"

Hyuga Hiashi instructed: "Summon the branch families and tell them that I plan to abolish the main and branch family system and reunite the Hyuga Clan as a whole."

"As for the main house, you don't need to worry. If there are multiple descendants in the same generation, only one can be chosen to inherit the main house. The others all become part of the branch family. This is the source of the conflict, but everyone is blood-related. The main house doesn't want their relatives branded with the caged bird seal, so I believe they'll support me.

The only obstacle will be the elders. I'll notify Lord Danzo and have Root intervene forcefully, forcing the elders to step down from their positions. Then, we'll take the opportunity to abolish the elder system!"

Hizashi Hyuga asked, "Has this been reported to the Hokage?"

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head. "Not yet. I planned to discuss it with you before explaining the situation to the Hokage. This matter definitely needs to be reported to the Hokage. I believe the Hokage will be happy to see a united Hyuga Clan. Hizashi, take care of this as soon as possible, lest things become complicated."

Hizashi Hyuga had already made up his mind.

"I'll take care of it immediately!"