The Hokage's Office.
The office, after being renovated by Ren, is quite different from before.
The new office is simple yet sophisticated.
Ren wasn't sitting in his office chair; instead, he was reclining on the sofa in the reception area, flipping through the documents in his hands.
Sitting opposite him was Hiashi, whom he hadn't seen for a month, even though it was just him and Ren here, and on the sofa.
However, Hiashi remained seated upright, his gaze level, appearing neither sad nor happy, and seemed very proper.
Ren was inspecting the results of Hiashi over the past month. Although he had learned about the progress from other sources, Ren was still watching very carefully.
Neither of them spoke; the only sound in the office was the rustling of papers.
A moment later, Ren put down the documents and said with a smile.
"Thank you for your hard Hiashi, Elder Hiashi."
Hiashi answered expressionlessly.
"It's all what I should do, all for Konoha!"
Ren was very satisfied, saying with an even wider smile, that Hiashi's awareness had improved significantly compared to a month ago.
"That's right, for the sake of Konoha, we can't let our guard down. Elder Hiashi also needs to take better care of the guard Hiashi at the Advisory Council. Let's prepare for the handover this afternoon!"
The expression in Hiashi's eyes suddenly changed; it was hard to imagine that such complex emotions could appear in the Byakugan.
Resentment, excitement, exhilaration, gratitude, and a hint of fear.
Hiashi took a few breaths to compose himself, then became exceptionally respectful again, bowing his head in response.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Ren nodded and then said.
"Then I won't see you off, Elder Hiashi, please go ahead."
"Yes!"
Hiashi then left Ren's office, and the sound of his footsteps revealed that he was not at peace.
After Hiashi left, a figure appeared in the corner, with bulging veins around his eyes.
It was Ren Touto, a member of the Hyuga Branch Family who was sent by Hiashi to help and deliver messages to Tongren Hyuga after their first Hiashi a few years ago.
"How is the situation everywhere?"
Ren asked directly.
"Lord Hokage, what about the Konoha Military Police Force...?"
Tongren Hyuga reports intelligence from various places to Ren nods occasionally.
It seems the actors are all in place.
After finishing their business, Ren suddenly asked a question.
"Tong Ren, why did you choose me instead of your clan leader?"
Tongren Hyuga's gaze suddenly became somewhat unfocused. Why was that?
Every caged bird longs for freedom, but its fate has already been sealed; it is destined to be confined in a cage.
Then you should choose a larger cage.
The Hyuga Clan and Konoha —is there even a choice?
Tong Ren lowered his head slightly in response.
"Because the Lord Hokage is stronger!"
Ren nodded and stopped talking. He couldn't be bothered with the Hyuga Clan's messy affairs; as long as the Byakugan Ren be used to his advantage, that was enough for him.
Ren then picked up another document and began to read it.
It was a list of the Uchiha Clan members who had also applied to be stationed at the border; the Uchiha Clan were indeed somewhat restless at heart.
This list is much longer than the number of people at the original gathering.
The tribespeople are living much better now than before, but the things that happened in the past have only been temporarily suppressed and have never been forgotten.
Ren recalled Pain's words: once the chains of hatred are formed, they can never be broken. In this light, it makes a lot of sense.
Tongren Hyuga, who had once again concealed himself, had a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
My value—no, or rather, the value of my Byakugan —is it not enough to tempt the Lord Hokage?
As the Hyuga Clan member who has had the longest contact with Ren and has participated in many things, Tongren Hyuga has a relatively clear understanding of Ren.
Ren never takes worthless people or things to heart.
I have personally experienced and witnessed the Uchiha Clan's transformation from being universally hated to its current state.
Although Tong Ren is a member of the Hyuga Clan, he is well aware of who exactly pulled the Uchiha Clan back from the brink of disaster.
Tongren Hyuga Hokage felt immense awe and admiration for Konoha Uchiha Clan Head, who was much younger than him.
When will the Hyuga Clan have a leader like this to save them?
Although his mind was filled with many thoughts, Tong Ren did not forget his mission and continued to faithfully do his job.
The Byakugan cannot see through seals and barriers, but Ren, a master of Sealing Jutsu, slightly modified the seal on the office, allowing him to observe the outside world from inside.
Meanwhile, the location that Tong Ren was observing was the Advisory Council of Konoha.
Just then, they observed a crow with Chakra flying into the Advisory Council.