After returning to Leaf Village, Tianyi's schedule is full.
Newspaper Agency's affairs, the progress of the base, and the preliminary preparations for Tsunade's election, every matter requires his personal intervention.
But on this day, a letter from the Hyuga Clan interrupted his busy schedule.
The person who delivered the letter was Chunin, a member of the Hyuga Main Family. He held the letter with both hands and his attitude was so respectful that he was almost humble. "Sir Tianyi, the chief of the clan invites you to come back to the clan to gather together."
Tianyi took the letter and unfolded it. The handwriting was neat and concise, and it was Hyuga Hiashi's own handwriting. It probably meant that the Wanglai clan had said that they wanted to discuss something." He put away the letter and nodded.
He hasn't returned to Hyuga Clan Grounds for many years. The place that once suffocated him has now changed drastically.
Hyuga Clan is no longer the Hyuga Clan it used to be. Years ago, the words Tianyi said to Hiashi when he left Hyuga Clan Grounds were like a seed that took root and sprouted in Hiashi's heart.
As the Main House elders in the clan who clung to tradition abdicated one by one, the power of the Hyuga Clan finally fell into the hands of Hyuga Hiashi.
He spent several years gradually eliminating the barriers between Main House and Branch House, abolishing those outdated rules, and leading Hyuga Clan from closed to open.
Nowadays, although Hyuga Clan is still a member of Leaf Village's family, the atmosphere is completely different.
When Tianyi arrived at Hyuga Clan Grounds, he saw Hyuga Hiashi standing at the gate from a distance, greeting him personally.
Hiashi was wearing a dark kimono, with a family short sword on his waist. He had a tall and straight posture and a calm face. When he saw Tianyi approaching, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly and took a few steps forward to meet him.
"Tianyi-kun, long time no see."
"Hiashi, long time no see."
The two looked at each other with a hint of complexity in their eyes. They hadn't seen each other for several years, and the boy who was struggling to survive in Branch House had now grown into the most popular figure in Leaf Village.
The third generation of Hokage is about to abdicate. The people who are most promising to sit on Hokage - Tsunade and Orochimaru, are all closely related to Tianyi.
Hiashi invited Tianyi back today, not only to reminisce about the past, but also to express his attitude.
The two walked into a quiet room deep in the clan, and sat down respectively. The maid served tea, and after they left, the atmosphere in the room became quiet and solemn.
Tianyi picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and then said directly, "Hiashi, I wonder what you want to see me for this time?"
Hiashi didn't answer immediately. He picked up the teacup, took a slow sip, then put down the cup, his eyes falling on Tianyi's face. His voice was steady and slow, as if he was considering every word:
"Tianyi, over the years, I have been thinking that Hyuga Clan has carried out some reforms, and the rise of the Uchiha Clan has made me see another possibility."
Tianyi's brows moved slightly but did not speak.
Hiashi continued, "Opening intermarriage is the first thing I do." He paused and his eyes became deep.
"The reason why Hyuga Clan was rejected by Leaf Village is largely because of our closedness.
The estrangement between Main House and Branch House, the Cursed Seal of Caged Bird, the rule of not marrying with foreigners - these all make other families feel that we are incompatible."
The corners of Tianyi's mouth raised slightly. The rise of the Uchiha Clan was largely due to some advice he gave to Fugaku.
It seems that Hiashi saw this and learned from it, which surprised him a little.
"Open intermarriage can allow Hyuga Clan's bloodline to merge into Leaf Village, and Leaf Village's bloodline to merge into Hyuga." Hiashi continued.
"Only by truly breaking down the barriers, can Hyuga Clan become part of Leaf Village, instead of being a 'special family' isolated in a corner."
Tianyi nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"Secondly," Hiashi raised two fingers, "I let the children of Branch House enter Ninja Academy to study and train together with the children of other families.
No longer like before, children of Branch House can only be taught by the clan and are isolated from the mainstream of Leaf Village.
These children are the future of the Hyuga Clan. Let them integrate into Leaf Village from an early age so that they can truly become a part of Leaf Village when they grow up."
Tianyi put down the tea cup and looked at Hiashi seriously. "Did you come up with these reforms alone?"
Hiashi shook his head. "Not entirely. Over the years, I have read many books and asked many people for advice.
Especially your cooperation with the Uchiha Clan and the newspaper you published allowed me to see the true views of Leaf Village families on the Hyuga Clan."
He paused and his voice became deeper, "I know that many people regard Hyuga Clan as a village within a village.
Byakugan, Caged Bird, closed-minded, arrogant - these labels have been attached to us for too long, and now I want to tear them off."
Tianyi was silent for a moment, and then spoke slowly, with a hint of emotion in his voice. "Hiashi, you have gone further than I thought. Opening up intermarriage, Branch House enrollment, these reforms are enough to allow Hyuga Clan to completely integrate into Leaf Village in the next ten years. Your vision is not inferior to Uchiha Fugaku."
The corners of Hiashi's mouth raised slightly, and a trace of pride flashed in his eyes. He picked up the tea cup, took another sip, then put it down, and his eyes fell on Tianyi's face again.
" Mr. Tianyi, I invite you here today. In addition to telling you this, I also have a request."
Tianyi's brows moved slightly. "Say."
Hiashi took a deep breath and said in a solemn and sincere voice, "I hope you can return Hyuga Clan."
Tianyi didn't speak, just looked at him quietly.
Hiashi continued, "Over the years, your strength, your reputation, and your influence in Leaf Village have far exceeded anyone else in Main House.
Hyuga Clan needs you. Not as the genius of Branch House, but as the representative of the Hyuga Clan.
If you are willing to return, I will coordinate the clan and fight for you to get all the status and power you want."
Tianyi was silent for a moment. He looked at Hiashi's sincere eyes and looked at the Main House heir who had once been tit for tat with him, and now he has grown into a visionary and courageous patriarch.
He recalled the scene when he left Hyuga Clan Grounds many years ago and Hiashi stood at the door to see him off. They were both still young at that time and still exploring their own paths.
"Okay." Tianyi's voice was calm and firm, "I agree to return."
Hiashi's eyes widened slightly, with a surprise smile on his face. He stood up and bowed deeply to Tianyi: "Mr. Tianyi, thank you."
Tianyi also stood up and held Hiashi's shoulders. "No need to thank me, I also need Hyuga Clan to join me now. After all, my opponents at this stage are not ordinary people."
A few days later, Senju Clan Grounds, Tianyi's residence.
Tianyi stood in the center of the courtyard, with a long table in front of him and a thick stack of documents on the table.
There are several people sitting around - Tsunade, Uchiha Fugaku, Hyuga Hiashi, Hatake Sakumo, Minato Namikaze.
They all looked at the planning plan in front of them.
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