Hyuga Clan Great Elder

After a night's rest, Hyuga Setsuna woke early the next morning.

After washing up and eating breakfast, Hyuga Setsuna set off for a secluded forest in Leaf Village.

That was where he had trained in Taijutsu for the past several years.

As Hyuga Setsuna trained in Taijutsu,

two other places in Leaf Village were also discussing matters concerning him.

Hokage's Office.

At that moment, Teacher Kimura was giving a detailed report on yesterday's Taijutsu test at the Ninja Academy.

Besides the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mito Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzo were also in the office.

After hearing Teacher Kimura's report, Sarutobi Hiruzen dismissed him.

Inside the room, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind the Hokage's desk with his hands clasped, looking at the other three as he asked,

"Well? Should we approve Kakashi's application for early graduation?"

After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's question, Mito Homura and Utatane Koharu considered it for a while before saying,

"With Kakashi's current strength, he is already qualified to graduate. He can no longer learn anything else at the Ninja Academy. Approve his early graduation."

Shimura Danzo, standing nearby, slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed within them as he said,

"Kakashi can graduate early, but there are currently no vacant teams. I propose that he come to my Root for training."

"Furthermore, that little one from the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Setsuna of the Hyuga Clan are also strong enough to graduate early. I suggest bringing them into Root for training as well."

Hearing Shimura Danzo's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply and said,

"Danzo, neither the Hyuga Clan nor the Uchiha Clan will allow their own geniuses to join Root. I also have other arrangements for Kakashi. Stop thinking about this."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shimura Danzo stared intently at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said,

"Hiruzen, I can give up the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, but you must give Kakashi to me. I will train him in Root and turn him into Leaf Village's sharpest blade."

"Danzo, I already said that Kakashi has other arrangements and cannot be given to you. Besides, White Fang would not agree either."

"As for those two children from the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan, their clans will not entrust them to you, Danzo."

As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, Shimura Danzo's expression darkened. He rose to his feet, violently shoved his chair aside, and headed for the door.

Sarutobi, you may be the Hokage now, but the future Hokage will surely be me!

"Danzo, calm down. This is not your Root."

"The things you have done with Root over the years have already become known to some of the village's clans. If you now ask the children of the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans to join, what will they think?"

Utatane Koharu and Mito Homura tried to persuade him with grave expressions.

However, Shimura Danzo was not swayed by their words and simply continued walking outside.

Hiruzen, one day, all of you will regret today's decision for the rest of your lives.

Only in my Root can they truly become Leaf Village's geniuses.

Hyuga Clan.

Main House Conference Room.

"Then let us discuss Hyuga Setsuna's matter, elders. What reward should we give him?"

As the current clan head of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Keiji spoke to the others present with a solemn expression.

After pondering for a while, several elderly men beside him looked at Hyuga Keiji and said,

"As a child of the Branch Family, Hyuga Setsuna was able to awaken the Byakugan and use Sixty-Four Palms at such a young age. His talent is indeed exceptional and astonishing."

"You should all have heard what that little one from the Uchiha Clan said during this Ninja Academy Taijutsu test."

"Hyuga Setsuna defended the Hyuga Clan's dignity, and he is a genius of our Hyuga Clan."

"My proposal is to grant Hyuga Setsuna one of the advanced Taijutsu techniques secretly passed down by the Main Family."

After hearing the proposal, the elders beside him considered it briefly before voicing their agreement.

Hyuga Keiji looked at the crowd, who were all nodding in approval, and continued,

"Now that the matter of his reward has been settled, there is another issue that needs to be discussed with you elders."

"The Third Hokage has sent word that Hyuga Setsuna should graduate early."

Upon hearing Hyuga Keiji's words,

after a while, the elders all raised their heads and said,

"His strength has indeed made it difficult for him to improve any further at the Ninja Academy. But there should not be any spare or vacant teams in the village right now, should there?"

"Did Sarutobi Hiruzen say how he plans to arrange things?"

Hyuga Keiji sat silently in the seat of honor for a while before saying,

"The Third Hokage's arrangement is that if Hyuga Setsuna chooses to graduate early, he will place him in the Anbu for training."

"Anbu? Whose Anbu? Shimura Danzo's or Sarutobi Hiruzen's?"

An elder spoke with a mocking tone upon hearing this.

"Not Danzo's Root. The Anbu directly under the Hokage."

"Since it isn't Danzo's Root, then this old man agrees."

"Actually, sending him into Root would be fine too. He could serve as our spy and investigate Danzo's secrets. Then our benefits could increase greatly."

"Even if he were to make a move against Hyuga Setsuna, we could use the Caged Bird to counter him. We could even strike first!"

While the elderly men discussed the matter with great enthusiasm,

an old man seated to Hyuga Keiji's right, his hair frosty silver-white, opened his eyes and slowly spoke.

At first glance, his face appeared extraordinarily kind and peaceful. Yet once he opened his eyes, he gave off the majesty and terror of a lion.

"That child named Hyuga Setsuna will become my disciple. I will teach him personally."

The moment those words were spoken, the other elders and even Hyuga Keiji were greatly shocked.

Hyuga Keiji looked at the Great Elder, Hyuga Yusuke, and said sternly,

"Great Elder, are you certain that you wish to take Hyuga Setsuna as your disciple?"

"Great Elder, how can you take a child of the Branch Family as your disciple? Even if he awakened the Byakugan at this age and is a genius."

"That's right, Great Elder. You should reconsider. The Main Family and the Branch Family are worlds apart."

The elders beside them hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

Hyuga Yusuke was not affected in the slightest by their objections. He merely looked steadily at Hyuga Keiji, still insisting on his choice.

Hyuga Keiji also looked at him solemnly. In the end, however, he seemed to think of something, his expression dimming as he sighed and said,

"Since the Great Elder insists on taking him as his disciple, then I ask that you teach him well."

Hyuga Yusuke nodded, then rose and headed toward the door.

"Then it is settled. Clan Head, this old man will take his leave first."

The elders beside them watched as the clan head and the Great Elder settled the matter in just a few words, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Clan Head, how could you agree to the Great Elder's request?"

"That's right, Clan Head. Since ancient times, our Hyuga Clan has stood divided between the Main Family and the Branch Family. Would this not break the rules?"

"Besides, there has never been such a precedent before. How can we break it now?"

Hyuga Keiji looked at the elders accusing him and merely shook his head as he said,

"Since you elders truly disagree, then go speak with the Great Elder yourselves."

"Chiyuki, see the elders out."

Hyuga Chiyuki, who had been waiting outside, hurried into the room upon hearing this and escorted the elders away.

"Branch Family, Main Family."

Inside the empty room, Hyuga Keiji sat upright in the seat of honor. His expression was dim, and his low voice was filled with melancholy.

The elders who had been forcibly shown out wore displeased expressions. They considered going back in to discuss it further, but seemed to recall some unpleasant memories from the past. Their faces stiffened, and in the end, they could only leave helplessly.

Hyuga Main Family.

Within a lavish courtyard, Hyuga Yusuke slowly walked inside.

He stopped beneath a cherry blossom tree, gazed at the distant Hokage Monument, and murmured softly,

"Masahiro's child, huh? I thought he was a child without much talent and intended to let him live an ordinary life under my protection."

"I never expected him to be a genius."

"With this child's talent, he will probably become even stronger than you in the future. I just wonder whether his temperament is the same as yours."

I have to go mail the contract today.

Then, until the status is changed, there will be one update a day. I will also save up some chapters in the meantime, haha.

Once the status has been changed, it will return to two updates a day.

Also, please vote and add it to your collection! (This newcomer, Qing Meng, offers his thanks.)