The Clan Head's Golden Finger

The Hyuga Clan's cataract symptoms had worsened again.

They had even become contagious!

Among them, their clan head, Hyuga Hitoshi, was by far the most outrageous.

Had this kid gone blind to such an extent?

When Hyuga Hitoshi pointed at that suburban open space on Konoha's new planning map, this thought surfaced in everyone's mind.

Even their clan head was like this, not to mention the rest of the clan.

Quite a few people looked at Hitoshi with pity, as though they could already see the Hyuga Clan's future.

The old village chief, Sarutobi Hiruzen, frowned deeply as he carefully considered the deeper meaning behind Hyuga Hitoshi's move.

Yet even as a seasoned politician, he could not figure out why Hitoshi was willing to lead his clansmen into becoming neighbors with the Uchiha Clan.

Were these two clans planning to join forces completely?

Feeling that his intelligence was insufficient, Sarutobi picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a puff, his gaze shifting back and forth between Hyuga Hitoshi and Uchiha Fugaku.

He had long heard that during the previous war, Uchiha Fugaku had tried to befriend the Hyuga Clan and had even been willing to offer up his own wife in exchange for battlefield support.

But hadn't that been something his old friend had deliberately made up to disgust Uchiha Fugaku?

Could these two clans...

That shouldn't be possible.

Not to mention that both clans relied on their eyes for a living and were competitors no matter how one looked at it.

Just helping the Uchiha Clan resist the village and the higher-ups—what benefit could that possibly bring the Hyuga Clan?

Or had Hyuga Hitoshi simply taken a fancy to that plot of land?

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't understand it no matter how much he thought about it, but he did not dwell on the matter.

After all, once the Uchiha Clan relocated, ANBU would keep them under rotating surveillance. They could investigate properly afterward.

It was not just him who failed to understand Hyuga Hitoshi's way of thinking. The two village advisors and Danzo also frowned, unsure what to say as they watched Hyuga Hitoshi return to his seat.

The leaders of clans such as Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka Clan whispered among themselves, all feeling that Hyuga Hitoshi intended to lead his clan into madness.

Uchiha Fugaku, meanwhile, was filled with guilt and only felt sorry for his good brother.

Obviously, the only Hyuga representative who had spoken up for the Uchiha Clan had also been "forced" to relocate and become the Uchiha's neighbor.

Then no one would be willing to speak for the Uchiha Clan anymore.

The blame for supposedly controlling the Nine-Tails to take revenge on the village had firmly landed on the Uchiha Clan's head.

Seeing no hope in struggling, Uchiha Fugaku let out a long sigh, his mind filled with scenes of his clansmen raising their banners in rebellion after he returned.

What the hell were they supposed to do?

When they came here, his clansmen had all expected him to be elected Hokage. But now, forget the Hokage Position—they could not even keep their clan grounds. The village higher-ups were truly detestable!

The blame had been assigned.

The meeting continued as usual.

For most people, whether the Uchiha Clan took the blame or the Hyuga Clan went mad had little to do with them.

The true purpose of this meeting was to determine the village chief.

It concerned their clans' future standing in the village, as well as the distribution of future work and benefits. This was the top priority.

Everyone voiced their opinions at the meeting.

Sharp as Nara Shikaku was, he first tentatively nominated Tsunade, the Third Hokage's disciple. After the Advisor Group rejected the suggestion, he understood and looked toward the Third Hokage.

No matter how one looked at it, nominating Tsunade was extremely appropriate.

Tsunade of the Land of Fire, the Third Hokage's disciple, and the First Hokage's granddaughter—those titles alone were enough for her to hold the Hokage Position.

But according to grapevine news, after the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade had started calling the Third Hokage "Stinky Old Man," showing him not the slightest respect. Later, she had simply walked away from Konoha.

That was quite thought-provoking, but some questions were destined not to be examined too deeply. In any case, Tsunade and Sarutobi's group were now at odds. As long as this old village chief was alive, Tsunade did not even seem willing to return to the village.

The Advisor Group also stopped the discussion on the grounds that Tsunade and Jiraiya's whereabouts were difficult to ascertain.

Then...

Nara Shikaku's heart stirred as he seemed to understand the old village chief's intentions.

After thinking carefully and analyzing how the benefits of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans would be distributed after the Third Hokage was reinstated, he nodded subtly. Supporting the old leader was not a bad choice.

In fact, the situation unfolded much as Nara Shikaku and most others had expected.

When the Advisor Group proposed the next candidate.

Danzo eagerly prepared to stand up, his face showing a trace of excitement as he attempted to recommend himself.

But beside him, the old village chief had already opened his mouth with a smile.

Just like back when Tobirama Senju had asked who would cover the retreat, and Sarutobi had answered first while Danzo hesitated.

"The village's younger generation has yet to mature. Though this old man is advanced in years, I am willing to shield the young saplings from wind and rain until then."

You bastard.

Danzo's expression darkened as he glared resentfully at Sarutobi.

Without question, he had once again remembered those days when he had been dominated by, "Shut up, Danzo! I am the Hokage!"

Remembering it was simply humiliating!

Damn it, when the time came, he had to make sure Sarutobi said "I regret it" even louder!

The old village chief had stood out, and his former subordinates naturally gave him face.

After Ino-Shika-Cho took the lead in declaring their loyalty, the other clans also expressed their approval of the Third Hokage's return. The final winner of this meeting had already been decided.

Next, the Third Hokage subtly discussed the village's future reconstruction work and the exchange of benefits.

After a single meeting, everyone except the Uchiha Clan received a satisfactory answer.

"Sorry, Hitoshi Brother."

After the meeting, on the way back.

Uchiha Fugaku approached Hyuga Hitoshi with guilt written across his face. "I didn't expect to drag the Hyuga Clan into this as well."

"It's not a big problem. From now on, our two clans will be neighbors. After you return, Brother Fugaku, please warn the Uchiha brothers not to go mad in front of the Hyuga Clan whenever possible. Otherwise, it won't look good for either of us."

Hitoshi smiled faintly, not forgetting to offer that reminder.

"Of course, of course! The Uchiha will never forget the Hyuga Clan's kindness back then. How could we possibly make trouble for our Hyuga brothers?"

Remembering how the Uchiha had been isolated and helpless on the battlefield, with only the Hyuga arriving on time to support them, Fugaku's anger toward the higher-ups flared even hotter.

Besides, although his clansmen were somewhat radical, they were not ungrateful. Since then, they had been much more courteous to the Hyuga Clan and rarely went mad.

Not to mention that after this Hyuga Hitoshi brother took office, his methods had been astonishing, raising the Hyuga Clan's combat power by far more than a single level.

Whenever conflicts had broken out before, it was always the Uchiha Clan members who suffered losses. They had practically been beaten one-sidedly. Over time, even the Uchiha with red-eye disease had learned to keep a respectful distance from cataracts.

After chatting briefly, Hyuga Hitoshi declined Fugaku's invitation to visit the Uchiha side and see his sister-in-law, then quickly returned to the clan grounds.

It was not that his sister-in-law was not charming, nor that Brother Hitoshi had changed his nature.

Rather...

In the clan head's main hall within the clan grounds, after dismissing everyone around him, Hyuga Hitoshi sat upright, exuding an unfathomable aura.

In truth, after pointing at the open space on the planning map, he had entered a strange state of enlightenment.

Without a doubt, his Golden Finger had taken effect.

It meant that his decision to move away from Konoha's political center and choose an area convenient for running away had been extremely correct, so the Golden Finger had given him feedback.

Hyuga Hitoshi called this state having his intelligence seize the high ground. His thoughts became extraordinarily clear.

Such moments were often the best time to study and improve ninjutsu and taijutsu such as the Gentle Fist Art.

"Hmm, what form has the Collapse Fist been researched to? Was its power tested after adding nature transformation last time?"

"And the Yin-Yang Harmonizing Combination Formation..."

"Forget it. I should continue improving the Hyuga Style Sage Transformation!"

After considering it briefly, Clan Head Hitoshi grabbed the high-proof white alcohol he had brewed himself from beside him, downed it in one gulp, then grimaced and shut his eyes, entering Drunkard State.

He usually chose to drink a little at times like this. On one hand, he was happy. On the other, when lucidity and confusion alternated, that feeling of transcendence was simply too exhilarating.

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