Elite Class

Kakashi's report to the Third Hokage about his visit to the Hyuga Clan went as follows:

After Kakashi arrived at the Hyuga Clan compound, the guards soon welcomed him and took him to meet Hyuga Hiashi. He also made some indirect inquiries about Tianyun Hyuga and learned where Hiashi stood on the matter.

Hyuga Hiashi had all but forgotten about Tianyun Hyuga. He only recalled that a guard had mentioned the boy's situation to him.

To Hyuga Hiashi, a clan child with no talent for Gentle Fist would be sent to Konoha Academy at the age of seven as a concession to Konoha, even if the child never applied.

In the end, Hyuga Hiashi told Kakashi that the Third Hokage need not worry about his position and could simply accept Tianyun Hyuga.

Kakashi did not dare press Hyuga Hiashi for more information. After an hour of small talk, he told Hiashi that he wanted to look around the Hyuga Clan compound, then began eavesdropping here and there for information about Tianyun Hyuga.

Unfortunately, Tianyun Hyuga attracted so little attention that Kakashi wandered around for several hours without learning anything specific about him. He did, however, pick up some information about Meicun Hyuga and Leiyu Hyuga.

Leiyu Hyuga had been a jonin of the Hyuga Clan and held some standing within it. Since he had died on a mission in service to Konoha, the clan had taken fairly good care of his wife and child.

In the end, Kakashi could do nothing more. Seeing that it was getting late, he could only return to the Hokage Building and report the situation to the Third Hokage.

After hearing Kakashi's account, the Third Hokage felt even more helpless.

He had originally planned to wait for Kakashi to bring back some information before deciding what to do about Tianyun Hyuga. But Kakashi had learned nothing beyond the fact that the Hyuga Clan paid little attention to the boy, leaving him torn.

Seeing the Third Hokage hesitate, Kakashi could not help asking, "Lord Hokage, he's only five years old. Surely there's no need to worry so much! I say we let him study in Konoha, assign him to any class, and leave it at that..."

Those words snapped the Third Hokage out of his indecision. Only then did he remember that Tianyun Hyuga was just five. Even if the boy might become powerful, that was a matter for the future. With proper guidance, he might even add an extraordinarily powerful ninja to Konoha's ranks.

At that thought, the Third Hokage's mood suddenly lifted. With all his years of experience, he did not believe Tianyun Hyuga could fail to form bonds in Konoha. He tapped his desk and said, "Kakashi, you're right. I don't need to worry so much about Tianyun Hyuga."

"Go to the Hyuga Clan compound again and speak to Meicun Hyuga. Tell her that I greatly admire Tianyun Hyuga's aspirations and intend to place him in the Elite Class."

"The Elite Class?" Kakashi was a little stunned. That class was filled with students who had connections, elite children from the various clans, or exceptionally gifted pupils. Tianyun Hyuga's talent was ordinary, yet the Third Hokage was putting him in the Elite Class.

"That's enough, Kakashi. Don't overthink it. Just deliver the message as I instructed..." the Third Hokage ordered with a rare show of forcefulness.

Seeing the Third Hokage's stern expression, Kakashi hurriedly accepted the order, turned into a cloud of smoke, and vanished from the Hokage Office.

The Hyuga Clan compound, Meicun Hyuga's Residence.

Meicun Hyuga was preparing dinner in low spirits.

Her child had finally become ambitious and wanted to study at Konoha Academy, yet she could not help him enroll. It left her feeling miserable.

On top of that, Tianyun Hyuga had shut himself in his room without a word after returning home. Meicun Hyuga was beginning to blame herself, believing that her inability to help had discouraged him.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Miss Meicun, I'm Kakashi. Lord Hokage sent me to inform you that you should take Tianyun Hyuga to the academy for classes tomorrow."

As Meicun Hyuga brooded, she suddenly heard the knocking and the voice outside. Her spirits soared. She put down her cooking utensils, tidied herself up, and hurried to welcome her visitor.

Kakashi was very well known in Konoha. Meicun Hyuga naturally knew that he was an elite jonin whom the Third Hokage held in high regard. Having the Third Hokage send Kakashi personally to notify her left her feeling rather overwhelmed by the honor, and she rushed to the door.

In his bedroom, Tianyun Hyuga had also heard what Kakashi said at the door. But he was torn over whether he should still attend Konoha Academy or whether staying with the Hyuga Clan would be better.

While Tianyun Hyuga wrestled with that question, Meicun Hyuga had already met Kakashi, who informed her of the Third Hokage's decision: Tianyun Hyuga would study in Konoha Academy's Elite Class.

"The Elite Class..." Meicun Hyuga's eyes lit up at Kakashi's words. She caught hold of him and refused to let go, insisting that he stay for dinner.

Naturally, Kakashi would not stay. Using the excuse that the Third Hokage was still waiting for his report, he extricated himself from the enthusiastic Meicun Hyuga, swiftly turned into a cloud of smoke, and vanished from the entrance to her residence.

After Kakashi left, Meicun Hyuga excitedly ran to Tianyun Hyuga's room. Finding him deep in thought, she said eagerly, "Tianyun, the Third Hokage just sent someone to tell me that you'll be studying in the Elite Class. You can start attending classes tomorrow!"

"The Elite Class..." Tianyun Hyuga was a little surprised.

When Kakashi spoke with Meicun Hyuga, they had been too far away, and Kakashi had not spoken as loudly as when he called at the door. Tianyun Hyuga had not heard what they discussed at all.

Now that Meicun Hyuga told him the Third Hokage wanted him to study in the Elite Class, the shrewd Tianyun Hyuga immediately understood the Hokage's intent: to make him form bonds in Konoha. That way, no matter what kind of person he became, he would always retain some affection for the village. This was also the Third Hokage's usual method of nurturing loyal talent.

At that thought, Tianyun Hyuga breathed a sigh of relief. Putting on a happy expression, he told Meicun Hyuga, "That's wonderful, Mother. I'll study hard, and I'll definitely surpass Neji Hyuga."

Overcome with excitement, Meicun Hyuga pulled Tianyun Hyuga into her arms and said, "Good boy. Starting tomorrow, you'll have to learn to study and live independently. Today, I'll teach you properly how to become a qualified ninja!"

Then Tianyun Hyuga had no choice but to endure Meicun Hyuga's endless lecture. She went on so long that he felt his ears would grow calluses, and he wished he could run outside that very instant for some fresh air.

Unfortunately, Tianyun Hyuga could do no such thing. Meicun Hyuga kept holding him and would not let go. Even if he wanted to leave, he could not break free of her grip as a chunin, so he could only listen to her ramble on.