The clans make their moves

After the meeting, every clan sprang into action, holding clan meetings through the night.

"In the Uchiha Clan, everyone knows what happened. Whatever thoughts you have, speak up and we'll discuss them together. Our Uchiha Clan isn't as rigid as the Hyuga Clan next door. Everyone can speak freely!"

A clansman stood up. "Clan Head, I think this is inappropriate. I think this is the Hokage's scheme, a scheme against all the major clans. We should..." "Come on, drag him out! Anyone who tries to drive a wedge between our clan and the village like this, I'll beat every one I see! Honestly, you're infuriating me! You can learn a new skill for free, and you're still being picky? Have you forgotten Hanyue's abilities? Honestly, are you trying to anger this old man to death?"

"Come, Hanyue, give them another reminder of your power." Uchiha Hanyue held nothing back either. He gathered ki in his right hand and blew the roof off with an Energy Wave. Everyone covered their heads and scurried out of the room. Uchiha Hanyue had put his feelings into that Energy Wave.

The Uchiha Clan Head's head and face were covered in dust. "See that? Hanyue can fire off several techniques like that in one go, and you're still yapping at me?"

"Who else has a different opinion? Everyone, speak freely. We aren't like the Hyuga Clan next door-" "All right, Clan Head, we'll cooperate fully." "Mm." The Uchiha Clan Head nodded in satisfaction. "All right, Uchiha Hanyue will handle the selection. He understands it better. Also, the descendants of that man who objected just now are excluded from the selection."

"Yes," Uchiha Hanyue replied respectfully. Once the Uchiha Clan Head had gone far enough away, the other clansmen crowded around him. "Hanyue, tell us more about the key points."

At the Hyuga Clan, "All right, I've said everything I needed to say. Let's hear what everyone has to say!" Hyuga Yeyang also knelt to one side without a word. "I agree." "I agree too." Before long, ninety percent of those present had agreed. "All right, I won't force the rest of you. Hyuga Yeyang." "Yes, Clan Head." "I'll leave the selection to you." "Yes, Clan Head." The Hyuga Clan Head looked at Hyuga Yeyang with satisfaction. I can rest easy entrusting my daughter to him. "Meeting adjourned." Everyone slowly left.

At the Hatake Clan, "Sakumo, you're the next clan head. Our clan has so few people, so you need to work hard!" Hatake Sakumo broke out in a cold sweat. "Weren't we discussing how to join the training base? How did we get back to my marriage again? Clan Head, have you forgotten? Lord Hokage told us to marry later. That way, the children will be more likely to inherit my ki." The clan head instantly perked up. "Right, right, right! Sakumo's task now is to train hard. All that romance and love can wait until Sakumo's strength has increased greatly." With the clan head having made the decision, the others stopped giving Hatake Sakumo a hard time and began seriously discussing their next steps.

"My little Tsunade! How are things going between you and that boy Itō Yuying? Any progress? When will you bring him home for Grandma to meet?" Tobirama Senju also raised his head to look at Tsunade. Her little face flushed red, and she said nothing, merely wriggling her shoulders coyly. Tobirama Senju said, "Tsunade! Do you know how many clans were eyeing Yuying at today's meeting? If I hadn't been there to hold them back, those clans would have snatched him away long ago. Especially the Uchiha Clan. They have no shame at all, constantly pushing photographs at Yuying. They showed me, the Hokage, no respect whatsoever." Hearing this, Tsunade clenched her little fists tightly, and her expression was no longer shy. Tobirama Senju nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Don't worry. With me here, the other clans won't dare make a move on Yuying yet. You two can take your time developing your feelings. It's been so long already. Surely there should be some sparks between you by now!" Tsunade said, "Right now, all I want to do is train, so I haven't paid much attention to any of that." "Haha, it's fine. Let things take their course. Your Second Grandpa won't force either of you."

Might Duy returned home and told his father about that day's meeting. Might Wei laughed. "Not bad, Duy. From now on, you should ask Yuying for advice more often and cooperate with his work more too. You two are the best of friends." "Don't worry, Dad. I'll definitely listen to Yuying. Our friendship is higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea, sweeter than honey, more..." "All right, Duy, I already know about your friendship. By the way, a few clans just sent me several photographs. They said you should meet the girls, have a chat and so on. Ahem, you understand."

Might Duy nodded a little bashfully. "Then what do you think?" "I-I-I'll leave it all to you, Dad." Might Wei roared with laughter. "My son has grown up!" Hearing his father's laughter, Might Duy ran off in embarrassment.

Jiraiya walked down the street, looking at the shops around him. What should I eat tonight? He spotted a ramen shop. "Oh, oh, ramen it is! Boss, one bowl of ramen!" "Coming right up!" the owner answered heartily. "Please wait a moment, sir. Teuchi, pour our guest a cup of tea first." "Okay, Dad." The boy, who was a little older than Jiraiya, took a teapot and poured him a cup of tea. Jiraiya smiled. "Thanks, young man." Teuchi scratched his head, his eyes narrowing as he smiled. "No problem." Then he hurried into the kitchen to help. A little later, a large bowl of ramen was set before Jiraiya. "Enjoy your meal, sir." "All right!" Jiraiya pressed his palms together and declared loudly, "Time to eat!" Then he began taking big mouthfuls.

A few people nearby saw Jiraiya eating, and one asked the person beside him, "Are you sure it's him?" "Yes. I've been following him for ages. There's no mistake." "Good. Hurry and bring Kumiko here. We'll arrange a lovely chance encounter." "All right." That person quickly left. When the man who had given the order turned back to continue watching Jiraiya, he discovered that Jiraiya was no longer in the ramen shop. "Huh... Where did he go?"

By then, Jiraiya had reached a secluded spot. "Phew... How many groups has that been? This is madness. Am I, the great Lord Jiraiya, really this popular? Hehe!"

"They only want your seed." Jiraiya jumped in fright and turned to see Orochimaru. "Why are you here?" Orochimaru sighed. "Don't tell me you were followed too!" Orochimaru nodded. "My house is full of people. I don't even dare go home. So many people struck up conversations with me on the street that I was planning to make do at the training grounds for the night."

Jiraiya asked, "What do your parents think?" "Those two are delighted. They can't wait for me to marry and have children." "Haha!" Jiraiya laughed. "Orochimaru, to think you'd have a day like this too!" "All right, I'm not planning to go home for the next few days. I'm going to make do in the laboratory for a few nights."

"I think you'd like nothing better than to sleep in the laboratory." Orochimaru ignored Jiraiya and headed straight for the training grounds. "Hey, wait for me. I'll go with you." "Don't you need to go home?" Orochimaru asked. "I'd be alone even if I went home. Besides, my doorstep might be blocked too." "Mm." Orochimaru said nothing more, and the two silently walked toward the training grounds.

When they reached the training grounds, they saw Might Duy training. "Duy, why are you here?" Seeing that it was Jiraiya and Orochimaru, Might Duy said, "My house is already full of people. I couldn't rest at all, so I thought I'd come to the training grounds and make do for the night. Don't tell me you two are here for the same reason?" "Mm-hmm." Both nodded together.

All three fell silent, looking up at the stars in the night sky together. "We should thank Yuying. Without him, we wouldn't have the standing we have now."

"Mm," the other two responded. "All right, I'm off to train." Might Duy kipped up to his feet and began practicing the Flight Technique.

Watching Might Duy train so hard, Jiraiya and Orochimaru stopped sitting around and began training too. "Duy, explain it to me again..." "Oh, sure." In the night, besides the stars, Might Duy's gleaming white teeth shone as well.