Hyuga Hiashi's expression was somewhat somber as he reached out and stroked Hanabi Hyuga's little head.
" Shinsei- chan, as Hanabi's father, I naturally don't want my daughter to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal. But this is a tradition that the Hyuga Clan has followed for thousands of years. Although I am the head of the Hyuga Clan, I don't have the right to decide whether my daughter can be the exception. This is something that no Hokage has ever been able to interfere with."
Shinsei picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained noncommittal about Hyuga Hiashi's statement. If faced with a powerful Hokage, the Hyuga Clan wouldn't be so stubborn as to dare to confront him head-on.
However, the Caged Bird Seal is not merely a tool for exploiting its members; its primary purpose is to prevent the outflow of Byakugan.
Compared to the Sharingan, the Byakugan doesn't present many limitations for ordinary people. In other words, if an ordinary person gets a pair of Byakugan, the transition to other eyes won't add much burden.
In the Village Hidden in the Mist of the Land of Water, Ao possesses a Byakugan, which is an important trophy for them.
When Shinsei and Tsunade saw the support they received from the Land of Water last time, they didn't suggest taking back their Byakugan. They believed that the favor they did for Kirigakure should be exchanged for greater benefits, and they couldn't possibly give up the opportunity for an alliance for a mere Byakugan.
Shinsei put down his teacup and looked directly into Hyuga Hiashi's eyes.
" Hyuga Hiashi, I think we've reached a consensus: neither of us wants Hanabi Hyuga to be depicted as the Caged Bird Seal. How can we achieve this? I hope Lord Hyuga Hiashi can teach me."
Unbeknownst to many, Shinsei had already amassed considerable power, and his reputation had spread far and wide.
Shinsei, once he became serious, already possessed considerable authority. This dual pressure from power and status was Hyuga Hiashi.
He unconsciously sat up straight and solemnly replied, "Thank you for your concern for my daughter, Mr. Shinsei. There is a way to resolve this issue."
"What method?" Shinsei continued to ask.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Shinsei, bowed solemnly, and said, "So, Shinsei- kun is taking my daughter as his disciple. This way, I can give an explanation to the elders of my clan."
The Hyuga Clan dared not depict Hinata Hyuga as Caged Bird Seal, naturally stemming from her status as a disciple of the Hokage.
However, if Shinsei were to take Hanabi Hyuga as his apprentice now, then Hanabi Hyuga would also receive Shinsei's unseen protection.
Shinsei himself may not be fully aware that his battles against Orochimaru, capture of Sasori of the Red Sand, capture of Deidara and Hidan again, and his stand against Pain, coupled with his status as a disciple of the Hokage, have already spread throughout Konoha.
No one sees him as a 13-year-old boy anymore; instead, they see him as a strong candidate for future Hokage.
His Senju bloodline was not a rare secret among the Konoha and its ninja clans. The tradition of Hokage the Hokage lineage from master to disciple through generations had become a tradition in Konoha Village.
Shinsei's strength is in a league of its own among Tsunade's four disciples. Even though Sasuke Uchiha already possessed Mangekyō Mangekyou Sharingan, no one thought that the Uchiha Clan could become Hokage.
Aside from being too young, Shinsei's achievements and prestige have already led the ninjas to almost universally acknowledge him as the First Hokage.
Of course, aside from reenacting Orochimaru's defection, given the current relationship between Tsunade and Shinsei, this trend doesn't seem to be showing.
This is the real reason why Hyuga Hiashi was so polite to Shinsei.
Upon hearing Hyuga Hiashi's words, Shinsei lowered his head and began to think. He didn't have any disciples yet, and there wasn't much he could teach Hanabi Hyuga. Besides, Hanabi Hyuga was still too young. By the time she graduated, the Fourth Shinobi World War would probably be over.
However, it's not impossible to claim a title for now, since there's still a long time before they need to be properly trained.
Thinking of this, Shinsei nodded and said to Hyuga Hiashi, "I haven't formally taken on any disciples yet, but I can reserve Hanabi as one of my disciples in advance. Hanabi is still young, and I will formally accept her as my disciple when she needs guidance."
Hyuga Hiashi Hanabi Hyuga beside him, and said gently, " Hanabi, quickly call him 'teacher'."
Hanabi stood up, bowed to Shinsei, and called out, "Teacher!"
The word "teacher" struck Shinsei as rather strange. He wondered if everyone had a natural inclination to teach, and Shinsei seemed to possess that quality to some extent. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily taught Sakura his Water Release Ninjutsu.
Hanabi Hyuga is much more outgoing than her Hinata, and she openly and confidently looks at her new teacher.
She naturally recognized Shinsei; he was the person her sister liked. She picked up the teapot and poured tea for Shinsei, saying sweetly:
"Teacher, please have some tea."
Shinsei picked up his teacup and took a sip, only then remembering that according to the traditions of his previous life, he should give his disciples a gift.
However, because he had arrived in a hurry, he hadn't prepared any decent gift, so he could only take out a Kunai from his storage scroll, on which were four characters:
Crime Buster.
"This is the Kunai I use. If you need help, you can input Chakra into it, and I will sense it."
Hanabi Hyuga took the Kunai and carefully put it away.
Hyuga Hiashi naturally recognized the inscription, knowing that it was the Shinsei Flying Thunder God mark, just like the Fourth Hokage's.
Although it wasn't an expensive gift, it represented Shinsei's sincerity, and he bowed again to express his gratitude.
Dinner was eaten at the Hyūga mansion, where Hyuga Hiashi took the opportunity to announce that his youngest daughter, Hanabi Hyuga, had become Shinsei's disciple.
Shinsei saw Neji Hyuga again here. The arrogance that used to disregard everything was gone from his eyes, and his whole mentality had become much more peaceful.
This left Shinsei slightly disappointed. He had beaten Hinata so badly during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Shinsei had been looking forward to getting a good beating from him.
Nothing more was said that night.
The next morning, after visiting the Hokage's office, Shinsei went to Konoha's Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force.
Ibiki Morino brought Shinsei to the place where Deidara and Hidan were being held.
Deidara looked somewhat disheveled; his golden hair had lost its former luster, and he appeared rather listless. His Chakra was bound by sealing runes. Naturally, such a dangerous individual received special treatment from the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force.
Upon seeing Shinsei enter, Deidara became somewhat agitated. "Damn Shinsei! Let me out right now! I'm going to blow you to pieces!"
Ibiki Morino seemed somewhat annoyed. Deidara actually dared to shout like that, which made Shinsei doubt his interrogation skills.
He gave Deidara a sinister smile, " Lord Shinsei, come on, Deidara still needs some interrogation. The following scenes are a bit bloody. If Lord Shinsei feels uncomfortable, you can go outside and wait for a while. I guarantee you'll see a well-behaved prisoner."