Chapter 4: You'll Regret This, Hiruzen!

Chapter 4: You'll Regret This, Hiruzen!

A few days later, Hyuga Fuji and the accompanying ninjas came to a stop, slowly emerging from the mountain forest.

Ahead of them, three enormous stone faces came into view. Lowering their gaze, they saw a well-organized cluster of buildings spread out below.

This was Konoha, the starting point of everything.

"It's been a while since I've returned to the village. It feels so nostalgic," a female ninja said, her expression relaxing. Her white pupils swept over her companions as she softly asked, "What do you all think the Main Family will do?"

The surrounding Hyuga ninjas exchanged glances but kept their true thoughts to themselves.

"The Cursed Seal... they should consider lifting it completely, right?" The female ninja pressed her hand against her forehead, covering the area hidden beneath her ninja headband. "Honestly, this mark is kind of ugly…"

"Do you hate it that much?"

A Hyuga jonin suddenly appeared, his cold gaze fixed on the girl whose expression froze. "Go and report to the elders for punishment."

"…Yes!" The girl bowed her head deeply.

"Don't think that this incident will lead to change. A branch family member today will always be a branch family member!"

The Hyuga jonin swept his eyes over the group of Hyuga ninjas. Seeing them all lower their heads, he continued, "Anyone who wishes to remove the Caged Bird seal, follow me now."

No one moved.

Seeing this, the Hyuga jonin nodded in satisfaction.

"The improvement of the Caged Bird technique requires your help. This will be voluntary—those who wish to come, follow me."

With those words, his figure vanished in an instant.

The atmosphere among the remaining Hyuga ninjas turned deathly silent. No one dared to be the first to step into that "symbol of the family," the village.

Would Konoha's leadership support the Hyuga clan's improvement of the technique rather than its complete removal?

That made sense. If the Caged Bird seal were removed now, it would essentially unleash a destabilizing element.

The Hyuga branch family were slaves to the Main Family, and the suffering of the branch family was something Konoha's shinobi conveniently ignored.

Companions?

True companions wouldn't stand by while their comrades wore the collars of slaves.

The Hyuga branch family not only had conflicts with the Main Family but had also never been truly accepted by Konoha.

Hyuga Fuji quietly observed a few ninjas clenching their fists and thought to himself.

But to improve the technique, the Hyuga clan would have to surrender the Caged Bird seal.

And what would happen in the hands of those who obtained it?

As a jutsu designed to control others, the advantages of the Caged Bird technique were self-evident.

Merely improving it might instead fuel the ambitions of certain individuals.

Those with foresight would undoubtedly study methods to break the seal.

...

"Danzō, what are you planning to do with the Caged Bird technique?"

Inside the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage looked at the elder across from him, his expression solemn.

"The strength of Root is already sufficient. Don't continue expanding it!"

Danzō replied coldly, "Hiruzen, you're overthinking this. I only need the Caged Bird to enhance my control over subordinates."

"Most of Root's members are excellent tools; they don't need the Caged Bird."

"But certain individuals under my command only wish for an ordinary life. I must completely extinguish such thoughts."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you planning to do to Nono and Kabuto?"

Danzō's words carried a hidden meaning. "They are members of Root. As long as they serve as emotionless spies, that's enough."

"No. They are part of Konoha. They are inheritors of the Will of Fire."

"Nono has already provided enough intelligence for Konoha. Let her quietly enjoy the rest of her life."

Hiruzen's tone was firm. "And Kabuto, after completing his missions, will also be under my care."

"Hiruzen, you're too soft-hearted." Danzō shook his head. "If you had placed the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki in Root back then, I would have long turned her into the perfect war machine to end the Third Shinobi World War."

"Instead of what she is now, shackled by fragile emotions."

"Nono is the perfect spy, holding too much critical information. She's not as foolish as Kushina. When it comes to her, you absolutely cannot show mercy. Her fate can only be…"

"Danzō!"

Hiruzen's sharp gaze interrupted him.

"I am the Hokage. It is my duty to ensure that everyone in this village lives a happy life."

"Kabuto is a good child, and Nono has long grown weary of her life as a spy."

"Konoha's victory does not require their sacrifice."

Danzō stared at Hiruzen, his eyes scanning the elderly Hokage's face, worn from fifty years of life.

"You're growing increasingly naive," Danzō muttered.

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

He vented his frustration with those parting words before reluctantly retreating.

Hokage. Again, it was always the Hokage.

Every time Hiruzen invoked his authority as Hokage, any argument Danzō made became irrelevant.

In Konoha, the Hokage's word was absolute.

Whether he could continue as Hiruzen's advisor and leader of Root depended entirely on a single word from Hiruzen.

So if Danzō wanted Konoha to operate according to his vision, he would have to become Hokage himself!

The Caged Bird technique, the most successful method of controlling others in shinobi history—it better not disappoint him.

Hiruzen watched Danzō leave and took a pensive drag from his pipe.

"Cat," he called.

"Yes!"

A masked ANBU with a cat-shaped mask appeared in an instant.

'The Caged Bird... no matter how cautious we are, after this, it will still fall into the hands of some clans. Tanzō won't remain silent. We must find a way to break it.'

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Go find Tsunade. Tell her to return to Konoha and say…"

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "It's a request from her teacher."

"Yes!"

The ANBU vanished to carry out the order.

'With Tsunade, myself, and the help of the Yamanaka, Hyuga, and other clans, we should be able to break the Caged Bird seal.'

Hiruzen sighed inwardly.

'Let's hope it doesn't come to the point where I have to play this card, Danzō.'

...

As a member of the branch family, life in Konoha was monotonous.

Performing missions on time, attending inspections by Konoha's "Caged Bird Research Group," and mechanically going through each day.

Hyuga Fuji's life was no different, except that he added shadow clone training and research to the routine.

Like most Hyuga clan members, Hyuga Fuji rarely ventured outside the clan grounds, and he certainly didn't behave like that warm-hearted Uchiha who constantly showed goodwill to the village residents.

They were slaves in all but name, subjected to the scornful "white-eyed" stares and the disdain of their supposed comrades as members of the Hyuga branch family.

For someone like that to suddenly appear with a bright smile, claiming to inherit the Will of Fire, would only make people think he had ulterior motives.

Because of this, Hyuga Fuji had never sought the trust of the Hokage or other high-ranking officials. He merely played the role of a branch family member.

"You there, kid. What's the relationship between your Hyuga clan and Orochimaru?"

Inside the laboratory of the Caged Bird Research Group, a female ninja unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar to Hyuga Fuji asked him this question.

"Even my teacher couldn't believe it. That guy actually wrote me a letter specifically asking me to return, and it was all because of the Caged Bird technique. Doesn't seem like something he'd do."

She wore a coat with the word "Gambling" written on it. Her golden twin ponytails were tied neatly behind her head, and she exuded an imposing air.

Senju Tsunade, the princess of the Senju clan and one of the Legendary Sannin.

(End of Chapter)

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