The Restless Hyuga Clan

In the grand mansion of the Hyuga clan, within the inner courtyard where the main family resided, Hiashi, the heir of the Hyuga clan, walked into the main hall where important discussions were held.

In the traditionally elegant room, Hiashi's father, now the head of the Hyuga clan, sat solemnly at the head of the room.

"Father." Approaching his father, Hiashi bowed respectfully.

"Hiashi, please have a seat." With his hands placed on his thighs, the Hyuga clan head looked at his successor calmly.

"Yes!" Hiashi replied respectfully and took a seat, kneeling properly.

"Hiashi, I wanted to arrange something for you."

"What is it?"

Unlike his younger brother, as the main family heir, Hiashi had not been on any missions since becoming a ninja and had been learning by his father's side.

This time, hearing his father actively arranging something for him, Hiashi felt a bit hopeful.

"I want you to take a position at the ninja academy."

"The ninja academy?" Showing a puzzled expression, Hiashi didn't understand why his father wanted to assign him to the ninja academy.

Could it be that his recent performance hadn't been satisfactory, and his father was displeased?

Thinking this, the more strict and straightforward Hiashi began to reflect on his recent actions.

Seeing his son's changing expression, the Hyuga clan head's eyes flashed with a hint of concern.

His child was certainly disciplined and strict but lacked a bit of insight.

As the heir of the Hyuga family, he was an excellent guardian of tradition, but compared to the genius Kizaru, he still had much to learn.

When would the Hyuga family produce a genius like Kizaru from the Shimura clan?

Even if he didn't have the talent in strength like Kizaru, with the intelligence and political acumen of Kizaru, it would suffice!

Feeling a bit of regret in his heart, the Hyuga clan head looked at Hiashi again and began to speak.

"The disciple of the Third Hokage, Kizaru! He recently became the principal of the ninja academy and is responsible for the village's reforms in the medical and research fields. Do you know about it?"

"Yes!" Hiashi answered seriously, his expression stern.

"In this reform, the first task Kizaru is responsible for is an investment in a confidential research project. If successful, it will not only enhance the village's strength but also create significant commercial value."

Listening to his father's explanation, Hiashi nodded.

"But for some reason, the Uchiha clan is involved in this research project and has become intimate with Kizaru." Here, the Hyuga clan head frowned slightly.

After the Senju clan declined due to the war and voluntarily disbanded, merging into the village, the two largest clans in Konoha became the Uchiha and the Hyuga.

As two major clans, there was naturally considerable competition between the Hyuga and the Uchiha.

After all the other medium and small ninja clans followed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, and the Assistant, Danzo, and occupied many middle-level positions in various departments of the village, the remaining larger piece of the cake was contested between the Hyuga and the Uchiha.

As a supporter of the Hokage, the actual benefits obtained by the Hyuga were greater than those of the Uchiha, who were suppressed by the village in the police department.

As the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi's father was keenly aware of this.

The current prestigious position of the Hyuga clan was not only due to the clan's unique Byakugan bloodline and considerable family strength but also because they closely followed behind the Hokage.

Being capable and responsible, Hiashi was labeled as a representative of the Hyuga clan in the upper echelons of the Hokage.

But now, a bad sign had appeared, arousing the Hyuga clan head's vigilance.

As the appointed successor of the Third Hokage, a war hero of the Second Great Ninja War, and the village's genius, if Kizaru and the Uchiha clan became close, it wasn't something the Hyuga clan wanted to see. If the Uchiha clan managed to declare their support for Kizaru before the Hyuga clan did, gaining Kizaru's favor and trust.

If the Uchiha clan were to preempt the Hyuga clan and openly declare support for Kizaru, gaining his favor and trust.

In the future, if Kizaru becomes the Hokage, he would undoubtedly trust and reward the Uchiha clan.

Once the Uchiha clan gains the trust of the future Hokage, their already considerable strength would naturally encroach on the Hyuga clan's interests in the village.

It was out of this concern that the Hyuga clan head made the decision to send his son, the future head of the main family, to work at the ninja academy.

Originally, the Hyuga clan head intended for the child of the main family elder, Hiashi, to establish a relationship with Kizaru as a fellow student to gain his trust and favor.

However, after secretly observing Hiashi for some time, the Hyuga clan head abandoned this decision.

That child... well... was a bit too passionate and impulsive.

Anyway, the Hyuga clan head's suggestion was for the elder to work on having another child while still relatively young!

Having given up on Hiashi, the Hyuga clan head pondered and ultimately decided to entrust this task to his own successor.

"Father, I understand what you mean. I will express the goodwill of the Hyuga clan to Kizaru." After listening to his father's explanation, Hiashi roughly understood the intention behind his father's arrangement.

"Not enough." Shaking his head, the Hyuga clan head said.

Looking at his father, Hiashi didn't know how far he should go.

"It's not just about expressing goodwill; you must become friends with Kizaru, gaining his favor and trust." Raising his voice, the Hyuga clan head emphasized with a more intense tone.

Taken aback for a moment, as the young master of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi had never heard his father instruct him to try so hard to become someone's friend.

After all, in the past, as the heir of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi was always the one being sought out by others to make friends.

"Kizaru is different from the Third Hokage. In terms of strength, talent, political acumen, and intelligence, he is a genius among geniuses!" With a tone of admiration, the Hyuga clan head envied Danzo Shimura and the Uchiha clan.

"I have a feeling that under his leadership, Konoha will become stronger than ever before. He's like the First Hokage, capable of changing the ninja world's landscape!" Having heard of Kizaru's reputation and some of his deeds, and knowing how powerful Kizaru was, Hiashi couldn't believe that his father's evaluation of him would be so high.

"Father, is Kizaru really that amazing?" Looking at his father, Hiashi asked incredulously.

"Hiashi, as the future head of the Hyuga clan, your vision must be far-reaching. As the clan head, every decision you make determines the rise and fall of the clan." Disappointed in Hiashi's political insight, the Hyuga clan head earnestly advised.

Feeling a bit ashamed, the teenage Hiashi immediately replied, "I will work hard to learn, Father!"

Sighing lightly, looking at his son with lowered head, the Hyuga clan head said, "Raise your head. As the future head of the Hyuga clan, never lower your head!"

"Yes, Father!" Hastily raising his head and looking back at his father, facing his father's stern gaze, Hiashi firmly answered.

Nodding, with a faint smile, the Hyuga clan head began to reassure his child again.

"Your talent is also excellent, but in this world, there are very few geniuses who surpass ordinary geniuses, capable of transcending human limits and achieving godlike feats."

"Back then, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and Uchiha Madara were like this."

"Now, Kizaru is also such a genius!"

"Don't feel discouraged; some people are born to surpass the sky."

Nodding silently, feeling a bit resentful but still calmly accepting his father's words, the young Hiashi suddenly understood how his younger brother felt.

He and Kizaru were just like separated brothers from the main and branch families!

"I have obtained the Third Hokage's approval. Starting tomorrow, you will go to the ninja academy to work, and you will follow Kizaru's arrangements in everything." Seeing Hiashi calmly accepting reality, the Hyuga clan head began to make specific arrangements.

"Yes, Father. I will fulfill the task you have given me." Looking at his father, Hiashi said firmly.

"You've worked hard, Hiashi!" Smiling at his child, the tone of the Hyuga clan head became gentler.

"It's really hard!"

At three o'clock in the afternoon, at the entrance of the ninja academy, Kizaru, who had already finished work, let out a sigh.

Carrying the lunchbox he brought to school in the morning, Kizaru walked out of the school with a cheerful mood.

At this time, it was the time when work was finally over, and the streets were not very crowded.

Taking advantage of the early hour and the sparse crowd on the streets, Kizaru didn't head straight home. Instead, he walked towards the commercial street near the school.

With his left hand in his pocket and his right hand carrying the lunchbox, a smile on his face, Kizaru was preparing to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea.

Stopping in front of a popular dessert shop in the village, Kizaru paused his steps.

Today, Kizaru was planning to have mochi balls with matcha.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, there weren't many customers in the shop. Spotting a familiar figure inside the shop, Kizaru's smile widened as he walked slowly into the dessert shop.

Approaching the familiar figure from behind, Kizaru raised his left hand and placed it on the person's shoulder.

Feeling the unusual touch on his shoulder, Sakumo Nara, who was drinking tea, immediately turned his head to look back.

"Big Brother Sakumo!"

Smiling and greeting each other, Kizaru took a step forward, sitting down next to Sakumo and placing his lunchbox on the table.

"Five servings of mochi balls with honey and a cup of matcha," Kizaru ordered to the approaching shopkeeper.

After placing the order, Kizaru looked at Sakumo with a beaming smile and asked, "Big Brother Sakumo, how are the students from your class doing?"

Upon hearing Kizaru's question, Sakumo couldn't help but smile wryly, unsure of how to answer.

"It seems they're giving you a headache!" Rubbing his chin, Kizaru spoke up.

"All three of them are excellent, but their relationships are a bit complicated, and they can't cooperate well as a team."

The strong-willed Inabi, the determined Toda, and the ambitious Yuki!

Recalling the past performances and personalities of the three, Kizaru nodded, expressing his sigh, "Indeed, quite terrifying!"

"They all see you as their target, arguing to be your rival, looking down on each other, and often quarreling," Sakumo explained the core reason for the problem to Kizaru.

"Really troublesome!" Kizaru sympathized, already picturing the scene in his mind.

Looking at Kizaru in front of him, Sakumo suddenly came up with an idea on how to teach the three troublesome students - perhaps he could ask Kizaru to act as a formidable opponent, forcing the three to unite and fight together.