Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 15: The Shadow Guard

Hyuga Fuji stood beneath the Hokage Tower, glancing up before stepping inside.

In a short time, much had changed here.

Some familiar shinobi had left, and unfamiliar faces had taken their place. The person sitting in the Hokage's office was no longer an aging elder but a young man.

During wartime, everything was kept simple.

There was no Hokage inauguration ceremony; Namikaze Minato had already assumed the position and begun his duties as Hokage.

"Hokage-sama, I'd like to apply for the jōnin examination," Hyuga Fuji said softly, looking at the bright and cheerful young man before him.

---

"Hyuga Fuji, age 15. Completed four S-rank missions, thirty-two A-rank missions, and…"

As he read through Hyuga Fuji's mission record, Namikaze Minato furrowed his brow in thought.

The promotion to jōnin in Konoha required significant accomplishments or a mission record demonstrating a wide range of skills.

However, during wartime, the primary criterion for the jōnin exam was strength. The requirements for missions and achievements could be somewhat relaxed.

Even so, Hyuga Fuji's record was already at an average level, so his application posed no issue.

What Minato was considering was something else entirely.

"The Third Hokage asked me to stabilize the Hyuga clan. Should I choose him from the Branch Family?"

Minato had already been briefed by the Third Hokage on recent events in the village and had no objections to the decision to appease the Hyuga.

The Branch Family needed to fully integrate into the village, while the Main Family was still recovering from a heavy blow—this was the perfect time to stabilize the situation. If handled well, it could also help maintain the village's internal balance.

To achieve this, he needed to assign Hyuga Fuji to an appropriate position—one neither too high nor too low, but one that would allow the Hyuga's abilities to shine.

Hmm?

Minato's eyes lit up.

A perfect position had come to mind, though it was only suitable for the Branch Family.

A Shadow Guard—a team that every new Hokage was expected to form!

The Shadow Guard had direct communication with the Hokage and guarded them personally, a position that in itself symbolized trust.

Moreover, it was a tradition among villages to place future Hokage candidates in the Shadow Guard. The Third Hokage had once been a member of the Second Hokage's Shadow Guard, and the Fourth Kazekage had served as a bodyguard for the Third Kazekage.

This position would perfectly convey the village's recognition of the Branch Family's importance.

Minato thought to himself, Since that's the case, I'll hold the Shadow Guard selection after the jōnin exam.

However, Minato quickly frowned.

Shadow Guards were typically strong, with some even being Hokage candidates. This was because only shinobi of such caliber could truly protect the Hokage.

Otherwise, if they encountered a powerful enemy, would the Hokage have to protect them?

Hyuga Fuji's Byakugan was undoubtedly valuable and could compensate for any lack of strength. Moreover, assigning him as a guard to appease the Hyuga would likely gain the approval of the Third Hokage and the advisors.

But for the others… if their strength wasn't up to par, it might not work.

Still, after considering his own combat style, Minato felt that placing exceptionally strong individuals in his Shadow Guard would be a waste.

"As my guards, if they can't keep up with me in battle, there's no point."

With this in mind, Minato had an idea.

---

"Huh? The jōnin exam?"

At the Ichiraku Ramen stand, Hyuga Miyuki waited for her ramen, surprised. "Fuji-kun is going to officially become a jōnin?"

"Mm," Hyuga Fuji nodded beside her. "I think I'm ready."

"Really? That's great."

Miyuki's face showed a hint of envy.

If not for that scroll, how long would it take her to achieve jōnin-level strength?

She didn't know, but it certainly wouldn't have been quick.

"Then today, it's not just to thank you—I'll also wish you success on your exam."

Realizing this, Miyuki awkwardly glanced at the Ichiraku owner.

Though Ichiraku Ramen was delicious, using it as a celebratory treat felt a bit odd.

"It's fine," Fuji said, noticing Miyuki's hesitation. "I like Ichiraku Ramen, too."

This was, after all, a shop personally endorsed by Naruto himself. Fuji had tried it long ago and found the taste excellent.

"Alright."

As their ramen was served, Miyuki took her bowl and nodded slightly.

I'll prepare a proper gift later—after Fuji-kun passes the exam.

For now… she could only do so much, and fleeing wasn't an option.

As expected, some members of her clan had indeed been placed under surveillance by the Main Family.

Thanks to Fuji's timely warning, Miyuki herself wasn't being monitored, but that also meant she'd missed any chance to act.

The Fourth Hokage, with his Flying Thunder God technique… he was a difficult opponent.

She wasn't afraid of death, but now wasn't the time to die.

As the only member of the Branch Family currently unafraid of the Caged Bird Seal, her death—especially in an attempt to kill off the Main Family—would leave the Branch Family without any safety net.

After all, the Third Hokage and Tsunade also had control over the Caged Bird Seal's mechanism.

Until the seal was removed, she couldn't trust anyone else.

Feeling frustrated, Miyuki turned her dismay into appetite, quickly finishing her food.

Fuji watched as empty bowls piled up in front of Miyuki, then glanced at the three bowls in front of him, lost in thought.

Does the evolution of the Byakugan increase appetite? No, that doesn't make sense—my own appetite hasn't changed.

So, it's just natural?

She even relied on food pills during missions. I never noticed this before.

Noticing Fuji's odd gaze, Miyuki froze mid-action, her face reddening slightly.

"My father and I both have big appetites; I must've inherited it from my grandfather."

"My appetite's actually not that bad. My cousin… her appetite is even bigger than mine."

When she mentioned her cousin, Miyuki's expression gradually became calm, as if unwilling to elaborate.

Fuji tactfully didn't ask further, though he already had an answer in mind.

Her cousin was likely from the Main Family.

In the Hyuga clan, if the Main Family had two children in one generation, one would be branded with the Caged Bird Seal and become part of the Branch Family.

This policy limited the Main Family's size.

The other child would remain in the Main Family, typically possessing greater talent.

Based on Miyuki's description, her branch became part of the Branch Family, while her cousin's branch remained in the Main Family.

Still, a Main Family member close to Miyuki's age with an even larger appetite… it wasn't hard to imagine.

Smiling, Fuji said, "A big appetite is a blessing. It means your body's natural energy reserves are high, and your chakra capacity won't be small. That's a great advantage for a ninja."

Chakra was formed by combining physical and spiritual energy in a specific ratio.

If physical energy was abundant and spiritual energy could match it, one's chakra reserves would be substantial.

Miyuki blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Fuji-kun, your perspective is always so unique. Most people would think it's strange for a girl to eat so much…"

"It's just ten bowls."

Fuji's gaze drifted toward the stacked bowls on the table. "I've seen someone eat far more."

"An Akimichi?" Miyuki asked, puzzled.

"No," Fuji replied, shaking his head as he walked out of the shop. "It was your cousin's daughter."

"…"

Miyuki silently paid the bill, then quickly caught up. "She's not even married yet. How could she have a daughter?"

Fuji replied, "You didn't deny that her daughter would have a bigger appetite than you."

"Well, I've already considered that. Her whole branch is like that—huge appetites. Aside from their build, they're even more like the Akimichi than the actual Akimichi clan."

Miyuki glanced downward, catching sight of her own feet. She muttered softly, "Still, it's something to envy…"

Fuji paused briefly but quickly resumed walking, maintaining a neutral expression as if he hadn't heard.

Envy what?

If Hinata's mother was like Hinata, then sure, that's enviable… but honestly, you're not far behind yourself.

(End of Chapter)