Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 31: Once You Stand, Don't Kneel Again

"That's the Sarutobi Clan's strength, still under Hiruzen Sarutobi's control. Why would he do this?"

Hearing Hyuga Tokuma's question, Hyuga Fuji replied coolly:

"Compared to letting the Sarutobi Clan rot in the future and becoming a tumor Konoha must excise, isn't it better for them to die a hero's death on the battlefield? Controlling their numbers will allow the Sarutobi Clan to survive peacefully under future Hokage administrations."

"When a tree grows too tall, it draws the wind. They are not the Senju Clan. They lack the prestige. The Senju could exit the stage gracefully; the Sarutobi cannot."

The Senju Clan, Fuji explained, had been dissolved into the village under the Second Hokage's leadership. While it could be seen as extinction, it was, in many ways, a deliberate and strategic choice.

Firstly, it resolved the issue of succession for Konoha.

The Senju's prestige was so overwhelming that, if they had continued to exist, the Hokage's position would have always remained with the Senju or those connected to them. Over time, this would have inevitably created rifts between the Senju and the other clans.

Secondly, the Senju's integration into the village, shedding their clan identity, allowed them a dignified exit.

The fates of other clans descended from the Sage of Six Paths or Hamura Otsutsuki spoke volumes about how the Senju's dissolution was, in retrospect, a blessing.

The Uchiha were almost wiped out by Itachi. The Uzumaki were scattered and lived in ruin. The Kaguya were exterminated. The Otsutsuki on the moon were reduced to one survivor. The Hyuga survived, but only by shackling themselves with the Caged Bird Seal.

By contrast, the Senju's legacy persisted seamlessly with Konoha's survival. Their descendants, even without the Senju name, still took pride in their lineage.

But the Sarutobi Clan was different.

Due to Hiruzen's prolonged reign, the Sarutobi had gained power akin to the Senju but lacked their prestige. Unlike the Senju, who had been instrumental in founding Konoha and fighting valiantly in two great wars, the Sarutobi's standing was more fragile.

If the Sarutobi wished to step back from power, it wouldn't happen without bloodshed.

Consider Sarutobi Asuma's original team: heirs to the next-generation heads of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi Clans, alongside children of the Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka Clans.

Even in the younger generation, the Sarutobi's influence was evident. Asuma and Kurenai's relationship further linked them to these powerful clans.

And yet, when Hiruzen fought Orochimaru, not a single clan came to his aid.

Was the Four Violet Flames Formation truly unbreakable? It was a Konoha technique. Surely it could have been countered.

Even the Yamanaka Clan alone could have sent four jonin to control the Sound Four and force them to release the barrier.

But no one acted.

Hiruzen had reigned too long, and the Sarutobi Clan had grown too strong. After the Uchiha Massacre and events like Hizashi being handed over to Kumogakure, trust in Hiruzen among the other clans had evaporated.

His death, fighting to protect the village, was the last shred of dignity the clans and Orochimaru allowed him.

Hyuga Fuji returned from his thoughts and spoke to the now-silent Tokuma.

"These are things you only need to keep in mind. The branch family's future doesn't lie in Konoha, so there's no need to get entangled in the conflicts between the clans and the Hokage."

"The Third Hokage sending you to Root, drawing Danzo's attention to the Hyuga Clan, may well be an attempt to expose those among you dissatisfied with the village or the main house."

"His leaving the village with the Fourth Hokage is deliberately giving Danzo a chance to act."

"He is, after all, Konoha's Third Hokage. You can trust in his strength, but never in his compassion."

Cold sweat ran down Tokuma's forehead as he bowed his head. "Understood!"

The Third Hokage was truly cunning. Tokuma had nearly believed the kind facade he had shown earlier.

Looking back, there was no way to verify which parts of his words were true and which were not.

And if he truly lacked the ability to maintain balance, how could he have suppressed the "darkness of the ninja world" and stabilized the power of the clans for so long?

The truth was clear: the Sarutobi Clan itself had become the largest clan in Konoha, and that alone prevented Hiruzen from acting against the other clans.

But now, the once-mighty Hiruzen was finally turning on his own people—not out of malice, but to ensure the Sarutobi Clan's survival.

Tokuma sighed inwardly.

He had no right to judge Hiruzen's actions. After all, Hiruzen acted for his clan's future, just as Tokuma now acted for the future of the Hyuga Clan.

Taking a deep breath, he asked, "What do you need me to do when the time comes? Should I hand over that technique to Danzo?"

"You don't need to do anything this time. Just wait for Danzo to fail. It's not yet time for that technique to be revealed."

Fuji glanced at the blackened scar on Tokuma's palm. "For now, focus on recovering. While in Root, keep an eye on two individuals with the surname Yakushi."

Even though Fuji had subdued Ranmaru and critically injured Raiga Kurosuki, Tokuma's battle with Raiga had been far from easy.

"Yes!"

Tokuma bowed and prepared to leave using the Body Flicker Technique when Fuji's calm, gentle voice stopped him.

"Since you've already stood up, don't kneel again. Reporting to me on your knees must feel uncomfortable, Tokuma-senpai."

Tokuma froze mid-motion, a stirring emotion rising within him.

He didn't respond. Instead, after confirming that he hadn't compromised Fuji's plans, he allowed himself to sleep deeply for the first time in days. The battle with Raiga and the subsequent deception before Danzo and Hiruzen had drained him completely.

…

In the underground chamber, minutes after Tokuma's departure, a mocking laugh echoed.

From the shadows, Hyuga Meikyo emerged, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You're quite good at winning over subordinates!"

Fuji glanced at him nonchalantly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's nowhere near as effective as Edo Tensei. Even if you had treacherous thoughts, you'd still be powerless."

Meikyo's face darkened as he glared. "If you have the guts, release the Edo Tensei control seal and fight me—"

Clunk!

Before Meikyo could finish, a coffin materialized out of thin air, sealing him away mid-sentence.

"Just focus on your reconnaissance duties and stop wasting time on irrelevant thoughts."

With the troublemaking relic dealt with, Fuji began to contemplate the situation at hand.

Minato's decision to head to the battlefield stemmed from the intelligence he had shared earlier.

The Third Mizukage, two tailed beasts, Mei Terumi, Yagura, Kisame Hoshigaki…

An impressive lineup. If some of these individuals had fully matured, the Konoha frontlines would already have collapsed.

But deploying such overwhelming force would cripple Kirigakure if they suffered significant losses. No rational Mizukage would make such a reckless choice.

Of course, the Third Mizukage was no longer in control of himself. Such irrational actions were inevitable.

Fuji's eyes narrowed.

The Fourth Hokage had been burdened with responsibilities, Rin and Kakashi were kept in the village under his watchful eye, and missions outside the village were impossible for them.

At last, this left only one option.

Madara… I've given you the perfect stage. Don't disappoint me.

Now, let's see just how powerful that toad's prophecy really is.

(End of Chapter)