The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

The Hyuga clan's byakugan symptoms have worsened.

It has even become contagious!

Among them, their Patriarch Hyuga Hitoshi's behavior is the most outrageous.

Has this child become blind to this extent?

When Hyuga Hitoshi pointed at the suburban empty land in the new Konohagakure plan, everyone had the same thought.

If the clan's Patriarch is like this, not to mention their clanspeople.

Many looked at Hitoshi with pity, as if they had already seen the future of the Hyuga clan.

Old village chief Sarutobi Hiruzen furrowed his brows, pondering deeply about the implications of Hyuga Hitoshi's move.

Even as a seasoned politician, he couldn't figure out why he was willing to lead his people to join the Uchiha clan.

Could it be that the two clans intend to unite completely?

Sarutobi, feeling intellectually inadequate, picked up his smoking pipe and took a puff, his gaze shifting back and forth between Hyuga Hitoshi and Uchiha Fugaku.

He had heard rumors that during the previous war, Uchiha Fugaku tried to curry favor with the Hyuga clan, even offering his wife for battlefield support.

But weren't those rumors specially concocted by his old comrades to disgust Uchiha Fugaku?

Could it be that these two clans...

It shouldn't be.

Not to mention that both clans rely on their eyes, which seems to be a competitive relationship no matter how you look at it.

Just helping the Uchiha clan to confront the village and the higher-ups, what good does that do for the Hyuga clan?

Or is it that Hyuga Hitoshi simply fancies that piece of land?

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't figure it out, but he didn't particularly dwell on it.

After the Uchiha clan's relocation, ANBU will take turns monitoring them, and a thorough investigation can follow.

Not only did he fail to understand Hyuga Hitoshi's thought process, but the two village advisors and Danzo also furrowed their brows, unsure of what to say as they watched Hyuga Hitoshi return to his seat.

The leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans whispered among themselves, feeling that Hyuga Hitoshi was leading his clan into madness.

Uchiha Fugaku's face was filled with guilt, feeling he had let down his good brother.

It was clear that the only Hyuga who spoke up for the Uchiha at the meeting were now "forced" to relocate and become neighbors with the Uchiha.

No one else would likely speak up for the Uchiha now.

The blame for supposedly controlling the Nine-Tails and seeking revenge on the village had firmly landed on the Uchiha clan.

With no hope left, Uchiha Fugaku sighed deeply, his mind filled with visions of his clan raising flags in rebellion upon his return.

What the hell was he supposed to do?

When they arrived, the clan had high hopes of him becoming the Hokage. Now, not only was the Hokage position out of reach, but they couldn't even secure their clan's land. The village higher-ups were truly detestable!

With the blame assigned, the meeting proceeded as usual.

For most people, whether the Uchiha were blamed or the Hyuga clan went mad, it didn't matter much to them.

The real purpose of this meeting was to determine the position of the village head.

This was of utmost importance as it related to the future status of their clans in the village and the arrangement of subsequent work and benefits.

Everyone expressed their opinions at the meeting.

Nara Shikaku, ever astute, first tentatively nominated Tsunade, the Third Hokage's disciple. After the advisors' group rejected the idea, he understood and looked towards the Third Hokage.

In any case, nominating Tsunade seemed highly appropriate.

Tsunade, the princess of the Land of Fire, the Third's disciple, and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, had enough prestige to assume the position of Hokage.

However, rumors had it that since the Second Great Ninja War, Tsunade referred to the Third as an old fart, showing no respect, and later left Konohagakure altogether.

This was quite intriguing, but some issues were not meant to be pondered deeply. For now, it seemed that Tsunade and a few Sarutobi did not get along, and while the old village head was alive, Tsunade had no desire to return to the village.

The advisors' group even used the excuse that Tsunade and Jiraiya were hard to track to halt the discussion.

Then...

Nara Shikaku's mind stirred, seemingly understanding the old village head's thoughts.

After careful consideration and analyzing the distribution of benefits for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio after the Third's return to power, he subtly nodded in agreement, supporting the old leader was not a bad idea.

In fact, the situation was much as Nara Shikaku and most had anticipated.

When the advisors' group brought up the next round of candidates.

Danzo was eager to stand up, his face showing a hint of excitement as he attempted to nominate himself.

But beside him, the old village head had already opened his mouth with a smile.

Just like when Senju Tobirama asked who would cover the rear, and Danzo hesitated, Sarutobi answered promptly.

"The younger generation in the village has yet to grow up, and although I am old, I am willing to shelter the saplings from the wind and rain before that."

Damn you.

Danzo's face darkened, and he glared at Sarutobi resentfully.

Without a doubt, he was reminded of the days when he was dominated by "Shut up, Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Looking back, it was utterly humiliating!

"Damn it, make sure to tell Sarutobi to regret louder next time!"

The old village chief stood up, and his former subordinates naturally showed respect.

After Ino-Shika-Cho pledged their loyalty first, the other clans also agreed to the Third's return to power, and the winner of this meeting was already clear.

Then, the Third subtly discussed the village's future reconstruction and the exchange of benefits.

After the meeting, everyone except the Uchiha clan had satisfactory answers.

"Sorry about that, brother Hitoshi."

After the meeting, on the way back.

Uchiha Fugaku, feeling guilty, approached Hyuga Hitoshi, "I didn't expect to drag the Hyuga clan into this."

"No big deal, our clans will be neighbors from now on. When you go back, please remind the Uchiha brothers not to lose their temper in front of the Hyuga clan; it wouldn't look good for anyone."

Hitoshi smiled slightly, not forgetting to give a word of advice.

"Of course! The Uchiha will not forget the Hyuga's past kindness. How could we ever cross the Hyuga brothers?"

Recalling the battlefield where the Uchiha were left isolated, only the Hyuga arrived on time to support, Fugaku's anger towards the higher-ups flared up even more.

Besides, although our clansmen are a bit radical, they're not ungrateful. Since then, they've been much more polite to the Hyuga clan, rarely losing their temper.

Moreover, ever since our brother Hyuga Hitoshi took charge, his methods have been astonishing, boosting the Hyuga clan's combat power by more than just a notch.

In previous conflicts, it was always the Uchiha clansmen who were at a disadvantage, almost like a one-sided beatdown. Over time, even the Uchiha with their fiery eyes started to keep a respectful distance from the Hyuga.

After a brief chat, Hitoshi declined Fugaku's invitation to visit the Uchiha side and see his sister-in-law, and quickly returned to his clan's territory.

It's not that the sister-in-law isn't charming, or that Hitoshi has changed his ways.

But rather,

In the clan's main hall, with everyone dismissed, Hyuga Hitoshi sat upright, exuding a mysterious aura.

In fact, after pointing at an empty space on the planning map, he entered a strange state of enlightenment.

Undoubtedly, this was the work of his golden finger.

It meant that his decision to stay away from Konohagakure's political center and choose an area convenient for escape was absolutely correct, hence the golden finger's feedback.

Hitoshi called this state 'occupying the high ground of intelligence,' where his thoughts were incredibly clear.

Often, this was the best time to study and improve techniques like the Gentle Fist and other Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.

"Hmm, how far did I get with the research on the Crushing Fist? Did I test the power after adding elemental changes last time?"

"And the combined strike formation of soft and hard..."

"Never mind, let's continue perfecting the Hyuga-style Sage Transformation!"

After some thought, Patriarch Hitoshi grabbed a bottle of homemade strong liquor and gulped it down, then grimaced and closed his eyes, entering a drunken stupor.

Usually, at times like this, he chose to drink. Partly because he was happy, but also because when clarity and confusion alternated, that sublime feeling was just too good.