Hyūga Clan Compound.
Nakamaro carried two boxes of gifts in his hands as he greeted Hyūga Hoheto, who was on gate duty, with practiced familiarity: "Hoheto-nii! Is Clan Head Tenzō around?"
Hoheto was rather surprised.
Not because Nakamaro had come to the Hyūga compound—over the past few months in Konoha, Nakamaro had been dropping by all the time.
And whenever he came, he didn't really do anything—just went around recognizing relatives, chatting, and shooting the breeze…
At first, Hoheto had been very wary. Even if they were distant kin, Nakamaro was still a ninja from another village, so he had reported it to Tenzō.
But Tenzō had signaled that Hoheto needn't worry—he had his own use for Nakamaro.
"He's in. The Clan Head is usually around…"
Hoheto glanced at the gifts Nakamaro was carrying—well-known medicinal herbs from the Land of Fire, not cheap by any means.
With a grin, he said, "You've grown, huh… even learned some social etiquette. That's not like the you who just arrived in Konoha!"
That was what truly surprised him.
With the Kaguya clan's brains, he actually knew to bring gifts when visiting?
It was like a beast had gained intelligence and learned human ways…
Although after Hoheto was born, the Hyūga and Kaguya had already gone their separate paths, each serving different villages.
Still, from what he had heard growing up from the elders, his impression of the Kaguya clan could be summed up as: "always unhappy, never thinking things through, and constantly itching for a fight…"
Nakamaro let out an awkward laugh.
"Hoheto-nii, come on… Clan Head Tenzō once said…"
"The village you feel closest to in your heart is the one you'll come to resemble as a ninja…"
Hoheto's heart stirred.
What did that mean… why did it sound a bit like defecting from one's village?
'Clan Head Tenzō… has your Byakugan already seen that kind of future?' Hoheto sighed inwardly.
Who said the main family were all useless?
There were still those with real ability.
"You've had it tough all these years. It hasn't been easy…" Hoheto patted Nakamaro on the shoulder. "Go on in!"
Nakamaro nodded gratefully, letting out a sigh in his heart.
Just look at the quality of Konoha's ninja…
They even understood how hard his life had been!
If this were Kirigakure, how could anyone possibly empathize with others?
'They're always thinking about fighting, but you've got to actually be strong, right? If you don't have the ability and just bully your own people, sooner or later everything will fall apart…'
As Nakamaro walked deeper into the compound, all sorts of thoughts passed through his mind.
Did he still love fighting now?
Of course…
But what he loved was the kind of combat where he could clearly understand his own strength, spar with stronger opponents, and improve…
As for his past self—obsessed with the limited power of the Shikotsumyaku and unable to extricate himself…
Nakamaro felt nothing but disgust.
He arrived at the Clan Head's reception room.
Nakamaro respectfully knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Tenzō's voice came from inside.
Nakamaro stepped in and saw Hyūga Kō sitting upright to the side.
"Kid, what's with bringing gifts today?" Tenzō's eyes flickered as he sized Nakamaro up with a half-smile.
Back when he had gone with Isshin and Asuma to see him, Tenzō had already sensed something familiar about Nakamaro…
Very much like Hizashi after he joined the Anbu.
"I've been receiving your guidance often lately. I feel ashamed—these supplements are just a small token…" Nakamaro recited the phrasing he had learned from books, stumbling over his words a bit.
"Good! You've even picked up some culture? That's rare…"
Tenzō waved his hand, gesturing for Nakamaro to take a seat, and said with a smile: "But with your ojiisan here, there's no need to be so restrained. Just speak freely."
Tenzō had been in an excellent mood lately.
Not only had his son Hizashi reconciled with him and gotten married—
Hiruzen had personally served as the officiant, publicly affirming the unity between Konoha and the Hyūga, and even presented Senju Tobirama's sword as a wedding gift…
The symbolic meaning of that was enormous!
On top of that, Hizashi had told Tenzō that even if he were to die in the future, his child would be taken into the Hokage's own line…
Tenzō, who always judged people through the lens of self-interest and calculation, couldn't help but sigh inwardly: 'The Hokage truly is a benevolent and magnanimous man!'
Because of that, his motivation to work for the village had grown even stronger…
He couldn't just let Hizashi charge ahead alone while he himself sat safely in the rear doing nothing.
That would be far too unsightly!
And at this moment, in Tenzō's eyes, Nakamaro—and even the future Kaguya clan—was his way of repaying the Hokage!
"Tenzō -ojiisan, you really see right through me!"
Nakamaro grinned, scratching his head. "I… I'm still not used to talking like this. I actually came today because I have something to ask of you, but I don't know how to bring it up…"
Tenzō smiled without speaking, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for both Nakamaro and Hyūga Kō.
Kō let out a quiet sigh in his heart.
People with similar thoughts always had a way of being drawn to one another…
Especially someone like Nakamaro, whose emotions were written all over his face.
Half a month ago, at Hizashi's wedding, Kō had carefully observed everyone's mindset—including Nakamaro, who had also been invited…
Seeing Nakamaro now gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.
This kid is just like me—he wants to work under the Hokage!
"Nakamaro, I'll be direct… do you want to join Konoha?"
"From the way you look, you've been living quite comfortably in the village, right?" Kō drank his tea in one gulp and spoke with a light smile.
Nakamaro froze.
That direct?
"Kō! Watch your words!"
Tenzō slammed the table heavily, scolding with authority: "The Kaguya clan are loyal and capable warriors of Kirigakure. With the Bloody Mist policy still ongoing, the situation is delicate and tense. Saying something like that could put Nakamaro in danger!"
"And Konoha and Kirigakure are allies—friendly partners. Such words must never be spoken again!"
Kō lowered his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Nakamaro. Clan Head Tenzō."
"I spoke out of turn…"
But even so…
Tenzō felt that Kō had recently become much sharper!
In a situation like this, it wasn't appropriate for him, the Clan Head, to say such things—someone else had to probe instead…
In the past, Kō had only gotten by thanks to being born early and flattering others.
Although Tenzō liked hearing flattery, he had long judged Kō as someone of little real use…
Now, however, his impression was beginning to change.
'Could it be the Hokage truly has some kind of radiance? That simply being near him can turn decay into something miraculous…' Tenzō pondered inwardly.
Kō had come today precisely to discuss the few words he had exchanged with Hiruzen.
He wanted Tenzō to help guide him on how to better serve the Hokage in the future—just like Hizashi…
Tenzō approved of that.
The main family couldn't lag too far behind the branch family. Recently, he had grown quite dissatisfied with those in the main family who only engaged in internal strife…
They had to integrate into the village's work!
"Um, actually…"
Nakamaro carefully chose his words, but after thinking for a long time, he realized his vocabulary was simply too limited. His face flushed red.
In the end, he blurted out loudly: "Tenzō-ojiisan, just like Kō-nii said—I don't want to stay in Kirigakure anymore!"
"I like Konoha. I want the Kaguya clan to come here too. You don't really understand the situation in Kirigakure—it's only a matter of time before something terrible happens!"
Nakamaro's expression turned serious: "If it were just Kirigakure having problems, I wouldn't care that much. But the Kaguya clan has misjudged its own strength. If one day they lose control and challenge the Third Mizukage, the entire clan will be wiped out!"
"They're dumb and foolish. They're always arrogant, always thinking they're the best in the world. But at the end of the day, they're still my clansmen…"
Nakamaro unconsciously clenched his fists and looked at Tenzō with pleading eyes.
"Tenzō-ojiisan, no matter what, the Hyūga and the Kaguya are still relatives by blood! I beg you, for the sake of that shared bloodline, please lend us a hand and save the Kaguya clan!"
"They have no idea just how vast and brutal the gap is between a truly powerful Kage and an ordinary jōnin!"
During his time in Konoha, Nakamaro had gradually formed a clear understanding of how ninja strength was stratified.
His understanding of combat was also becoming more systematic.
In the past, he had believed that once the Shikotsumyaku was activated, with a body impervious to blades and spears and able to heal at any time, who in the entire ninja world could possibly stand against the Kaguya clan?
But after being beaten down by Tobirama often enough, he had finally calmed down.
From Seisui-nii, who had studied the classics extensively, he had learned quite a bit of intelligence about the Third Mizukage.
He was extremely proficient in Water Release and well versed in all kinds of shape transformation and related secret techniques…
On paper, his strength was no less than Hōzuki Gengetsu's!
It was only because he lacked that battle-maniac's firmness of will that he had lost in the Mizukage battle back then, but it was absolutely not because he was weak.
Especially given the Land of Water's geography, with its many rivers and proximity to the sea, the Third Mizukage's strength had to be rated an entire tier higher…
Tobirama knew the Third Mizukage very well, because they were of the same generation.
At the first Five Kage Summit, he and the Third Mizukage had stood respectively behind Hashirama and the First Mizukage.
"Seisui-nii analyzed it all for me. We talked about it for a long, long time!"
"If the Kaguya clan rebels, there's only one outcome for them: certain death! But they will definitely do it…"
"The Shikotsumyaku is strong, but the Third Mizukage is stronger. And Tenzō-ojiisan, you know it too—because of our clan's temperament, we have no allies. Other people would love nothing more than to see us die…"
Nakamaro had started off trying to act cultured, but the more he spoke, the more agitated he became, his words turning blunt and bold.
Tenzō let out a long sigh, his expression deeply troubled.
"Nakamaro, I'm relieved that you're able to see this much…"
"In principle, the Kaguya and the Hyūga have been as close as lips and teeth for a thousand years. But for various reasons, they ended up joining different villages…"
"If this were in the past, I would already have warned you. But now that we each serve different masters, there are many things I cannot say openly. I worry it would be seen as ulterior motives, and that it would damage the bond our two clans have shared for a thousand years…"
Tenzō shook his head, pain written across his face.
Nakamaro wanted to say something, then stopped himself, able only to sigh deeply.
That really did make sense!
"The Clan Head really is worried about the Kaguya clan. He talks to me about it often…"
Kō took in the expressions on both their faces and said softly, "Please forgive him. It's not that the Clan Head doesn't want to help—it's that there truly is no way…"
Nakamaro nodded in conviction.
In the past, although the Kaguya and Hyūga clans had maintained close contact through letters, the Hyūga had never tried to persuade the Kaguya to join Konoha. On the contrary, they often helped analyze Kirigakure's political situation for them, hoping that the Kaguya clan could seize greater power within Kirigakure.
What is worth mentioning, however, is… the reason for doing so was not some supposed "special concern for the Kaguya."
Rather, it was to ensure that outside Konoha, there would be a powerful ninja clan that paid attention to and supported the Hyūga, thereby expanding the Hyūga clan's united-front value within Konoha and making their position even more elevated and irreplaceable.
But from Nakamaro's and the Kaguya clan's point of view… the Hyūga truly had been warm-hearted, never overstepping for all these years and diligently offering the Kaguya advice…
They were rare, genuinely good relatives.
"Tenzō-ojiisan, please don't say that. The Hyūga's reputation within the Kaguya clan is absolutely rock-solid. Even if most of our clansmen do have strange temperaments, they would never think that way about the Hyūga!"
Nakamaro raised a hand toward the sky and swore, "If there is even one lie in my words, may I be struck down by heaven's thunder!"
"There's no need for that."
Tenzō waved his hands repeatedly. "We're all family here. No need to talk like that, no need…"
"Kō, go bring over the correspondence with the Kaguya clan."
Kō immediately rose to his feet, and not long after, briskly returned carrying a thick stack of letters.
After Kirigakure and Konoha established their so-called "friendly" relations, the exchanges between the two clans had become a station for the communication of intelligence.
But now, whenever letters from the Kaguya clan arrived, Tenzō never opened them first. Instead, he handed them to Hizashi for copying.
"Take a look…"
Tenzō spread the letters out one by one, laying sheet after sheet across the wide tea table.
Quite a few passages had been circled in red ink for emphasis.
"You didn't know about the Kaguya clan's situation either, did you…"
"Right now, the Third Mizukage is using the Kaguya clan as a blade. He gave them a post called the Kirigakure Internal Affairs Department, letting them monitor the major bloodline clans and ninja…"
Tenzō sighed. "And they're very happy doing it too—arresting people everywhere, killing people everywhere."
"And they even think this means the Third Mizukage has shown weakness to the Kaguya clan. Look at how smug these letters are—the self-satisfaction is practically spilling through the paper…"
"In the past, when it came to some sensitive topics, the Kaguya at least knew to be a little discreet in their letters. Now they don't even bother hiding it anymore. To destroy something, first let it go mad…"
Tenzō tapped several of the letters heavily.
"They've really gone mad… They actually think becoming the Kirigakure Internal Affairs Department is a good thing?" After reading a few of the letters, Nakamaro felt his head splitting, his hands and feet turning ice-cold.
Tenzō was rather emotional inwardly as well.
The Third Mizukage was pretty good at copying—he had even borrowed the Second Hokage's methods!
He was using the Kaguya clan the way Konoha had used the Uchiha—just with far more force and malice behind it…
"Tenzō-ojiisan, isn't this somewhat similar to the Konoha Military Police Force?" Nakamaro's voice was trembling a little.
"Aren't the Uchiha clan and Konoha doing well now? Could the Kaguya also have that kind of chance…"
Tenzō shook his head.
"There is some overlap in function, but the nature of it is completely different."
"The Uchiha in the Konoha Military Police Force may not have been well liked, but they still did things according to the rules. The contradictions they accumulated were many, but not sharp—after all, the majority of ninja are law-abiding."
"But does the Bloody Mist have any real system to speak of? The Kaguya in the Kirigakure Internal Affairs Department are just the Third Mizukage's chamber pot for buffering contradictions. Once it can't bear the load anymore, he'll kick it aside and haul it out for the other ninja to vent their anger on…"
"The Third Mizukage's scheme is vicious. He's accurately grasped the Kaguya clan's temperament."
Nakamaro nodded heavily.
"Then… is there really no saving the clan?"
"To be frank, people in the Kaguya clan are definitely going to die." Tenzō sighed.
"You don't have the strength to gather the Kaguya's hearts around you. Even if you break the logic apart and explain it piece by piece, will those Kaguya clansmen who are stronger than you actually listen?"
"So if you want fewer Kaguya to die, then once you return to Kirigakure, you must immediately find the clansmen who still have some reason left and form an alliance with them…"
Nakamaro rubbed at his brow. "You're right. They won't listen to me…"
At that moment, Nakamaro hated only one thing—that he did not have Seisui's strength!
According to rumor, the Uchiha now already regarded Seisui as their future leader, which was why they had changed for the better!
It was just that Shisui and Obito were always chirping on and on about that point until it became annoying to hear…
And Tenzō, too, had begun to pay an even higher level of attention to Seisui.
'This Seisui isn't simple… At his age, he can already grasp some of Lord Hokage's line of thinking?'
'Telling Nakamaro all that was definitely not accidental. No wonder the Uchiha were able to change the tide so quickly.'
A sense of urgency also rose in Tenzō's heart.
Their clan had a high average level of quality, yes—but they lacked a true standout!
How were they supposed to produce someone from the younger generation who could rival Seisui?
"If the Third Mizukage intends to move against your clan, I believe he won't be overly crude about it…"
"Because the Kaguya and the Hyūga are on good terms. If he were to rashly carry out a major purge of the Kaguya, that would give Konoha—and even the other hidden villages—an opportunity to condemn Kirigakure and interfere in its affairs…"
"The Third Mizukage establishing diplomatic ties with Konoha is, at its core, also because under his closed-country policy, he fears the other hidden villages might unite against Kirigakure."
Tenzō furrowed his brow. Apparently afraid Nakamaro would not understand, he even began sketching out a mind map on the letters: "But that does not mean the Kaguya are safe. The Kaguya clan's conduct has already aroused the Third Mizukage's suspicion, so they are absolutely on his purge list."
"To make that purge seem justified, the Third Mizukage will likely split the Kaguya apart. That way, it changes from persecution into an internal Kaguya conflict, and some Kaguya clansmen may even step forward to speak on his behalf…"
"And that is your opportunity!"
Tenzō said in a deep voice:
"When the Third Mizukage begins moving to divide the Kaguya, that will be the sign that he is about to act. If you can win over clansmen in advance, then you must start preparing to flee with that group!"
"If you can't win them over, then leave quickly by yourself. No matter what, the Kaguya clan has to leave behind a seed."
Kō looked at Tenzō with considerable shock.
So this was the meticulous thinking of the head of a thousand-year great clan? As expected of someone who had fought his way to the top…
But in the next instant, Hyūga Kō thought of another issue…
Even a Clan Head this capable had still not managed to beat Lord Hokage…
'No, that's not right. How can I call it fighting? Lord Hokage believes in mutual development. This brain of mine…'
Kō shook his head hard, as if trying to fling that mistaken thought out of his mind and cut himself off from it as quickly as possible.
"I understand, Tenzō-ojiisan…"
"But where could we even go? Could I bring them to Konoha?" Nakamaro said with a trembling voice, as if he could already see a future where his clan had been torn into pieces.
"Tenzō-ojiisan, could I trouble you to go beg Hokage-sama? If that day really comes, then for the Hyūga's sake, please ask him to take us in!"
Tenzō was delighted inwardly, but his expression became deeply troubled.
As for whether the Hokage would agree…
Tenzō believed that he would.
After all, the Kaguya clan were only thorny troublemakers relative to Kirigakure…
In Konoha, they would just count as hotheaded fools.
The former Hyūga, the Uchiha, Root—any one of those groups had been a heavyweight.
"This matter of yours is difficult."
"It's not that it can't be done, but that it truly is difficult. You've seen it yourself—Konoha ninja enjoy their benefits because generation after generation paid a blood tax for them. If your people arrive and immediately enjoy the same benefits, that would be hard to justify."
"And Hokage-sama has never liked interfering in the affairs of other hidden villages." Tenzō let out a long sigh.
"Clan Head, this might also invite Danzō's suspicion…" Kō said in a low voice: "Hokage-sama naturally wouldn't think that way, but you know what Danzō is like. Might he think the Hyūga are trying to pull the Kaguya into their orbit and form factions inside the village?"
"I don't want anything to happen to the Kaguya clan either, but you still have to think of the Hyūga first!"
Nakamaro's face changed abruptly. "Kō-nii, how can you say something like that?"
"Nakamaro, I have to think of my clan."
Kō's tone was apologetic, but his expression was very firm: "You've seen it too. The Hyūga are now deeply trusted by Hokage-sama. At Hizashi's wedding a few days ago, all the important figures in the village were there!"
"I don't want to ruin that situation."
Nakamaro lowered his head weakly.
One major reason he had come to the Hyūga for help was precisely because he had seen the grandeur of Hizashi's wedding.
Their connections were ironclad…
"That's enough, Kō!"
Tenzō said slowly, "The so-called Will of Fire is about comrades helping one another…"
"And we and the Kaguya clan can also be counted as comrades."
"I hope my judgment is wrong, and that the Kaguya clan can live in peace with Kirigakure… but if something unfortunate truly does happen, then I will go and seek Hokage-sama's instructions!"
"But Nakamaro, Konoha has Konoha's rules…"
"You should have felt that yourself. If I go all out and speak on behalf of the Kaguya clan, then I hope your people will not behave in a way that makes things difficult for me."
Tenzō's tone was stern.
Nakamaro shot to his feet in wild delight and bowed repeatedly to Tenzō.
"Thank you! Thank you, Tenzō-ojiisan!"
"With those words from you, I finally have some confidence in my heart!"
As for Konoha's rules and the like…
Nakamaro felt that the clansmen he personally screened would not touch them.
And even if some accident happened, then Konoha's Military Police Force could just teach them a lesson!
Not only would he never speak up for them—he would be the first to come down on them hard!
As for what Tenzō had said—that it was impossible for the Kaguya clan to escape intact—Nakamaro also agreed.
Some people in the Kaguya clan were just wired with a self-destructive streak…
"I'll do my best to persuade you all, but if you can't understand good advice, then the only thing left is for you to die in Kirigakure…"
After leaving the Hyūga clan compound, Nakamaro gazed at the distant Hokage Rock and muttered to himself: "Then let it count as draining the unstable genes out of the Kaguya bloodline!"
"To be able to say something like that, you really are a Kaguya clansman…" One of the four Kirigakure exchange students, Snow, who possessed Ice Release, stepped out from the shadows and asked nervously: "Well? Did Hyūga Tenzō-sama give you an answer?"
Among the four Kirigakure ninja,
Nakamaro and Snow were the two who most wanted to run—and they wanted to take their entire clans with them…
Both of them came from bloodline clans.
"He did…"
"If things look bad once we get back to Kirigakure, then go do the groundwork with your clansmen first. With Ice Release helping us, plus the close-range killing power of the Shikotsumyaku, once we find an opening it'll be very hard for Kirigakure to stop us…"
Nakamaro's expression was gloomy. "Don't tell Kisame or Terumī Mei about this. The two of them still have unrealistic hopes for Kirigakure…"
Snow nodded in delight: "Konoha agreed to take us in? Then when you leave, you have to tell me ahead of time. Our Clan Head already hinted long ago that he wanted to break away from Kirigakure!"
Unlike the battle-loving Kaguya clan, Snow's Ice Release clan had long since expressed dissatisfaction with the Bloody Mist.
Because of that, many of their clansmen had already been imprisoned or executed.
"Terumī Mei just hasn't seen enough yet. Her clan counts as a great clan in Kirigakure, and they're on good terms with Genji. She really is a difficult target to win over…"
Snow said thoughtfully: "But Kisame is different. He looks like his heart belongs to Kirigakure, but in truth he still has illusions about the Third Mizukage. Once we return to Kirigakure, those illusions will definitely be shattered…"
"He has shark-man blood in him. If we can get his help, then as long as we make it out onto the sea, no one will be able to stop us."
Nakamaro narrowed his eyes.
"He has illusions about the Third Mizukage?"
"Yes… he believes the Bloody Mist will turn Kirigakure into a village like Konoha."
Snow said speechlessly, not understanding why Kisame was so naïve: "That from then on, comrades would stop killing each other and start helping one another. Earlier he was even talking to me about some kind of Will of Water…"
"Simple. Kirigakure has now established an internal purge organization called the Internal Affairs Department."
Nakamaro let out a cold laugh.
"The core of it is made up of the Kaguya clan. When the time comes, I'll arrange for Kisame to join it—let him see Kirigakure's true face. That little habit of his of indulging in fantasies will be cured."
Snow let out a sigh. "You really are ruthless."
"No matter how ruthless I am, I'm still not as ruthless as the Third Mizukage. We're all just trying to survive." Nakamaro waved his hand and looked toward the notice board in the distance, where a crowd had gathered.
It was an announcement praising Root ninja.
However, no names or departmental affiliations were mentioned. They were referred to as anonymous heroes, emphasizing the rewards the village had given them.
It also stated that their identities would be revealed at an appropriate time, calling on everyone in the village to honor them.
After the two finished reading, they both fell silent.
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