Chapter 1: Template
In the Hokage's office in Konoha,
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Byakugan-wielding boy before him, then glanced at the 'Anbu application materials' on the desk.
He was utterly bewildered.
As Hokage, he felt he had seen it all in his life.
He had even witnessed his old friend attempt to assassinate him…
but this scene was something he had never seen before.
He couldn't help but wonder if Hyuga was trying to disgust him.
"Makoto, it's a good thing you want to apply to join the Anbu, but…"
Despite his many questions, he still smiled kindly at the boy.
"Does your family know about this?"
"Hokage-sama…"
Hyuga Makoto bowed slightly, his tone becoming somewhat sorrowful.
"I have no family."
"…"
Hearing this answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze.
Hyuga Makoto's parents died in the Third Shinobi World War and were war heroes of Konoha.
He knew this, but the question was, was he asking about this "family"?
"Sorry, that's not what I meant. I meant, did you ask for advice from other members of your clan?"
"No, not really."
Hyuga Makoto, true to his name, was very honest.
"Those I'm close to are either around my age or younger than me, but..."
"So, you came here on your own?"
Before he could finish, Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted him, looking exasperated.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was even more confused.
He truly couldn't understand what the Hyuga clan was up to this time!
He quite liked Hyuga Makoto.
As a member of the Hyuga clan, he didn't have the arrogance of a large clan.
And as a member of the branch family, he didn't have that deep-seated resentment.
He was optimistic, cheerful, made many friends, and even helped Naruto quite a few times.
Moreover, he's the son of a hero, but...
"The problem with him joining the Anbu is that he's from the Hyuga clan, and a member of the branch family!"
The Hyuga clan is practically a 'village within a village' in Konoha.
The branch family, in particular, is like a caged bird, making them a monolithic entity regardless of their wishes.
For example, when the main family's eldest daughter celebrated her birthday, the entire clan refused to attend the peace treaty between Konoha and Hidden Cloud Village.
Such a clan is even harder to deal with than those Uchiha lunatics...
Hiruzen Sarutobi disliked clans that prioritized their own interests over the village.
He had made some attempts, but unfortunately, the results were poor.
"Furthermore, the Hyuga clan is incredibly ruthless..."
It was also during the peace treaty with Hidden Cloud Village that those bastards turned around and caused a major incident.
He and Danzo Shimura had already discussed and prepared to go to war with Hidden Cloud Village!
However, the Hyuga clan themselves forced Hyuga Hizashi to his death and then quickly sent him away...
But the Hyuga clan is, after all, a major clan in Konoha, and they have always supported the Hokage.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't like it, he had no choice but to accept the situation to make ends meet.
Now, a young man from the Hyuga branch family was submitting an application to join the Anbu.
How could he not have some thoughts?
"Yes, Hokage-sama, but..."
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was pondering, Hyuga Makoto blinked.
"You're the Hokage, so once you've made your decision, that's all that matters, isn't it?"
"....."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt like he'd heard that before he could think further.
Before he could think any further, Hyuga Makoto sighed and said dejectedly,
"I understand. I guess I'm not good enough for the Hokage-sama's requirements."
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his blood pressure rise.
Why did he feel like he was bullying a child?
Makoto Hyuga, however, kept his head down and continued to speak dejectedly.
"Come to think of it, I just graduated, it's normal that the Hokage doesn't think much of me."
"..."
"After all, I'm not Uchiha Itachi..."
"..."
"The Hokage really does prefer Uchiha people..."
"Stop right there!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his blood pressure rising to his head. He wasn't surprised that Makoto Hyuga knew about Itachi. Itachi had been in the Anbu for a year, and Hyuga had the Byakugan.
He might have seen it by chance with a casual glance.
But could he just say that?!
"Did you see Itachi and that's why you want to join the Anbu?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, looking somewhat pained.
"No, that's not it."
Makoto Hyuga shook his head, his expression becoming serious.
"I want to join the Anbu because of Uncle Hizashi."
"Hmm?"
This sentence immediately made Hiruzen Sarutobi pause.
"Joining the Anbu for Hizashi?"
"Yes, after my parents passed away, I lived with Uncle Hizashi for a few years."
Hyuga Makoto nodded, still very honest.
"Once after training, he told me that he really wanted to join the Anbu, because only in this way could he change many things."
"He wanted to join the Anbu? Change many things?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze became somewhat strange. He knew what Hyuga Hizashi joining the Anbu meant!
The Anbu was the Hokage's direct subordinate force, a continuation of the Hokage's will.
With this identity, Hyuga Hizashi would become someone in the Hyuga clan who could directly confront the main branch!
You dare to question the Anbu about matters within Konoha?
You dare to make the Anbu do things they don't want to do?
You dare to use the Caged Bird Seal to punish the Hokage's Anbu?
I think you're planning a rebellion!
Moreover, if Hyuga Hizashi succeeded, more and more people would inevitably follow him, and the Anbu would have more Hyuga talents.
Even if Hyuga Hizashi helped him and the branch family through Konoha, wasn't that also helping Konoha?
"Could it be that the main clan forced him to die because of this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but ponder this possibility, but he quickly looked at Makoto Hyuga, a hint of confusion on his face.
"Do you know what Hizashi wanted to change?"
"I know a little, but not much."
Makoto Hyuga shook his head and then nodded, before speaking in a deep voice.
"Uncle Hizashi once told me that a great ninja once said:
Where leaves dance, fire will burn; where the fire's shadow illuminates the village, new leaves will sprout.'
He was far inferior to this great ninja, but he also hoped to illuminate the clan in his own way, and then become new buds of the great tree together!
It's just a pity I'm a bit slow-witted and don't quite understand what he meant.
But I'm willing to follow in his footsteps, to understand, to comprehend all of this!"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent, especially looking at the spirited Makoto Hyuga, a deep sense of guilt suddenly rising within him!
This child, it seemed, wasn't from the Hyuga clan trying to disgust him.
Moreover, he truly hadn't expected Hizashi to be such a person filled with the Will of Fire!
Unfortunately, Hizashi was already dead, beyond redemption.
As for Hyuga Makoto…
He suddenly felt a little worried about what would happen to this child in the future.
This was someone who wanted to inherit Hizashi's will and possess the Will of Fire!
"Perhaps, letting him try wouldn't be a bad idea?"
Suddenly, a thought popped into Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
He couldn't let others say that he favored the Uchiha, could he?
He couldn't let Hizashi's will not be continued, could he?
Most importantly, he couldn't let this child follow in Hizashi's footsteps, could he?
Besides, this matter wasn't a bad thing for Konoha!
And he didn't want to wake up in the middle of the night and slap himself…
"Makoto."
Having thought all this through, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke.
"Go back and wait for notification."
"Huh?"
Hyuga Makoto immediately looked up in surprise, while Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and smiled as he spoke.
"However, since this matter isn't confirmed yet, don't tell anyone, including your family."
"Yes… yes!"
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't given a definitive answer, Hyuga Makoto knew that the matter was settled!
Because in his mind, a clear voice had quietly rang out.
[Completed the condensation nucleus-specific mission: Break free from the main family's control]
[Reward: Moon Otsutsuki template]
.....