Chapter 60 - The Hyūga Clan
Chapter 60 - The Hyūga Clan
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi sat deep in contemplation, Kazane had already reached the door of the Hokage's office.
His steps were calm, measured—he had gotten what he wanted.
Or at least, most of it.
"Kazane!"
Hiruzen's voice rang out just as the young swordsman reached for the door handle.
"I accept your request. You will have full command over the forces on the battlefield."
A heavy sigh escaped the Hokage's lips. His tone carried the weight of reluctant submission.
"If you have any other demands, say them now."
Kazane paused, a slow, satisfied smirk creeping onto his lips.
So, even Sarutobi had his limits.
He turned back, his smirk widening slightly as he strode toward the desk once again.
"Well, since Hokage-sama is feeling generous, I do have two small requests."
His words were light, but his tone was firm.
"First, I want the Hyūga Clan to be incorporated into my forces. Their Jonin and Chunin can help compensate for our lack of high-ranking combat power."
Hiruzen's expression darkened slightly, but Kazane continued.
"Furthermore, against Mist Ninja, who specialize in assassination and silent killing tactics, the Byakugan would be invaluable for countering their ambushes."
"Second, I want Might Duy to accompany me."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, already knowing this would be an issue.
"The Branch Family of the Hyūga Clan has already been deployed to the front lines," he stated firmly.
"As for the Main Family, they will never agree to this. Even if I personally order it, they will refuse. You should understand this, Kazane."
His voice held finality.
The Hyūga Clan were notoriously stubborn.
Even the Hokage himself could not force their hand when it came to matters of their bloodline.
Kazane expected this answer.
He had already anticipated the Hyūga's reluctance—particularly the Main Family's refusal to participate.
The Hyūga were descendants of Ōtsutsuki Hamura, inheritors of the Byakugan, a bloodline so powerful it could evolve into the Tenseigan.
Due to their coveted dōjutsu, they had been prime targets for rival ninja villages throughout history.
In response, the Hyūga Elders had crafted a system of control—
A rigid division between the Main Family and the Branch Family.
The Caged Bird Seal, ensuring absolute obedience from Branch Family members.
A clan hierarchy that prioritized bloodline over talent.
Even siblings born in the same generation faced an unyielding fate—only one could inherit the Main Family's position.
The rest?
They were branded as Branch Members, regardless of talent or potential.
Kazane's smile didn't fade.
Instead, he leaned slightly forward.
"Then, Hokage-sama, please write me a letter of endorsement. I'll negotiate with the Hyūga Clan myself."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
Kazane wanted to personally speak with the Hyūga?
That was… unexpected.
He studied the young swordsman carefully, trying to gauge his true intentions.
But in the end, he simply nodded.
"Fine. I will write the letter, but you're on your own when it comes to convincing them."
Kazane grinned.
"Of course."
Then, as if it were merely an afterthought, he added—
"Also, Hokage-sama, please write another letter addressed to Danzo."
"I need official authority over the battlefield—otherwise, I fear he may resist my leadership."
He let his words settle for a moment before adding,
"And if the commander and deputy are at odds, it will be catastrophic for morale."
His voice remained calm, but his eyes carried a dangerous glint.
He was baiting Hiruzen.
In truth, Kazane wanted Danzo to resist.
Because the moment he did, it would give him the perfect excuse to execute him on the spot.
Hiruzen hesitated.
For a long moment, he weighed the consequences.
Giving Kazane absolute battlefield command meant overriding Danzo's authority.
It meant sidelining one of Konoha's most influential figures.
It meant that Kazane would have more power than ever before.
But…
What other choice did he have?
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hiruzen let out a deep sigh.
He reached for a fresh scroll and began writing.
A few minutes later, he handed two official letters to Kazane.
"Now go."
His voice was quiet, but firm.
"I still have to gather 2,000 troops for your command."
As Kazane turned to leave, his silhouette disappearing into the streets of Konoha, Hiruzen walked toward the window.
His gaze lingered on the young swordsman's retreating figure.
Then—
Without turning, he spoke to the shadows behind him.
"Investigate Might Duy for me."
An ANBU operative, wearing a cat mask, materialized from the darkness.
He bowed.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
If Kazane had specifically requested Might Duy, then there had to be something special about him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew this much.
And in the world of shinobi, there was no such thing as coincidence.
---
Konoha – The Hyūga Clan Compound
Arriving at the Hyūga Clan's main residence, Kazane immediately sensed the difference.
There was a palpable weight in the air—a presence of ancient authority, a testament to the clan's longstanding heritage.
Unlike most shinobi families, the Hyūga were noble warriors, their lineage tracing back to Konoha's very founding days.
And Konoha itself—the strongest of the Five Great Nations—was built on the bloodlines of legends.
The Bloodline of Kings
The Uchiha Clan wielded the Sharingan, an eye that saw through all deception.
The Hyūga Clan possessed the Byakugan, the piercing gaze that saw beyond flesh and illusion.
The Senju Clan bore the Sage Body, granting them monstrous stamina and chakra.
Beyond these three pillars of power, Konoha housed countless secret jutsu clans and bloodline limit users.
Had Konoha's leadership chosen differently, had they truly unified their strengths—they could have conquered the entire shinobi world by now.
Instead…
One legendary force after another had been systematically wiped out.
The Senju Clan, once mighty, had faded into obscurity.
Sakumo Hatake, one of Konoha's greatest warriors, had been disgraced.
The Three Legendary Sannin—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—had scattered like the wind.
And in the years to come, even Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and the entire Uchiha Clan would be reduced to a single orphaned child.
If there were an award for systematically sabotaging your own village, Konoha's leadership would be undefeated champions.
Yet, despite this trend of destruction, the Hyūga Clan remained untouched.
And that was no accident.
They were masters of self-preservation.
They knew when to fight, when to submit, and when to adapt.
Some might call them cautious.
Others might call them cowards.
But one thing was certain—they always chose the safest path.
For example—
When Kumogakure attempted to kidnap Hinata, her father, Hiashi Hyūga, had immediately killed the would-be kidnapper.
What followed was a political disaster.
Kumogakure demanded compensation, demanding Hiashi's life in retribution.
And rather than defying them, the Hyūga Elders made a chilling decision—
They handed over Hiashi's twin brother, Hizashi, as a sacrificial scapegoat.
A perfectly identical twin, to satisfy the blood debt.
Years later, when Naruto Uzumaki proved himself too powerful to ignore, the Hyūga Clan once again adapted.
They threw aside centuries of rigid tradition and offered up Hinata as his future wife—securing their position beside the future strongest man in the world.
This pragmatic survival instinct ensured that no Hokage ever targeted them.
And it was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had absolute faith that the Hyūga Clan would never betray Konoha's leadership.
---
Inside the Hyūga Clan Main Hall
At this moment, Hiashi Hyūga and Hizashi Hyūga sat together in the elegant main hall, quietly drinking tea.
Their postures were perfectly composed, reflecting the grace and discipline of their noble heritage.
The atmosphere was calm, refined, and harmonious.
The Hyūga were not a clan of reckless impulse—they valued tradition and measured responses above all.
Suddenly, the doors slid open, and a Branch Family member hurried inside.
He bowed deeply.
"Hiashi-sama, Hatake Kazane has arrived. He brings a letter from the Hokage requesting an audience with you."
Hiashi's expression remained neutral, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
"Hatake Kazane? The rising prodigy of the Hatake Clan?"
His gaze flickered toward Hizashi, who seemed just as perplexed.
"Why would he seek us out?"
They had never interacted with him before.
Hizashi set down his tea cup and nodded thoughtfully.
"We should meet him. We mustn't appear rude."
Hiashi considered this before giving a small nod.
"Very well. Invite him inside. And be respectful."
Even if they didn't yet know his purpose, it was unwise to offend someone of Kazane's caliber.
Moments later, the doors slid open once more, and Kazane stepped inside.
His movements were unhurried, his expression composed.
For a long second, the three men regarded each other in silence.
Then—
Hiashi rose from his seat with polished grace, offering a formal greeting.
"Kazane Jonin, welcome to the Hyūga Clan. Please, have a seat."
Kazane nodded in appreciation, accepting the seat without hesitation.
His gaze swept the elegant hall, taking in every detail before returning to the two Hyūga men before him.
"Hiashi-sama, Hizashi-sama—it's an honor."
"I've come today with two matters to discuss."
His voice was calm, his demeanor measured.
"Furthermore, I carry a direct request from Hokage-sama himself."
With that, he retrieved a sealed scroll from within his robe and placed it on the table, sliding it forward.
Hiashi's calm expression darkened slightly as he reached for the scroll, breaking the seal.
As his eyes scanned the contents, a faint flicker of tension appeared on his face.
Hizashi, noticing this, leaned forward slightly.
A long silence stretched between them.
Finally, Hiashi set the scroll down with a composed but firm expression.
He met Kazane's gaze directly and spoke evenly.
"Kazane Jonin," he said, his tone carrying a finality that left no room for debate,
"If this is the reason for your visit… then I'm afraid I must refuse."
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