CHAPTER 200

Seeing that the Third Hokage exposed the matter so easily, in the meeting room, families that had been suppressed by the Hokage, such as Hyuga Hiashi, showed looks of disbelief on their faces.

After all, during the early years of the Third Hokage's reign, his methods of suppressing the major clans were extremely subtle. After so many years, no clan had been able to stir any real trouble under the watchful eye of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hinata Hyuga couldn't help but glance at Chao Yanqian. Seeing that Chao Yanqian only smiled faintly, it was clear he didn't take the situation to heart.

This was the benefit of strength because the Third Hokage didn't want to clash too openly with Chao Yanqian due to the latter's power. And apart from the differences in position, Chao Yanqian hadn't committed any actual acts against Konoha. The Third Hokage simply didn't want Chao Yanqian to become Hokage.

Hyuga Hiashi naturally understood the importance of strength, but the Hyuga clan's bloodline limit and Gentle Fist style had limited their development in some ways. Even though the Hyuga clan was large, ever since Konoha was founded, no member of the clan had ever become Hokage.

However, this scene in the conference room made Hyuga Hiashi all the more hopeful for a future alliance with Chao Yanqian.

Chao Yanqian had no team, and the Hyuga clan lacked top-tier powerhouses. It was a perfect match. The Hyuga clan had been suppressed for too long they urgently needed to gain influence within the village and restore their lost prestige.

Sensing Hyuga Hiashi's gaze, Chao Yanqian turned to look at him and nodded slightly.

A small alliance of mutual interest deepened further in that conference room.

In the original story, Konoha and Kumogakure had just ended a war, and the Third Hokage wasted no time in suppressing the Hyuga clan.

Judging from Kumogakure's desire for the Hyuga clan's Byakugan, the clan must have played a significant role in the war, which made Kumogakure understand just how valuable the Byakugan was. That's why they tried to kidnap Hinata Hyuga Kumogakure would've risked even war with Konoha to get her.

But this was Konoha. Wouldn't a mission from Kumogakure be monitored by the ANBU?

A Kumogakure ninja, killed instantly by Hyuga Hiashi, was able to evade the eyes of the ANBU and Uchiha police force, sneak into the Hyuga compound, and act as if the entire Konoha security system didn't exist. They knew Konoha's defense layout far too well!

If there hadn't been help from someone on the inside, even killing him a thousand times wouldn't make Chao Yanqian believe otherwise.

Kumogakure sent a disposable pawn obviously using the threat of war to force the Hyuga to surrender a Byakugan.

And what did Konoha do? They gave up the body of a Hyuga branch family member. This not only resolved the crisis with Kumogakure and preserved the secret of the Byakugan it also suppressed the Hyuga clan again. It was like killing three birds with one stone.

From the Third Hokage's perspective, he wasn't entirely wrong. Konoha required peace, and any unpredictable factor was a threat to the Hokage's power.

Politics is about balance. Once that balance is lost, power leaks out and that was something Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't allow.

In the manga, the Uchiha clan only showed signs of rebellion before they were annihilated outright. That's how brutal the internal power struggle in Konoha really was.

The Third Hokage was kind and gentle but he was also a politician. He could speak warmly to the children of various ninja clans while ruthlessly suppressing the power of their elders.

The debate in the room continued, but it was just the elite of Konoha splitting up the benefits.

The ninja clans had little to no commercial presence. For them, benefits came down to task assignments, resource allocation from Konoha's coffers, and appointments to departments within the village.

Konoha was like a corporate conglomerate. These clans were the shareholders. Their influence depended on strength, assigned resources, and control over village departments.

At this point, the Third Hokage was relatively fair he couldn't afford to alienate these clans. However, favoritism in specific cases was unavoidable, though usually subtle.

Of course, the Uchiha were the exception.

"chao Yanqian, please wait a moment!" Hyuga Hiashi's solemn voice called from behind Chao Yanqian, still rigid as always.

Chao Yanqian's lips curled slightly. He murmured to himself: "Here it comes."

Turning around, Chao Yanqian's expression went cold as he asked softly, "Senior Hiashi, what is it?"

"chao Yanqian, your rate of growth is truly astounding. In such a short time, you've reached this level. I fear it won't be long before your strength surpasses even the Third Hokage," Hiashi said with a smile, his tone and gaze full of admiration.

"That's not necessarily a good thing. After all, Kakashi and I are classmates," Chao Yanqian replied, subtly expressing caution toward the Third Hokage.

Hearing this, Hyuga Hiashi felt a burst of delight, though he kept a neutral face. "chao Yanqian, I previously asked you to be my daughter's teacher. I wonder if you'll have time soon to guide her training?" From "teacher" to "master" implied a closer relationship.

Hinata? She's still a child, right? Train your sister!

"Let's wait until she graduates from the Ninja Academy," Chao Yanqian said. "After all, Hinata should focus on learning the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist first. In that regard, it's better for a senior like you to teach her."

Chao Yanqian knew Hiashi was actually trying to bring him into the Hyuga clan. But for now, he felt it was wiser to keep a low profile and not let his guard down toward the Third Hokage or Shimura Danzo.

"I agree!" Hiashi nodded. "Judging by your intentions, it seems you're thinking about becoming a jōnin-sensei?"

"Mm. I hope that among Hinata's classmates, there are one or two with promising talent," Chao Yanqian said. "Senior Hiashi, do you have any suggestions?"

"I'll look into it," Hiashi replied.

If Hinata Hyuga could become Chao Yanqian's student, that would create an alliance of interest. Hiashi would naturally give it careful thought.

In the Naruto world, bonds between teacher and student, or among teammates, are often the strongest. They face missions and life and death together. No one wants to fight alongside someone untrustworthy.

Even someone as cold as Orochimaru still had feelings for the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. Even the completely twisted Obito Uchiha lost his composure when confronting Kakashi.

"Senior Hiashi, the gazes of the rats are too distracting, and I've been too high-profile lately. How about this when things quiet down, I'll visit personally and check in on my lovely little disciple." Chao Yanqian spoke softly.

Hiashi cast a subtle glance at a nearby dark corner, then nodded and left.

Watching Hiashi's back, Chao Yanqian secretly plotted. In a few years, the alliance with the Hyuga clan would grow deeper, and they might even help him search for tailed beasts.

But for now, it seemed an opportunity was already approaching.

If Kumogakure still attempted to abduct Hinata Hyuga like in the original timeline, Chao Yanqian could seize the moment to strengthen the Hyuga clan's trust in him.

It was just that… after Kumogakure had been shaken by his presence, would they still dare to make any moves?

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