Millennia-old ninja clans were very particular about such things.
For instance, the chessboard and chess box placed before Hyūga Tenzō.
They seemed to have been arranged unintentionally, yet they were by no means placed at random.
When combined, these objects conveyed a subtle psychological suggestion—Konohagakure and the ninja world are like a game of chess; the clan head deliberates deeply…
This was a technique Tenzō frequently employed.
He had originally intended to use this atmosphere to make his son, Hizashi, understand his difficulties, thereby seizing the initiative…
But he had not expected Hizashi to be so utterly unwilling to play along—refusing to engage in any kind of Zen riddles or silent metaphors…
Instead, he flung the iron label of "traitor to the village" straight onto his head!
Hizashi adjusted the collar of his trench coat, the cuffs trembling slightly as they stirred the air.
This habitual tactic of his father's—he himself had never found it ineffective!
And when Hizashi's words were paired with that ANBU trench coat, the resulting impact…
was far more intimidating than any so-called chessboard or chess box!
Tenzō even began to suspect that, if he truly had done something of that sort, his own son might actually bind him up and escort him to ANBU, handing him over to the Interrogation Division to be spun like a top…
'Hizashi has grown smarter—he knows how to borrow momentum now…'
And what was curious was that, despite Hizashi confronting him so sharply, such a thought still crossed Tenzō's mind: 'He's been promoted too, it seems—looks like his work in ANBU has been going quite well?'
Tenzō gathered his thoughts, then spoke in a deep voice, "What nonsense are you talking about, Hizashi!"
"The Hyūga clan is one of the pillars of Konohagakure. How could I, as clan head, ever commit an act such as colluding with foreign powers?"
"The relationship between the Hyūga and the Kaguya is like that between the Senju and the Uzumaki—blood relatives for a thousand years. Some routine correspondence between clans is something the Hokage himself is aware of."
"The Hyūga have never leaked the village's secrets. Maintaining contact with the Kaguya clan was precisely to infer Kirigakure's movements from their letters, bringing intelligence advantages to the village!"
"The reason I called you here this time is also because the Hokage once said that, if there were any issues, they could first be discussed with you, as a member of ANBU."
Tenzō wore an air of utter righteousness.
Hizashi's expression did not change; he merely gave a slight nod.
He knew these were facts, and there had indeed been precedents.
On the eve of the First Shinobi World War, the previous Hyūga clan head had judged Kirigakure's war intent from Kaguya correspondence and reported it to the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
To a certain extent, this had allowed Konohagakure to make preparations.
But nearly thirty years had passed since then…
In Hizashi's view, the current contact between the Hyūga and the Kaguya was more an assertion of independence—that even the Hokage had no right to interfere in the Hyūga clan's private associations with relatives before the outbreak of war.
If what Tenzō says is really the case, then why doesn't he report it in advance in ordinary times?
'When I entered ANBU, did Father start obtaining intelligence from the Kaguya side?'
"Since the Third's ascension, is this the first time?" Hizashi asked faintly. "Are you worried about the village, or afraid I'll see something?"
"That's because in the past there wasn't intelligence of sufficient value, and I was afraid of disturbing the Third," Tenzō said without blushing or skipping a beat.
Having a thick skin was a basic quality for a clan head.
Hizashi flipped through the letters, his brows unconsciously knitting.
What they said was that the Third Mizukage had recently used the worsening situation in the ninja world as a pretext to introduce a policy called "Blood Mist Village," aimed at strengthening the combat capability of Kirigakure's shinobi.
At present, the general idea was to emphasize actual combat, to advocate that the bloodline ninja clans must prove themselves through strength, and to select the best of the best to find Kirigakure's future.
It might cause some major casualties, but in order to respond better to war, it would also be worth it.
Anyone with eyes could see it—if they didn't outright affirm it, they would, with very high probability, suspect…
That this was actually using the banner as an excuse to stir up internal strife, wasn't it?
But what was interesting was that the Kaguya clan was extremely excited about this, believing it was the Third Mizukage's support for them.
This clan possessed the kekkei genkai known as the "Shikotsumyaku," which could manipulate bones for offense and defense, and also had astonishing external-injury healing ability.
Its clansmen were often arrogant and cruel in temperament, advocating aggression and a love of fighting.
The purpose of this letter also made Hizashi feel that this clan was hard to judge.
Because, in order for the Third Mizukage to occupy a greater degree of legal justification, he had publicized for a long time the diplomacy between Kumogakure and Konoha, as well as letters from other hidden villages supporting Konoha and condemning Kumogakure.
He expressed that the situation in the ninja world was indeed very tense, in order to prove the legitimacy of implementing "Blood Mist Village."
After letting the Kaguya clan see it… it actually gave rise to the hope that, once they relied on strength to become the Fourth Mizukage, Sarutobi Hiruzen—who held influence across the ninja world—would speak up in support of them!
Because the Kaguya clan's reputation within Kirigakure was not exactly good.
For that reason, the Kaguya clan hoped that Hyūga Tenzō would step in and help them lay out preparations in advance…
Seeing the twitch at his son's mouth, Tenzō could only shake his head helplessly.
His reaction at the time had been much the same as Hizashi's…
He truly did not know how to evaluate this clan anymore.
Being able to realize that their own reputation within the village was poor at least meant they had some brains…
But could they really not see that this was very likely the Third Mizukage's scheme?
And yet they were already indulging in fantasies of becoming the Fourth Mizukage!
It was precisely for this reason that, after witnessing the Third Mizukage's methods, Tenzō actually felt a trace of relief arise in his heart.
Fortunately, a Hokage was still a Hokage.
In all things, comparison was what one feared most!
Sitting in the position of Hyūga clan head, he was naturally resistant to the Hokage extending his hand into the clan's internal affairs…
Yet after Hizashi entered ANBU, the treatment and positions that should be given—Sarutobi Hiruzen did not stint on any of them…
Granted, this was also meant to make the branch family yearn for the village; from the Hyūga perspective, it was a divisive tactic.
But at the very least, it was done with reason. Moreover, the branch family were still Hyūga—no matter how intense the conflict, the flesh ultimately rotted in the same pot…
How could that compare to Kirigakure?
At the slightest disagreement, they were ready to hold an unlimited Mizukage election tournament!
Never mind becoming the Fourth Mizukage—given the Kaguya clan's level of thinking, it was hard to say whether there would even be any living members left in a few years!
Tenzō and Hizashi exchanged a glance.
Both could not help but admire the power of the "Shikotsumyaku."
With such astonishing intelligence, for a clan to be able to endure for a thousand years like the meticulous Hyūga—there was only one explanation: they were strong enough to fight.
"Father, there is a large shortage of Byakugan users in ANBU and the patrol units."
"Sakumo-sama left six positions reserved for the Hyūga."
Hizashi spoke slowly. "I've already delivered the message. Whether you choose to agree or refuse will not affect my going to invite members of the branch family."
Tenzō narrowed his eyes.
He had long anticipated that this day would come…
The Hokage's hand would not be satisfied with taking away only a single member of the Hyūga branch family.
And Hizashi would not stop where he was—he would certainly draw in the branch family to prove his own value.
'If it weren't for seeing what's happening in Kirigakure—lowering one's posture after just a few months—it would really be laughable…'
But by comparison, the Hokage may still be someone who acts with reason.'
'Blocking is inferior to guiding. For now, let's first observe the results.'
Tenzō closed his eyes, thinking to himself, 'If the Hokage goes too far in bullying us, it won't be too late to demand an explanation!'
After a moment, Tenzō slowly opened his eyes.
"There's no time to lose—whether it's the matter of Kirigakure or the branch family joining village affairs…"
"I want to speak with the Hokage personally!"
"Hizashi, can you go and report this?"
Hizashi cast his father a rather surprised glance.
Worthy of being the Hyūga clan head… this ability to adjust to the winds truly inspired admiration!
This was clearly an attempt not to hand all the credit to his son—to step past him and speak with the Hokage directly, seeking a new level of balance.
"What, afraid?" Tenzō said calmly.
"Hmph…" Hizashi let out a disdainful chuckle.
...
A quarter of an hour later, Tenzō and Hizashi arrived at the Hokage Building.
But the moment he entered the room, Tenzō's heart skipped a beat.
Why was Shimura Danzō here as well?
In his impression, this man was much like the Third Mizukage…
After stiffly handing over the Kaguya clan's letters, Hiruzen picked up his pipe and began to smoke on his own, seeming to sink into thought.
Danzō, meanwhile, let out a heavy cold snort, his gaze like a blade as he narrowed his eyes at Tenzō.
Hizashi could not help but smile faintly.
He very much wanted to pat his father on the shoulder and return his earlier words to him: What—afraid?
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