Chapter 5: The Clan
Chapter 6:
It wasn't difficult for village ninjas to meet the Hokage.
For someone like Hyuga Yuuto, returning from a mission, reporting to the leader was standard.
Led into the Hokage's office by an ANBU wearing a dog-faced mask, Yuuto knelt respectfully.
"Reporting to Hokage-sama!"
In the room,over fifty years old Sarutobi Hiruzen turned slowly. He wore Hokage robes, a pipe in his mouth, his hair graying. Less like a village shadow, more like a friendly neighbor.
But Yuuto knew Hiruzen Sarutobi, at this age, was still a formidable ninja, Konoha's top power.
Sixteen years later, during Orochimaru's attack, Hiruzen's body would weakene Even without sealing himself using the forbidden jutsu, he wouldn't have lasted long after.
As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength in battle matched his wisdom and leadership. Under his rule, powerful ninja clans respected the "shadow's" authority, and Konoha's geniuses thrived.
Calling him a "hero" wasn't flattery.
"Yuuto, rise. No need to kneel," Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring, eyeing the boy who stood.
"The Barrier Corps reported detecting only your chakra," he continued.
"I apologize deeply, Hokage-sama." Yuuto stood, visible pain on his face.
"Tetsujiro Sugisaki, Mahiro Sato, Reiro Yamagata, Eiji Hirano... all killed. I'm the sole survivor from the covert reconnaissance team."
"Tetsujiro Sugisaki too," Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly.
"Tetsujiro-senpai was cornered by Kumogakure ninjas and didn't make it... Here is the mission scroll."
Yuuto handed over the Scroll.
Sarutobi Hiruzen accepted it, tapped it before Yuuto, unsealed it with a special jutsu, and read.
Throughout, Yuuto kept his head lowered, fingers still.
Once he guessed Hiruzen had read it all, Yuuto recited the mission report rehearsed countless times:
"The first leg of the mission proceeded smoothly."
"We acquired intel from the agreed grotto in the Land of Rain, but encountered trouble returning."
"In the Land of Rain, we were ambushed by Kumogakure ninjas. We resisted, moving towards the Fire border. Unexpectedly, even jounin were mobilized from their end..."
Ninety-nine percent true, Yuuto disclosed all but the crucial "Sugisaki Tetsujiro killed in action" detail. He even detailed where Konoha ninjas fell.
Following this, Konoha's ANBU would clean up. Based on Yuuto's report, they'd retrieve fallen ninja bodies, dissect them for examination, reconstruct the incident.
This was the procedure. Every ninja village traced similarly. Subordinates' accounts weren't blindly trusted.
After Yuuto finished, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, Yuuto standing obediently, eyes on his toes.
"After leaving assist ANBU with their investigation," Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke suddenly.
"Tetsujiro Sugisaki was a jounin. His death in battle demands an independent ninja record. No oversight."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I understand and will cooperate fully."
"Well... As expected of the Hyuga. Despite your age, you handle matters maturely." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled suddenly, handing the scroll to Yuuto.
"Take a look. The Hyuga clan Leader should decipher it easily." The young man nodded, understanding the information's worth at a glance.
"Food prices rising in the Land of Lightning... Is war imminent?"
"Those warmongers in Kumogakure Village itching for conflict again."
"Konoha will prevail," Yuuto declared respectfully, rallying.
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled. He wouldn't discuss inter-village wars with a twelve-year-old Hyuga. He led the conversation using the scroll.
"This scroll is valuable. It exposes Kumogakure's war plans and supply routes. It'll take time and effort to exploit this intel."
"Moreover, you eliminated numerous enemy ninjas, including a jounin."
"All team members, except you, perished. Konoha will send hero pensions to their families. All battle honors go to you."
"Since genin, you've completed ninety-two tasks, including five high-risk A-level missions, flawlessly."
"This time... you've amassed considerable merit."
"Go to ANBU, Hyuga Yuuto. Special access granted. One of my ANBU captains is aging. Time for you to mature."
An ordinary Konoha ninja might burst with excitement. ANBU, the Hokage's elite guard. Captains were Hiruzen's trusted aides. A stepping stone to top ranks in Konoha!
But Yuuto didn't hesitate.
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I haven't decided on my reward... May I have a few days?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't reply, blowing a smoke ring. Fragrant smoke filled the room.
Unhappy, Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered.
"Is the Hyuga clan's code above the village's?"
As Konoha's leader, he knew when Yuuto returned, he went straight to the Hyuga clan. Secretive, but not hidden from him.
Hyuga Hizu instructed this response, right? Delay first, then secure the best reward for the Hyuga clan. Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
The village's interests and authority surpassed all ninja clans. Hinata, Uchiha... They still had much to learn.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen, "The Professor," retained his grace. Not enough to vex a twelve-year-old, estranged from the Hyuga.
"Understood. Take your time," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.
"But, Yuuto, give me an idea. What reward do you seek... in general?"
Yuuto's heart tightened.
Here it comes! Finally!
No righteous answers. No disdain for the Hyuga or ire towards the caged bird.
Yuuto must reply, revealing a hint of "self," and Sarutobi Hiruzen would respond, based on his station. A chance to advance his plan.
Emotion, action, words... all must adjust.
Yuuto paused in the quiet Hokage's office.
Then, he raised his head, revealing snow-white eyes.
Soft, firm voice, tinged with teen timidity:
"Hokage-sama... I think it'd be wonderful if the reward pleased everyone in the village."
A day later...
Hyuga Yuuto halted his run and emerged slowly from the forest.
Ahead lay a sprawling flatland dotted with dense structures. Behind them, a massive rocky outcrop lay silently, crowned by three towering statues with human faces.
This was Konoha.
The Leaf Village of the Land of Fire, one of the "Five Great Hidden Village" in the world. Most of the time, Konoha stood as the foremost power.
Hyuga Yuuto calmly regarded the village gate and approached unhurriedly.
The Chunin guards stationed there nodded in acknowledgment as he passed.
The Land of Fire and Konoha itself housed a large populace. Despite not knowing everyone, living here for long made faces familiar.
Over the past year, the moniker "Hyuga no Tama"( TN : His nickname) had gained influence, and Yuuto's distinctive appearance ensured people remembered him easily.
Konoha's architecture melded antiquity with modernity. Though not skyscrapers, it wasn't outdated either. Electrical infrastructure dotted the landscape, while wide roads under leafy branches scattered sunlight in dappled patterns. Fragrant shop scents mixed with the drifting smoke of fireworks.
Setting prejudices aside, even Yuuto admitted Konoha was vibrant.
In his former life, reading comics or watching TV, Yuuto admired Konoha. He'd imagined, if he ever time-traveled, standing for justice in the Fourth Ninja War alongside Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha—a battle of unmatched brilliance against Madara.
"Those who abandon their comrades are lower than scum." This line had stirred him in his previous life, compelling him through Manga panels regardless of weather, accompanying the blond-haired MC.
But reality dashed his expectations. Reborn in the Naruto world, his perspective shifted completely.
—What sane person brands a companion with a caged bird in life and death?
Yuuto sighed inwardly, strolling onward through the streets.
Logically, returning as a Chunin from a mission led by a Jounin, where all but he perished, was significant. He should report promptly to the Hokage Tower, detailing the mission and submitting its intel.
But Yuuto couldn't.
He was Hyuga Yuuto, "Hyuga no Tama," indoctrinated since childhood that the clan was paramount.
Upon returning, his first task was to report to the clan leader.
Every action must align with his identity, concealing his true intentions, Yuuto mused as he neared the Hyuga clan's territory.
Unlike the Uchiha, the Hyuga occupied sizable space near the village center. Even with normal sight, one could spot the Hokage Tower from the clan gate.
Yuuto bypassed the gate, signaling the Hyuga household guards, slipping into a secret passage leading deep into the clan's heart.
After twelve years in Naruto's world, Yuuto knew it wasn't as "sunny" as depicted in comics. Many unsavory truths required careful handling.
During this time, Hyuga and the Uchiha had become pivotal in Konoha, enjoying certain privileges.
Even returning ninjas must report swiftly to their clans. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi would overlook such infractions.
—As long as they weren't too brazen and challenged his authority.
If Yuuto swaggered into the clan area without discretion, it'd be a direct affront. At best, it'd be dismissed as youthful ignorance or homesickness; at worst, as defiance against the Clan.
Quietly entering the clan precincts preserved everyone's dignity—tit for tat.
Before long, Yuuto arrived at a courtyard, kneeling halfway, head bowed, eyes on his toes.
"Yuuto, is it? Come in," a voice beckoned from within.
Yuuto entered respectfully, finding a young ninja in loose kimono seated inside.
Long-haired, snow-eyed, lips slightly pursed, no forehead protector, no markings.
"Patriarch," Yuuto greeted, half-kneeling.
The young man before him was none other than Hyuga Hinashi, newly installed head of the Hyuga clan.
"Yuuto," Hinashi smiled faintly. "Was the mission successful?"
"Patriarch, there were complications, but we secured intel on Kumogakure," Yuuto replied.
"Complications?" Hinashi's brow furrowed subtly.
"Tetsujiro Sugisaki, Genin Sato Mahiro, Yamagata Reirō, and Hirahara Eiji all fell in battle," Yuuto reported.
Hyuga Hinashi's expression dimmed slightly.
"Tetsujiro Sugisaki too..."
The young clan leader fell silent briefly, then spoke again.
"The world is harsh. But I'm glad you returned alive."
"Thanks to the family's teachings," Yuuto responded respectfully.
Hinashi pondered briefly, then spoke.
"Your recon team made a significant contribution, though at a cost. With all credit now yours... Hokage-sama believes in clear rewards and consequences. What do you desire?"
"I defer to the patriarch's guidance," Yuuto replied.
"As expected," Hinashi sighed lightly. "Even I can't alter Hokage-sama's decisions. Understand?"
"Understood," Yuuto affirmed.
With a dismissive wave, Hinashi indicated Yuuto could depart.
"If Hokage-sama decides on immediate rewards... hold off," Hinashi added. "Anbu, barrier duty, roles in the Hokage's domain, direct promotion to Jounin... the clan values your contributions greatly."
Is it only the Hyuga clan you consider, with no thought for me? Yuuto sneered inwardly, maintaining his composure outwardly as he withdrew.
Unexpectedly, as Yuuto prepared to leave, Hinashi spoke again thoughtfully.
"Rumiko, Zenhiko, Kengo... they're almost three years old now. A ceremony is planned for them this week. As an outstanding Hyuga descendant, I'll permit you to witness as their guardian—an honor bestowed."
"I'm honored, Patriarch," Yuuto responded.
Haha... Marking a three-year-old with a caged bird, binding them to a life of servitude and no control. Watching this cruel ritual is indeed a form of grace—a grace for me, a slightly older slave...
Suppressing these thoughts, Yuuto kept a calm facade as he exited Hyuga Hinashi's courtyard and departed the clan grounds.
Outside, he drew a deep breath, reining in his emotions.
Today's daunting task had only just begun.
The audacious choice to eliminate Tetsujiro Sugisaki and monopolize military power—all for what came next.
Yuuto lifted his gaze to the majestic Hokage Tower in the distance.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone