Chapter 133: Chp-133: Sarutobi Hiruzen's Decision
Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Tower conference room.
The air felt heavy, almost suffocating.
The senior officials seated around the table exchanged glances, each reflecting the gravity of the situation, yet no one spoke.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and broke the silence first. His eyes were fixed on Hyuga Satoru and Hyuga Hizashi across the table, probing carefully.
"Satoru, I've heard... that the Hyuga has undergone a reform and is no longer the same Hyuga?"
Hyuga Satoru smiled and replied, "Of course. Rotten things must be broken down. The war is over, and Konoha is like a reborn tree. Naturally, the Hyuga cannot lag behind."
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold snort echoed.
"Hmph, the Hyuga has a legacy spanning thousands of years, and I've never heard of any rotten aspects. It's only you, Hyuga Satoru, defying your superiors and inciting a coup. Are you planning to do the same to Konoha?"
The speaker was Danzo, his eyes coldly fixed on Satoru.
As Danzo's words fell, the faces of the surrounding Konoha officials changed subtly, all casting wary looks at Satoru.
"Danzo-sama, you sure like to throw your weight around!"
Hyuga Satoru retorted with a cold smile, staring back at Danzo.
Danzo's words had directly branded him with a malicious label, elevating what was initially an internal Hyuga matter to the level of the entire village.
"This is an internal affair of the Hyuga clan. Danzo-sama, you should know to distinguish between primary and secondary issues. Besides, whether the Hyuga is rotten, I think you should know better than I do?"
"Danzo-sama should hate the Caged Bird more than anyone, right? Otherwise, Root could have a few more Byakugan specimens."
"You!"
Danzo was speechless, glaring at Satoru.
The people around the conference table also frowned slightly. Danzo's tendency to target fellow village ninja was no secret, and Uchiha Fugaku showed open disdain.
"Enough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen had to step in to halt the argument. If Danzo's dirty deeds were exposed, it would fall on him to clean up the mess.
"Hizashi, you are the new head of the Hyuga clan. Do you have anything to say?"
He turned to Hizashi, who sat next to Satoru.
"Of course," Hizashi smiled. "I am the brother of the former clan head. No one understands the Hyuga better than I do."
"The flaws of the main and branch family system are known to many clan leaders here. The current Hyuga is no longer the decayed, outdated Hyuga it once was."
"Soon, we will expand into some industries that Konoha has never seen. We may be interacting with many of you. I hope you can support us."
"Oh? Is that so? Congratulations in advance, Hizashi-sama."
Many of the clan leaders around the table smiled in approval.
If the Hyuga truly ventured into new industries, they would inevitably create new channels for trade and cooperation.
A major clan's development always requires financial backing.
Compared to the old, rigid Hyuga, a Hyuga that engaged in mutual interests was more welcome.
Seeing that many of the clans had already aligned with him, Satoru seized the moment, smiling at Hiruzen.
"The Hyuga will always be Konoha's Hyuga, that's for sure."
The conference room fell silent again.
Hiruzen's face was complex.
The senior officials around the table also glanced between Hiruzen and Satoru. Such a statement should ideally come from Hizashi, the clan head.
But it was clear to anyone paying attention that Hizashi was merely a puppet put forward by Satoru.
In the Hyuga clan, the real power lay with Satoru.
Every time Hiruzen asked a question, Hizashi would instinctively look to Satoru for cues before answering.
Their seating positions were also telling; Hizashi's posture and actions clearly showed he deferred to Satoru.
This was what truly alarmed them—a clan head in his twenties deferring to a teenager.
Satoru's strength and capabilities commanded respect.
Satoru smirked inwardly.
This was precisely what he wanted them to see.
A Hyuga guarded by him would undoubtedly deter any ill intentions.
As for Danzo, if he remained obstinate, Satoru wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him.
His statement had been made, though it was only half the truth.
The Hyuga would always be Konoha's Hyuga, but whether Konoha would remain the same was uncertain.
Hiruzen was still hesitating.
Satoru suddenly spoke up, "Hokage-sama, I have something to discuss. You know that the Byakugan's abilities are well-suited for medical use, right?"
"So, I want to send some clan members to the Konoha Hospital for training. Once trained, they could also work there. What do you think?"
Hiruzen remained silent. Konoha's medical resources were always in demand. If the Hyuga could supply medical ninjas, it would greatly benefit the village.
And there was also Hizashi's mention of new industries, which could boost Konoha's economy.
Satoru chuckled inwardly. A Hyuga that could enhance the village's medical capabilities and GDP would surely tempt Hiruzen.
Sure enough, after a while, Hiruzen sighed.
"Alright."
Beside him, Hizashi's heart leapt with joy. Hiruzen's agreement to send clan members to the hospital was effectively an acknowledgment of the new Hyuga's existence.
"But I'm curious."
Hiruzen paused, looking directly at Satoru.
"What will you do with the former main family members, Satoru?"
The room fell silent again, and all eyes turned to Satoru.
"This is an internal matter of the Hyuga clan."
Satoru smiled, meeting Hiruzen's gaze.
Hiruzen was at a loss for words. Satoru's response was a reminder.
When the news of Satoru being crippled came, the main family had responded similarly.
And Hiruzen had chosen to make deals with them, hoping to acquire Satoru's bloodline.
Sighing deeply, Hiruzen realized that the future of the new Hyuga was no longer his decision.
He could only speak resignedly.
"Let's leave it at that."
"This meeting wasn't mainly to discuss the Hyuga. As you all know, the war is over, Konoha is rebuilding, and I'm getting old. The village needs new leadership."
"Regarding the Fourth Hokage candidate, what are your thoughts?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the room buzzed with discussion.
Some nominated Orochimaru, others Minato Namikaze, and some even Tsunade, who had overcome her hemophobia.
Hizashi leaned in to whisper to Satoru.
"Satoru, should we nominate you for Hokage?"
Satoru gave him a strange look.
The new Hyuga's situation had just stabilized. Nominating him for Hokage would surely provoke the Hokage faction.
Moreover, he was only 14 years old. Even Tobirama became Hokage at a much older age.
However...
Satoru narrowed his eyes. If he truly wanted to push for a candidate, the growing influence of the new Hyuga could make it possible.
Orochimaru? Minato?
Who would best serve his interests?
As for Tsunade... even if she had overcome her hemophobia, her personality made it unlikely she'd become Hokage unless Hiruzen suddenly died.
After much debate, the candidates with the most votes were Orochimaru and Minato.
Hiruzen sighed in resignation.
The decision was made to hold the Fourth Hokage election in two months.
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