Chapter 261: How to Win Over the Hyūga Clan, Kage-Level Treatment
"So that's how it is..."
Akiyama Makoto quickly adapted to his new relationship with Hanabi and patted her head.
Hanabi smiled happily, although her body was still a little stiff, clearly unused to being patted on the head by anyone outside her family.
He didn't mind. After patting her for a few years, she would get used to it.
He then asked, "Did your father say anything about when he would come to visit me, or invite me over?"
This time, it was Hinata who answered. "Father said that if you need anything, you can go to him anytime, or he can come to you."
"Family... We're all family. No need to worry about such things."
The corners of his mouth curled up, as if he could already see Hiashi's expression.
Although Hiashi had already acknowledged him long ago, the fact that he now had a slightly ingratiating smile on his face still made Makoto happy. At least it proved his efforts hadn't been in vain.
"Huh? Looks like we're late?"
Ino walked in, pulling Sakura along. Seeing him, she said teasingly, "My dad also said that you're welcome to visit the Yamanaka house anytime. My mom and grandma will even prepare a family feast for you."
"Listen well! A family feast! Only family members can participate!"
"Our house too—Makoto-kun, you can come over anytime!"
Sakura wasn't to be outdone. Then the two of them glared at each other again. But after yesterday's life-and-death struggle, neither of them was in the mood to compete anymore.
After exchanging a look, they sat down at the table and started mooching food, chatting about the aftermath of yesterday's Chūnin Exams.
Clearly, the Konoha Crush plot had made them all grow.
If the previous C-rank mission was just seeing blood, and the one-on-one duels in the Chūnin Exams had shown them the danger of ninja combat, then the Konoha Crush plot had made them realize that the daily life they had experienced in the past was truly a miracle.
To protect this miracle, they all had to train hard and improve their strength. Only in this way could they ensure that their happy lives in the future would not be destroyed again.
He was happy to see this growth, even if it meant he might have fewer opportunities to spend time with them in the future.
Then Tenten arrived. Kurenai and Anko got out of bed. He introduced Kazematsuri Matsugu and her job to everyone, and everyone welcomed this kind and professional old lady.
After breakfast, his house instantly became empty. Konoha needed manpower everywhere right now, so he naturally couldn't be idle either.
He created ten shadow clones and continued to earn simulation attempts as a medical ninja.
As for his main body, he went to the Hyūga house with Hanabi.
The Ninja Academy was naturally closed right now. Hanabi had only been allowed out because she was looking for him; otherwise, she would have had to stay home and wait for the situation to calm down.
The Hyūga house also seemed empty. Most of the young ninja with combat power were helping out in the village. In this regard, the Hyūga clan had actually done better than the Uchiha clan.
Of course, it could also be said that the Uchiha clan had been ostracized so badly at that time that they had completely lost the desire to participate in village affairs.
In fact, the Hyūga clan also had signs of this, but because of the Caged Bird Seal, Hiashi's control over the clan far exceeded Fugaku Uchiha's. Therefore, the Hyūga clan still maintained a good relationship with Konoha on the surface.
"My lord, please come this way."
Just as he stepped through the gate, a middle-aged Hyūga ninja bowed to him and led the way.
This change was somewhat unexpected. He hadn't received this treatment the two times he had come to the Hyūga house before.
But he adapted immediately, adjusting his aura to look like a Kage-level ninja should.
Hanabi, who was pulling his hand forward, suddenly felt the change in his aura and looked back at him in confusion.
What met her eyes was his mischievous smile, which made her pout, then turn back and continue leading the way.
However, a smile appeared on her lips, because she faintly felt that his attitude towards her was different.
Soon, he arrived at the largest reception hall of the Hyūga house. Hiashi sat in the main seat, and more than a dozen Hyūga elders sat in two rows. He had never seen most of them before.
However, without him needing to consider their identities, everyone except Hiashi stood up and nodded to him, even if they didn't bow.
For him, who didn't even have the status of a ninja, this was already a great respect.
He naturally wouldn't ruin the atmosphere at a time like this. "Seniors, you are too polite. I'm just here as a guest, as the future son-in-law of the Hyūga clan. Treating me like this makes me feel like an outsider."
His blunt remark, although seemingly abrupt, immediately brought him closer to everyone.
Many people had smiles on their faces. Trading a talented—well, at least in the past, untalented—heiress for a Kage-level powerhouse, or even someone who might become the God of Shinobi in the future to be close to the Hyūga clan... no one in the Hyūga clan would refuse this deal.
What's more, this was something the Hyūga clan head had allowed. Under the deterrence of the Caged Bird Seal, those who had doubts wouldn't express them either.
Only Hiashi snorted lightly and said with feigned majesty, "You haven't even held the engagement ceremony yet. Don't talk nonsense."
This sentence seemed to be rejecting him, but his next words almost made him stumble.
"After these matters have calmed down, see when you can hold the engagement ceremony with Hinata first. Even if it's just a small-scale one within the Hyūga family."
He coughed twice and quickly said, "In two years. Hinata is still—"
He then received Hiashi's Byakugan stare, which seemed to ask: Since you know Hinata is still young, what did you do to her?
He could only pretend that Hiashi's Byakugan was a pure Kekkei Genkai, not an expression of emotion.
Seeing that he wouldn't relent, Hiashi didn't force it. "Come and sit. You are a guest of the Hyūga family, and we invited you here to chat. There is no need to be too restrained."
He pointed to the seat next to him. Although he found an excuse of treating a guest, it was still an acknowledgement and respect for his current status.
The Hyūga family was different from other families. As a feudal clan with a thousand-year heritage, every action had a unique etiquette meaning, it was just that he, an outsider, didn't know it.
Of course, just looking at the attitude of everyone in the Hyūga family, he understood that this was a form of respect.
"Okay."
He didn't refuse and sat down next to Hiashi.
Hanabi finally knelt beside Hiashi. Then, he saw Neji kneeling in a distant corner.
He let out a soft "Huh?" Hiashi saw his gaze and said, "Neji performed well in this Chūnin Exam. I plan to train him as a disciple."
He suddenly understood. It seemed Neji and Hiashi had reconciled. Hiashi might even have told Neji the truth about what happened back then.
This was good. At least Neji wouldn't have to keep saying things like "fate cannot be changed" all day long. Untying the knot in his heart, his strength might even reach a higher level in the future.
Neji saw his gaze and quickly stood up and bowed to him.
He smiled and nodded. Then, remembering something, he took out a scroll and threw it to Neji. "These are some of my thoughts on the Byakugan. You can take a look when you have time and see if you can achieve it."
The scroll contained his understanding of how Hinata had almost used the Byakugan Pressure during the Chūnin Exams. In other words, he felt that the current Hyūga Byakugan wasn't completely incapable of achieving some of the functions of the Analysis Eye.
It was just that it might require a price, such as bleeding from the eyes or excessive consumption of pupil power.
However, if they could temporarily release even a tiny bit of the Analysis Eye's power, it would be enough for the Hyūga ninja's strength to take a step up.
After all, Hyūga ninja were the best at seizing opportunities. Using a bit of the Analysis Eye's ability at the critical moment of a fatal strike... killing an enemy a small level above them wouldn't be a dream.
Neji caught the scroll as if it were a treasure and bowed to him again.
Although he didn't know exactly what was written in the scroll, he knew that under Makoto's training, Hinata had become so strong. Makoto definitely had his own unique insights into the Byakugan.
For him to give this insight to him was already a great favor.
After all, there was no friendship between him and Makoto. At most, he had helped a little when Tenten saved him, and Makoto had already repaid that favor long ago.
Seeing him sit down peacefully, Hiashi took the initiative to strike up a conversation.
He had thought Hiashi would ask about the improvement of his strength, but to his surprise, Hiashi consciously skipped this question and instead asked about the enemies he had fought yesterday.
He immediately understood. Hiashi wanted to reiterate his battle achievements.
So he naturally wouldn't be polite and listed everyone he had killed.
When he finally finished talking about Danzō, the gazes of everyone present became even kinder.
Many people already felt that he was the number one person in Konoha, and even Jiraiya was no match for him.
Actually, this understanding wasn't wrong, because Sage Mode was a trump card Jiraiya hadn't revealed yet. Base Jiraiya really couldn't take him down.
Of course, it would also be very difficult for him to take down Jiraiya, because Jiraiya was also very familiar with the Flying Thunder God Technique and had extremely strong defenses.
But even if he and Jiraiya were evenly matched now, in everyone's eyes, his status was higher than Jiraiya's, because Jiraiya was old and he was young.
Most importantly, he was someone recognized by the First Hokage and had a close relationship with Princess Tsunade. These were enough reasons for the Hyūga family to support him.
"Then do you have any thoughts on the future development of Konoha?"
He took a sip of tea, knowing the main event had arrived. He had already thought everything through.
In summary, his idea was simple.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had appointed him as Hokage. Given his strength and reputation, it wasn't impossible for him to become Hokage in this crisis.
But he didn't want to be Hokage. So he would use his popularity and reputation to suppress Koharu and Homura, paving the way for Tsunade's return and letting her become Hokage.
The crowd wasn't surprised by his answer. Clearly, they had long thought of this possibility.
The current him was indeed too young. Being strong didn't mean he could be a good Hokage. After all, being Hokage was mostly about paperwork, not fighting. It required many years of experience.
However, the Hyūga family inevitably had doubts. Would the Hyūga family's status and treatment change after Tsunade returned to Konoha?
He had also prepared an answer to this question.
"Everyone can rest assured. The suppression of the Hyūga family during the Third Hokage's term will not happen again, nor will the Hyūga family be forced to endure humiliation for the sake of peace."
"In the future, I will even retrieve the Hyūga Byakugan that have been lost outside the village. The humiliation the Hyūga family suffered back then... I will make the responsible people pay it back."
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