After listening to Shisui's recommended candidates, Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered.
"Uchiha Itachi? Fugaku's son. I heard he performed well at the Ninja Academy, and with the Uchiha Clan's training, his strength must be good. No problem there!"
"But this Hyuga Hoshimi, from the Hyuga Clan, and from the branch family? This—"
Seeming to notice the hesitation in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart, Shisui quickly explained, "Hokage-sama, I've already investigated. Hyuga Hoshimi is a classmate of Itachi's, so his background is definitely fine.
Moreover, his taijutsu talent is excellent, and he's very likely to become a Jonin in the future. Such a promising talent would be quite good for the Anbu!"
Although Shisui had little contact with Hoshimi, he couldn't help but be curious about this different Hyuga Clan member. Coupled with Uchiha Itachi's connection, this led to his recommendation today.
Looking at the somewhat anxious Shisui, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart showed a triumphant smile: "Ah, since it's you, Shisui, who recommended him, then I, this old man, naturally trust him. Hyuga Hoshimi can also join!"
"However, although these two little guys are talented, they are still too young. Let them train for two years as reserves. We must carefully cultivate such young saplings!"
His words were watertight. Looking at the grateful Shisui, Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his chin, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
To be honest, even without Shisui's explanation, he wouldn't have rejected Hyuga Hoshimi. It wasn't that he fully understood Hoshimi's background, but rather that at this time, Danzo had repeatedly targeted the Hyuga Clan, and the relationship between the two had reached a freezing point!
Even the conflict between these two somewhat affected his authority as Hokage!
As an old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally couldn't severely punish Danzo, but as Hokage, he couldn't do nothing.
To compensate the Hyuga Clan, even without Shisui's recommendation today, Hiruzen Sarutobi had planned to give an Anbu slot to the Hyuga Clan!
Hyuga Hoshimi's ability actually didn't matter. What Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted was the balance of all parties and the stability of the people's hearts!
It must be said that in internal politics, Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed quite skilled at manipulating people's hearts. The title of strongest hokage was not entirely undeserved!
Shisui submitted the report, and Hiruzen Sarutobi approved it. Soon, the arrangements for the two were sent to the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans.
The reactions of the two clans did not surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi. The Uchiha were secretly pleased, and the Hyuga were grateful. Everyone felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi was doing a good job as Hokage!
That evening, Hoshimi was called to the patriarch Hyuga Hiashi's house.
Looking at the main family Ninja almost all gathered in the courtyard, and at Hyuga Hiashi and several Main Family Elders at the head, posing like lonely masters, Hoshimi almost thought he had been found out and that these guys were going to judge him!
Just as Hoshimi was about to explode, a sentence from Hyuga Hiashi instantly calmed his impulse:
"You're Hoshimi, right? Hmm, indeed, a talented young man, worthy of being a good son of my Hyuga Clan!
Starting tomorrow, you don't need to go to the Ninja Academy. Go directly to the Anbu to report!"
Hoshimi, whose body was tense, quickly suppressed the impulse in his heart. After a long pause, a question mark appeared directly on his face:
"Ah? Anbu? Me?"
"Yes, it's you. Hokage-sama personally ordered you to join the Anbu. Although you are only an Anbu reserve for now due to your age, there's actually no difference!"
Hyuga Hiashi put on the dignified expression of a clan leader: "Hoshimi, joining the Anbu, do you understand what this represents?"
Under everyone's gaze, Hyuga Hoshimi shook his head blankly. Hyuga Hiashi was not surprised by this. After all, he was just a child still in school; what could he understand?
So he organized his words and explained, "This means that from now on, you will be the bridge between my Hyuga Clan and the Third Hokage-sama!
If you can gain the Third Hokage-sama's appreciation, then the status of my Hyuga Clan in Konoha will also rise!"
"How much say you have in Konoha depends on your strength!
So, Hoshimi, the strength you display from now on will be the foundation of my Hyuga Clan!"
"Ah—this—" How did it circle back to his strength after all that talk?
Hoshimi didn't understand the thought process of these people, but he didn't need to, because calling him here wasn't to consult him, but merely to inform him.
His subsequent actions still needed to be arranged by Hiashi and other main family decision-makers!
"Hoshimi, after you join the Anbu, and in your quest to gain Hokage-sama's appreciation, you still have one biggest enemy—
Uchiha Itachi, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with that name, right?
He also got this rare opportunity!"
"We have already investigated. Uchiha Itachi, the young clan leader of the Uchiha Clan, is another rare Uchiha genius. He even has experience on the battlefield at such a young age!
And you, Hoshimi—perhaps you are not as outstanding."
Saying this, Hyuga Hiashi glanced at Hinata Katyu next to him, then continued, "But it doesn't matter. With the full support of my Hyuga Clan, as long as you can put in a hundred times more effort than before, I believe you will definitely defeat that Uchiha genius!"
"Elder Huoshu, and Hizashi, Hoshimi will be entrusted to you from now on. You must work together to cultivate Hoshimi into the face of my Hyuga Clan!"
It seemed they had already discussed it, as Hinata Katyu and Hyuga Hizashi showed no surprise. They quickly agreed.
Then, Hyuga Hiashi went on to talk to Hoshimi about a great deal of family glory and the past splendor of the Hyuga Clan, leaving Hoshimi utterly bewildered.
It wasn't until he returned home that Hoshimi's mind slowly cleared.
Hoshimi didn't know that after he left, Hyuga Hiashi and the others did not disband. Instead, they formally began their meeting.
"Elder Huoshu, do you know why Hokage-sama chose Hyuga Hoshimi?"
Hyuga Hiashi spoke mysteriously, immediately attracting the attention of the clan members.
"This, I really don't know. This kid's talent doesn't seem to be that great. Logically speaking, there are many people in my Hyuga Clan more outstanding than him, so it shouldn't have been his turn at all!"
Thinking of the disappointing progress Hoshimi had made despite his vigorous cultivation, Hinata Katyu shook his head.
"Hahahahaha, Elder Huoshu, that's your shortsightedness. Talent, or whatever, is precisely the least important thing. How many geniuses have been born in my Hyuga Clan over so many years? But—"
The latter half of the sentence was left unsaid, but the main family members present all understood.
"In short, cultivation talent is the least important. In fact, a slightly inferior cultivation talent is even better, because we can see his limit—he will never be able to break free from the 'chains' around his neck!"
"Moreover, his other abilities are what I value most, such as having the renowned Shisui of the Body Flicker nominate him!"
"I heard this little guy also has some interactions with Uchiha Itachi, and now he's connected with Shisui of the Body Flicker. It seems we all underestimated him."
"However, we don't need to be wary of this kind of ability. In fact, we hope he gets stronger and stronger, because whatever he can obtain, we can get our hands on it anytime we want!"
At this point, Hinata Katyu and the others gradually understood Hyuga Hiashi's thoughts.
"Elder Huoshu, Hoshimi, you need to cultivate him vigorously from now on. Even if some resources are wasted, it doesn't matter, because he is worth it..."
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