"Tap... tap..."
In the garden, the shishi-odoshi (deer scarer) rhythmically tapped the stone basin, emitting crisp, clean sounds.
After chatting for a long time in the front courtyard with the Hyūga Clan Elder, Hyūga Shin, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Namikaze Minato, and Uzumaki Kushina finally entered this inner courtyard, led by Hyūga Shin.
This was a separate, dedicated courtyard used by the Hyūga Clan to host guests. High-level Branch Family members guarded the perimeter to prevent outsiders from approaching. Within the compound sat several small houses and a rest pavilion.
Hiruzen, Minato, and the others were first guided by Hyūga Shin to a small room to drink warm water and tidy their appearance. Only then did they proceed to the waiting pavilion in the courtyard.
After waiting in the pavilion for a moment, Hyūga Hiashi, as the host, finally arrived with Shinichi to welcome Hiruzen and the others. Under Hiashi's guidance, Hiruzen and Minato's group went to the spring area in the corner of the courtyard to wash their hands and rinse their mouths. They then returned to the front of the tearoom, entering the room through a small side door.
Once inside the tearoom, Sarutobi Hiruzen properly led Minato and Kushina in admiring the calligraphy, delicate crafts, and the kettle used for boiling water, all of which the Hyūga Clan had prepared in advance. Only then did they settle into a kneeling posture.
This complex seating procedure was only a small part of the Hyūga Clan's inherited tea ceremony...
The strict rules of the Hyūga Clan not only restricted every member of the family but also caused everyone who dealt with the Hyūga to feel the clan's rigid, hierarchical discipline.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was clearly not visiting the Hyūga for the first time. The elder Hokage seemed capable of appreciating the flavor of the tea ceremony, and after taking his seat, he watched with a warm smile as Hyūga Hiashi lit the first charcoal for the tea service.
Although Namikaze Minato was young, his personality was naturally gentle and flowing like water. Even though he rarely experienced such tea culture, having come from a commoner family, his nature and cultivation allowed him to appear completely composed in the face of these heavy rituals.
As for Kushina, Shinichi had initially assumed that her fiery temperament and dislike of restriction would make her extremely uncomfortable with this kind of tea culture. However, to everyone's surprise, Kushina's behavior was very dignified, and she even seemed more familiar with this ancient tea ceremony than Minato.
After a moment's thought, Shinichi quickly understood why. Although Uzumaki Kushina was an orphan, she was different from the commoner-born Minato. The Uzumaki Clan was also considered a prestigious noble clan, and after arriving in Konoha, the young Kushina was sheltered and taught by Uzumaki Mito. The explosive personality Kushina sometimes displayed was merely a form of self-preservation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat on the tatami, his gaze sweeping over Hyūga Shin and Hyūga Hiashi. Then, his sight fell upon Hyūga Shinichi, who was sitting next to Hiashi and carefully examining Minato and his wife.
After a brief look at the handsome little boy, Hiruzen's face broke into a gentle smile:
"This child must be your son, Hiashi?"
"I didn't realize he had grown so much. If I recall correctly, his name is Shinichi?"
Using Hyūga Shinichi, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally opened the conversation.
Hiashi, who was pouring tea for the guests, straightened his back instinctively upon hearing Hiruzen mention his son:
"I am surprised, Third Hokage-sama, that you still remember this boy's name."
"Shinichi, why haven't you greeted our guests?"
The presence of a small child could, to some extent, ease the solemn atmosphere of the tea ceremony. Shinichi heard the prompt and bowed to Hiruzen and the Minato couple:
"Welcome, Grandfather Hiruzen, and welcome, Big Brother Minato and Big Sister Kushina, to the Hyūga Clan compound."
Unlike Hiashi's formal address to the three, Hyūga Shinichi's address was much more familiar. Hiashi raised an eyebrow upon hearing his son's informal greetings, subtly observing the expressions of the three guests, and then feigned displeasure:
"Shinichi, that is very rude!"
However, Minato, who had remained silent until now, repeatedly waved his hand, smiling warmly at Shinichi to mediate: "Hiashi, there is nothing rude about it."
"This form of address is quite nice."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded with a cheerful laugh; he rather enjoyed being called "Grandfather" by Shinichi.
The Hyūga Clan... one of Konoha Village's largest bloodline limit clans. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen often felt a heavy pressure when dealing with the Hyūga. Due to the Caged Bird Curse Mark, the Main Family had absolute control over the Branch Family ninjas, meaning the Hokage's influence was far less significant than the Main Family's in the eyes of the Branch Family ninjas.
Simply put, even after Hyūga ninjas entered Konoha's system—joining the Anbu, leading squads, joining the Reconnaissance Corps, etc.—they still revolved around the Main Family, creating a sense of a "state within a state." Furthermore, due to the Byakugan bloodline limit, the probability of the Hyūga Clan producing exceptional ninjas was far greater than what the commoner system could achieve. Even as Hokage, Hiruzen and Minato often had to consult with the Main Family when instructing these elite clan ninjas.
Therefore, Hyūga Shinichi's low posture and display of closeness naturally earned the favor of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato, rapidly closing the distance between the two parties.
"Clan Head Hiashi, Elder Shin, the truth is, we have an important matter to discuss with you during this visit to the Hyūga Clan."
After a few simple exchanges, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave Minato a look, and the latter understood, finally leading the conversation to the main topic.
"Fourth Hokage, to speak of 'discussion' is too polite. Whatever the Village requires, we of the Hyūga Clan will cooperate to the best of our ability."
Hiashi's expression grew serious, though his tone lacked the arrogance of a powerful clan. For Hyūga Hiashi, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Namikaze Minato held different statuses in his heart. When Sarutobi Hiruzen was active in the Ninja World, Hiashi was still a young man and had no real personal impression of the "Strongest Hokage."
But Minato was different; they were of the same generation and were key figures during the Third Great Ninja War. Minato's strength and character were both recognized by Hiashi, and the Hyūga Clan had even provided some assistance when Minato became Hokage. From the perspective of strength and reputation, Minato was worthy of being Hokage; from the Hyūga's perspective, a person with Minato's background and character becoming Hokage would not affect the Hyūga Clan's status and power within the Village.
Therefore, the Hyūga Clan did not mind offering great convenience when dealing with Minato.
"Thank you, Clan Head Hiashi."
"This time, I'm afraid we really do need the help of the Hyūga Clan."
"To be frank, my wife, Kushina, is pregnant."
"As you know, she is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. During childbirth, the seal on a Jinchūriki's body weakens. At that time, Kushina's control over the Nine-Tails will also weaken."
"For the Jinchūriki and for Konoha, the weakening of the Nine-Tails seal represents a huge risk. If an enemy learns of this and attacks Konoha during Kushina's delivery, it could bring about the destruction of the Village."
"To prevent any accidents, the Third Hokage and I have secretly decided on Kushina's delivery location. It is far from Konoha's core area, so that any unexpected incidents can minimize the impact on the Village."
"At the same time, we plan to assemble a special operations team to guard Kushina during the birth."
"The Hokage's direct Anbu will naturally be involved, but I also hope that ninjas from the Hyūga Clan, who possess the Byakugan, can lend us a hand."
"With your Hyūga ninjas, we can ensure nothing goes wrong!"
The matter of Kushina's pregnancy and childbirth was an absolute secret in Konoha, known to very few. However, it was no problem to disclose such a secret to the Hyūga Clan's high-ranking officials.
Minato did not intend to hide the information, even with the child Shinichi present. The reason was simple: Hyūga Shinichi was a Main Family child, destined to become the future leader of the Hyūga Clan.
Both Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Shin listened quietly to Minato's words. When they heard that it was merely a "simple escort mission," both sighed in relief.
This was an easy matter to cooperate with and not an excessive request. They were surprised that two Hokage had come in person merely for such a "small matter."
However, what the Hyūga considered a small matter could be a devastating event in the eyes of the Third and Fourth Hokage, potentially destroying Konoha. Since it involved the Jinchūriki, there could be absolutely no relaxation of security. The Hyūga Clan, focused internally, naturally had a different perception than the Hokage.
To the side, a divine light flashed in Hyūga Shinichi's eyes as he heard Minato's words.
The escort mission for Kushina's delivery actually involved the Hyūga Clan!
This meant that the information Shinichi possessed not only had a practical use but also gained a basis in legitimacy, even if it were exposed.
Heh heh... Could Uchiha Obito's mask really withstand the Byakugan bloodline limit?!
It was time to expose him on the spot!
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