Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

"That Hyuga boy seems to have sensed something!"

Inside the Hokage's office within the Hokage Tower, the Konoha F3 were watching through a crystal ball as Hyuga Soushu and Uchiha Mahiru got cozy.

Hyuga Soushu lifting his head toward the sky was displayed clearly in the image of the crystal ball created by the Telescope Jutsu, as if he already knew about his current situation.

"He must possess some exceptional talent in sensing chakra."

Koharu Utatane speculated, "Hiruzen's Telescope Jutsu shouldn't be detectable by anyone in principle!"

"No need for doubt—he's definitely noticed us."

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi casually waved his hand, intentionally shutting down the image on the crystal ball.

Being detected by just a regular jonin—and worse, being met with a smirk directed right at the technique's viewing angle—deeply irritated Hiruzen, widely regarded as the Ninja Professor.

But irritation aside, what could he really do?

Jonins must never be disrespected—that had always been Konoha's core belief. Though countless violations of this rule occurred behind closed doors, publicly they still needed to maintain respect for the status of jonins as high-ranking members of the village.

Especially now that the Jonin Unit was no longer just a rubber stamp and vote counter like before—doing anything shady would inevitably face new levels of oversight and restraint previously nonexistent.

"You've probably heard already?" Homura Mitokado pointed at the now completely transparent crystal ball, "What White Fang orchestrated with the Jonin Unit this time wasn't minor at all."

"We absolutely cannot let go of the authority over jonin promotions!" Koharu added in agreement.

Regardless of their actual power and position, all jonins of Konoha were portrayed in both internal and external propaganda as elite ninja who'd overcome endless trials to rise from among the most capable shinobi of the village—Konoha's greatest treasures.

Such rhetoric served to motivate the next generation of civilian-born shinobi while using moral pressure to keep naturally proud and rebellious jonins slightly more restrained, effectively reducing governance costs for the village.

Yet in reality, the Jonin Unit, serving as both the management body and decision-making platform for jonin collective power, had long fallen under the control of the Nara Clan before Hatake Sakumo took temporary command of the unit amid crisis. It had become nothing more than a tool for the Hokage Tower to control public perception and silence opposition. The unit's original function of collective deliberation and supervision had been abandoned for years.

Now, with Hatake Sakumo rallying the jonins under the banner of shared governance and basking in the immense prestige gained from his successful cross-border strike on Sunagakure, the once-comfortably seated Konoha F3 was beginning to feel uneasy.

Of course, Hatake Sakumo's presence was overall far more beneficial than harmful to Konoha. But sometimes the interests of those in power didn't always align perfectly with the village's best interest—and that inconsistency was deeply unsettling.

Even Koharu Utatane, known for her hunger for power, couldn't deny the benefits Sakumo Hatake had brought to Konoha in terms of long-term stability. Yet she also clearly understood that with Sakumo's growing power, a confrontation with the deeply rooted Hokage lineage was inevitable.

"Knock knock knock!"

As the three inside the office were deep in thought, someone knocked on the door.

"That kid already here?"

Homura Mitokado expressed surprise.

"Neither of them."

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slightly shook his head. He identified the chakra signature outside and said, "Come in."

"Screeeech..."

A messenger Anbu pushed the door open and entered. "Lord Hokage, I have completed my communication mission in the Land of Rain and now report back!"

"What did Lord Orochimaru say?"

Koharu impatiently asked, "When do you think we can achieve victory?"

The messenger Anbu didn't respond directly to this advisor elder's question but looked toward the silent Third Hokage.

"What does Lord Orochimaru want?"

After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally asked slowly.

He knew his most gifted student better than anyone else. Based on the messenger's expression right now, he could roughly guess the outcome of this communication mission.

"Lord Orochimaru requests the village provide support; otherwise the Rain Country expeditionary force cannot independently organize another offensive."

The messenger ninja immediately took out the scroll Orochimaru had given him and quickly stepped forward to present it.

"I understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed slightly.

This result could be described as unexpected yet reasonable.

Although Lord Orochimaru's leadership style always gave the impression that he was willing to sacrifice everything for missions and victories, in reality these decisions that seemed cold and ruthless were all made after careful consideration combined with actual circumstances. They weren't simply about staining his path to advancement with blood.

Therefore, if Orochimaru had some confidence, he probably wouldn't refuse operational orders and instead make demands of the village.

After all, although the current situation of the village appeared prosperous and thriving like a raging fire, as the leader of the Hidden Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi fully understood the undercurrents stirring beneath this surface.

For example, the inexplicable gradual easing of tensions recently between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan!

If the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan truly achieved complete reconciliation and began sharing intelligence, then the divisions and sowing of discord the Hokage lineage had painstakingly created among various ninja clans since the Second's time - Tobirama Senju - might no longer remain hidden!

Just managing the Uchiha Clan already demanded the Hokage lineage's full focus; throw in the Hyuga Clan and its allied clans, and it would be a whole new level of challenge.

At that point, perhaps the Three Pillars of Konoha would need to consider how to gracefully step down!

"You may return to your base first."

Spinning the scroll in his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no mood to break the seal and read it. Instead, he waved his hand, indicating the messenger Anbu should withdraw.

This matter was put on ice for now.

"When will Danzo be back?"

After a long silence in the office, Koharu Utatane spoke up coldly, "We absolutely cannot let things continue like this! Otherwise, the village's traditions might be compromised!"

"Danzo should return today as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi checked the calendar and clock, figuring Danzo wouldn't be away much longer.

"We should question him thoroughly afterward, since he personally experienced the Sunagakure conflict."

Homura Mitokado chimed in, "If Sunagakure's combat strength has truly deteriorated, then rotating Sakumo, Orochimaru, and Danzo could also be an option."

"Let's discuss it later. We need to hear Danzo's opinion on this matter first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained noncommittal: "The two of them have already arrived downstairs. Would you like to meet them together?"

"No interest!"

"Excuse us!"

Understanding his meaning from his tone, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane stood up simultaneously and left.

As the two advisor elders reached the base of the Hokage Tower building, they happened to see Hyuga Soushu sticking close by and Mahiru Uchiha holding flowers while completing their visitor registration.

"Good day, Honored Elders."

Although Hyuga Soushu's expression appeared indifferent, he gave a slight nod in greeting.

Mahiru Uchiha, however, didn't even lift her head, continuing focused on filling out the visitor form.

"Good day!"

Homura Mitokado responded with a nod.

Koharu Utatane simply walked past without glancing sideways.

"Those stubborn old fossils still got some spunk left!"

After finishing the registration forms, Mahiru Uchiha remarked openly in front of the Anbu guards.

"Isn't that just how people who refuse to die peacefully act?"

Hyuga Soushu smiled as he replied.

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