A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-ar4ngel
-Cain
-Ryan biggins
-Kreios
-Sabo
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps he was right.
Tsunade felt a sense of melancholy.
She recalled her childhood.
When her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, was still alive, Konoha was like a paradise on earth, and no one dared to invade.
The title of "God of Shinobi" was like the blazing sun, and everyone could only look up in awe.
In such an environment, all the clan members held their heads high, filled with pride.
How could they not be proud?
Her grandfather's presence was simply too radiant.
However, after her grandfather's death, everything changed.
The towering mountain that had loomed over everyone collapsed, and those in the shinobi world who were filled with greed and ambition, having been suppressed for too long, eagerly jumped out.
When the war began, all the clan members were still immersed in the glory of the past.
They desperately clung to the honor that, in reality, belonged solely to "Hashirama Senju."
The result, of course, was devastating.
Many clan members went to the battlefield and never returned.
Perhaps her grandfather's younger brother, Tobirama, had also realized this, which was why he ultimately pushed aside all opposition and dispersed the remaining clan members, completely erasing the Senju name.
Even she and her younger brother, Nawaki, were not given the Senju name.
Her brother, in the end, was still influenced by it.
Simply because their grandfather was the Hokage, he naturally wanted to become the Hokage.
Eager to make achievements, he acted impulsively and carelessly fell into an enemy trap.
Indeed, the Senju and the Uchiha were not so different.
Both paid a heavy price for their pride.
"Tsunade… Tsunade!"
Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts, and Jiraiya was looking at her with concern.
"I'm fine."
No, that's not right!
The Senju clan sacrificed themselves to maintain peace and protect the village they had built together!
That was righteousness!
Tsunade steadied herself, glanced at Kaito with mixed emotions, and then exchanged a look with Jiraiya.
A dangerous guy, very skilled at manipulating people's hearts.
As the Hokage, she should consider the village her most important priority.
Yet, just now, under this kid's guidance, she had strayed from that, unconsciously comparing the value of the Senju clan to that of Konoha.
"What's wrong, Tsunade-sama?" Kaito seemed completely unaware.
"You really do see everything clearly," Tsunade said.
"When I was young, I enjoyed listening to the elders in my clan tell stories, and I ended up hearing a lot about the deeds of our ancestors," Kaito explained casually. "Since I couldn't use chakra or train, I ended up thinking a lot about these things."
What he said was his genuine opinion, but he had subtly added a bit of mental suggestion.
If Tsunade hadn't already harbored similar thoughts in her heart, her mind wouldn't have been swayed.
But that was normal. After all, everyone has their own selfish desires.
In the end, someone like Hashirama Senju, a "saint," was the real anomaly.
However, at this moment, both Tsunade and Jiraiya also felt that Kaito was an anomaly among the Uchiha.
While the Uchiha were skilled in genjutsu, they had never displayed such methods before!
"From what Minato told me, you're meddling with the Hyuga clan because there are still humans on the moon monitoring the shinobi world?" Jiraiya changed the subject.
"Correct," Kaito nodded. "As you've probably heard, Hamura, the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, went to the moon to guard Kaguya's seal."
"So, if there are humans on the moon, they share the same roots as the Hyuga clan?" Jiraiya asked.
"Exactly."
After Kaito had reached an agreement with Hiashi, he learned about the "destiny borne by the Hyuga clan" and began to form more conjectures.
"I didn't expect the Hyuga clan to be so eager to remove the Caged Bird Seal," Jiraiya said with a complicated tone. "Although I've never approved of the main family's enslavement of the branch family, the existence of the Caged Bird Seal has effectively prevented the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands."
"Are you worried that other villages might steal the Byakugan?" Kaito understood his concern.
He shook his head as if helpless. "There's no other way. To gain something, you have to lose something. Not everything can be resolved perfectly."
"Do your best to protect the Hyuga shinobi," he reminded them. "Before long, when the entire shinobi world stands on a united front, the things you're worried about won't be as severe."
"Some people's greed knows no bounds," Jiraiya sighed. "Even with an external enemy, those who act selfishly won't reduce their own desires."
"Perhaps," Kaito said noncommittally. "The Hyuga clan made their own choice, and they must bear the consequences themselves."
The current situation was clearly guided by this guy!
Tsunade and Jiraiya both looked at him with mixed feelings.
"Why are you two looking at me like that?"
Kaito seemed oblivious.
He's pretending again!
Tsunade and Jiraiya averted their gazes.
"I merely went along with the flow," Kaito tucked his hands into his sleeves. "Everything was their own choice."
Though that was true.
Jiraiya thought.
But why does this kid make me so annoyed!
"We're here," Tsunade announced.
Kaito looked up and saw the gate of the Hyuga clan, with its hanging plaque.
Under the plaque, the gate was wide open, and a young girl in a kimono stood at the entrance, accompanied by several Hyuga clan members.
The three of them approached.
"Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama."
Hinata Hanabi bowed slightly.
"Welcome to the Hyuga clan."
She then bowed again to Kaito.
"Lord Kaito, it's our first meeting. I am Hanabi Hyuga, acting head of the Hyuga clan."
"First meeting, Lady Hanabi," Kaito returned the greeting. "I am Uchiha Kaito, head of the Uchiha clan."
"Lord Kaito, Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama," Hanabi gestured with her hand. "Please."
"Lady Hanabi, please lead the way," Kaito smiled warmly.
"Please follow me."
Hanabi stepped forward to guide them, and everyone entered the Hyuga clan's compound.
The Hyuga clan members and the Hokage's guard team followed behind.
The group walked along the main path that ran through the center of the Hyuga clan's territory and arrived at the main house.
Everyone took their seats, and maids brought out hot tea.
"No need to stand on ceremony."
Tsunade picked up her teacup, took a sip, and set it down.
"You all know why we're here. Let's get started as soon as possible."
"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama," Hanabi, kneeling formally, bowed slightly. "With Konoha currently preparing for an enemy attack, the Hyuga clan's affairs can wait until after the war."
"There's still some time before the enemy invades. There's no need to delay this matter."
Tsunade waved her hand and spoke seriously. "However, as the Hokage, I must make a statement beforehand."
"Please speak, Hokage-sama," Hanabi lowered her head.
"The decision to remove the Caged Bird Seal was proposed by the Hyuga clan," Tsunade's gaze swept over all the adult shinobi in the room. "You must understand the difficulties the Hyuga clan will face after losing the Caged Bird Seal. Please be fully prepared for the consequences."
"Hokage-sama, thank you for your reminder."
Tokuma, standing beside Hanabi, stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"I assure you, the actions of the Hyuga clan are the will of our people. If we suffer any misfortune as a result, we will not blame others."
"Very well."
Tsunade picked up her teacup again.