Chapter 59
Fuck this.
Hiruzen thought he would get some work done, as it was piling up more and more. But he just couldn't concentrate. If he were as old mentally as his body suggested, he probably wouldn't feel so much damn anxiety.
He trusted, no, he knew, that none of these brats from other villages could match Yamato or Shisui. And even though he only paired Iruka with them so others would underestimate the team, he knew Iruka was quite smart for his age as well. Choza had nothing but good things to say about the boy.
But he couldn't stop worrying. What if the other villages ganged up on them? Or what if the test turned out harder than Hiruzen expected? What if they ate something contaminated and actually got sick this time?
He pushed the fuinjutsu book aside to massage his temples, as he felt a headache coming up. He guessed that no amount of experience or training could prevent the stress from taking its toll.
Hiruzen really hated this work. But he had no choice. He had to find a way to move around the political landmines that surrounded him without triggering any of them, and he had to do it fast. It felt like time wasn't on his side.
Hopefully, Jiraiya will be able to create a fuinjutsu that would negate the Hyuga clan's slave seal. He agreed that those eyes should be protected, but that slave seal was completely unnecessary.
The problem was that he couldn't think of a way to replace that seal. The only way he could justify it was to make the seal safer and more beneficial for the village. And if he could get the Uchiha clan to use it, then it might put enough pressure on the Hyuga clan.
However, there was also the issue of money. The village was running low on funds. Usually, when that happens, he could ask for a loan from the Daimyo or for an advance from the next year. But he couldn't.
It still would take time before he could make money from the Gato business. And even if he made some money by betting in the Chunin Exams, that would be only a pocket change for what he needed to run this village.
He didn't know if it would work or what it would bring. But he probably has no other choice but to start selling jutsu. Of course, nothing dangerous and not outside the village. But he had countless jutsu just lying around gathering dust in the scrolls. The clans would be more than happy to get their hands on them. And they did have quite a bit of money if Hiruzen's information was right.
In the end, he couldn't take it anymore and pushed everything to the side. But just as he was about to head out, the doors to his office opened. An unexpected and very rude visitor walked in. Hiruzen didn't like dealing with him, but had no choice but to show him respect.
...
Hiashi Hyuga was a multifaceted individual. First, he was a shinobi. He had trained his whole life to become the best he could be for the village. Then, he was the head of one of the most prestigious and powerful clans in Konoha. And finally, he was a father.
But lately, he was starting to think he'd failed in all three aspects. He should've dedicated more time to keeping his body in peak condition, in case he ever needed to return to the field. But he hadn't. He should have done more to raise his daughter, but he hadn't. He should have ruled his clan firmly and ensured everyone was treated equally under him. But he hadn't.
He couldn't understand where it all went wrong. He'd been a promising shinobi, a dedicated student who always tried his best. Now he felt like a shell of his former self.
He knew half of the clan hated him for what they saw as compliance with slavery. The other half didn't respect him. They questioned or even mocked him openly now as he continued to refuse their demands. Increasingly, they preferred to listen to the elders rather than their clan head.
He had tried to be patient. But when news arrived that an Uchiha had been placed on the same team as the Third Hokage's last student, the outrage among the clan was overwhelming. Though Yamato's origins were technically a secret, politically savvy clans had already uncovered the truth.
People had seen the Third training of the kid. He had even gone on a mission with Kakashi Hatake, another known confidant of the Third. So conclusions were drawn—true or false, it didn't matter.
The perception was that the Third favored the Uchiha above all else. And that was all that mattered. Hiashi didn't entirely blame them; he, unlike the rest, believed there was reason behind the Third's actions.
"Next time, I wish you would make an appointment before barging into my office," the Third said dryly as Hiashi stepped forward. "Though, I suppose I can spare you a few minutes, if it's urgent."
Hiashi wasn't a fool—he could tell the Third was merely tolerating him. People called the Hokage kindhearted and soft, but they were fools. The Third had fought through three wars and survived. Every move the Third made was deliberate and calculated to the minor detail.
There were many things Hiashi wanted to ask: help in dismantling the Caged Bird Seal, more resources to train the branch family without fear of retaliation, and the abolishment of the clan's internal hierarchy altogether. He wanted to change the Hyuga.
But he had no words for it. Even if the Hokage agreed, change wouldn't come as long as there were those in the clan who resisted it.
"The elders of the clan are dissatisfied," Hiashi said at last. He had no right to ask for help, but he could at least warn the Hokage and pretend to put on a fight with him for the fools of his clan. "I do not wish to disturb you during the Chūnin Exams, but I must convey my clan's concerns."
"Stop." The Third raised a hand, cutting him off. "Since it's not urgent, I'll end this here. I don't need anyone telling me what they want. I don't work for the Hyuga or any other clan. I will remind you, I serve the village. If your clan's wishes align with the village's interests, I'll consider them. But that is my decision."
Hiashi felt a wave of relief. The fools in his clan could play their games all they liked—they were nothing in the eyes of the Hokage. Their petty schemes would amount to nothing.
The Third won't be pressured or pushed around. And that was a big relief. He did not wish for the fools in the clan to get what they wanted. So, knowing that the Third won't give them anything, Hiashi can work with a lighter heart in fixing his clan from the inside.
From the way the Hokage dismissed him, Hiashi knew that the Third could handle it. He bowed in gratitude and left. Perhaps it was better to let the elders overplay their hand, and then clean up the mess. Then he will take the responsibility and change the clan.
...
Hiruzen wanted to destroy something. How dare they? The Hyuga were arrogant beyond belief. This was nothing short of a declaration of war. If he were strong enough, Hiruzen would have smacked Hiashi's head until his eyes popped out.
He had been too lenient. His decision to support the Uchiha had been the right one, even if it was a subject of blatant jealousy of the Hyuga clan. For all their pride, the Uchiha had endured discrimination for years before lashing out.
But the Hyuga seemed ready to act at any moment, from getting a bit overlooked. Hiruzen wouldn't allow it—but he wouldn't cave to their demands either. If he wanted to cripple them, he had to free the branch family.
For now, he will devote all his resources and time to figuring out how to create a better seal. And then, he will introduce the secret jutsu that were kept from others for sale, and the first to obtain them shall be the branch family of the Hyuga clan.
"Hokage-sama." Hiruzen nodded as he passed the other jōnin watching the Chūnin Exams from the tower in the Forest of Death.
He couldn't keep his cool, so he kept interaction to a minimum. All that mattered now was his genin. Too much rode on them. He needed them to do good. No, he needed them to raise the standard, so he could rip off the countries and nobles buying his services.
"It's only the second night," Choza commented, munching on chips, "and more than half of them are already desperate."
Hiruzen nodded. From the pillars of smoke and the sounds of battle, he could tell the forest had turned into a warzone.
The scarcity of food in the forest was by design—only wild animals were available. But meat had to be cooked, and that gave away positions. Something that those reckless brats that were taught nothing but how to kill would not dismiss so easily.
Add hunger to the mix, and the genin turned feral. ANBU and Tsume were actively guiding them toward each other. If this much destruction had already occurred, he wondered how many would survive the next night.
As much as he might've enjoyed watching kids struggle, he wasn't in the mood. All he cared about was that his genin didn't disappoint him. Much was riding on their success.
"Tch, this is bullshit," muttered the Ame jōnin. "Your proctor's leading my genin into traps."
"Is that so?" Hiruzen asked, glancing at Choza as he had no idea where his genin was to begin with. "Are my proctors interfering?"
"Maybe not directly, but my genin's at a disadvantage," The Ame jonin complained, not letting Choza reply. "Your proctor keeps leaving traces to lead him into ambushes!"
"Every damn day," Hiruzen rubbed his temples. "I deal with fools. How am I the reasonable one in the room all the time?"
Fuck. He'd said that out loud. The pressure was unbearable. If he had the power to get away with it, he'd smack every idiot here across the face before they saw reason and stopped bothering him.
"Hokage-sama," the old man from Kumo said, "That is a reasonable concern."
Shut up. Hiruzen cursed internally. He needed a smoke but had left his pipe in the office. Fair? Since when was anything fair? And he wanted Hiruzen to explain himself? How about this fucker explained why Kumo has sent two Jinchuriki into his village?
The headache was unreal. He was starting to think about detaining everyone and forcing their villages into peace treaties. How the real Hiruzen handled this for so many years, he couldn't imagine.
"Apologies," Hiruzen said finally. "I thought I was speaking to children." He turned to the Ame jōnin. "Your genin is alone because of his own choices. He follows trails also because he chose to. That's your education system's failure—training shinobi to obey without thinking. Left alone, he's lost."
Anyone could accuse the exam of being unfair, but if Hiruzen had truly made it so, the Nara and Yamanaka heads would've stopped him. And even Hiruzen was foolish enough to give anyone any reason to start anything with Konoha.
This test existed to prove these genin weren't ready. If he made it easy, it would fail in purpose—and the other villages would laugh. But now, since it was a bit tough for their little, stupid genins, it had suddenly become unfair. Damn, he needed a smoke.
Today was just the worst. Once again, he was reminded that he wasn't suited for this role. One bullshit after another kept piling up.
At first, he pretended to be Hiruzen to avoid torture or suspicion. Now he realized—it had never been about him. And he should reply in a sagely manner, but of late, he was quite done with them all. But he had no choice; he had to keep up the act.
Watching his genin struggle, survive, and fight together reminded him of what mattered. Whatever entity put him here, Hiruzen didn't care. This wasn't about him or the system that plagued his mind as it wished.
This was about the village, about giving these kids a taste of war in a controlled space—so that they'd never see the real thing.
The Hyuga, Kumo, the others—they could scheme all they wanted. Hiruzen would face them alone if need be and crush them one way or another. He can promise them that as long as he lived, there would be no war.
A.N. As always, thanks for reading and supporting me, so I can continue writing without any concerns, and if you want more, up to 7 more chapters and 28 chapters in total with all my other stories, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.