Actually, if Aizen wanted to obtain a pair of Byakugan, he wouldn't need to go through so much trouble.
Although the Hyuga Main Family is small and heavily protected, with his abilities, acquiring one or two pairs would be no problem at all.
He hadn't done so before because he was already planning against the Uchiha Clan, and it wasn't suitable to make a big move in other directions.
But now, he wasn't doing it for another reason.
"Since the Sharingan has a complete progression path, with profound secrets like the Mangekyo."
"Then, as a top-tier Dōjutsu, does the Byakugan also possess similar secrets?"
This was the question Aizen Sōsuke posed to himself after acquiring the 'pseudo-Ōtsutsuki Clone.'
Although before this, through various information gathered from Hizashi, he knew that the Hyuga Clan had never historically shown similar phenomena.
However, the high compatibility between the Hyuga bloodline and the god tree factor made Aizen pick up this research direction again.
Supporting his view was not just this unfounded suspicion.
The combination of the god tree factor and the Byakugan produced some mysterious changes in the Ōtsutsuki Clone test subjects.
Even he couldn't know where these changes, appearing deep within the Byakugan, would lead.
Aizen was curious about this.
Therefore, he needed many, many Hyuga clansmen to support his next stage of research.
He stood by the window, watching the gradually departing Hyuga Hiashi, and gently pushed up his glasses.
His gaze was profound... Soon.
After receiving the message from Kakashi Hatake, a four-person meeting was secretly held in the Hokage Office without a sound.
"Let's talk."
"How should this matter be concluded?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing on his pipe, placed Kakashi's letter on the table and looked at his old friends present.
Homura Mitokado's brows were slightly furrowed, but after reading the letter in his hand, they gradually relaxed a bit:
"You see, Hiruzen."
"I said that child Hyuga Hiashi is quite sensible."
"Since he still recognizes your authority as Hokage, then let's continue the negotiations!"
"We just finished dealing with the Uchiha; if another Hyuga conflict arises, not to mention others, our financial budget for this year will be stretched thin."
If politics is the brain of military strength, then economy is the feeler of the military.
In this wave of economic attacks targeting the Hyuga Clan, the pressure on their Ministry of Finance was the greatest.
Although the Hyuga Clan's military strength was incomparable to Konoha's, as a major clan that had been entrenched in a region of the Land of Fire for a thousand years, the Hyuga's deep accumulation was beyond ordinary imagination.
Moreover, what they represented now was the Shinobi Clans' power, not isolated like the Uchiha.
Continuing to deplete resources would be a losing business, harming a thousand enemies while sacrificing eight hundred of one's own.
"Koharu, what's your opinion?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly puffed on his pipe, listened to Homura Mitokado's words, and then turned to look at Utatane Koharu.
"Hmph!"
Utatane Koharu's expression was calm, but her words were cold: "These Shinobi Clans are nothing but opportunists. If you ask me, we can still press them further."
"If we don't make an example of the Hyuga, this chicken that jumped onto the stage, for the monkeys to see, who knows what else they might stir up at such a critical moment?"
"Hiruzen, you can't be soft-hearted at a time like this."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly.
Although he, as Hokage, usually had to stand in the sunlight and couldn't easily act against everyone in the Village, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, who controlled financial and personnel power respectively, were the fastest and sharpest blades in his hand.
Compared to them, even Danzo Shimura had to take a back seat.
However, regarding the Hyuga Clan matter, they also had their own economic profits and political power to distribute, and thus their own stances.
Therefore, the final decision could only be made by him and Danzo, who had no significant interests within the Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze gradually fell on Danzo.
"Foolish."
Danzo Shimura's voice was cold: "What time is it now? External and internal troubles are upon us, yet you're still clinging to your petty personal power."
"Koharu, Homura!"
"Do you two still remember our teacher's teachings?!"
As soon as these high-sounding words came out, everyone else present was stunned, then their faces turned pale.
For such words to come from your mouth, Danzo, don't you feel any guilt at all?
Only Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him flicked his pipe, looking away somewhat guiltily.
Ever since that guy Danzo was hit by Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, his style of doing things has indeed become more subtle day by day.
The only thing that could be confirmed was that he still put Konoha first in his heart.
However, this change in style always gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a strange illusion of having his lines stolen.
Unfortunately, Danzo Shimura seemed completely oblivious to the gazes of his old friends beside him, and his tone remained cold:
"Directly attacking the Hyuga Clan right now is very dangerous for Konoha, but the trend of Shinobi Clans splitting cannot be allowed to develop unchecked!"
"Rather than treating the symptoms, it's better to treat the root cause!"
"Implementing a strategy of cutting off the Hyuga Clan's foundation is the only option."
"It is already Konoha Year 56; this Village can no longer tolerate a state within a state like the Hyuga!"
"Compared to economic and personnel suppression, it's better to directly penetrate them and sever the connection between the Main Family and Branch Family! Only then can we..."
"Cough, cough, cough, cough—!"
As soon as he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others coughed in unison, their gazes at Danzo becoming even stranger.
You old fellow.
We just wanted to fleece the Hyuga Clan a bit more from the periphery, the question was only whether to fleece them more or less.
And you actually want to stew this whole sheep?!
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and said: "Danzo, don't say such things that destroy Konoha's unity in the future."
"No matter what, the Hyuga are still Konoha's Hyuga; how can you be so extreme!"
"Exactly."
Homura Mitokado also nodded solemnly.
"When did this old man say we should act now?"
Danzo Shimura gave them a dissatisfied look before continuing: "My meaning is that, at the very least, we must use this incident to plant a seed within the Hyuga Clan and grasp their vital weakness."
"If not, how can the Hokage command respect? And if the remaining Shinobi Clans don't see such severe punishment, how can they retract their claws?"
"More importantly, it doesn't require too much cost, and it has a legitimate pretext. We can completely use the name of rewarding merit to extend favors to the Branch Family! Elevating them to a new Main Family branch!"
Hmm?!
At once, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.
Danzo Shimura slapped his hand down, looking at him with a serious expression: "I say, as Hokage, one should not care about those petty squabbles. One should naturally command respect with an upright and honorable stance!"
"Dismantling the Hyuga Clan will surely be a lengthy project."
"Hiruzen, as Hokage, you must have perseverance."
Initially, upon hearing Danzo Shimura's idea of taking harsh action, everyone subconsciously refuted it.
But as they listened to Danzo Shimura explain it point by point, they suddenly noticed Danzo's change and the feasibility of the plan.
Extending favors to the Branch Family? Upright and honorable? Killing a chicken to warn the monkeys?
And with a legitimate pretext!
It seems, it's somewhat feasible?
Utatane Koharu's eyes also gradually lit up.
If the Hyuga Branch Family is promoted to the Main Family, doesn't that mean personnel power has expanded even further?
More importantly, this idea could change the current situation where the Hyuga Branch Family only obeys the Main Family and not the Hokage.
The immense benefits this would bring to Konoha were self-evident.
Noticing the surprised glances around him, Danzo Shimura proudly puffed out his chest.
Honorable and upright!
Among everyone present, only Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was somewhat complex.
No longer staying in the shadows, but choosing to stand in the sunlight?
Danzo.
Are you trying to improve?