With the prospect of a Fifth Hokage dangling in front of him, Naruto trained harder than ever.
His pain tolerance jumped noticeably, so much so that even Akio started to hesitate a little when throwing him around.
Unfortunately, hesitation wasn't good for growth.
So Akio added just a bit more force.
Yes
purely for Naruto's development.
Definitely just a bit.
…
At the Hyūga compound.
Hiashi, Hizashi, and several elders from the branch families sat together in the clan's main hall.
"This time…" Hiashi said heavily, "the Uchiha will most likely produce a Hokage."
"The Senju are really willing to step aside?" one elder asked. "If they do, then Clan Head… you"
Hiashi raised a hand, cutting him off.
"I'll compete, but the odds are slim. Uchiha Obito is the joint choice of the Third Hokage, the Senju, the Uchiha, and Akio-sensei. That kind of backing is overwhelming."
Silence settled over the room.
After a long moment, Hiashi spoke again.
"I didn't gather you here just to discuss that. The Senju held two Hokage seats. The Uchiha will likely have one. When the Sixth is chosen… it should be our turn."
"I intend to start preparing now."
"Preparing?" The elders exchanged looks. One frowned.
"Hinata's talent is average. And aside from Mei Terumī of the Mist, no woman has ever become Kage. That's a steep climb. Hanabi is still too young and faces the same obstacle. Clan Head… are you suggesting Neji?"
"That won't work either. Konoha would never allow a branch family member to become Hokage."
Hizashi sighed quietly and glanced at his older brother.
Hiashi shook his head.
"Not Neji. Among Hinata's classmates, there's a boy named Ōtsutsuki Toneri who's been pursuing her. I've had him observed for over a year now."
"You know his background."
The elders exchanged thoughtful looks.
"That child does count as part of the Hyūga bloodline," one said slowly.
"And I've heard his talent is exceptional. If he were to unite with Hinata…"
Hizashi interrupted, his tone sharp.
"That boy was brought here by Akio-sensei. He's only studying in Konoha. After graduation, he'll likely return to the Land of Whirlpools."
Hiashi replied calmly,
"And how did the Third Hokage keep Kushina Uzumaki in Konoha?"
Hizashi's expression changed.
"Brother…"
"I have two daughters."
Hizashi fell silent.
He understood what Hiashi meant.
Not "I have two daughters, so losing one is acceptable."
But rather
"I have two daughters, so one must be chosen."
Otherwise, sooner or later, either Hinata or Hanabi would bear the Caged Bird Seal.
The elders, missing the deeper implication, asked instead,
"Then what does the Clan Head plan to do?"
Hiashi thought for a moment.
"I'll first tell Hinata not to resist Toneri's advances. Nothing further for now. Once the Fifth Hokage selection is settled, I will personally meet Ōtsutsuki Toneri."
…
At Kushina's house, Naruto's room.
Soft white light glowed around Akio's right hand as he healed the bruises covering Naruto's back.
"Hahaha!" Naruto squirmed. "That tickles!"
"Good," Akio said with a grin. "That means the muscles are rebuilding."
He withdrew his hand.
"All right. Get dressed. Training's over for today. Bedtime."
Naruto scrambled up, roughly pulling on his shirt, muttering,
"Why do I always have to sleep with clothes on? It's uncomfortable…"
Akio paused.
Then boom.
A burst of repulsive force slammed Naruto face-first into the wall.
"Brat," Akio said flatly. "Don't harbor inappropriate thoughts about your ancestor."
"Mmmph—!"
Akio raised a brow and flipped Naruto back with gravity, dumping him spread-eagle onto the bed.
"Go to sleep.
No more nonsense."
…
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
News of the impending Fifth Hokage selection spread throughout Konoha but Akio's attention was elsewhere.
During training the night before, Naruto had complained offhandedly about something that stuck with him.
"Toneri that jerk won't even spar with me anymore! He just sticks around Hinata all day and even walks her home after school!"
Hanging around Hinata was one thing.
Walking her home was another.
Hinata was the Hyūga main family's heir. She was always escorted by branch members.
Toneri walking her home meant the Hyūga clan not only approved but was actively encouraging it.
If it were mutual affection, fine.
But if Hiashi was forcing it for the sake of bloodline potential…
Akio grimaced.
"Too many messes already. Guess the ancestor needs to step in."
Humming a half-made tune, he arrived at the Ninja Academy that evening.
And immediately ran into Toneri alone.
"Damn it. That brat Naruto lied to me."
"Elder," Toneri asked politely, "what brings you here?"
Akio's mouth twitched.
"…Where's Hinata?"
Toneri flushed.
"You know already? Naruto told you, didn't he? Naruto and Sasuke kept insisting on sparring, so I let Hinata go ahead."
"…And beat them up."
Akio blinked.
So he had walked her home after all.
Looks like a visit to the Hyūga compound was unavoidable.
"You beat them in five minutes?"
Toneri shook his head.
"School let out fifteen minutes early today. Some teachers had other duties."
Akio sighed.
"That explains why the place is so empty. Naruto and Sasuke are still inside?"
"Yes."
"Go on home," Akio said. "I'll check on them."
…
Inside the Academy, Akio headed toward Naruto's classroom and ran into Sasuke.
Sasuke froze, then bowed.
"Ancestor. Are you here to pick up Na...Naruto? He's still inside packing up."
He carefully suppressed the envy in his eyes. Naruto's growth lately had put real pressure on him.
Akio smiled.
"Have your brother guide your training. Don't let Naruto catch up."
"…Yes!"
After Sasuke left, Akio paused.
Inside the classroom, there were two chakra signatures.
"…Why hasn't Hinata left?"
Inside, Naruto was asking the same thing.
"Hinata, why are you still here?"
Hinata spoke softly.
"N-Naruto… where is Toneri-kun?"
"He left already. That jerk never even carries a backpack! I don't know how he passes tests; he's probably cheating with those eyes of his!"
Hinata: "..."
Naruto slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"You're still waiting? Don't bother. He's really gone."
Hinata's voice dropped to a whisper.
"But my father told me to… walk home with Toneri-kun."
Outside the door, Akio sighed deeply.
Naruto grinned mischievously.
"So you like him, don't you?"
Hinata shrank.
"It's my father… though Toneri-kun is kind to me… but…"
Naruto scratched his ear.
"…You talking or whispering to ants?"
Suddenly, he raised his voice, startling her.
"Why whisper? If you like him or don't like him, say it loud! Like how I like Sakura! And if you don't like him, who cares what your dad says? Train harder and beat that guy flat!"
"N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata froze.
Naruto waved and turned.
"I'm heading out! Whoa. Ancestor? You came to get me?"
Akio stared at Hinata's burning red face… then at the loud, oblivious brat in front of him.
"…Toneri," he muttered,
"might be heading straight for tragedy."
---
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