The two Hokage and the two Hyūga leaders, engrossed in their conversation, naturally failed to notice the subtle flash of light in Hyūga Shinichi's eyes.
Conversely, the bored Uzumaki Kushina had been watching Hyūga Shinichi with curiosity ever since they sat down, unable to hide the fondness in her gaze.
Although Shinichi was young, he was able to sit quietly and patiently during the adults' discussion, and his composure and maturity had already caught Kushina's attention.
Kushina was over two months pregnant, and she harbored all sorts of wonderful hopes and imaginings for her own child.
She hoped her baby would inherit Minato's cleverness and calm, and her own strength and independence. Pregnant women often secretly observe the strengths and weaknesses of other children, hoping their own child inherits the good traits while avoiding the bad.
Quietly observing the handsome and composed Hyūga Shinichi filled Kushina was filled with strong expectations for her own child.
Seemingly sensing that someone was watching him, Hyūga Shinichi slightly turned his head and looked toward Kushina. Noticing Shinichi's gaze, Kushina offered a gentle smile.
Shinichi didn't feel awkward being stared at. He glanced at the shallow tea bowl in front of Kushina and, on his own initiative, scooped water from the ceramic urn to refill her cup.
"What a good child. My baby must be raised to be just like this!"
Kushina bowed slightly toward Shinichi, then instinctively took Minato's arm, leaning against him. She had a little secret she was eager to share with Minato, but forgot the formality of the occasion.
"Lady Kushina and Lord Minato's affection is truly wonderful!"
"It's quite enviable!"
Hyūga Shin commented with a chuckle. Minato, hearing this, smiled generously and gently put his arm around his wife, soothing her: "Kushina, are you tired? We will finish talking and go home soon."
Shin and Hiashi exchanged a glance, and Hiashi timely interjected:
"Third Hokage-sama, Fourth Hokage-sama."
"The Hyūga Clan will wholeheartedly support this matter."
"This is not merely about Lady Kushina's safety; it concerns the security of the Village. The Hyūga Clan is duty-bound."
"I would like to know... how many ninjas does the Hyūga Clan need to dispatch to assist the Hokage's direct Anbu?"
Hiashi agreed readily. For the Hyūga ninjas, a similar escort mission was truly nothing major. He was very confident in his clan members' abilities and trusted they could effectively assist the Hokage.
On one hand, the mission's "difficulty was low." On the other hand, Hiashi saw this as an excellent opportunity to forge a deeper bond with the Minato couple. Although the Hyūga Clan did not need to bow to anyone in Konoha, maintaining good relations with the Hokage would always bring many conveniences to the clan.
"Thank you very much for your help, Hiashi-sensei."
"Because it is a secret birth, if the assembled guard team is too large, the target profile will also become larger."
"Therefore, the Third Hokage and I plan to keep the total number of the guard team within forty, divided into 8 squads."
"If possible, we hope the Hyūga Clan can send eight elite ninjas proficient in the Byakugan to assist us."
Seeing Hiashi agree so readily, Namikaze Minato's address to Hiashi instinctively became more familiar, changing from the formal "Clan Head Hiashi" to the current "Hiashi-sensei."
"Eight people, you say..."
Hiashi knew exactly what Minato meant by "elite ninjas." To be recognized as elite by someone like Minato, they would likely need to be Jōnin.
Although due to the Byakugan, any Hyūga who successfully awakened the eye could at least reach Chūnin level, and a large portion could even attain the rank of Special Jōnin. However, there were not many true Jōnin, even in the Hyūga Clan.
Mobilizing eight Jōnin all at once would significantly weaken the Main Family's protective strength.
Nevertheless, having already agreed, there was no point in retracting his word. After a moment of thought, Hiashi nodded and accepted the request, while rapidly screening suitable candidates in his mind.
Serving as guards during Kushina's delivery was a good thing for the clan members. Not only would they gain exposure in front of the Hokage, but completing the mission could also leave a good impression in the Hokage's mind.
Although the fate of the Hyūga Branch Family was firmly tied to the Main Family, Branch Family members could still make a name for themselves in Konoha based on merit and ability, and the Main Family would not restrict this.
At the same time, while consulting with Minato, Hiashi had already decided on a few of the participants for the mission. It was important to keep the benefits within the family; even among the various Branch Family systems, relationships with the Main Family had varying degrees of closeness.
"Fourth Hokage, the Hyūga Clan will certainly give this mission our full support."
"I will select the Hyūga ninjas participating in this mission as quickly as possible. My younger brother, Hyūga Hizashi, will lead the other seven Hyūga ninjas to meet with you."
"They will wholeheartedly guard your wife and will not fail your expectations."
Both Hokage present were familiar with Hyūga Hizashi, whom Hiashi had just mentioned. He was one of the most outstanding ninjas of the Hyūga Clan's middle generation, and his reputation had already spread on the battlefields of the Third Great Ninja War.
During the Third War, the Hyūga Clan suffered a major incident where their bloodline limit was leaked. An elite unit was formed to hunt the ninja named Ao, who stole the Byakugan, and the person primarily leading that mission was Hyūga Hizashi.
Although the mission to recover the Byakugan failed, Hizashi killed many minorly famous Hidden Mist ninjas, thus entering the view of Konoha's high-level officials.
Hearing that Hiashi intended to have his own twin brother lead the escort mission, Minato and the Third Hokage both sensed the Hyūga Clan's sincerity and the importance they placed on the mission. They exchanged glances, and smiles appeared on their faces.
"Led by Hyūga Hizashi?"
"Then I can rest assured."
"Hiashi-sensei, please spare no effort for Kushina's safety. Should the Hyūga Clan ever require my assistance in the future, I will provide all the help I can, as long as it is within my power."
Minato offered his commitment to the Hyūga Clan with a warm smile. Although the Hokage and the Hyūga were theoretically in a subordinate relationship, due to the Hyūga Clan's uniqueness, Minato still gave Hiashi a courtesy unimaginable for ordinary ninjas.
The essence of a close relationship is, after all, "you trouble me, and I trouble you."
While Minato's personal strength was beyond doubt, due to his background, his foundation as Hokage was still shallow. Even after becoming the Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage and the Konoha Elders still heavily influenced his various policies.
Backing these figures were the Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura Clan, and the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance of ninja clans. Minato understood Konoha's power structure thoroughly, and he needed to cultivate and win over ninja forces that could support him. Gaining the support of Hyūga Hiashi was thus an important political strategy.
Hiashi, the party involved, was inwardly delighted by Minato's words but spoke politely:
"To say such things is truly too distant. This is all for the Village; it is simply what we ought to do."
As they spoke, Hiashi and Minato exchanged glances and then smiled knowingly. Communication between smart people is often very efficient.
With the tea ceremony, Konoha's leadership and the Hyūga Clan reached a consensus. Afterward, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Minato couple did not linger. After finishing their tea, they used Kushina's fatigue as an excuse and departed from the Hyūga Clan compound.
Hiashi, leading Hyūga Shinichi and Hyūga Shin, escorted the guests to the compound gate. After watching them leave, they returned inside the house.
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