Hinata's answer was somewhat unexpected for Iruka. Although he was a conscientious teacher who not only cared about his students' studies but also paid close attention to their family situations, the Hyūga clan was different.
Even he could not actively probe into their affairs. Iruka was, after all, only a Chūnin, and in a strict hierarchical village like Konoha, he didn't have the authority to investigate the circumstances of the Hyūga.
Hanako and the Hyūga maid usually accompanied Hinata to school. Iruka had only occasionally heard rumors that a super genius had indeed emerged from the younger generation of the Hyūga Main Family. Reflecting on it, the rumored genius of the Hyūga clan must be Hinata's elder brother.
He glanced toward Hyūga Shinichi, not far away, a look of curiosity in his eyes.
The instinctively sharp Hyūga Shinichi naturally sensed Iruka's gaze. He didn't mind; instead, he offered Iruka a warm smile and a slight nod, a polite and proactive greeting.
Seeing this, Iruka bowed in return. The genius of the Hyūga Main Family... what surprised Iruka was that Shinichi seemed to be a kind person, without the arrogance typically found in children of a great clan. Iruka felt that kind of haughty aristocratic air more strongly in the much younger Uchiha Sasuke.
After seeing Hinata enter the academy, Hyūga Shinichi did not linger. After watching for a while, he slowly walked away, heading in the direction of the Hokage Tower.
Having time to wander leisurely in the village was a rare experience for Shinichi. Looking at the Hokage Rock in the distance, Hyūga Shinichi involuntarily slowed his pace, taking in the vibrant atmosphere of Konoha in the morning.
The closer he got to the Hokage Tower, the higher the proportion of ninja among the passing pedestrians became. Although Hyūga Shinichi kept a low profile, his reputation was quite well-known in the middle and upper ranks of the ninja community.
As he approached the Hokage Tower, the number of eyes cast upon him increased.
The Akimichi clan ninja guarding the entrance had already noticed the casually strolling Hyūga Shinichi early on. Before Shinichi even got close, one rushed forward to greet him:
"Lord Shinichi! Are you here to see the Hokage-sama?"
Although it was their first meeting, the guard immediately recognized Hyūga Shinichi, speaking in a familiar, respectful tone.
While Hyūga Shinichi had been recommended by Minato Namikaze to become a Jōnin upon his return officially, the rank of Jōnin was not the reason the Akimichi ninja called him "Lord." As the heir to the Hyūga Main Family, it was never wrong for others to address him as "Lord."
Although the Akimichi were also a ninja clan, they were significantly less powerful compared to a colossus like the Hyūga. To him, Hyūga Shinichi was indeed a "big figure."
"Yes, I have something to discuss with the Fourth Hokage. Is he available?"
The role of a gate guard encompasses a range of tasks. Security is the most basic, but conveying messages is their daily routine. Not everyone can see the Hokage at will, but Hyūga Shinichi's background was so high that it created the illusion that he could. An ordinary ninja in the village might never see the Hokage more than a few times in their entire lives.
Hearing Shinichi's request, the Akimichi ninja didn't hesitate, bowed, and quickly ran upstairs. Before long, he returned and escorted Shinichi towards the Hokage's office.
Compared to his previous visits, the guard ninja at the Hokage Tower were noticeably more disciplined. Although Minato had a kind personality, his management ability was much stronger than the Third Hokage's. His subordinates were well-trained and orderly, not lax at all.
Knocking on the office door, Minato, sitting behind his desk, smiled the moment he saw Shinichi enter:
"Shinichi, you're here."
"I was just thinking that if you didn't come, I'd have to find time to look for you."
"How are you? Are you injured?"
Minato Namikaze had a specific meaning in mind. He knew that Hyūga Shinichi had left the village using the Flying Thunder God. He had sensed the chakra fluctuation from the Mini Tailed Beast Bomb used by Shinichi to destroy the White Zetsu, which prompted his question.
"No, although the enemies were powerful, my abilities held a slight advantage over them."
Seeing Minato's concern for his physical condition, Shinichi smiled and replied as he walked toward the desk.
"What kind of enemies?" Minato got straight to the point. With his intelligence, he naturally understood Shinichi's purpose for visiting today.
"The enemies were a two-person team. Kakuzu, a missing-nin from Takigakure, and the other was Sasori, a missing-nin from Sunagakure and a puppet master."
"These two attacked some of the Hyūga clan's businesses within the country. I received the news, pursued them, and a battle broke out."
"The puppet master named Sasori was killed by me, while the other one, Kakuzu, successfully escaped."
"It's worth noting that their attire was identical: they wore black robes embroidered with a pattern of red clouds."
"Also, just as I was preparing to pursue Kakuzu, a white creature appeared and blocked my path."
"Minato-nii, I recall that on the night Kushina-sensei gave birth, the attacker was not just the masked man, was it?"
"After that incident, I carefully questioned Hizashi-ojisan about what happened during the escort. The enemies I encountered this time and the enemies who attacked Kushina-sensei back then might be part of the same group!"
A flash of divine light appeared in Hyūga Shinichi's eyes. The information he revealed instantly made Minato Namikaze serious. After a brief moment of contemplation, Minato recalled the events of that year. Coming back to the present, Minato mused:
"You mean..."
"Those people are Obito's subordinates?"
"But... Wait, Shinichi, what kind of business of the Hyūga clan was attacked?"
Minato couldn't understand the enemy's goal. From Shinichi's description, the attack on the Hyūga seemed to be an organized effort. So what was the purpose of that organization? What was Obito trying to do?!
"Bounty Stations. Their target was the cash stored in the Bounty Stations."
"I don't know what they need so much money for."
"But one thing is clear: the members of this organization seem to be composed primarily of gathered missing-nin from various villages."
Hyūga Shinichi possessed a lot of intelligence, but could not reveal everything. Shinichi needed to control the degree of information leakage himself.
The fact that he could link the current Kakuzu and Sasori to Obito through the White Zetsu incident was enough to attract the Fourth Hokage's attention.
Although the Akatsuki organization was powerful and excellent at concealment, if Konoha Village seriously investigated them, they would still be able to find traces of their movements. As long as Minato recognized the organization and its threat, the scope for manipulation would increase.
If Akatsuki could be eliminated before it grew stronger, that would naturally be the best outcome.
At the very least... Konoha must avoid being destroyed by Pain's Almighty Push.
When the conversation turned to the possible connection between Obito and the enemies Shinichi encountered, Minato naturally took it very seriously, and his questions became exceptionally detailed. Kushina's ordeal that year had always been a deeply painful scar for Minato. His own student becoming a missing-nin to attack Konoha and his wife had left a lasting shadow on Minato.
If there was one regret Minato had in life that he wanted to remedy, it was bringing his student Obito back to the right path. However, he had never mentioned this to anyone. Even Shinichi thought Minato only wanted to find Obito to eliminate a hidden threat.
Since Minato asked for details, Shinichi naturally revealed more information. After all, Minato was asking, so Shinichi could disclose some of what he knew in the form of "guesses."
This included, but was not limited to: the enemy had a tightly organized structure; the people in the organization were "very likely" all S-rank missing-nin, comparable to Kage-level powerhouses; they typically acted in two-person teams; and this organization's efforts to raise funds would likely not cease.
At the same time, Shinichi also told Minato that Sasori, who died by his hand, was the true culprit behind the assassination of the Third Kazekage and had even turned the Third Kazekage's body into a human puppet.
With the example of Sasori, the intelligence Shinichi revealed about Akatsuki naturally drew Minato's utmost attention. Although he didn't know the total number of people in the organization, such a group gathering would never be for charity.
Minato and Shinichi reached a consensus: this organization had great ambition. While gathering funds, they were also expanding their military power. Considering Obito's attack on Kushina that year, they would likely target Jinchūriki again sooner or later.
Shinichi didn't reveal more specific information about Akatsuki's members, but Minato already had a response plan in mind. However, this plan...
"Shinichi, I have something I want to ask of you!"
Shinichi and Minato talked for nearly an hour. As the conversation drew to a close, Minato suddenly looked earnestly at Shinichi and said in a deep voice.
"Oh..."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow:
"No need to say 'ask'... Minato-nii, just tell me what you need me to do."
Shinichi had a vague suspicion but maintained a calm expression.
"Regarding that organization, I want to entrust the investigation to the Hyūga clan."
"The village has just gone through a war and is currently short on personnel. Furthermore, there are only a handful of people in the village capable of investigating that organization."
"You have engaged the organization several times and are somewhat familiar with them. The Hyūga clan's Byakugan is also particularly suited for reconnaissance in this area."
"Although the organization hasn't caused any major trouble recently, we cannot afford to do nothing."
"Shinichi, what do you think?"
Minato Namikaze was now aware of Akatsuki's existence, making it impossible for him to ignore it.
But, as Minato said, while Konoha looked "at its peak" and had just gone through a generational change, the village only had a few top-tier powerhouses. If the members of Obito's organization were as powerful as Shinichi predicted, then there truly were only a handful of people in the village capable of investigating them.
As the Hokage, he, Minato, could not actively go on the offensive. Kushina was a Jinchūriki, and Minato was uneasy about her leaving his side. Danzō and Hiruzen were either untrustworthy or too old and frail.
Among Minato's contemporaries, there were no particularly outstanding individuals, and among the new generation, the only person capable of investigating that organization was Hyūga Shinichi.
Upon careful reflection, Shinichi was the most suitable person to undertake this mission. Shinichi was strong enough and understood the organization. The only concern was his status as the Hyūga Main Family's heir and the clan's attitude toward such a high-risk mission...
"For the sake of the village, as a Konoha ninja, I am naturally obligated to investigate that organization."
"However, relying solely on our Hyūga clan for this mission is somewhat inadequate."
"As you know, while the Hyūga clan has the Byakugan, our weaknesses in combat are still quite apparent."
"I require different types of ninja to act alongside me."
Shinichi did not object to Minato's request. Upon careful consideration, he understood Minato's current predicament.
Ultimately, the village had too few cards in hand, and even fewer trump cards. Unfortunately, Akatsuki were all "Wild Cards." If Konoha didn't send an investigation team of equal strength to investigate Akatsuki, the result would only be a massacre.
Shinichi understood this. Coincidentally, he also hoped to use this opportunity to legitimately travel outside the village, thereby avoiding internal strife and conflicts within Konoha. Although Danzō and Hiruzen were suppressed by Minato, it was hard to say what they might be doing in private. By accepting this mission, Shinichi could also pull away a group of elites, allowing certain individuals to avoid the internal conflicts of the village.
"Hmm... You have a point. Who would you like to assist you?"
"This will be a long-term mission. I will grant you sufficient freedom. Just tell me whose abilities you value, and I will not refuse what I can agree to."
Minato was very generous. He was pleased that Shinichi accepted the mission without hesitation. After all, this was for Konoha, and it was to protect Kushina.
"This mission is fundamentally focused on reconnaissance and investigation, so the number of personnel doesn't need to be too large."
"Since I am leading it... I require members with rich tracking experience and Ninjutsu that complement mine."
"Please assign Uchiha Shisui and Might Guy to me."
"Shisui is meticulous and experienced in tracking. Guy's fighting style is open and wide-ranging, which complements my combat style well."
"On top of these two, if you could also assign Hatake Kakashi to me, that would be even better."
Over the years, Kakashi had made a name for himself in the ninja world as the "Copy Ninja." Kakashi, who was proficient in various Ninjutsu, could compensate for the squad's lack of diverse techniques.
Although Kakashi was still green, it didn't matter. After all, Uchiha Obito would probably be hesitant to show his face out of respect for his former teammate! If Kakashi could miraculously become familiar with the Mangekyō Sharingan and learn to use Kamui prematurely during the operation, the mission would be even easier to complete!
Hearing the names of the ninja Shinichi requested, Minato nodded silently. They were all pillars of the younger generation, strong in ability and immense in potential. With Shinichi's Flying Thunder God Technique in play, Minato was not overly concerned about their safety.
After a moment of thought, Minato nodded:
"I will arrange for all the people you've requested."
"Take some time to rest first. I will issue the formal assignment order in a few days."
"I want you to investigate this matter as the Anbu Squad Leader, reporting directly to me."
"Shinichi, be careful. Konoha's safety rests with you!"
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