Konoha Village.
A person dressed in Anbu attire, with a long sword at their waist and short hair, arrived at the Hokage Office.
Although there were two Anbu guards at the entrance, when this person arrived, the guards merely saluted him without any attempt to stop him.
The newcomer didn't knock, directly pushing the door open and entering.
Third Hokage looked up from his desk, a look of surprise on his face:
"Why are you back?"
The person gestured, indicating for Third Hokage not to speak yet.
And with quick hand seals, a spherical Sound-Sealing Barrier spread out.
Third Hokage's expression grew serious; clearly, the other party had brought very important news.
"Father, our base in the northwest has been discovered."
The person was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi's eldest son, Sarutobi Kunihiko.
He was a rare multi-talented individual; in addition to the Sarutobi Clan's Fire Release, he also possessed strong sensory abilities and some mastery in Sealing Jutsu.
For years, he had been in the Anbu, solving countless problems for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He was also the most favored successor of the Sarutobi Clan.
"The base was discovered? Were personnel details exposed?"
Third Hokage immediately furrowed his brows. The entrance to that base required entering a cave, and the main part was even more hidden beneath a cliff.
Kunihiko nodded, his face full of anxiety:
"It seems all intelligence has been exposed, including how many people we have and our training scenarios."
Third Hokage stood up: "What happened?"
"Three days ago, we were training, and I sensed eyes prying on us."
"So I immediately sent Enmori to investigate."
"But the location Enmori checked was unable to see our base."
"Unless the other party has X-ray Vision."
"X-ray Vision!?" Third Hokage's mind worked quickly, instantly understanding what Kunihiko meant:
"The Hyuga Clan?"
Kunihiko affirmed: "It can only be the Hyuga Clan. I've already told Enmori to have the base personnel pack up, ready to evacuate at any time."
"However, our intelligence should have already been intercepted by the Hyuga Clan."
The Hyuga Clan's continuous opposition to the peace talks between Konoha and Kumogakure had already displeased Third Hokage greatly. He never expected them to discover his Sarutobi Clan's training base this time.
[Could it be that they deliberately tracked my people?]
Thinking of this, a dangerous glint appeared in Third Hokage's eyes.
"Father, do you need me to stay in Konoha?"
Kunihiko naturally understood the seriousness of the situation and asked Third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment, then objected:
"You don't need to stay. Take the base personnel to the old site of the Land of Whirlpools. There's no one there, so establish a base there and continue training our clansmen."
After the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, the major ninja villages in the Ninja World divided up many good things.
Even the Sealing Jutsu for Jinchuriki used by various ninja villages, to varying degrees, originated from Uzushio Village.
The Ninja World doesn't lack land; every ninja village has many undeveloped areas.
Precisely because all ninja villages had a share in the spoils, anyone trying to occupy this place would easily be attacked by other ninja villages.
The old site of the Land of Whirlpools, conversely, became ownerless land.
However, a small number of Sarutobi Clan members secretly establishing a base there would not create this problem.
"Even if the Hyuga people discovered our Sarutobi Clan's base this time, Konoha is still my word."
"Yes, Father, I'll be going now."
Kunihiko was not one to dally; his main purpose in returning this time was to deliver this intelligence.
Now that he found Third Hokage didn't need him to stay, he immediately left.
After Kunihiko left, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe.
[Hiashi, what exactly are you trying to do?]
...Aoran created a Shadow Clone, taking Karin to buy clothes and daily necessities, while he himself went to Hizashi's residence.
"Aoran, you're here. Let's go."
Seeing Aoran arrive, Hizashi waved to him and walked towards the branch family's training ground.
"When your father was still alive, this was the place he visited most often."
"Now that he's gone, you should get to know his friends too."
"Your situation is very special, I can't teach you Gentle Fist."
"But if anything happens, they will all help you."
Although Hizashi felt it was a pity Aoran couldn't practice Gentle Fist, he still thought of him wholeheartedly.
"It's alright, Lord Hizashi, this is already good. There's still a long way to go. No need to rush."
Aoran didn't aspire to Gentle Fist; in his opinion, with super long-range vision, it was naturally best paired with super long-range attacks.
No one would practice Gentle Fist.
However, he wasn't averse to getting to know more people from the branch family; he might need their strength to save Hizashi later.
As they continued deeper, the surroundings also began to improve.
Winding corridors connected scattered, well-arranged houses, with elegant landscape paintings faintly visible on the doors.
In the spacious central courtyard was an open training dojo.
Dozens of branch family disciples were performing their daily Gentle Fist training in this dojo.
Gentle Fist is a very time-consuming technique, with many branches, which ordinary people can't learn in a lifetime.
However, basic skills are something that all combat personnel diligently practice.
"Lord Hizashi." Seeing Hizashi approach, everyone saluted him.
From their expressions, everyone highly respected Hizashi.
"Lord Hizashi."
Hyuga Hayato put down the giant iron anvil in his hand and came before Hizashi.
At this moment, he was wearing a thin single garment, steam rising from his entire body.
Coming before Aoran, a huge shadow directly enveloped him.
"Ah, Aoran, you're here too."
He said, patting Aoran's shoulder with a hand as big as a palm fan.
A great force came through Aoran, making him sway and almost stumble.
Aoran smiled and greeted: "Brother Yuren... Uncle..."
Hearing Aoran's address, Hayato shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, I'm only ten-odd years older than you, just call me 'Brother'."
Hizashi also smiled from the side.
Most people here were Masahiko's (Aoran's father) peers.
Only Hayato, whose age was just below Masahiko's and not much older than Aoran's.
Being straightforward, he had good relationships with both the older and younger generations.
Although he looked like a bear, he didn't like being called 'Uncle'.
Aoran didn't mind and immediately changed his address: "Brother Yuren."
Hayato laughed heartily.
"You're in good shape. Come here often in the future and get acquainted with ninja knowledge early."
Hizashi, watching Hayato communicate smoothly with Aoran, felt pleased.
He waved to the side: "Hideaki, come."
A handsome man walked to his side.
"This is Hideaki, he's responsible for clan member registration."
"Give him the completed forms."
Aoran politely greeted: "Uncle Hideaki."
Hideaki's demeanor was gentle: "I'm Masahiko's friend, you can tell me if you have any problems in the future."
Aoran, however, found Hideaki's face somewhat familiar. He thought back carefully.
He seemed to have seen someone with this face in the main family before.
"But if you see someone with their nostrils flared, and the same face as me, don't mistake him."
"That's Shuto of the main family."
Aoran was dumbfounded; this preventative warning was given so quickly. He guessed many people must have mistaken them.
"Okay, Uncle Hideaki, I've noted that."
Shuto's arrogant and condescending appearance was deeply etched in Aoran's mind; even if they had the same face, he wouldn't mistake them.
This kind of situation must be unique to twins, with one brother in the main family and the other in the branch family.
"This is Kai, this is Ryu, this is Teru."
"Asahi, Aoto, Ushio..."
"These are all your father's good friends. Get to know them well, and later they can take you on missions."
Hizashi introduced all the high-ranking members of the branch family to Aoran.
And it was entirely a 'cramming' method of building rapport.
After all, the cultivation of ordinary people and geniuses cannot follow the same path, and Aoran was so precocious.
He had already activated one Byakugan, and if he were to activate a Sharingan later...
He might even be brought back to the Uchiha Clan.
The deeper Aoran's feelings for the branch family, the more he could become a link for communication between the Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan.
This would be a great benefit for the Hyuga Clan.
The main family would then also show some respect to the branch family, making their lives easier.
Although these assumptions were the most ideal outcomes, Hizashi still wanted to try.
After all, low input, high return, why not?
Although Hizashi hadn't told others about Aoran awakening the Byakugan, he had already revealed information about Aoran's extraordinary talent.
Everyone was somewhat curious when they came over.
After all, even if they were uncles, they didn't have much free time to build rapport with a child.
But upon interaction, they were surprised to find that although Aoran was young, his way of speaking revealed a maturity beyond his age.
He was also sufficiently polite to these uncles.
And after greeting everyone and chatting, he immediately excused himself, not lingering excessively.
Making them all feel that this child definitely had a future...