Aokawa didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear.
Minato Namikaze looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded. "Aokawa, a talent like yours indeed shouldn't be bound by such shackles."
"It's just that the Caged Bird Seal is not as simple as you think."
"I understand."
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say more."
Minato Namikaze picked up a brush and began writing rapidly on scrolls, not stopping until he had filled three of them.
He handed the three scrolls to Aokawa and said, "These contain some basic knowledge of Sealing Techniques and two seals of relatively moderate difficulty: one is the Yin-Yang Seal, and the other is the Four Symbols Seal."
"Once you've learned these, I will teach you other Sealing Techniques."
Yin-Yang Seal?
Four Symbols Seal?
Aren't these the two Sealing Techniques I previously obtained from Minato?
But I already know these two.
"Lord Minato, could you write a couple more? You are so busy with a thousand things every day, it wouldn't be good to keep disturbing you," Aokawa said.
"Do not underestimate Sealing Techniques." Minato Namikaze thought Aokawa was suffering from a bout of Genius-level arrogance and explained: "Sealing Techniques are much more complex than Ninjutsu. Biting off more than you can chew is unwise. Wait until you've mastered these, and then I'll teach you others."
Aokawa could only nod. After thanking him, he turned and took his leave.
Over the next few days, Aokawa began cramming his knowledge of Sealing Techniques.
Minato Namikaze also became very busy. Aokawa went to find him twice but didn't run into him, so he hadn't obtained any new Sealing Techniques... Meanwhile, in the Hyuga Clan compound in Konoha Village.
Inside the Clan Chief's residence, the atmosphere was heavy.
A Ninja from the Branch House knelt on the floor, looking panicked.
"Clan Head, news... news has come from the Front Lines."
"Lord Minato Namikaze has rejected the recall order."
His voice was trembling.
"And in his capacity as the Battlefield commander, he has appointed Aokawa as his direct subordinate. No one is allowed to move him without his command."
Hyuga Hiashi sat upright, expressionless.
The Ninja swallowed hard and buried his head even lower.
"Also..."
"After learning the news, Grand Elder Ieyasu did not report to you..."
"Instead, he took two other Elders and went directly to the Hokage Building!"
"He said he wanted to demand an explanation from the Sandaime!"
Bang!
The low table in front of Hyuga Hiashi cracked under the force of his palm.
His face instantly turned livid.
This was no longer just being sidelined.
This was blatant disregard!
First, he had dispatched three Jonin without Hiashi's consent.
Now, he had directly bypassed him as the Clan Chief to pressure the Hokage in the name of the Hyuga Clan!
His dignity as Clan Chief was being ruthlessly trampled upon by Hyuga Ieyasu.
"Brother, please stay calm!"
The nearby Hyuga Hizashi looked worried and stepped forward quickly.
"Elder Ieyasu has deep roots in the clan; we cannot easily have a direct confrontation with him."
"Calm?"
Hyuga Hiashi stood up abruptly, his voice cold.
"If I do not assert the authority of the Clan Chief today,"
"Then the position of the Hyuga Clan Chief will truly become a joke!"
He straightened the white Haori that symbolized his status as Clan Chief, his eyes becoming sharp.
He strode purposefully toward the Elder Council.
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