Chapter 3 Metamorphosis
"So, you summoned us here because of this?"
As the sun set, in the Hokage's office, Danzo Shimura calmly looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But inwardly, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief: Thank goodness, it wasn't about me!
Today, he was at Root, reviewing the research report Orochimaru had sent him, and that chilling "debt collection letter."
Before he could even dream of becoming Hokage, he heard the Anbu had come knocking!
This terrified him, after all, Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed led the Anbu to surround him and the entire Root...
Thankfully, only one person came, and he wanted him to attend a meeting in the Hokage's office.
However, he wasn't entirely at ease until he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation, at which point his anxiety subsided.
"That's right, I'd like to hear your opinions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, unaware of Danzo's thoughts, glanced at Danzo before looking at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado before continuing,
"Personally, I think this is a good opportunity to deal with the current situation of the Hyuga clan."
"Indeed, especially since he's from a branch family, but..."
Koharu Utatane nodded with a somewhat troubled expression, and Homura Mitokado immediately chimed in,
"He's not Hizashi Hyuga, I'm worried about whether he can shoulder all of this."
"Danzo, what do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't object, but instead looked curiously at his old friend.
"A good idea."
Danzo Shimura quickly got into work mode, speaking calmly,
"The Hyuga clan is too 'united,' always putting their own interests above the Hidden Leaf Village, especially after what happened a few years ago..."
These words immediately caused displeasure to appear on the faces of those present.
"It's a grand event for the whole village, even those lunatics from the Uchiha clan came, and you all didn't show up because of your eldest daughter's birthday?
Even sending an elder would have been better, just one would have made things easier for everyone... And the way things turned out, nobody would be happy about that."
"But Koharu and Homura have both made it very clear that that kid is probably not qualified. Should we let him train with me?"
Just as everyone was silent, Danzo continued, immediately causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to roll his eyes.
The Hyuga clan had never had anyone join the Anbu, and Root couldn't recruit anyone either.
Now that this opportunity had arisen, Danzo naturally wanted to give it a try!
"It seems you don't quite understand that child."
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo before continuing in a low voice.
"Makoto is very popular, a child with the Will of Fire."
"....."
Danzo was speechless. He'd already mentioned the 'Will of Fire,' what else could he say?
"Besides, his usual performance isn't bad either."
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, unconcerned.
"Having someone to lead and train you in the Anbu is enough."
"Since you say so, Third Hokage..."
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged a glance, then immediately expressed their opinions.
"Then we have no objections, it's just that Hiashi Hyuga..."
"I will personally visit him and tell him that I have invited Makoto to join."
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already thought of how to handle this, and finally he turned his gaze to Danzo.
"What about you, what do you think?"
"Hmph, I have reservations."
Danzo snorted coldly with some dissatisfaction, anyway, it didn't matter whether he agreed or not.
"Then think about it carefully."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded, then he stroked his chin.
"Actually, I also have a question I need to think about carefully."
"What question?"
"You recommended Itachi to join the Anbu. If we don't recruit Hyuga members, won't the village think we're biased towards Uchiha...?"
"Don't overthink it!"
"I completely agree!"
"....."
....
"I heard you went to see the Third Hokage?"
Under the sparse moonlight and stars, in the pavilion of the Hyuga clan head's residence,
Hiashi Hyuga asked softly while sipping tea. Hyuga Makoto immediately nodded.
"Yes, Clan Head."
"Then..."
Hiashi Hyuga put down his teacup and spoke meaningfully.
"Is there any result regarding your desire to join the Anbu?"
"This..."
Hyuga Makoto scratched his head. He knew Hiashi Hyuga would ask, but he didn't expect him to be so direct.
As for the result, he did.
After all, he had already obtained the benefits!
[Name: Hyuga Makoto]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Moon Otsutsuki (5%)]
[Doujutsu: Tenseigan (1%)]
[Chakra Affinity: Yin, Yang]
Hyuga Makoto has undergone a complete transformation.
Especially his eyes; he never imagined they could evolve into the Tenseigan!
"Although, my Tenseigan is somewhat different..."
He had already checked before coming here; his Tenseigan wasn't the deep blue of Toneri Otsutsuki's.
Instead, it was a pale gold, like the Tenseigan in Hamura Shrine.
Perhaps because of this, he gained two very interesting abilities.
One was a special puppet manipulation technique, and the other was "Tsukimi-no-Mikoto."
Especially "Tsukimi-no-Mikoto," this technique allowed him to resonate with the lunar Tenseigan, thus unleashing its energy!
"According to the description, although I might be affected by those madmen on the moon, I won't be easily locked onto..."
Those madmen on the moon, though reduced to the old, weak, and disabled after a civil war, could indeed control the Tenseigan.
Hyuga Makoto planned to try it later; he wanted to see the extent of the influence and also check on those guys' condition.
"If only one blind person is left, then I can really consider going for a heavy blow..."
Besides that, there was one more crucial thing: his Caged Bird Seal had failed!
After all, the Caged Bird Seal targets the Byakugan, but what does it have to do with the Tenseigan?
"Even if my eye's development is only 1%, its essence has already changed..."
Even if he reverts to the Byakugan now, even if the Caged Bird Seal mark is still there, it won't affect him anymore!
He's even somewhat relieved that the mark hasn't been erased.
"A branch family member suddenly losing their Caged Bird Seal but still being alive, that's the most terrifying thing..."
But even though he has the answer, he can't just blurt it out.
After thinking for a moment, he showed an embarrassed expression.
"Clan Head, so you already knew."
"I know, but that's all I know."
Hiashi Hyuga shook his head. If it weren't for his tacit approval, how could things have come to this?
"Makoto, now it's time to answer my question."
"Clan Head, the Third Hokage forbade me to speak carelessly."
Hyuga Makoto spoke cautiously, but seeing Hiashi Hyuga frown, he immediately added.
"However, the Third Hokage did keep my application."
"Oh?"
Hiashi Hyuga raised an eyebrow. The fact that he accepted the application so readily was enough to show...
"The Third Hokage already has a lot of opinions about the Hyuga!"
This wasn't surprising, as there was always conflict between the village and the clan.
Although he felt the Hyuga were much better than the Uchiha,
the events of that year had had a terrible impact, and Hizashi's experience had given him the idea of 'going against his ancestors.'
For years, he had been pondering whether he should do it, and how he should do it.
Just then, he noticed Hyuga Makoto.
At first, he was also puzzled. Did Hyuga Makoto know what he was doing? Why did this kid have the idea of joining the Anbu? After thinking it over, he suspected that the kid might have overheard something while staying at Hizashi's house.
However, he didn't investigate further because he had an idea!
"Let him try. It will allow us to see the village's attitude, and if he succeeds, we might be able to use the village to help me in the future."
That's how this plan came about, and he did indeed see some results.
"Since the Third Hokage told you not to talk nonsense, let's leave it at that."
Thinking this, he spoke softly.
"Also, until this matter is resolved, it's only between you and me, understand?"
"Yes."
Hyuga Makoto nodded honestly. He certainly wouldn't speak carelessly; this was a matter of life and death!
"It's getting late, you should go back and rest too."
Hiashi Hyuga put down his cup and stood up, speaking slowly and earnestly.
"By the way, Hinata trusts you a lot. No matter what happens in the future, try not to let her fall behind in her studies."
"I understand, Clan Head."
Hyuga Makoto nodded seriously, then said softly.
"Then I'll take my leave."
After saying this, Hyuga Makoto quickly left.
He had actually wanted to leave for a long time; after all, he still had too many things to ponder.
"Hizashi, was this what you were thinking back then?"
Hiashi Hyuga watched quietly, then sighed softly after a while.
"I wonder how far this will go..."
With that murmur, his thoughts returned to the punch he received that night.
He didn't notice that behind him, by the window of the large house, Hinata was holding Hanabi, also watching Hyuga Makoto's departing figure...