Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 44: We're Comrades!

Hearing Minato's words, Jiraiya glanced at Hyuga Fuji and murmured, "I heard you selected guards from both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans. He's one of them, isn't he?"

"Yes, Fuji is incredibly strong. He fought alongside me to take down the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"Oh? You dealt with those troublesome guys?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and gave Hyuga Fuji an impressed look. "Not bad."

In two days, with no reliable source of information, no one here had yet realized that Fuji had mastered the Flying Thunder God technique.

Noticing this, Minato's smile grew even brighter. "Fuji has already learned the Flying Thunder God. With the two of us working together, no one will be able to stop us."

Originally just surprised that a Hyuga branch member had this level of skill, Jiraiya's eyes now widened in shock. "The second user of the Flying Thunder God?"

"My mastery of the Flying Thunder God hasn't reached the level of the Fourth Hokage," Hyuga Fuji said calmly, "but combined with the visual range of the Byakugan, it gives me certain advantages in long-range teleportation."

Two Flying Thunder God users, one of them from the Hyuga clan, and the enemy still unaware… Jiraiya pondered this for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, since you're prepared, I won't say any more."

"You're the Hokage now, so as a jonin, I'll simply follow your orders."

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he joked, "That said, I'd love to see Orochimaru's reaction. He was the one most likely to compete with you for the Hokage title. I bet seeing the words 'Fourth Hokage' behind you would stir up some complicated feelings."

"I heard from the Third Hokage that it was Orochimaru-senpai stepping back from the competition that allowed me to take the position smoothly," Minato said with a shake of his head.

Jiraiya paused, scratching his head.

"Really? Orochimaru never told me that."

Thinking back to how he had bragged about Minato in front of Orochimaru, Jiraiya suddenly recalled Orochimaru's calm expression at the time. His brow furrowed.

Could Orochimaru have been secretly mocking him then?

Even with his thick skin, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed…

Shaking his head to dispel the awkward thought, Jiraiya turned back to Hyuga Fuji and said with a sigh, "The village is full of talent now. Looking at you all, I feel like the time for us Sannin is coming to an end."

Hyuga Fuji shook his head. "My strength still has a long way to go before it reaches your level, Jiraiya-senpai."

There was no doubting Jiraiya's strength. His battle against the Six Paths of Pain, despite lacking prior information, was remarkable. In an era before the scale of power was completely unbalanced, his abilities were among the best in the ninja world.

"That's right, sensei. You're still young, and I have much to learn from you."

Minato chuckled lightly, bringing the conversation to an end. Looking down at the map on the table, he said, "Let's talk about how to deal with those two Jinchuriki."

...

"What are your thoughts, Fuji?"

After Jiraiya left, Minato turned to Hyuga Fuji, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, and sighed.

"It's just the two of us. As friends, surely you can share your thoughts?"

Minato had originally planned to use this opportunity to bring Hyuga Fuji into the village's core decision-making circle, but the latter hadn't offered a single suggestion during the meeting.

Hyuga Fuji pointed to his forehead. "I've already spoken with Tsunade-sama. Even if the Caged Bird Seal has been resolved, you shouldn't openly show your intentions to involve me in decision-making."

Minato froze for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

"So, you figured it out? Was I being too obvious?"

Hyuga Fuji didn't respond to that and continued, "Your line of thinking has deviated from that of a Hokage. Between empowering a strong Hyuga branch member and offending the Hyuga main family—losing the future support of the entire Hyuga clan—you should choose the latter."

"…Maybe you're right."

Minato fell silent for a moment, then gave a bright, unclouded smile.

"But… we're comrades!"

"How can I stand by and watch a comrade live behind a false mask, rarely smiling, and turn a blind eye? I can't do it!"

"I will bring about change. Tsunade-senpai has already laid the foundation for me, and I will transform the Hyuga clan!"

"…"

Seeing Minato's unwavering determination, Hyuga Fuji let out a sigh. "I understand. But until the change happens, don't involve me in certain decisions."

While many of Minato's ideals and approaches differed from his own, Fuji respected Minato's conviction and character.

But there's no longer a need for you to make that change.

Through the vision granted by Hyuga Meijoku, Fuji observed a certain Edo Tensei ninja holding a scroll as he retreated into a suddenly appearing coffin.

Inside that scroll… were 28 Byakugan belonging to the Hyuga main family. Except for Hiashi and his wife, every main family member's Byakugan was there.

"Alright," Minato agreed with a smile. "But at least let the two of us talk. Surely you won't oppose that? What are your thoughts on this war?"

Hyuga Fuji responded, "The Third Mizukage has staked Kirigakure's entire future on this. There must be internal dissent. Rumors alone could weaken their morale."

Minato considered this. "What about spreading word that the Third Mizukage is under genjutsu? We could even have a Hyuga ninja openly say this in front of the Mist, using the Byakugan to confirm it. His actions have been far from rational for a Kage."

Compassion is reserved for comrades. If it can reduce the casualties of the village, there's no need to hold back against enemies.

Showing mercy to the enemy would be a betrayal of the Hokage's name and the village's ninjas.

"…It's feasible."

In fact, it wasn't just feasible. If a Hyuga ninja with a Byakugan observed the Third Mizukage's mind, they would find that he truly was under genjutsu.

Have you read the script?

Fuji gave Minato a strange look, surprised that he had immediately linked the situation to genjutsu. Fuji continued, "But if we do that, the Third Mizukage can't take action. It's best to leave him as a target for criticism."

"I'll handle it," Minato nodded. "Root has spies in Kirigakure who can assist with this."

Now that the Hokage himself had come to the frontlines, command of the units naturally fell to him. Earlier, Jiraiya had willingly placed himself in a subordinate position to make things easier for Minato.

After all, respect for one's teacher was a "fine tradition" in Konoha. If Jiraiya didn't step down, Minato would find it difficult to issue orders to him.

As for Root… Danzo himself didn't want Konoha to lose this war, so he had already lent some of his forces to Minato.

"Hmm…"

With that decision made, Minato frowned, lost in thought.

Noticing this, Hyuga Fuji dropped the honorifics and asked directly, "Do you have other concerns?"

Minato, slightly pleased by Fuji's change in tone, didn't hold back. "What do you think of Root? Or more specifically… do you think it's necessary for them to exist?"

Fuji's consistent formality had always made Minato feel like there was a deliberate distance between them.

Hyuga Fuji narrowed his eyes. "Are you planning to take action against Danzo?"

"No, it's the Third who wants to clear the path for me."

Minato sighed, his gaze shifting toward the command room's door. His tone was complex.

"Konoha has likely already fallen under Danzo's control."

Some matters the Third Hokage hadn't hidden from him. After all, now… Minato was the Hokage!