Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 48: The Third Hokage's Assessment (Part 1)

"Lord Yagura, there's no sign of Jonin Terumi Mei nearby. It's suspected that she was captured alive by Konoha."

A few minutes later, two shinobi appeared before Yagura, kneeling on one knee as they reported.

"Return to camp."

Yagura stared silently at the spot where Hyuga Fuji's shadow clone had vanished, then turned and began heading back to the camp.

The two shinobi exchanged glances, assuming Yagura was in a poor mood due to the loss of the exceptionally talented Jonin, Terumi Mei. Without further thought, they stood and followed him.

...

That evening at the camp, Uchiha Yakumaru walked over to Hyuga Fuji with two grilled fish in hand. He handed one to Fuji before sitting down beside him.

"What are you thinking about? Still dwelling on what that Mist ninja said? With your strength and status now, the Hyuga main family's restrictions on you are nothing but a joke."

"The main family has nothing to do with me. I'm thinking about something else."

Hyuga Fuji took a bite of the fish and frowned slightly. "What did you put in this? Why is it so sweet?"

"Adding sugar makes it taste better."

Yakumaru nonchalantly took out a small container of seasoning, sprinkled more sugar onto his own fish, and took a bite. Speaking through a mouthful of food, he said, "You don't like sweets?"

"There's too much of it." Despite this, Fuji didn't waste the food and finished the fish. Only then did he ask, "Earlier, you mentioned wanting peace. What do you think about children being sent to the battlefield?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward the forest in the distance, where Uchiha Fugaku was training a young child.

"The clan leader's child? His name is Itachi, right?"

Yakumaru followed Fuji's gaze, surprised. "He's only four or five years old, and the clan leader brought him to the battlefield?"

Fuji replied, "I heard it's been some time now."

"... That's a bit early. At his age, coming to the battlefield is a test of his mental resilience."

Yakumaru shrugged, accustomed to such things. "But it's also a continuation of the traditions from the Warring States era. Compared to kunai and explosive tags, a child from a shinobi clan is far more dangerous. No one would spare them just because they're young."

"Many shinobi clans have been wiped out in history. If an enemy has the capability, they won't spare a single person—not even a child. Adapting to the harsh realities of the battlefield early helps them grow faster."

"Isn't that the same with academy students? They start learning how to kill from a young age. After a few ordinary missions following graduation, they begin taking on tasks that require fighting and killing."

Yakumaru's gaze grew distant as he watched Itachi train tirelessly. "Initially, the jōnin instructors only take on non-combat missions with their genin teams. It's a way to gauge whether the newly graduated genin have the cold, detached mindset necessary to be shinobi."

"If they can't handle fighting or killing, quitting being a shinobi is also an option. But once someone chooses the path of a shinobi, there's no room for retreat. If they've started learning ninjutsu and identified themselves as shinobi, then this is simply the natural progression."

"So, it's an inevitability."

Fuji's sudden remark pulled Yakumaru out of his daze. Confused, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Shinobi pass on methods of killing to the next generation. Naturally, their approach to problem-solving centers around killing as well."

"If they want resources or food, they use force. If they seek revenge, they kill. When faced with a problem they can't easily solve, their ingrained habits lead them to prioritize combat as the solution."

Yakumaru's movements froze. He stared at Fuji's pale eyes, as though something significant had crossed his mind, yet he couldn't quite grasp it.

Fuji, however, had already stood up and was heading toward the core of Konoha's camp. "The Hokage wanted me to meet with him at eight. We'll talk later."

Yakumaru watched him leave, then turned his gaze back toward Itachi, his expression clouded with worry.

Shinobi pass on methods of killing to the next generation...

...

Entering the command room, Fuji didn't find the Fourth Hokage as he expected but instead encountered the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.

It seemed he had arrived at the front lines.

Fuji's expression didn't change as he bowed. "Lord Third."

"You're here. Sit."

Hiruzen gestured to the seat in front of him. After Fuji sat down, the Third Hokage got straight to the point. "Minato wants to use this war to build up your reputation and entrust you with a certain position. He holds you in high regard, so I'd like to assess your abilities myself."

With that, he took out a file and placed it on the table.

"Take a look at its contents and share your thoughts."

Fuji picked up the file and flipped through it slowly. He was already aware of most of the information within. The only sounds in the room were the rustling of papers and the Third Hokage puffing on his pipe.

After Fuji put the file down, Hiruzen asked, "What do you think?"

"Sarutobi Masaki is your man."

Hiruzen's hand, holding the pipe, paused momentarily. He looked up at Fuji's calm face and smiled faintly. "You're sharp."

The comment seemed to convey more than just affirmation. Hiruzen continued with a smile, "He was someone I placed by Koharu and Homura's sides early in my tenure. Back then, I was a leader chosen in a time of crisis. The shinobi clans didn't fully recognize me, so I needed the support of the clans backing my two old friends."

"At the time, the clans behind them were still weak and held little sway in Konoha's politics, so I had Masaki assist in their growth."

"But in the end, my two old friends fully aligned themselves with the shinobi clans, and Masaki naturally followed them as well."

He didn't speak a single falsehood. He understood that since Fuji could discern Masaki's affiliation, lying would be pointless.

"However, what they didn't know is that Masaki has always been loyal to me. How did you figure it out?"

"His actions."

"His actions?"

Fuji replied flatly, "He forced Tsunade out of the village."

Hiruzen's expression shifted subtly. After a moment of realization, he shook his head helplessly. "Masaki was too hasty."

Tsunade held unique political significance in Konoha. Even now, given the current situation, if she decided to oust the Fourth Hokage and take the position herself, many of the shinobi clans that had once opposed her would shamelessly rally around her, helping her ascend to the role without hesitation.

At worst, they could find a scapegoat to take the blame while the clan benefited from aligning with Tsunade.

The Daimyo would also be fully supportive, given their familial ties...

Someone like her should never have been allowed to leave Konoha. If she decided to support the Fourth Hokage, Danzo's efforts to unseat him would face even greater resistance.

An elder like Hiruzen, seasoned in political struggles for decades, couldn't possibly miss such implications.

But Hiruzen could understand Masaki's reasoning. Keeping Tsunade in the village might have led to internal chaos in Konoha. It was better to let her leave than risk such an outcome.

"It's not just that. For you to control Konoha's situation from afar, infiltration is more effective than confrontation. This intelligence was also provided by Elder Masaki, wasn't it?"

Fuji set the file down. "It's far too detailed, as if he experienced most of the events himself. Unless the source is at the very center of these incidents, some of this information should've been beyond their reach."

"That's one of the reasons he was exposed?"

"With this intel, anyone could draw the same conclusion."

Hiruzen chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "If Minato hears this, he might feel a bit frustrated."

(Chapter ends)