Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 49: The Third Hokage's Assessment (Part 2)

"Do you know what Minato's first reaction was when he saw this intel?"

The Third Hokage chuckled awkwardly. "He seriously asked me if I used the Telescope Technique to spy on them. I guess the impression I left on him was too deep."

He didn't explain what the Telescope Technique was used for—its name alone was enough to reveal its rather... questionable applications.

Hyuga Fuji remained silent for a moment before replying, "The Fourth Hokage just lacks a bit of experience."

Or perhaps it wasn't just experience. Sometimes, when interacting with the Fourth Hokage, Fuji couldn't help but feel that there was something a bit... naïve about him.

—Almost like a natural airhead.

"That's right. While he's quick-witted, he wasn't born into a shinobi clan. The education he received growing up was limited to basic ninja skills. Even when Jiraiya became his teacher, he didn't teach him about these matters."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned serious as he looked at Hyuga Fuji. "That's why he needs a trustworthy advisor."

Self-effacing remarks like these could be taken lightly. After all, how many people could have guessed that Sarutobi Masaki was his man?

If it were that easy to uncover, Konoha's affairs wouldn't have remained firmly under his control all these years.

Hyuga Fuji didn't follow that line of conversation. Instead, he glanced at the intel on the table. "The mention of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki in Elder Masaki's report was likely intended to push you to provide an answer, wasn't it?"

To include such detailed accounts of how he manipulated the two advisors in a report to his superior—this was a clear sign of Sarutobi Masaki's concern over the matter.

"...The Nine-Tails, huh."

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe a few more times, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke before replying with resignation. "The answer he's looking for isn't one I can provide."

Fuji responded, "This is an inevitable issue in Konoha's development."

"From the moment Killer B of the Hidden Cloud became a perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, you must have considered this problem. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Hiruzen furrowed his brow and sighed. "I haven't been able to come to a suitable conclusion."

"The Tailed Beasts are intelligent and emotional. Lady Mito once told me that keeping the Nine-Tails sealed within Konoha's Jinchuriki will lead to only two outcomes."

"First, the Nine-Tails will reconcile with one of its Jinchuriki and continue being passed down within Konoha."

"Second, its hatred for Konoha will continue to accumulate, eventually resulting in its escape and the destruction of the village."

Hiruzen paused before continuing, "Setting aside the latter scenario, let's focus on the former. It's an unsolvable problem and precisely what worries Masaki."

"The intelligence of the Tailed Beasts is on par with humans. If the Nine-Tails accepts a specific ninja, Konoha would lose the ability to exert much control over that individual. This would make it impossible for Konoha to produce another perfect Jinchuriki in the future."

And this leads to another issue.

The succession of Jinchuriki would then be decided by the first perfect Jinchuriki, as the Nine-Tails would only choose their descendants or someone mutually acceptable to both the Jinchuriki and the beast.

Just like the Hidden Cloud's Killer B.

If the Hidden Cloud wanted to select the next Jinchuriki without consulting Killer B and the Eight-Tails, would the Eight-Tails agree? If they attempted a forced sealing, they could forget about producing another perfect Jinchuriki like Killer B.

"And considering the Nine-Tails is the strongest Tailed Beast, its ideal host would be someone from the Uzumaki clan. If this continues for generations... Konoha might eventually produce an uncontrollable ninja, or even an entire shinobi clan."

Hiruzen shook his head. "I'd like to dismiss this as needless worry. After all, the Nine-Tails hasn't even acknowledged Kushina yet. But since there are only two possible outcomes, it's no wonder Masaki is so concerned."

"In that case, why not consider a more efficient method of utilization?"

Hiruzen froze.

Hyuga Fuji elaborated, "From the moment Jinchuriki were created to now, it's only been a few decades. Why assume this is the optimal way to harness the power of the Tailed Beasts?"

"If a Tailed Beast acknowledges a Konoha ninja, why not treat it as an ally? Why not release it entirely? The Tailed Beasts themselves have no interest in meddling in our political affairs."

"..."

Hiruzen fell into silence.

"Forgive my boldness," Fuji said softly. "But I believe the old methods are not immutable."

Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively, his gaze complex. "It's fine. What you said makes sense."

Konoha needed new voices. The old ways were not always right, just as it was time for their generation to step back. Sometimes, change was necessary.

"But this issue isn't something we need to worry about right now. Since you've figured out that Masaki is my man, you must also have an idea of what Danzo is planning, don't you?"

"The Mist Village's decision to mobilize such forces reeks of desperation. He probably intends to exploit this situation."

Hyuga Fuji calmly laid out his analysis.

"Given the current circumstances, either the Mist Village or Konoha must make concessions to end the war. The Fourth Hokage's nature won't allow him to back down—nor can he. If he does, that person will force Minato to take responsibility for the sacrifices of the shinobi."

"But if the Mist Village backs down... Konoha's losses will still be significant, leaving plenty of opportunities for criticism. Claims of the Hokage's youth, poor command decisions—there would be no shortage of mud to sling."

The Third Hokage nodded in agreement.

This had been one of the main reasons he had hesitated to pass the Hokage title to Minato.

As the war drew to a close, the sacrifices made by Konoha's shinobi and the losses suffered by the Land of Fire would inevitably demand someone to take the blame.

After all...

"It will be difficult to demand sufficient war reparations from the other nations to satisfy the Daimyo."

Fuji's eyes narrowed slightly.

Hiruzen let out a sigh.

Indeed, the biggest issue was the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

During the Great Ninja War, the shinobi of the villages often focused solely on their own casualties, rarely considering how much their nation had lost. Few thought about how many resources the Daimyo had provided to sustain Konoha's war effort.

Under the one-country-one-village system, Konoha served as the Land of Fire's military force. During the war, the weapons, food, and other supplies needed for battle were provided by the Land of Fire. Without that support, Konoha would have long since collapsed under its own weight.

But now, after spending so much money to win a war, if the losses couldn't be recouped... how could the Daimyo be satisfied?

Ultimately, the Land of Fire was ruled by the Daimyo.

At that point, stepping down would be the most graceful outcome for the Hokage. Otherwise, offending the Daimyo would make future governance nearly impossible.

What's more, Minato would also have to contend with the pressure from the shinobi clans. With the Daimyo's backing, those clans would only become bolder.

"What the Fourth Hokage needs to do is win this war in the cleanest, most decisive manner possible."

The inability to extract war reparations from other nations was due to Konoha's inability to force them to concede. But could Konoha achieve that now?

The Third Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Kushina...

At this point in time, which other village had so many powerful shinobi?

The ninja world was ultimately ruled by strength.

The Third Hokage smiled in satisfaction. "Minato didn't choose the wrong person. The position of Hokage's advisor truly suits you."

Hyuga Fuji met his gaze, his pale eyes devoid of emotion.

No Root... It seems the responsibility will fall to Orochimaru first?

As expected.

(Chapter ends)