Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 370: Concerns of the Hyūga Branch Family

Itachi and Shisui exchanged surprised glances.

So Uncle Haneda (Hokage-sama) had already deduced the truth long ago...

As expected of Konoha's Hokage—sharp-minded and astute.

Of course, it wasn't just a deduction. Haneda had known the truth from the very beginning.

It was merely a secret he had chosen to keep to himself.

Haneda pushed off lightly from the floor, shifting his chair back to give himself room to stand.

He walked over to Itachi and Shisui, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. With a meaningful tone, he said:

"The days ahead won't be as peaceful as they are now. Train hard, but don't forget to spend time with your families."

"When the sky falls, the tallest shoulders will bear the weight."

Itachi and Shisui glanced at Haneda before looking at each other. Without a word, they silently agreed not to press further.

In the ANBU, it was a given: if you needed to know, the Hokage would tell you; if not, you didn't ask.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," they said in unison.

"Alright, it's getting late. You both should head back," Haneda said.

As he watched Itachi and Shisui leave the way they came, Haneda returned to his desk and sat back in his chair.

He moved the piece of paper he had used to cover his earlier notes, revealing the chaotic ideas scrawled beneath.

Staring at the draft for a long moment, he let out a soft sigh. A small flame flickered to life at his fingertip, and the paper turned to ash under his gaze.

"For eternal peace, for the advancement of this world—some sacrifices must be made...

"And with these eyes, in the end, no one will truly be sacrificed."

He murmured these words softly, solidifying his resolve.

...

Meanwhile, in the Hyūga clan compound.

Thanks to the Byakugan's extraordinary long-distance perception, many members of the clan worked in reconnaissance units.

Earlier, when Haneda's testing of his Rinnegan had caused a massive disturbance at the Third Training Ground, the Hyūga reconnaissance unit had detected the incredible chakra signature.

The terrifyingly potent chakra was swiftly documented by members of the Hyūga branch family.

Now, at the home of Hyūga Hiashi's younger brother, Hizashi, who served as the branch family head, a gathering of branch members was underway.

"Hizashi-sama, our observers have confirmed that the chakra belongs to Hokage-sama," one of the branch members reported.

"Compared to a year ago, Hokage-sama's chakra has grown even deeper and more powerful. However, he seems to have..."

The speaker hesitated, their expression troubled.

Everyone, including Hizashi, understood what wasn't being said.

Some time ago, while searching for clues about the portal to the moon, Haneda had promised to help resolve the Caged Bird Seal.

But as the months passed, even as Hokage-sama's strength grew exponentially, the issue of the Caged Bird Seal remained unresolved.

It was as if Hokage-sama had drawn a grand, tantalizing picture—a vision of hope—feeding them scraps of progress but never delivering the promised feast.

Yes, Haneda had repeatedly issued stern warnings to the main family, ensuring they committed to treating the branch family as equals.

Yes, the main family had publicly vowed during clan meetings that future generations of branch children would not bear the Caged Bird Seal.

But...

The current seals still remained. And every morning when they washed their faces, or every time they looked into a mirror, the mark reminded them of their chains.

It was impossible to forget.

Hizashi understood their frustration. However, he found himself caught between the collective expectations of the branch family and his reluctance to push Haneda.

Haneda wasn't just the Hokage; he was a towering figure of authority and power. Though his demeanor was often approachable, Hizashi hesitated to risk offending him.

Moreover, Haneda had already stated he needed more time to resolve the seal.

Asking for a timeline would be akin to rushing him, potentially damaging the fragile goodwill Haneda had extended toward the branch family.

If Haneda were to turn against them, the branch family's current progress would crumble.

So, Hizashi had no choice but to offer hollow reassurance:

"Soon, very soon. I've already spoken with Hokage-sama. He just needs a little more time."

It was a half-truth, but one that most of the branch family found acceptable.

However, a few impatient individuals pressed further:

"Hizashi-sama, did Hokage-sama give you a specific timeline? How much longer will it take?"

Hizashi's eyelid twitched, but he maintained a composed demeanor.

"He didn't say," Hizashi admitted. "The Caged Bird Seal isn't something that can be easily undone. If it were, it would have been resolved generations ago.

"Over the years, countless members of the branch family have tried—some through research, others by appealing to the main family. Many dedicated their entire lives to finding a solution...

"But the Caged Bird Seal is no simple obstacle. Hokage-sama needs time."

He forced a smile, feigning optimism:

"However, Hokage-sama did tell me that significant progress has been made. He's only a few key steps away from a breakthrough."

This reassured some, bringing smiles of relief.

But others were more skeptical, their hopes dimmed by the reminder that the final steps of any process were often the most challenging.

Hizashi's words, however, served their purpose. They upheld Haneda's reputation while leaving room for future delays.

Should anyone ask again, Hizashi could simply attribute the delay to the inherent difficulty of such a monumental task.

As the group dispersed, disappointed but without protest, a figure descended from the sky.

Bathed in moonlight, the white and red of his Hokage robes billowed in the breeze.

It was none other than Haneda himself.

"Hokage-sama!" someone exclaimed, their voice trembling with excitement.

It had been a long time since Haneda's last visit to the Hyūga clan compound.

The last time he came, he had declared that he had found a way to resolve the Caged Bird Seal.

Now, with his unexpected arrival, the branch members dared to hope: Could this be the moment of deliverance?

Haneda was a man of his word. Every promise he made, he fulfilled.

Surely, he had come to honor his pledge to liberate them from their bonds.

As Haneda descended gracefully to the ground, Hizashi stepped forward.

He opened his mouth, as if to speak, but quickly closed it again.

Everything he had just told the branch family had been fabricated. He had not recently approached Haneda about the seal at all.

Whenever Hizashi sought an audience with Haneda, it had always been for official village matters—not personal or family issues.

Now, as the Hokage stood before him, Hizashi found himself filled with a mix of anticipation and dread.

Had Haneda finally found a solution?

Or had he come, like before, to say that more time was needed?

Or worse—had he determined that the seal was beyond even his ability to remove?

As these thoughts churned in his mind, Hizashi took a deep breath and stepped forward to greet Haneda.

...

***

If you wish to read all the chapters of this fic till chapter 465 (where it ends) and support me.

You can go to patreon. com /NahinS77