Naruto: The Primal Hyuga Pierces the Shinobi World

The delicate balance of power within Konoha had been painstakingly maintained, but the sudden "growth" of the Uchiha clan gave Danzo a strange sense of urgency.

"Our Uchiha clan will definitely investigate Obito Uchiha's matter thoroughly."

"We are naturally duty-bound to capture the rogue ninja!"

"But... there are some things I need to make clear."

"We, the Uchiha clan, truly know nothing about Obito Uchiha's affairs, and we did not predict his actions."

"What happened last night has nothing to do with our Uchiha clan."

"Lord Danzo, please don't look at the Uchiha with prejudice because of that kind of thing!"

Fugaku arrived early in the morning, not only to be questioned as expected, but also to explain the Uchiha clan's position to the Konoha leadership.

For the Uchiha clan, Obito's actions were like getting mud on their crotches—even if it wasn't excrement, it was still excrement.

Because of the special relationship with the police force, the Uchiha clan was already not very popular in the village. If this matter is allowed to escalate further, the situation of the Uchiha clan in the village will only become more difficult.

The discontent among the clansmen had been growing for some time and had intensified over the years. Fugaku was now like sitting on a volcano that could erupt at any moment, and everything he did was done with extreme caution, as if walking on thin ice.

Danzo remained completely unmoved by Fugaku's explanation, his gloomy expression undiminished.

Seeing this, Fugaku knew that the other party had not listened, so he could only look at Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, seeing the latter's pensive expression, Fugaku's heart sank.

“Fugaku, we naturally understand that the Uchiha are members of Konoha.”

"Don't worry, Obito's matter will absolutely not affect your Uchiha clan."

"I promise!"

Compared to the Third Hokage's silence, Minato Namikaze's words at this moment made Fugaku's eyes light up.

"The Yondaime..."

Seeing Minato's gentle smile, Fugaku finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.

Or... there are still people who trust the Uchiha clan!

..................

Chapter 46 Appointment: Special Jonin!

The Uchiha clan was already in a difficult situation in Konoha. Ever since the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, took over Konoha, the Uchiha clan lost the trust of the village's leadership.

The Konoha leadership had long used the important position of "security force" to indirectly imprison and monitor the Uchiha clan. This policy remained unchanged even after the Second Hokage died and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took over.

The fact that two consecutive Hokage adopted the same policies led to a growing rift between the Uchiha clan and the Konoha leadership over several decades.

Excluded from the core management, the Uchiha clan members gradually drifted further and further away from ordinary villagers through their accumulated duties in the security forces.

Even now, the Uchiha clan has gradually reduced its interactions with other ninja clans and civilians in Konoha.

As the Uchiha clan grew in number, they themselves formed a small society, where all kinds of supplies related to daily life could be purchased within the clan's territory, resembling an "independent village."

As the current head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku was naturally very clear about the situation of the Uchiha. He also hoped to re-establish contact with the higher-ups of Konoha, gain their trust, and place the Uchiha in a suitable position.

However, the Nine-Tails' rampage completely eliminated this possibility.

At least, when Fugaku came to the Hokage's office to be questioned, he had already given up hope.

However....

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, actually said he believed in the Uchiha clan. Whether it was just empty talk or not, Fugaku had to seize this opportunity and regard the Fourth Hokage as an important ally and support for the Uchiha clan.

Even though the advisors and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, do not trust the Uchiha clan, as long as the young and powerful Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, remains Hokage, there is still room for maneuver between the Uchiha and Konoha.

"The Yondaime..."

"Rest assured, we Uchiha will do everything in our power to capture the rogue ninja Uchiha Obito!"

"You will definitely not be disappointed!"

Before Minato, Fugaku also sincerely assured him. Capturing Obito Uchiha was like a pledge of allegiance; as long as the Uchiha clan handled it well...

"Fugaku, I'll leave this to you."

"Capturing rogue ninjas is a special mission unique to your Uchiha clan, and there are no time restrictions for the time being."

"He is proficient in space-time ninjutsu, so it won't be easy to find his weakness."

"You'll probably have to put in a lot of effort."

Minato's intention was merely to ease the tense atmosphere. To be honest, he didn't have high hopes for the Uchiha clan's pursuit of Obito. Having fought Obito before, he knew that probably no one in the Uchiha clan could handle his disciple.

Of course, this was also due to Minato's incomplete understanding of the Uchiha clan's power.

The Uchiha clan, which had not awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan for many years, was seen by outsiders as nothing more than a powerful bloodline limit family, and had not transcended the category of "ninja".

However, in reality, every Uchiha who can awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan is a being comparable to the "Kage" of each village.

Fugaku's questioning was dropped thanks to Minato's deliberate protection. Danzo and the other advisors, though seething with anger and wanting to vent their frustrations on Fugaku, had no choice but to swallow their words after seeing Minato's response.

The young Minato Namikaze is different from his old comrade Hiruzen; even the advisory group doesn't interfere with Minato too much.

They could afford to play the "old comrade-in-arms" card in front of Hiruzen, but they didn't have that much face to play in front of Minato.

"Clan Chief Fugaku, please go back and take charge of the overall situation."

"Convey the village's message to your clansmen so that everyone can prepare in advance."

"Next Monday, the village plans to gather all the ninja clans to readjust their defenses. We would appreciate it if you could come in person at that time."

Minato patted Fugaku on the shoulder and said softly.

Upon hearing that the village planned to readjust its defenses, Fugaku's brow, which had just relaxed, furrowed slightly. He nodded somewhat gravely and then turned and left the office.

After Fugaku left, Minato and the others turned their attention to the father and son, Hiashi and Shinichi Hyuga.

"Chief Hiashi, Shinichi, what brings you here?"

"Is something wrong?"

The Hokage did not summon the Hyuga clan, and Minato and the other Konoha officials were also puzzled by the father and son's purpose in coming.

"Fourth Hokage, I've come here this time actually because of Shinichi's matter."

"Take a look."

As he spoke, Hiashi Hyuga took a letter out of his pocket and handed it to Minato.

"A letter of recommendation?"

Minato glanced at the address on the envelope and was somewhat surprised. He opened the envelope and began to read it, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others nearby also looked over curiously.

A letter of recommendation from the head of the Hyuga clan is quite a rare thing.

Minato quickly glanced at the contents of the letter in his hand, then turned his gaze toward Hyuga Shinichi:

"Hiashi, are you planning to recommend Shinichi for the position of Special Jonin?"

"Isn't this... a bit too early?"

As soon as Minato spoke, everyone in the office focused their attention on Shinichi, who was standing next to Hiashi.

Hiashi actually recommended his son, who is so young, to become a Special Jonin?! Even if it's through connections, this isn't how it should be done!

"Hey, Hiashi Hyuga!"

"What do you take the village's special Jonin for?!"

"Child's play?"

"How old is your son? He's not even a proper ninja, how could he become a special Jonin of the village?!"

Mitokado Yan reacted strongly, even more so than Danzo and Hiruzen, and his tone was anything but polite.

Born into a commoner family, Mitokado Homura rose to a high-ranking position in Konoha through hard work, talent, and a bit of luck. He actually disapproved of the practices of some of the powerful ninja clans.

He actually wanted to maintain the fairness of the path for advancement for Konoha ninjas, so saying this now can be considered speaking out for justice.

However, he chose the wrong person.

Danzo scrutinized Shinichi thoughtfully, his eyes full of scrutiny.

Danzo, who led Root, did not underestimate Shinichi because of his young age. Not to mention that there were many talented young ninjas in Root, Danzo had also witnessed Shinichi defeat Kakashi some time ago.

The Third Hokage, who knew Shinichi better than the others, seemed to have guessed something and asked in a trembling voice:

"you..."

"Shinichi, have you completed that technique?"

Upon hearing his words, Mitomon Homura and the others seemed to remember something and all focused their attention on Shinichi.

Seeing this, Minato sighed softly, walked up to Shinichi, gently patted Shinichi's head, and interjected:

"Since it was Chief Rizu's recommendation, there's nothing we can do about it."

"I am well aware of your abilities."

"I will personally sign your letter of appointment."

"Shinichi, I will personally select the team members for you."

"After you become a Jonin, the village will assign you missions. Remember, be careful, be careful, and be careful again."