Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Leaf.

Dark area.

Sakumo Hatake brought Hizashi Hyuga to the base.

"Here, pick a mask you like? And think of a code name."

"Since the Third Hokage has instructed me to bring you into the Anbu, you can stay with my squad for now."

"Regarding work and rules, I'll tell you some basic principles in a bit, and then we'll have a systematic training course tomorrow..."

Sakumo Hatake sat on a stool, humming an unknown tune with a samurai style from the Warring States period, while carefully wiping his chakra dagger with sword oil.

His name is "White Fang," which is also the origin of his title "Konoha White Fang."

"I understand..."

Hyuga Hizashi stood in front of a row of masks, feeling dizzy and disoriented.

The day's experience felt like a dream to him.

First, a war-like firefight broke out in the village, then he was pushed out by the main family to fulfill his duty, then he endured the complex gazes of the crowd and suffered inner torment, and in the end, he joined the Dark Division!

Even now, he's still a little stunned.

Add shadows...

There was no precedent for this in the Hyuga clan before.

Will the elders of the main family agree?

"Lord Sakumo, there's something I need to report to you..." Hizashi Hyuga stammered, "You know our clan's situation is special, right?"

"I can't refuse the Hokage, and I really do want to join the Anbu..."

"But I really don't know how the main family will react. Will my hasty agreement affect the relationship between the village and Hyuga?"

After Hyuga Hizashi finished speaking, his face turned slightly red.

He really felt he wasn't manly enough. Why did he go back on his word halfway through after already agreeing to something?

But the heavy inertia of being a member of the Hyuga branch family made it impossible for him not to think about this issue...

I didn't understand what you meant.

Sakumo Hatake looked up in confusion: "Why are you thinking so much? Wasn't this a direct invitation from the Third Hokage?"

Hyuga Hizashi was speechless.

Although it was Hiruzen Sarutobi who took the initiative to invite him, what if the Hokage didn't know the main family's thoughts?

"I've heard about your main family and branch families, the Hyuga clan, a powerful clan with a thousand-year history..."

"I've also heard about Hyuga's stance—'a village within a village,' 'absolute neutrality.' There are rumors circulating in the village." Hatake Sakumo continued grinding his white teeth.

"Am I right?"

Hyuga Hizashi's eyes widened in surprise. He had thought the main family's idea was a secret, but he hadn't expected it to have already spread widely in the village.

"What's with that surprised look on your face?"

Sakumo Hatake's gaze finally settled on him, as if trying to see right through Hizashi Hyuga:

"Your branch family is too isolated in the clan territory, with too little contact with the outside world. The village has been established for so many years, even a Chunin should know some gossip and secrets."

"One of the duties of the secret service is to collect this public opinion."

"You haven't fully joined the Anbu yet. If you decide to leave, it's not too late. As the squad leader, I have the authority to deem you unqualified, even if you were invited by the Third Hokage."

Sakumo Hatake said calmly, "I hope you will fully express your concerns. If they can be resolved, great; if not, then withdraw."

"If the secret is leaked one day, the consequences will not be good."

At that moment, the white dagger gleamed coldly under the lamplight.

"I…"

"I'm worried. What if the main family doesn't agree to me joining the Anbu? What if the main family asks me about the Anbu? What should I do then?"

Hyuga Hizashi removed his headband, revealing a blue cross mark.

"This is the mark of the caged bird. With just a thought from the main family, my brain and eyes will turn to mush, and no one will be able to resist me for a thousand years!"

"Death would be better than death, but the main family can use this mark to punish us. That's a punishment far worse than death!" As he said this, fear appeared in Hyuga Hizashi's eyes.

That was a pain that consciousness could not withstand.

When he was a child, he had experienced this firsthand for arguing with a member of the clan.

"I want to join the Anbu, to protect the village alongside Lord Sakumo and your colleagues, and to use these Byakugan eyes to spot and defeat the enemies who threaten the villagers..."

"I worry I'll encounter difficult moments. I consider myself a man, but in front of this caged bird, I'm not sure if I'm qualified."

Hyuga Hizashi rubbed the youthful mark on his forehead vigorously: "I feel much better after telling you. Please use your standards to give me the most rigorous test!"

Sakumo Hatake nodded and looked Hizashi Hyuga up and down.

He smiled.

"Very good, you've passed. Welcome to the Anbu, Hyuga Hizashi."

"As for the issues you mentioned, they are not problems for the Dark Division."

Sakumo Hatake said slowly, "You have seen too little of the Hyuga clan's territory and haven't yet developed any understanding of the village."

Hyuga Hizashi blinked. Although he was delighted by Hatake Sakumo's affirmation, he didn't understand the meaning behind his words: "Could you...could you tell me about it?"

"As an Anbu, you are a unit directly under the Hokage, an extension of the Hokage's will."

"In Konoha, who dares to interrogate Anbu members? Even if your Hyuga main family is powerful, they wouldn't dare," Hatake Sakumo said with amusement.

Even the Uchiha clan never considered confronting the Anbu head-on; at most, they would hurl insults at them in secret.

"The main family wants to rebel?"

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Hizashi was struck dumb.

Suddenly, a pair of white eyes opened, veins bulging in their sockets, and the pupils widened.

"What, does your Hyuga clan also have Uchiha attributes?" Hatake Sakumo asked curiously. "Your eyes react when you're emotionally stimulated?"

"I'm sorry, Lord Sakumo, I was just too excited..."

At this moment, Hyuga Hizashi suddenly realized what was happening.

That's right, whether the main family agrees or not, what difference does it make? He's already a member of the Anbu, a member of the Hokage!

There will be no interrogation, and certainly no blame, right?

After all, he had heard that the Anbu had the authority to report directly to the Hokage…

Hyuga Hizashi's thoughts raced, his intelligence, after being enlightened by Hatake Sakumo, regaining its high ground: "Forget about punishment, I don't even have to do those chores I used to do serving the main family anymore, right?"

"The Anbu serve the Hokage!"

Hyuga Hizashi was so excited that his body felt weak.

As a member of a separate family, how could I not have longed for freedom?

It's just that the barrier for caged birds is too thick, and no one can fly over it. Once they get used to it, they stop thinking about it.

Like a butterfly trapped in a glass bottle.

After hitting walls so many times, even if the bottle is finally opened, I no longer have the desire to try...

But unexpectedly...

In the past thousand years, no one who had ever separated from their family had ever enjoyed such freedom, and it just happened to fall on his head!

While the caged bird hasn't been freed, and while the bound eyes still have a blind spot...

But so what? The most crucial freedom is already here!

Hyuga Hizashi almost wanted to perform a set of Gentle Fist on the spot to express his indescribable excitement...

"No wonder the Third Hokage had me bring you into the Anbu first, instead of letting you go through the normal training process..."

Sakumo Hatake said quietly, "If you talk to Danzo like that, it's not even a question of whether you can join the Anbu; your Hyuga clan will definitely come under his scrutiny."

The so-called "roots" is actually the "dark training department".

As the leader of the Root, Danzo Shimura was responsible for training new recruits to the Dark Guard.

In Sakumo Hatake's view, Danzo's training, though overly rigorous, was undeniably highly professional and necessary…

The problem is that 'Root' gradually became Danzo Shimura's private force, and no longer maintained a high degree of loyalty and purity towards the Hokage.

Sakumo Hatake had discussed this matter with Hiruzen Sarutobi several times, but it had been shelved for a long time.

Now, the Dark Side and the Root Side have finally merged.

Today, Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech finally made Sakumo Hatake understand.

Or perhaps it was by sheer coincidence that his doubts were met.

The reason the Hokage didn't deal with it before wasn't because he was indulging Danzo, but because he was conducting research and planning for systemic reforms to the entire village.

The previously silent Hiruzen Sarutobi actually made him feel a little cold inside.

He was loyal to the Hokage, even at the cost of offending the powerful and senior Danzo, but he seemed to be sidelined, never responding or explaining why he left the Root organization to its own devices.

"The Hokage's thinking is much more far-sighted..."

The thought flashed through Sakumo Hatake's mind: "The village is indeed good... I was too hasty!"

Upon hearing the name Danzo, Hyuga Hizashi's excitement immediately dissipated by more than half.

This person's title of "Darkness of the Ninja World" is not just for show...

It has a high degree of deterrence both domestically and internationally.

Sakumo Hatake explained the department's rules and origins to the new member, Hizashi: "The Anbu, short for Assassination Tactics Special Forces, is involved in missions and has all its information classified."

"The rest of the rules will be taught to you tomorrow. The most important ones are only two."

"First, absolute loyalty to the Hokage; second, death for any leaks."

Hyuga Hizashi listened attentively.

At this moment, he felt an unparalleled sense of belonging to his job in the Dark Division.

No matter what, we must do our job well and keep going to protect this hard-won freedom.

"Understood, Lord Sakumo!" Hyuga Hizashi stood ramrod straight.

"As for your specific team, we'll arrange that after the assessment... You need to be prepared."

Sakumo Hatake stood up leisurely: "Danzo's assistance is very strict."

Hyuga Hizashi's expression turned slightly bitter.

But then she became resolute: "I will definitely pass the training with excellent results!"

Hyuga Hizashi reached out his hand towards the 'Ox' mask.

The saying goes that when the family branches out, one must be like an ox, working tirelessly and without complaint to support the main family. This is a phrase that the elders of the Hyuga generation of the main family often say.

But he's different now...

His gaze shifted to the eagle mask, an animal symbolizing freedom…

"No, it's still 'awesome'!"

Hyuga Hizashi gripped the edge of the mask tightly, thinking to himself, "As long as I can have this freedom, I'd be willing to be a 'cow' for the village!"

"Okay, put on the mask and the clothes. Now I'll take you on your first mission."

"This is the Hokage's first mission, so don't mess it up."

Sakumo Hatake put on a mask, wore a white overalls over it, and draped a beige trench coat that symbolized his status as a squad leader.

Hyuga Hizashi nodded repeatedly, carefully changing into his ANBU uniform as if afraid of damaging it.

"Target: Hyuga clan territory."

"Mission: Inform the main family that you have joined the Anbu, and convey the Hokage's concern for them. If there are any thoughts that are inconvenient to report directly in the future, they can be conveyed through you."

Sakumo Hatake patted Hizashi Hyuga on the shoulder: "You are the protagonist of this mission."

Hyuga Hizashi was first stunned, then overjoyed.

He was thinking about how to tell the Hyuga clan in a tactful and elegant way that he was a member of the Anbu.

Did I not expect the Hokage to have considered even this aspect?

The saying goes, "To return home in wealth and honor is like wearing fine clothes at night!"

Isn't this mission just a stage specially set up for him by the three generations of masters?

Otherwise, given the special nature of the Dark Guard, he wouldn't be able to return to his clan's territory in this outfit and openly display his current identity...

"Remember, you are from the Dark Division."

"You need to be careful with your posture and tone, don't lose face, Japanese sir."

Sakumo Hatake strapped the white dagger to his waist.

Although the Dark Guard is theoretically supposed to maintain a secret identity, at his level, everything becomes known the moment he makes a move…

The best way to keep secrets is to kill the other person.

A moment later.

Richa and Shuo Mao arrived at their clan's territory.

A member of the main branch of the family, who happened to be at the door and patrolling, asked with considerable dissatisfaction, "Why hasn't that brat, Hizashi, returned yet? The old man is getting impatient!"

His name is Hyuga Takashi.

He had no particular talent and was a typical example of someone who was designated as the head of the family simply because he was born early.

He was quite arrogant and believed that even if he lacked talent, as the head of the main family, he was protected by his ancestors and was born to manage and command the branch families.

"Send him to check on the situation. He's been gone for so long! Does he think he can do whatever he wants just because he's Hiashi's brother?"

"As a member of the branch family, you have absolutely no manners!" Hyuga Takashi vented his anger.

The two Hyuga branch family members beside him remained silent, their eyes downcast.

"This is truly bizarre. The Hyuga clan is actually like this... These aren't ninjas, they're nobles and slaves!" Hatake Sakumo thought to himself, quite moved by this rare sight.

"If it weren't for the domineering nature of the caged bird, the branch family and the main family would have been fighting each other long ago, wouldn't they?"

And at this moment.

Hinata Takashi turned his head and was startled.

Two masked operatives appeared silently in front of him without him noticing.

"What can I do for you two?" Hinata Takashi asked with a smile.

He didn't want to offend the Anbu, especially after seeing Sakumo Hatake's beige trench coat...

This is a very important person.

"Lead the way to the Hyuga clan chief."

Hyuga Hizashi's lips curled into a wide smile beneath his mask, but his voice remained cold and stern: "By order of the Hokage!"

------

Explanation of settings!

Let's talk about the Hyuga main family.

On this point, Kishimoto's setting is indeed contradictory. First, he said that "there is only one main family," but in the manga, there are many scenes when the main family gathers, and none of them have the Caged Bird on their foreheads.

Other main families also appear in the setting book.

Therefore, the setting here is that the Hyuga clan is a large clan, divided into several branches, and one head family is chosen from each branch.

Xiao Fan's update schedule has been a bit irregular lately, but the word count is guaranteed; although each chapter is long, they are all long chapters.

I saw that some readers have also suggested that Xiaofan should figure out a fixed time!