Inside the orphanage, Yakushi Kabuto skillfully made soldier pills.
In Konoha, the demand for soldier pills was high; basically, every ninja carried them on missions. Their orphanage, due to the presence of Yakushi Nonō, had made the production of soldier pills one of its sources of income. He had been doing this work for many years.
"Kabuto, you're back?"
"Mm, there wasn't much work today, so I got out of class early."
Yakushi Kabuto stood up.
Yakushi Nonō waved her hand.
"No need to get up, you can sit. I'll get a drink of water first."
Yakushi Kabuto frowned slightly. He sensed that Nonō's tone and mood seemed to indicate she wanted to talk to him about something, so he didn't rush to continue making soldier pills, but instead got up to wash his hands.
When he returned, Nonō was looking down at the soldier pills he had made.
"Is something on your mind lately?"
"Not at all. Why do you ask?"
Kabuto looked at the soldier pills on the table, realized the ones he made might not be of the same quality as before, and said with a smile, "It's nothing, just some problems with my studies."
Yakushi Nonō was taken aback. Then, she sighed softly.
"You're such a smart child!"
Kabuto came over and tidied up the table.
Yakushi Nonō said in a low voice.
"Kabuto, I heard that Orochimaru-sama admires you very much."
Kabuto's movements stopped. In less than half a second, he regained his composure and continued to tidy the table.
"Do you want me to go?"
"Me?"
Yakushi Nonō was stunned for a long while.
She realized that Kabuto treated her as a mother, a family member, which was why he was asking for her opinion. Otherwise, how could a smart child like Kabuto not have his own ideas?
Yakushi Nonō leaned against a table on the side.
"Child, this question should be for you to choose yourself. I have my own limitations and may not understand your expectations and pursuits enough…"
She spoke slowly.
Yakushi Kabuto sat in a chair, propping his head with one hand, looking up at Nonō. Only here could he let down his guard and enjoy the pleasure of relaxation without any defenses.
After listening to Nonō finish, Kabuto smiled with great restraint.
"I'd like to hear your opinion."
"If it were before, I would not have agreed for you to become that lord's student. At that time, he was with Danzo, very cold and terrifying. He felt like a venomous snake to me, one that could bite and kill you at any moment!"
Yakushi Nonō pushed up her glasses. "But now, he seems to have changed…"
As an intelligence operative, Nonō's long-term observation of people was undoubtedly quite accurate. The current Orochimaru, suppressed by Tsunade and Kyohiko, had lost much of his coldness. However, thinking of today's situation, she suddenly said.
"It's fine for you to learn from him, but you must not learn everything. Some of Orochimaru's ideas are very insane!"
"Insane?"
Yakushi Kabuto was taken aback.
Yakushi Nonō nodded, her face serious.
"For the sake of research, to explore the mysteries of ninjutsu and secret techniques, he can be very crazy and unscrupulous. He's a little better now, but in essence, he is still such a person. You cannot become like that!"
"Mm, I understand. I just want to become stronger, to protect everyone, and let everyone live a better life."
Yakushi Kabuto looked at the orphanage.
Upon hearing this, Yakushi Nonō was instantly silent. After a long while, she finally sighed.
"Smart children often endure more pain and choices. Kabuto, sometimes, I'd rather you be a little more naive and clumsy."
She stroked Kabuto's hair, then squatted down.
"Has your eyesight declined?"
"No."
"Let me check. This is very important!"
Inside the room, their daily conversation topic sounded.
***
On the road, Shisui started to speak, then stopped.
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled.
"If you want to say something, just say it. If I wanted to wipe out your Uchiha clan, I wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble during this period!"
"What?"
Shisui was a little puzzled.
During this period, has Ryoho Kyohiko been troubled by their Uchiha clan? He didn't feel it at all!
Ryoho Kyohiko said.
"The group imprisoned in the Anbu, logically speaking, killing them all is the best way to handle it, because they are out-and-out rogue-nin."
"But, in that case, it would have a great impact on the subsequent handling of your Uchiha clan."
"Understand?"
Ryoho Kyohiko looked at Shisui.
Shisui pondered for a long time, then nodded lightly, speaking of the current situation within the clan. The living clansmen, many were of their faction, but there were also many who had participated in the events of that night, but were taken down by Shisui and Fugaku before they had time to rebel. If the punishment was too severe, these people might become very worried. So, regarding the punishment from the Anbu, both lenient and severe were troublesome. They couldn't be released, but they couldn't all be killed either.
Shisui scratched his head.
"Then have you thought of a method?"
"The Caged Bird is a good direction. If we can persuade the head of the Hyuga clan, this matter could have a certain turning point. Otherwise…"
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled. "I'm afraid some of your clansmen will have to spend the rest of their lives in prison."
"Like Uchiha Setsuna?"
Back then, a similar group of Uchiha clansmen had met such an end. Shisui remembered that name. Uchiha Setsuna. He started to speak, then stopped, and finally fell silent.
After a few seconds, Shisui spoke in a low voice.
"My grandfather, it was because of this matter that he admired the Nidaime-sama so much. He said that the Nidaime-sama had a very great heart and was by no means targeting the Uchiha clan!"
When he was a child, he didn't understand why the Nidaime had handled it that way, didn't understand his grandfather's choice at the time and the words recorded in the book. Now, Shisui understood a little. A matter was by no means a simple matter of right and wrong; there were many, many complex factors involved. Killing a group of people was easy, but taking care of the overall situation was very difficult.
His teacher was not old, yet he had a heart and a wisdom that looked at the bigger picture, comparable to that of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama back then.
"Sensei, on that stone tablet, I additionally deciphered a fragmented word, but I'm not sure if it's helpful…"
"Repulsion."
Shisui said in a low voice the content he had not mentioned in the basement. He was wary of Fugaku. Having personally experienced this strange combination and power, Shisui was worried that if Fugaku knew, he would have other ideas, leading the Uchiha into a desperate abyss again.
Ryoho Kyohiko explained.
"I guessed it. Also, the cells in your body are not from the Shodai-sama, but are clones cultivated by Madara through some special means. The effect is weaker."
"So, the Madara of back then…"
Shisui had not been idle recently. He had secretly self-studied some basic medical knowledge, checked the clan's materials, and knew that the cells in his body had a very strong erosive property. Even, according to some records in the family, Konoha might have conducted experiments with Hashirama's cells. This was evidence and means collected by the Uchiha clan to overthrow the Hokage faction, but unfortunately, it was never used in the end. So, after comparing, he understood why Kyohiko had such a conjecture. Others would be eroded, but the Uchiha could.
The power of repulsion. Does it refer to the two clans?
Shisui sorted out his thoughts, and then a look of shock appeared in his eyes. "So, back then at the Valley of the End, Madara did it on purpose!"
"Yes, that was a premeditated battle."
Ryoho Kyohiko said, "But I believe Madara also really wanted to decide a winner with the Shodai-sama. It's just that in the end, he really lost."
Shisui nodded in deep agreement. Then, he looked at Kyohiko.
"Then…"
"I'll send you back to the Police Force."
Ryoho Kyohiko didn't answer further.
Shisui nodded.
"Yes!"
***
After sending him back, Ryoho Kyohiko flickered to the Hyuga clan's location. The Hyuga clan was as usual. Like the Uchiha, they had their own vast clan territory, different customs and habits from others, and even their own streets. But walking into the Hyuga district again, Kyohiko discovered a subtle difference. There were a few more stalls on both sides. There were also more pedestrians. Even on both sides of the street, there were many more people running past. In the past, the Hyuga clan rarely allowed such running teams to pass through this street.
As he walked over, he even greeted a few villagers who ran past.
"Kyohiko-sama."
"What's going on here…"
Ryoho Kyohiko pointed to the street.
Hyuga Shinji smiled and said in a low voice.
"This street also belongs to everyone. And the Clan Head-sama also doesn't want us to be too far from the villagers."
Ryoho Kyohiko was thoughtful. He glanced at the passers-by, then nodded lightly and smiled.
"That's great! I'd like to see Hiashi-senpai. Could I trouble you to inform him?"
"No need. The Clan Head-sama said that as long as he is at home, you can go in directly if you have something to do, without being stopped or reported."
Hyuga Shinji smiled. "Of course, if you need me to lead the way, I can also help."
"No need."
Ryoho Kyohiko was very surprised. Hiashi's change is quite thorough!
He walked into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping around, and then couldn't help but re-examine Hyuga Hiashi in his heart. Not two seconds later, Hiashi quickly walked out.
"Kyohiko-kun, what brings you to my place as a guest today?"
"Hiashi-senpai, I came to visit today because I have something to discuss with you…"
"I was just training. I hope you don't mind."
Hyuga Hiashi replied with a smile.
Ryoho Kyohiko shook his head.
"How could I? Training is something every ninja has to do."
Under Hiashi's guidance, he entered the house, his eyes observing the surroundings. Hiashi's training room had also changed a bit from last time. The oppressive feeling had lessened. An outsider entering would feel more relaxed and at ease. This meant that Hiashi was making changes to cater to the current trend of the Hyuga clan. Hiashi himself might not really like such a development, but once the situation was heading in this direction, he could quickly adjust and cater to it, letting the Hyuga clan turn in this direction. Not simple!
He withdrew his gaze, bowed, and said.
"Hiashi-senpai, since there's no one else around, I'll be direct."
"Mm, you and I both have things to do. Being direct is of course the best."
Hyuga Hiashi smiled.
Ryoho Kyohiko explained the matter of the imprisoned Uchiha clan members to Hiashi. During this time, he also observed Hiashi's expression and emotions. Very stable! Hiashi listened patiently, then nodded lightly.
"I understand."
He pondered for a moment and smiled.
"Kyohiko-kun is very respectful of my Hyuga clan. I am very happy. Otherwise, with your talent and brilliance, I don't believe you haven't researched a method similar to the curse mark."
Hyuga Hiashi paid a compliment, then was silent for a second or two. Ryoho Kyohiko knew. On this matter, to have the other party make a decision at once was indeed impossible.
He said with a smile.
"You can take your time to consider. And, this itself might leak your clan's secrets, so I was just trying. If it doesn't work, I'll just change to another method."
"That's not it. You misunderstood."
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head.
He pondered for a long time.
"My Hyuga clan is actually also eager for a chance to change. Your strength and talent have allowed me to see an opportunity for change… In fact, this has also helped me achieve my goal."
"The existence of the Caged Bird is essentially to prevent the eyes from being obtained by others, not to enslave the clansmen."
"So…"
Hiashi didn't finish, but his gaze and expression were already very clear.
"You want me to improve it?"
Ryoho Kyohiko was a little taken aback.
Hyuga Hiashi nodded.
"The Caged Bird has great flaws. It leaves a blind spot in the Byakugan. If it can be improved, retaining the ability to seal, without leaving aftereffects…"
Ryoho Kyohiko tapped his fingers lightly on the table. Is Hiashi trying to gradually reform the Hyuga clan from a family inheritance to an electoral system? Does he have such great determination? No way, right? And no matter what, Kyohiko didn't believe that Hiashi would hand over the lifeline of the Hyuga clan to an outsider. Even himself.
"You want to learn sealing jutsu?"
"As expected of Kyohiko-kun. Also, I heard that the Nidaime-sama also had some research in the spiritual aspect back then. I wonder if I can borrow the notes in this area?"
What Hiashi mentioned was naturally the Spirit Transformation Technique. Back then, Dan had relied on the Spirit Transformation Technique to become a jounin who made his enemies tremble with fear. Unfortunately, in the end, he also died because of this forbidden jutsu.
Ryoho Kyohiko thought for a moment.
"I can't guarantee it."
"No matter. As for your request, I can certainly help. It's just that the curse mark is in the hands of my Hyuga. Can they rest assured?"
What Hiashi was talking about was naturally the Uchiha clan.
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled.
"So, the choice is in their own hands."
He stood up and nodded lightly.
"Since senpai has agreed, I will take my leave first and discuss your request with the Hokage-sama. I can't make the decision on this matter either."
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled helplessly. The relevant knowledge of forbidden jutsu, let alone Hiashi, even he found it difficult to access now. As for Orochimaru, even less so. Orochimaru was now the number one dangerous person in the village. If not for Kyohiko and Tsunade, he would probably be living a life under surveillance.
After leaving, Hyuga Hiashi quietly let out a sigh of relief. He stood up, looked at the Hyuga clan's territory, and couldn't help but sigh softly. Hyuga, Kaguya… Previously, Kyohiko had painted a very large picture. Now, the several pregnant women of the Kaguya clan had all given birth one after another, but the contact and fusion of the two clans was a big problem. After all, the Kaguya clan still had two men, and had Konoha's support to be independent. They couldn't possibly annex them…
"Take it slow, take it slow!"
Hyuga Hiashi muttered to himself in a low voice.
If one generation couldn't do it, then two, three generations. As long as the Kaguya clan multiplied and passed down in Konoha, with the connection of bloodline, they would surely be the closest allies. As for Kyohiko, he was powerful and terrifying. But the Senju clan had already disappeared. What could a descendant who was generations apart do?
"Only the family legacy is eternal and imperishable."