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Sasame's arrival caused a sensation. Given his reputation, even without extensive propaganda, he was an idol in the hearts of many children. After all, he was different from Hiruzen Sarutobi; he wasn't a "Strongest Hokage" whose reputation was merely hyped up.
Class 2-A, which had been quietly having its lesson, instantly became noisy. The teacher was about to scold them, but then he saw Sasame and immediately closed his mouth. He knew the Hokage's purpose for visiting. After a brief thought, he decisively dismissed the class early. A few minutes wouldn't make much difference, anyway.
When he announced it with a smile, the classroom erupted in cheers. They had seen the Hokage and gotten out of school early—double the joy.
"Lord Hokage!" Sasame was instantly surrounded. He was a little helpless, but he smiled and greeted each student. After a few minutes, when the initial excitement had passed, he was able to move.
"Big Brother!" Hanabi Hyuga had actually seen Sasame quite early. But as the second daughter of the Hyuga Clan and the Hokage's little sister, she maintained the proper elegance and didn't rush forward. Ahem, mainly because it was too crowded. After her classmates had gone, she hurried over to Sasame and greeted him with a wide smile.
"Good afternoon." Sasame reached out and stroked her head. Hanabi's smile grew even brighter.
"How was your day?" Sasame asked casually.
"It was fine," Hanabi said, tilting her head. "I just feel like I'm not learning anything."
Sasame was slightly surprised, but not overly so. Due to his influence, Hinata Hyuga was far more powerful than her original counterpart. Hanabi took her older sister as her goal and was naturally diligent. Additionally, she had been taught by Hiashi Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga since childhood. Sasame would also occasionally offer guidance. This made the material taught at the Ninja Academy somewhat useless to her. However, Hanabi still worked hard to do her best. She placed first in both theory and practical training. In her words, she couldn't let the Hokage down.
"When the time is right, you can apply for early graduation," Sasame said with a smile. It wasn't a problem to help out his future sister-in-law.
"Okay!" Hanabi nodded firmly. Her personality was actually stronger than Hinata's. She was very dedicated in many areas.
"Let's go home." Seeing this, Sasame began to walk out. Hanabi immediately followed, taking his hand. She beamed happily, and her steps became noticeably lighter. Sasame looked at her and smiled, too. The adorable little girl made him happy. Unlike her former self, she now possessed an air of maturity.
When the two reached the school gate, they both paused. Hinata Hyuga was standing a short distance away. Hanabi instinctively let go of Sasame's hand. She ran over and called out, "Big Sister."
Hinata smiled and stroked her head, but her gaze was on Sasame. Sasame nodded toward her. Hanabi pouted, a little displeased, and called out again, "Big Sister!"
"What is it?" Hinata looked down at her and asked. "Did someone bully you at school?"
"How dare they?" Hanabi huffed.
"Then why are you upset?" Hinata asked, confused.
Hanabi opened her mouth to speak, then stopped, eventually puffing out her cheeks and turning her head away. She looked like an angry hamster.
Sasame couldn't help but laugh. He walked up to them, put one hand on each of their heads, and said, "Come on, I'll take you to get something to eat."
"Yay!" Hanabi's attitude immediately changed. She grabbed Sasame's hand and said, "I want ice cream from Sunny Coast!"
The Sunny Coast Trading Company had a wide range of businesses in the Hidden Leaf Village, including a snack shop specializing in drinks and treats.
"On a cold day like this, aren't you afraid of getting a stomach ache?" Hinata questioned from the side.
"I won't!" Hanabi turned to her, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Besides, Big Brother didn't say anything."
Hinata glared at her, then turned her attention to Sasame.
"Let's just have one," Sasame said, amused. "Hinata, you should have one, too."
Hinata paused upon hearing this, then nodded. Hanabi became even more triumphant, lifting her chin and pulling Sasame forward to run.
"…" Hinata felt a little disappointed. She had been ready to hold his hand just like Hanabi, but she had missed her chance.
"Hinata." Sasame stopped and said, "Come here quickly."
A smile curved Hinata's lips, and she quickly ran up to him. Sasame held out his hand, and she immediately grasped it. The three of them walked down the road, looking perfectly harmonious.
They soon arrived at the snack shop. Hanabi let go of Sasame's hand, looking around and making her selections. Soon, she had gathered quite a few things. Hinata, meanwhile, held onto Sasame's hand, unwilling to let go. Feeling the warmth of his touch, her face was slightly flushed, but she was smiling brightly.
"Hinata, do you want to buy anything?" Sasame asked.
"A-anything is fine," Hinata stammered after a few seconds, looking down.
"Here!" Hanabi's excitement had subsided by now, and she finally realized she had an older sister. She shoved a colorful ice cream cone into Hinata's hand. She had already eaten a third of her own, and white cream was smeared around her mouth.
Seeing this, Sasame asked a clerk for a napkin. He pulled one out and gently wiped Hanabi's mouth. Hinata looked at the two of them, then took a fierce bite of her ice cream. White frosting was left around her mouth, too. Sasame pulled out another napkin and wiped around her mouth. He couldn't help but marvel at how interesting his two little sisters were. Even Hinata was influenced, behaving in a subtly demanding way.
"Hanabi, buy a few more things to take home for everyone else." Sasame figured since it was his business, they could take things for free, so there was no need for formalities. Hanabi certainly didn't know the meaning of "formalities." With her Hokage brother around, she had always lived a carefree life. In the original story, she had the pressure of inheriting the Hyuga Clan after defeating Hinata, but that pressure was gone now.
"I want this takoyaki!" Hanabi began pointing. "Triple-colored dumplings! Taiyaki! And coconut milk!" The clerk immediately started packing the items in plastic containers. The staff here had been instructed beforehand: any purchases made by the Hokage were to be given free of charge.
In the end, Sasame left carrying large bags of food. Hanabi was so happy that her steps seemed to float. Only Hinata felt a bit of regret because she couldn't hold his hand anymore.
The three returned to the Hyuga Clan compound. The guard at the entrance saw Sasame and immediately ran to inform Hiashi Hyuga. As Sasame entered the courtyard, his future father-in-law came out to greet him.
"Lord Hokage." Hiashi Hyuga offered a stiff smile. This wasn't out of disrespect for Sasame, but because he simply didn't smile often.
"Father," Hinata and Hanabi called out.
"How could you let the Lord Hokage carry the items?" Hiashi Hyuga asked, frowning slightly.
"It's fine," Sasame said without concern. "I wouldn't have the face to let my two little sisters carry things."
Hanabi made a face at Hiashi Hyuga. Hinata, however, tapped her on the head, signaling her to be serious. Hiashi Hyuga, seeing this, wasn't angry at all; he was delighted. This showed that the Hyuga Clan was currently in high favor. As long as Sasame remained in power, their status would be secured.
"These are for you and Aunt Rinka," Sasame paused and added, "Go ahead and call Uncle Hizashi and Neji over, too."
"I'll have someone inform them right away," Hiashi Hyuga said quickly.
Sasame nodded and walked toward the living room. He placed the plastic containers on the table and opened them one by one.
"Brother!" Hanabi sat in a chair, fidgeting with impatience and opening her mouth. Sasame picked up a triple-colored dumpling and put it into her mouth. He looked at Hinata, who had a hint of envy in her eyes. It had to be fair. Sasame picked up a piece of takoyaki with a wooden skewer and held it out to her.
"Thank you," Hinata said, taking a bite before accepting the skewer with her hand.
"Lord Hokage." Hiashi Hyuga, Rinka Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, and Neji Hyuga walked in.
"Please sit down; there's no need to be so formal. We are all family, after all," Sasame said, waving his hand. Although it was just inexpensive street food, the Hokage had spoken, so they dared not disobey.
"Neji," Sasame said, taking a bite of a triple-colored dumpling. "How has Kimimaro been performing since he joined your team?"
"Very well," Neji Hyuga said, quickly swallowing the takoyaki. "His Bloodline Limit is exceptional and makes him the nemesis of taijutsu users."
Because of Sasame, Kimimaro Kaguya was held in high regard by their team. Lee, who always loved a challenge, sparred with him that very day. Without pushing himself to the limit, Kimimaro won. Neji Hyuga also became interested and invited him to a spar. It was a very tough match. Kimimaro's Shikotsumyaku ensured that his entire body was a weapon. He held a significant advantage in close combat, and his base taijutsu skills were strong to begin with. Kimimaro also held his own at a distance, as his strongest techniques were area-of-effect. In the end, Neji lost by a narrow margin. Of course, it was just a spar, and they held back. In a real battle, Neji believed he still had a chance to win.
"That's good," Sasame said, nodding.
"Kimimaro is very conscientious on missions and is a competent shinobi," Neji Hyuga added after a thought. Although he didn't know Kimimaro well, he respected his personality. He was talented, determined, not troublesome, and not impulsive. He was an excellent teammate.
"Yes," Sasame acknowledged, pulling out a scroll and handing it to Hiashi Hyuga.
"This is…?" Hiashi Hyuga opened it curiously. His body trembled, and his face showed extreme surprise. He actually modified the Caged Bird Seal? The Hyuga Clan had members who had tried to study the Caged Bird Seal before, but none had succeeded. After all, the technique was theoretically passed down from the Ōtsutsuki Clan and was of a high caliber. Otherwise, it would have long since been deciphered by outsiders, and the Byakugan would have spread to other ninja villages. The Hidden Cloud Village, for instance, had tried repeatedly to acquire the Byakugan, even attempting to kidnap Hinata Hyuga, precisely because they had no answer for the Caged Bird Seal.
The others looked at his reaction, exchanging glances. They wondered if something terrible had happened. Hiashi Hyuga hesitated and then handed the scroll to Hizashi Hyuga. He, too, immediately showed a shocked expression, even more so than Hiashi. This was because he belonged to the Branch House. He hadn't heard any rumors about this at all. Only Hiashi and Hinata knew about this matter. After all, the Caged Bird Seal was the foundation of the Hyuga Clan's power. It had never been handed over to an outsider, much less the Hokage. If the other clan members found out, it would undoubtedly cause turmoil.
Hizashi Hyuga looked at Hiashi Hyuga, then at Sasame, and asked, "What… what is this for?" He couldn't believe the Main House would give up control of the Caged Bird Seal. He probably couldn't even dare to imagine it.
"The Hyuga Clan will no longer have a Branch House and a Main House," Sasame said in a calm tone.
Except for Hiashi Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga, everyone else froze. Especially Hizashi and Neji, the father and son. They harbored great resentment toward the Caged Bird Seal. Hizashi's feelings weren't shown much in the original story, but Neji's were very obvious in the beginning, as he often spoke of destiny. The original author never provided a solution and, instead, killed him off, making him the only one of the Konoha 12 to sacrifice his life.
"The Elders…," Hizashi Hyuga recovered and couldn't help but ask. He knew that the Elder, Hiroyuki Hyuga, had been restless lately. He had rallied several people to loudly protest at the clan meeting, pushing for the Caged Bird Seal to be placed on Hanabi Hyuga. Although Hiashi Hyuga had suppressed them all, the discontent within the clan grew. According to tradition, Hiashi was in the wrong. Why should all the other Branch House members be branded with the Caged Bird Seal, but not his own daughter?
"If they don't agree, just deal with them," Sasame said with a light chuckle.
Hizashi Hyuga's expression froze. The casualness of Sasame's tone made him doubt if he was joking. But recalling his past actions, this was certainly something he was capable of doing.
"I won't interfere with the specifics," Sasame said, stroking Hinata Hyuga's head. "Since you don't have the courage, let the next generation handle it."
Hizashi Hyuga and Neji Hyuga were stunned. Sasame's meaning was clear: he intended for Hinata Hyuga to take charge of the matter. But would she actually do it?
However, Hinata Hyuga, who they remembered as being mild-mannered, showed no major reaction to Sasame's words. This indicated that she was already aware of the plan. Regardless of their reactions, the matter was settled.
And Hiroyuki Hyuga, who was completely unaware, had no idea that he was walking further and further down the path of self-destruction.
The brief gathering ended. At the entrance, Sasame said goodbye to Hiashi Hyuga and the others, then looked at his two little sisters. Wait, one of them is my student. But since they both called him "Big Brother," calling them his little sisters wasn't far off the mark.
"Remember to visit me often," Hanabi said, holding his hand with a pitiful look. Even though she was his sister, she didn't see Sasame very often. First, she was in school. Second, Sasame was the Hokage and was busy with all sorts of things.
"Okay, I know," Sasame said, shaking her hand with a smile.
"Pinky promise!" Hanabi immediately became excited again. Sasame held out his pinky and hooked it with hers. All that was missing was the phrase about the liar swallowing a thousand needles. After finishing the promise, Sasame looked at Hinata and held out his pinky to her, too.
"Alright, you two go on back," he said, waving his hand and instantly disappearing with the Flying Raijin Jutsu.
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