Hyūga Soushu's movements had not been detected.
After disappearing for just one day and making a round trip, Hyūga Soushu had finalized the basic outline for free trade with the Kaguya Clan and preliminarily determined how profits would be divided.
As for the exact implementation methods, that would be handled later.
Right now, what mattered most to Hyūga Soushu was formally marrying Mahiru Uchiha.
However, as one of the great houses of the ninja world, the Hyūga clan was notorious for its endless red tape. Compared to even the etiquette of noble daimyō families, it could be considered unparalleled in complexity. To Soushu and Mahiru, the wedding procedures proposed by the elders seemed excessively tedious and painfully prolonged.
"This has to change!"
Inside the Commander's Mansion, Hyūga Soushu declared firmly, "We don't need all those lengthy formalities. Just keep it simple and straightforward. Plus, Mahiru and I are already living together—there's absolutely no need for outdated customs like the Haruka greeting or procession rituals."
Mahiru Uchiha nodded in agreement repeatedly.
That attitude really showed just how different the Uchiha and Hyūga were.
While both were ancient, prestigious families standing as the two top ninja clans in the shinobi world, the Uchiha placed far more emphasis on power than protocol. Their traditions regarding etiquette were relatively minimal. Plus, having grown up alongside Soushu on the battlefield since childhood, Mahiru had practically become his shadow—whatever Soushu wanted, she followed without question.
"May we ask, Commander, how exactly should the wedding procedure be revised?"
The exhausted Hyūga elders had no desire to argue further. After all, it was already late July, and the August wedding date approached rapidly. Without finalizing the specific arrangements soon, things would become extremely problematic.
"Adopt the Shinto ceremony (Kamizukeshiki), but replace the Sage of Six Paths with the Rabbit Hour Goddess as the deity to worship."
Soushu immediately picked up a brush pen and began revising the scroll filled with ceremonial details.
"That violates tradition!"
The Hyūga elders were greatly shocked.
The Rabbit Hour Goddess was an ancient deity long forgotten from common memory. Even across the vast Ninja World, temples dedicated to her were rare indeed. The elders found it quite puzzling why such an obscure goddess—the Rabbit Hour Goddess—would be chosen as the central figure in their wedding ceremony, leaving the deeper meaning equally unclear.
"The Rabbit Hour Goddess is the divine protector of prosperity and fertility throughout the Ninja World. Worshiping her during our ceremony will symbolize blessings of abundance and fertility across the Ninja World, ensuring our Hyūga lineage flourishes and thrives through generations."
Soushu spoke confidently, fabricating justification effortlessly.
Although wedding customs varied widely among most Ninja Clans—including the Hyūga—they generally shared certain traditional elements...
The group of elders exchanged helpless glances but ultimately accepted the explanation.
Technically speaking, the concept of a main house or family head no longer existed within today's Hyūga clan. Naturally then, rituals originally designed to emphasize the authority of the main house had lost their relevance. Since Soushu—the rising power who overturned hierarchy from below—refused to accept old norms, there simply wasn't much they could do about it.
Were they really going to pull a coup or stage a dramatic collective suicide just to make Soushu back down? And if that didn't work, would things get even more unbearable?
Therefore, the Hyuga elders could only reluctantly accept Soushu's sweeping revisions.
"Also, cut out all unnecessary sections. Just keep purification rituals, food offerings, blessings, and the oath cup ceremony."
Soushu continued scribbling on the scroll outlining the agenda. "By the way, let's add one final banquet at the end to entertain everyone who attends the wedding."
"Well then."
The elders reluctantly agreed.
Fortunately, Soushu personally established a chief administrator system that was term-based rather than hereditary like the traditional Hyuga Main House. Therefore, his ritual protocols only reflected his personal preferences, not the overall standards of the Hyuga Clan.
"Oh right, there's another matter."
Soushu asked again. "If we want to invite the Kaguya clan from Mist, don't we need to report it to the village first?"
"Hmm..."
The Hyuga elders were clearly floundering even more.
Despite their advanced age, they were essentially big shots only within their own clan. Their understanding of the village's rules and regulations was quite limited, so they couldn't offer an accurate response to this question.
"Our contact with the Kaguya clan has practically ceased,"
One elder delicately put it. "Moreover, our village is currently at odds with Mist. It wouldn't be appropriate to invite them during this time."
Most importantly, the current Kaguya clan was completely different from its Warring States-era counterpart. If they invited those bone-wielding fanatics, heaven forbid they caused trouble during the wedding, bringing great shame upon the Hyuga Clan.
"I plan to use this wedding opportunity to establish connections with all ninja clans across the Ninja World."
Soushu revealed his true thoughts. "After all, better to make peace than hold a grudge. If we could reestablish contact with ninja clans from various countries and form limited cooperative alliances, it would significantly expand our room for maneuver."
"This matter might provoke..."
An elder gestured toward the Hokage Tower direction before shaking his head.
His meaning was clear—the Hokage Tower would never approve any behavior that disregarded the village itself.
"Just throwing it out there for now."
Soushu didn't seem to care much. "Please ask the respected elders to communicate with the Hokage Tower first. Whether it gets approved or not is another issue entirely."
"After all, even if we extend invitations, not many ninja clans may actually choose to come."
"That won't happen."
The elder responded somewhat insincerely.
"Even if old man Monkey and his lot refuse to let us invite every clan across the Ninja World, they'll probably at least approve a cap on numbers, right?"
Soushu continued. "Even being granted permission to invite about fifteen or sixteen ninja clans from other villages would be satisfactory."
"We'll do our best."
The Hyuga elders could only bow in obedience.
However, they certainly didn't share Soushu's level of optimism. Deep down, they thought being able to invite five or six ninja clans from other villages would already be very fortunate indeed.
Soushu carefully observed their expressions, guessing the old men's real thoughts, but chose not to comment further.
He had always approached this matter with the mindset—if you want a window opened, start by saying you're tearing the whole house down. As for what happened afterward, he only cared whether the Kaguya representative could be formally and legitimately invited over—that was enough.
As for whether the Kaguya clan in the Hidden Mist would face criticism or even ostracism from their village because of this, Soushu Hyuga wouldn't mind at all. Given that the Hyuga and Kaguya were once allies and distant relatives, if the Kaguya ever found themselves in trouble, all they needed to do was willingly pledge full allegiance—and Soushu Hyuga would welcome them with open arms.
"Aren't the Kaguya just a bunch of war-obsessed fanatics who'd go as far as fighting with their own bones?" Mahiru Uchiha asked after seeing off the elders, breaking her earlier silence. "What if they suddenly lose control after one too many drinks? Wouldn't that be problematic?"
"That probably won't happen. I've met their clan leader before—he seemed reasonably normal."
Hyuga Soushu himself sounded uncertain.
After all, he had only met Kaguya Tsunashige once, and since it was their first diplomatic meeting, both sides had been on high alert. Under such circumstances, there was no way to gauge someone's true nature.
"In that case, we can just assign some officers from the Policing Department to stay with the Kaguya people when the time comes."
Mahiru Uchiha didn't press further; instead, she began nuzzling her head against Hyuga Soushu's chest, softly purring like a little kitten.
Mahiru-chan's voice was like a spark, setting Soushu ablaze with desire.
So the two started going at it hot and heavy right on the spot.
"How dare you make such an outrageous request?"
When Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi received the petition requesting permission to allow foreign ninja into the village—delivered personally by Elder Fukasaku of the Hyuga clan—he felt like he was about to lose his composure.
The Hyuga really weren't holding back with this request!
"As long as Konoha still stands, there's absolutely no way this disrespectful petition will ever be accepted!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi declared firmly: "And do you really think other hidden villages would let their ninja just switch over to Konoha?"
"Besides, who would take responsibility if those outsiders cause trouble inside the village?"
"This petition is immediately rejected! Don't bring up nonsense like this again!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the petition onto the table in front of Elder Fukasaku, scolding him harshly: "I suspect every last one of you Hyūgas is hiding a streak of rebellion in your hearts—that's the only reason for such outrageous demands!"
"Lord Hokage, please calm down and talk sense,"
Elder Fukasaku replied gently: "This is the collective decision of the Hyuga clan. We hope the village will show us appropriate respect."
"Hmph!"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted angrily through his mustache, clearly not softening: "Your petition doesn't even state how many foreigners you plan to invite. Are you planning to flood Konoha with thousands of foreign ninja next?"
"And furthermore, old man, don't you know how things stand between our village and the other hidden villages right now?"
"Hyuga Soushu is acting recklessly because he's young and inexperienced. Aren't you, as a senior elder, supposed to stop him?"
The last sentence clearly carried a tone of provocation.
Elder Fukasaku Hyuga sighed helplessly, looking as if he had the will but not the way: "Lord Soushu has his own strong foundation and loyal followers. We old folks are already outdated."
"You can't just let him act this recklessly!"
A plan suddenly took shape in Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind: "Besides, the essence of the Will of Fire is respecting elders and caring for the young. As the highest authority in the clan, how could Lord Soushu fail to respect the clan's elders?"
"We're equally helpless; after all, circumstances are stronger than any one person."
Gently and softly, Elder Fukasaku continued: "We would not have come forward with such a request unless the pressure from the clan leader had truly left us no choice."
This seemed promising!
Hiruzen's eyes lit up slightly; his initially vague plan started to take shape.
But he did not press the issue just yet. Instead, he spoke with an air of genuine consideration: "Certainly, I understand the Hyuga Clan's extensive connections and friends throughout the Ninja World. And since Lord Soushu became clan leader through unconventional means, every move he makes naturally draws significant attention."
"Exactly," Elder Fukasaku nodded enthusiastically.
As for that subtle reference about "unconventional leadership," Elder Fukasaku showed no sign of displeasure or need to defend.
It was precisely the lack of any defense that made Hiruzen find it so intriguing.
This further fueled his thoughts about sowing discord, since most people chase illusions instead of facing reality—like searching for fish on a tree or carving a boat to mark where one was dropped overboard.
"Given the village's rules, this request will need to be temporarily withdrawn for now. However, for the sake of Elder Fukasaku's face, if the Hyuga Clan could provide definite details like exact number of invited guests and their family backgrounds, and once Anbu confirms everything checks out, their visit to observe the ceremony within the village would certainly be acceptable."
Third Hokage Hiruzen spoke in a calm and amiable tone. Although he was considerably younger than Elder Fukasaku, his manner carried that patient nurturing quality of an elder teaching a junior: "So long as we follow the village rules, then there's nothing we can't discuss!"
"Something to negotiate?"
Elder Fukasaku appeared visibly moved: "I was worried my old bones might suffer otherwise. Fortunately, the Hokage was willing to show compassion beyond formalities."
"Not at all, not at all."
Waving his pipe, Third Hokage Hiruzen spoke: "Everyone in the village knows Sakumo Hatake openly disagrees with Soushu. Yet personally, I genuinely appreciate seeing our youth passionately speaking up for our future. After all, tolerance is what keeps Konoha strong and thriving!"
"Hokage-sama truly possesses a vast heart. No wonder you're the worthy successor of Master Tobirama!"
Praising enthusiastically, Elder Fukasaku concluded.
With that, both host and guest parted happily.
"Did the old fox really say that?"
Immediately after his exchange with Third Hokage Hiruzen, Elder Fukasaku hurried to report the conversation from the Hokage Office directly to Hyuga Soushu, which caused the latter slight amusement mixed with embarrassment: "What a childish thing to do!"
"Just path dependency—nothing more to it."
Elder Fukasaku Hyuga replied in a calm and worldly-wise manner, "Who besides those delusional doves from the Uchiha Clan would fall for such cheap tricks of the Will of Fire? The entire Konoha knows better."
Mahiru Uchiha was still present in the room. Upon hearing this, she pouted unhappily but chose not to argue.
After all, to normal people, sacrificing an entire clan's interests solely for the benefit of certain village leaders indeed sounded like idiotic behavior.
"That's fair enough,"
Hyuga Soushu chuckled lightly, then kissed Mahiru's forehead gently to soothe her temper.
In his eyes, nothing had changed. In this life or the last, he could never comprehend such blind devotion that demanded one slaughter the very clan that raised and nurtured them—to prevent the village from falling into civil war. It was unfathomable.
"What do you think, Elder? Can we trust the Kaguya Clan?"
Hyuga Soushu didn't dwell on the matter of honored guests entering the village. He trusted Elder Fukasaku to handle that.
"The Kaguya Clan are not a trustworthy bunch, neither in the past, nor now, nor ever."
Elder Fukasaku answered decisively, "But there's no denying—they are excellent tools, these bone-wielding acrobats."
"Excellent tools? That's good enough for me!"
Hyuga Soushu voiced no objection to this judgment.
"We should also consider inviting other clans like the Fuma Clan and Tsuchigumo Clan. Whether they choose to send representatives is up to fate."
He added as a final instruction.
"As you command."
Elder Fukasaku bowed respectfully.
"By the way, has there been any progress on the missing persons mission?"
Soushu continued to inquire about other matters he had previously assigned.
"There has indeed been a sighting of a group of red-haired prisoners detained in the Land of Grass, though we cannot yet confirm if they belong to the Uzumaki Clan."
Elder Fukasaku promptly responded.
"Then calculate how many Ninja Forces we need to mobilize to bring them back home!"
Hyuga Soushu declared decisively, "You make the plan, I'll mobilize the Ninja Force!"
"At once, my Lord!"
Elder Fukasaku bowed again in agreement.
The new generation of the Hyuga Clan must also make its mark across the Ninja World through bold actions!
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