"Borrow the Scroll of Seals?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi almost thought he'd misheard. His tone dropped an octave as he asked again. But when Hyuga Hiashi gave a solemn nod, Hiruzen's expression darkened. After a long moment of silence, however, he didn't outright refuse. Instead, he asked cautiously,
"So… the Hyuga Clan is suddenly interested in forbidden techniques now?"
"You do understand what's recorded in the Scroll of Seals, don't you? Every jutsu in that book is considered extremely dangerous. In Konoha, research into forbidden arts has always been strictly prohibited."
Hiruzen's voice grew heavy, his demeanor shifting completely from the genial old man of earlier. A faint yet undeniable pressure filled the air, weighing on Hiashi like a physical force.
Yet Hiashi's expression remained calm. He spoke in an even, composed tone.
"It's not that we're interested in the forbidden arts themselves," he explained. "It's simply that my son, Hyuga Satoru, has taken an interest in the Flying Thunder God Technique. I wished to borrow the Scroll of Seals to see if there's any way for him to study it."
Hiashi didn't bother hiding his son's talent—in fact, he wanted it known. For years, the Hyuga's reputation within the village had been overshadowed by the Uchiha Clan.
One genius after another had emerged from the Uchiha: Shisui, Itachi—names that shone across Konoha. By comparison, the younger Hyuga generation seemed lackluster. Allowing the village leadership to see Satoru's brilliance could only help restore the clan's prestige.
"Your son wants to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Hiruzen blinked, surprised. "You mean that little boy who was sitting beside you earlier—that's him, right? Hyuga Satoru?"
"How old is he again?"
The Third's tone betrayed his disbelief. He'd imagined many reasons for such a request—but not this.
Still, there was always the possibility that Hiashi was using his son as a convenient excuse.
"Borrowing the Scroll of Seals, hmm…"
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally exhaled, relaxing his shoulders slightly.
"If it's for the Hyuga, it's… not entirely impossible."
Hiashi's lips curved faintly. He had expected as much.
Officially, only the Hokage could access the Scroll of Seals, and any private study of forbidden jutsu was a criminal offense. But Hiashi, at his level, knew better than to believe the official narrative.
In truth, Konoha had never stopped studying forbidden techniques. The research simply happened in secret—sanctioned by those in power. Many within the Hokage's faction had seen the scroll before.
And unlike the Uchiha, the Hyuga weren't in opposition to the Hokage's administration. If anything, the village relied on the clan's Byakugan for reconnaissance and defense.
"Very well," said Hiruzen at last. "Since you say your son merely wishes to understand the Flying Thunder God Technique, let's do this: find a time to bring him to me personally. I'll allow him one week to examine that section of the scroll."
"You know the rules—the Scroll of Seals never leaves the Hokage Building. If he's to study it, it must be done here."
It was a concession—but a controlled one. Hiruzen wasn't entirely convinced by Hiashi's reasoning and wanted to ensure no line was crossed. Letting a five-year-old study within the Hokage's supervision seemed harmless enough.
After all, who in their right mind would believe that a child could comprehend—let alone learn—the Fourth Hokage's most advanced space-time ninjutsu?
"Excellent. Thank you, Lord Third," Hiashi said, bowing slightly.
Hiruzen had agreed more easily than he'd hoped. A rare smile crept across Hiashi's face.
Heh, my son is still being underestimated…
But that's fine. Give Satoru a single week, and with his photographic memory, he'll have every line of that scroll committed to heart.
The thought filled him with quiet satisfaction.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Hiashi said respectfully. "In a few days, I'll bring Satoru over to read the Scroll of Seals. As for the Hyuga shinobi assigned to this mission, I'll leave them in your care. Once the task is complete, please send them home."
As he turned to go, he cast a brief, meaningful glance at Hyuga Hizashi, who immediately lowered his eyes in silent understanding.
Hiruzen didn't stop them. After exchanging a few cordial words with the Hyuga escorts, he summoned an ANBU to lead them out of the office.
When the Hokage's office finally returned to silence, Hiruzen settled back behind his desk—and at that moment, a puff of smoke burst up from the floor.
"Poof!"
Out of the smoke stepped a figure in dark robes, leaning on a cane—Danzo Shimura. His one visible eye gleamed with cold reproach.
"Hiruzen," he growled, "how could you allow outsiders to read the Scroll of Seals? And a child, no less!"
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
He had heard fragments of the earlier conversation. As the head of Root and a senior Konoha advisor, Danzo had unrestricted access to the Hokage's office—and Hiruzen had long since stopped limiting his comings and goings.
"The Hyuga are one of Konoha's greatest assets," Hiruzen replied evenly. "They're hardly outsiders. And it's only a child who's fascinated by a legend—you're overreacting."
"I've seen Hyuga Satoru myself. He's only five years old. Mature for his age, yes, but still a boy. Granting him this minor favor won't change anything."
Danzo's scowl deepened.
"Even so, the Hyuga are far too presumptuous! To make such a request—Hiruzen, you—"
But before he could finish, Hiruzen raised a hand and cut him off.
"I agreed to it on Minato's behalf."
"Danzo… the one who holds the Hokage's seat now is the Fourth, not me."
Those two simple sentences struck Danzo speechless.
Right. Namikaze Minato—not Hiruzen Sarutobi—was the Hokage.
Even Danzo had no retort for that.
By the time Hiashi returned to the Hyuga compound, the sun had already dipped below the rooftops.
Satoru had finished his daily training and was back home. Inside a softly lit room, he sat beside a beautiful woman, watching as she quietly knitted a small gray sweater.
Hyuga Hanako—Satoru's mother in this life. Much of his own delicate features came from her.
Gentle and composed, Hanako was the very picture of a traditional Japanese wife. Since marrying Hiashi, she had devoted herself wholly to her family—managing the household, raising her son, rarely stepping beyond the clan walls.
Even as a transmigrator, Satoru couldn't help but feel the warmth and tenderness that radiated from her.
This woman… was someone he had vowed to protect, no matter what.
"Mom," Satoru said with a grin, "that little sweater isn't for me, is it? Is it for my future little sister?"
"Isn't it a bit early to start knitting? And the color's so plain—not very fitting for a girl, don't you think?"
Hanako paused, smiling softly as she stroked his hair.
"Future little sister? And how do you know it'll be a girl?"
"Maybe it'll be a little brother instead. And gray's a good color—works for both, doesn't it?"
Satoru leaned back against the wall, hands folded behind his head. "No, it's definitely a girl. I have a feeling—and my intuition's usually right."
"If it's a daughter, her clothes should be bright and colorful," he added with mock seriousness.
Hanako gave him an amused glance. But then, her smile faded slightly, and her tone softened.
"She won't be like you, Satoru…"
"Her world will be… gray."
"So promise me—you'll protect your little sister. Make sure her world becomes as colorful as yours."
The knitting needles paused in her hands. The faint glow of the setting sun spilled through the window, gilding mother and son in gold.
And in that warm, quiet moment, Hyuga Satoru silently swore to himself—
That no matter what the future brought, he would keep that promise.
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