Chapter 126: This Time He's Really a Father-in-Law
When Akiyama Makoto arrived at the Hyūga compound, Natsu Hyūga was already waiting for him. This time, she didn't take him to the training hall, but to Hiashi Hyūga's reception room. From this perspective, his status had clearly been elevated.
"Please, sit."
After gesturing for him to sit, Hiashi personally poured him a cup of tea.
This confirmed Makoto's suspicions. While acting humble, he did not refuse Hiashi's etiquette.
After he took a sip and set the cup down, Hiashi spoke first. "The Third Hokage paid me a visit yesterday."
A flash of surprise passed through Makoto's eyes. He hadn't expected Hiashi to also start by telling a story. But he knew what he was supposed to do at this moment, so he played along. "For the Third Hokage to come to the Hyūga compound, it must have been for something important. After all, he is a very busy man."
"What's surprising is that he just came to chat," Hiashi said, a faint smile on his lips. "He spoke to me of the past glory and sacrifices of the Hyūga clan, reminisced about Hizashi's death—Hizashi was my younger brother—and even said that the Hyūga are now the strongest clan in Konoha."
"This rambling appearance... it really doesn't seem like a sharp and capable Hokage. Instead, it's more like—"
Makoto also laughed. "I understand. Just like those grandpas and grandmas who hold my hand and tell me stories of the past."
"Many people say that the Hokage is a kind old man."
Hiashi nodded. "Yes, I've heard the children say that as well. He is very popular with them."
"But he is far less popular with the adults. Because everyone knows, a Hokage should not be just a kind old man."
Makoto didn't reply, contemplating whether he should. Hiashi, as the head of the Hyūga, could make jokes about the Hokage in his own home, and even if Hiruzen found out, he would pretend he didn't know. But he was different. At least on the surface, he didn't have the power to mock the Hokage.
Hiashi, seeing that he wasn't responding, knew his concerns and decided to be direct. "Makoto-kun, are the recent events in Konoha related to you?"
Since Hiashi had put it so bluntly, he could no longer play dumb. He had just used his and Tsunade's "faction" to put pressure on him; if he played dumb now, wouldn't he be completely retracting his previous stance?
He calmly shook his head. "Lord Hiashi, we want to restore the glory of the Senju clan. When have the Senju ever been known for 'kindness' and 'conspiracies'?"
"Besides, you may not trust me, but do you really think Lady Tsunade would do something that endangers Konoha?"
Hiashi thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. He knew Tsunade's character. She was a woman who couldn't tolerate a single grain of sand in her eye, and her love for Konoha was no less than anyone else's. To ask her to do such a thing would be more difficult than getting Hiruzen to stand up to the Cloud Village.
But the current situation left him with no choice but to think that way.
"The Third Hokage is old and frail. Danzō has become a rat-like figure. The other two advisors are also advanced in age."
"The only qualified successors are Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade. But Lord Jiraiya has too much of a 'personality' and probably won't take on the responsibility."
"So the only remaining question is when the Third Hokage will abdicate... or, Makoto-kun, are you really not planning to do anything?"
Makoto couldn't help but look at Hiashi with a deep, appraising gaze, as if seeing this man for the first time.
In the past, whether it was his own understanding or the evaluations of others, most opinions of Hiashi were negative. After all, his strength was not weak—he had a 60-point stat total, plus the Byakugan and Gentle Fist. Even if he couldn't mix with Konoha's high command, he shouldn't have been pushed around by the village, let alone allow his own brother to be sent to his death. One had to know, the Hyūga had the Caged Bird Seal, which was enough to guarantee their unity, more so than any other clan.
Holding so many good cards, Hiashi had led the Hyūga to be both cowardly and mediocre for so many years. It was no wonder others looked down on him.
But from a results-oriented perspective, the Uchiha were extinct, but the Hyūga were still here, and would continue on. From that angle, what he did wasn't wrong. It was just that he was shackled by the Hyūga clan, making it almost impossible for him to make any outstanding achievements. But that didn't mean he couldn't understand what was happening in Konoha.
And it was precisely because he could understand that Makoto now realized... perhaps a flame of anger had been burning in Hiashi's chest all this time.
Unfortunately, he couldn't give him the answer he wanted.
"I'm afraid not, Lord Hiashi. We—Lady Tsunade and I—will do nothing."
"Just as you said, as long as we wait for the right time, she will be the Hokage. Why would we do something to damage our own interests?"
"Such things are naturally left for conspirators to do."
Hiashi blurted out, "Danzō?"
Makoto just smiled and said nothing.
Hiashi, thinking he understood, let out a long breath. "Thank you for answering my questions, Makoto-kun."
"I am also relieved that you and Lady Tsunade will not be doing anything. This way, you will be able to bring a new atmosphere to Konoha."
"You will see that day, Lord Hiashi."
Hiashi then changed the subject to Hinata. The suddenness of it even surprised Makoto.
"The chakra thread you taught her, and the matter of her eating her fill—both have promoted her growth in strength."
"I must admit, I have been a very negligent father. I didn't even notice that Hinata was never eating enough."
Makoto shook his head slightly and comforted him, "Hinata's appetite is different from that of ordinary people. It's truly impossible to judge by common sense. You can't be blamed, sir."
"You don't need to comfort me, Makoto-kun. Right now, all my energy is focused on educating Hanabi. As for Hinata... I truly no longer know how to best cultivate her."
"So, I would like for her to follow you more in the future, to learn some new skills. If she is still not suited to be a ninja, then she can also be your assistant."
He stared at Hiashi in surprise. Was his father-in-law entrusting his daughter to him just like that?
But he quickly realized what was happening. Hiashi was arranging a powerful backer for Hinata, and at the same time, paving the way for the Hyūga clan in the era of Tsunade's leadership. Two sisters, one as the clan head, the other as a high-ranking official... it was indeed a good choice. At least, it was far better than the ending for him and his brother, Hizashi.
Unfortunately, Hiashi was being a bit too wishful. Just because Hinata wasn't suited to be clan head, did that mean she was suited to be a bureaucrat? Was it not possible that all she wanted was to be a housewife?
Makoto was about to nod, but his sensory perception picked up familiar chakra signatures quietly approaching. It was clearly Hinata and Hanabi, back from the Academy. Hearing he was here, they had secretly snuck over to hear what he and their father were talking about.
And so, he said, "Lord Hiashi, I am very willing to do these things. But you also understand, 'if the name is not correct, the words will not be in accordance.'"
"In what capacity should I do these things?"
"And I must state beforehand, I am not much older than Hinata, so the matter of becoming her 'teacher' is out of the question."
His pre-emptive-strike statement made Hiashi choke. How could he not see the playful, teasing look in his eyes?
But he wasn't angry. He knew his request was, in fact, very unreasonable. He was offering nothing, yet he wanted Makoto to bring Hinata into Konoha's future inner circle. That was impossible.
So what price should he offer?
Money? He was clearly not lacking in money.
Fame? His fame as a great author was already spreading from Konoha to the whole Land of Fire.
Power and status? That was what Hiashi wanted from him for Hinata.
Thinking it over, there seemed to be only one answer left.
"Hinata, come in."
"?! Y-Yes, I'm coming in!"
Hinata hurriedly took off her shoes and walked in, kneeling respectfully in front of her father and lowering her head. But her eyes kept darting towards Makoto, who was winking at her.
"Hinata, how much of our conversation did you hear?"
"Father! I just got here! I didn't hear anything!"
"In that case, listen carefully to what I am about to say."
Hiashi placed a hand on her shoulder. When she looked up, he showed her a smile that she had not seen in a long time, one that was almost fuzzy in her memory. It was the smile he had reserved for her when she was a child, before she had to start training.
"From now on, follow Makoto-kun and pursue what you truly want."
"As for the Caged Bird Seal... it will not bind you as long as I am alive."
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