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The Third Hokage sighed, closed the Hokage office door, took a few steps forward, then stopped. He spoke with great concern.
"Kazuki, I understand your good intentions. The Hyūga clan's problems have been a headache for every Hokage. But no Hokage has been able to resolve it, ultimately because they feared severe backlash from the Hyūga."
The Third Hokage wasn't exaggerating. That was the reality. Senju Hashirama had considered the Hyūga issue, but he dared not act rashly because the village was unstable.
Senju Tobirama wanted to deal with it, but the Senju clan's own problems were even bigger than the Hyūga's.
So the Hyūga issue was left unresolved. Tobirama's focus was on making the Senju clan more "civilian." By the time he resolved the Senju's issues, war broke out.
When the Third Hokage came to power, he needed the support of the village's clans. The Hyūga were one of the clans that supported him.
Thus, he couldn't move harshly against the Hyūga. By the time he was settled, before he could act, war broke out. The Hyūga matter was again set aside.
He finally had a chance after the war ended, but the village was in a weak recovery period and couldn't be destabilized.
Plus, with the problem regarding the Uchiha, the Third Hokage had no energy to deal with the Hyūga.
After a few years, the village finally emerged from its weak period, but a new war began.
Konoha suffered heavy losses. The Third Hokage, bearing considerable blame, chose to step down. Minato took over.
Minato didn't dare touch the Hyūga, let alone think about it.
And the later story, as we know, Minato never even got to exercise Hokage authority before the Nine-Tails incident, and he and his wife died.
The Third Hokage came out of retirement. At that time, Konoha couldn't afford upheaval. Plus, pressured by Kumogakure, the Hyūga were forced to sacrifice Hyūga Hizashi.
With the village needing to recover and the conflict between the Uchiha and the village escalating, the Hyūga issue was again set aside.
The Hyūga have been incredibly lucky.
If Hashirama had died two years later, if the First Great Shinobi War had broken out a few years later, the Hyūga might not have lasted until now. Tobirama would certainly have taken action against them.
But by a fluke, they kept getting delayed, all the way to the present.
In the original story, the Hyūga problem dragged on into Boruto without resolution.
Coincidentally, whenever the Hyūga's issues became critical, something major – like a war – would happen in the shinobi world, diverting attention from their internal conflicts.
The Third Hokage had come with a heavy heart. He didn't expect Kazuki to burst out laughing, as if Kazuki found him amusing.
The Third Hokage's face darkened.
Kazuki waved his hand, still laughing, and explained.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to. I just couldn't help it. I understand your concerns, but I'm curious: didn't your 'Council of Four' ruthlessly target the Uchiha at every turn? Weren't you afraid of backlash from them? The Uchiha are much stronger than the Hyūga. If they retaliated, the damage to the village would be far greater than anything the Hyūga could do."
Why could you act recklessly against the Uchiha, but not against the Hyūga?
The conversation circled back to old issues.
The Third Hokage froze, opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.
Yes, why?
The Uchiha's power was indeed far beyond the Hyūga's. If you were worried about Hyūga backlash causing serious damage, what about the Uchiha?
And "Council of Four"? Was that him, Danzo, Koharu, and Utatane?
"Lord Third, double standards only go so far. I'll handle this matter myself. Don't trouble yourself with it. If the Uchiha of old couldn't cause a stir, what can the Hyūga, who don't even dare to speak out, do?"
The smile gradually left Kazuki's face. His tone grew unfriendly.
"I remember everything you did to the Uchiha. I haven't forgotten. Tsunade promised not to reopen old wounds. Please don't give me a reason. Otherwise, I might have to do something to the Sarutobi clan. You know how much blood your 'civilian clan' has sucked from the village. Since you're already retired, just enjoy your retirement. Don't come running to the Hokage's office every time something happens. It makes me think you have ulterior motives."
"I have no such intention!"
The Third Hokage grew agitated.
"You can think I targeted the Uchiha. I admit it. I did. But on this Hyūga matter, I have no personal motives."
"I know. Otherwise, you and I wouldn't be speaking so politely."
Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment.
The Third Hokage's motives for coming were indeed not selfish. But so what? If you're retired, just stay retired. Don't pop up every chance you get, showing off your presence. That kind of behavior is really irritating.
"....."
The Third Hokage was again left speechless. His face was terribly grim.
If Tsunade were in the village, he might have some influence. But Tsunade wasn't there. Kazuki ignored him.
I don't care about your intentions. Just stay home and behave. Don't come out where I can see you.
"In any case, I'll handle the Hyūga matter myself. You just rest easy at home. And don't worry about Hyūga backlash. They won't dare. If the Uchiha have some spine, the Hyūga are just ostriches clinging to outdated rules. Is that explanation satisfactory, Lord Third?"
"I hope you don't regret this."
The Third Hokage left in a huff. He came worried and left angry.
Kazuki hadn't taken the old man seriously at all.
Third Hokage – what a load of crap.
Unfortunately, Kazuki wasn't afraid of him being angry. It wouldn't have any effect. The only person the anger would hurt was the Third Hokage himself.
"How's the Hyūga situation?"
A few seconds after he spoke, an Anbu operative entered the office, knelt on one knee, and respectfully answered.
"Lord Advisor, the Hyūga clan is quiet. No one is trying to leave the compound."
"Good. Keep watching."
Before Hyūga Hiashi arrived, they would stay quiet.