As the head of the Main House, Hyuga Hiashi was going against the other Elders of the Main House when it came to dealing with potential threats to their position.
Although this was beyond Hyuga Aokawa's expectations, it was also within the realm of reason.
After all, in the original story, Hyuga Hiashi did not appear to be the kind of extreme, high-and-mighty Main House member.
From his conversation with Hyuga Hizashi during the Fourth Shinobi World War, as well as the plot in Boruto where he thanked Naruto for helping the Hyuga Clan reform...
He should be someone who intends to change the flaws of the Hyuga Main and Branch Houses.
Therefore, when facing such an unstable factor, his reaction was not as intense as that of the conservative Elder faction.
Moreover, as the new Clan Chief, he likely didn't have many reliable people under him, which could explain why he was so eager to win Aokawa over.
Regardless, since Hyuga Aokawa had chosen to expose his abilities to quickly gain resources for increasing his strength...
Then, before the Caged Bird Seal was resolved, he could not enter the range where any member of the Main House could activate it.
Thus, even without Hyuga Hiashi's secret warning, Hyuga Aokawa would not have followed the Main House Elders' orders to return to Konoha Village.
He looked up and saw Minato Namikaze still waiting for his answer, so he spoke: "Lord Minato, what if I want to stay on the Battlefield and continue serving the Village?"
Minato Namikaze smiled upon hearing this. "Even in a state of war, the great clans still hold a certain amount of influence."
"Furthermore, the Hyuga Clan sent three Jonin as reinforcements to replace you, so their approach is beyond reproach."
"However!" Minato Namikaze's Aura surged. "As the Battlefield commander, I have the right to deploy anyone who is helpful to the war effort."
"Aokawa, your previous battle where you fought the Eight-Tails to a standstill is enough to prove your strength. You are an indispensable force on this Battlefield."
Minato Namikaze looked at him with burning eyes and shouted formally:
"Then, Hyuga Aokawa!"
"Yes!" Hyuga Aokawa stood up straight.
"I appoint you to the Kumogakure Battlefield Special Mobile Unit. You will be under my direct command; no one other than myself has the authority to deploy you."
"Yes, Aokawa accepts the order!" Hyuga Aokawa responded.
He then asked, "In that case, the three Jonin sent by the clan..."
Before Hyuga Aokawa could finish, Minato Namikaze interrupted: "Since they have come, they are an indispensable part of the Battlefield, and naturally, they must also serve the Village."
Hyuga Aokawa nodded. He understood what Minato Namikaze meant.
The person—himself—would not be released, but the three Jonin who were sent would also have to stay.
He hadn't expected Minato Namikaze to have such a domineering side beneath his gentle exterior.
No wonder when he became Hokage, the presence of several Hokage Assistants diminished significantly, and even Danzo rarely showed himself.
But this was the quality a leader should have: being domineering when necessary and gentle when appropriate.
A hesitant and indecisive personality like Hiruzen Sarutobi's was better suited to being the principal of the Ninja Academy than the leader of a nation.
"Then it's settled. I will reject the Hyuga Clan's recall order later," Minato Namikaze decided.
"Then thank you, Lord Minato." Hyuga Aokawa's face was full of gratitude.
Minato Namikaze waved his hand. "Setting aside the fact that you saved Kakashi and the others, even if it's just to preserve a talent like you for the Village, I should do this."
"It seems even Lord Minato knows."
"I can probably guess. I've dealt with Hyuga Ieyasu before; his sense of hierarchy and desire for control are extremely strong. Given your special long-range ability, it's not hard to guess his purpose in recalling you now."
"However, I can only keep you here temporarily. There's nothing else I can do, as it involves internal clan affairs. After the war, when we return to the Village, you'll have to navigate it yourself."
"Yes, I understand. This is already enough."
Minato Namikaze added, "If there's anything you need help with, just ask."
Hyuga Aokawa paused upon hearing this, weighing his words carefully before finally asking: "Lord Minato, could you... teach me some Sealing Techniques?"
"Aokawa, do you want to...?" Minato Namikaze was stunned.
"Yes, I have to try."
Hyuga Aokawa didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was clear.
Minato Namikaze looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded. "Aokawa, a talent like yours indeed shouldn't be bound by such shackles."
"It's just that the Caged Bird Seal is not as simple as you think."
"I understand."
"Since you've made up your mind, I won't say more."
Minato Namikaze picked up a brush and began writing rapidly on scrolls, not stopping until he had filled three of them.
He handed the three scrolls to Hyuga Aokawa and said, "These contain some basic knowledge of Sealing Techniques and two seals of relatively moderate difficulty: one is the Yin-Yang Seal, and the other is the Four Symbols Seal."
"Once you've learned these, I will teach you other Sealing Techniques."
Yin-Yang Seal?
Four Symbols Seal?
Aren't these the two Sealing Techniques I previously obtained from Minato?
But I already know these two.
"Lord Minato, could you write a couple more? You are so busy with a thousand things every day, it wouldn't be good to keep disturbing you," Hyuga Aokawa said.
"Do not underestimate Sealing Techniques." Minato Namikaze thought Hyuga Aokawa was suffering from a bout of Genius-level arrogance and explained: "Sealing Techniques are much more complex than Ninjutsu. Biting off more than you can chew is unwise. Wait until you've mastered these, and then I'll teach you others."
Hyuga Aokawa could only nod. After thanking him, he turned and took his leave.
Over the next few days, Hyuga Aokawa began cramming his knowledge of Sealing Techniques.
Minato Namikaze also became very busy. Hyuga Aokawa went to find him twice but didn't run into him, so he hadn't obtained any new Sealing Techniques... Meanwhile, in the Hyuga Clan compound in Konoha Village.
Inside the Clan Chief's residence, the atmosphere was heavy.
A Ninja from the Branch House knelt on the floor, looking panicked.
"Clan Head, news... news has come from the Front Lines."
"Lord Minato Namikaze has rejected the recall order."
His voice was trembling.
"And in his capacity as the Battlefield commander, he has appointed Aokawa as his direct subordinate. No one is allowed to move him without his command."
Hyuga Hiashi sat upright, expressionless.
The Ninja swallowed hard and buried his head even lower.
"Also..."
"After learning the news, Grand Elder Ieyasu did not report to you..."
"Instead, he took two other Elders and went directly to the Hokage Building!"
"He said he wanted to demand an explanation from the Sandaime!"
Bang!
The low table in front of Hyuga Hiashi cracked under the force of his palm.
His face instantly turned livid.
This was no longer just being sidelined.
This was blatant disregard!
First, he had dispatched three Jonin without Hiashi's consent.
Now, he had directly bypassed him as the Clan Chief to pressure the Hokage in the name of the Hyuga Clan!
His dignity as Clan Chief was being ruthlessly trampled upon by Hyuga Ieyasu.
"Brother, please stay calm!"
The nearby Hyuga Hizashi looked worried and stepped forward quickly.
"Elder Ieyasu has deep roots in the clan; we cannot easily have a direct confrontation with him."
"Calm?"
Hyuga Hiashi stood up abruptly, his voice cold.
"If I do not assert the authority of the Clan Chief today,"
"Then the position of the Hyuga Clan Chief will truly become a joke!"
He straightened the white Haori that symbolized his status as Clan Chief, his eyes becoming sharp.
He strode purposefully toward the Elder Council.