Inside the Hokage Office of Konoha.
The intense battle last night and the bizarre retreat of the Six Paths of Pain left behind too many questions.
And Uzumaki Naruto had controlled the power of the Nine-Tailed, with Hinata providing assistance.
After a night of emergency discussions and intelligence gathering, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt more and more that it was necessary to have a more formal conversation with Hinata, who had repeatedly demonstrated abilities beyond common sense, in order to perhaps uncover some of the truth.
Of course, the method needed to be sufficiently tactful and appropriate.
Therefore, he summoned the heads of various major clans for a meeting.
The meeting proceeded without incident; the clan heads reported the situation and expressed their support for the Village's resolutions. After the meeting, the Third Hokage kept Hyuga Hiashi back alone.
"Clan Chief Hiashi, please stay a moment; there is one more matter I would like to discuss with you." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was a few degrees gentler than during the meeting; he gestured for Hiashi to sit and personally poured him a cup of tea.
Hiashi took the teacup and nodded slightly: "Please speak, Hokage-sama."
"It is about that child, Naruto." The Third Hokage also sat down, picked up his pipe, but did not light it, merely stroking it.
"You must have seen his performance last night. That he could initially control that power is a great blessing for the Village. As an elder who watched him grow up, I am also very gratified."
Hiashi listened impassively, without responding.
"Naruto is a simple-hearted child who cannot hide his words," the Third Hokage continued slowly, his gaze seemingly falling casually on the steam rising from the teacup.
"He mentioned that when he encountered a Bottleneck in his training, he received some... very beneficial guidance and help from your daughter, Hinata. For this, on behalf of the Village and myself, I would like to express my gratitude to Hinata. She helped Naruto control the power of the Nine-Tailed, and Konoha will remember this."
Hiashi's fingers tightened on the teacup for a moment, but his face remained wearing that same calm, serious expression.
"Hokage-sama, you are too kind. My daughter Hinata and Uzumaki Naruto are fellow Ninjas of the same generation; exchanging pointers is a common occurrence. It is a good thing that Hinata could be of some benefit to a comrade's training; it is also the duty of the Hyuga Clan to teach younger generations to be friendly and helpful. It is not worthy of such solemn gratitude from Hokage-sama."
Hiashi's reply was flawless.
A flash of understanding crossed Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes; Hiashi was indeed not someone who could be easily breached. He put down his pipe, leaned forward slightly, and his tone became more earnest.
"Clan Chief Hiashi is too modest. You and I both know the special nature of Naruto's situation. Being able to help him is definitely not something that can be achieved through ordinary exchanges. I have no other intentions; it is just... the current situation in the Ninja World is delicate, the Akatsuki Organization is eyeing us covetously, and the power of the Jinchuriki is of vital importance. Since Hinata has a way to help Naruto better control this power, perhaps her methods and insights have immeasurable value for the future training and protection of the Village's important combat forces."
He observed Hiashi's reaction and continued speaking.
"Of course, I am well aware that every clan has its own heritage and secrets, and I have no intention of prying into the non-disclosable secrets of the Hyuga Clan. I only hope that if what Hinata has mastered is some kind of universal concept or technique that could inspire new ideas, and provided it does not involve core secrets, would it be possible for the Hokage Office to invite Hinata to exchange ideas with the Village's relevant research teams, or directly with me and Jiraiya? We guarantee that we will never investigate any specific jutsu or the mysteries of the Hyuga Bloodline, only to seek possible paths to better protect the Village."
This was said extremely tactfully and politely, almost lowering the Hokage's stance, proposing it in a tone of discussion and request.
However, Hyuga Hiashi's reaction was more direct and cold than the Third Hokage had anticipated.
The Hyuga Clan Chief slowly put down the teacup in his hand, making a crisp, light sound.
He raised his head, those pure white eyes staring directly at the Third Hokage, his gaze as sharp as a knife. His already serious face tightened even more, and an Aura of dignity and inviolability belonging to an ancient Clan Chief quietly spread out.
He raised his head, his back straight as an unbending bamboo, his voice steady but carrying a coldness and persistence belonging to an ancient Clan Chief.
He paused slightly, a sharp light flashing in his Byakugan, his tone suddenly deepening, even carrying a hint of questioning sternness.
"The secret transmissions and ancient texts of the Hyuga Clan are legacies left by our ancestors. The core secrets of the Main Family are not to be lightly pried into by outsiders. Hokage-sama, by asking this, do you wish to pry into the non-disclosable secrets of my Hyuga Main Family?"
This sentence was spoken with great weight, almost equivalent to accusing the Hokage of intending to spy on the core secrets of a Ninja clan. In the Ninja World, which highly values Family heritage and independence, this was a very serious accusation.
The air in the office seemed to freeze instantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand holding the pipe paused slightly; the gentle smile on his face remained, but his eyes grew a bit deeper.
He had not expected Hiashi's reaction to be so direct and tough, completely blocking any path for further inquiry.
Jiraiya, on the side, also raised his eyebrows in some surprise, watching Hiashi's unyielding, and even faintly angry, posture, and sighed inwardly.
This Hyuga Main Family is indeed not an easy iron plate to crack; this old guy Hiashi is certainly protective of his own.
"Clan Chief Hiashi, you speak too seriously." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly, his tone still steady, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"I have absolutely no intention of prying into the Hyuga's secret transmissions. It is just that the situation last night was special, the enemy's abilities were bizarre, and any unusual clue concerns the Village's safety, so I asked one more question. Since the Hyuga Clan is unwilling, then let it be."
He brushed the topic aside lightly, as if the slightly tense confrontation just now had never happened.
"The Hyuga Clan performed their duties faithfully last night and made significant contributions. Thank you for your hard work. It was I who overstepped."
Hiashi bowed slightly, his manners impeccable.
"It is my duty. If there is nothing else, Hiashi will take his leave."
After speaking, he turned and left the Hokage Office without any hesitation, his steps steady.
After the door closed, Jiraiya clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Old Man, it seems this path won't work. Trying to get the details about that child Hinata from him is difficult."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe in silence, the exhaled smoke blurring the expression on his face.
"What is more important right now is to digest the results of last night's battle and comfort the villagers."
The topic was temporarily put to rest.
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