A few days ago —
After Fūmori Masaki sent the prisoners of war to the front lines, the peace negotiation site had been tentatively decided. The Konoha camp was making preparations. Fūmori Masaki originally had other matters to attend to, but at this moment, Tobirama called him over.
"Masaki, I'm afraid your family's heirloom ninja tool can't be recovered. Since you didn't find a satisfactory one from my brother, I will have a new ninja tool specially crafted for you, just as I said before," Tobirama said.
"A new ninja tool?" Fūmori Masaki was delighted to hear this. He knew that the Ninja sword he had been using was really not handy, and he didn't know how many opportunities it had cost him. It would be great to be able to change to a new one.
Tobirama said: "According to my sister-in-law, she suggested seeking help from the Taketori Clan for forging. After the war here stabilized, I asked the Hyuga Clan, and they told me that the Taketori Main Family happens to be in the Land of Hot Springs."
"The Land of Hot Springs? In such a war-torn place?" Fūmori Masaki asked in surprise.
"It's probably because the war came too suddenly; they didn't have a chance to relocate and had to hide. Fortunately, no one found them. After all, they were a Ninja clan in the past. If one isn't intentionally looking for them, they generally wouldn't be found by accident," Tobirama said, while placing a piece of metal on the table.
"This is?"
"chakra metal. It's the best that can be found right now, and it should be able to craft a good ninja tool for you," Tobirama said, looking at the metal. "However, I don't have much experience in this area, so I can't say for sure. We'll have to see what the people of the Taketori Clan do. I've heard that as long as you pay enough money, they will craft a suitable weapon. So, take this money and go."
Seeing that Tobirama had already prepared the materials and money, Fūmori Masaki said gratefully, "Thank you, Teacher."
"This is something that should be compensated to you, there's no need to thank me," Tobirama said.
"Where does the Taketori Main Family live now? I will go pay a visit immediately," Fūmori Masaki asked.
"I don't know either. The Taketori Clan doesn't like to expose their location. Their family members live anonymously, forging weapons for others to make a living. As for the location of the Main Family, only the Hyuga Clan, who have been on good terms with them for generations, knows. Let someone from the Hyuga Clan take you," Tobirama said. "I have already asked the Hyuga Main Family; he will let his son come over. Just wait a while, and when he arrives, he will take you."
"I understand," Fūmori Masaki nodded slightly.
A few days later, Hyuga Masato's son, who would be the future head of the Hyuga Main Family, arrived at the camp. This young man named Hyūga Hideaki was likely the father of the brothers Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi. He also had an elegant appearance, dressed in traditional attire, much like the nobles in the capital.
"Lord Fūmori, nice to meet you." Hyūga Hideaki's etiquette was impeccable. Even so, Fūmori Masaki still felt a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps he preferred things to be a bit more casual. Politeness is one thing, but if it's like this all the time, it feels too exhausting.
"Nice to meet you," Fūmori Masaki returned the greeting. "I'll leave the upcoming journey to you, Hideaki-kun."
"Since it is a matter entrusted by Hokage-sama, I will naturally do my best. I just hope Lord Fūmori can heed the warnings; the Taketori Clan also has its own rules," Hyūga Hideaki said.
"I know. I will never touch what I shouldn't," Fūmori Masaki said.
"That's good," Hyūga Hideaki smiled slightly.
For this trip, Hyūga Hideaki also brought someone along, who was the familiar Hyūga Kei. After all, Hyūga Hideaki was the heir to the Main Family and did not have the Caged Bird Seal that prevents the Byakugan from being stolen. Although the surroundings of the Land of Hot Springs had already been secured by Konoha Ninja, and both Fūmori Masaki and Hyūga Hideaki were excellent Ninjas, Hyūga Hideaki still needed a guard to accompany him to ensure he could be covered when necessary.
The rules of the Hyuga Clan are just like that: the Main Family inherits the power of the Byakugan, while the Branch Family sacrifices their lives to protect the Main Family.
It has been like this since ancient times. It should be said that the Hyuga Clan has been able to continue its heritage for thousands of years because of this relationship. Tracing back to the past, it was even before the lineages of the Senju and Uchiha — in the Ninja World, there is a saying that "the Sharingan originated from the Byakugan," which is proof of the Hyuga Clan's long history.
After the three entered the territory of the Land of Hot Springs, Hyūga Hideaki led Fūmori Masaki toward a certain place. Because of the war, law and order in the Land of Hot Springs seemed a bit unstable. If it weren't for the fact that the war between the two countries had already stopped, it would have been even more chaotic here, but now order was slowly being restored.
On the way, the group saw some villagers who had suffered from the war listening to the teachings of a strangely dressed person. From some of the fragmented content they heard, it seemed like they were preaching, but it wasn't a traditional Ninja temple; instead, it was a doctrine about immortality, and it seemed to mention some kind of god.
Hyūga Hideaki shook his head slightly and said, "I didn't expect there to be such a doctrine. Those villagers, if they want to listen to teachings, they should listen to the teachings of the Ninja temples, right, Lord Fūmori?"
He looked at Fūmori Masaki, but saw Fūmori Masaki frowning slightly, looking lost in thought. He couldn't help but be a bit surprised and called out, "Lord Fūmori, what are you thinking about?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I'm just a bit concerned about that person's sect," Fūmori Masaki came back to his senses. He just suddenly thought of that guy Hidan. The doctrine that person spoke of seemed somewhat similar to Hidan's Jashin Sect. He wondered if it was the same one.
"Lord Fūmori also thinks that villagers should listen to the teachings of the Ninja temples," Hyūga Hideaki said. "It's incredible that such fallacious theories can spread in this place."
"In places that have suffered from war, deviant paths have the opportunity to take root. Rather than saying the villagers don't know the teachings, it's better to say that the Ninja temples haven't been doing their best in this regard," Fūmori Masaki shook his head. "In the past, the Six Paths Sage walked the continent, saving the populace while promoting the teachings of the Shinobi Sect. If the current Ninja temples were like the Six Paths Sage, there wouldn't be fertile ground for such sects to survive."
"It sounds like Lord Fūmori prefers the conduct of the Shinobi Sect," Hyūga Hideaki said.
Ninja temples like the Temple of Fire inherited the scriptures of the Shinobi Sect, but after all, they are Ninja temples, not the Shinobi Sect. There are still differences between the two. Some concepts of the Shinobi Sect have not been recognized by the Ninja temples. Behaviors like those of the Six Paths Sage do not exist in today's Ninja temples.
"Of course, the Shinobi Sect is the source of us Ninjas and was the earliest state religion believed in across the entire continent. It shouldn't just disappear like this," Fūmori Masaki said.
"That may be so, but no one has appeared who can inherit the name of the Shinobi Sect, and many of its doctrines are no longer believed in. The Ninja temples inherit it on the surface, but internally it's another matter. It's not easy for the Shinobi Sect to reappear," Hyūga Hideaki sighed.
The Land of Hot Springs is a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and diverse natural scenery. The group gradually walked into a forest, which was rarely visited. It was highly likely that the people of the Taketori Clan would choose to live in seclusion in such a place. However, it wasn't just relying on the natural environment for concealment. Fūmori Masaki saw Hyūga Hideaki quickly perform a series of hand signs, so fast that one could barely see them. But the atmosphere around them changed slightly, and he knew that there must be a Barrier of the Taketori Clan here, preventing outsiders from entering. Only those who knew the hand signs, like Hyūga Hideaki, could enter the Barrier without hindrance.
The three continued to walk forward, and a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted around. Walking out of the forest, the view suddenly opened up. They saw a small village nestled here. Three people were walking towards them. The leader bowed to Hyūga Hideaki and said, "Greetings, Lord Hideaki. We have been waiting here for a long time. Please follow me to meet the Clan Head."