Konoha: Start from untying the caged bird

Page 164

Oh?

A slight smile appeared on Hyuga Yuzuru's face, but he said nothing. After a moment's thought, he drafted a document and asked the Anbu to hand it over to Uchiha Shisui.

He needed to warn Izumi to be careful—since Yagura was still under Obito Uchiha's control and hadn't been discovered, in addition to worrying about Kirigakure, he also had to be careful about whether Akatsuki members would get involved.

Only after the four major ninja villages entered the village could the other smaller ninja villages enter.

For example, small villages like Longyin Village, Grass Ninja Village, and Rain Ninja Village.

Only in Amegakure was Hyuga Yuzuru observed closely, but he couldn't find anything unusual, though he remained vigilant nonetheless.

Amegakure is the base of the Akatsuki organization, and there is a very high probability that some of the ninjas there are Akatsuki members, so he has to be careful.

However, the other party was very cautious and would not reveal any flaws, at least when entering Konoha.

Hyuga Yuzuru withdrew his gaze and continued to observe the ninjas from the various villages in his office until an Anbu came to remind him that people from other ninja villages had gradually arrived in Konoha, and whether he should continue as planned.

After he nodded, the Anbu members prepared to entertain the guests from other ninja villages according to the original plan.

Ordinary ninjas will enjoy a decent Konoha-style dinner. On June 2nd, they will be divided into groups according to their village and led by the Anbu to tour Konoha for a day. On June 3rd, they will take the first written exam. After passing the written exam, they will leave Konoha to take the Chunin Exams outside the village.

These three days are the least important but the most dangerous part of the Chunin Exams process. If an enemy tries to bypass the Chunin Exams and attack directly, these days will be the most destructive time for Konoha.

However, these past few days have also been the time when Konoha is under the most stringent security measures.

Hyuga Yuzuru also stood up leisurely, picked up the straw hat on the table, and looked at Hyuga Kaoru beside him: "Let's go."

Hinata Kaoru nodded, straightened his divine robe, and the two walked one after the other to the elevator.

Uchiha Shisui appeared first. He looked at Hyuga Yuzuru, bowed slightly, and said in a low voice, "The four Kage and their guards are on their way."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded, looked at him and Uchiha Izumi beside him, and smiled slightly: "Don't be nervous."

Uchiha Shisui shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Lord Yuzuru, we cannot be careless."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded noncommittally and said nothing more. He and Izumi, wearing masks, followed silently beside him like dutiful members of the Hokage's guard, until the elevator started moving. After a moment, the elevator doors slowly opened.

The towering Fourth Raikage stood at the back, Yagura and Onoki at the front, while Rasa stood alone to one side with his arms crossed. In the large elevator, each of the four Kage was accompanied by only one bodyguard. As soon as they saw Hyuga Yuzuru, their gazes turned sharply to him, some scrutinizing, some curious, and some with undisguised coldness.

"Welcome to Konoha. I wonder if the broadband is adequate?"

Hinata Yuzuru smiled slightly, gestured with his hand, and the several Kage then got off the elevator.

Onoki chuckled. The short old man was no more than waist-high to Hyuga Yuzuru when he stood, and he had to look up at him when he spoke: "Indeed a young prodigy, Fifth Hokage."

As he spoke, he extended his hand, and Hyuga Yuzuru bowed slightly and shook it gently: "Tsuchikage, you flatter me. You are as charming as I have heard."

Onoki smiled and released his grip: "Really? Hahaha..."

Hyuga Yuzuru greeted the other Kage one by one. Yagura was lukewarm, and Rasa was somewhat arrogant. Unexpectedly, the Fourth Raikage, A, was quite enthusiastic. He laughed and shook hands with him firmly, praising him with many words. He looked quite different from the 'brutal image' that Hyuga Yuzuru remembered.

When the group arrived at the reception room, Hinata Kaoru had already made preparations. Hot tea and Konoha's specialty chilled fruit juice were placed on the table, and everyone could choose what they liked. The five sofas in the clean reception room, which had been rearranged, also looked brand new.

"This is the first time Konoha has hosted such a grand Chunin Exam. Please forgive us for any shortcomings in our hospitality."

Hyuga Yuzuru sat on the sofa in the main seat, while Shisui Izumi stood silently in the corner of the room. After guiding the Kage to their seats, Kaoru stood behind him, smiling as a foil.

The other shadows were much the same; after they took their seats, the figures following them would stand behind them, both as protectors and as a deterrent.

Hyuga Yuzuru's gaze lingered slightly on Killer Bee, who was standing behind the Raikage with an unseemly air about him, and Killer Bee gave him a hearty and amused smile.

"Not at all, not at all. We have had people to guide and escort us throughout the journey, taking care of everything. Fifth Hokage, you are very thoughtful."

Onoki remained cheerful, appearing as a kind and easygoing old man. Rasa simply raised his teacup, inhaled its aroma, took a sip, and then said meaningfully, "It's been a while since I last saw you. The Fifth Hokage's demeanor is quite different from what it used to be."

Hyuga Yuzuru chuckled lightly, raised his teacup, and said casually, "The Fourth Kazekage is as energetic as when we last met."

Luo Sha raised his eyes to meet his gaze, his face expressionless, but inwardly he was extremely vigilant and vaguely annoyed—how could this brat improve so quickly?

Not many years have passed since their last encounter, but looking at them now, not to mention the changes in their appearances, their aura alone is completely different from what it was back then.

Even when those blue eyes swept over him, Rasa couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. It was a fear that came from a ninja's instinct. His sixth sense kept reminding him that the other party was extremely dangerous.

This very fact added a touch of coldness to Luo Sha's already complex emotions—this child must not be allowed to live.

Konoha's current momentum is astonishing. While its military strength lacks comparable benchmarks, its economic and prestige indicators suggest an unstoppable force. This rapid, unparalleled development is causing anyone watching Konoha to feel a sense of unease and panic.

The Leaf Village, led by the First Hokage, suppressed the ninja world, and no one dared to disobey him—and that was only a few decades ago!

In today's ninja world, no one wants to go back to the days when Konoha was the only dominant force.

But the only thing that made Luo Sha somewhat uneasy was that he was willing to improve the economy and the people's livelihood of the village, which was where this kid's talent lay. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. After doing so much over the years, the other party's strength would definitely not have improved much.

But now it seems that, judging from the appearance of the Konoha ninjas I've seen along the way, and the news of two of the three legendary Sannin returning in recent years, the opponent's current aura is quite different from what I had imagined.

Rasa subconsciously glanced at Yagura Karatachi beside him.

At this moment, Yagura Karatachi simply smiled, his eyes seemingly focused on Yuzuru Hyuga, but he remained silent, appearing to be deep in thought.

What is this guy thinking?!

Luo Sha lowered his eyes, a faint thought of retreating rising in his heart.

Or, how about we just let it go this time?

"Even though I'm in Kumogakure, I often hear about the Fifth Hokage's actions. Now that I see it, what those people often say about 'Konoha's revival' is really not an empty promise."

If I have the time, I'd like to ask the Fifth Hokage what kind of technique was used on Konoha to allow it to transform into what it is today in just a few years.

The Fourth Raikage, A, spoke with little smile on his face, but his words were full of respect. He looked intently at Hyuga Yuzuru, as if trying to read something from his face, but all he could see was Hyuga Yuzuru's gentle smile.

Upon hearing the Raikage's words, Hyuga Yuzuru's smile deepened, but he only humbly replied, "Compared to the Hidden Cloud Village under the Fourth Raikage's rule, Konoha still has a long way to go. The Hidden Cloud Village's technological level is unparalleled in the ninja world, and Konoha still has much to learn."

It is no exaggeration to say that the Hidden Cloud Village has a high level of technology. They have a large number of lightning-attribute ninjas, who in turn indirectly promoted the further development of the Hidden Cloud Village's power system. The level of technology related to electricity should not be underestimated.

In addition, the large, high-hardness glass panes in Hyuga Yuzuru's office may seem like just ordinary floor-to-ceiling windows, but they reveal a lot about the whole picture. The technological level displayed in such products alone is enough to show that the Cloud Hidden Sect's technological foundation is not to be underestimated.

Perhaps they don't value technological development as much as Hyuga Yuzuru, and their focus is still on the military, with the economy and technology being just byproducts. But Hyuga Yuzuru doesn't think that the other side is unaware of where Konoha's focus has been in recent years.

Once they realize the many conveniences and benefits that advanced technology will bring, and have the foundation, it means they will soon be able to regroup and start competing with Konoha.

Of course, for the current ninja world...

If things turn bad, the more likely choice would be to launch a direct attack to halt your technological development.

The five men exchanged pleasantries for a few moments, but these polite words could not last long.

Nowadays, the five ninja villages have no friendship at all; there are only major and minor enemies. Deep-seated hatred and blood feuds abound, and they are at odds with each other. As soon as the conversation gets a little out of the ordinary, the atmosphere becomes tense.

"Third Tsuchikage, the ninjas who came to take the exam this time all look quite unfamiliar," A said, taking a sip of his tea.

Onoki chuckled calmly, "Bringing danger to someone else's home is not how Iwagakure treats its guests."

As he said this, he glanced at Killer Bee, the implication being clear—bringing an Anbu is one thing, but bringing a Jinchuriki? Is that polite?

Ai just chuckled: "Whether it's dangerous or not depends on the guest's intentions, not on what the guest carries."

As for the Third Tsuchikage, even if he wanted to, he probably couldn't bring anyone along...

Kurotsuchi, standing behind Onoki, glared at A with hostility, while Killer Bee, behind A, lazily raised his head, completely unconcerned about the other's gaze. At this moment, Killer Bee was probably only thinking about when he could get back as soon as possible. He had secretly spent money behind the Raikage's back to ask the inn staff to buy him some Konoha specialties and drinks, and he wondered if they had been bought back yet.

Killer Bee was taking a rare business trip and just wanted to enjoy himself. He wondered if there were any other people in Konoha who shared his love of music.

Onoki's expression remained unchanged; he simply smiled and said, "It's just unnecessary..."

The two sides exchanged veiled insults, each trying to outdo the other, making no attempt to hide their underlying contradictions. Yet, after a few exchanges, neither of them actually got angry.

To put it bluntly, the two sides have a long-standing grudge. Whether to fight or make peace is no longer just a matter of hatred. Now, due to the current situation, they must restrain themselves from causing conflict. Verbal sparring will not affect the decisions of either side.

Hyuga Yuzuru is a purely entertaining person. He doesn't have a good opinion of either of the ninja villages. The fact that the Fourth Raikage brought Killer Bee instead of the Two-Tails Yugito makes it even less interesting.

As a result, no sooner had these two sides finished speaking than Sunagakure and Kirigakure started arguing again. In the end, except for Konoha, which was not involved for some reason, the four ninja villages were practically cursing each other.

Hinata Yuzuru then stepped in with a smile to smooth things over.

"It's rare for the five of us to be together. Instead of blaming each other for the past, let's think about the future together."

His words attracted the attention of many people, and only now, with all five shadows gathered, has a truly meaningful dialogue taken place.

Onoki chuckled and said, "The future of the ninja world still depends on young people like the Fifth Hokage. I wonder what the Fifth Hokage thinks about the future of the ninja world?"

Facing the scrutinizing gazes of the Kage, Hyuga Yuzuru smiled slightly and slowly put down his teacup.

"I have some immature thoughts, and I would appreciate your guidance."

Chapter 127 Chunin Exams, Obito Appears

"I don't have any opinion on the future of the ninja world, but I do have some thoughts on the future related to Konoha."

As Hyuga Yuzuru spoke softly, he sat in the first seat and first removed the Hokage hat from his head.

A head of flowing silver hair fell down, and he reached out to brush his now much longer hair aside so as not to obscure his vision. His blue eyes calmly gazed at the four figures beside him, including the 'guards' behind them, their eyes meeting without shifting.

"I don't want to bring up the past anymore. Whether it's the hatred or the friendship accumulated during the three Shinobi World Wars, it's all meaningless to me."

Hyuga Yuzuru's words made the Fourth Raikage curl his lip in disdain.

"In this ninja world, whether friends or enemies, all hatred or friendship will turn to dust with time. Rather than dwelling on the past, I prefer to focus on what may happen in the future."

"And the future ninja world, in fact, is not complicated in my opinion."

"For me, no matter how complicated the ninja world is, or how this world changes, I only care about one thing: who my friends are and who my enemies are."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions subtly sharpened. Even Onoki, who had previously appeared incredibly easygoing, now scrutinized Hinata Yuzuru with a composed gaze.

The gazes of the four Kage, along with those of the elite Jonin guards behind them, created an invisible pressure. This overwhelming sense of oppression, reaching straight to the mind, even caused Hyuga Kaoru behind Hyuga Yuzuru to frown slightly.

"If we are like-minded friends, let's work together to create a better future. I have only one wish from beginning to end, which is that everyone in the ninja world can live a peaceful and wonderful life."

"But if they are enemies, then there's no need to talk about it."

Hyuga Yuzuru calmly looked at the four Kage. Although he didn't do anything intentionally, the moment his eyes sharpened, his aura changed abruptly, like a divine sword drawn from its sheath. From any angle, his sharpness was evident.

"I am never afraid to fight any enemy, whether it takes a day, a month, a year, or ten years."

Whether the enemy is one, two, or a hundred.

Hyuga Yuzuru's face turned cold as he stared at the four Kage without backing down, saying indifferently, "Konoha will ultimately prevail."

The Fourth Raikage let out a cold laugh. Although he did not directly refute anything, he clearly revealed his attitude.

Onoki's smile vanished, replaced by a calm and collected tone as he said, "The Fifth Hokage truly lives up to his reputation as the youngest Hokage in history. His demeanor is extraordinary, and his presence is truly rare."

It's unclear whether it was just a polite gesture or a subtle jab at his youthful arrogance.

Hinata Yuzuru simply rested his hands on the armrests of the sofa, slightly raised his head, and said slowly with an extremely confident and imposing posture, "Facts will prove everything."

Kazekage Rasa's face darkened, his gaze sharp as awls as he stared at him: "Is the Fifth Hokage warning us?"

“If that’s how you interpret it…” Hinata Yuzuru’s gaze slowly swept around, then he tilted his head: “That’s not wrong.”

Rasa's face darkened completely. In that instant, the quiet office was filled with an immense sense of pressure as the curtains fluttered slightly, and the sofa creaked under the weight of the pressure.

Hinata Yuzuru simply stared intently at him with his blue eyes, and the next moment, he slightly raised his finger.

Just like in the original work, the Second Hokage only raised a finger and cracked the ground with immense pressure, but Hyuga Yuzuru's pressure was obviously very special and highly targeted.

The floor beneath his feet remained completely still, not even a strand of his long hair fluttered, yet everyone present could feel an extraordinary sense of oppression suddenly arise—a pressure that was not merely physical, but rather a mental one.

It's like...

Hyuga Yuzuru, who was sitting not far away, suddenly appeared extremely distant and tall. His comfortable sofa was like a throne, inspiring awe. Rasa was the first to be affected, and the Jonin Maki behind him was forced to suffer as well. In that instant, he felt his breath catch in his throat and cold sweat poured down his face.

In the distance, Hyuga Yuzuru's blue eyes, like solid ice, pierced his eyelids like blades. At that moment, Maki even recalled the moment he first stepped onto the battlefield, a moment he hadn't felt in a long time. Back then, he was overwhelmed by the enemy's killing intent, his whole body was numb and cold, and it was extremely difficult for him to even move. He felt only endless fear in his heart.

Now, what Maki felt was that long-lost sense of fear.

Instead of being adapted to, this imposing aura gradually intensified with Rasa's defiant glare. However, there was no change around Hyuga Yuzuru, while the teacup beside Rasa emitted a startling sound of shattering cracks.

Hinata Yuzuru smiled slightly, stopped, and then everyone clearly heard a heavy breathing sound.

Maki, standing behind Luo Sha, was panting heavily, drenched in sweat. The moment he realized he had lost face, it was already too late.

Rasa's face was extremely pale, but he wouldn't vent his anger on his own people. He glanced coldly at the cracked teacup beside him, stared at Hyuga Yuzuru, and said in a cold voice, "It seems that I am not a friend of Konoha."

"Whether or not we are friends depends on the Fourth Kazekage's attitude—Konoha welcomes any form of cooperation, and if possible, would even like to establish good trade relations with Sunagakure."

Hinata Yuzuru spoke softly, turning to look at the other three Kage, and quietly mentioned many business collaboration projects. After listening, the Kage present had different expressions, but none of them made a hasty decision, only saying that they would think about it carefully.

After an invisible battle of wills, the Kage, with the help of the cannon Rasa, were able to get a general sense of the Hokage's level. Because of this, even the Fourth Raikage couldn't help but take him more seriously. The mockery and impatience that occasionally surfaced before were all transformed into calm observation and deep thought.

When the figures left the reception room, their expressions varied.

In the previous conversation, Hyuga Yuzuru did not discuss personal revenge or the peace of the ninja world in depth. He knew that the Kage sitting here probably wouldn't be interested in such things either.

The future of the ninja world and the direction of the world are meaningless to these powerful figures. Do they care about Hyuga Yuzuru's views on the ninja world? No, they only care about Hyuga Yuzuru's views on other ninja villages and the situation in the ninja world.