Although everything discussed in leadership meetings was supposed to remain secret, secrets had a habit of spreading.
With Arashi quietly pushing matters along, everyone in Konoha learned about Root’s reduction and the new school’s construction within a single afternoon.
The purpose of publicizing Root’s punishment was obvious.
It established Minato’s authority as the new Hokage.
The heads of the great clans were probably sweating now.
If even Elder Danzo could be punished, what chance did they have?
Arashi was even happier about the second piece of news.
The faster and more widely the new school was publicized, the more valuable the surrounding land in his hands became.
He casually ordered the construction team he had prepared in advance to begin work, then returned to training under Duy.
As Arashi’s stamina improved, so did his ability to resist injury and exhaustion.
Even his chakra reserves increased slightly, while his chakra control became far more precise.
The early bird truly did catch the worm.
At this rate, his taijutsu would continue improving rapidly, and he should soon be capable of using the Rasengan.
Some celebrated while others suffered.
Arashi was in an excellent mood, which naturally meant someone else was having a terrible day.
Inside Root’s underground meeting room, Konoha’s infamous four elders had gathered together for the first time in quite a while.
Danzo, whose base had been taken over for their meeting, was understandably furious.
However, he knew how badly he had embarrassed himself that day, so he remained silent in the corner while the other three led the discussion.
“Hiruzen.”
Koharu frowned.
“Minato didn’t sign the proposal to lease Shukaku.
He chose to establish a standing army instead.”
“Isn’t he supposed to believe in the Will of Fire?”
“This old man miscalculated.”
Hiruzen’s expression was equally unpleasant.
“I assumed his relationship with Kushina would guarantee that he chose to lease Shukaku.”
“Unexpectedly…
Hmph.”
“The successor I personally cultivated is now turning around to bite us.”
“It must be Kaeda Arashi’s influence.”
Homura spoke coldly.
“Hiruzen, you have indulged that boy far too much.”
“Yes.
At first, I intended to make him another inheritor of the Will of Fire who would quietly support Minato from behind.”
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
“Now it appears he has begun overstepping his position.”
“I believed a brat without family or inheritance could only cling tightly to Minato.”
“I never expected him to become so greedy and cast aside my goodwill.”
“Hiruzen, you’re simply too merciful!”
Danzo could no longer remain silent.
“You wanted to cultivate him as a counterweight against me.”
“Now that brat is nearly powerful enough to dominate alone, and he’ll soon turn his attention toward the rest of you!”
“If you hadn’t revealed weakness after weakness, he would never have become so dominant.”
Hiruzen glared at him.
“And how do you intend to explain the child named [A]?”
Danzo’s mouth twitched as he lowered his head.
He was clearly considering whether he should hand over the valuable Wood Release shinobi.
Hiruzen gave him a cold reminder.
“Whatever makes that child special, he can still be taught the Will of Fire while he remains with us.”
“If Arashi gets his hands on him, matters will become troublesome.”
Danzo’s expression changed repeatedly.
Eventually, he comforted himself with the thought that if he could not keep the Wood Release shinobi, Arashi would not get him either.
Gritting his teeth, he answered, “Fine.
I’ll hand the child over to you.”
Neither Hiruzen nor Danzo knew that Arashi had never placed any hopes on Captain Yamato’s Wood Release.
He was devoting his efforts to cultivating Obito instead.
“As for Arashi, assigning him the reduction of middle-ranking positions clearly wasn’t enough to warn him.”
Hiruzen’s seemingly gentle eyes flashed coldly.
“He has instead combined the reduction project with the creation of a standing army.”
“Since that is the case, we’ll simply have to play several more cards.”
…
Knock, knock, knock.
Back at Arashi’s home, he had just finished a hot bath and was preparing to sleep when someone politely knocked on his door.
Arashi was extremely cautious.
He had offended many people recently, so he immediately extended his senses toward the visitor.
What he discovered was completely unexpected.
‘The Byakugan…’
Arashi considered the matter briefly while calling, “Who is it?”
He then walked over and opened the door.
Other than Minato, no one knew about his sensory abilities, so he naturally needed to continue hiding them.
The man outside stood tall and straight, with a solemn and dignified face.
His long black hair was tied behind his head.
His most striking feature was his pair of pale Byakugan, their pupils nearly transparent and their gaze steady and sharp.
He possessed a natural authority without needing to display anger.
The visitor was Hyuga Hiashi, head of the Hyuga clan.
As it was not wartime, Hiashi wore no Konoha forehead protector.
He was dressed in a light-gray kimono and carried the restrained elegance of a great clan’s leader.
To be honest, Arashi had not expected the Hyuga clan to lose its composure first.
The Byakugan’s nearly absurd ability to see through objects and over enormous distances guaranteed the clan an irreplaceable place among reconnaissance units.
Logically, they should not fear the reduction of middle-ranking positions at all.
Unless…
Hiashi had learned that Minato intended to form a standing army.
The Hyuga were one of Konoha’s most prestigious clans, nearly equal to the Uchiha.
If Arashi’s relationship with the Uchiha allowed them to receive information in advance, why couldn’t the Hyuga possess connections of their own?
Then who was the Hyuga clan’s connection?
Arashi’s mind spun rapidly.
Images of the elderly council members passed through his thoughts before stopping on one person.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hiruzen could hardly be blamed for carelessness.
The Hyuga clan had always been one of his hidden cards, protected quietly in the shadows.
For example, they had rarely been sent to the main battlefield during the Third Shinobi World War.
Hiruzen had never truly played that card before.
Using it against Arashi now was proof of how seriously he regarded him.
Unfortunately…
Arashi was a transmigrator.
Many events in this timeline had not yet happened, but he already knew about them.
In the original story, after Minato’s death and the Uchiha massacre, the Hyuga openly proclaimed themselves Konoha’s strongest clan and began displaying the influence of a true great house.
Who was Hokage during that period?
Hiruzen.
And what happened during his administration?
A Kumogakure envoy attempted to abduct Hyuga Hinata and was killed.
Yet Kumogakure somehow became the party demanding compensation.
To avoid making things difficult for Hiruzen, the Hyuga voluntarily handed over the clan head’s twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi, to die in his place.
It was difficult to imagine the Uchiha—or any clan with even a little pride—accepting such humiliation.
Why would the Hyuga make such a sacrifice merely to preserve stability during Hiruzen’s rule unless they received considerable benefits in return?
And no one should tell Arashi it was because of the Will of Fire.
Combining that incident with his discovery that Hiruzen still held Konoha’s true authority, Arashi easily reached a conclusion.
The Hyuga and Sarutobi Hiruzen were secretly allied.
Their interests were so closely bound that the clan would accept an enormous sacrifice to protect him.
Therefore, Hiashi had not come merely because he feared the reduction project or wished to pledge loyalty.
He had come to cause trouble.
Although countless thoughts passed through Arashi’s mind, he only paused for a moment, as though trying to recall the visitor’s identity.
Then he clapped his hands in realization.
“You must be Hyuga Hiashi-san.
Please, come inside.”
“Forgive the disturbance.”
Hiashi inclined his head and entered.
His eyes instinctively swept across the room.
The residence was unexpectedly simple.
Forget comparing it with the homes of the Elder Council—even an ordinary clan head lived far more comfortably.
Yet this plain residence belonged to an equally ordinary-looking young man who now possessed enough authority to keep every great clan head awake at night.
Arashi prepared an ordinary cup of tea because he truly had nothing better.
He sat across from Hiashi with his usual narrow-eyed smile and made no attempt to begin the conversation.
This was his preferred method.
His unreadable smile applied silent pressure while he waited for the other person to speak first.
Once they revealed their approach, he could respond accordingly.
When Arashi did not yet understand another person’s plan, this was the safest and most practical strategy.
Hiashi felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze.
Still, he was the head of a great clan.
Although still young, he had experienced enough major situations to remain calm.
After taking a sip of tea, he smiled.
“Kaeda-san, the Hyuga clan recently received some information.”
“We heard that the Fourth Hokage and you intend to make sweeping reductions among Konoha’s middle ranks.”
“Is that true?”
“Oh?”
Arashi’s words carried a subtle implication.
“Hiashi-san is exceptionally well informed.”
“You flatter me, Kaeda-san.”
“Everyone in Konoha now knows about your determination to reform the village.”
“Even Danzo-sama’s Root had its personnel and budget reduced.”
“As a member of Konoha, how could I remain unaware?”
“Then what brings you here, Hiashi-san?”
Arashi’s narrowed eyes rested on Hiashi.
Unfortunately, the Hyuga’s naturally pale eyes made it difficult to see what emotions were hidden within them.
“To be honest, I came tonight because there are many concerned voices inside my clan.”
Hiashi set down his cup, showing a trace of unease.
“Ever since news of the reductions spread, many Hyuga have become anxious.”
“The Byakugan is far too conspicuous on a battlefield.”
“It is an invaluable weapon during wartime, but during peace…
it can become a target.”
“I fear someone may choose the Hyuga as the first sacrifice to demonstrate the strength of your reform.”
His explanation was reasonable.
Even Kumogakure coveted the Byakugan.
Arashi did not believe Danzo had never targeted those eyes.
The most likely reason he had failed was that Hiruzen protected the clan.
Perhaps the Hyuga had sided with Hiruzen precisely to protect the Byakugan.
If that was true, there might be plenty of room for Arashi to operate.
Although Hiashi appeared completely sincere, Arashi had already concluded that the Hyuga belonged to Hiruzen’s faction.
Naturally, he remained cautious and refused to trust him easily.
His eyes shifted slightly as a plan formed.
“You’re worrying unnecessarily, Hiashi-san.”
“The Byakugan alone guarantees the Hyuga an essential position in Konoha’s reconnaissance forces.”
“Furthermore, the Hyuga are one of Konoha’s oldest and most prestigious clans, having supported the village since the First Hokage’s era.”
“Whether based on reason or sentiment, we could never use your clan as an example.”
Arashi’s unexpected reassurance briefly stunned Hiashi.
However, he had clearly prepared his response.
“Hearing that from Kaeda-san puts my mind at ease.”
“In the future, should the Fourth Hokage or you require anything, the Hyuga will obey without hesitation.”
His words already carried the meaning of a subtle pledge of loyalty.
Had Arashi not already suspected the Hyuga’s connection to Hiruzen, he might have believed his overwhelming charisma had caused Hiashi to tremble and bow in submission.
Unfortunately, such fantasies existed only in dreams.
They were far beyond a transmigrator who did not even possess a system.
“There’s no hurry.”
Arashi quickly adopted a greedy expression and rubbed his fingers together.
“These matters can naturally be discussed.”
Realization appeared on Hiashi’s face.
He hurriedly took out a scroll.
“A small gift to express my sincerity.”
The scroll clearly did not contain ninja tools or secret techniques.
It contained money.
The shinobi world had its own monetary system, though Kishimoto had never explained it in detail.
Most daily transactions used paper money and coins.
Even the large bounty payments collected by Kakuzu were carried in cases.
The story never showed anything resembling bank cards or promissory notes.
Only after arriving in this world did Arashi learn that something similar existed.
Money scrolls functioned much like bank drafts and could be exchanged for currency at financial institutions.
Kakuzu likely demanded physical cash because the Akatsuki’s circumstances made ordinary withdrawals inconvenient.
Naturally, Arashi had no intention of accepting this “small gift.”
He would soon have no shortage of money.
Even if the scroll contained an attractive secret technique, he would still need to resist.
Accepting it would hand his enemies an enormous weakness.
“You’re joking, Hiashi-san.
I would never dare accept such a gift.”
Arashi’s words were righteous, yet his face remained openly greedy.
“Besides, I’m not particularly short of money.”
“However, the Fourth Hokage only recently took office and lacks a reliable foundation of supporters.”
“If Hiashi-san could provide us with some personnel…”
Arashi’s smile deepened.
“I guarantee that in the future, the Hyuga will become far more than merely a prestigious clan.”
…