Chapter 121: The Hyūga Council, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya

Hiashi, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, slowly raised his eyelids.

"Hinata is very close to the Jinchūriki now.

"I believe you all know his identity.

"If the two of them eventually end up together, the higher-ups of Konoha probably won’t allow him to marry into the Hyūga clan.

"I suggest that both Hanabi and Hinata become members of the main family, with Hanabi as the heir."

He didn’t want to see either of his daughters branded with the Caged Bird seal.

The relationship between Naruto and Hinata was the only way to break out of that situation.

Hearing this, several elders immediately frowned.

They understood what Hiashi meant.

The Jinchūriki’s identity was far too sensitive. Naruto couldn’t possibly marry into the Hyūga clan.

That meant Hinata would have to marry outside the clan, making it impossible for her to become the heir and lead the Hyūga clan.

And Hinata couldn’t be branded with the Caged Bird seal either.

Otherwise, Naruto and Hinata’s relationship would certainly face opposition.

The higher-ups of Konoha would never allow the Jinchūriki to have a wife controlled by the Hyūga clan.

Yet they were unwilling to give up a Jinchūriki as a son-in-law either.

However, having two members of the same generation belong to the main family had never happened in the Hyūga clan before.

It challenged the clan’s traditions.

These old traditionalists couldn’t accept that.

At this moment, one elder’s eyes flickered as an idea occurred to him.

"After all, Uzumaki Naruto is all alone. Whether he officially marries into the clan or not, what’s the difference?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the other elders immediately agreed.

He was alone anyway.

When the time came, they could simply have him live in the Hyūga compound.

So what difference did it make whether he technically married into the clan?

Hearing this, Hiashi asked,

"Then what about their children? What happens then? Will they bear the Hyūga name or the Uzumaki name?"

The group of elders froze.

Then one elder said,

"Have two children. One can take the Hyūga name, and the other can take the Uzumaki name."

Hiashi continued asking,

"Then would the child with the Uzumaki name have to become a member of the branch family?"

The elders froze again.

According to tradition, the answer was yes.

But was that possible?

Impossible!

The child of a Jinchūriki could never be branded with the Caged Bird seal.

Suddenly, one of the Hyūga elders seemed to realize something. A smile appeared on his face.

"There are no Uzumaki clan members left in Konoha.

"One child can bear the Hyūga name and become the heir of the next generation’s main family.

"The other child will very likely become the next Jinchūriki.

"In other words, the next Jinchūriki and the next Hyūga clan heir would be siblings.

"How could a mere branch-family member possibly compare with the relationship between the next Jinchūriki and the Hyūga clan?"

Hearing this, all the elders nodded.

This way, the Jinchūriki and the Hyūga clan could be firmly tied together.

Their determination to make Hinata the heir of the main family became even stronger.

Hiashi couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

My original solution has actually backfired and cornered me instead.

At this point, there was nothing he could do to argue against them.

Outside the door, Hinata bit her lower lip.

Leaving aside her younger sister Hanabi—

The clan elders had already arranged the future of children she hadn’t even had yet.

Hinata couldn’t help feeling bitter.

Inside the council chamber, one of the main-family elders said,

"There is no need to consider it any further. Let’s settle it this way. Choose a date and hold the ceremony for Hanabi."

Hinata’s heart tightened outside the door.

Then she heard Hiashi speak.

"There is no need to choose a date yet. Let’s proceed according to what we decided previously."

This was Hiashi’s final struggle.

The elder frowned.

Previously, the clan hadn’t been able to reach a unanimous decision, which was why they had agreed to observe Hanabi until she entered the Ninja Academy.

But now everyone had reached an agreement.

What were they waiting for?

However, after looking at the elders sitting there with their heads lowered, and at the faintly ashen-faced clan head, Hiashi—

The elder ultimately decided it was better to keep his mouth shut.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Hokage’s office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was reading the reports from the second round of the Chūnin Exams.

Team 7 is a little too bloodthirsty.

Although that was what he thought, the corners of Hiruzen’s mouth were slightly raised.

He seemed quite satisfied.

Suddenly, the office door opened.

A familiar voice came from outside.

"Hey, old man. How are you doing?"

Hearing this, Hiruzen abruptly raised his head.

After confirming who had arrived, a smile spread across his face.

"Jiraiya! I didn’t expect you to come back. So? Have you thought about coming back to help?"

Knowing exactly what Hiruzen meant, Jiraiya shook his head.

"I came back this time because I have something to take care of."

Seeing this, disappointment filled Hiruzen’s heart.

He was getting old.

Remaining in the Hokage’s seat was no longer suitable for him.

Asuma lacked both the experience and strength.

As for the other candidates, even Kakashi was still a little short.

Of all the possible successors, Hiruzen still favored Jiraiya the most.

If Asuma worked a little harder during this period, perhaps the gap wouldn’t be so great.

Putting those thoughts aside, Hiruzen became curious about Jiraiya’s business and asked,

"Exactly what happened that made you come all the way back?"

Jiraiya’s expression became serious.

"Over the years, while traveling outside, I discovered an organization whose goal is to collect the Tailed Beasts.

"This time, I want to take Naruto with me and look after him personally.

"Of course, once Naruto grows into a qualified shinobi, I’ll bring him back."

As he finished speaking, Jiraiya stared directly into Hiruzen’s eyes.

Hiruzen remained silent for a while before shaking his head.

"No. Naruto’s bond with Konoha isn’t strong enough yet. He can’t leave Konoha.

"He’s safer in Konoha than he would be outside."

Hiruzen had also heard some information about the organization collecting the Tailed Beasts.

But he hadn’t heard of them actually taking action.

Besides, there were all kinds of organizations throughout the shinobi world.

Simply claiming to be an organization that collected Tailed Beasts, without any achievements to show for it, wasn’t enough to make Konoha take them seriously.

Hearing this, Jiraiya sighed.

He already knew that the Third Hokage wouldn’t agree.

But is Naruto really safer in Konoha than with me?

Old man, you’re only deceiving yourself...

Putting those thoughts aside, Jiraiya said,

"Alright, then. During the Chūnin Exams, I’ll take care of Naruto."

Hiruzen nodded.

"Then I’ll leave him to you."

The Chūnin Exams would only last a month.

As long as Naruto didn’t leave Konoha’s vicinity, Hiruzen didn’t mind.

The two fell silent for a while.

Looking at Jiraiya, Hiruzen seemed to recall something from the past.

"Oh, right, Jiraiya. Have you seen Tsunade over the years?"

At the mention of Tsunade, a faint smile appeared on Jiraiya’s face.

"I saw her once before returning to Konoha."

Hiruzen nodded slightly.

"How is she?"

He didn’t ask where she was. He knew Jiraiya wouldn’t tell him.

Jiraiya nodded with a smile.

"Not bad. I heard she even took on a new disciple."

"A disciple?"

Hiruzen was somewhat surprised.

Tsunade actually took on a disciple?

Back then, if not for Kato Dan’s connection, she probably wouldn’t have even accepted Shizune.

Hiruzen immediately became interested.

"Have you met her disciple? What’s her talent like? Tell me about her."

Jiraiya shook his head.

"When I went there, I heard she had returned home to visit her family, so I didn’t meet her personally.

"Tsunade was being mysterious and wouldn’t even reveal her name.

"It was only because Shizune accidentally let it slip that I found out.

"She is apparently an Uzumaki, and her talent is excellent. She’s already received most of Tsunade’s ninjutsu inheritance."

"An Uzumaki? No wonder."

Hearing this, Hiruzen immediately understood why Tsunade had been willing to take her as a disciple.

He became even more interested in this disciple who had already inherited most of Tsunade’s techniques.

It was just a shame that he didn’t have any more information.

Hiruzen began thinking about how he could persuade Tsunade to return to Konoha in the future.

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