Root operatives worked fast. A forged communication was slipped into Kumo's diplomatic channels, ensuring Raikou believed the Hyuga girl would be unattended for a window of time. The security at the compound was subtly adjusted, not enough to raise alarm, but just enough to make the opportunity feel real.
In truth, the Hyuga elders were kept unaware. Only Danzo, a few high-level Root members, and the compromised surveillance team had the full picture.
"Monitor him," Danzo ordered, addressing Fu and Torune. "If Raikou attempts the abduction, let him think he succeeds. Then we strike."
Fu hesitated. "And the girl?"
Danzo's one visible eye burned with quiet fury. "She will be recovered. Untouched. The delay will be brief, the damage cosmetic."
Torune adjusted his cloak. "And the Hokage?"
Danzo's lips curled into something between a smile and a snarl. "He will see that the village needs a stronger hand."
His plan now rested in patient silence.
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Danzo's voice still echoed in the council chamber long after he and the other elders had left.
"The Hyuga are becoming difficult to manage after Hiashi's death. Hizashi is hard to handle, and a noble clan can't have a lowly branch member as its head."
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent through it all, his fingers folded in front of him, eyes closed. When the door finally shut behind the last elder, he slowly opened his eyes.
The aging Hokage stared across his desk at the leather-bound book placed neatly to the side. Its title glinted in golden kanji:
"Shinobi History: Reflections from the Will of Fire"
A ghostwritten piece under a fictitious disciple of the First Hokage—authored by none other than Hiruzen himself. He sighed.
"So this is what they believe now. That appearance is strength. That lineage is leadership."
He rose, his back stiff from the long hours. The fire in the brazier hissed as he passed.
The Hyuga are divided. Hizashi does not have his brother's diplomacy... but he has a quiet strength. I need to remind Konoha what true strength looks like.
He reached for his ceremonial robes.
The following morning at the Academy, murmurs ran wild through the corridors.
"The Hokage is coming? Really?!"
"Why would he visit the Academy?"
"Maybe to lecture? Or look for the next prodigy?"
Sasamoto Orui clapped his hands, trying to restore order.
"Settle down! Everyone in formation. Clean your desks. Sit straight."
Neji, sitting quietly in the back row, tilted his head.
The old man wants to make a move, huh? Calculated. Timed. He's trying to stabilize things.
Externally, he straightened and looked around wide-eyed. "Wow, the Hokage!"
Rock Lee nearly fell out of his seat. "This is it! The greatest day of my life!"
Tenten giggled. "You said that when you got a new pair of sandals."
The door opened, and silence fell. The Third Hokage entered with measured steps, his ornate robes trailing behind him. He smiled warmly, pipe unlit, hands folded behind his back.
"Good morning, young shinobi," he said.
Sasamoto bowed deeply. "Lord Hokage, it's an honor."
"At ease, Sasamoto. Today, I'm just a guest lecturer."
He surveyed the classroom. Children straightened. Even the lazier kids from the minor clans sat at attention.
Neji's eye twitched briefly.
Master manipulator. The grandfather persona. The sage aura. Impressive.
Externally, Neji clasped his hands and leaned forward with curiosity.
Hiruzen began with a light anecdote about the First Hokage's love for sweets, earning laughter. He transitioned into lessons on honor.
He gestured toward the bookshelf where the Academy's copy of Shinobi History rested.
"This text," he said, "is said to be written by a man who walked beside Hashirama Senju. He believed every generation must nurture its roots. The Will of Fire is that very root."
"Wow," Neji said aloud.
Bullshit. That book is your personal propaganda tool. Your way to soften the truth and manufacture sentiment. But clever.
Hiruzen caught Neji's expression—a bit too rehearsed—and nodded inwardly.
That boy's sharper than he lets on.
After the lecture, Hiruzen asked for volunteers to demonstrate what they've learned so far.
Lee bolted up. "Me! I will show you my kicks, Hokage-sama!"
Tenten followed with a display of throwing precision.
Hiruzen watched fondly. Then his gaze settled on Neji.
"Young Hyuga, would you come forward?"
Neji blinked. "M-Me? I failed the chakra leaf test yesterday."
"Even so."
Neji walked slowly, bowing with a clumsy stiffness. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a single leaf, and placed it on his forehead. It wobbled. Fell.
Laughter.
Hiruzen raised his hand. "Not every shinobi begins with control. Some begin with intent."
Intent? You mean narrative. You're turning me into an example of growth. Another layer to your speech.
Externally, Neji smiled sheepishly. "I'll keep training harder, Lord Hokage."
"Good. Never give up."
The tension in the academy classroom had just started to settle. The students who had been laughing at Neji Hyuga's latest failure now sat straighter, still grinning, but quieted by the presence of the Hokage himself. Neji stood at the edge of the crowd, silent, his usual fake smile subdued into a look of vague interest.