"There's already one Yugao Uzuki. According to Anbu promotion standards, if she continues to earn significant merits, she could soon become the Anbu Commander and quietly gain influence over all of Konoha."
"It's completely unnecessary to choose another candidate. Besides, she's too young—training her from scratch will waste a lot of time. Do you understand?" Kaguya asked.
"I think it's necessary..." Hiroki Hyuga tried convincing Kaguya.
His role was not as a front-line player. He avoided direct contact with people like Hiruzen Sarutobi or Danzo Shimura.
Therefore, he needed someone who could act publicly at the forefront.
Although Hinata Hyuga was young, she held extremely high status. Even if she caused trouble, her clan would protect her.
Moreover, he coveted the secret techniques of the Main House.
Currently, the Hyuga Clan's taijutsu was still the most suitable way for him to cultivate.
He also wanted to access some Main House documents and texts—for example, basic Yin-Yang Release jutsu...
In addition, the Lunar Rift connecting Earth to the Moon was probably known only by members of the Main House.
"Exactly because she's young, she'll be easy to manipulate. She'll definitely obey obediently."
Kaguya Otsutsuki remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
"Kaguya, I think she'll really like you. She won't be suspicious like Yugao Uzuki or Yugito Nii, always acting secretive and erratic."
"..."
"Kaguya, what were you like when you were little?"
Kaguya lightly scolded him with a soft voice, "Hiroki Hyuga, you're annoying. Whatever!"
A faint smile appeared on Hiroki Hyuga's face. Looking at Hinata's face, he activated his ability of mental invasion.
Though unwilling, Kaguya followed along.
"Hello, dear child."
Hinata heard a soft female voice, whispering into her ear.
She looked around left and right, trying to locate where the voice came from.
"Hinata, what's wrong?" Hiashi Hyuga asked.
"F-Father... I..."
Just then, the person before Hiroki Hyuga had finished bowing.
Now it was his turn.
As Hiroki Hyuga approached Hiashi and his daughter and bent his knee, about to kneel down on one leg, a small hand landed on his arm, pulling him upward.
Hiroki naturally stood back up.
Hiashi's expression showed surprise.
Earlier, Hinata hadn't even moved, so why suddenly pull this young man up?
"Hinata, do you like him?" he asked.
Hinata looked confused.
Even she herself couldn't explain why she did that just now.
Then, she gave a sudden nod—almost as if caught in a trance.
Inside, Hiroki Hyuga smirked: Kaguya, your acting skills are really poor...
Hiashi remained expressionless, glancing at Hiroki standing before them and recalling the information he had gathered about him.
Apparently, he was merely an average member from the Branch House, whose parents had died early.
Among peers, his strength wasn't outstanding. His personality was gentle and stable; he lived simply and socialized normally.
He expressed no dissatisfaction with the Hyuga family, nor did he voice any hostility toward the Main House.
After finishing his thoughts, Hiashi fixed his gaze upon him. "So that's your name, Hiroki?"
"You will stay by the young mistress's side and protect her."
"Yes."
When Hiashi Hyuga made the arrangement, Hinata Hyuga felt completely baffled.
From that day onward, Kaguya began living a life of grooming this young girl.
Just as Hiroki Hyuga had said, Hinata wasn't suspicious like Yugito or Yugao Uzuki.
Being only three years old, she was quite innocent and curious about many things, with an open mind.
After merely exchanging words several times, Hinata naturally accepted Kaguya's existence.
Kaguya didn't bring her spiritual form to Kaguya Palace nor reveal her origins. She simply communicated with Hinata through voice.
Hinata could only tell from her voice that she was a woman—uncertain about her age and unable to picture what she looked like.
Therefore, Hinata addressed Kaguya as "Onee-sama (big sister)."
"Onee-sama," Hinata called softly.
"..."
Sincerity really is an unbeatable weapon. Hearing these sweet calls repeatedly, Kaguya's feelings gradually turned complicated ...
Fortunately, Kaguya hadn't forgotten her original purpose.
She would occasionally tell Hinata stories: about conquering the entire world, eliminating amphibious creatures who tried to ingratiate themselves with humans, and so forth.
Gradually, Hinata started obeying Kaguya without question.
Kaguya slowly began seeing her in a slightly better light. During a conversation with Hyuga Hiroki, she even gave slight praise: "Hinata Hyuga isn't bad. She's also well-behaved. Her Byakugan has high purity."
Hiroki felt somewhat jealous: "You've never praised me before!"
Is it just because Hinata looks cute that Kaguya got won over?
Hasn't she forgotten her previous ruthless and decisive demeanor?
"I'm merely stating facts. When it comes to bloodline purity, you're inferior to her."
That night, Hinata blushed and whispered to Hiashi Hyuga: "Father, I want to become Hokage!"
Upon hearing this, Hiashi Hyuga paused for a moment, then asked: "Hinata, do you understand what Hokage means?"
"Hokage is the most supreme authority in the village, just like you, Father, within our family."
"In the future, I'll become someone just like you, the ultimate authority within our clan, so I can be Hokage too."
While speaking, Hinata's tone and expression remained gentle and timid.
Hiashi Hyuga almost couldn't maintain his composure.
Speaking the boldest words in the meekest tone.
My daughter sure has a contrast. Did I raise her wrong?
"Hinata, did someone teach you these words?" Hiashi Hyuga asked seriously.
"No!" Hinata shook her head like a rattling drum. Her face flushed red as she firmly and proudly declared: "I just want to! Isn't that allowed!"
Hiashi Hyuga: "..."
It's fine. Everyone deserves dreams. It's sweet... just caught me off guard a little.
Don't you see how the neighboring Uchiha clan ended up? They were crushed trying to chase after the Hokage title.
The Hyuga had contributed far less to Konoha than the Uchiha ever did, making the chance even slimmer.
Hokage was nothing more than a prize passed around within the Senju bloodline; no matter how it rotated, it would never reach anyone outside their circle.
Though he felt this way, Hiashi didn't shatter Hinata's innocent hopes, offering a few encouraging words instead.
"Father, please teach me something more advanced," requested Hinata Hyuga.
"You're still growing. Just focus on building a solid foundation for now."
"Father!"
"Alright then," Hiashi reluctantly agreed.
He headed to the family archives, retrieved a few scrolls, and gave them to Hinata Hyuga.
"Hinata, memorize what's on these first. When the time is right, I'll personally teach you."
"I understand, Father," Hinata Hyuga nodded repeatedly.
After Hiashi was gone, Hinata passed the scrolls straight to Hiroki.
"Well done," Hiroki praised.
"It was my elder sister who told me to do this," Hinata replied awkwardly.
Hiroki twitched his lips slightly.
You've really twisted the family hierarchy upside down...
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