Sungai tribe.

Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi were playing chess, while in the courtyard outside the room where they were, Hyuga Hinata was practicing the soft fist moves carefully, one move at a time.

Accompanied by the sound of footsteps coming closer and closer, Hyuga Kagami and Hyuga Neji walked along the corridor and came to the door.

"Hiashi-sama, Hizashi-sama, Fuu has agreed to accept Neji as his disciple; however, he requires a ceremony to be held."

Hinata Jing said.

Hearing this, Hinata Hiashi frowned slightly, looking thoughtful.

This should be a test by Uchiha Yuan on whether the Hyuga clan's position is firm.

"If you think it's inappropriate, please let me personally apologize to Uchiha Furuya and decline the offer. After all, the main family is very unhappy about Neji becoming Uchiha Furuya's apprentice."

Hinata Hizashi spoke.

The Hyuga clan has always been dissatisfied with the Uchiha clan. In the eyes of the Hyuga main family, Hyuga Neji becoming Uchiha Yuan's disciple is tantamount to Hyuga bowing to the Uchiha clan.

Even though the person Neji became apprentice to was Uchiha Fuu.

"Don't worry about what the Zong family says. Since Uchiha Yuan has made a request, let's prepare for the apprenticeship ceremony."

Hinata Hiashi said.

After a pause, he continued, "This is the beginning of our alliance between Hyuga and Uchiha Yuan."

From Hyuga Hiashi's words, we can understand that the Hyuga clan's future position is to support Uchiha Fuu, rather than support the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Yuan realized this when Hyuga Kagami brought Neji to become his disciple.

In the courtyard, Hinata had stopped training at some point and was staring blankly in the direction where Hyuga Neji had left.

【Ningji-nii became the eldest brother's disciple. 】

Over the next few days, a piece of news spread throughout Konoha.

Uchiha Yuan will accept the son of Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga branch family, as his disciple.

This news quickly became the focus of discussion in Konoha.

In the past, news of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans appearing together always meant that there were disputes or conflicts between the two clans.

However, this time it was a Hyuga clan member who took an Uchiha as his master, and the Hyuga clan did not object.

However, after thinking about the fact that he was to worship Uchiha Yuan as his master, the Konoha ninjas were surprised but also felt that this was normal.

After all, the person he is becoming apprentice to is Uchiha Yuan.

Recently, Uchiha Yuan's past battle records have been constantly discussed by Konoha ninjas.

The Konoha ninjas' previous doubts about their past achievements of forcing back the Sand Ninjas and confronting the Raikage have now completely disappeared.

Hokage's office.

"Old man, your previous actions have made the Hyuga clan very dissatisfied."

Jiraiya squatted on the window of the room and said to Sarutobi Hiruzen with a smile.

After a pause, he continued, "Although Hyuga Neji is a member of the branch family, he is Hyuga Hiashi's nephew and the future head of the branch family.

His becoming Uchiha Fuchi's disciple means that the Hyuga clan has formed an alliance with Uchiha Fuchi."

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen said sullenly, "The Hyuga clan is nothing to worry about.

If the one becoming my disciple this time is Hinata Hyuga, I might have a headache.

After all, Hyuga Neji is the son of a branch family, and his apprenticeship does mean that Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Furu have reached some kind of consensus.

But this does not mean that the Hyuga clan has completely supported Uchiha Yuan, the Hyuga clan still has reservations."

Hearing this, Jiraiya showed a troubled expression.

"Alas, old man, seeing all these calculations between you, I feel overwhelmed.

So I don’t like staying in Konoha, it’s more fun to go out and collect materials.”

"Jiraiya, you're leaving the village?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag on his cigarette and frowned.

“After being back in the village for so long, it’s time to leave.

Don't worry, old man, I will be on the lookout for any traces of the Illuminati while collecting materials."

Jiraiya said seriously as he jumped down from the window.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, looked at Jiraiya with cloudy eyes and said: "Jiraiya, I don't want you to leave the village."

Hearing this, Jiraiya was startled, then he said solemnly: "Could it be because of Uchiha Yuan?"

Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen remained silent, Jiraiya continued to ask, "Old man, are you afraid of Uchiha Yuan?"

Nodding slowly, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a complicated expression: "Although I don't want to admit it, Uchiha Yuan has indeed brought a lot of pressure to this old man."

Taking a deep drag on his cigarette, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, "Whether it's Uchiha Fuchi with the support of the Uchiha clan, or the Uchiha clan with Uchiha Fuchi, the two have now become a huge problem that is difficult for the village to deal with."

"Old man, you are worrying too much. I remember that people like Shisui and Uchiha Itachi are loyal to the village."

Jiraiya said.

He was naturally very clear about the struggle between the Hokage line and the Uchiha clan. He understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's worry, which was because of Uchiha Fuu. The Uchiha clan was gradually losing control, and the village began to feel suppressed by the Uchiha clan.

"Shisui and Itachi are both very good ninjas in the village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a pleased smile.

After a pause, he continued, “But Shisui and Itachi alone cannot influence the Uchiha clan.

Among the current Uchiha clan, Uchiha Yuan has great prestige."

"So that's how it is. It would be nice if Orochimaru were still here."

Jiraiya looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a complicated expression and said.

Uchiha Yuan is now Konoha's top combat force. Not only that, he has the support of the Uchiha clan behind him. Therefore, when facing him, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt tremendous pressure.

The reason for this is that there are very few top combat forces in Konoha who can balance Uchiha Yuan.

Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped that Jiraiya could stay in Konoha.

Facing Jiraiya's gaze, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a somewhat evasive look: "Humph, why mention Orochimaru at this time? He has fallen into depravity and is no longer tolerated by the village."

Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that Jiraiya's words were actually secretly blaming him for forcing Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo away, resulting in a shortage of top combat power in the village, which led to the current cramped situation.

"Old man, the most urgent task is to find the trace of the Illuminati. No one can guarantee that the Illuminati will not invade the village for the third time.

As for the Uchiha clan, it may be time to give in; with Shisui and Itachi around, I believe the village and the Uchiha clan can reach an agreement.

For example, finding the Illuminati is also the responsibility of the Konoha Guard."

Jiraiya said.

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up.

Since you are worried about the Uchiha clan's power in the village, then find something for them to do.

"Jiraiya, your suggestion is very good. I think Uchiha Yuan can be responsible for part of the task of finding the Illuminati."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile.

At this moment, he felt his body lighten, and the pressure that had troubled him for many days was suddenly relieved a lot.

"Old man, how is Danzo doing now?"

Jiraiya asked.

When Danzo was mentioned, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately showed a complicated expression.

He sighed softly and said, "According to the news from the Anbu, Danzo is suffering from the erosion of the Flame Demon's Chakra.

It will probably be difficult to remove the Flame Demon Chakra from Danzo's body in a short period of time."

"It looks like Danzo will be trapped in the Root for a long time, which I think might be a good thing.

Danzo has always been too aggressive in dealing with the Uchiha clan; the escalation of the conflict between the village and the Uchiha clan is largely due to Danzo's actions."

Jiraiya looked deeply at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said.

He had already seen through that Danzo was actually a sword in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression froze for a moment, then he nodded slightly, "Maybe, you have a point."