Looking again a few times, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally realized the leader looked familiar—as if he had seen him somewhere before.
"Wait, isn't that Might Guy?"
"Might Guy? What's he doing among the Hyūga? And why's he dressed so oddly?"
Hiruzen was quite familiar with Might Guy.
He was a low-ranking Genin with little ninja talent, always wearing strange clothes and running around Konoha training his *taijutsu*.
Hiruzen had often watched him through his Telescope Technique.
He hadn't seen him in quite some time. Never did he expect to find him here within the Hyūga Clan.
Though puzzled, and despite the jarring sight, Hiruzen continued watching.
As he observed further, he frowned.
"This… this is *taijutsu* training?"
"These Branch House kids aren't practicing the Gentle Fist anymore? Have they switched to Iron Fist instead?"
"What exactly is the Hyūga Clan up to? Are they planning to change their ancestral techniques?"
From what Hiruzen remembered and knew through intel, the Hyūga Clan held the [Gentle Fist] in the highest regard.
According to the ancient and rigid customs of the Hyūga Clan, it was practically unthinkable for them to allow anyone to learn other forms of *taijutsu*.
Only young Satori Hyūga—a Main House member—had managed to introduce his New Gentle Fist without facing outright condemnation, thanks to his status.
So how could these Branch House youths be learning the [Iron Fist] from Might Guy?
Granted, Might Guy possessed that infamous forbidden technique known as the [Eight Gates]...
Wait a second.
Hiruzen suddenly became alert.
The [Eight Gates] technique temporarily burns through one's survival instincts to gain overwhelming power.
Most shinobi would never choose to master such a jutsu.
For two reasons: first, it was extremely difficult to train in; second, nobody wanted to be like a firework—flaring brilliantly once and then vanishing forever.
Therefore, whether they were commoner ninjas or clan-born, most would avoid practicing it unless absolutely necessary.
But the Hyūga were different.
The distinction between the Main and Branch Houses, along with the Caged Bird Seal—a tool the Main House used to control the Branch members—meant the Main House could easily dictate the lives of the Branch members.
With such control, the Main House could very well force the Branch members to train the [Eight Gates].
They could create disposable ultimate weapons—single-use warriors of immense strength.
He took another close look at the faces of those young boys.
Their young faces were drenched in sweat and tears.
This was definitely a sign of coercion.
"The audacity of the Hyūga Clan."
Hiruzen slammed his fist on the table, certain he had uncovered their hidden scheme.
Those massage chairs and parlors? Just a ploy to make money—to fund the Branch House youths' training in the [Eight Gates].
Once this new generation of Branch members completed their training, the Hyūga Clan would rise rapidly in power within Konoha. They would dominate everything, reshaping the entire balance of power.
Even if someone trained poorly, they'd still end up with at least Kage-level strength—and there were eight of them.
Combined, their strength might even rival all the other ninja in Konoha together.
He had even included himself and old hands like Danzō in that calculation.
"The Hyūga Clan has such grand plans. Such terrifying ambition."
Chills ran down Hiruzen's spine. His hair stood on end as he believed he had uncovered the truth.
He hadn't expected that while balancing and suppressing the Uchiha Clan, he had neglected to monitor the other clans.
Letting the Hyūga clan, a normally low-key family, develop unnoticed beneath his watchful eye.
If this plan succeeded, it could become an even greater threat than the Uchiha ever were.
"Hyūga Ten'yō... there's a man who's truly concealing his strength."
"No, as Hokage, I absolutely cannot afford to remain idle."
"The Hyūga clan's actions have already upset the balance within the village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but feel wary of the current Hyūga clan leader.
He had initially thought him merely a moderate traditionalist, but little did he know that his heart was filled with cold-bloodedness and ambition.
He didn't care at all about the Branch House members' lives, exploiting them to the fullest. Truly horrifying.
Unknowingly, Hyūga Ten'yō had become the object of the Hokage's suspicion and scrutiny.
Acting based on the philosophy of "better to err on the side of caution—and eliminate—than allow a threat to escape,"
Sarutobi Hiruzen issued one order after another, unconsciously weaving a vast net around the Hyūga clan.
The Hyūga clan unknowingly became the first to receive the dubious honor of being monitored by Konoha.
Any slightest movement from the Hyūga clan would be instantly reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Thus, this absurd misunderstanding was born.
Meanwhile, Might Guy, the one who caused everything, remained completely unaware at the training grounds.
Passionately, he trained the Hyūga Branch House kids diligently.
"Young ones, youth must never be wasted! Let's ignite our spirits and push forward!"
Might Guy shouted loudly. Wearing weighted armor, he led by example, performing high-difficulty exercises with full dedication.
Seeing this, the others followed closely, beginning their workout together.
"Oh, what beautiful youth!"
Tears welled up in Might Guy's eyes as he felt as if he had reached the pinnacle of life itself.
So many people understood his philosophy,
and the boss paid him wages while providing full room and board!
"Waaaahhh! Youth must never be wasted! Let's stake everything — our youth and passion — in celebration of youth itself!"
His training intensified further. Throwing himself into squats with wild energy and boundless enthusiasm.
Other Hyūga members joined him, furiously training and shouting praises of youth.
That unrestrained demeanor contrasted completely with their reserved and aloof public image.
Those familiar with him would likely be shocked to see it.
"Heheheh, I'm so happy!"
"Shouting loudly, training hard, no restrictions at all, no class distinctions."
Hyūga Fuyushiro gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his forehead, yet still unable to suppress the smile on his face.
It was a carefree, genuinely happy smile.
Beside him, Chonghuo Hyūga nodded in agreement: "Same here."
"Since meeting Master Might Guy, I feel like I've been reborn."
Ever since receiving the Caged Bird Seal (a cursed mark binding Branch House members) and understanding the distinction between Main House and Branch House, he hadn't smiled much.
Within the Hyūga clan compound, every day felt so suffocating and painful.
But when he met Might Guy, accepting his Ninja Way and philosophy, he blossomed again, like experiencing springtime once more.
Forget about the Caged Bird Seal, forget about Main House or Branch House—just keep striving forward.
Believe in yourself and the power of your own efforts.
One day, he would shatter this ridiculous birdcage and become an eagle soaring through the sky.
As the saying goes,
"The greater the pressure, the stronger the rebound."
The assembly had been too repressed under the Hyuga Clan, so when they encountered Might Guy, they bounced back hard.
Might Guy's single-minded, endlessly passionate personality inspired the Branch House kids.
It transformed them from being oppressed, confused, and suffering into fiery, energetic, and vibrant young men.
They cried when they wanted to cry, laughed when they wanted to laugh—unrestricted by anyone.
Okay, they got a little strange.
But they were happy.
Through Might Guy's influence, these Hyuga Branch House youths became Konoha's first ever group of wild and unruly kids.
"Thank you, Master Might Guy! Thank you, Lord Satori Hyuga!"
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