Inside the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the letter in his hands, puffing on his pipe until smoke filled the room.
Orochimaru stood nearby with arms crossed, watching Hiruzen with a smirk. "Old man, I never thought you'd actually send the Anbu to observe the Hyūga clan just for an unconfirmed suspicion."
Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring and shook his head. "That's because you don't understand."
"The [Eight Gates] technique combined with Hyūga Branch House members bearing the [Caged Bird Seal]—how formidable could they become?"
It was a forbidden jutsu recorded in sealing arts—a technique that burned one's life force to unlock ultimate human potential.
If mastered, even opening seven of the gates could deal devastating damage to Kage-level ninja.
And when combined with the Hyūga clan, it became even more terrifying.
The Hyūga had cultivated Taijutsu generation after generation, possessing exceptional understanding and control over physical training and bodily conditioning.
Might Guy was merely a Genin with limited talent and couldn't fully exhibit its power.
But giving the [Eight Gates] to a Hyūga member? That would be no small matter.
Prodigy + [Eight Gates] + Caged Bird = the Hyūga Clan could produce eight warriors surpassing even Kage-level strength.
Even if they were expendable, they'd still be ultimate war machines capable of turning the tide of entire battles.
At that point, the balance within the village would collapse completely.
The threat from the Hyūga would far exceed that of the Uchiha Clan.
After all, the Uchiha only had a chance of awakening their eyes under the cruelty of battlefield conditions.
Meanwhile, the Hyūga only needed to sacrifice a few Branch House members and rigorously train in the [Eight Gates] technique to match the strength of a Kage.
Seeing Hiruzen's solemn and serious expression, Orochimaru involuntarily reined in his usual grin.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled how Satori Hyūga had previously conducted experiments on Might Guy inside the Laboratory.
At the time, he thought a group of kids who hadn't even graduated yet wouldn't cause any real stir, so he didn't pay much attention.
Thinking back now, they seemed to have been improving upon the [Eight Gates] technique.
If such a jutsu could make the old man this serious and cautious, then it must truly be something extraordinary.
"My apprentice really knows how to surprise me," Orochimaru mused inwardly.
He himself hadn't even realized the existence of such a powerful technique, yet Satori had not only discovered it but also attempted to improve it.
Orochimaru licked his lips, joy flickering in his eyes.
To have a disciple who shared his passions—that was truly exhilarating.
As for jealousy? He felt not a shred of it.
To Orochimaru, feeling jealous of others was something only the mediocre and weak ever did.
"Old man, so what do you plan to do about it?" Orochimaru asked again.
"The Hyūga are a prestigious family in Konoha—they aren't easy to touch lightly."
"And besides… Satori is my apprentice, and also your grand-disciple."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered as he gazed at the letter, hesitation evident as he remained paralyzed by indecision.
Just like Orochimaru said, the Hyūga were indeed a noble house within Konoha.
The previous suspicions might just have been illusions—with no solid evidence, there was no way to convict them.
But once doubt took root, guilt became assumed.
Hiruzen's thoughts about the Hyūga tilted toward distrust—he had already started viewing them through a biased lens.
After all, the very existence of the Caged Bird Seal had long fueled resentment in Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Bound by the Caged Bird Seal, Branch House members of the Hyūga Clan were forced to choose family over the village.
If the Hyūga Clan ever chose to revolt, it would likely succeed with little effort.
Additionally, due to excessive protection by the Main House, the Hyūga frequently missed key village meetings.
Hiruzen now had a new thought that only deepened his growing unease about the Hyūga Clan's use of the Caged Bird Seal.
The very existence of the Caged Bird Seal had already made the Hyūga Clan a potential threat to Konoha.
A moment later,
Hiruzen said, "Satori Hyūga supports Konoha. He's a good kid. I read the suggestions he included in his letter too—it was filled with affirmation for the Will of Fire and love for the village."
"He even suggested I issue a decree abolishing the Caged Bird Seal to avoid any potential suspicion."
Yet at this point, he hesitated again.
"But when Konoha was first founded, the First Hokage promised every major clan that the village would not interfere in internal family matters."
"If I intervene directly now, it will surely provoke resistance and resentment from the other clans."
"The issue of the Caged Bird Seal requires careful deliberation."
As the Hokage, he didn't have absolute authority over the village.
If all the major clans united against him, he would have no choice but to back down.
Orochimaru stared at him speechlessly before saying, "Old man, show some of that Shin'yū spirit and courage already!"
"Even if you can't completely eliminate it, you should at least find a way to weaken the Main House's control over the Branch House."
"Hey old man, are you really not up for this anymore?"
It was only after persistent persuasion from Satori Hyūga that he agreed to speak up and help sway the old man into making a decision.
Though he couldn't quite understand Satori's reasons,
Satori was clearly a bright young man with his own vision, and as his mentor, he felt obligated to support him.
Hiruzen glared at Orochimaru, clearly annoyed. "I'm trying to consider the consequences for the village! Do you really think this is simple?"
"The Caged Bird Seal of the Hyūga Clan has been passed down for generations, giving the Main House power over life and death of the Branch members—and no one has managed to break it yet."
"There were indeed studies on the Caged Bird Seal hidden away in the village's secret chamber, although no conclusive findings were ever made public."
He fixed Orochimaru with a stern gaze.
"Orochimaru, I want you to restart these experiments and figure out how to crack the Caged Bird Seal."
Curiosity flickered in Orochimaru's eyes as he eagerly nodded in agreement.
"I never imagined there were studies on the Caged Bird Seal hidden inside the village. They must have been buried extremely well, since I never caught a hint of them."
Hiruzen formed a hand seal, releasing a puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a dusty old scroll on the table.
The scroll was yellowed with age, clearly long-forgotten.
Hiruzen brushed off invisible dust, picked it up, and handed it to Orochimaru.
"This is a research manual left behind by Tobirama Senju, my teacher and the Second Hokage."
"Take it and study it well."
Orochimaru gazed at the scroll, his interest visibly piqued.
Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, Konoha's master of forbidden techniques, was also a figure who had blazed trails in both scientific research and ninjutsu.
To Orochimaru, the Second Hokage was nothing less than a pioneer—a person who had uncovered profound truths.
As for his legends, Orochimaru had long been deeply fascinated.
After all, most of Konoha's forbidden jutsu had been created by none other than the Second Hokage himself.
The moment he unrolled the scroll, Orochimaru was instantly captivated by the data and records inscribed on it.
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