Chapter 15

Naruto's yell shattered the quiet night. "YOUHOUUUU!" he screamed, his voice carrying across the rooftops as if the whole world needed to know how awesome this moment was. Perched on the Hokage's shoulders, he clung to the sealing scroll with both hands, his grin so wide his cheeks ached.

That scroll—the Old Man had packed up his entire apartment into one piece of paper! Like magic! No, it was magic, ninja magic, and it was the coolest thing Naruto had ever seen. Well, maybe not cooler than riding on the Hokage's shoulders as they leapt from roof to roof. "You're so fast, Old Man!" he shouted, his voice half-laugh, half-amazed. "Like, crazy fast!"

The Hokage didn't answer, just gave a faint chuckle as he bounded effortlessly across the village skyline. The speed was unreal. The wind whipped at Naruto's hair and clothes, and he whooped again, throwing his hands in the air like he was riding the best roller coaster ever. "This is the best night EVER!" he declared to the stars above.

They landed with a soft thud in a quiet corner of the village, where high wooden walls loomed around them. Naruto blinked, recognizing the area. This wasn't just any part of the village—this was one of those fancy clan compounds, the ones with private streets and houses that looked like palaces compared to his old flat.

The Hokage stepped forward, weaving a quick series of hand signs. The gates shimmered faintly—some sort of ninja seal, Naruto guessed—before swinging open with a creak. Naruto's jaw dropped as they stepped inside.

The compound was like a dream. Houses with tiled roofs and polished wood stood in perfect rows, their lanterns glowing softly against the night. Stone paths wound through manicured gardens filled with bonsai trees and carefully raked gravel. Everything felt calm and quiet, the kind of quiet Naruto wasn't used to.

"WOAH," Naruto breathed, spinning around to take it all in. He pointed to one of the houses. "Do people actually live here? These are like... ninja mansions!"

Hiruzen's lips quirked into a faint smile as he pointed to the largest house in the center. "That's my son's home. He lives there with his wife and my grandson. It used to be mine, back when I led the Sarutobi Clan."

Naruto stared at the house, his eyes as wide as saucers. It was enormous, its polished wood and sweeping tiled roof gleaming under the moonlight. "This is YOUR house?" he asked, his voice cracking with disbelief.

"Once," Hiruzen corrected. "After my wife passed..." His voice softened, his gaze flickering briefly with sadness. "I moved to one of the smaller houses. My eldest son became the clan head. Before that, he served as the ANBU Commander."

"ANBU Commander?!" Naruto nearly fell over, his mind spinning. "That's—WHAT? That's so cool! And this house is HUGE!" Then his excitement faltered slightly, replaced by an awkward realization. "Wait... you have kids? Old Man, why didn't you ever tell me?"

Hiruzen chuckled softly, his tone forgiving. "You never asked."

Naruto's face flushed, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. The Hokage was one of his most precious people, and he'd never even thought to ask about his family. "Sorry, I guess..."

Hiruzen waved off the apology, motioning toward another house. It was smaller but still elegant, with a neatly kept garden in front. Naruto noticed a strange detail—empty beer bottles scattered near the door.

"That's where Taro lives," Hiruzen explained. "One of my sons."

Naruto tilted his head, squinting at the bottles. "What's with all the bottles?"

Hiruzen sighed, his shoulders sinking slightly. "Taro doesn't have chakra. He's... struggled with that all his life. I think I made him feel like he wasn't a good son because of it."

Naruto frowned, crossing his arms. "That sucks. He's still your kid, Old Man. You should tell him he's awesome anyway."

The Hokage smiled faintly, but didn't reply. Instead, he pointed to another house nearby, this one with cardboard boxes stacked haphazardly by the door. "That's where Jiraiya is staying. Well, where he will stay."

"Jiraiya?" Naruto perked up immediately, his curiosity piqued.

"One of my students," Hiruzen explained. "He was an orphan, like you. The last of his class to graduate, but he went on to become one of the strongest ninja Konoha has ever produced. Stronger even than Kakashi or Gai."

Naruto's eyes lit up with pure wonder. "STRONGER than Kakashi-sensei? That's CRAZY! Do you think he'll teach me? Can I meet him?"

Hiruzen held up a hand to calm the boy. "One thing at a time, Naruto. Let's get you settled first."

They arrived at the last habited house in the compound, a modest but well-kept home with warm light spilling through the windows. Naruto stepped inside, clutching the sealing scroll tightly, his eyes darting around the space. It was cozy, clean, and... it smelled like ramen. That alone made Naruto decide he liked it instantly.

Then he saw her—a woman dressed like a nun, standing near the low dining table. Her face had faint, visible cracks running across her skin, almost like stone.

"WOW!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing rudely. "Why are there cracks on your face? Did you fall into, like, a Jutsu or something? Or wait—" His eyes widened. "Are you cursed?!"

The woman chuckled, her tone soft and almost musical. "It's because I'm a zombie," she said simply, her smile patient despite the exuberant question.

"WHAAAAAT?!" Naruto practically yelled, his voice echoing through the house. "A ZOMBIE?! THAT'S SO COOL! Old Man, why didn't you tell me we were coming to a zombie house?! This is awesome!" He ran closer, circling the nun with pure excitement, inspecting her as though she were some legendary figure from a bedtime story.

Hiruzen chuckled, clearly amused by Naruto's enthusiasm. "Naruto, this is Nono. Nono, this is Naruto. She lives in this house, and you'll be staying with her."

Naruto froze mid-bounce, his grin disappearing as a sudden shyness overtook him. "Wait... what?" He looked between Hiruzen and Nono, his brows furrowing. "This is her house? I'm not a squatter or anything! I can't just... barge in here!" He waved his arms wildly, clearly flustered.

Hiruzen laughed, shaking his head. "It's a Sarutobi house, Naruto. And as the Sarutobi, I can put whoever I want inside it."

Nono knelt slightly to be at eye level with Naruto, her smile kind and warm despite her unusual appearance. "You're not a squatter," she said gently. "And to be honest, the house is a bit too quiet with just me here. I'd love a little more life around. A roommate like you sounds perfect."

Naruto blinked at her, his shyness melting into a wide grin. "Really? You're sure? I mean, I'm kinda loud, and I eat a lot, and—"

Nono laughed softly. "It sounds like we'll get along just fine."

Hiashi Hyuga waited.

In any other circumstance, he would have at least voiced his displeasure. He was the head of the Hyuga Clan, the most prominent and respected family in Konoha. Waiting, especially unacknowledged, wasn't something he was accustomed to. But now? He sat silently, hands resting on his lap, outwardly composed.

The image of Hiruzen Sarutobi cracking Danzo Shimura's skull flashed in his mind, vivid and unrelenting. The precision, the ferocity, the sheer control—it wasn't just a fight. It was an execution. Hiashi had thought himself untouchable, yet Danzo had tossed him aside like a child, and the Hokage had dispatched the War Hawk like an afterthought. The memory made him shudder. The villagers called Hiruzen the God of Shinobi. They were right.

No, making him wait wasn't a power play. Hiruzen had no need for such displays after what Hiashi had witnessed. If anything, the Hokage was genuinely late. Reflexively, his Byakugan activated, the veins around his temples flaring faintly as his gaze swept the room and beyond. He didn't mean to pry, but scanning his surroundings kept his mind focused. The events of the past three days loomed large in his thoughts. Danzo's treachery—his alliance with Orochimaru, the abduction of clan children, the exploitation of the Uchiha tragedy—it had shaken the village to its core. But Hiashi knew the other clan heads shared his unease not just because of what had been revealed, but because of what it implied.

Danzo, it seemed, had been the thorn that stayed the Hokage's hand for years. And now, with the rot cut out, Konoha was poised to rise stronger than ever. It was exhilarating, in a way, but it left Hiashi wary. Stronger? Certainly. But under a leader who had proven capable of crushing an opponent with such ease? What did it mean for the Hyugas?

The signs were everywhere. The amphitheater had been rebuilt with stunning efficiency. The Academy was under a rigorous audit, overseen by Shikaku Nara and Ibiki Morino. The ANBU leadership had shifted, and the Sarutobi Clan had reasserted its place on the council. The Hokage Council had been disbanded.

Hiashi could see the pieces falling into place. After years of stagnation, Konoha was going to change. And change was rarely a good thing — Hyugas were entrenched in traditions for a good reason. The convocation of the clan heads was merely the next step to implement theses policies, to consult them. Hiashi was flattered, in a way, to be summoned second. Shikaku, as Jonin Commander, had naturally been called first. The Aburame were to meet with the Hokage in the afternoon, and he knew the others would mainly see the Hokage tomorrow.

The door opened, breaking his train of thought. The secretary stepped out, her tone polite but brisk. "Lord Hiashi, the Hokage will see you now."

He stood, smoothing the folds of his robes as he stepped forward. The first glance at Hiruzen stopped him in his tracks.

Gone were the voluminous robes and ceremonial hat. In their place was a simple yet striking outfit: a tailored shirt and practical pants, free of unnecessary ornamentation but adorned with the red kanji for Fire. The absence of excess made the ensemble even more commanding. With his Byakugan still active, Hiashi's eyes caught something else—seals. Intricate patterns ran along the seams of the clothes, subtly pulsing with restrained chakra. More seals traced Hiruzen's arms and neck, faint but unmistakable, etched into his very skin.

What struck Hiashi most wasn't the seals, though—it was the man himself. With the cumbersome robes discarded, the Hokage's frame was on full display. His arms, lean and powerful, rippled with strength. His posture was upright, his movements fluid. The wrinkles on his face belied the vitality in his body, the careful efficiency of every breath, every gesture. This was not an old man burdened by time. This was a warrior honed by decades of battle, standing as though he were ready to step onto the front lines.

"Hiashi," Hiruzen said, his tone steady, a slight nod acknowledging the clan head's presence. "Please, have a seat."

"Lord Hokage," For the first time in years, Hiashi dipped into a full bow, his respect genuine.

The Hokage leaned back slightly and lit his pipe with a casual flick of chakra from his finger. The small flame danced briefly before disappearing, leaving behind a thin trail of smoke.

"Hiashi," Hiruzen began, exhaling a steady plume of smoke. "You're a clever man, so let's not waste time with pleasantries."

Hiashi maintained his composure, though the shift in the Hokage's demeanor didn't go unnoticed. This was not the gentle, roundabout way Hiruzen typically handled matters. His tone was direct, his posture commanding. This wasn't the kindly leader Konoha had grown used to. This was a military commander, sharp and efficient. Danzo's death hadn't just been an event—it had been a turning point.

"I know they call me the Professor," Hiruzen continued, his voice carrying a weight that made Hiashi sit a little straighter. "I know I'm known as the Professor but I'm not here to bore you with lectures. But let's establish the essentials. Konoha's strength lies in its sixteen thousand ninja: six thousand genin, five thousand chunin, eight hundred jonin, not counting a thousand ANBU - including four hundred jonins. Sixty have a civilian or a ninja-family background and forty percent come from institutionalized clans, and among those, the Hyuga are the largest. One ninja out of twenty-two is a Hyuga.".

Hiruzen's pipe hovered at the edge of his lips as his eyes rested steadily on Hiashi. "With the Uchiha gone," he said, his tone steady but edged, "the Hyuga are now the strongest clan in Konoha."

Hiashi straightened in his seat, keeping his face impassive. The pride that rose within him was undeniable but carefully concealed. This wasn't a compliment—it was positioning. Every word the Hokage spoke carried weight, and Hiashi wasn't about to misstep in what looked more and more like a negotiation.

"You're a vital player," Hiruzen continued, "And I've chosen to consult you before moving forward with what's coming. I'd rather have your cooperation."

Hiashi raised an eyebrow, his skepticism hidden behind a mask of civility. "Chosen to consult?" he repeated, his voice calm but pointed. "Surely the Hyuga's position necessitates that consultation."

Hiruzen's shrug was maddeningly casual. "The Uchiha tragedy demonstrated one thing clearly—Konoha doesn't rely on any single clan. Not even the strongest. And yet, we remain the most powerful village, don't we?"

Hiashi's throat tightened. The words were delivered calmly, but the underlying message was sharp and unyielding. Hiashi felt a chill crawl up his spine.

"Here's what will happen," Hiruzen said. "Reforms are coming. Reforms that will strengthen Konoha, and by extension, its clans. Including the Hyuga. And you 'll be their staunchest supporter."

The Clan Head remained silent, his composure unshaken despite the shift in the room's atmosphere. He waited for the other shoe to drop.

Hiruzen leaned forward slightly, his pipe resting on the edge of his desk, smoke curling lazily into the air. "But," he said, his voice taking on a sharper edge, "I'm not from Iwa. Here's the carrot. I'm going to re-establish the military police."

Hiashi's composure cracked for the briefest moment, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "What?" he said aloud, the shock escaping before he could rein it in. The military police had been disbanded after the Uchiha massacre. The very concept carried weight—both historical and practical.

Hiruzen didn't wait for him to recover. "The mistake of making a single clan entirely responsible for the police force is one we won't repeat. Isolation led to resentment, and resentment to disaster. This time, the police will be smaller, mixed, and better integrated into the fabric of the village. Fifty-five percent of its members will be civilian-born ninja. Its leadership will come from outside the clans currently seated on the council. But," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "I'm not opposed to a significant Hyuga presence. Thirty percent of the force will be Hyuga, with additional representation from other clans, mainly Aburame and Inuzuka for balance. And, as a gesture of trust, one of the two vice commanders will be handpicked by you."

Hiashi's mind raced. The offer was monumental—not just in the authority it granted but in its symbolism. The Hyuga taking a central role in the police force would elevate them to a position once held by the Uchiha, a clan whose shadow still loomed large over Konoha. Even if the Hokage hadn't dangled the carrot, Hiashi knew he would have eventually bent the knee. Hiruzen Sarutobi was no longer merely an aging figurehead. The image of him cracking Danzo's skull flashed through Hiashi's mind again, unbidden. He shivered inwardly.

But this? This wasn't just capitulation. It was opportunity. Practical advantages, certainly—visibility, influence, and access to vital intelligence. But the symbolic weight of stepping into the Uchiha's shoes was immeasurable.

"And you know what?" Hiruzen added, a faint smile curling at the edges of his mouth. "I'll throw in a bonus. Neji, the prodigy from your clan—he can have a 'field graduation' to chunin, be trained in the Anbu for a few weeks, and join the police force as its youngest captain. Think of the reputation boost. It'll inspire confidence in Konoha's strength and shine a little extra light on your clan."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed as he processed the final piece of the puzzle. Neji, a captain at his age, would indeed bolster their reputation. It was a clever move, one that reinforced the Hokage's reforms while ensuring the Hyuga had a stake in them. "Hokage-sama," Hiashi said carefully, inclining his head. "You've given this great thought."

Hiruzen's smile remained, though it carried a weight that wasn't lost on Hiashi. "I have. Konoha's future demands it. Now, the Hyuga must decide whether to stand at the forefront of that future."

Hiashi bowed slightly, his expression calm, though his thoughts churned with new possibilities. "The Hyuga will not falter," he said.

"Good," Hiruzen replied simply.