Chapter 610: Kuroto’s Request

While looking at the list of trainees that are to be admitted from this session Kuroto noted that some names were especially highlighted and were marked to be paid special attention during their time in the academy because of their higher talent, potential, and important background compared to the rest of the trainees.

These were none other than Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Kiyomi, Hyuga Hinata, Hyuga Neji, Shion, Shikamaru Nara, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Kurama Yakumo, along with few other names.

Seeing these especially highlighted names, Kuroto chuckled inwardly and then closed the scroll.

Even in the Ninja Academy, there is no equality in the truest sense. On the surface, it may seem that all students are treated equally and treated equally, but that’s on the surface, in reality, trainees with a special background are naturally given more attention and care compared to the rest of the trainees without any background.

But it’s not so strange and fully understandable if you think about the fact that the children of major clans generally have higher potential compared to the children of the civilian background. Of course, there are unconventional cases such as Namikaze Minato and Might Guy… but those are just exceptions and their case doesn’t apply to the majority, as such partiality and favoritism are completely expected.

In fact, if such partiality is not shown, then the children of the major clans might not even enroll in the Ninja Academy, which would deeply affect the overall strength of the village, so, it is not only understandable but also necessary.

Anyway, putting this matter aside for now, after Kuroto folded back the scroll, Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice, “I don’t think I need to remind the three of you that the goal of Akatsuki Organization is the Nine Bijuus, and since Uzumaki Naruto–– the Jinchuriki of Kyuubi­­––is also enrolling in the academy, so he will naturally be targeted by them… His safety must be given top priority over everything else… The three of you must work together to ensure Naruto’s safety… we can’t allow him to be taken away this time… it would put the safety of the entire Shinobi World at risk… understand?”

“Yes!” all three responded with a nod.

With that Sarutobi Hiruzen put away the serious expression, and said, “Now the three of you may go and prepare… In three days from now, the grand entrance ceremony has to be held, and several senior officials of the Village will be present at the entrance ceremony, so make sure that everything is proper and fully displays Konoha’s recovery…”

Kuroto nodded, “I understand… please rest assured Sandaime-sama, I will make all the arrangements…”

Elder Hiruzen nodded with a satisfied expression and dismissed Kuroto, Shisui, and Guy.

Kuroto, Shisui, and Guy excused themselves from the Hokage building.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Kuroto pondered for a little, then instructed both Shisui and Guy to take care of their personal matter and after that meet him at the Ninja Academy in order to start making all the preparation for the grand entrance ceremony that is to be held three days later.

Shisui and Guy both went towards their home, meanwhile, Kuroto himself made his way towards the Hyuga Clan.

Obviously, along with the entire village, the territory of the Hyuga Clans has also been reconstructed, and after coming to the Hyuga Clan, he walked in the direction of the Patriarch’s mansion.

As soon as Kuroto came to the Patriarch’s mansion, he was welcomed inside by Hyuga Natsu(the maid of the Hyuga Clan, and the Hyuga Hanabi’s caretaker), and soon met with the Hyuga Patriarch.

Firstly, Kuroto congratulated Hiashi for the safe return of Hinata, and they discussed his transfer.

Hyuga Hiashi said, “I heard about the recent changes in the Anbu department… did your team too…?”

Kuroto nodded, and explained, “Yes, as Shimura Danzo-sama was appointed as the temporary Hokage agent, he made several changes in the Anbu department… and along with several other Anbu captains, I too am no longer part of the Anbu department…”

Hiashi sighed… ‘This wasn’t very good news…’ then asked, “So, are there any other arrangements for you from Danzo-sama…?”

This question was important because if Kuroto is no longer part of the central administration of the village due to changes in power, Hiashi will have to figure out what to do for Kuroto…

Kuroto nodded and said, “Yes there are some arrangements, not from Danzo-sama’s side, but from Elder Hiruzen’s side… He transferred me to the Konoha Ninja Academy, and appointed me as the principal.”

Hiashi was taken aback when he heard that Kuroto was appointed as the Principal of the Ninja Academy, “Did I hear that correctly? You are appointed as the Principal of the Ninja Academy?”

Kuroto nodded, “Yes.”

Hiashi’s expression changed quickly and he sighed in delight, “This is very good news…”

The Konoha Ninja Academy is part of the central administration department, like Konoha Hospital, Intelligence Division, Mission Allotment Division, Barrier Division, Military Police et cetera…, and in terms of overall influence, it is, in fact, better than the other departments as all Konoha Shinobi graduate from the Ninja Academy.

So, becoming the principal of the Ninja Academy is equivalent to having a certain influence over the entire future generation of the Village.

Now that Kuroto has become the principal of the Ninja Academy, it means that the influence of the Hyuga Clan over the entire village and other major Shinobi Clans will greatly increase.

Moreover, since Kuroto has become the principal of the Ninja Academy, he can also participate in the high-level meetings as someone in charge of one of the top administration departments of Konoha. In this way, the number of Hyuga allowed to participate and speak in high-level meetings will become two, surpassing the number of representatives of the Uchiha Clan which is only one, and this greatly relieves the Hyuga Patriarch.

Seeing Hiashi’s delighted and ecstatic expression, Kuroto felt pity for him… and sighed inwardly… the reason for such an action is that he can sense the pressure on the shoulders of the Hyuga Patriarch.

Whether in Konoha Village or in the entire Shinobi World, as the name of the Uchiha Clan has become louder and louder with the repeated appearance of the Mangekyou Sharingan users, the power and reputation of the Uchiha Clan have increased more and more. But compared to the Uchiha Clan, the Hyuga Clan has made no such impact on the Shinobi World.

Although Hyuga Clan is said to be on the same level as the Uchiha Clan, in the past few years this situation seems to have completely changed. And these changes are making the Hyuga Patriarch feel extremely pressurized.

Not to mention the Hyuga Patriarch, even the ordinary Hyuga clansmen have started to feel strange and skeptical glances from the other villagers, with the meaning whether Hyuga Clan is really as powerful as the Uchiha Clan, or is it just all ‘exaggeration’?

From one perspective, it is all true, and from the other perspective, it is just an exaggeration.

In fact, as long as the Hyuga Clan doesn’t compare itself with the Uchiha Clan, then the Hyuga Clan is without a doubt an extremely powerful Shinobi Clan.

It’s a pity that the Hyuga Clan has no one strong enough to rival the Uchiha Clan––not on the surface at least––this is the key problem, and this problem has not developed just recently but has been a major issue for a very long time. Hyuga Clan seems to have never had anyone who can be compared to the likes of the Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama…

Then as if he suddenly thought of something, Kuroto asked Hiashi, “Patriarch, I wish to read the history and the classics of our Clan… may I?”

Hearing such a request out of nowhere, Hiashi was taken aback, his eyes condensed slightly and he looked at Kuroto with a doubtful expression…

Seeing Kuroto’s calm expression, Hiashi felt that this shouldn’t be a problem…

Considering Kuroto’s current status and influence, for whatever reason Kuroto wants to read the history and the classics of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi has no real reason to pose any objection to Kuroto’s request, so after thinking about it for a while, he nodded, “Alright, I will arrange someone to take you to the forbidden library…”

Hearing a positive response from Hiashi, Kuroto smiled and expressed his gratefulness, “Thank you for accepting my request, Patriarch.”

In fact, Kuroto has desired to read this information for a very long time. And making this request from the Hyuga Patriarch is one of the reasons for his visit this time. Kuroto believed that since his status has been elevated by several levels at once, his request shouldn’t be denied.

As for the reason why he desired to read the history and the classics of the Hyuga Clan?

There are two reasons… first is naturally to see if he can find some information about the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon.

The actions of the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon made Kuroto quite worried, so Kuroto wants to find the passage to the moon, and there is a possibility that he can find such information in the classics of the Hyuga Clan.

As far as Kuroto knows, in the Cannon, Otsutsuki Toneri contacted Hiashi in private before attacking Konoha, kidnapping Hanabi, and starting the annihilation attack on the Earth.

It’s highly likely that that wasn’t the first contact between the Hyuga Clan and the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon, throughout the millennia, the two sides must have contacted each other several times… So, it won’t be strange if the Hyuga Clan has some method to contact them, or maybe some information that might prove to be helpful for Kuroto. As such, he wants to read the classics of the Hyuga Clan.

And the second reason is related to Kuroto’s doubts about the strength of the Hyuga Clan.

Kuroto knows that Hyuga Clan is indeed on the same level as the Uchiha, Senju, Kaguya, and the Uzumaki… but this is because of his foreknowledge from his past life… the same doesn’t apply for everyone in the Shinobi World, yet Hyuga Clan is treated on the same level as the rest of the clans despite the fact that no one as strong and talented as Uchiha Madara or Senju Hashirama seems to have appeared in the history of the Hyuga Clan.

This is quite strange if you think about it…

After all, due to the continuous reincarnation of Otsutsuki Indra and Otsutsuki asura, every three to four generations later, a strong Shinobi will appear in the Uchiha Clan, this was the case with Uchiha Madara, then with Uchiha Sasuke and so on, so it makes sense if the Uchiha Clan stands at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World along with the Senju Clan…

But no such case applies to the Hyuga Clan!

So, how can the Hyuga Clan be compared as equal to the Uchiha Clan?

Kuroto who knows about the potential of the Hyuga Clan believes that the answer to this question of his is hidden in the history of the Hyuga Clan.

In the past, the Hyuga Clan must have had some incredibly strong clansmen who could fight on even terms against the Mangekyou Sharingan awakeners of the Uchiha Clan… And such strong Hyuga Shinobi must have appeared after every three of four generations…

This is the only logical explanation, otherwise, it is impossible for the Hyuga Clan to stay on the same level as the Uchiha Clan because, with the current strength and performance of the Hyuga Clan, an Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan and is capable of using Susano’o alone is capable of singlehandedly destroying the Hyuga Clan.

If the Hyuga Clan was always this weak, it would have been destroyed centuries ago by the Uchiha Clan. After all, the pride and arrogance of the Uchiha Clan will not allow them to tolerate the existence of the Hyuga Clan that is being compared to them despite not having equivalent strength.

So, the question is, what is the cause of the weakening of the Hyuga Clan? Is it because the Hyuga Clan lost something? Or are there some other secrets that no one, not even the Patriarch and the elders are aware of?

Kuroto such thoughts in his mind, Kuroto made his way towards the newly built forbidden library.

The member of the Main family who is responsible for guarding the forbidden library looked deeply at Kuroto, and asked with a solemn voice, “Hyuga Kuroto, what are your true intentions behind checking the history and classics of our clan?”

Kuroto faintly glanced at the person in question, and questioned with a confused expression, “Do I even need a reason to know the history of our Clan?”

The member of the main family was speechless by Kuroto’s words, although he didn’t want to accept it, he couldn’t find any fault in Kuroto’s words, and since Patriarch has already approved of Kuroto’s request, so he had no choice but to allow Kuroto to walk in, but he didn’t forget to warn Kuroto, “Go in and read all you want, but never forget the reason why the branch division exists…!”

Kuroto nodded noncommittal expression, then without paying any attention to him, he stepped inside the forbidden library to find the answers to some of his questions.