In the Security Department, Shuimu looked at the timid teenagers in front of him with a complicated expression.

"Gennai, Mino, Inaho, that's you guys, right?"

As soon as the Chunin Exam was over, Nara Shikaku sent several new Chunins.

To Mizuki's surprise, after the Chunin Exam, four people were promoted to Chunin by Tsunade. This was really surprising. This was completely different from Mizuki's pessimistic attitude towards the candidates of this Chunin Exam.

Except for one person who was transferred to the medical department, all other qualified candidates were given to Mizuki.

“It’s us!”

Two men and one woman answered quickly.

The timid attitude of the little guys made Shuimu sigh. From the name, we can know that these people are civilian ninjas with no heritage and background. They study, struggle, and are lucky to be promoted step by step. Then, Chunin is their limit. Slowly gaining experience and looking for an opportunity to get a good position in the village is their future.

The level of these newly promoted Chunins may not be as good as that of Inuzuka Kiba and Hyuga Hinata, but this is just the different trajectories of two people with different destinies.

A talented ninja needs enough experience to accumulate and wait for the right time to make a breakthrough. As for those ninjas who can see their future at a glance, there is no need to think too much. If they enter society earlier, they may have more opportunities. It is just a waste of time to continue to stay at the level of Genin.

"Tekuno, I'll leave them to you. Get them familiar with the work of the security department as soon as possible. Neji, you are the same age as them, so make sure to take good care of them!"

"clear!"

Having been a leader for so long, he has some prestige, but am I really that scary? He scared the newbies like this!

After everyone went out, Shuimu touched his chin.

"Is there really such a thing as a kingly and domineering aura that intimidates others so much that they dare not act rashly?"

I've been resting and recuperating during this period, and I've been very careful to restrain my breath.

Of course, this is just a joke. Most of the time, it is still the position of the captain that is at work. The power deterrence within the system, even if I don't use it, does not mean that my subordinates can't feel it. It is possible that I can change their lives with just one word. As a teacher leading the jonin, can't I send the genin back to the ninja school to retake it with just one word? It is understandable that the newcomer is so scared.

Putting aside these trivial matters, Mizuki walked out of the security building.

It was time to fulfill the promise to visit Hyuga Hiashi. After receiving the intermittent care of the Hyuga family for a long time, Hyuga Hiashi's ideas and Mizuki's own wishes all required a long discussion to determine the relationship and cooperation between the two.

…

In Mizuki's eyes, the Hyuga family's courtyard has a strong sense of Zen, with a sense of "learning from nature" in a simple way. The accumulation of the wealthy family, from this kind of artistic conception of details, gives people a sense of awe that cannot be ignored.

Evergreen trees, deciduous trees, low shrubs, thin bamboos, rocks, and gravel not only bring visual pleasure but also provide spiritual rest.

The screen made of bamboo fences around it emitted regular chakra fluctuations in Shuimu's perception. It was obvious that the barrier set up by the Hyuga family was taking effect.

The stone lanterns scattered throughout the courtyard were kept clean and tidy. The mottled texture on them showed that these silent objects had witnessed the rise and fall of the Hyuga family and the vicissitudes of life.

The well-arranged dry landscape shows this wealthy family's pursuit of beauty and art. In the precarious ninja world, it is truly precious to have such a heritage.

Named “Zhu Lu”, the bamboo sculpture is made of bamboo tube that is filled with water and then naturally hangs down. When the water in the tube is emptied, the bamboo tube tilts up again to return to its original balance, with its tail hitting the rocks and making a crisp sound, which makes the tea pavilion even more quiet.

The stone water bowl was overflowing. Mizuki and Hinata Hiashi took the water from it, washed their hands, and after getting rid of the bad luck on their bodies, they came to the inner courtyard where the tea was already prepared.

"Mizuki Jonin, it looks like you are satisfied with the current situation?"

After some polite exchanges, Hyuga Hiashi began to test Mizuki's feelings.

“I can’t say I’m satisfied!”

Shuimu didn't act perfunctorily either.

"What else can I expect in a short time?"

Shuimu has come this far, and there is really no way he can advance any further in the village. In terms of strength, there is no urgent need for it in the short term; and the promotion of his position in the village is even more dispensable.

A commoner ninja without a family has no natural legitimacy brought by inheritance. No matter how high the position is, it cannot be turned into real influence.

All Shuimu can do now is wait.

If Mizuki is really interested in the position of Hokage, it may be even more difficult for him than for Danzo.

However, as time goes by, the situation between the two may be reversed. Even if Danzo lives longer and is in good health, he cannot prove to the villagers how an old man like him can be more reliable than a young ninja in his prime. With his qualifications and background, Danzo can no longer make further progress, but the young ninja has more possibilities.

"I believe my clansmen have conveyed my meaning to Mizuki Jonin. I wonder if Mizuki Jonin has made any further progress in his recent research?"

"If you're asking about caged birds, there's been very little progress!"

Mizuki shook his head regretfully.

"It just proves that the bird in the cage does have a glimmer of hope. If you can break through the curse with your own strength, you will have unexpected gains."

"I already know that."

Hinata Hiashi was a little disappointed.

"According to family records, our ancestors also had similar speculations, but..."

Hinata Hiashi felt a little embarrassed.

"In the past thousand years, no one from the Hyuga branch family has ever achieved this feat. Moreover, if someone really did it, it might not be a good thing for the Hyuga family!"

“I see!”

Hyuga Hiashi's worry is not without reason. How can he feel a sense of belonging to the family when he is tied up like a caged bird by the main family and treated like a slave without even personal freedom? If there are really amazing people who can break the caged bird with their own talents, how can they still obey the orders of the Hyuga main family? It would be good if they don't retaliate against the main family after their explosive strength.

Even a genius like Hyuga Neji couldn't do it. Why did Hyuga Hiashi take him into the family and eliminate the resentment in Neji's heart? Wasn't it because he was afraid that if he broke free from the cage, it would be difficult to control him, and his Byakugan would be lost?

After comprehensive consideration, Hyuga Hiashi would rather abandon the bird in the cage than consider the benefits that the caged bird would bring to the family, and resolutely abandoned the Hyuga thousand-year-old tradition.

Without the bird in the cage, the Hyuga family, which had transformed into an ordinary wealthy family, had to make some compromises like ordinary ninja families. Maintaining sufficient unity and deterrence for the Hyuga family to protect themselves became an extremely important thing.

"Could it be that Mizuki Jonin really has no ideas? With the support of the Hyuga family, there is still a great hope for him to become Hokage, and there is still time!"

The history of the caged bird's withdrawal from the Hyuga clan is definitely not something that happened overnight. It must have taken years to implement. It is natural to cooperate with the Hyuga clan's actions and intend to recommend a Hokage who is friendly to the Hyuga clan. Nara Shikaku is a little older, and Hatake Kakashi is very suitable, but the Hyuga clan has never had much friendship with this declining ninja clan.

After searching around, I found Shuimu, who has no support and a background behind the scenes, to be the most suitable person. Both parties get what they need, so there shouldn't be any problem. However, I didn't expect Shuimu to not be very enthusiastic.

"I still see the help that the clan leader has given me. No matter what the final result is, if you need help, I will definitely help you to the utmost!"

"Understood!"

With these words, Hinata Hiashi felt relieved. Mizuki did not completely refuse, but he just disagreed with the Hyuga family's impatience.

"Can you tell me the specific reason? Some things are really hard to understand. I'm sorry to make you laugh."

Shuimu smiled and said meaningfully:

"Except for the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, all the other five Hokage of Konoha were born in wars. It is too unrealistic to plan ahead of time."

"war?"

Hinata Hiashi's heart trembled and his eyes suddenly widened.

"I see. It seems that Mizuki Jonin already has relatively accurate information. In that case, thank you very much!"

Logically speaking, Tsunade may have been in charge of Konoha Village for only about ten years, and it certainly would not take that long to arrange the position of Hokage. Seven or eight years is the time it takes for a generation of ninjas to be replaced. Since Mizuki will give up Hyuga Hiashi's proposal because of the war, the time when the war breaks out must be as long as three to five years, or as short as one or two years.

Judging from the turbulent situation in the ninja world recently, it may not be too long.

The Hyuga family, which has safely survived the long Warring States period, is definitely not completely unaware of war. They may not be sure about the cause and scale of the outbreak, but they are definitely aware of the danger, otherwise they would never try to influence the political situation in Konoha Village.

If the Hyuga family goes all out, their combat power will be stronger than that of a small country. Making preparations for war in advance can definitely reduce a lot of unnecessary losses.

Hinata Hiashi undoubtedly owed a great favor to Mizuki for the reminder from such a well-informed ninja.

"You're welcome!"

Mizuki took a sip of the fragrant tea and changed the subject.

"Hinata's decision to abandon the caged bird once and for all is probably not just because of the illusory danger, right?"

It seems a bit too frivolous to abandon a thousand-year-old tradition just because of some of Shuimu's results that have not been thoroughly confirmed.

"Has it been noticed?"

Hinata Hiashi also understood that it was quite difficult to deceive Mizuki, one of the people who knew about the situation.

"Regarding the speculation about Mizuki Jonin, the Hyuga family's exploration has not been without progress. After carefully studying the ancient records of the family, we have found some supporting evidence!"

"I see!"

It seems that he has noticed some clues about the origin of the Hyuga clan - the Otsutsuki family.

"It's hard to explain the specific reasons, but one thing is clear: every ancient family, when traced back to its source, always has some half-true and half-false myths, and the Hyuga family is no exception. Unfortunately, after some exploration, we found that some parts are very likely to be true, and even its location has some clues, and it is extremely consistent with the terrible guess of Mizuki Jonin."

It seems that they have discovered the authenticity of the passage to the moon preserved by the Hyuga family, so they are so anxious to think of a solution.

"If that's the case, does the Patriarch intend to take the initiative?"

Once we have found the enemy's location, if we are confident, it is possible to kill the enemy.

Hinata Hiashi shook his head and replied:

"If the other party really has the Samsara Eye, the Hyuga Clan is definitely no match for it. There is no need for us to provoke a strong enemy. After all, the bird in the cage will be abandoned soon. No matter how strong the enemy is, it cannot destroy the Hyuga Clan. Rather, such a powerful enemy is no longer a problem for the Hyuga Clan. It is a disaster that the entire Konoha Village and even the entire ninja world need to face."

Well, the long-standing Hyuga family is just arrogant, but not stupid, and they didn't intend to poke the hornet's nest of Otsutsuki Toneri.

"Smart move!"

Hinata Hiashi also nodded.

"Regarding the previously promised deal for information in exchange for the Byakugan, we are unable to fulfill it for the time being. However, if Mizuki Jonin has more research results on the Byakugan, the Samsara Eye, or the Rinnegan, we can continue to fulfill our promise."

Just waiting for Hinata Hiashi to say this, Mizuki solemnly took out a scroll and handed it to Hinata Hiashi.

"Please have a look, Master. Please destroy it immediately after reading it!"

After Rixing Rizu took it, he opened it and read it carefully, but his expression became more and more serious. Relying on years of self-cultivation, he barely suppressed the horror in his heart.

After a long time, after reading the information, Hinata Hiashi silently burned the scroll, then closed his eyes and thought slowly. Mizuki did not urge him and waited patiently for Hinata Hiashi's response.

When the tea in Mizuki's hand was almost gone, Hinata Hiashi suddenly opened his eyes and said:

"It's really surprising. I didn't expect that Mizuki Jonin actually had such research results..."

"Are you satisfied?"

"certainly!"

Hinata Hiashi replied with a smile.

"Sharingan, Byakugan, and Samsaragan all come from the same source. That's really interesting. I didn't expect this to be the result."

There are some things that no one can connect the dots, but as long as someone brings them up and combines them with the information accumulated by the family over thousands of years, a quick comparison will tell whether the matter is true or false.

"Although there is no immediate benefit to the Hyuga family, I agree with these research conclusions!"

Hinata Hiashi took out a sealed reagent bottle covered with runes.

…

Mizuki breathed a sigh of relief after walking out of the Hyuga family. Getting a Byakuyan was a temporary summary of the transaction between him and Hyuga Hiashi.

Mizuki didn't care much about the Byakugan's combat power. With it, the observation of chakra and the analysis of the tailed beast's chakra would be more accurate. The previous trial and error method of guessing was too inefficient.