Hizashi's breath hitched, his body trembled violently, and goosebumps covered his entire body.
At this moment, he once again realized the vast difference between himself and Tanaka.
Facing the visiting Orochimaru, what he had been thinking about was how the Hyūga clan should cooperate with Konoha, while his disciple was thinking about how to seize control of the Hokage's power.
It is precisely this kind of mindset and awareness that allowed him to avoid despair even after being branded with the Caged Bird.
The more Hizashi thought about it, the more moved he became.
He deeply felt that the difference between himself and Tanaka was not just in talent, strength, or vision—but in courage and determination.
"Since you have such grand ambitions, I can rest assured. After all, sooner or later, the Hyūga clan will end up in your hands."
"Tell me, who should we support for Hokage? As your teacher, I will support whoever the Hyūga clan should support."
After this event, his understanding of his role as the clan leader became even clearer.
In simple terms—wherever Tanaka pointed, that's where the Hyūga clan would strike.
"Why support anyone?"
Tanaka looked at his teacher, seemingly unable to understand why, even now, Hizashi was still thinking about supporting someone else for Hokage to elevate the Hyūga clan.
Leaning on others is unreliable. The only reliable one is yourself.
This was a truth he had engraved into his very bones the moment he was branded with the Caged Bird.
"So… you're saying we shouldn't support anyone?"
Hizashi was slightly taken aback, struggling to process the idea.
"The Hyūga clan should have their own Hokage. What do you think, Hizashi-sensei?"
As soon as Tanaka spoke those words, it was like a thunderclap out of nowhere, leaving Hizashi completely stunned.
"So, are you planning to marry Tsunade?"
Hizashi's sudden question left his disciple utterly dumbfounded.
"What does that have to do with it?" Tanaka's expression stiffened.
He couldn't understand why, after just talking about the Hyūga clan having their own Hokage, Hizashi had suddenly skipped over the Orochimaru topic and instead brought up Tsunade.
"Isn't it obvious? If the Hyūga clan is to have its own Hokage…"
"All you have to do is marry her. After that, we can unite the entire clan to support her in becoming Hokage. That way, we will have a Hokage who truly belongs to the Hyūga clan."
"Compared to Orochimaru, only a Hokage with the surname 'Hyūga' is worth trusting."
Hizashi couldn't help but admire and respect Tanaka's decision.
When it came to the Hokage, only someone with the name 'Hyūga' could be trusted.
Orochimaru? No way.
Now, it was Tanaka's turn to be completely speechless.
Hizashi had taken his words, broken them down piece by piece, and somehow arrived at this conclusion.
"Wait a minute… isn't there also the possibility that when I said 'The Hyūga should have their own Hokage,' I was referring to myself?"
Tanaka opened his mouth to explain, but his teacher had already turned and walked away.
"Just focus on your training. As for Tsunade, leave it to me. I will personally ensure everything works out."
"She wants to establish a medical ninja training program, right? The Hyūga clan will provide the money, manpower, and resources. Even if we have to sell everything, we will make sure she succeeds."
With that, without waiting for Tanaka to respond, Hizashi had already dashed away with determination, completely focused on rallying the clan to support Tsunade and contribute to the Konoha medical system.
"I'm not even a teenager yet!" Tanaka rubbed his temples, struggling to comprehend his teacher's way of thinking.
Of course, when it came to Tsunade, he wouldn't deny that he had some thoughts about her. Who wouldn't?
But right now, there was a very serious problem... He was only eight years old.
The shinobi world was extremely precocious, making no distinctions based on gender, physicality, or mentality. Yet children still faced limitations.
No matter how mature one might be, it was simply impossible for an eight-year-old to do the deed.
Unless... well, there were always weird people out there. But he believed he was not like them.
No matter how impatient one might be, at the very least, they'd have to wait until after ten years old.
Forget it. Focus on training first.
Tanaka shook his head, temporarily setting these thoughts aside.
First, he created two shadow clones.
One of them was assigned to study the swordsmanship scrolls left behind by Orochimaru. The other focused on learning the Eight Gates.
Compared to using shadow clones for physical training, using them for studying was undoubtedly more efficient.
Tanaka knew very well—he wasn't Asura's reincarnation, nor was he a jinchūriki, and certainly not an Ōtsutsuki. If he recklessly trained multiple power systems at the same time using shadow clones, the accumulated fatigue would quickly destroy his body.
Reading and studying, however, had no such risks. Well, maybe some headache.
As for his real body? Of course, it was time to eat.
After attending the meeting and the recent jonin exam, it was already mealtime.
From his perspective, as someone still growing, hardly anything could compare to the importance of eating Sea King meat.
After all, whether it was molding chakra, practicing Gentle Fist, developing the Op-Op Fruit abilities, or enhancing the Byakugan's vision, everything relied on Sea King meat as nourishment.
Without it, with the way he trained, his body would collapse within a year or two.
---
Meanwhile, in the Senju clan compound, which had shrunk to half its original size since the days of Hashirama and Tobirama.
Even though Hiruzen had seized half of the land under the pretense of "public appropriation," the Senju clan's territory was still enormous.
However, with only Tsunade left as its sole member, the once lively clan grounds had become eerily desolate.
Yet, today—suddenly, the entire place was bustling with activity.
"Hey, you. You're the Hyūga clan leader, right? Can you explain what the hell is going on here?"
Tsunade rubbed her temples as she looked at the neatly assembled Hyūga clan members standing before her—a hundred pairs of white eyes staring at her in unison.
Anyone in her situation would feel caught off guard.
She had gone to bed in an empty household, only to wake up and find herself surrounded by a hundred Hyūga members.
"Money. For you."
Hizashi's response was straightforward.
Clack.
As soon as he finished speaking, several Hyūga stepped forward and opened up multiple boxes—each filled to the brim with stacks of cash.
Seeing this, Tsunade, who had just lost all her savings at the gambling den a few days ago and accumulated a mountain of debt, instantly perked up.
She had been groggy and tired, but now she was wide awake and full of energy.
"So, this is from that brat?"
Tsunade exercised incredible self-control to suppress her overwhelming urge to gamble.
"No, Lady Tsunade."
Carrying the dream of "The Hyūga must have their own Hokage," Hizashi had assigned himself an S-rank mission.
That mission?
Convince Tsunade to marry Tanaka.
From now on, she wouldn't just be Tsunade. She would be Hyūga Tsunade.
For that reason, he would never allow himself or anyone in the clan to hold Tanaka back.
If anyone dared to shatter the Hyūga clan's Hokage dream… he wouldn't hesitate to kill that person.
Even if they were a Hyūga themselves.