57. Venturing Outside the n Compound


    One monthter, Hikari was making his way through Konoha. He was crossing one of the vige''s bridges over the Naka River, which generally split the area where the medium andrge ns, of various sizes and influence, including the Hyuga, lived from where everyone else stayed. The lengthy river flowed gently through Konoha, its waters clear and serene.


    Crossing it led Hikari into the Hot Springs District, a lively area known for its warm, steaming baths and weing atmosphere. His next destination was the Hatake n''s residence, as they currently lived in the more ''civilian'' part of the vige, unlike the Aburame and Inuzuka.


    As the Hyuga n''s newly appointed ''Alliance Coordinator,'' Hikari was currently, finally formally stepping into that pivotal role now, his mission was to strengthen the bonds between his n and their traditional allies alongside forming entirely new alliances.


    The streets here were filled with the sounds ofughter and conversation, offering a stark contrast to the more reserved areas of the vige, as the Hyuga npound usually was.


    While walking, Hikari reflected on his previous meetings with the heads of the Inuzuka and Aburame ns that just concluded. They were his first ''targets'' for today, and the meetings with themsted for a few hours.


    Despite being quite young, due to his position as the Third Elder and Alliance Coordinator of the Hyuga n, the meetings were conducted with the gravity, diplomacy, and respect expected to be given for someone of his role, so, he met with both heads of the two ns.


    Both n heads, Tsume Inuzuka and Shibi Aburame, now in their early twenties and newly appointed, but with personal strengths already reaching into the Elite Jonin level territory, shared their concerns with Hikari, particrly about Danzo''s aggressive tactics to recruit—or more urately, poach—young talent from their ns for his Root organization with and sometimes even without the consent of the two ns, but there was nothing they could do.


    After all, the Hokage''s faction was out of the reach of their ability to fight against. During these discussions, Hikari conveyed the Hyuga n''s shared rm over Danzo''s actions and extended a promise of support to both ns in resisting such encroachments in the future.


    Yet, Hikari was acutely aware of the underlying dynamics at y. By timing their offer of support just right after the deed was already done, the Hyuga n could then position themselves as indispensable allies to both the Inuzuka and Aburame ns going forward.


    This strategic move was designed to increase their dependence on the Hyuga, thereby strengthening the Hyuga n''s influence and ensuring that these ns would be more closely tied to them moving forward.


    Due to his prominent role and high status within the Hyuga n, Hikari was currently guarded by an entourage of 15 ordinary Jonin-level bodyguards, all hailing from the n''s Side Branch, as seen by their covered foreheads.


    These bodyguards formed a protective circle around him as they moved, their faces set in vignt and serious expressions, their demeanor machine-like in their focus and efficiency.


    Meanwhile, Elite Jonin of the Hyuga n typically all hailed from the various Main Branch lineages directly, so they were of a higher status and they were usually needed to remain within the n''s domain during all times, safeguarding it against any potential threats.


    And there were not many of them, to begin with, probably not more than one or two dozen in the entire n, in Hikari''s impression. They were typically really close in bloodline to Elders.


    This all meant that, despite Hikari''s significant position, Elite Jonins were still not avable to apany and protect him when he went outside the n''s immediate vicinity like today.


    The reason for the current number of Jonin apanying Hikari wasn''t just a reflection of their avability within the n but also a strategic decision to avoid sending the wrong message to Konoha atrge.


    Deploying toorge of a protective ring could suggest that the Hyuga n harbored a deep-seated mistrust of the vige. Such a disy could inadvertently alienate the n from the rest of Konoha, a scenario the Hyugas were keen to avoid, even though they really harbored deep mistrust for it atrge now.


    This careful bnce of protection and perception was a calcted move, ying into theplex politics of vige life. The Hyuga n, while protective of its best prodigy, was mindful of the broader implications of their actions. They aimed to protect Hikari effectively without casting any shadows on their loyalty and trust in the vige''s security measures.


    However, the presence of the bodyguards wasn''t without justification. A few years back, during Hikari''s initial visits to Sakumo Hatake, the Anbu frequently intercepted him, urging him to meet with the Hokage for some reason.


    Hikari consistently refused, asserting that he was under no obligation toply with Hokage''s requests for a meeting. He wasn''t part of Konoha''s standard shinobi force, nor did he serve in any of Konoha''s administrative bodies.


    Instead, he was a member of the Hyuga n''s Main Branch, and he argued that the Hokage had no direct authority over him in any way and cities the Konoha''s founding agreements.


    Initially, the Anbu''s approaches were polite, but their interactions grew tense over time, as Hikari''s rejected them over and over again, culminating in a standoff with Hikari''s Jonin bodyguards at one time before they backed off for good.


    After these confrontations, the Anbu ceased their attempts to coerce Hikari into meeting with the Hokage probably so that the old man could try and indoctrinate or test his mindset, potential, or strength in some sneaky way.


    Hikari''s steadfast refusal to meet him had even more obvious reasons, concerns for his own safety, for the safety of his own time and brain cells, and it was also a stance supported by the Hyuga Council.


    So, he directed the Anbu to convey a message to the Hokage every time: any officialmunication with him should be routed through the Hyuga Patriarch first as he was just following the internal n rules that the Patriarch established for his conduct outside.


    As Hikari and his entourage of bodyguards navigated the streets of Konoha, they drew the curious gazes of civilians.


    Hikari, in his traditional Hyuga-style dark blue robes,plemented with a Haori, presented an image of nobility and calm authority. His attire, rich in the n''s heritage, set him apart, highlighting his status within the Hyuga and his distinct role in the vige''s tapestry despite his young age, in fact, it made him even more ''important-looking'' to everyone passing by.


    His bodyguards, simrly, were not d in the Konoha Jonin uniforms but wore uniforms that echoed the Hyuga style.


    This choice of attire served as a visual statement of their allegiance to the n first and foremost, reinforcing the notion of unity and distinct identity among the Hyuga members.


    Civilians watched with a mixture of respect, intrigue, and a slight unease as this formidable procession passed. Some whispered among themselves, specting on the nature of Hikari''s visit or the implications of such a visible show of n solidarity within the vige.


    Children paused in their y to stare, while shopkeepers and passersby momentarily halted their activities to take in the sight.


    Hikari, for his part, maintained aposed demeanor, his focus forward. His appearance and the silent, protective circle formed by his bodyguards conveyed a sense of purpose and determination, leaving asting impression on those who witnessed their quick passage.


    As Hikari made his way through Konoha, overhearing some of the nderous rumors about Sakumo Hatake, that emerged during thest few days, he found it intriguing, a fascinating study of how easily public opinion could be swayed by the narrative spun by those in power.


    His observation of the vigers'' quickness to condemn Sakumo based on rumors served as a confirmation of the gullibility and malleability of the masses, also present in his past life.


    The ability of the Hokage''s faction to manipte public perception to such arge degree highlighted an aspect of power dynamics within Konoha that Hikari, ever the pragmatist, recognized as a truly valuable area.


    Hikari''s understanding of the advantages that came with controlling the narrative and public opinion was sharpened by his knowledge from a modern-era past life.


    Yet, Hikari was under no illusion about the dynamics of power in this world. He recognized that, despite the potential leverage offered by ''soft power'' through narrative control, it was ''hard power''—the sheer force of elite shinobi strength and ability—that ultimately held sway in their society.


    The dominance of elite personal force over the public sentiment of broader masses was a fundamental truth of the shinobi world, one that the Hokage''s faction seemed to forget.


    He long understood that the mistreatment and alienation of a shinobi as powerful as Sakumo by the vige''s leadership could be a critical mistake—one that Hikari could exploit next.


    By positioning himself as an ally to Sakumo in the wake of the Hokage faction''s blunders, he envisioned turning one of Konoha''s most formidable warriors against those who had sought to undermine him.


    The Hokage faction''s failure to recognize all of this, in his view, would be their downfall, especially as he worked to align Sakumo''s considerable abilities with his own ambitions.