Not all children are precocious, some of Sasuke's classmates were still somewhat childish.
Without having experienced the night of the clan massacre, Sasuke's personality was still rather lively.
Although he would still pretend to be cool and handsome, he still had some friends.
They chatted and joked with Sasuke as they headed outside the school.
Rengoku, holding Karin's hand, walked a bit slower.
There were many students in the ninja school, some of the younger ones were picked up by their parents, while the older ones went back on their own.
There were also some snack stalls on both sides of the school gate, not much different from the schools in Rengoku's memory.
Feeling this lively atmosphere, Rengoku also felt a bit dazed.
'Maybe people who love others are fond of such scenes.'
After he walked out the gate, he saw a member of the Hyuga clan walking toward him.
"Greetings, Rengoku-sama, I am Hyuga Sota," Sota bowed to Rengoku with junior etiquette, but in fact, Sota was older than Rengoku.
Rengoku didn't feel anything wrong about it, after all, he still had a mental age there.
He sized up Sota for a few moments, "You are the newly appointed elder of the Hyuga branch family?"
Sota showed a humble expression, "That's me, the clan leader asked me to come and get acquainted with Rengoku-sama."
"Please give me your guidance," Sota's low posture had its reasons.
Rengoku was also an elder, and he was not only an elder of the Uchiha but also of Konoha Village.
Moreover, Rengoku's strength, in other people's estimates, had already reached the level of clan leader of various clans.
After all, being able to drive off Mizukage Yagura, and easily control the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, these were all symbols of strength.
So Sota kept calling him "Sama" with every sentence.
Rengoku thought briefly and understood what the Hyuga meant.
Uchiha had frequently taken action before, but suddenly quieted down these past few days.
This made the branch family come to scout out information, and if Uchiha was going to do something, they wanted to be brought along.
Rengoku's eyes revealed a trace of amusement, previously he was going to send his own clansmen to do this job, now a gunman had come knocking on the door, "How many teams has your Hyuga branch family assigned to the police force?"
Sota answered honestly, "Our Hyuga branch family has assigned 10 teams."
Rengoku slightly nodded, that would be enough.
Seeing Rengoku's expression, Sota added, "Rengoku-sama, besides the police force, currently all our branch family members have been sent out to monitor Konoha."
Rengoku raised his brows, "Why, still a lot of spies lately?"
Sota responded, "Yes, ever since the last incident, many bounty ninjas have been continuously probing Konoha."
"Currently the price of Konoha information remains high on the black market. Even a few valuable pieces of intel can sell for a lot."
"Some of these bounty ninjas have rather strange techniques, only our Hyuga clan is suited to catch them."
Then Sota quickly and quietly said, "Jiraiya has left the village."
Then changed the topic again. No one knew that Sota had added this sentence.
While Rengoku was speaking with Sota, they had already attracted a lot of attention.
Neji, who also exited the school, was standing not far away.
The Anbu who knew Rengoku and some teachers from the school all noticed Hyuga Sota speaking with Rengoku.
Rengoku turned his head to look at Karin, who he was holding. Karin didn't understand what they were saying, her expression was still dazed.
He smiled and cast a genjutsu on Sota.
Then said a few polite parting words and left.
———
"If your Hyuga clan is ready, in a few days I have an operation."
"If you confirm participation, contact me."
"There are many surveillance eyes nearby, in the future have Neji speak to me if there's anything," After Rengoku finished speaking, his whole body disappeared in front of Sota like it was blown away by the wind.
Sota didn't wake up until a few seconds later.
There was awe in his eyes. The genjutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan was truly terrifying.
He hadn't noticed anything, not even when Rengoku had left with people.
Sota turned back and saw Neji not far away.
After exchanging a glance with Neji, he disappeared at the school gate.
In Neji's perspective, Elder Sota spoke with Uchiha Rengoku for just a few sentences.
Then Rengoku left. Elder Sota stood there thinking about something, then a few seconds later gave him a look and left.
This was to return and speak with him.
There were Anbu stationed in various parts of Konoha, especially near the school, with surveillance by Anbu, Neji was clear about this.
He also didn't draw anyone's attention here, and left the school with the crowd.
Not long after, Neji returned to the Hyuga clan's main estate.
As expected, Sota was already waiting for him, "Elder Sota."
Neji stepped forward and bowed to Sota.
But Sota turned to the side, "All of us branch family members have received the grace of Hizashi-sama, no need to bow to me."
Neji was silent for a moment. The previous elder Koshin also used to say this.
He knew how revered his father was in the branch family, and precisely because of this, Neji felt even more heartbroken.
And had special resentment toward the main family.
Neji's expression was too obvious. Sota saw it all clearly.
"Neji, here, you can be sad, upset, or angry."
"But once you leave the Hyuga estate…"
Neji nodded, "I know."
"Koshin-sama once said: 'Before you're confident, you must control your emotions.'"
Neji was the first to ask, "How exactly did Koshin-sama die? I don't believe he died by stepping on a trap."
Hearing this, a flash of pain appeared in Sota's eyes, and then he fell silent.
Seeing the pained look in Sota's eyes, Neji's heart trembled. The two didn't speak for a while.
After a long time, Sota sighed, "You're still young, don't ask, don't investigate. Knowing these things won't do you any good."
Neji's cheek muscles twitched, he was clearly clenching his teeth.
"Is it only by becoming strong that one can control their fate?"
Many emotions Neji couldn't understand flashed in Sota's eyes.
Then he patted Neji's shoulder, "In the future, you will become strong."
'We will pave the way for you.'
Sota said silently in his heart.
"All right, I called you back to tell you that your principal Rengoku might start using you to pass on messages to the clan," Sota braced himself and instructed Neji.
"You must never slack off at any time, lay a good foundation so you can go further in the future."
"Konoha is a village made up of many clans, only through cooperation can we go further."
"Although the classes at school aren't that important, getting along with heirs of other ninja clans is also something you need to learn."
Neji looked at Sota. Sota's figure gradually overlapped with that of Koshin, and behind Koshin stood his father, Hizashi.
"I understand, Elder Sota."
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