Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 89 Talking to a Fool

As Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kana Hyuga, who was deep in thought, a sense of disbelief arose in his mind.

"Could it be that I guessed right? Does Hyuga Kanan really have a plan to destroy Konoha for the sake of peace in the ninja world, just like Uchiha Madara? That would be terrible. Judging from the strength Hyuga Kanan just showed, although I am still confident that I can deal with him, and with the strength of the Konoha ninjas, we can deal with him easily, as long as a battle breaks out, Konoha will suffer heavy losses, which will give other countries an opportunity."

After all, other countries still covet Konoha, the Village of Fire, ready to take a bite out of it at any moment. Although the last war had ended, most countries hadn't suffered crippling losses, with only the Sand Village incurring significant casualties. During this time, the other four great powers began to stir again, clearly wanting to continue the unfinished Second Shinobi World War into a Third Shinobi World War. However, they were currently restraining each other, none wanting to be the first to strike, fearing that excessive losses would make them a target for others.

War can break out at any time, given sufficient cause.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the somewhat ethereal Hyuga Kanan before him with a worried expression, his figure resembling that of a noble young master. He was genuinely afraid that Kanan would take action and become the catalyst for the Third Shinobi World War.

He knew very well that as long as Hyuga Kanan made a move, Konoha would definitely fight back. Then, the spies from other countries inside Konoha would quickly send back information about the attack on Konoha. Then, other countries would definitely not be able to hold back and would directly launch a war against Konoha. In that case, the Third Shinobi World War would very likely break out.

Hyuga Kanan was thinking about how to get Konoha to help him collect certain materials. After all, the other party already knew about his plan to return to Konoha, so what conditions should he use to persuade Konoha to help him?

If Hiruzen Sarutobi came to see him immediately upon his return to Konoha, then the conditions Konoha proposed must be very difficult. If they weren't so difficult, Konoha wouldn't have needed to send the Hokage to negotiate with him personally.

If it's extremely troublesome, should I accept it?

If I were to collect them myself, not to mention the long distances involved, these materials are important strategic resources of other countries, which are difficult for me to collect, and they are scattered in different countries. So the time required would be even longer. Can I wait that long?

But if the conditions for exchanging with Konoha are very complicated, wouldn't it take a lot of time and waste a lot of my time?

Hyuga Kanan is also somewhat hesitant right now.

Ultimately, Hyuga Kanan's time is extremely precious, and he doesn't want to waste too much time on these matters. However, the materials are related to the forging of his natal magic weapon. If he can forge it successfully as soon as possible, his strength will be further enhanced. Moreover, the sooner he can forge it, the longer his natal magic weapon will have to grow and the more powerful it will become.

After thinking it over, Hyuga Kanan decided to first see what conditions Konoha would propose. If he could complete it without spending too much time, he would agree to Konoha's conditions. If it was too troublesome, he would have to go to the location himself to collect the materials, which would just take time to find and collect them.

However, neither of them knew that they were thinking about the same thing; they were talking at cross purposes and going in completely opposite directions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi feared that Kanan Hyuga would use the breaking of the Caged Bird Seal as leverage to incite the Hyuga clan to join him in a plan to destroy Konoha. This was the answer he had guessed from his conversation with Kanan Hyuga seven years ago. He believed that Kanan Hyuga would become the next Madara Uchiha and launch an attack on Konoha.

As for Hyuga Kanan, he wondered what mission Konoha wanted to use to complete the deal with him and help him collect the necessary materials. After all, they already knew about his plan to return to Konoha, and they must have already discussed the bargaining chips for the deal. He just didn't know what they were.

When Xiang Jianan looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi again that day, he found that Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was very heavy, as if something big was about to happen in Konoha, and there was a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

Hyuga Kanan was completely baffled and couldn't figure it out. Was it because he had knocked out one of Kanan's ANBU guards that Kanan was so angry and wanted to take him down?

But what's with that murderous intent? They're ready to fight me for a few secret guards? And all I did was knock them unconscious, not kill them all. Why are they acting like they want to kill me?

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kanan Hyuga again. He had made up his mind that if Kanan Hyuga showed any intention of inciting the Hyuga clan, he would strike immediately with the aim of killing him, leaving no chance for Kanan to incite the Hyuga clan to rebel.

Meanwhile, Shimura Danzo, standing nearby, also sensed that Hiruzen Sarutobi's behavior was somewhat strange, but he was secretly delighted. He desperately wanted Hiruzen to directly confront Hyuga Kanan, ideally capturing and imprisoning him. That would give him an opportunity to use Hiruzen's release as leverage to persuade him to join Root and become his subordinate.

Root is his stronghold, and they rarely appear in the open in Konoha. If he were to approach Hiruzen Sarutobi and propose that Root keep an eye on Hyuga Kanan, Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely agree. In that case, he would gain a powerful subordinate who could influence the entire Hyuga clan, and he would be one step closer to becoming Hokage.

No matter how strong Hyuga Kanan is or how wicked his personality is, once he falls into my hands, I have plenty of ways to control him. Then I will have the qualifications to truly compete with Hiruzen Sarutobi for the Hokage title.

Hiashi Hyuga was also feeling terrible. He sensed the Third Hokage's murderous intent, which meant that Hiruzen Sarutobi was preparing to attack Kanan Hyuga. Could he use the name of the Hyuga clan to protect Kanan? Judging from Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, the chances were slim. Even though the Hyuga clan was a powerful clan in Konoha, they couldn't make the Hokage back down. After all, the Hokage was the highest ruler of Konoha, and his will represented the highest authority in Konoha. Even a powerful clan couldn't directly disobey the Hokage's orders.

After careful consideration, Hiashi Hyuga decided to abandon the export plan and protect Kanan Hyuga. He couldn't allow the entire Hyuga clan to suffer suppression from the Hokage's faction for Kanan's sake, as that would cause the Hyuga clan to lose many benefits.

Even his own younger brother was someone his father had to sacrifice his life for. But for the sake of the entire Hyuga clan, he had no choice but to abandon him. Even though Hyuga Kanan is currently extremely powerful, possibly the strongest member of the Hyuga clan, he is still someone who can be sacrificed in the face of the entire Hyuga clan.

After making the decision, Hyuga Hiashi let out a soft sigh, feeling somewhat saddened. Hyuga Kanan had been away for a long time, so the Hokage's faction shouldn't implicate the Hyuga clan. After all, the Hyuga clan was very important to Konoha, and they wouldn't risk the entire clan's fate for a clan member who was away for so long. Furthermore, unless there was open conflict with the Hokage's faction, they wouldn't arbitrarily suppress a powerful Konoha clan. Did they really think powerful clans lacked resources?

Seeing the changes in the expressions of the people in front of him, Hyuga Kanan felt even more strange. Shimura Danzo, who had the biggest conflict with him, became the one who cared about him the most, with concern on his face, as if he was ready to plead for him at any time.

On the contrary, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had the least connection with him, now harbored the strongest killing intent towards him, looking as if he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

As for Hiashi Hyuga, he had an expression that said these things had nothing to do with him or the entire Hyuga clan, as if he didn't care about anything that was his business.

This situation really left Hyuga Kanan somewhat bewildered.

The person who was your enemy became the person who cared about you the most, while the person who had the least connection to you wanted to kill you. The person who was from the same family and even your own brother acted as if it had nothing to do with you.

Hyuga Kanan was completely baffled. He only wanted to make a deal with Konoha, asking them to help him find some materials. It wasn't like he was going to rob them outright. He wouldn't force them if they didn't want to; at most, he would go and find them himself.

Why does it seem like I'm about to attack Konoha?

After thinking it over, Hyuga Kanan decided to ask directly. If they were really going to take action, he wouldn't just surrender. They would settle things with their fists and see who had the bigger fist.

"Lord Hokage, is that murderous intent you're using to fight me?"

Before I take action, I still have some questions I want to know. What is your reason for wanting to fight me? I don't believe I've offended you in any way!

If you simply want to fight, then there's no need for further words, just attack! I'm also eager to see just how strong you, the self-proclaimed strongest Hokage, really are!

Hyuga Kanan no longer had his previous indifferent expression; his face was now filled with a murderous aura, and his aura was constantly emanating from him, clearly indicating that he was preparing to engage in direct combat.

Hyuga Kanan is no kind person. Moreover, he is a dignified cultivator. How could a mere Hokage threaten him with murderous intent without giving him any reason? Does he really think he is a weakling who can be manipulated at will?

His aura erupted directly, suppressing Hiruzen Sarutobi who was not far away. At the same time, his divine sense began to spread outwards, preparing to watch for the approach of other Konoha ninjas, especially Sakumo Hatake.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also sensed Hyuga Kanan's powerful aura and, not to be outdone, unleashed his full power in retaliation. The two immense auras collided directly, suppressing the surrounding air and making it exceptionally heavy. Cracks appeared on the ground and began to extend outwards, causing the surrounding rubble to tremble before being crushed into dust by the two forces.

The atmosphere was unusually heavy.