"Byakugan Dojutsu..."
Lying in front of Third Hokage Hiruzen was a detailed and complete battle report.
This was intelligence regarding the combat abilities of the S-Class Renegade Ninja, Hyuga Ayane, delivered unerringly from the frontlines by Anbu operatives.
It couldn't be said that this operation had yielded nothing, but Konoha had paid the precious lives of twelve Root ninjas in exchange for a piece of enemy strength intelligence that might yet change in the future. For now, it hardly seemed worth the cost.
The support tactics centered around Flying Thunder God technique were also exposed during this operation. The enemy would be on guard from now on and might even develop countermeasures to target and neutralize it. To ever encounter such a good opportunity again would depend entirely on luck.
And most importantly, this was just one person.
Remembering that two others also existed, Hiruzen simulated in his mind the scenario of all three acting as a single enemy unit. At this point, he feared this intelligence might not be of much use at all.
"What do you intend to do about the aftermath of this matter, Hiruzen?"
Standing across Hiruzen's desk were Advisors Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, both fixing their gazes on Hiruzen as if they had much to say.
"For this operation, Danzo took away half of Root's total manpower. However, of those deployed, only a handful survived by sheer luck. Personnel must be replenished as soon as possible."
During wartime, the role of Danzo's Root could not be overlooked; both for harassment and gathering enemy intelligence, Root brought concrete benefits to Konoha.
Otherwise, relying solely on the Anbu under his command, it was impossible to cover all aspects of the battlefield.
In wartime, Anbu focused inward, Root outward; this was a tacit understanding developed between the higher-ups over years.
Now, with Root suffering heavy losses and Danzo gravely injured—his strength greatly diminished even if he recovers—this troubled Hiruzen considerably.
"But there are few excellent ninjas left in the village, and most harbor objections to the existence of Root. It's unlikely Root's manpower can be replenished in the short term."
Utatane Koharu responded, referencing the current internal state of the village.
"That is nothing to worry about. Danzo only brought half of Root's forces; the other half remain in the village. For a short while, operations can just barely continue."
Mitokado Homura at this point spoke up.
"Very well. With Danzo unconscious, Root will be temporarily managed by Jonin Aburame Ryuma. I will contact him as soon as possible."
Aburame Ryuma was an exceptional Jonin of the Aburame Clan, renowned for his military achievements. During the Second Great Ninja War, he joined Root and became Danzo's right-hand man.
Now that Danzo had lost the ability to command, Root must not collapse. It needed an interim leader to stabilize the situation.
In both strength and command ability, and—crucially—loyalty, Aburame Ryuma was a Konoha Jonin whose competence Hiruzen approved of.
"Then, regarding the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan... what is your opinion, Hiruzen?"
Mitokado Homura looked toward Hiruzen and asked.
Hiruzen fell silent.
Utatane Koharu then spoke: "Hyuga Ayane's Byakugan Dojutsu is a type we've never witnessed before. So far, it is fundamentally different from the traditional Byakugan and Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan."
As Advisors, they naturally understood the battle intelligence as well.
"To be able to unleash silent, undetectable spiritual shock suppression through dojutsu, such that even a Jonin could be instantly killed if he was not cautious... Even more terrifying, to possess a Gentle Fist technique capable of all-encompassing attacks, giving an enemy no escape... Even without witnessing it firsthand, one can imagine the desperate straits Danzo faced."
At this, Mitokado Homura inhaled lightly, a look of caution in his eyes.
"You think the Hyuga Clan has been deliberately holding back? Impossible. The Hyuga have been rooted in Konoha for decades—if they had been hiding their abilities, Lord Hashirama and Teacher Tobirama would surely have noticed."
Hiruzen gave this answer, not believing that the Hyuga Clan intentionally concealed vital information from the village.
If that were the case, his teacher, the previous Hokage Senju Tobirama, would certainly have left at least a few words warning them to be wary of the Byakugan.
"The Byakugan has always played a crucial functional role on the battlefield—but still, only as a function. If someone as fearsome as Hyuga Ayane were to emerge from within the clan... it would upset the balance inside the village."
A single powerful Uchiha among the Kekkeigenkai Ninja Clans was enough to be a headache. If such instability were to surface in the Hyuga as well, they would be forced to reconsider their policy toward the clan.
Now, in an extremely critical time of war, Konoha could not withstand such turmoil.
And as Advisors, their unease was not unfounded.
The Byakugan Dojutsu and Gentle Fist techniques displayed by Hyuga Ayane had already exceeded their knowledge of the Hyuga Clan.
"I do not agree with that step."
"Hiruzen, this is something we must intervene in. The Kekkeigenkai Dojutsu Byakugan—whether it holds abilities unknown to us is of utmost importance. I suspect Hyuga Ayane's Byakugan underwent some sort of evolution, surpassing the normal limits of a Hyuga ninja. Just like..." Here, Mitokado Homura paused, his gaze earnest and fixed on Hiruzen as he continued, "the difference between the Sharingan and the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Upon hearing these words, hesitation immediately appeared on Hiruzen's face.