Naruto-Start by eating the golden fruit

After Yuya summoned the old patriarch of the Hyuga clan, he returned and began to gather the clan members. At the time, there wasn't much of an age difference between the young ones—Hinata and Hizashi were both four years old. The two brothers watched their father and uncles being called together, all the while wishing their father would leave quickly so they could head to the amusement park.

Before leaving, the old patriarch of the Hyuga clan looked at the brothers, Hyuga Hizashi and Hyuga Hiashi, and issued his final instructions. That night, after Hizashi drank water that contained a mild sleeping agent, he was taken to a secret location within the Hyuga clan.

...

**Hokage Office:**

Yuya sighed after listening to Uchiha's report. Did the Hyuga clan still practice such archaic traditions? For someone like Yuya, with a modern mindset, the concept of the Caged Bird Seal was absurd. It was supposedly meant to protect the clan's Byakugan, but in reality, others managed to steal or even transplant it.

Although the thief was from Kirigakure Village, the principles were the same—the Caged Bird Seal didn't serve its intended purpose. Moreover, it fostered negative psychological effects among the branch family members, who were subject to the main family's control over their lives.

Yuya was skeptical of human nature, believing in its inherent evil. He admired Hashirama Senju for his single-minded dedication to ending war, but even Senju Tobirama, in Yuya's eyes, represented the darker aspects of human nature.

Yuya didn't trust others easily and believed in exchanging benefits rather than seeking help, which he saw as a sign of weakness. But when it came to the Hyuga clan, Yuya was at a loss. He couldn't just approach the old patriarch and offer benefits in exchange for abolishing the Caged Bird Seal. The patriarch would dismiss him outright.

"Alright, don't worry about the Hyuga clan. Let them handle their own affairs. Our next focus will be on the Land of Grass. Inform me immediately if anything occurs."

"Yes," replied the shadowed Uchiha mirror.

Yuya then turned his attention to a scroll, which contained the monthly evaluation criteria for Jounin under the new reforms. He massaged his temples; these evaluations were tedious, though not particularly difficult. Besides Yuya, who else in Konoha could handle such a responsibility?

Well, there was one other person...

The next day, Senju Tobirama glared at Yuya, veins bulging on his forehead. "I've only been retired for less than three months, and look how often you've come to me. Now that you're Hokage, must you always call me over? I'm busy! The research and development of the second-generation Chakra Cannon has hit a bottleneck. I need more people, and yet you keep summoning me. Do you want Konoha's defensive weapons to be delayed forever? Let me tell you..."

Yuya listened to Tobirama's tirade with a smirk. It seemed retirement had made Tobirama more vocal. Wasn't it just that Yuya summoned him from the research institute every few days? It was time for some reflection on his past life.

Sure, it was a bit much to call on Tobirama so often, but Yuya had no choice. Apart from himself, only the former Hokage Senju Tobirama could competently evaluate the Jounin. Anyone else would likely face backlash from the evaluated Jounin.

As for Yuya, he paid their salaries. Who would dare object? Any complaints would dissipate after receiving a hefty year-end bonus. When your boss criticizes your performance but still pays you in full and gives you a bonus, resentment is unlikely. For the sake of an 18-month salary, you nod and agree to work harder.

It was somewhat ridiculous for Tobirama to be involved so frequently, but with only Yuya and Tobirama capable of handling the evaluations, there was no other option.

Yuya quickly intervened, "Uncle, I really need your help this time, and I have a perfect candidate to serve as your assistant so you won't be so busy."

Tobirama raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who is it?"

Without hesitation, Yuya suggested Orochimaru. "Among Sarutobi Hiruzen's three students—Jiraiya is a pervert, Tsunade is better left unmentioned—but Orochimaru is exceptional."

"Oh?" Tobirama's interest was piqued. "Is his ninjutsu strong?"

Yuya replied, "Well, I'm not sure about that, but he does enjoy developing unusual ninjutsu."

Tobirama nodded, understanding. He had once been fascinated by unusual ninjutsu himself until the battlefield shifted his focus to creating techniques that could efficiently defeat Uchiha opponents.

With Tobirama's help, Yuya completed the evaluation of hundreds of Jounin in a week. Meanwhile, the Hyuga clan brought ten Jounin from their own ranks, ten Jounin specially approved by Yuya, and a scientific team member to teach them how to use and energize the chakra cannon. They were accompanied by hundreds of other Chunin and Jounin, along with ten chakra cannons.

The self-proclaimed Kusakage of the Land of Grass laughed at Konoha's configuration. His village had fewer Jounin but thousands of Chunin and Genin. He believed he could win by sheer numbers.

As the two sides engaged, Kusakage's Village quickly crumbled. This was the first time the so-called Kusakage had seen a chakra cannon. Yuya had only invited the other four Kage countries before. What was Kusakage Village compared to them?

The chakra cannon was a formidable weapon, transported in pieces and sealed in scrolls. Once assembled, it was immobile and couldn't be resealed. It wasn't typically used offensively—except against smaller nations.

The four major countries had strategic depth, but the small Land of Grass did not. Konoha could set up the cannon hundreds of miles away and bombard Kusakage Village. Many could flee, but the village would not survive.

With ten cannons firing simultaneously, the village was obliterated. It was a small ninja village, with a civilian population of only tens of thousands, most of whom perished in the assault.

But Yuya was not concerned. He wasn't a saint, and the reckless Kusakage had provoked him. The people of the Land of Grass would pay the price.

Konoha's Jounin didn't pursue the fleeing ninjas. Their target, as tracked by Hyuga's Byakugan, was Kusakage. Yuya's explicit order was to capture him alive.

After capturing Kusakage, they dismantled the chakra cannon and returned. Though the lines needed reactivation, the cannon was still functional. Konoha wasn't yet affluent enough to casually discard such weapons.

After Konoha's departure, spies from the other four countries surveyed the battlefield. The chakra cannon's power was undeniable, and Kusakage Village was beyond repair.

The captured Kusakage was terrified and confessed immediately. He claimed Iwagakure Village had coerced him into attacking Konoha's caravan.

Yuya summoned the Iwagakure Village representative in Konoha and inquired with a smile about the accusation. The representative was appalled. "Impossible! It wasn't us! We didn't do it! That Kusakage must be lying!"