Seeing Kawaki Aoba's puzzled expression, Kurenai Yuhi smiled faintly and said:
> "As for this, even I don't understand it completely. I just woke up this morning and realized I had developed a strange sensory ability. The range is vast—far beyond even the borders of Konoha.
I even tried doing chores with my eyes closed and felt no hindrance at all. Aoba, could it be that I've awakened the same sensory ability as you?"
Now, Kawaki Aoba understood completely—Kurenai Yuhi had unknowingly awakened Observation Haki. Judging by the sheer range and accuracy, she had achieved considerable mastery from the very beginning.
If his guess was correct, this sudden awakening was likely linked to the Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit she had consumed—the Nine-Tailed Fox model. In addition to granting her incredible abilities, it had also given her the potential to awaken Haki, just like the top combatants from the pirate world.
The reason only Observation Haki had manifested was likely due to the development of her mental fortitude and spiritual sensitivity, while her willpower and physical conditioning had yet to reach the threshold needed for Conqueror's and Armament Haki, respectively.
Still, Aoba wondered: Was Haki something that only Zoan-type Devil Fruit users could awaken, or could any Devil Fruit user eventually develop it?
After explaining all this to Kurenai Yuhi, Kawaki Aoba took out a small box from his pocket—a lacquered case containing hundreds of silver acupuncture needles.
Though they looked ordinary, these were precision tools, mass-produced by Aoba through his personal invention—Divine Machine Hundred Refinements. But despite their humble appearance, they were extremely effective.
With a flick of his fingers, the silver needles flew from the box like a swarm, each one piercing precisely into the acupoints of the Hyuga clan members lying nearby.
These were Closed Meridian Needles, specially designed to target chakra pathways. Once embedded, they sealed the chakra flow within the body, rendering the victim unable to mold or circulate chakra.
In essence, any shinobi struck by these needles was immediately neutralized—unable to use ninjutsu, genjutsu, or even basic chakra enhancement. Even most Kage-level shinobi would be rendered helpless unless they possessed an extreme method of chakra release—like Might Guy's Eight Inner Gates, which could forcibly rupture blocked meridians.
Of course, the seal wasn't absolute. If the affected ninja could still move, they could physically remove the needles and regain function. This made the tool more suitable for capturing prisoners rather than combat.
> "Alright, Kurenai. Release the genjutsu on those patrolmen," Aoba said, gesturing toward a group of approaching Konoha ninjas who had been caught in an illusion.
Kurenai nodded. Without so much as a visible hand seal, the genjutsu on the patrolling ninjas was dispelled.
Aoba observed them carefully. The patrol squad appeared disoriented, showing no awareness that they'd just been under genjutsu—or that any time had passed at all.
As the patrolmen approached and saw Kawaki Aoba, unease spread across their faces. At this point, who in Konoha didn't know that Aoba was a man to avoid provoking?
When their eyes caught the numerous Hyuga clan members collapsed on the ground, many of the patrolmen visibly stiffened. It was now evident—they had stumbled into a direct confrontation between Aoba and the Hyuga clan.
The Hyuga clan members were easily recognizable by their traditional attire and distinct white eyes. Their branch family symbols were in full view—there was no subtlety or disguise. This wasn't some rogue group—it was clearly a faction within the clan.
> "Lord Aoba… what exactly happened here?" the lead patrolman asked, clearly nervous.
> "Nothing major," Aoba replied calmly. "Just a few rogue ninjas attempting to leave the village at night. They've all been handled."
The patrolmen looked at one another in disbelief.
> Hundreds of Hyuga? Rogue ninjas? In full clan regalia?
The excuse was paper-thin, but none of them dared question it.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Aoba chose not to press them further. He waved his hand.
> "Don't concern yourselves with this. My subordinates will handle the rest."
The patrolmen sighed in relief. As long as they weren't implicated, they would gladly step aside.
But before they could take their leave, Aoba spoke again:
> "One more thing. Notify the Barrier Team and the Patrol Division. My people will visit them shortly to detain those involved in secret dealings with these rogue elements. Ensure full cooperation."
> "...Y-Yes, sir!"
Soon after, Aoba's aide reported to him:
> "Lord Aoba, interrogation is complete. All detainees are from the Hyuga branch family. We've identified 572 Chūnin and Elite Chūnin, 14 Special Jōnin and Jōnin, and 234 unregistered ninjas—a total of 820 combatants."
Aoba nodded, absorbing the information.
> No Genin among them... The Hyuga really emptied their reserves.
But even so—he was sure—this was just the surface.
Those who escaped from the underground passage are the real main force the Hyuga clan is pinning their hopes on. As for the ones in front of them, they are just abandoned children, thrown out to fend for themselves.
At this moment, another ninja entered and reported to Kawaki Aoba:
"Lord Aoba, the Hyuga clan head requests to see you."
"Don't see him. Go back and tell him that I'm not here," Kawaki Aoba waved his hand, dismissing the messenger.
Kawaki Aoba knew exactly why Hyuga Hizashi was coming. Using his map listening technique, which was fully activated, he could hear everything. On the surface, Hizashi's visit seemed to be about the 800-plus ninjas, but in reality, it was just a move to deceive him, hoping to make him relax his vigilance.
Although Kawaki Aoba could have dealt with the situation more diplomatically, it wouldn't serve any purpose. He had no intention of wasting time on trivial matters. It was better to wait until everything was settled, then meet Hizashi again with concrete results.
Suddenly, Kurenai Yuhi spoke, breaking his thoughts: "Aoba, my strength has reached the level of a Kage. If there's anything you need, just let me know. I'm not a weak woman who can't help."
Kawaki Aoba blinked in surprise before smiling at her, about to respond, but Kurenai continued, "If you're worried about me being in danger, isn't there still Dad? He was bragging to me the other day that his current strength has surpassed the Hokage's, so don't worry."
Kawaki Aoba froze, thinking, Crap, my father-in-law's little padded jacket seems to have been dyed a different color by me...
Thankfully, Teacher Masaru didn't overhear that. All things considered, everything was still fine.
Kawaki Aoba pondered for a moment and then said, "Teacher Masaru is already helping me deal with some very important matters, and he might not be available for anything else in the short term. But if you're really willing to help, Kurenai, I could use your assistance with something."
Kurenai's eyes lit up with interest.
"I'm planning to get involved with the medical department, but I'm worried about a lack of manpower. If you're willing, Kurenai, you could go there and help me gain more influence," Kawaki Aoba said, not as a formality, but with genuine intent.
He had been eyeing Konoha Hospital for a while but hadn't found the right person to get involved with it. Kurenai's offer was perfectly timed.
The real head of the medical department was currently away, wandering the ninja world, making it hard to locate her. The remaining powerholders were deputy ministers, and if Kurenai showed enough medical skill, she could quickly make a name for herself and build her strength.
Kawaki Aoba, of course, had an ace in the hole. The little red potion, which he'd used extensively in the early stages of his power, was his go-to solution. He had a surplus of both Red and Blue Potions, which he couldn't use anymore due to his own growth, but they would be perfect for Kurenai to use in the medical department.
Kawaki Aoba then retrieved a new Devouring Pouch he had recently crafted. It had a spacious three-cubic-meter storage and, with a wave of his hand, he placed all the Red and Blue Potions into it, along with antidotes that Kurenai might find useful.
Without hesitation, Kurenai took the pouch, but what intrigued her even more than the potions was the pouch itself. A refined product of Divine Machine Craftsmanship, this portable storage was far more convenient than the storage scrolls most ninjas used.
Seeing Kurenai's interest, Kawaki Aoba offered her two more pouches.
Though the crafting of these pouches was a challenging process, even on par with top-tier Divine Machines, Kawaki Aoba had no problem spoiling his wife if it made her happy.
Once everything was arranged, Kawaki Aoba finally felt a sense of relaxation. But that moment of peace didn't last long.
As the first light of dawn touched Kawaki Aoba's face, he stirred from his nap.
"It's dawn," he muttered.
Indeed, Konoha had greeted its youngest Hokage in history with the first rays of sunlight.
Minato Namikaze.
"Lord Aoba, Lord Minato wants to see you," an Anbu ninja came to his door.
Kawaki Aoba wasn't surprised at all. After such a big event in Konoha, if Minato didn't rush back, it would be a disservice to his title. This was one of the reasons Kawaki Aoba had been so eager to finish everything the night before.
Minato's delay, until the morning, was likely because of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Otherwise, Minato's Flying Thunder God technique would have allowed him to return to Konoha in the blink of an eye.
Kawaki Aoba suspected that Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Danzo Shimura and himself to turn Konoha into a battlefield, with the Hyuga clan as pawns in their game. The game would have been fair under normal circumstances, but Danzo's unexpected defeat in Amegakure had severely weakened his position. As a result, Kawaki Aoba was left with a commanding advantage, almost wiping out the Hyuga branch family in a single night.
Kawaki Aoba wondered if Hiruzen regretted his decision.
But right now, his focus was on Minato.
Following the Anbu ninja to the Hokage Building, Kawaki Aoba made his way to the Hokage's office.
Upon entering, he saw Minato Namikaze again. But this time, the two were no longer merely friends. Minato's gaze was complicated, filled with surprise and concern. He hadn't expected things to escalate so quickly and wasn't prepared for the scale of Kawaki Aoba's actions.
"Elder Aoba, the Hyuga clan is one of the founding families of Konoha. This time, you've really gone too far," Minato said, addressing Kawaki Aoba as "Elder" rather than by his first name, signaling a shift in their relationship.
Kawaki Aoba didn't mind the change. He had already anticipated this moment and had prepared his response.
"The Hyuga clan has been around for thousands of years, far longer than Konoha. The main and branch family system has existed since the clan's inception. There's no way to verify how deep their roots truly go," Kawaki Aoba replied, calmly sitting down in a chair.
Minato didn't show any change in his expression, but Kawaki Aoba could tell that his first strategy had failed. He immediately switched to his backup plan.
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters