Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

The Uchiha-Uzumaki wedding concluded, a day of joyous celebration.

But the gears of the shinobi world kept turning.

Two groundbreaking articles, "The Konoha-Suna Student Summer Camp Showdown" and "Konoha's Wedding of the Century," were swiftly delivered to the publishing house in the Land of Hot Water.

Thanks to expedited printing, They would likely reach every corner of the ninja world through Iki's distribution channels within three days.

Mabui, too, wasted no time. She relayed the news of the "massive dowry" to her fellow kunoichi (excluding Samui), delivered Gojo Kaigetsu's terms, and presented Minato's letter to the Raikage.

Would the Uzumaki survivors return to Konoha, or would they stubbornly cling to their resentment? Were the kunoichi of the other villages loyal ninja, or merely gold-diggers? Would the Raikage agree to Minato's "brotherhood"?

The ninja world's reactions would take time to unfold.

Even Gojo Kaigetsu, impatient as he was, couldn't accelerate the process. After all, he wasn't a time-traveling ninja.

While Konoha basked in the afterglow of the wedding, a new narrative emerged. An article titled, "The Death of a Hyuga Branch Family Ninja," began to circulate.

Early morning, Taiten Ninja Tools.

Several burly customers gathered, sipping muscle-boosting tonics and exchanging gossip.

"Hey, did you hear about… that?" one whispered conspiratorially.

"What's that?"

"You know"

"Just spit it out."

"Did you read 'The Death of a Hyuga Branch Family Ninja'?"

"Yeah! Those damn Hyuga I used to think they were better than the Uchiha, back when those rumors were circulating. But now I take it all back! Scum!"

Taiten Ninja Tools, having pioneered the "Pay It Forward Explosive Tag" system, had become a popular spot in Konoha.

Under Gojo Kaigetsu's guidance, the shop offered discounts in the mornings and evenings, attracting budget-conscious civilian ninja.

"What's this about a dead Hyuga ninja?" one of the customers asked, having missed the news.

"It's about a Hyuga prodigy from the branch family, a top student at the Academy. After graduating, he took on eight missions a day to pay for his sister's tuition. He refused to help the main family cheat the system, and they killed him."

The speaker's voice rose with indignation. "Advisor Gojo should have the Anbu investigate the Hyuga. Now that he's in charge, they're already pulling this kind of crap. Who knows what they were doing during the Third Hokage's era."

"Careful what you say!"

"Careful? What's there to be careful about? The secret ninja are"

"Think before you speak! It's the Hyuga main family, not the branch family! The branch family are the victims here. And it's the Fourth Hokage in charge now, not Advisor Gojo."

"Oh, right. My mistake. They should investigate the main family. The Fourth and Advisor Gojo are practically the same person, anyway."

The newcomer nodded, as if suddenly enlightened. "So, the Hyuga main family they're the bad guys. I didn't even know they had a branch family."

"Yeah, it's Konoha's 51st year. I can't believe slavery still exists in our village."

"Slavery?"

"The Hyuga branch family system… it's no different from slavery. Branded from birth, their lives aren't their own. Even a top academy graduate ends up as a servant to the main family. They have to hand over their earnings, buy their own equipment to protect their masters work their entire lives, and their children inherit the same fate."

"Leeches!" The customer slammed the table, his voice rising with anger. "We risk our lives every day to earn a living. And those Hyuga, born with a Kekkei Genkai, aren't satisfied. They have to enslave their own kin, using them as stepping stones How can anyone be so cruel?!"

"We pay taxes to the village, because without the village, there is no us. But the Hyuga branch family they have to pay a second tax to the main family. Who do they truly serve?"

"That Hinata she was too naive. She should have rebelled, gone to the Hokage Tower and demanded justice. See if those main family leeches would still dare to exploit them."

"It's not that simple," another ninja said, shaking his head. "I have a friend in the branch family. He said the seal on their foreheads, the Caged Bird Seal, is connected to their eyes and minds. If the main family activates it, death would be a mercy. The pain it's unimaginable."

"Then what can be done?" The first ninja slammed his fist on the table in frustration.

Lowly ninja, accustomed to hardship, were easy to empathize with.

And easy for Gojo Kaigetsu to manipulate.

The heated discussion in Taiten Ninja Tools was a microcosm of Konoha's current sentiment. Wherever people gathered, this was the topic of conversation.

Gradually, a consensus formed among the lower-ranking ninja: Rise up! Don't kneel! Free the Hyuga branch family!

The article quickly reached the Hokage's office.

Fugaku Uchiha's seat was empty. Advisor Gojo had granted him an extended leave to celebrate his recent marriage.

If not for Minato's insistence on propriety, Gojo Kaigetsu would have extended Fugaku's leave until his new child was born.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense.

Everyone held a copy of "The Death of a Hyuga Branch Family Ninja," reading in silence. Aside from Minato, they were all seasoned ninja, accustomed to the harsh realities of the shinobi world.

Even Hiashi Hyuga…

If the article hadn't mentioned the branch family, he, too, might have remained indifferent.

Expecting these hardened ninja to empathize with "Hinata" was unrealistic.

But the political implications

Many felt a sense of déjà vu. Back when Danzo was still alive, a similar article about "Soldier Pills" had circulated, eventually reaching the Hokage's desk.

A hidden hand seemed to be at play, stirring the pot, manipulating events.

Some, realizing this, shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Konoha's leadership could make this happen. First targeting Elder Danzo, now the Hyuga clan… it was obvious.

But why target the Hyuga? Better not to ask. Just remain loyal.

Minato set the article down, glancing at Gojo Kaigetsu.

His gaze seemed to say, "Why didn't you inform me beforehand? Do you even respect my authority as Hokage?"

Gojo Kaigetsu, however, avoided his gaze.

"Where did this article come from?" Minato finally asked.

"Lord Hokage," Gojo Kaigetsu said, his tone serious. "Around 3 AM, a group of individuals distributed copies of this article throughout the village. By the time the Anbu and the Military Police Force responded, they were gone. We're currently investigating."

Minato stared at him, speechless.

With Fugaku Uchiha on leave, Gojo Kaigetsu was now directing the Military Police Force?

And the village's security was so lax that someone could distribute propaganda and escape undetected? Konoha's reputation was at stake.

And "investigating?" With both the perpetrators and the investigators working for the same person, what were the chances of success?

Minato glanced at the clan representatives and department heads. They all nodded solemnly, as if in agreement.

As long as Advisor Gojo said it, it must be true.

Who would dare question him?

Advisor Gojo was merciful. He hadn't brought a Nara clan deer into the meeting and called it a horse, after all.

As for the Anbu and Military Police Force's sudden incompetence

Some things were best left unsaid, some people's true nature best left unexamined. In this world, every soul was a mix of light and darkness.

Of course, Advisor Gojo was an exception. His loyalty to the Will of Fire was absolute.

Minato sighed and gestured for Gojo Kaigetsu to continue. He wanted to understand the full scope of this Hinata situation.

"When I first read this article, I was furious!" Gojo Kaigetsu declared, his finger jabbing at the paper. "I suspected a foreign power was trying to undermine Konoha, to sow discord."

"But…" his tone shifted, "…in the interest of fairness, I ordered an investigation. We discovered that a Hyuga ninja named Hinata did exist, and she did die in Konoha year 50."

His voice turned cold. He produced a file. "Clan Head Hiashi, care to explain?"

"I… will fully cooperate with Advisor Gojo's investigation," Hiashi Hyuga said, rising to his feet.

What?! He surrendered just like that?

Setting aside the article's authenticity, couldn't the Hyuga clan show a bit of… resistance? Advisor Gojo said "investigate," and he immediately complied? Even Kumogakure's ninjas weren't this quick to surrender.

The other clan representatives exchanged incredulous glances.

While the Hyuga clan's claim to being Konoha's strongest might require a qualifier—"aside from the Uchiha"—they were still a formidable force.

They represented more than just their own clan's interests; they were a symbol for all the smaller clans.

Their strength emboldened the others to challenge the Hokage's authority, to demand a greater share of the resources. But if the Hyuga surrendered so easily…

The Uchiha and the Fourth Hokage were clearly aligned. There was no hope there. But the Hyuga…

The clan representatives sighed inwardly. They hoped the Hokage wouldn't push them too hard. They didn't want to be forced to abandon their businesses and relocate to some barren wasteland to… stimulate the local economy.

"This… demands a thorough investigation!" Gojo Kaigetsu slammed his fist on the table, his feigned anger palpable. "What's going on, Hyuga?! Explain yourselves!"

"The main and branch family system… it's a Hyuga tradition. It's… complicated," Hiashi Hyuga said, playing his part.

Gojo Kaigetsu exploded. "Hyuga Hiashi! Was Hinata's death caused by the main family, or was it a genuine accident?!"

"I… can't say for sure, Advisor Gojo. If you want to know, investigate," Hiashi replied, feigning ignorance.

"The Caged Bird Seal can be used to kill branch family members at will, correct?"

"That's true. Even a main family Genin can kill a branch family Jonin with the seal. But Advisor Gojo, rest assured, we rarely resort to such drastic measures. We merely use it to… discipline them, to remind them of their place. A small punishment, a valuable lesson" Hiashi's heart ached as he spoke. "Unless they betray the main family, pose a direct threat, or publicly disrespect us… we wouldn't kill them."

The other clan representatives were stunned. Was the Hyuga Clan Head an idiot?

Couldn't he see that Advisor Gojo was looking for an excuse to target the Hyuga? This was the time to stay silent, to cooperate.

Or perhaps this was a pre-arranged performance.

Gojo Kaigetsu pressed his advantage. "To whom does the Hyuga branch family pledge their loyalty? The main family? Or Konoha?"

"Well the Hyuga branch family system has a long history"

"Who do they serve?! The village or the main family?!"

Hiashi Hyuga's gaze drifted, as if he were struggling to reconnect to reality. "We treat the branch family humanely, in accordance with the Will of Fire. We are adjusting our management style"

"Even the village itself can't execute a ninja without due process! Who gave the Hyuga main family the authority to execute Konoha ninja?!"

"How many branch family members have been killed since Konoha's founding?!" Gojo Kaigetsu's voice boomed, his tone growing colder.

Hiashi Hyuga stared at him, speechless, his face a mask of well, let's just say it was a very convincing performance.

"Does the branch family belong to Konoha, or to the main family?"

Hiashi's lips moved soundlessly, as if repeating, "Don't ask."

"Tell me, Hiashi Hyuga, do the branch family ninja look upon the Hokage Rock, or the portraits of the main family?!"

"Does the Hyuga clan intend to betray Konoha?!"

Gojo Kaigetsu's voice thundered, his aura practically shaking the room.

Even Hiashi, knowing it was an act, felt a surge of fear. He instinctively recoiled.

He had to respond. What if what if Gojo Kaigetsu decided to take this further, to orchestrate a Hyuga Clan Annihilation Night?

He'd revealed the clan's secret stash of Byakugan. Though only the Hyuga knew how to unseal them, the Fourth Hokage's wife was the greatest sealing jutsu master in the world. It was only a matter of time.

Hiashi Hyuga straightened up. "Absolutely not! Even if our clan were to be annihilated, we would never betray Konoha! The Hyuga's loyalty is to the Hokage!"

Even Minato Namikaze wasn't sure if Gojo Kaigetsu was truly targeting the Hyuga. He stepped in to mediate. "Kaigetsu-kun, that's enough. I trust the Hyuga clan's loyalty. Until the investigation concludes"

Bang—

The door burst open.

"Lord Hokage! Advisor Gojo! There's… a protest outside."

"What?!"

Minato rushed to the window. Hundreds of Konoha ninja, carrying banners demanding justice for Hinata and punishment for the Hyuga main family, marched toward the Hokage Tower.

This… was a full-blown rebellion!

The meeting room's occupants exchanged shocked glances. These ninja weren't fools. They knew the consequences of such actions.

But perhaps, fueled by righteous anger, inspired by a few leaders…

And where had these leaders come from?

All eyes turned to Gojo Kaigetsu.

They didn't know that his plans went even deeper.

In teahouses and ninja tool shops across the village, "friends" of Hinata Hyuga were sharing stories of her kindness and selflessness.

Each story worthy of inclusion in Three Years at the Ninja Academy, practically canonizing Hinata as a saint.

Gojo Kaigetsu hadn't needed to exert much effort to ignite this demonstration.

But his reaction was unexpected.

He casually summoned an Anbu operative. "What? Most of the Anbu are off duty? And the rest are on a special training exercise? What about the Military Police Force? Drunk? They're all drunk?! Preposterous! Summon them immediately!"

He turned to Minato, feigning concern. "Lord Hokage, public sentiment is… volatile. And with the Anbu and Military Police Force… unavailable, we must handle this delicately, to avoid further escalation."

"I'll… handle this," Gojo Kaigetsu said, stepping forward.

He faced the approaching protesters. "What's the meaning of this?! This is the Hokage Tower! If you're here for missions, form a line and maintain order!"

"Advisor Gojo, we're not here for missions! We demand justice for Hinata Hyuga!"

"Punish the main family! Blood for blood!"

"Justice for Hinata, you say…" Gojo Kaigetsu paused, as if in deep thought.

"I understand your anger. But both the Military Police Force and the Anbu require evidence. We can't simply condemn the Hyuga clan based on an anonymous article. That would be unfair."

"We have evidence! We have proof!"

Someone in the crowd produced a thick stack of documents. A quick glance revealed detailed accounts of suspicious deaths within the Hyuga branch family, provided by supposed classmates and friends.

Some were Gojo Kaigetsu's plants. Others were civilian-born ninja, emboldened by the current climate, eager to side with the winning team.

"This..."

"Traitors! Scum!!" Gojo Kaigetsu's hand trembled as he "examined" the documents. His expression turned grim. He dramatically produced the Hokage Order, holding it aloft.

The shimmering seal gleamed in the midday sun.

The crowd parted, their gazes fixed on the Hokage Order, a symbol of absolute authority.

"Military Police Force! Anbu! Root! Surround the Hyuga compound! No one gets in or out!"

Silence fell over the Hokage Tower.

Minato Namikaze stared, stunned. Hiashi Hyuga trembled.

The order was relayed.

"By order of Advisor Gojo, contain the Hyuga clan!"

Further out…

"By order of Advisor Gojo, surround the Hyuga clan!"

And further…

"Advisor Gojo's orders! The Hyuga main family has colluded with foreign powers, attempting to undermine the Fourth Hokage!"

And even further…

"Foreign ninja have infiltrated the Hyuga compound, a base for undermining the Fourth Hokage!"

Within five minutes…

Anbu, Military Police Force, and Root ninja materialized throughout the village. Even Kakashi Hatake, still on vacation, appeared among them.

"Follow me!"

"Let's ask those Hyuga elders what the hell they think 'freedom' means!"

From atop the Hokage Rock, a sea of silver and black uniforms converged on the Hyuga compound, like a spear pointed at their hearts.

"Konoha… is changing," Minato Namikaze murmured, watching Gojo Kaigetsu's retreating figure. He turned to the trembling Hiashi Hyuga and said gently, "Relax, Hiashi. Everything will be alright."

…

…

Crash—

A teacup shattered on the floor.

Hyuga Jun, clutching a copy of "The Death of a Hyuga Branch Family Ninja," trembled with rage.

"This is slander! A blatant attempt to frame the Hyuga main family!" He gripped his knees, forcing himself to calm down. "The Hyuga are eternal. Hokage come and go. We've weathered countless storms. A mere Hokage… he can't touch us."

"Hyuga Hinata… she was Makoto's guard, wasn't she? Summon Makoto!" he ordered.

Hyuga Makoto, his grandson, crawled into the room, trembling.

"Makoto," Hyuga Jun said, pointing at the article, "tell me what truly happened."

"I… I told Hinata to… fail the graduation exam, to let me take first place. She said something about… it being for my own good…"

"Later, I took on an A-rank mission and… abandoned her. No one else knows about this! How… how did this get out?"

"You… you did that?!"

Hyuga Jun's breath hitched. He wasn't angry that Makoto had caused Hinata's death. Such ruthlessness, such ambition, was a valuable trait in a Hyuga main family member.

A ninja's path was a constant struggle. Stagnation meant death.

He was furious that such a thing, done in secret, had been exposed.

Now, the elders had to clean up another mess.

During the Third Hokage's era, such an incident would have been quickly buried. For the sake of the village's stability, they wouldn't make a fuss over a dead branch family Chunin.

But the current Hokage

The Fourth and his advisor they were unpredictable. They might actually escalate this.

"Idiot!" Hyuga Nu, another elder and a close friend of Hyuga Jun's, interjected. "It's just a branch family ninja. There's no need to panic. The Fourth Hokage is a reasonable man. And even if he weren't… the village needs the Byakugan. They have to respect our authority."

"Hiashi will… handle this."

But just then…

"Elder! Hiashi Hyuga is… inciting the branch family at the training grounds!"

"That traitor!" Hyuga Jun's face twisted in fury. If he couldn't control the Hokage, he could certainly control a branch family member. Even if he was Hiashi's brother. With the Caged Bird Seal, any main family ninja could control him.

"From now on, such matters don't require my permission. Follow clan protocol and punish them severely."

"But these are… sensitive times. An example must be made. I'll handle this personally." Hyuga Jun cracked his knuckles, preparing to activate the Caged Bird Seal. "I hope my skills haven't atrophied. Follow me!"

At the Hyuga training grounds, a crowd of branch family ninja had gathered.

An older ninja pleaded, "Hizashi, stop this! Even if you are the Clan Head's brother… this is treason! The elders won't tolerate it."

"Come down now. For the Clan Head's sake… they might show leniency."

Hyuga Hizashi, looking at the fearful faces of the branch family, shook his head in disappointment.

Konoha was a village of freedom and opportunity. The disparity between the branch family and ordinary ninja fueled his anger and his resolve. He could endure his own servitude, but he wouldn't condemn his children to the same fate.

'My brother's already making his move at the Hokage Tower… I can't fall behind.'

He recalled the note Hiashi had given him the previous night. He raised his voice.

"We don't need shuriken! We don't need explosive tags! We need freedom! The right to live as human beings! And freedom isn't earned through begging or protesting. It's earned through blood and iron!"

"We're not fighting for servitude! We're fighting for freedom! We are not slaves! We are not caged birds! We are ninja! Loyal to the Fourth Hokage, to Advisor Gojo, to the Will of Fire! We are Konoha ninja!"

"For our children, for their freedom"

"Silence! Hyuga Hizashi, you have committed a grave offense!"

Hyuga Jun's voice boomed, filled with rage, as he approached, his hands already forming the seals for the Caged Bird Seal.

<><><><>

Support & Read 10 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the rest!

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)

There is 9 Exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon!