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On the following day, Sakumo made his way to the Hokage Building alone. He now set to venture forth alone. Starting today, the Hokage would assign him new comrades to form a fresh Sakumo team for mission assignments.
Upon reaching the office door, Sakumo gave it a gentle knock. He entered after hearing a "come in" from within and closed the door behind him.
"Hokage-sama."
"Welcome, Sakumo."
Sakumo, now in his prime, had concealed his aura entirely. If he wasn't in his ninja attire, he'd appear no different from an average person. The distinctive aura that Konoha White Fang typically exuded was entirely absent.
Hiruzen nodded in approval. Among the many Jonin in Konoha, Sakumo indeed stood out. His sharpness surpassed both the genius Jonin of the new generation and those of his own generation.
This diminished the surrounding pressure significantly. Businessmen and foreign officials now explicitly requested Sakumo to undertake their missions, attesting to his reputation and trustworthiness.
"Apologies, but the original Sakumo team needed to be disbanded."
"From the day I began leading them, I've been prepared for this. They are all independent ninja now."
Sakumo voiced his understanding.
Hiruzen shared Sakumo's sentiment.
Since the formation of the team Sakumo, they had completed countless S-level and A-level missions. Leaving aside the sole medical ninja on the team, who wasn't a combatant, the other two hailed from influential clans. They had recently been promoted to Jonin and become vital assets to Konoha.
Dissolving the team Sakumo was a carefully considered decision, primarily influenced by Uchiha and Hyuga stance.
"I'd like to know their future plans," Sakumo inquired with concern.
"Hyuga Ayane will serve as the guardian for the next Hyuga clan patriarch, while Uchiha Ruri will join the Uchiha Police Force as a deputy captain. As for Chiba Shiraishi, I intend to place him in Konoha Hospital or assign him as a teaching assistant at the Academy. Tsunade mentioned that his theoretical knowledge is exceptional, as he made no fundamental mistakes during his studies. He's an outstanding medical ninja."
In recent years, Konoha had intensified its efforts to train medical ninjas. Consequently, they now had twice the number of medical ninjas compared to a few years ago during the Second Ninja World War.
Yet, given Konoha's status as one of the five major ninja villages and its large ninja population, even doubling the number of medical ninjas from the previous figures wouldn't suffice. Both the Academy and Hospital faced shortages of medical ninjas.
"Indeed? I heard Tsunade is currently teaching at the Academy currently..."
"Yes," Hiruzen agreed, and a shadow of regret crossed his eyes momentarily, though he swiftly composed himself and continued, "Tsunade just needs an assistant, and Shiraishi can fill that role."
Sakumo smiled, feeling a sense of relief. He was more concerned about Shiraishi's future path than Liuli and Ayane's.
Working at the Academy or Hospital would provide a stable and risk-free life. Political factors didn't interest Sakumo, who lacked any inclination towards political affairs. His focus remained on enhancing his strength, safeguarding his comrades, and executing missions with precision.
"This is a member of your new team. See if they are suitable."
Hiruzen placed information materials about the other three members of the new team on the table. Sakumo picked them up and quickly perused the contents.
"No issues. We have a sensory ninja, a medical ninja, and a Jonin for battle support. The setup isn't much different from before."
"As long as you agree. I've been feeling my physical condition deteriorating lately. Having a team led by you will alleviate some of the pressure."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Hokage-sama you're joking; you're not even fifty yet."
"I'm getting there, and sitting in this office all day, my only free time is for occasional ninjutsu practice. I don't even know if my abilities have declined."
Hiruzen wore a melancholic expression.
"As a professor of ninjutsu, you're highly esteemed Hokage trusted by Konoha."
"Haha, no need to worry. I can hang on until I pass the mantle to the next Hokage."
Hiruzen understood that once a ninja reached the age of fifty, their abilities began to decline. Additionally, he had old injuries from his earlier battles alongside the Second Hokage. Recently, he felt more and more powerless.
Indeed, it was high time to consider the next Hokage. The ceremony for Hokage candidate selection would take place in two or three years. Hiruzen thought about the matter, unsure whom he should entrust with the role of the Fourth Hokage. There were numerous viable options.
White Fang, the Sannin, and the new generation all had many exceptional Jonin, each possessing the qualifications to vie for the position of Hokage. Each of them was an outstanding ninja capable of upholding the Will of Fire. It was a blessing to have such an array of choices, yet it was troubling
Thinking of this Hiruzen felt lighter.
◎
Hyuga Clan.
In the vast courtyard corridor, people bustled about. Leading the procession was Hyuga Hiashi, the next head of the Hyuga clan, flanked by a man and a woman.
The man, in his twenties, had a peaceful expression. He was an exceptionally skilled Jonin from the Hyuga clan, entrusted with the crucial role of guarding the future Hyuga head.
The woman at his side, still in her teens, donned a white ninja kimono. She too was a Jonin of the Hyuga clan and served as an elite bodyguard for the heir, Hyuga Hiashi. Her name was Ayane.
Upon completing her training mission with Sakumo's team, it was only natural for her to comply with the clan's arrangements and commands. It had been decided from the start that she would become a day-foot bodyguard, committed to the mission of protecting the main family, a duty she must fulfill as a member of a branch family.
Although the Hyuga clan's overall strength was inferior to the Uchiha clan, the Hyuga clan was known for its strict adherence to clan rules.
"You two just wait here."
"Understood."
Ayane and the man nodded respectfully and stepped back, leaving Hiashi to continue alone.
Further down the path, a young girl in a kimono waited for Hiashi. She didn't wear a forehead protector nor the 'caged bird' seal; instead, she had the emblem of a branch family.
"It seems that the time for Hiashi-sama to succeed as Patriarch is drawing near" remarked a male Hyuga Jonin.
"What do you mean?" Ayane inquired.
"This event is a matchmaking ceremony. After the marriage, Hiashi-sama will soon ascend to the head of the family... It's a tradition within the clan" explained the senior Jonin named Hyuga Fuyuma.
He hailed from Ayane's generation and possessed remarkable talent. His mastery of the Byakugan and Gentle Fist exceeded that of most in the Hyuga clan. Additionally, being a member of a branch family, he understood the spirit of sacrifice for the clan, which earned him a place as one of Hiashi's guards.
Main and branch family had their distinctions. Most branch family members weren't taught the core techniques of the Hyuga clan, including advanced moves like the 'Rotating Heavens' absolute defense. Ayane and Fuyuma, however, were granted permission to learn these techniques to better protect Hiashi, the future clan head.
"It's nothing. I heard that you performed exceptionally well under Jonin Sakumo before. Becoming a Jonin at such a young age is quite impressive."
Fuyuma said with a smile. Being a teenage Jonin was rare within the talented Hyuga clan, particularly for women.
"I've had my share of struggles. I often had to undertake challenging missions, and I came close to death multiple times. I don't wish to return to that life. I prefer the safety of clan life."
Fuyuma agreed with Ayane's sentiments. Despite three years having passed since the Second Ninja World War, ninjas continued to labor during peacetime. Elite teams like Sakumo's frequently accepted at least A-level missions.
"However, you should exercise caution and avoid becoming too involved with outsiders, especially romantically," Fuyuma cautioned. "Unlike Uchiha, Hyuga clan members, even those from branch families, are not permitted to marry outside the clan. And you, as Hiashi-sama's guard, hold a significant position."
Fuyuma said meaningfully.
Ayane furrowed her brow as she tilted her head glancing at Fuyuma. "What do you mean?"
"It's not a matter of interest, but rather your status as a branch family member. I don't wish to see an exceptional Jonin like you ignored by the clan elders," Fuyuma explained.
Ayane remained puzzled. "I still don't understand."
"You're a smart person; you surely grasp my meaning. Don't engage in unnecessary actions. Your every move will be scrutinized by the elders. Remember, this is the Hyuga clan; secrecy is unnecessary. As Hiashi-sama's bodyguard, our lives differ from those of the branch."
Ayane fell silent. "..."
"My life has been orchestrated by the elders. My future wife is someone I barely knew, and we married hastily under those circumstances. It's the safest course of action. The same will apply to your future. Don't resist. The Hyuga clan's power is not something you can defy. On top of that, you will enjoy several benefits that other branch family ninjas cannot."
"Should I thank these empathetic elders for arranging my future?" Ayane remarked with a smile, without any anger or resistance.
In her pure white eyes, only innocence shone.
"This is to preserve the pure bloodline of the Hyuga clan. Our Byakugan is a noble kekkei genkai. Genetically, we stand apart from common ninjas. I wouldn't want to hear news of your untimely death."
Fuyuma gazed up at the blue sky, where a flock of birds soared freely. He wore a faint smile.
The desire to be a free-flying bird... What a luxurious aspiration.
"Don't worry, Fuyuma-senpai. I'll fulfill the duties of a Hyuga ninja."
Ayane offered a warm, convincing smile.
"You truly are an extraordinary woman."
Fuyuma couldn't help but comment upon seeing Ayane's beautiful, smile. Yet, he couldn't fathom her thoughts. Was she a monster? A sense of vigilance crept over Fuyuma.
Working with such a woman, one could never afford to let their guard down.
◎
After completing the blind date ceremony, Hiashi let out a long sigh when he returned to his residence. A feeling of exhaustion immediately overwhelmed him.
He had been practicing gentle fist and the Byakugan technique while learning how to manage the clan's affairs. Now, on top of all that, he had to build a connection with a woman he had never met before. Except for bedtime, everything had been meticulously arranged.
For the first time, he truly felt the weight of the patriarch's position. He muttered to himself, "It would be so much easier if Hizashi were here..."
He realized it had been a long time since he last saw Hizashi. But when he thought of the way Hizashi looked at him now—with indifference, awe, and even hatred—Hiashi's emotions became increasingly complicated.
He longed to return to the carefree days of their childhood, when Hizashi regarded him with respect and love as an elder brother, not as a stranger.
From the moment the caged bird seal was planted in their family, the destinies of the two brothers diverged drastically. One became a part of the main family, while the other was relegated to the branch family.
Once marked as separate, regardless of how many children they might have in the future, they would forever be divided. Only the clan's heirs had the potential to lead the clan, and even they were at risk of being separated.
This situation had led to the clan's main lineage dwindling while the number of branch families increased. Contemplating this, Hiashi felt an even greater sense of weariness. "If only there were no separation system, we could be together every day..."
However, he recognized that this was just his personal sentiment. The clan's destiny was not subject to his personal desires. The fates of both the main family and the branch family had been predetermined from the very beginning, and no one could alter it.
"Please don't say that, Hiashi-sama. It is our duty to protect the main family. Hizashi-sama will eventually understand your kindness," Fuyuma comforted Hiashi.
In Fuyuma's eyes, Hiashi wasn't the indifferent young master others perceived him to be; he possessed a soft and kind side. But in the face of the clan's principles, he had no choice but to appear ruthless.
Following a leader like Hiashi, Fuyuma believed there would be no regrets in his life. The treatment of the branch family would also likely improve.
"Fuyuma-senpai, it's too harsh to say that. Hiashi-sama is acting out of love for his younger brother," Ayane chimed in with a smile.
Fuyuma, however, interjected with a calm tone, "Hiashi-sama is the Hyuga's future. Our destinies have already been sealed, and the same applies to Hizashi-sama. As a member of the branch family, we should focus solely on protecting Hiashi-sama, without harboring any other intentions."
"Fuyuma, don't blame Ayane. My complaints are just momentary frustrations," Hiashi defended Ayane.
Fuyuma simply replied with a respectful "Yes" but continued to observe Ayane closely.
He couldn't help but think that Ayane was a dangerous woman. Hiashi-sama appeared to trust her deeply, and this made Fuyuma uneasy.
To be honest, he didn't want to work alongside Ayane. A woman who kept her thoughts so well concealed could be a liability to the Hyuga clan and Konoha at large if she were ever released from her figurative cage.
"How does Hiashi-sama feel about his future wife?" Fuyuma inquired.
"She's a good woman," Hiashi replied. However, in his mind, he added, "But she's too rigid and dull, like a finely crafted doll."
Her every action adhered to strict norms, though it didn't seem forced; she appeared to have been groomed into a docile and gentle woman from the beginning. Her smiles radiated genuine warmth, yet Hiashi found himself uninterested in such a woman.
His mother, the maids in the family, and even his future wife all fit this template. They resembled delicate products produced by a factory. But there was one exception, one individual stood out: Ayane.
Beneath her gentle appearance lay an incredibly strong and unwavering personality, unyielding even to the clan's strict rules. Hiashi could keenly sense the contrast between Ayane and the other women. She was no longer a rigid and serious Hyuga clan member.
Hiashi wondered about her past experiences and what kind of person she might marry in the future. He couldn't pinpoint why, but recently, he found himself preoccupied with such thoughts.
---
"After completing that demanding task, I find myself back in this familiar place..." Shiraishi remarked as he stood at the entrance of the academy.
During his time on team Sakumo, he had occasionally passed by the academy, but this was his first official visit since his graduation.
However, he welcomed the change. Compared to the hospital, work at the ninja school promised to be less taxing. His only concern was dealing with the school's young and often mischievous students.
"What's the matter, boy? Have you returned to this place and lost your nerve?" teased a voice from behind.
Shiraishi turned around, scratching his head, and replied, "Not at all, Tsunade-sensei. I'm just thinking about how to connect with my lovely juniors."
"It's good to have that mindset," Tsunade replied, approaching Shiraishi. She had grown stronger and taller since their last meeting. Shiraishi couldn't help but notice her bust seems to have increased again.
She was undoubtedly a formidable Jonin, and Shiraishi mused about the connection between her physical prowess and her rank.
"Don't fret. This isn't a battleground. Working here is much safer than being with Team Sakumo," Tsunade assured Shiraishi.
Tsunade greatly appreciated Shiraishi's medical knowledge.
Despite having some deficiencies, as long as his knowledge met the requirements and he gained more experience, he would make an excellent deputy, helping to instruct the newcomers.
"Yes, I am very satisfied with this job," Shiraishi sniled.
He couldn't help but think about his previous team, Sakumo. They completed missions swiftly and efficiently, with the other three members swiftly dealing with any threats. Shiraishi's role was more about giving orders and offering support.
"Come with me," Tsunade beckoned as she led the way, and Shiraishi vividly remembered the direction to their destination.
They were heading to the classroom where he had once learned medical knowledge. The experimental class had progressed through several sessions.
Shiraishi was genuinely looking forward to interacting with the young and lovely juniors.
The class time of the medical ninja training experimental class, in order to avoid conflict with the main class, is still after 3 pm and ends after 5 pm.
In the graduation exam, the passing score will be lowered for the students in the experimental class, and the usual subsidies will also be provided.
There are more students in the class than Shiraishi's original class, close to 40 people. It seems that in recent years, the importance of medical ninjas has been vigorously promoted internally, and a lot of subsidies have been added, which has achieved a lot of results.
There are mostly girls, and only a few boys.
The boys and girls looked at the youth next to Tsunade very curiously, and they all guessed who it was.
"This is your senior, Chiba Shiraishi, who was also one of my students a long time ago. Now he will cooperate with me in my work. Everyone welcome him."
As Tsunade's former student, he was introduced to the class as a senior, and the students warmly welcomed him with applause.
Next was the official class time. Tsunade's teaching methods were far more innovative compared to what Shiraishi remembered. She had an impressive ability to analyze complex issues sharply, which greatly impressed the students. Their dedication to learning surpassed that of Shiraishi's previous students.
When Tsunade felt tired, she allowed Shiraishi to continue teaching. Thanks to his extensive knowledge, he managed to keep up with her pace.
Their teamwork proved effective, and Tsunade had few criticisms. Shiraishi had undoubtedly grown since their time together, and Tsunade couldn't help but smile at the thought that she had made the right decision by poaching him from Team Sakumo.
"He really has come a long way. Maybe with him around, I can take a break for casino and tavern visits," Tsunade mused.
She considered him a perfect tool.
"Seriously, it's only the first day, and you've left all the work to me?" Shiraishi sighed as he noticed Tsunade had disappeared from her seat beside him.
"Um, Shiraishi-senpai, can I ask you some questions?" a girl approached after everyone else had left. She had shoulder-length dark brown hair and a gentle smile, appearing quite cute.
"No problem," Shiraishi replied, readily agreeing to help her with any medical inquiries.
Just as they were about to start discussing medical knowledge, a sudden commotion erupted outside the classroom door. A boy named Obito barged in, shouting, "What do you guys want with Lin? You're too close, back off!"
Without hesitation, Obito leaped at Shiraishi aggressively. However, Shiraishi swiftly evaded, causing Obito to crash into the wall. His shouting ceased abruptly as he slid down.
"O.. Obito!!"
Rin, the girl, rushed over to check the condition of the boy who attacked Shiraishi recognizing him as a fellow classmate.
"Are you okay?"
"Haha, I'm fine," Obito said, trying to downplay his injuries. "This little injury is not a problem at all. Look at how strong I am? This little thing is all right!"
As he spoke, he immediately blushed and jumped up from the ground, doing exaggerated stretching exercises there, indicating that he was fine.
"Student, were you trying to show us some gecko-like moves? Even though it's after class, you should still be careful,"
Shiraishi came over and looked at the boy with a headache. Appeared, the brat who often made teachers difficult when he was in school.
Obito attempted to save face: "Hmph, don't think I don't know your background. You're that 'Shiraishi who lives off others' in our Uchiha, right?"
The other party seemed to want to embarrass Shiraishi.
Shiraishi nodded, unashamed, and said, "Yes, that's me."
This admission caught Obito off guard. He seemed unsure of how to respond.
"Speaking of which, you mentioned 'our Uchiha.' Are you also part of the Uchiha clan?"
"Of course, can't you see the logo on the back of my cloth?"
"I didn't notice it. Maybe you put it there yourself to pretend to be one," Shiraishi retorted.
Obito's frustration was reaching its limits. He shook his fist in annoyance.
Shiraishi, in turn, laid on the ground with his back facing the ceiling, seemingly unfazed by the situation.
"You leech... you're truly shameless! You even set a trap under my feet!"
"Obito, you slipped and fell on your own; it has nothing to do with Shiraishi-senpai" Rin chimed in, frustrated with Obito's antics.
Shiraishi found himself at a loss for words as he observed this scene. He couldn't help but wonder if Obito truly belonged to the Uchiha clan, or if he was simply a genuine troublemaker.
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