Note:A bit long just like first two chapter, so expect a bit more infodump than usual.
(Ryuji POV)
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"Hajime!" I shouted, prompting Hiashi and Hizashi to spring into action.
'Let's see how much they've improved,' I thought, concentrating on their stances.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!" they called out in unison, projecting compressed air as they charged toward me.
Activating my Byakugan, I quickly identified a weak point in their attack and neutralized the vacuum force with a single finger, intercepting their fists with a swift sideways motion.
I countered with a kick to Hiashi's leg and a strike to Hizashi's back, then stood waiting as they regrouped.
As they rose, the training ground was marked by two Eight Trigrams, indicating they were ready to launch their next assault.
They surged forward, and I prepared to assess their technique.
"One."
I sidestepped their initial strike.
"Two."
I redirected the next blow with ease.
"Four."
I delivered precise punches to their abdomens, slowing their momentum. To their credit, they recovered quickly and pressed on.
"Eight."
I deflected their fists with a series of quick slaps.
"Sixteen."
Employing Gentle Fist, I pushed them back as our fingers clashed.
"Thirty-two."
I evaded their attack and swiftly brought them to the ground.
'Still room for improvement,' I noted, evaluating their progress.
Hiashi gave his all, yet Hizashi's form and execution remained superior to his brother's, as usual.
'Too late for regret,' I sighed, hearing approaching footsteps.
"Patriarch, Hideo has just returned from his mission," the guards informed me during our sparring session.
"Tell him to come to my room for the report," I commanded. One guard immediately left to deliver the message.
"Remember the lessons and correct the mistakes you made today, Hiashi and Hizashi. I will review your progress tomorrow, and it must be flawless." Concluding their training session, I headed to my room, with guards taking their positions outside.
'I hope Hiashi doesn't disappoint me tomorrow,' I thought. He was scheduled to spar with the heirs of the nine elders' lineage.
While it might seem like a casual sparring match among the young members of the main family, it was a crucial event. Hiashi needed to earn the respect of both the elders and their heirs, demonstrating his capability to succeed me. Defeating them, though not necessary to defeat all, would be a significant step in proving his worth.
"Greetings, Patriarch," Hideo said, bowing deeply outside the entrance of the room.
"Enter," I commanded, and he immediately complied.
"Here is my report on the mission," he said, bowing once more as he sat on his heels, the tops of his feet flat against the floor, his buttocks resting on his heels.
I settled onto the zabuton, listening attentively to his words. As he spoke, I sipped the matcha tea brought by the maid.
The tea was fragrant, but its flavor was not quite right.
Initially, it should have a creamy texture with a slight grassy flavor that gently coats my tongue.
As it lingers, it should develop a subtle sweetness with a hint of umami.
Finally, a gentle bitterness should remain on my tongue as I swallow.
This tea, however, was overly bitter, lacking the complex flavor that develops over time, and it did not have the smooth texture I expected.
'Couldn't the tea maker distinguish between fresh and old matcha?' I thought, my mood souring due to his negligence.
I called out to the maid to take the tea back and instructed her to inform the tea maker of the warning I was issuing for his mistake today. Shifting my focus back to Hideo, who had just finished his report, I prepared to discuss the details of his mission.
"Did you notice anything strange during your mission?" I asked simply.
"Well… the tailed beast was calm when it emerged but soon became enraged and fired a tailed beast bomb above, destroying the caravan it was kept in," he added, appearing puzzled by the initial calmness.
"Good," I replied, gesturing with my hand, palm up, and curling my fingers in a beckoning motion towards him.
He nodded and approached me, allowing me to touch his forehead while my eye glowed white.
"Agh…" he murmured quietly as I delved into his memories.
'Nothing out of place,' I confirmed, withdrawing my hand from his forehead.
"You may leave."
"Yes, Patriarch," he acknowledged before departing.
Alone in my room after he left, I pondered about the success of the mission.
After a year and a half of conflict with Sunagakure, the war on the Land of Rivers was finally ending. It was clear that Sunagakure would withdraw from the region, redirecting their focus towards Amegakure and Iwagakure.
Although redirecting blame ro Kumogakure seemed to be futile as simply bringing in lightning specialists and 'magnet release' users, whose skin darkened with pigmentation for the mission was hardly enough to serve as sufficient evidence to frame Kumogakure, it is unlikely they could blame Konoha for the incident.
Clans possessing Kekkei Genkai had always held a revered status among ordinary people. They were believed to descend from ancestors of immense strength, rumored to be disciples of the Sage of Six Paths. This lineage often justified their authority over the ordinary.
This very concept also played a crucial role in Kaze Shinki's rise to stabilize his village following the turmoil after the assassination of the Nidaime Kazekage. By demonstrating his own 'Kekkei Genkai' in combat and defeating all who challenge him, he earned recognition from clans and civilians alike, establishing himself as their Kazekage.
Therefore, if accusations were leveled against Konoha regarding the attack, an explanation would be necessary, detailing how such an event could feasibly occur.
Most, if not all, Kaze clan members are currently engaged in the Iwagakure warfront. This means they cannot accuse Konoha of kidnapping and brainwashing them to attack their own people, as they have not faced them in battle. To support such a claim, they would have to reveal the true nature of their 'Kekkei Genkai'.
Such a revelation would undoubtedly cause the Kaze clan to lose some of the prestige they have enjoyed in Sunagakure, especially in comparison to other clans like the Ryuka clan, renowned for their scorch release, which is the only genuine Kekkei Genkai clan in Sunagakure. Their abilities are feared by the Yuki and Temari clans of Kirigakure, which can neutralize their ice release and steam release attacks, respectively. They are also feared by the Kanari clan in Ishigakure, who can neutralize their steel release.
Learning how the Kazekage was defeated would likely embolden these clan where they would certainly be able to develop jutsu similar to what Sakumo used, enabling them to defeat the Sandaime Kazekage to get the right to be the next Kazekage, a position they have long desired.
Even if the political landscape remains unchanged by revealing the truth, they lack concrete proof against Konoha. Magnet release is a special technique that one can develop after discovering it. Who's to say that Iwagakure, Ishigakure, Amegakure, Kumogakure, or Kirigakure can't develop this as well?
In the end, the Kaze clan lacks genuine proof, and the vague evidence they do have points more towards either Kumogakure or Iwagakure if they assumed they managed to kidnap one of their clan members in the battlefield.
Sunagakure can no longer afford to fight Konoha as they have lost significant manpower. Their jinchuuriki is dead, the tailed beast unusable and need to be contain again until they find a suitable vessel to seal it inside, and the fate of the three skilled puppeteers is surely unfavorable after facing numerous explosions.
Ultimately, despite any suspicion that Konoha might be involved, they must withdraw from fighting Konoha to prevent further damage. Their accusations won't hold much weight, even to themselves.
While it seems promising to receive my share of compensation from Sunagakure sooner than expected due to my deal with the Sandaime Hokage, and to retain more branch members, things are not perfect
This mission showcased the Anbu force's impressive capabilities. With just twelve operatives, they successfully tracked and confronted the jinchuriki, facing off against three skilled puppeteers and even the Kazekage himself. Remarkably, they achieved all this without a single casualty, thanks in part to the exceptional efforts of two key members who handled the most challenging tasks.
It's evident how significantly they've strengthened, particularly with the emergence of their prodigies, making future resistance increasingly challenging if their momentum persists
The mission highlighted Nara Akio's unexpected expertise in fuinjutsu and genjutsu, skills previously undisclosed as he operated alongside the Sandaime Hokage and the former Anbu commander as their 'unofficial' right hand man. Akio effortlessly ensnared the jinchuriki in a potent genjutsu and adeptly unsealed the tailed beast using his shadow technique, while also swiftly neutralizing the caravan guards with no trouble.
Equally impressive was Hataka Sakumo's display of combat prowess, marking him as a pillar of strength within the Hatake clan that came from the Land of Iron during First shinobi world war. His decisive victory over Lady Chiyo's brother, a renowned puppeteer, and his defeat of the Kazekage (albeit due to foe unawareness of his weakness), further solidified his reputation.
Both are fundamental pillars of Sandaime Hokage's faction's combat strength, alongside his disciples and a talented and eccentric taijutsu specialist from the younger generation.
'Even with the ancestral gift at our disposal, caution dictates its concealment,' I reminded myself, wary of provoking unnecessary conflict.
While our clan's long standing aspiration for the Hokage title now seems more distant than ever, where at least five out of six from his faction possess enough recognition to potentially succeed Sandaime if he wishes to retire, the time will inevitably come for the Hyuga to assert their prominence as Hiashi grows older.
At that juncture, the artifact will undoubtedly tip the scales in our favor.
For now, our best course is to remain on the sidelines and defer our ambitions, aligning ourselves with a prospective Hokage candidate for strategic advantage.
The primary concern lies in determining whom to support, as each of the five candidates possesses distinct characteristics and interests, and not all may garner equal favor from Sandaime Hokage.