A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-Korron Hightower
-YoungPhxntom
-Auzzo
-Robert Thompson
-ar4ngel
-Lord_Clamiral
-Jay Singh
-Cain
-Shahzab Siddiquei
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"You've heard about what's happening in the Land of Fire, haven't you, Itachi-san?"
Kisame's tone was laced with sarcasm.
"It seems your little brother is getting bolder, even going so far as to entice a young Hyuga to defect."
Itachi looked at him blankly, remaining silent.
"Is your little brother trying to use the Byakugan to find you, Itachi-san?" Kisame continued. "Looks like you'll need to be on guard."
"He's still far from reaching that point," Itachi replied coldly.
At that moment, the two were strolling through a secluded mountain range in the Land of Earth. Kisame, carrying the large sword Samehada, walked ahead, occasionally looking back to speak to Itachi.
"I'm just giving you a friendly reminder, Itachi-san. Don't take it too lightly."
"Pointless," Itachi said, gazing into the distance. "Let's focus on the task at hand."
"Got it, got it," Kisame replied with a toothy grin. "It's a stroke of luck that the Four-Tails' Jinchuriki is at odds with his village and has come here alone; it makes our job much easier."
"According to our intel, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, specializes in Lava Release, so you, as a Water Release expert, will be the primary combatant here," Itachi noted calmly.
"Heh, this is a good gig, isn't it?" Kisame chuckled again.
"So you're discussing how to take me down right in front of me?"
An elderly man in purple attire emerged from behind a boulder.
"It's been a while since I've encountered young men as arrogant as you two!"
As he spoke, a powerful and intense aura emanated from his body.
"So, you must be Roshi. You've saved us the trouble of playing hide-and-seek by coming out to face us," Kisame said with a fierce grin, striding forward.
"Arrogance!"
Roshi's face twisted with anger as his aura grew stronger.
*Gurgle, gurgle…*
"Lava Release Armor!"
Bubbling lava appeared from within his body, quickly encasing him.
Kisame brought his hands together in a seal.
"Water Style: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
His cheeks puffed up as he unleashed an enormous torrent of water from his mouth.
Standing on the water's surface, he swiftly rose to higher ground as wave upon wave surged toward Roshi.
"It seems you're more than just talk!"
Roshi's expression shifted as he quickly formed another hand seal.
Lava around him intensified in heat, and a tail-like appendage resembling an octopus tentacle emerged from behind him.
"Lava Release: Flower-Fruit Mountain!"
Roshi pressed his hands to the ground, creating an entire field of lava.
*Boom!*
Lava erupted like a volcano, clashing with Kisame's water, generating thick steam that obscured vision.
"This is proving troublesome."
Kisame lifted his sword, Samehada, as the cloth wrapping it unraveled on its own.
Samehada opened its mouth, with sharp scales expanding and contracting in rhythm. As the steam gradually dispersed in the wind, Roshi stood atop a cooled rock, having escaped the water's interference and taken the high ground.
"Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Technique!"
Massive lava spheres, blazing with intense heat, erupted from his mouth, hurtling toward Kisame.
"Any chakra-based attack is just food for Samehada."
Kisame swung Samehada with ease, neutralizing the scorching lava spheres into harmless rocks.
Roshi's eyes narrowed, feeling the challenge grow. At this moment, Kisame was skimming the water's surface, rushing toward him.
Roshi roared in fury, dropping to all fours as a ferocious red chakra enveloped him, sprouting four complete tails behind him.
"Die!"
He leaped, claws bared like a wild beast.
"Heh heh."
The waves beneath Kisame lifted him higher as he released Samehada and formed another seal.
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
A massive stream of water cascaded down upon Roshi, submerging Kisame beneath the waves.
Even in partial Tailed Beast form, Roshi continued his aggressive advance underwater.
But Kisame suddenly fused with Samehada, transforming into a half-human, half-shark creature, allowing him to move with the speed of a fish, far outpacing Roshi.
As this monstrous form, Kisame weaved through the water, striking Roshi multiple times, each blow siphoning away his chakra. Realizing this, Roshi frantically swam toward the surface.
"It's useless," Kisame sneered at his struggling prey, his face twisted in a cruel smile.
"Water Style: Giant Shark Bullet Technique!"
With both hands extended, Kisame released a giant chakra-formed shark, its mouth bristling with teeth as it lunged for Roshi.
"This technique absorbs chakra, growing stronger with each bit it consumes!"
Kisame grinned once more, following behind the giant shark as it charged at Roshi.
***
At the same time, Kakashi, Guy, and their team had returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.
In the Hokage's office, the atmosphere was tense.
Everyone else had left, leaving only Tsunade, Kakashi, Hiashi, and the remaining members of Team Guy.
"My deepest apologies, Lady Hokage!"
Guy bowed low to Tsunade, while Hiashi glared angrily at him.
Lee quietly shifted over to stand protectively behind Guy.
Kakashi glanced over, sweat-dropping at the sight.
"Guy! I know your abilities well!" Hiashi said through gritted teeth. "But you let Neji escape right in front of you; this is utterly incomprehensible!"
"I'm sorry." Guy kept his head bowed.
"Hiashi-sama." Kakashi turned to Hiashi. "Guy couldn't have anticipated the sudden appearance of a powerful ally at Sasuke's side."
"Excuses!" Hiashi's anger overflowed. "As the captain of Neji's team, he must take responsibility!"
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his tone firm. "Guy is a key asset to the Leaf Village. I think it's unreasonable to demand he risk his life over this. Don't you agree, Hiashi-sama?"
Hiashi's veins bulged on his forehead and neck as he looked past Kakashi to Tsunade. "Lady Hokage!"
"Calm down, Hiashi," Tsunade said sternly.
"Yes." Hiashi appeared to comply, bowing his head slightly.
With her hands folded beneath her chin, Tsunade's expression grew more serious.
"Hiashi, how are things within the Hyuga Clan?"
Kakashi noticed a brief tension in Hiashi's posture before he replied, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Hokage. The Hyuga Clan is well."
"For now, we'll leave it at that. Neji's warrant will be issued shortly." Tsunade shifted her gaze to Team Guy. "Guy, Lee, Tenten."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Team Guy is temporarily barred from taking missions outside the village." Tsunade ordered. "Stay in the village and be on standby! Dismissed."
"Yes!" The three bowed with glum expressions and left the office quietly.
"Hiashi." Tsunade turned her gaze on him.
"Yes." Hiashi seemed to have regained his composure.
"Keep the Hyuga Clan under control." Tsunade's gaze was sharp. "I don't want any more incidents."
"Understood, Lady Hokage." Hiashi bowed and left.
"Kakashi."
Tsunade finally relaxed, rubbing her temples, looking weary.
"Lady Hokage?" Kakashi also let his shoulders sag.
"Take charge of leading the Third Division of the Anbu. Keep an eye on the Hyuga Clan," Tsunade instructed softly.
Turning to the window, she sighed as she looked out at the blue sky.
"The disruption of century-old traditions will inevitably shake the Hyuga, even those who were once obedient might start rebelling."
"Do you mean?" Kakashi probed, watching Tsunade's expression closely.
She walked to the window, opened it, and stood in silence, the breeze lifting her hair.
Kakashi waited quietly until she continued.
"The village shouldn't interfere in clan matters. As long as it doesn't impact others in the village, leave them be."
"Understood!"
With a final nod, Kakashi exited the office.
Was my decision right this time…?
Tsunade's hand gripped the windowsill tightly.
The Hyuga Clan, now the strongest in the Leaf Village—what future awaits them?
She gazed up at the First Hokage's face on the cliff, her resolve gradually hardening.