Gekkō Hayate chuckled awkwardly.
He had disguised his voice, but from Kyōichi's attitude, he could tell that his identity had already been exposed.
"I brought your team here for many reasons, one of which is that you've just been reorganized and haven't undergone the systematic training of the Anbu."
Kyōichi didn't elaborate further, but any ANBU member would understand the implication.
As for Asuma and the others…
They were essentially just auditors. There was no need to cater to them too much. They could understand as much as they were able to.
Kyōichi paused and then said, "Your group has a relatively complete set of elemental affinities. My first requirement is that all of you must master the Hidden Mist Technique and the Silent Killing Technique for combat."
"Yes!"
Gekkō Hayate nodded.
Only he knew the Hidden Mist Technique in this group, but it wasn't difficult to get everyone accustomed to fighting in the mist. It just required more practice and training.
"You're responsible for learning this technique."
Kyōichi took out a ninjutsu scroll.
It was the Earth Spear technique he had written down, and the ninja he assigned to learn it was Sarutobi Hiroki. Although not the Sandaime's son, he was a Sarutobi clan member skilled in Earth Release.
Mukai's eyes gradually lit up.
The Hidden Mist Technique and the Silent Killing Technique.
Earth Spear.
Unless they encountered a Lightning Release user, this combination was perfect for assassination.
"These are my compiled notes on Body Flicker technique and assassination tactics."
"This is the First Activation of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method…"
Kyōichi took out scroll after scroll.
Everyone was stunned.
Mukai glanced at them secretly, his heart filled with shock.
He had initially thought that Kyōichi's position as a combat commander might have been due to connections, but seeing him casually throw out so many unheard-of techniques, he immediately realized…
This jōnin, who wasn't much older than him, had earned his position through genuine ability!
"You'll practice together first. The First Activation is optional for everyone except the Anbu."
Kyōichi said indifferently.
The Seven Heavens Breathing Method only included the First Activation, but it far surpassed ordinary chakra enhancement techniques.
The Anbu squad would definitely learn it.
"Yes!"
Everyone responded.
Thus, they spent the entire day learning the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.
Kyōichi observed them in secret.
He vaguely remembered…
This Kohinata Mukai seemed to have awakened the Byakugan.
The Kohinata clan had branched off from the Hyūga clan long ago, so it was unlikely for them to awaken the Byakugan. But just like how Moegi Kazamatsuri could awaken Wood Release, intermarriage over generations could still lead to the awakening of dormant bloodline traits.
So.
After secretly observing, the next day, after some tests, Kyōichi continued to let them train, and then…
"D, come with me."
"Yes!"
Although Mukai was puzzled, he obeyed the order and followed Kyōichi.
After walking for a while, he realized that he was now far away from his squad leader and teammates—what did this Kyōichi-sama want with him?
As he pondered, he suddenly heard a sentence that made his entire body tremble.
"Has anyone in the Kohinata clan ever awakened the Byakugan after skipping a generation?"
"!!!"
Mukai's entire body shuddered.
His greatest secret - even the Sandaime hadn't detected it during ANBU screening. How...?
How could he know?
He was confused and panicked.
"Indeed, you've awakened it after skipping a generation, just like me."
Kyōichi's tone remained clinical.
"I don't understand what you mean, Kyōichi-sama."
Mukai said.
"You mastered the Seven Heavens Breathing Method in a single day. You've never studied the Breath Activation Technique or the Eight Gates, nor have you researched medical ninjutsu. The only explanation is that you have an extremely deep understanding of the chakra pathways in the human body."
Kyōichi said calmly.
Mukai looked up, his "Cat" mask frozen in place.
Although his expression couldn't be seen, it was clear that he was both shocked and regretful. At this moment, he had already activated his Byakugan.
Only one eye, but it was enough to use the Gentle Fist and the Eight Trigrams Palms.
He was now in the Hyūga-style stance.
Kyōichi didn't speak, just looked at him with a calm gaze.
After a long while.
Mukai lowered his hands in defeat.
"I'm no match for you."
"I thought that mastering the technique quickly would earn me praise, but instead, it exposed my secret… How unfair. The curse of the branch family is about to fall on the Kohinata clan."
Tears streamed down from beneath his mask.
Kyōichi remained silent. He looked at Mukai for a few seconds, his mind gradually recalling some things.
"Do you hate the Hyūga?"
"Who wouldn't? I'm not from the branch family, but why should those outside the main family be branded with a mark of shame and serve the main family like slaves?"
Mukai said with hatred.
Kyōichi sighed.
The conflict between the Hyūga main and branch families was something every Konoha jōnin knew about.
Unlike the Uchiha.
The Hyūga clan was very obedient, so Konoha had no reason to act against them. Even Kyōichi would find it difficult to intervene.
After some thought, he said, "Take off your mask."
"Yes!"
Mukai removed his mask.
He was only a year or two younger than Kyōichi. His left eye was clearly a Byakugan, while his right eye was normal.
"How many people like you are there in your family?"
"Only me. As you can see, even I only have one eye."
Mukai said.
Kyōichi nodded. "Have you ever betrayed the village?"
"What?"
Mukai was stunned for a moment, then after a few seconds of silence, he shook his head and said, "I've considered selling information to other villages once I became stronger, but I haven't done so yet."
He was laying all his cards on the table.
After all, hiding the Byakugan, hating the Hyūga clan, and harboring resentment toward Konoha were enough motives for him to consider betraying the village. Even if he didn't confess, he might still face interrogation from the Torture and Interrogation Force or the Yamanaka clan.
He didn't want to suffer that kind of torment.
"I'll have Yamanaka Shikaku verify this. If true... I'll help you."
With that, Kyōichi vanished.
Mukai stood stunned.
He had prepared himself for death, but instead of killing him, Kyōichi said he would help him?
This…
Why?
He didn't understand.
Mukai knew very well that Kyōichi's strength was undoubtedly terrifying. Killing him would be as easy as pie.
Kyōichi really left without looking back.
Mukai put his kunai back into his tool pouch, put on his mask, and followed in confusion.
However.
He was curious about what Kyōichi meant by "helping" him.
Was it to help him keep his secret?
…
"You want him to learn the Four Symbols Seal, so he can avoid the Hyūga clan's Caged Bird Seal?"
Tsunade frowned. "Why?"
"The Kohinata clan is a small family, hardly even a clan. They're just a branch that separated several generations ago. The chances of another Byakugan awakening are very low."
Kyōichi said.
"But what about his descendants?"
Tsunade shook her head. "The Hyūga clan won't agree."
"His descendants? We'll deal with that when the time comes."
Kyōichi smiled.
Tsunade was stunned for a moment.
Was Kyōichi implying that he might take action against the Hyūga clan in the future?
She thought about it.
It was possible. The conflict within the Hyūga clan was between the main and branch families, but in reality, the ones serving Konoha were mostly from the branch family, not the main family.
If they could prevent the Hyūga main family from resorting to mutual destruction, then removing the Caged Bird Seal wouldn't significantly weaken Konoha's strength. The only problem was—how to prevent the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands.
She scratched her head.
This brat had given her another difficult problem.
Tsunade slammed the table in frustration and said, "No, you have to give me a reason. Otherwise, under the current circumstances, there's no need to offend Hiashi for his sake."
"This kid has good talent and is very smart. I want to train him to be the next Anbu Commander."
Kyōichi stated his goal. "I can't lead forever. It's too tiring and not interesting."
This answer…
Tsunade was momentarily speechless.
It was too honest.
But it was precisely because he treated her as family that Kyōichi would say such things.
Tsunade understood this, so after taking a deep breath, she said, "Konoha has this technique, but he'll need to make some contributions first before I can find an opportunity to give it to him. Until then, you can teach him the Four Symbols Seal."
"Understood."
For now, they couldn't let the main family catch wind of this.
However, Kyōichi felt that Hiashi might not be entirely opposed to change—before having Hinata, he probably had some thoughts about it. But after having Hinata, things were completely different.
People's hearts always change.
The next day.
Kyōichi didn't immediately tell Mukai the result. Instead, he secretly approached Inoichi and had him investigate Mukai in private. After half a day, it was confirmed that Mukai hadn't had the chance to betray the village yet.
Only then did Kyōichi inform him of the result.
Mukai was overjoyed.
He never expected such a technique existed. If this was true, he could indeed avoid the Hyūga clan's persecution.
"Thank you, Kyōichi-sama!"
He knelt in gratitude.
This outcome was already very good. He had thought he would either have to seal his Byakugan or accept the Caged Bird Seal. He never imagined there was a third option.
What more could he ask for?
Children?
Whether his descendants would even have the Byakugan was another question entirely.
"Have you mastered chakra nature transformation?"
"No, I've been secretly studying taijutsu and the Gentle Fist. I haven't focused much on ninjutsu."
Mukai was honest.
This was the approach of most Hyūga clan members.
"Start practicing ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and genjutsu dispelling. You only have one eye. Focusing solely on the Gentle Fist won't get you far. Combining multiple techniques will allow you to maximize your strength."
Kyōichi said.
One of Mukai's weaknesses was genjutsu.
Kyōichi didn't want Tsunade to have an Anbu Commander with a genjutsu weakness.
Mukai nodded.
For the next period of time, Kyōichi continued to train this Anbu squad, and the village kept a close eye on their progress.
Half a month later.
While Kyōichi was training the three squads in taijutsu and teamwork, Tsunade brought news—Kumogakure had finally made their move.
Unlike the previous skirmishes.
This time, it was A and Killer B, who had been rising in fame in recent years.
The Sandaime Raikage was also said to have left Kumogakure.
Of course.
With Orochimaru on the northern front, there wasn't much to worry about. Jiraiya's side was under the most pressure.
With Kumogakure making their move, how long would it be before Ōnoki joined in?
Kyōichi knew that his days of peace were over, but he didn't feel like he had lost out.
Over the past ten days of teaching, he had gained several Earth Release techniques and proficiency.
Ordinary techniques like Earth-Style Wall weren't worth mentioning. What Kyōichi valued most were the Hiding in Rock Technique and the Earth-Style River.
The former allowed him to move through rock.
The latter was something he had already perfected through Sandaime's teachings.
But this wave of proficiency had maxed out his skills, greatly improving his hand seals and technique execution.
As for the Earth-Style River…
A mudslide to sweep people away, and Ice Release to freeze the earth.
Wasn't that the perfect combination for control?