Chapter 6: You wouldn't want the few years of your Genin days to be the most unforgettable decades of your entire youth, would you?
"Clan Head, how could you agree to such a thing?"
After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, the Elders of the main branch of the Hyuga Clan gathered in the meeting hall.
One Elder looked at Hyuga Hiashi with some anger as he spoke.
"To allow a member of the branch Family to enter the Anbu—doesn't the Clan Head know what that implies?"
"I certainly know."
Hyuga Hiashi had already anticipated this scene, and he spoke with an expressionless face.
"However, the Third Hokage personally extended the invitation, and I could not refuse."
"Clan Head, then why not let Makoto refuse it himself?"
Another member of the main branch couldn't help but ask. This question made Hyuga Hiashi feel a bit disdainful in his heart.
It was that kid who applied; would he refuse?
"It's meaningless to discuss this now that things have reached this point."
But he still sighed, then spoke with a grave expression.
"Instead of arguing, it's better for everyone to consider why the Third Hokage is doing this."
This statement did quiet the crowd.
Right, why?
"Clan Head, are you suggesting that the Third Hokage is targeting us..."
The Elder seemed to realize something, but Hyuga Hiashi cut him off before he could finish speaking.
"I don't know, but you have all heard bits and pieces about an unknown Anbu operating outside the Uchiha, haven't you?"
The main branch members looked at each other. Information about targeting the Uchiha should not be spreading.
But the problem was that the people telling them this information were all members of their own Clan!
"Furthermore, everyone, don't forget what happened during the Konoha Celebration back then."
Seeing the silence from the crowd, Hyuga Hiashi continued.
"The conflict between the Village and the Clan needs to be eased. The Uchiha have already been extended an olive branch, and the Third Hokage has now offered one to us as well."
"Are we really going to refuse? Are we truly inferior to the Uchiha?"
"Don't forget, we support the Hokage..."
...
"So, you were really invited to the Anbu?"
On a Konoha street, Hyuga Makoto was strolling with Neji.
After the Third Hokage and the Anbu left, Hyuga Makoto knew the Clan wouldn't be peaceful, so he simply took Neji out.
He was also contemplating buying some cosmetic contact lenses. In his memory, Kakashi used such things to conceal his Sharingan and completely fooled Team Seven.
"Although, after taking them off, the Sharingan disappears entirely..."
Even so, he planned to buy one to test the effect.
Just as he was thinking, Neji finally couldn't hold back and spoke.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I did tell you, but you didn't believe me," Hyuga Makoto snapped back to reality, tilted his head, and smiled.
"Also, starting today, your big brother here is a member of the Anbu!"
"Hmph..."
Neji snorted. He didn't fully grasp what Anbu membership meant for a Hyuga branch Family member.
But he was extremely envious. In his perception, anyone who could join the Anbu was incredibly powerful!
"I will join in the future too, just you wait."
"Then you need to work hard," Hyuga Makoto said, not dwelling on it, as he was quite happy himself.
"Yamato's Yang Release has a good effect..."
After leaving the Hyuga Clan, he had immediately activated Yamato's Yang Release.
Although he worried whether the same problem as the first 'Template Fusion' would occur.
But the System's description clearly informed him that it wouldn't, which is why he used it with confidence.
As this Yang Release merged, he inexplicably felt the pleasure of touching the legendary third floor...
His physical fitness had improved significantly, and his Chakra had also seen a noticeable increase!
"However..."
[Name: Hyuga Makoto]
[Age: 13]
[Bloodline: Moon Ōtsutsuki (7%)]
[Dōjutsu: Tenseigan (1%)]
[Chakra Nature: Yin, Yang]
Glancing at the panel in his retina, Hyuga Makoto pursed his lips.
"Although Yamato's Yang Release is good, his power is far too different from the First Hokage's."
Yamato was indeed cultivated using cells from the First Hokage, but it was impossible to imagine how much power was lost during that process.
At least compared to the First Hokage, his Wood Release was likely for planting forests, whereas the First Hokage's was for destroying heaven and earth...
"But regardless, it's very useful to me, and the Anbu has access to many talents like that."
The Anbu had too many talents. Not to mention, Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi would be extremely helpful to him.
Moreover, only within the Anbu could he find ways to obtain more intelligence.
"At least, there will be no shortage of intelligence on Orochimaru..."
That guy Orochimaru, putting aside everything else, truly possessed a lot of technology and ruthless methods.
There were things Hyuga Makoto desired!
"Hey, Makoto? And Neji?"
Just as he was pondering, a voice suddenly came from a distance.
"Why is it this guy."
Neji also heard the voice and turned to see a little blond-haired Naruto running towards them.
He recognized Naruto, not only because of Naruto's 'notorious fame' but also because Hyuga Makoto had taken them out for ramen together.
Although he didn't particularly like Naruto, he was much better than most others.
Bang—
However, just as Naruto ran up to them, Hyuga Makoto landed a punch on Naruto's head.
"Why are you brats all the same? You won't even call me Big Brother?"
"..."
Neji bit his lip and dared not speak, while Naruto clutched his head and complained indignantly.
"Ouch, ouch... You bastard, you still hit so hard!"
"Tch, you're clearly ungrateful," Hyuga Makoto casually waved his hand and said grimly.
"I was the one who sent you home late at night back then."
"Here we go again. You were just going to see Hinata and took me along on your way back..."
Naruto immediately retorted, but he was cut off by Hyuga Makoto before he could finish.
"Just tell me if you were sent home or not. Also, back then, if I hadn't happened to pass by, you would have been beaten into a pulp."
"How dare you bring that up? You were clearly looking for Hinata, and besides, I..."
"Aside from that, what did you want to eat on normal days that I didn't take you to? What did you want to buy that I didn't help you purchase?"
"..."
"So, you don't even show me a little respect? Do you have any shame?"
Saying this, Hyuga Makoto sighed slightly, sounding so convincing that it seemed entirely Naruto's fault.
But Naruto truly couldn't stand it. Everything he said was true, but the problem was...
"You've tricked me quite a bit yourself!"
"Have I?"
"Yes! Last time when you were in a fishing competition, you made me dive to the bottom to hook the fish for you, and I almost got beaten up!"
"Hey, didn't I stop them from attacking you? Didn't I treat you to ramen afterward?"
"And when you wanted to teach some punks a lesson, you actually used the Transformation Jutsu to turn into me!"
"Wasn't that helping you build a good reputation? Those punks deserved to be taught a lesson anyway."
Faced with Naruto's righteous indignation, Hyuga Makoto scratched his ear dismissively.
He admitted that he sometimes acted a bit unfairly, but he had never mistreated Naruto.
At least, he had never shortchanged Naruto's allowance...
"You really are a bastard!"
Naruto was almost laughing in anger. What kind of good reputation was that?
"Hey, you're going too far!"
However, these words annoyed Neji, who had remained silent until now.
"Don't forget, in the Village..."
"You're not even a Ninja in the Village yet," Hyuga Makoto interrupted with a smile before Neji could finish.
"But I am an official Ninja. It seems you haven't grasped the seriousness of the situation at all."
"What do you mean?"
Naruto was momentarily stunned and asked curiously, while Hyuga Makoto smiled even more broadly.
"I mean, by the time you become a Genin, I might already be a Chunin or a Jonin, so..."
"So?"
"You wouldn't want the few years of your Genin days to be the most unforgettable decades of your entire youth, would you?"
"Hiss!"
As soon as Hyuga Makoto finished speaking, Neji gasped sharply.
He hadn't expected his good big brother to be so ruthless!
But Naruto looked completely bewildered, as if he didn't understand the situation at all.
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"Nothing. You'll know in the future," Hyuga Makoto had no intention of explaining, simply shrugging with a smile.
"Let's go, I'll treat you guys to something to eat."
After saying that, he turned and left, dragging Neji, who was looking pitifully at Naruto.
But he felt a little regretful that he hadn't triggered Naruto's side quest.
However, he wasn't in a hurry; what was his would eventually come to him!
Naruto was still utterly confused. He couldn't help but scratch his head and murmur.
"What exactly does that mean..."