Chapter 104 - 34

Chapter 34: More Wives, More Blessings! First Mission Part 2!"Bastard!" the Kumogakure Jonin roared, exploding with full power. His speed suddenly increased as he bypassed Guren and charged toward Hinataonce more.But he failed to notice that the ground had been covered with fine Chakra threads at some point.That was the "Chakra Trap" Hinata had laid in advance using Gentle Fist techniques.When he stepped on them, three of his Chakrapoints were instantly sealed.His movements faltered.Naruto appeared by his side. What condensed in his hand wasn't a Rasengan, but a basic application of Sealing Jutsu Kushina had just taught him: "Sealing Art: Binding!"Pale gold Chakra chains wrapped around the Jonin's feet."Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!" Naruto spat out a series of compressed wind bullets, all aimed at the opponent's weakest Chakra points: the knees and elbows.The Hidden Mist Jonin barely managed to block, but he was already in a wretched state.He couldn't believe he was being pushed to this extent by a group of children who were ten years old at most."Enough!" he roared in rage, preparing to unleash a high-power Ninjutsu.But just then, Kurenai Yuhi's Genjutsu arrived."Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"Trees surged from the ground, binding the Jonin's body. Although he quickly broke free using Lightning Release, that one second of paralysis was enough.The attacks of seven people arrived simultaneously.Gentle Fist, Crystal Spikes, sonic shocks, shuriken, Wind Release, Genjutsu, and even a Kunai coated with paralytic medicine thrown by Sakura!Every single one hit its mark.The Kumogakure Jonin fell.It wasn't because he was weak, but because he underestimated his enemy, because Ivy's coordination exceeded his expectations, and even more so because... every one of these children had performed at 120% of their strength.Seeing this, the other two Chunin tried to flee, but they were easily subdued by the Hyuga guards.The battle was over.A hush fell over the forest, broken only by the heavy breathing of the group."We... won?" Sakura asked, unable to believe it."We won." Izumi deactivated her Sharingan, a smile spreading across her face.Guren slumped to the ground, her Chakra nearly exhausted, but her eyes were shining.Tayuya's hand holding the flute was trembling, but the corners of her mouth were turned up.Hinata looked at her hands. Just now, she had used the Gentle Fist to repel a Jonin's attack head-on.Naruto walked up to her and reached out his hand: "Great job, Hinata."Hinata took his hand, and tears finally fell: "Th-thank you, everyone..."However, the crisis was not yet fully resolved.The "Resentment Core" underground was still fluctuating, and it was becoming increasingly violent."It must be sealed," Kurenai frowned, "but I don't know Sealing Jutsu...""I do," Naruto said. "Mom taught me the basics. Hinata, can you use your Byakugan to help me locate the core's exact position and Chakra nodes?""I-I can!""Tayuya, can you use your flute to temporarily soothe those negative emotions and reduce the interference?""I can try.""Guren, I need you to create a crystal container to temporarily trap the core.""Leave it to me.""The rest of you, stay on guard."The division of labor was clear, and their actions were swift.Under the precise guidance of Hinata's Byakugan, Naruto successfully struck the underground core with the sealing formula.Under the soothing sound of Tayuya's flute, the core's riot gradually subsided.The crystal container created by Guren temporarily contained it.The entire process was smooth and seamless, as if they had coordinated countless times before.When the final sealing charm was placed, the core's fluctuations vanished completely."Mission... accomplished." Naruto plopped down on the ground, exhausted to the point of collapse.Kurenai walked over and looked at the group of children, her eyes full of pride: "Well done. A ten thousand times better than I imagined."The two Hyuga guards exchanged a look, and one of them whispered: "Let's report this to Lord Hiashi. Lady Hinata... she no longer needs our protection. She has grown up!"...That evening, at the Hyuga compound.Hiashi listened to the guard's detailed report, remaining silent for a long time."She... really repelled a Kumogakure Jonin head-on?""To be precise, it was the coordination of the entire team. But Lady Hinata's Byakugan insight and Gentle Fist application were indeed key," the guard said truthfully. "Moreover, her Byakugan guidance was indispensable when sealing that 'Resentment Core'.""I see." Hiashi waved his hand, dismissing the guard.He sat alone in the hall until nightfall.The next day, Hinata was summoned to the main hall. She thought her father would scold her for taking risks or ground her again.But Hiashi just looked at her and said, "From tomorrow, you may continue to participate in Ivy's training. However, you must return for two days every week to receive special training from the Head Family. You may also begin learning some of the Branch Family's advanced Gentle Fisttechniques."Hinata was stunned: "F-Father?""You have proven that you are qualified to fight." Hiashi's voice was still stern, but there was a hint of recognition in his eyes. "In that case, become stronger. Strong enough to protect the name of the Hyuga, strong enough... to no longer need anyone's 'protection'."Tears welled up, but this time they were tears of joy."Yes! Father!"...In his memories, a Hidden Mist Jonin had been bold enough to kidnap someone directly from the Hyugahousehold, only to be wiped out by Hyuga Hiashi.In the end, the Hidden Cloud Village turned around and bit back, threatening war and demanding Hiashi's body. To prevent them from getting their way and to avoid war, Hiashi's twin brother, Hyuga Hizashi, had volunteered to die in his brother's place, being handed over as 'Hyuga Hiashi'.Now, the Hidden Mist Jonin had been captured alive and sent back tied up like a hog.It was truly a humiliating disgrace.But, it seemed Hyuga Hizashi had survived...So his brother-in-law Neji should have a better life now!...A week later, at Ivy Garden.Having experienced a real battle, the atmosphere of the team had completely changed. That unspoken understanding of "we are true comrades who can trust each other with our lives" had taken deep root.Guren and Tayuya had fully integrated into the group. Guren even began teaching Sakura and Inosome small tricks for crystal control, while Tayuyaworked with Tenten to study the "rhythmic coordination of melody and ninja tool throwing."Watching all this, Naruto's heart was full of warmth.But he also knew that this was just the beginning.Kumogakure's actions this time had exposed many problems.The Ninja World was not peaceful; conspiracies targeting Bloodline Limits and Jinchuriki never ceased. And they, Ivy, were already standing in the center of the storm.