Requesting a Jonin Squad Leader

The Kaminari Kaede Squad took on another C-rank Mission, this time to assassinate a noble from a Small Country.

The difficulty was not great. Nobles from Small Countries generally could not even afford to hire wandering ninjas, and could only employ some Samurai and ordinary thugs as Guards.

Thus, Kaminari Kaede still would not act personally. He handed the mission over to Hyuga Mirai and the other two, appointing Hyuga Mirai as acting Captain to formulate the plan.

Hyuga Mirai did not decline and gladly accepted.

There was no need for an overly elaborate plan to deal with ordinary people. The only thing they needed to watch out for was not exposing their identities or letting word spread that Konoha Ninjas had carried out the assassination. Accomplishing that would count as passing.

Therefore, Hyuga Mirai had Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai use the Transformation Technique to turn into Iwa-nin, making a slight commotion during the assassination so the little noble's family and Guards would see Iwa-nin forehead protectors.

At the same time, Yuhi Kurenai planted Illusion Technique suggestions in several Guards, firmly convincing them that the little noble had been killed by Iwa-nin.

Though only a noble from a Small Country had died, once word spread, it would damage Iwa-nin's reputation within the Small Country.

Only after they had achieved this did Kaminari Kaede praise Hyuga Mirai following the mission.

Being able to consider the mission's subsequent impact showed that Hyuga Mirai already possessed the qualities of a Chunin. His strength was merely somewhat lacking, but considering his level of Medical Ninjutsu, he was barely qualified to serve as a Chunin squad leader.

In Kaminari Kaede's estimation, someone like Hyuga Mirai was a true genius Chunin, completely different from Kakashi, who had been exceptionally promoted based on his strength.

At this rate, Kaminari Kaede felt that once the squad had accumulated enough mission completions, he could arrange for the three of them to take the Chunin Exams.

After completing the mission, Kaminari Kaede put the three through their usual training, strengthening the squad's teamwork while pointing out each person's shortcomings in battle.

Fighting against a Jonin could effectively temper the squad members' coordination, while gradually allowing them to form their own unique combat system through that cooperation.

Once the three of them reached the Chunin level in strength and developed seamless coordination, it would be time for Kaminari Kaede to step away.

After the sparring exercise ended, all three had sustained varying degrees of minor injuries, just like last time. Kaminari Kaede showed no mercy in this regard. Whenever the three made a mistake that he caught during their exchange, Hyuga Mirai and the others would face a fierce counterattack from a Jonin.

However, their coordination had improved considerably in this battle. Sometimes, with just a gesture, they could understand what a teammate intended to do next. That was no small improvement.

"Hyuga Mirai, come with me!"

After a full day of training, Kaminari Kaede did not immediately dismiss the squad. Instead, he called Hyuga Mirai over and took him to a spot farther away.

"Is there something you want to say to me?"

Kaminari Kaede stared at Hyuga Mirai as he spoke. Hyuga Mirai had made it quite obvious since morning, yet even as dismissal approached in the afternoon, he still had not said anything.

So Kaminari Kaede called Hyuga Mirai aside and asked him directly.

"Captain, your insight is impressive as always. I do have a request, but if it puts you in a difficult position, please pretend I never said anything."

Hyuga Mirai scratched his head awkwardly and made his request to Kaminari Kaede. "I want to learn the Shadow Clone Technique."

"The Shadow Clone Technique?"

Kaminari Kaede gave Hyuga Mirai a strange look, as though asking, With the Hyuga Clan's foundation, do you really need to ask your Jonin squad leader for a Ninjutsu of this level?

Seemingly understanding what Kaminari Kaede was thinking, Hyuga Mirai explained directly, "The Elders of the Hyuuga Main House said I only need to master the Hyuga Clan's Taijutsu, so they refused my request. But I think the Shadow Clone Technique would greatly improve me."

"I see."

Kaminari Kaede nodded. He had heard a little about the old-fashioned rules of the Hyuuga Main House, but he had not expected them to be this rigid.

Though the Shadow Clone Technique was merely B-rank Ninjutsu, it was extremely practical. For Hyuga Mirai, whose Taijutsu talent was average but who excelled at devising tactics, this Ninjutsu truly was the best means of improving his strength.

"Come here tomorrow. I'll give you an answer then."

After saying that, Kaminari Kaede directly left the training ground with the Body Flicker Technique.

The Shadow Clone Technique was nothing much, but since the Elders of the Hyuuga Main House had not agreed to it, Kaminari Kaede still needed to ask the Third Hokage for permission. Otherwise, it could become troublesome.

He was only a Jonin squad leader and did not want to invite unnecessary trouble.

After Kaminari Kaede left, Hyuga Mirai returned to Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai, intending to use Medical Ninjutsu to treat them.

Feeling a cool sensation spread from her wound, Hyuga Kiyomi suddenly asked, "What did the Captain say just now?" Upon hearing her question, Yuhi Kurenai's ruby-like eyes also looked curiously at Hyuga Mirai.

They're far too curious.

Hyuga Mirai sighed inwardly, but his expression did not change as he said, "I want to learn the Shadow Clone Technique. The Captain will give me an answer tomorrow."

Hyuga Kiyomi frowned slightly. "Something like that—"

"Fourth Elder rejected my request. He told me to focus on cultivating the Gentle Fist, but I still want to learn the Shadow Clone Technique."

Hyuga Mirai cut off Hyuga Kiyomi with a smile. "Please keep it secret for me, Kiyomi-sama. Otherwise, Fourth Elder will surely be displeased."

Upon hearing that, Hyuga Kiyomi pressed her lips together and fell silent. She had originally wanted to suggest asking Grandfather, but she had not expected Grandfather to have already refused.

Was it... suppression?

She had overheard some of the conversation between Grandfather and Hyuga Sosuke two nights ago while hiding in the shadows, but a maid had soon called her away, and she had not heard much afterward.

Now, it seemed that Grandfather's words that night about taming the Branch Family had not been a joke.

Seeing the atmosphere suddenly grow quiet, Yuhi Kurenai was not someone without tact. She obediently accepted Hyuga Mirai's treatment.

Perhaps because Kaminari Kaede knew that Hyuga Mirai, whose medical skills were quite good, was in the squad, he had not held back during training.

This young girl's arm had been kicked so badly that it was difficult to move. If not for Hyuga Mirai's soothing treatment, those ruby-like eyes might have shed tears.

Once the treatment ended, the three exchanged farewells and went their separate ways.

Hyuga Mirai and Hyuga Kiyomi returned to the clan grounds together, though the atmosphere between them was somewhat heavy.

Hyuga Mirai did not think much of it. He did not believe the Main Family would place the Caged Bird Seal on him over a mere Shadow Clone Technique. At most, it would earn him a scolding. But if Kaminari Kaede agreed, it would be of great help to him.

As for Hyuga Kiyomi's emotions, Hyuga Mirai had no intention of comforting her. He was thoroughly sick of work like being a kindergarten teacher.

When they reached the point where they would part ways at the clan grounds, Hyuga Kiyomi suddenly called out to Hyuga Mirai and said,

"Tomorrow, don't come to the clan training ground. Take the day off!"