Orochimaru

It was Kakashi Hatake who had accepted the same B-rank Mission as the Kaminari Kaede Squad. Ordinarily, Kakashi, being alone, was not qualified to take on a B-rank Mission. However, with Kaminari Kaede, an Elite Jonin, accompanying him, Sarutobi Hiruzen had considered letting Kakashi join them.

Under Hyuga Mirai's coordination, the members of the Kaminari Kaede Squad worked together with remarkable tacit understanding. Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted Kakashi to witness teamwork between squad members firsthand; otherwise, it would be difficult for Kakashi to find a team willing to accept him.

Ever since the Konoha White Fang's suicide, Kakashi had struggled to fit into squads. He had already been jointly complained about by two mission teams, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had been deeply troubled over how to arrange him.

With Kaminari Kaede present, Kakashi had no command authority during the joint mission. And in order to train Hyuga Mirai, Kaminari Kaede handed the mission's command over to him.

Fortunately, the B-rank Mission went fairly smoothly. They only encountered several groups of wandering ninja and one group of Bounty Hunters. The wandering ninja were mediocre in strength; after Kakashi and Hyuga Kiyomi made their moves, they did not last long before being terrified into scattering and fleeing.

The Bounty Hunters they encountered afterward were more troublesome. There were six Rogue ninja among them, three of whom were Chunin. However, Hyuga Mirai's trio held back two Chunin and three Genin. After Kakashi dealt with the remaining Chunin and came to support them, they successfully repelled the Bounty Hunters.

Although Kaminari Kaede stood beside the client without making a move, he had been watching the battle between both sides the entire time. If the four of them ran into danger, he would still have rescued them immediately.

Still, the outcome satisfied him greatly. Through their seamless coordination, Hyuga Mirai's trio held off enemies numbering more than twice their own. Hyuga Mirai's tactical commands had been especially important, allowing Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai to bring out their abilities at the most critical moments.

As long as his mission record was sufficient, Hyuga Mirai could become a Chunin directly.

Some time later, once Hyuga Mirai had accumulated enough missions on his record, he received a Chunin appointment letter.

At the same time, Sarutobi Hiruzen transferred Kaminari Kaede out of the squad and elsewhere. For that reason, Kaminari Kaede unusually treated the three of them to a farewell meal.

When Hyuga Mirai received the appointment letter, he felt a little lighter. At the very least, there would no longer be a Jonin captain above them urging them to carry out missions.

Hyuga Mirai stared at the appointment letter for quite a while. Beside him, Hyuga Kiyomi could not help but snort sourly. "What's so special about it? It's just a Chunin appointment letter. How long are you going to keep looking at it? At the next Chunin Exams, I'll participate too, and I'll pass and become a Chunin."

"And me too, Kiyomi-chan. Let's work hard together," Yuhi Kurenai interjected, emphasizing her presence.

"This isn't merely a Chunin appointment letter. It carries a special meaning."

After putting away the appointment letter, Hyuga Mirai slowly said to the two of them,

"It means freedom. We won't have to take missions so urgently from now on. Isn't that a good thing?"

After hearing that explanation, the two girls thought it over carefully and realized that Hyuga Mirai was right. They had grown sick of taking missions nonstop lately—repeatedly clearing out Mountain Bandits and escorting merchant caravans, with almost no time to rest.

"In the name of the captain, I declare that we'll rest properly for a while before taking on any more missions!"

Hyuga Mirai directly exercised his authority as captain and gave himself a proper vacation. Unless it was a B-rank Mission, it would not help him at all now. Those C-rank Missions would only waste his time. Rather than spend time on them, Hyuga Mirai would be better off studying the Main Family's Cell Gene.

Hyuga Kiyomi had brought him cells from twenty people. Two belonged to the Main Family: one was from her own flesh and blood, while the other was from the Second Elder's grandson.

If he could thoroughly understand all of these people's Gene Sequences, Hyuga Mirai was highly confident that he could see through the Caged Bird Seal and uncover its essence.

Perhaps Hyuga Mirai could even research information about their Otsutsuki ancestors through hereditary factors.

After their meal, Hyuga Mirai's three-person squad disbanded. Using business at Konoha Hospital as an excuse, he turned down Hyuga Kiyomi's request for sparring practice.

Hyuga Mirai could develop his career at Konoha Hospital; the Main Family's Patriarch had promised him that.

Thanks to the invention of the Healing Tag, the Hyūga Clan's reputation in Konoha had risen considerably. Although Hyuga Mirai belonged to the Branch Family, in their eyes, the Branch Family's accomplishments belonged to the Main Family.

Although Konoha Hospital did not hold much status within Konoha, it was still an independent department. If Hyuga Mirai could become the Dean of Konoha Hospital, it would greatly benefit the Hyūga Clan's standing in Konoha.

When Hyuga Mirai arrived outside the Laboratory at Konoha Hospital, he found someone waiting for him.

"Orochimaru-sama?"

Long black hair, golden vertical pupils, and pale violet eyeshadow—it was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.

Orochimaru's Serpent Eyes continuously examined Hyuga Mirai as he said, "After learning that you had been promoted to Chunin, I waited here for you. Hehe, shall we have a chat, Mirai-kun?"

"Of course. Please, let's talk inside, Orochimaru-sama."

Hyuga Mirai replied with a smile, then opened the door and invited Orochimaru into the Laboratory.

After closing the door, Hyuga Mirai rapidly formed hand seals and pressed his hand against it. Countless Sealing Runes spread from his palm, instantly covering the entire Laboratory.

Seeing Orochimaru continuously turning his head to look at the Sealing Runes, Hyuga Mirai explained, "Just a little thing I've been researching. It can only block sound and outside surveillance."

"Hehe, it seems Mirai-kun is not quite as he appears in daily life."

The interest in Orochimaru's eyes grew increasingly intense. Before coming to find Hyuga Mirai, he had reviewed Hyuga Mirai's file, including evaluations from his Ninja Academy teachers, Nakano, Kimura, and Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But now, it seemed that the boy before him had concealed many secrets.

"Does Mirai-kun know why I came to find you?"

"It should be related to those papers on Cell Gene research that I released. Does Orochimaru-sama think there's a problem with them?"

"As expected." Excitement appeared on Orochimaru's face as he said, "For Konoha's Medical-nin, your research is far too profound, Mirai-kun. Aside from me, who has studied this somewhat, perhaps only Tsunade can understand it. But you often encounter her at Konoha Hospital. If Tsunade were your target, there would have been no need to spread this research outside."

Hyuga Mirai brought over two cups of tea, handed one to Orochimaru, and smiled. "Although Tsunade-sama is the Medical Saint and is highly accomplished in cellular research, our philosophies differ. Sooner or later, we will part ways."

Orochimaru said, "Then are you certain that my philosophy must be the same as yours, Mirai-kun?"

"Of course. Because Orochimaru-sama and I are both of the scientific school."

Hyuga Mirai answered with a touch of seriousness.

"We believe only in the existence of truth, and we both seek to thoroughly research and master it through our own efforts!"

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