Teacher, I'm Counting on You to Be My Backing!

Although Aburame Ryoma claimed the Shigushan Mountain defense line was under heavy attack and in grave danger, with the Kirigakure Shinobi on the verge of breaking through at any moment, he still gave Hyuga Ritsu some time to prepare. It wasn't so harsh as to immediately send Hyuga Ritsu to the front lines to fight to the death with the Kirigakure Shinobi.

When Hyuga Ritsu returned to his residence, his teacher Hiruko had not left.

"Ah Ritsu, how did it go? What did Aburame Ryoma say to you?" Hiruko asked immediately upon seeing Hyuga Ritsu return.

"Teacher, please wait a moment. I've summoned two elders. Once they arrive, I'll tell you both together... They're here already!"

Before Hyuga Ritsu could even sit down, Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro, who had received the message, rushed over.

"Clan Head, what happened? Why did Aburame Ryoma summon you?"

Hyuga Shinichiro, being more impatient, couldn't wait to ask as soon as he entered.

"Teacher, Elder Takashi, Elder Shinichiro, please sit down! Aburame Ryoma summoned me to discuss two matters." Hyuga Ritsu sat down and picked up his cup, taking a sip of the completely cold tea.

Then, Looking at the three seated individuals and noticing all six eyes staring intently at him, he paused and said, "The first matter is that all clan members who came to the front lines with us this time will be dispersed into different squads to carry out missions."

"That sounds normal enough."

Hyuga Takashi pondered for a couple of seconds before slowly stating.

"This matter is indeed normal. Therefore, Elder Takashi, Elder Shinichiro, I entrust this to you. You must arrange the placement of each clan member as best as possible, find reliable teammates for them, and ensure they protect their lives while completing their missions."

"What about you, Clan Head? Aren't you involved in this?"

Hyuga Shinichiro asked with a frown.

"The second matter is that I've received a mission and will be heading to reinforce the Shigushan Mountain defense line immediately. I heard it's under a fierce assault from the Kirigakure Shinobi, the defenses are precarious, and they've requested reinforcements several times."

Hyuga Ritsu revealed the second matter, which also answered Hyuga Shinichiro's question.

"This sounds a bit more dangerous."

Hyuga Takashi's brows furrowed tightly as he asked, "Clan Head, how many people did they give you?"

"Only one person is accompanying me."

"What?"

Hiruko exclaimed in shock, "They only gave you one person? Aburame Ryoma is too brazen! Does he think the front-line camp is his to command? I'm going to find Orochimaru right now." He stood up abruptly, about to leave to find Orochimaru and argue.

"Teacher, please calm down. The person accompanying me is Uchiha Shisui."

"Hmm?"

Hiruko, who had taken two steps, stopped. He turned around and looked back, asking for confirmation, "The Uchiha Shisui you're referring to, is it that Uchiha Shisui?"

"As far as I know, there is only one Uchiha Shisui in the Uchiha Clan."

"Hmm! Then this matter... doesn't seem to have any problems."

Hiruko walked back and sat down.

Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro also nodded in agreement.

The fame of "[Body Flicker] Shisui" was widely known even among Konoha shinobi who had never set foot on the eastern battlefield. He was hailed as the Uchiha Clan's number one genius, whose speed, almost akin to teleportation, struck fear into the hearts of the Kirigakure Shinobi. Alongside Namikaze Minato, he was simultaneously regarded as one of Konoha's rising stars.

While Hyuga Ritsu, hailed as the Hyuga Clan's Branch House's number one genius, was also a top prodigy, his caliber was not on the same level as Uchiha Shisui's.

"I thought that Aburame Ryoma would scheme against you during the mission..."

Hiruko frowned, looking troubled, and muttered, "Are there still some unclear issues with this mission that we don't know about?"

Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro also appeared deep in thought.

"Teacher, Elders, please don't trouble yourselves. We can't discern any problems with the information we have. I have my own plans for this. Besides, with Uchiha Shisui accompanying me, he can take the lead if any danger arises. Before we depart, I have something else to say."

"What is it?"

Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro focused their attention and looked over.

"I have entrusted the matter of breaking the Caged Bird Seal to you, Teacher. You have already agreed to help our clan research a method for widespread implementation of the curse's removal." Hyuga Ritsu said with a serious expression.

Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro immediately showed expressions of joy.

"Therefore, Elder Takashi, Elder Shinichiro, you will lead the clan members in fully assisting the Teacher. As long as the Teacher's requests do not harm the village or the clan's interests, and are within our capabilities, then spare no expense in fulfilling all of the Teacher's demands. Do you have any questions regarding this order?"

Hyuga Ritsu stared at the two elders. "If you do, state them now. If not, let me remind you: I used a Forbidden Jutsu to break the Caged Bird Seal, so don't be surprised later!"

"Don't worry, Clan Head. As long as the Caged Bird Seal can be resolved, we won't fear any cost. Even if we need to help obtain some human materials for experiments, that's fine."

Hyuga Shinichiro said excitedly.

"Shinichiro, what nonsense are you spouting? Some things are fine to do, but you don't have to say them out loud, as if you're afraid people won't have leverage to find trouble with us?" Hyuga Takashi, being more prudent, reprimanded the glib-tongued Hyuga Shinichiro.

The latter immediately admitted his mistake, grinning, "Got it, got it. I won't say that again, but as long as... um... if the Clan Head's teacher has any requests, I guarantee I'll fulfill them."

"Just call me Hiruko."

"Mr. Hiruko, please guide us in the future. You are the Clan Head's teacher, so please don't hesitate to give us any instructions." Hyuga Takashi's attitude was also quite respectful.

Hiruko shook his head and didn't correct their address anymore.

He looked at the smiling Hyuga Ritsu and sighed with a wry smile, "Ah Ritsu, this is practically kidnapping!"

"Teacher, I'm counting on you to be my backer!"

Hyuga Ritsu grinned.

Upon hearing this, Hiruko's expression shifted. His mind involuntarily recalled the first time he met Hyuga Ritsu nearly ten years ago. A tiny little bean of a child had run up to him, saying with childish earnestness, "Please take me as your disciple!"

He had refused at first, but Hyuga Ritsu persistently pestered him for nearly three months. Finally, he was moved and took in this disciple who had sought him out.

And just like that, nearly ten years had passed.

Ah Ritsu, like himself, was a Jonin, and had even become the Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan. Yet he, the teacher, was still just an ordinary Jonin. Besides teaching Ah Ritsu the Chimera Technique, he couldn't offer Ah Ritsu much more help--

Hiruko let out a breath, extinguishing the memories in his mind. Looking at Hyuga Ritsu, he said, "Stick out your arm, I need to draw some blood."

"Huh? Why draw blood?"

"As a case study for breaking the Caged Bird Seal, your blood sample has significant research value."

Just then, Hyuga Akiba's voice came from outside. "Clan Head, a ninja from the Uchiha Clan is here. He calls himself Uchiha Shisui and says he's looking for you!"