Hyuga's Old Ancestor, Who Suffered All the Hardships His Descendants Were Supposed to Endure

"Brother Makoto, you've worked hard..."

The next day, outside the entrance to the Clan Head Mansion, Hyuga Makoto was walking out with Hinata.

Hinata's face was slightly flushed, and she stammered a little as she spoke.

"Father called you over as soon as you got back, and you even have to accompany me for training. I'm really sorry..."

"All right, all right, it's fine."

Hyuga Makoto merely smiled, completely unconcerned. He seemed to be in an excellent mood.

"I was supposed to meet the Clan Head yesterday anyway. Coming today and taking you out for training works out perfectly."

He did indeed need to meet Hyuga Hiashi. After all, he'd vanished the very next day after joining the Anbu.

Even if he couldn't disclose any details about his mission, he still had to give a brief report.

Hyuga Hiashi was also very understanding and didn't ask a single question about anything concerning the Anbu.

The two of them simply drank tea and chatted casually for a few minutes before letting Hyuga Makoto take Hinata out to train.

"Still, he told me not to forget the clan members and to talk and keep in touch with them more. It seems the Main Branch suppressed my information..."

Although the identities of Anbu members did indeed need to be kept secret, some people were only half-secret.

Take Kakashi, for example. With that distinctive white hair and Chidori, who wouldn't recognize him?

And everyone in the Uchiha Clan knew that Uchiha Itachi served in the Anbu.

There was also Mori Ibiki. Kisame recognized that fellow at a glance, forcing Kisame to kill his entire squad...

"That counts as a shining moment, right?"

Hyuga Makoto's situation was naturally half-public as well. At the very least, it was definitely public within the clan!

Otherwise, wouldn't joining the Anbu have been pointless?

Still, he wasn't surprised. The people who had received Hiruzen Sarutobi were all from the Main Branch. How could they possibly spread the news?

Even Hyuga Hiashi couldn't do anything about it!

"Neji saw me from the Branch Family, though. Why didn't that kid say anything?"

Hyuga Makoto was a little curious, but he couldn't be bothered to think about it too much.

The breach had already been made, and the Main Branch's internal situation was even one of "the emperor has rebelled."

"You ostriches won't be able to hold on for much longer..."

Hyuga Makoto found it somewhat amusing, but he wasn't in a hurry. He turned to Hinata and said,

"Right, we won't be training inside the clan today. I'll take you out for a walk."

"Huh?"

Hinata blinked, looking somewhat surprised.

"Outside?"

"Of course. What's the difference between training here and there?"

Hyuga Makoto smiled nonchalantly. He also wanted to see if he could find a suitable place to dig a hole.

After all, he already had the technology. It was time to consider the equipment and location.

"Besides, you're too introverted. You need to go outside more and make more friends."

"Make friends..."

Hinata nodded, seeming to understand and yet not understand.

"Then I'll do as you say, Brother Makoto."

After saying that, Hinata continued staring at Hyuga Makoto, making him feel a little embarrassed.

"What is it, Hinata? Why do you keep looking at me?"

"Um, I..."

Hinata immediately drew her little head back, lowered it, and mumbled for a long while before finally speaking.

"I just feel like Brother Makoto seems a little different today..."

"Different?"

Hyuga Makoto was stunned when he heard that. His expression quickly became rather strange.

He really was a little different now!

Yesterday, while seriously studying Orochimaru's research on the Curse Mark, he had faintly sensed some special energy floating between heaven and earth.

He hadn't thought much of it at the time, but as he continued studying Orochimaru's research in earnest, that sensation became increasingly clear!

And after he had completely finished studying the research, he discovered that he seemed to be able to easily sense that energy. In fact...

"I was only thinking about whether I should give it a try, and the energy flowed in on its own!"

Hyuga Makoto had been frightened out of his wits at the time. After all, he knew very well how terrifying the Natural Energy of this world was.

However, nothing bad happened because the Natural Energy was incredibly obedient.

It circulated quietly inside Hyuga Makoto's body, as though it were his own power!

"So I perfectly inherited this advantage of Otsutsuki Hamura?"

Hyuga Makoto felt that he really ought to thank the old ancestor of the Hyuga Clan. The man had suffered all the hardships his descendants were supposed to endure...

Moreover, this power was an enormous help to him!

[Name: Hyuga Makoto]

[Bloodline: Moon Ōtsutsuki (15%)]

[Dojutsu: Tenseigan (2%)]

[Chakra Nature: Yin, Yang]

His Bloodline Development had increased by a full 5%. That was the combined total from Tenzo and Shisui!

Along with the increase in his bloodline, his physical attributes and Chakra had also grown significantly.

He felt that his current Chakra was at least worth "two cards' worth" and above...

"Combined with Tsukuyomi's 'small loan,' as long as I don't court death, I won't have to fear ordinary problems!"

Hyuga Makoto still had a clear understanding of the situation. Although he felt quite strong now, battles between ninjas placed greater importance on experience and execution.

Otherwise, why would Sasuke and Naruto, as well as those true Otsutsuki, keep suffering setbacks despite being so powerful?

But how had Hinata noticed that he had changed?

Could it be because of her "purest Byakugan"?

"What exactly is different?"

Feeling puzzled, Hyuga Makoto asked with a curious expression, but Hinata shook her head.

"I don't know either. It's just a very strange feeling..."

"A strange feeling?"

"Yes. It feels... it feels like Brother Makoto has become even closer somehow?"

"?"

"Anyway, you've just become better..."

"Ha..."

Hinata's words left Hyuga Makoto both amused and helpless. He felt that getting her to explain the details clearly would be difficult.

But if nothing unexpected had happened, it was probably truly because of the improvement in his bloodline.

After all, it was hard to say exactly how talented Hinata was, but her Byakugan was famous throughout the Moon!

"All right, enough of that. Let's move a little faster."

Hyuga Makoto couldn't be bothered to dwell on it. In any case, nothing had gone wrong when he met Hyuga Hiashi.

"Today, I'm planning to teach you something different. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'll work hard!"

Hinata nodded seriously. In her heart, Hyuga Makoto was an existence no weaker than her father.

Moreover, compared to the fear she felt toward her father, she felt much closer to Hyuga Makoto. Naturally, she hoped to gain his recognition!

"All right, don't be so serious."

Seeing this, Hyuga Makoto couldn't help patting Hinata on the shoulder.

"I believe you can do it. Perhaps you can even give the Clan Head a surprise."

"Really?"

Hinata's eyes immediately lit up. Hyuga Makoto rubbed his chin.

"If nothing unexpected happens, you should be able to. It feels very natural when I use it, anyway."

"I believe you, Brother Makoto."

"All right, let's go."

Hyuga Makoto walked toward the outskirts of the clan with Hinata, chatting as they went.

The Hyuga Clan Members who saw them as they passed had varying expressions. The Branch Family members basically showed no reaction.

They all knew that Hyuga Makoto had been responsible for accompanying Hinata during her training since she was three.

At most, they were merely curious about where the fellow had been during this period.

The Main Branch members, however, all knew what had happened to him, and their gazes were filled with displeasure.

But they didn't dare say anything. After all, Hyuga Makoto now belonged to the Anbu, and the Third Hokage himself had personally come to invite him to join!

If they dared to do anything...

How would that be targeting Hyuga Makoto? That would clearly be opposing the Hokage!

"Huh?"

Just as they were about to leave the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Makoto suddenly sensed something.

He turned his head and froze. A pair of Byakugan was staring fixedly at him from a distance!

Hinata sensed something as well. Following Hyuga Makoto's gaze, she looked over and timidly spoke.

"It's Neji, Brother..."