Several months had passed since the mission to suppress the bandits. During that time, Hyuuga Nen had completed a few similar missions, but he had spent most of it stationed at the mines as a guard.
In between missions, Hyuuga Nen devoted most of his time and energy to Sealing Techniques. The deeper he delved into them, the more he realized just how profound they were.
"To some extent, Sealing Techniques can do anything." Sitting on his bed, Hyuuga Nen thought as he studied the scroll.
"The Seal of Resilience can be combined with other techniques to make them much more powerful. It seems my father developed it to undo the Caged Bird Seal. But looking at it this way, my father failed, since the Seal of Resilience seems to have the opposite effect from what he intended."
"But mastering the Seal of Resilience is my top priority right now. Once I combine it with the Shadow Clone Technique, the clones will use less chakra and can be maintained for longer. Then I'll be able to use Shadow Clones to handle most of my missions and spend more time training."
"Besides, this technique will help with my situation in the future." Hyuuga Nen had reached that conclusion after considering what would happen if his identity were discovered.
Late that night, while Hyuuga Nen was asleep, he suddenly heard what sounded like a pebble hitting his window. He hurried over and spotted a shadow not far away, running toward the forest.
"Finally. I've been waiting for this for more than half a year." As he spoke, Hyuuga Nen used the Shadow Clone Technique. He left the clone in his room to keep sleeping, then climbed out the window and chased after the shadow.
The shadow ahead stopped and turned to face Hyuuga Nen. It was Kuromaru.
Hyuuga Nen walked over to Kuromaru, but before he could say a word, Kuromaru tossed him a scroll. Hyuuga Nen unrolled it and examined it carefully.
The scroll contained the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, which Hyuuga Nen needed most right now, as well as the Mystical Palm Technique. At the bottom, it also explained the principles of Medical Ninjutsu. It was far better than the single, isolated Hemostasis Technique his father had left him last time.
"Getting all this stuff couldn't have been easy, right?" Hyuuga Nen looked at Kuromaru with a trace of worry.
"Your father traded in the contributions he'd earned in the past for those two Medical Ninjutsu techniques. The rest wasn't difficult for him to obtain."
"But even so, your father has attracted the attention of the Konoha High Command. After all, he didn't just trade for Medical Ninjutsu; he also obtained a lot of Sealing Techniques from them."
"Will that cause any problems?" Hyuuga Nen asked.
"Not for now. On the surface, your father is a member of the Hyuga Branch House who believes in and follows the Will of Fire, and is utterly loyal to the Hyuga Main House." Kuromaru wore a strange expression as he said this.
"What about the Hyuga Main House?"
"The Hyuga Main House isn't happy about his research into Sealing Techniques. But his true nature hasn't been exposed, so they haven't taken any particular action against him."
"I understand." At that, Hyuuga Nen felt relieved.
"This is the last time your father will provide you with resources for training. Since the war ended, he's mainly been tasked with protecting the Hyuga Main House, and he rarely takes on other missions. He's also taught you everything he knows. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself." Kuromaru looked at Hyuuga Nen solemnly.
"I understand." Hyuuga Nen nodded.
"Also, your father has had time to think things over. Your birth was just a moment of impulse on his part, and he shouldn't have taken out his resentment toward the Hyuga Main House on you. He has no expectations of you now. He only hopes you can stay alive."
Hyuuga Nen felt a little speechless at that, but he didn't argue.
Looking over the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Hyuuga Nen asked, "What about my mother? Did he have anything to say to her?"
Kuromaru froze, apparently not expecting Hyuuga Nen to ask that. He lowered his head and fell silent for a while, seeming to search for an answer.
Hyuuga Nen didn't say anything either. He simply watched Kuromaru quietly, waiting for his reply.
Kuromaru raised his head and said hesitantly, "Your father didn't have anything to say to her. But I think he does feel guilty toward your mother, since he used her."
"Heh." Hyuuga Nen said nothing, only letting out a scornful laugh.
Kuromaru found his reaction a little strange. "You don't seem very angry."
"If you have no expectations, you can't be disappointed."
"If you have no expectations, you can't be disappointed." Kuromaru repeated Hyuuga Nen's words, murmuring them quietly.
Hyuuga Nen wasn't angry about his father's actions. He just felt sorry for Rika.
"After all, your father only met your mother once, when he was seriously injured. He was already engaged at the time," Kuromaru explained.
"Engaged? They only met once? That can't be right. According to my mother, they met at least three times. Why do you say it was only once?" Hyuuga Nen looked at Kuromaru in confusion.
"As a member of the Hyuga Branch House, your father had fewer chances to leave than others. So he used Shadow Clones for the other two meetings."
"You know about your father's Sealing Techniques. Thanks to them, his Shadow Clones could stay away for a long time. That let him do many things ordinary members of the Hyuga Clan couldn't."
Hyuuga Nen fell silent for a while, as if he didn't know what to say.
"So, does that mean a Shadow Clone can also handle the task of having a child?" Hyuuga Nen asked.
Kuromaru's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. He stammered, "Th-that's definitely impossible."
"So my father used Shadow Clones for the other two meetings, but Shadow Clones can't have children. That means he must have used a clone carrying his genetic material to accomplish his goal. And he may even have used Genjutsu in the process. Am I right?"
As Hyuuga Nen spoke, he felt deeply shaken.
"Your father never told me exactly what happened, but your guess is probably right." Kuromaru looked at Hyuuga Nen, sounding somewhat uncertain.
"So he's living happily with his wife and child, while my mother was just a tool from beginning to end?"
"Uh, your father's wife died in the war. She left behind just one child," Kuromaru said.
"So I have a brother or sister?"
"Yes. He's your half-brother. His name is Hyuuga Taka. If you ever meet him, don't attack him. I don't want to see you brothers kill each other."
"I'll keep that in mind." Hyuuga Nen agreed to Kuromaru's request.
"This is my Summoning Scroll. Write your name on it." Kuromaru tossed him a scroll.
Hyuuga Nen unrolled it and found it completely blank. It's a new scroll, probably made recently to keep anyone else from finding out. He wrote his name on it as he thought.
"We've now made a Summoning Contract. But unless your life is in danger, you mustn't summon me. Otherwise, it'll be easy for others to discover your identity. Is that clear?" Kuromaru looked at Hyuuga Nen sternly.
"Crystal clear," Hyuuga Nen replied firmly.
"Your father is prepared to die if the worst happens. I don't know if you have the same resolve. But I still want to tell you one thing: don't die." Kuromaru looked at Hyuuga Nen.
"I understand my situation perfectly. Of course I don't want to die. I'll do everything I can to seize every chance to stay alive. Don't worry."
Kuromaru relaxed at that. "All right, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself."
Watching Kuromaru's retreating figure, Hyuuga Nen stood beneath the moonlight, lost in thought.
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