Isn't There a Make-Up Sign-In?

"I give up!"

Akimichi Hara gave a bitter smile and conceded. "Your strength is too great. There's no way I could beat you. I can't even lift my arms now."

"I never thought that even after using the Multi-Size Technique and growing stronger, I still wouldn't be your match!"

He wanted to keep fighting.

But he could no longer lift his arms. There was no way he could continue!

"What terrifying strength! One punch went straight through the wall! The walls around the training ground are three times thicker than ordinary walls!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils shrank. He was stunned. "Even Tsunade using Strength of a Hundred might not have such terrifying strength!"

"The Hyuga Clan, known for the Gentle Fist and their skill, actually has a ninja with such incredible strength!"

His eyes gleamed with fervor!

A taijutsu ninja?

Most taijutsu specialists struggled to succeed, and were weaker than other ninja at first, but there were exceptions!

Might Guy of Konoha, for instance, was already an elite jonin, every bit as good as any other elite jonin. The Hyuga Kagami standing before him was the same!

He had to bring Hyuga Kagami into his fold!

His ranking among the bottom five was all a facade!

"Hyuga Kagami, I acknowledge your strength!"

Just then, Shimura Danzō spoke up, his eyes blazing with fervor and greed!

He slowly raised his head. "Join my Root! With strength like yours, only in Root can you unleash your full potential. Only in Root can your talents be put to the greatest use!"

Even though he was a member of the branch family,

and couldn't be implanted with the Cursed Tongue Eradication Jutsu, his talent and strength were enough to tempt Danzō!

Hyuga Kagami's strength was already on par with that of an elite jonin specializing in taijutsu!

And he was only eight!

"Once you join Root, you'll become my most loyal subordinate. I'll bring out the full extent of your potential and make you stronger—strong enough to become a Kage-level fighter, or even..."

"Root is your best choice!"

Shimura Danzō's gaze burned with excitement!

Hyuga Kagami already had the strength of an elite jonin at eight. How powerful would he be in another two or three years?

He couldn't even imagine!

Hyuga Kagami was sure to become the greatest asset on his path to becoming Hokage!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed. He snapped, "Danzō, he's a member of the Hyuga Clan, not one of your expendable soldiers! The best place for a Hyuga Clan member is the Anbu!"

"Their Byakugan would be a tremendous asset to the Anbu!"

He snorted and made no attempt to hide his recruitment pitch. "Kagami, I invite you to join the Anbu, which answers directly to the Hokage. Will you accept?"

"Join the Anbu and you'll learn more jutsu, take on greater responsibilities, and grow stronger!"

"Konoha's Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi, is in the Anbu right now!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled kindly,

looking utterly confident!

Though the Anbu operated in secret, they still served in the light, as an honorable force—not like Root, whose ninja worked underground, hidden from view!

The famous Hatake Kakashi was the best example!

"Root and the Anbu, huh?"

Hyuga Kagami narrowed his eyes. Just as he'd expected, once he revealed his strength, both old men would try to recruit him.

Just then, an electronic chime sounded in his mind!

[Beep! Chain missions triggered!]

[Mission One: The host must sign in at the Hokage's Office!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain Armament Haki!]

[Mission Two: Sign in at the Senju Clan's ancestral grounds!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan ability—Kamui!]

[Mission Three: Sign in at the Raikage's secret chamber in Kumogakure!]

[Mission Reward: Sage Body! (Senju Hashirama's perfect Sage Body)]

[Mission Four: Sign in at the Mizukage's Office in Kirigakure!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain Observation Haki!]

[Mission Five: Sign in at the Uchiha Clan's secret chamber!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain the Mangekyō Sharingan!]

[Mission Six: Sign in at the Uchiha Clan during Clan Annihilation Night!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain the Rinnegan!]

[Mission Seven: Sign in at the Hyuga Clan!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain Unlimited Byakugan!]

[Mission Eight: Sign in at the Hyuga Clan's secret chamber!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain the Eight Inner Gates!]

[Mission Nine: Sign in in the Land of Waves!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain Lightning Release: Chakra Mode!]

[Mission Ten: Sign in at the Akatsuki base!]

[Mission Reward: Obtain the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!]

The electronic chime kept ringing in his mind!

Hyuga Kagami hadn't expected the system to give him ten sign-in locations all at once.

Getting a little carried away, are you?

You're trying to work me to death.

What, do you think I'm sightseeing?

Still...

The rewards were incredibly tempting!

They included Observation Haki and Armament Haki,

as well as the Sage Body, the Rinnegan, and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!

These were among the most powerful abilities in the entire Shinobi World. Any one of them could make its user a Beyond Kage-level fighter!

The Rinnegan and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could even take their users to the Six Paths level!

Hyuga Kagami rubbed his nose and chuckled. "Isn't there a make-up sign-in?"

"Then there's no need to rush. Wouldn't it be nice to sign in whenever I happen to pass by?"

He looked at the first mission.

The corners of his mouth lifted.

"So all I have to do is sign in at the Hokage's Office to get Armament Haki?"

"My strength is already terrifying. Once I get Armament Haki, I'll be even more monstrous!"

Hyuga Kagami licked his lips. Looks like sticking with Sarutobi Hiruzen is the right call after all.

Under the tense gazes of Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen,

Hyuga Kagami lowered his head and pondered.

The two old men were practically at each other's throats!

"Hyuga Kagami has to join Root!"

Shimura Danzō's face darkened,

anger simmering in his eyes!

"Ever since Root was founded, I've been the one building it up all these years!"

"And if it weren't for me, how could Konoha be so peaceful today? Yet everyone in Konoha treats me like a plague and avoids me!"

He snorted. "Now I want Hyuga Kagami to join Root. What's the problem?!"

Root handled all the dirty work and the grueling work,

but Sarutobi Hiruzen was the one who enjoyed the fruits of victory in the end!

Danzō was resentful, but there was nothing he could do!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was grave, but he remained calm. "You built it all by yourself? Then why are Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune in Root?"

"That was because I allowed it!"

"Otherwise, why does Root have so many ninja now? Do you think you deserve all the credit, Danzō?"

He snorted,

without the slightest hesitation!

"Besides, Kagami-kun isn't a tool, and he isn't ours to choose for ourselves. He has to make his own decision!"

After all,

Root really had suffered a lot of grievances, but so what?

He was the Hokage!

He had the final say!

"Hiruzen!"

Shimura Danzō's face was ashen. He hadn't expected Sarutobi Hiruzen to push the decision onto Hyuga Kagami.