Cloud Village Visits

"Was Grandpa Kamen trying to say something just now?"

Hyuga Natsu looked at Hyuga Gen with a hint of confusion.

"I don't think it was anything important."

Hyuga Gen replied vaguely, though he found Hyuga Kamen's hesitant, tongue-tied expression quite amusing.

He certainly knew what Kamen had wanted to say; after all, he had been warned just last night not to leave the house for the next few days. But the idea of staying cooped up at home was impossible—did he really expect him to stay inside for three whole days?

Yesterday, his teacher had announced that the school would be closed for three days to welcome the arrival of the Cloud Village delegation. Although Hyuga Gen felt the holiday was unnecessary, there was no helping it if the school insisted.

Of course, he owed his ability to get out to Xia. Hyuga Gen knew that if Hyuga Natsu hadn't come to find him to go out and play, Hyuga Kamen might not have let him leave.

Just a moment ago, Hyuga Kamen had called out to him, but Hyuga Gen had feigned ignorance, looking at Kamen with a puzzled expression until Hyuga Natsu also turned her gaze toward him.

In the end, the words on the tip of Hyuga Kamen's tongue remained unspoken, and Hyuga Gen followed Hyuga Natsu out.

Naturally, Hyuga Natsu coming to find him today was something they had arranged the previous day.

After all, yesterday's time had been too short, and the Rotation was not something easily mastered. They had agreed to practice together over these three days, with Hyuga Gen primarily continuing to teach Hyuga Natsu the technique.

"Xia, why don't we go take a look at the Cloud Village delegation first? They should be arriving soon."

"Sure! I'd love to see them; I've never seen foreigners before."

Hyuga Natsu agreed to Hyuga Gen's suggestion without hesitation, and it was clear she was quite curious about the Cloud Village envoys.

Before long, Hyuga Gen and Hyuga Natsu arrived at the main gate. They were in luck; the Cloud Village delegation hadn't arrived yet, though they were likely close.

He spotted a man standing to the side, engrossed in a strange book. As for the two masked teammates beside him, Hyuga Gen automatically ignored them.

There was no need to look closely to know that the book was undoubtedly Icha Icha Paradise. Just like in Shippuden, Kakashi was still the same old guy.

Why did I forget to buy a copy of Icha Icha Paradise to see what it's all about? Hyuga Gen felt as if he had missed out on something.

The book had always been a mystery, and Hyuga Gen was curious to see what kind of content was actually written inside.

Perhaps he had been too focused, as he seemed to trigger a flicker of alertness in Kakashi, who looked up and glanced in his direction.

"Hmm? A member of the Hyuga clan?" Kakashi looked at Hyuga Gen with a strange expression.

Noticing Kakashi looking at him, Hyuga Gen smiled and nodded as a greeting, which only made Kakashi feel even more puzzled.

Kakashi considered walking over to ask the strange little Byakugan brat why he had nodded at him, but just as he prepared to move, he noticed the Cloud Village envoys appearing before everyone at the gate.

In an instant, Kakashi dismissed the thought of speaking to Hyuga Gen and turned to walk toward the delegation; this was, after all, the reason he was waiting there.

"Brother Dongyi, are they the Cloud Village delegation? They look just like us; there's nothing special about them."

"Mm, they really do look quite similar."

They were all just people—two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two legs. What could possibly be so special?

By now, Kakashi had already begun speaking with the Cloud Village delegation.

"Welcome to Konoha. I am Anbu Captain Hatake Kakashi, and these are my teammates. We have been waiting for quite some time."

Kakashi introduced himself with a calm, professional demeanor.

"You are Hatake Kakashi? Your reputation precedes you. I am the leader of this mission, Tutai, and these are my teammates."

Tutai provided a brief introduction as well.

"The right-hand man of the Raikage, a powerhouse who possesses the Lava Release bloodline. It is an honor to meet you today."

Kakashi offered a polite compliment.

"Oh? I didn't expect you to know who I am."

Tutai's fame in the Ninja World was indeed not as high as Kakashi's, which was only natural given that his work leaned more toward administrative duties.

"I will take you to see the Hokage."

Kakashi didn't waste any more time and got straight to the point.

"Very well, we appreciate the trouble."

With that, the group headed toward the Hokage Building.

This must be Tutai. He had almost failed to recognize him, as he looked quite different and wasn't wearing an eyepatch. This guy had helped Naruto seal the Raikage during the Fourth Great Ninja War in Shippuden, and his strength was nothing to sneeze at.

It was just that his bloodline was called Lava Release, and since the Mizukage Terumi Mei also possessed Lava Release, it felt more appropriate to call Tutai's version Scorch Release.

Terumi Mei's was the true Lava Release—spitting out molten, fiery magma—which was quite impressive. Unfortunately, she always encountered geniuses like Sasuke or Madara, making her Lava Release seem rather unremarkable.

Tutai's Lava Release looked soft and sticky, and that rubber-like ball technique had decent defensive capabilities. As for his offensive power, it was hard to say, but any ninja with a bloodline limit was not to be underestimated.

From the Fourth Great Ninja War, it was clear that Tutai was quite intelligent, though when he helped Naruto, he seemed like a kind uncle, showing no signs of being a person with deep schemes or hidden agendas.

Looking at the group of four, Hyuga Gen knew that one of the other three would be the one to make a move later, though he wasn't sure which one. It was difficult to gauge a ninja's true strength just by looking; it could only be estimated through actual combat or the release of ninjutsu.

Even judging strength by sensing chakra levels required the user to stir their own chakra, as the chakra activity level was quite low during normal times, making the sensed amounts appear roughly the same.

However, those skilled in sensory ninjutsu could detect it, like Karin's Kagura Mind's Eye, which was naturally beyond compare.

"Brother Dongyi, let's go back and practice the Rotation."

Hyuga Natsu felt there was nothing interesting to see, so she spoke up; the Rotation was much more fun.

"Alright, I'll teach you another ninjutsu later. You can take your time learning both of them afterward."

Hyuga Gen thought for a moment and decided to teach the Rasengan to Hyuga Natsu as well; having one offensive and one defensive technique would be quite good.

"There's another ninjutsu? Great, that's great! Let's hurry over there."

Hyuga Natsu grabbed Hyuga Gen's hand and ran toward their training grounds.

Meanwhile, the Hyuga clan meeting had concluded, and while everyone else had left, Hyuga Kamen remained behind.

"Uncle Kamen, it seems you have something to say? Everyone is gone now, so go ahead."

"Could the Cloud Village's visit this time be a scheme targeting our Byakugan? They have, after all, coveted our Byakugan for a long time. Of course, I might be overthinking it, but it would be best for the Clan Head to remain cautious. There is no harm in being careful."

For some reason, even though Hyuga Kamen did not truly believe such a thing would happen, the memory of Hyuga Gen mentioning it to him so seriously made it feel as though a voice in his heart was constantly urging him to warn Hyuga Hiashi.

"It is fortunate that everyone else has left and did not hear you say that. The Cloud Village is here as the defeated party to negotiate peace; how could they possibly do such a thing? You are overthinking it, Uncle Kamen."

"I suppose you are right. In that case, Clan Head, I shall not disturb you further."

With that, Hyuga Kamen slowly backed out of the room.

Uncle Kamen is getting old, Hyuga Hiashi sighed to himself as he watched Hyuga Kamen's retreating figure.

Come to think of it, he had heard that the success of this peace negotiation with the Cloud Village was largely due to Uchiha Shisui. The reputation of Shisui of the Body Flicker was now no lower than that of Hatake Kakashi. When he further considered that Uchiha Itachi had already become a Chunin, Hyuga Hiashi felt even more anxious.

"The Uchiha clan is teeming with talent, while the Hyuga clan's talent is withering away."

It was uncertain whether he would be able to sleep tonight.

However, while we do not know if Hyuga Hiashi would be able to sleep, our protagonist, Hyuga Gen, certainly would not be sleeping tonight.