Hyuga Compound

A month passed.

Every morning, Uzumaki Menma underwent demonic training.

Just when he finally adapted to the training intensity, Yamanaka Fu immediately increased it, not giving Uzumaki Menma even a moment to catch his breath. He had the attitude of, as long as it did not kill him, he would train him to death, making Uzumaki Menma miserable beyond words.

And no matter how grueling Uzumaki Menma's training was that day, as long as he slept, he was completely recovered by the next day.

It was not as if Uzumaki Menma had never pretended to be injured, but Yamanaka Fu saw through him every time.

And once he was exposed, the resulting training intensity made Uzumaki Menma's scalp tingle.

Still, Uzumaki Menma barely managed to adapt to and endure such brutal training.

He trained in the mornings, while the afternoons were happy times spent away from Root with Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji.

But since Uzumaki Menma was always so exhausted from training every morning that he could not move,

Naruto, Shikamaru, and Choji had to come to Root to find him, then take turns carrying him off to play.

By now, the three of them knew the way to Root like the backs of their hands.

This time, it was Shikamaru's turn to carry Uzumaki Menma.

After leaving Root, Shikamaru asked, "What are we playing today?"

Choji suggested, "Ninja games?"

Uzumaki Menma rolled his eyes. "How am I supposed to play ninja games like this?"

Naruto suggested, "How about we go graffiti Hokage Rock?"

Shikamaru rejected Naruto's suggestion. "We just graffitied it the day before yesterday, and they only finished cleaning it yesterday. The adults are looking for us everywhere."

"Menma can't play ninja games, and we can't go graffiti either. So what are we going to do?"

Uzumaki Menma suddenly thought of someone. "Honestly, Naruto, I think we've forgotten someone."

Naruto scratched his little head. "Forgotten someone? Who?"

"Idiot, Hinata!"

Naruto suddenly realized. "That's right! How did we forget Hinata? Come to think of it, we haven't run into her since we separated."

Shikamaru asked doubtfully, "Hinata? Who's that?"

Naruto explained, "Hinata is a friend Menma and I knew before we met you guys. We just haven't seen her in a long time."

Uzumaki Menma suggested, "Then let's go find Hinata and play!"

"Sure!" Naruto immediately agreed with Uzumaki Menma, but then said awkwardly, "But we don't know where Hinata is."

Uzumaki Menma said, "Hinata's full name is Hinata Hyuga, so she's from the Hyuga Clan. Can't we just go to the Hyuga Clan and find her?"

Naruto shouted excitedly, "Alright! Then let's head to the Hyuga Clan!"

Shikamaru frowned. "But I've heard the Hyuga Clan has strict rules. We probably won't be able to enter the Hyuga Compound."

Uzumaki Menma raised his little fist and declared confidently, "What are you afraid of? The four of us can swagger anywhere in Konoha! Nothing can stop us!"

"Menma, stop moving around. Don't blame me if you fall off my back." Shikamaru sighed helplessly, feeling that going to the Hyuga Clan was going to be troublesome.

But Naruto and Uzumaki Menma both wanted to go to the Hyuga Clan, and Choji also looked like he wanted to go. Shikamaru could only come along. Besides, if they were caught by the Hyuga Clan, he could at least come up with an idea. Partners had to stick together through thick and thin.

The four of them arrived near the Hyuga Compound.

Two Hyuga ninja stood guard at the entrance to the Hyuga Compound.

Shikamaru suggested, "How about we ask first if they'll let us in to find someone?"

Uzumaki Menma agreed. "It would be best if they let us in directly. If they don't, we'll sneak in!"

The four of them walked up to the Hyuga ninja guarding the gate.

Shikamaru asked, "Mister, we want to go in and find someone. Can you let us in?"

The Hyuga ninja first looked at Naruto and immediately recognized him as a Jinchuriki.

Then he looked at Uzumaki Menma on Shikamaru's back and suddenly froze.

Those two looked very alike.

Both Hyuga ninja recalled a rumor from three years ago: 'Two children suddenly appeared in Konoha. They were incarnations of the Nine-Tails.'

In other words, this black-haired child was Konoha's second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The Hyuga ninja said sternly, "No one may enter the Hyuga Clan's compound at will. Leave at once!"

Having been turned away, the four could only think of a way to sneak into the Hyuga Clan.

Just then, Choji spotted a small stone block beside a wall.

If they stepped on the stone block, they should be able to climb right over into the Hyuga Compound.

The nimble Naruto was the first to step onto the stone block. He pushed off with both legs, grabbed the top of the wall with both hands, and climbed up.

Naruto looked inside the wall. There was no one there.

"There's no one inside. Hurry up and come in."

Shikamaru and Choji followed, climbing onto the wall.

Now only the half-paralyzed Uzumaki Menma remained.

Shikamaru and Naruto held out their hands to Uzumaki Menma.

Uzumaki Menma shakily stood up and grabbed Shikamaru and Naruto's hands.

As Shikamaru and Naruto pulled hard, Choji grabbed Uzumaki Menma by the collar and directly hoisted him onto the wall.

Once they were all on top of the wall,

the four-person team successfully entered the Hyuga Clan's compound.

However, the instant they landed, the four of them felt as though countless eyes were watching them.

But there was clearly no one around!

Naruto asked in a trembling voice, "Menma, Shikamaru, Choji, do you feel it too? I feel like we're being watched."

Shikamaru already had cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Of course I feel it. I've heard the Hyuga Clan's eyes can see through things. We must have been discovered."

Even the chips in Choji's hand fell to the ground, but his entire body was stiff, and he did not dare pick them up.

Uzumaki Menma had also been startled when he felt watched.

But he quickly relaxed.

It was already a certainty that they had been discovered.

Since they had been noticed but no one had come out to drive them away, it meant the Hyuga Clan was observing them and would not deal with their intrusion into the Hyuga Compound for now.

Sitting on the ground, Uzumaki Menma lifted his little head proudly and said, "See? I told you, the four of us can swagger anywhere in Konoha! Shikamaru, hurry up and carry me. We're going to find Hinata!"

Inside Hyuga Hiashi's room.

Hyuga Hiashi sat upright on the tatami.

Before Hyuga Hiashi, a Hyuga ninja knelt on one knee.

After discovering Uzumaki Menma and the other three trespassing, the Hyuga ninja hurried to report to Hyuga Hiashi because of the special status of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Hyuga Hiashi activated his Byakugan and saw through the walls to the four sneakily making their way forward. His head was filled with questions.

Why had Uzumaki Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who had always lived in Root, appeared here as well?

As someone who had lived through the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox Uprising, Hyuga Hiashi knew Naruto Uzumaki and Uzumaki Menma's true identities. He also knew that Uzumaki Menma had been adopted by Danzo.

Hyuga Hiashi could not understand why two Jinchuriki, along with children from the Nara Clan and Akimichi Clan, had sneaked into the Hyuga Compound. What were they trying to do?