Wish Fulfilled

Wish Fulfilled

Late at night, Sarutobi Clan Grounds.

Behind the banquet hall was a secret chamber protected by sealing techniques. Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in a broad chair, slapping the table in displeasure.

"You two brats! One of you loafs around all day and insists on becoming a writer, while the other acts all mysterious, who knows what he's tinkering with, gloomy as a ghost! You're nearly thirty already—can you stop making me worry so much... And where's Tsunade? I haven't seen her in ages!"

"How should I know, old man?" Jiraiya leaned against the wall, hands behind his head, grinning without a shred of seriousness.

"Maybe she's off gambling? It's fine. Once she loses everything, she'll come hide here with you. After all, she loses every time she gambles, hahaha..."

The corners of Orochimaru's lips curled upward. He stood with his arms folded. Though he was far more respectful than Jiraiya, it was obvious that Orochimaru had not taken the scolding as an interrogation from the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village. At most, it was a teacher's "loving encouragement" toward his students.

At least for now, the relationship between the master and his three disciples—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade—was not simply that of superiors and subordinates, teacher and students. They were more like father and sons, father and daughter.

"You two bastards..." Sarutobi Hiruzen glared furiously.

"As the Three Sannin, you can't think only of yourselves. Think more about the village. If you take in children from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, they'll surely contribute even more in future wars..."

He spent a long time earnestly trying to persuade them, but by the end, neither Jiraiya nor Orochimaru showed any intention of changing their minds.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, suddenly feeling that his grown sons were more trouble than they were worth.

Forget it... There were other ways. This wasn't the only option...

As Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered, the wall suddenly gave a thunderous boom.

Smoke and dust billowed everywhere. Monstrous strength blasted in from outside, easily punching through the seal.

The blonde woman kicked aside the rubble in her way and blew on her fist.

"Old man, got any booze left?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's brow twitched wildly, and for once, he fell into confusion—how exactly had he raised those three back when they were young? He must have taught them to respect their elders. Yet now every one of them was acting like they had hit a rebellious phase...

"Old man, bring out the booze!" Tsunade grinned playfully and threw an arm around Sarutobi Hiruzen's neck.

"I've got some good news. You'll be happy when you hear it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up.

"Little Tsunade, you..."

"Mm, that's right." Tsunade patted her chest, making her ample cleavage heave.

"I'm planning to take on an apprentice."

"Who?"

"Who else could it be? Among the people here tonight, only that branch family brat is worth taking in."

"Hyuga Yuto." Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a soft breath and said approvingly, "You've made a good choice, Little Tsunade. Not only is he exceptionally gifted, but more importantly, he can consider matters from a higher perspective... What those Byakugan can see is not limited to one corner of the Hyuga clan."

Orochimaru was somewhat surprised, while Jiraiya could not hold back and asked directly.

"Huh? Didn't you say you didn't want to take an apprentice? Before we returned to the village, the three of us secretly agreed to stand together and not give in no matter how the old man persuaded us... Ow!"

Tsunade viciously twisted Jiraiya's arm and snorted.

"I changed my mind. This village is the treasure my grandfather built. Talented young people ought to be properly nurtured. If he's left with the Hyuga, even jade will turn into stone."

As she spoke, she unconsciously slipped a hand into her clothes and covered the crystal necklace there.

Nawaki, Dan... Today, I saw your shadows in a Hyuga boy.

Like you, he wants to become Hokage. He wants to protect this village... I want to see you again so badly, so I couldn't help helping him. For now, I'll return to the Hidden Leaf Village and become his teacher.

I probably won't regret this... right?

By the time Hyuga Yuto returned home, it was already midnight.

The moment he entered, he collapsed onto his bed.

Exhaustion and pain flooded through him in an instant. His head felt heavy and muddled, and he could fall asleep at any moment.

The activation of Bird in a Cage had inflicted far too much damage on its victim. Though Tsunade had done everything she could to treat him, Hyuga Yuto still needed time to rest and recover.

"Shinji, Miko, Naoto..." Hyuga Yuto murmured, his expression neither sorrowful nor joyful.

At this moment, his heart was completely calm.

—Ever since both his parents had died when he was three, he had regarded the entire Hyuga clan as his enemy. Acting, scheming—every second Hyuga Yuto spent in the clan grounds, he wore a thick mask.

Between enemies, killing and hurting one another had always been normal. Where was there any talk of betrayal?

The main family could brand him with the Bird in a Cage curse mark. Hyuga Shinji could activate it without a care. Hyuga Naoto could restrain him from behind and let him suffer agony.

Naturally, Hyuga Yuto could strike back. He could even be more ruthless, more absolute.

Hurting the other side was an enemy's "job."

The branch family boy's mind was muddled. He took out a shortened senbon needle, placed it in his mouth, and drifted off to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint tapping sound woke him.

"...Who is it?"

"Hyuga Yuto, the clan head wants you."

"...All right." Hyuga Yuto washed his face, spat out the short needle he used to keep himself from talking in his sleep, then opened the door and followed the Hyuga clansman who had delivered the message deeper into the clan grounds.

The night was still at its darkest. Hyuga Yuto checked the moon's position and knew dawn had not yet arrived. He had slept for at most three hours.

Only one room in Hyuga Hiashi's residence was lit. Hyuga Yuto was led inside and knelt on one knee before Hiashi.

"Yuto, rise." Hyuga Hiashi spoke softly. "Tomorrow, in the second hour after the sun fully rises over the horizon, a Senju servant will deliver an invitation. As a matter of courtesy, I will prepare a reply."

Under the Byakugan's gaze, Hyuga Yuto's chakra did not stir in the slightest.

He really knows how to keep his composure. No wonder Lady Tsunade favors him, Hyuga Hiashi thought with emotion before continuing.

"After exchanging calling cards, you will become Lady Tsunade's apprentice... You performed very well at tonight's banquet."

Hyuga Yuto let out a quiet breath. It seemed that Nawaki and Kato Dan held very important places in Tsunade's heart.

Through risk and calculation, Hyuga Yuto had finally fulfilled his wish and changed the story for the first time—after Shizune, he would become Tsunade's second apprentice.

"Yuto." Hyuga Hiashi looked at the boy's forehead protector. "The Hyuga have a distinction between main and branch families, but the clan's heart is not divided into two. Whether main family or branch family, we have all inherited the Byakugan. There are no relatives closer than us in this world. You must remember that..."

"Clan Head, Yuto understands." After quietly lowering his head and listening to the end, the branch family boy cupped his hands in salute and answered sincerely, "I will never forget, not even the smallest detail."