Political Mission

The Byakugan retrieved from Ao was still on the laboratory table. Now was not the time to return it.

"It's peacetime now. Safety can still be guaranteed within the village! The risk of the Byakugan leaking out is very small, and the clan can strengthen protection for the children! When wartime comes, the previous age restrictions can be reinstated!"

"If everyone enjoys this benefit, even if the clan head wants to extend it a few more years, the branch family won't have any objections!"

Hyuga Hiashi suppressed his displeasure and nodded in satisfaction. I'm the clan head. I should be granted some privileges!

"Second! I hope the use of the Curse Mark can be restricted!"

All six elders turned to look at him, their expressions darkening. One suggestion was enough; were they supposed to let him get addicted to making demands?

"I hope that when clan members make mistakes in the future, the main family will focus on reprimands. For those who refuse to change despite repeated warnings, the main and branch families can jointly discuss the punishment and decide whether to use the [Caged Bird] Curse Mark!"

"That way, punished clan members will no longer resent the main family! After all, the branch family will also participate in deciding the punishment!"

"I think both proposals are excellent. We can try implementing them in the clan and see how they work! Relaxing some clan rules appropriately can make the relationship between the main and branch families closer and more harmonious!"

Hyuga Hiashi made the decision outright and looked toward the six elders.

The elders argued in low voices for quite a while before the noise gradually subsided.

"Fine! We'll try it first. If any problems arise, we'll immediately restore the clan rules!"

The chief elder spoke.

"Mm! I'll go back and start making preparations!"

Hyuga Hiashi nodded in satisfaction. Although only half his goal had been achieved, it was still a good start.

"Thank you for your help this time, Dao Yi!"

After seeing the elders off, Hyuga Hiashi spoke.

"You're too polite, Clan Head! I'm part of the branch family too!"

Doichi Hyuga waved a hand and got up to leave.

The next day, the Hyuga branch family members erupted in cheers when they saw the clan head's announcement.

The conflict between the main and branch families eased, and the branch family grew more trusting and respectful toward the main family.

Time passed, and two years went by.

"Wahahahaha! Sasuke Uchiha, you idiot, convinced now?!"

Naruto Uzumaki, soaked like a drowned rat, stood with one hand on his hip and pointed at Qing Tianzhu with extreme arrogance.

Hmph! What a boring idiot! Sasuke Uchiha clenched his fists and continued his tree-climbing training.

"The idiot is you, Naruto!"

Sakura Haruno crouched on the water's surface and punched Naruto Uzumaki straight into the river.

The Ino–Shika–Cho Trio beside him jolted in fright and fell into the river as well.

"Sasuke Uchiha has been training to climb trees for three days now, and he's almost succeeded! It took you a whole week just to reach the top of a tree!"

"Sakura..."

Facing Sakura, the model student who had learned tree climbing in a single day, Naruto, the poor student, stammered helplessly.

These little brats were only ten this year. Naturally, they learned more slowly than they would after graduating!

Naruto Uzumaki obediently returned to the shore and cautiously tested the water step by step.

He barely managed to stand on the water with his first step, then fell directly into the river on the second.

The Ino–Shika–Cho Trio burst out laughing, lost their focus, and fell into the river again.

"Naruto! You huge idiot!"

Sakura, who was walking slowly across the water, turned her head and couldn't help cursing.

"Neji! Give them a demonstration, then teach them a lesson! Make them quiet down!"

Doichi Hyuga stopped sparring with Hinata Hyuga and spoke to Neji Hyuga.

Neji Hyuga ran onto the river's surface, rolled around on the water, stood on his head, and skittered across it like a spider, leaving the little brats staring wide-eyed.

Qing Tianzhu saw this and lost focus. His chakra control beneath his feet loosened, and he flipped over into the water. He's only one year older than me, yet the gap is already this huge? Damn it! If I can't even surpass little Neji Hyuga, how can I talk about avenging myself on that man!

Sasuke Uchiha had not lived well these past two years. The clan's cold stares and humiliation were unbearable, and all their hatred and malice toward Itachi Uchiha had been vented on him.

Qing Tianzhu's hatred for Itachi Uchiha grew every day. He dreamed of killing him and reclaiming the Uchiha Clan's glory.

"See that? You guys are still far behind! Work hard enough to risk your lives catching up!"

Neji Hyuga had pulled off all those tricks without getting a single drop of water on himself. The soaked little brats who noticed this were even more crushed.

Neji Hyuga went upstream, pressed both hands against the water, and grinned wickedly.

"Big Brother Dao Yi said to make you quiet down and teach you a lesson while I was at it."

Crouching on the water's surface, Neji Hyuga used both hands to cling to it, rising and falling repeatedly.

After several pushes and pulls, a wave formed and surged toward the five little brats downstream.

All five were swallowed by the water and scrambled frantically toward the shore.

"Damn it! Damn it! Sooner or later, I'll defeat you, Neji Hyuga!"

Naruto Uzumaki spat out the water in his stomach and jumped around in rage.

"Shut up, Naruto! You're only getting punished because you're too noisy!"

Sakura punched down again, and Naruto dropped to the ground in response.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha had challenged Neji Hyuga plenty of times, but every match ended in a miserable defeat.

Neji Hyuga had gradually grown into a qualified tool!

"Let's continue!"

Doichi Hyuga called out, and Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga resumed their attack on him.

Ever since the Ninja Academy went on break, these gluttonous little brats had often run to the riverside.

Doichi Hyuga had been annoyed to no end. Even after changing locations several times, he still couldn't avoid them.

He came up with an idea and had them practice tree climbing and water walking, which finally kept them quiet for several days.

Sasuke Uchiha had only joined them these past two days. It was probably Naruto Uzumaki's doing.

"Dao Yi! Lord Hokage wants to see you! There's a new mission!"

A white-haired ANBU landed nearby. He swept his gaze over the area and secretly gloated. Was Doichi Hyuga changing careers to run a kindergarten?

"Alright! Let's go!"

Hokage's Office.

"Lord Hokage!"

Doichi Hyuga and the white-haired ANBU entered the Hokage's Office.

"Dao Yi! How have things been at the hospital recently?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up, his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum.

"Thank you for your concern! Everyone has been taking good care of me!"

"Good... Your mission record is quite impressive! I happen to have an S-Rank medical mission here, located in Rice Fields Country. Once you complete it, you can be promoted to Jonin."

Doichi Hyuga accepted the mission scroll and opened it for a look.

The mission target was the daimyo of Rice Fields Country!

Three days ago, the daimyo of Rice Fields Country had fallen into a coma.

The reward was eight million ryo.

It concerned the fate of an entire country, so it truly deserved to be an S-Rank mission.

This mission carried strong political implications. As long as it was completed, the relationship between Rice Fields Country and Konoha would become even closer.

The previous medical mission to the Land of Water had originally been uncertain as an S-Rank mission. Kirigakure was extremely closed off from the outside world, so it was difficult to know whether they would attack Konoha ninja.

Only because the reward reached S-Rank level, the mission would take a long time, and the level of danger was difficult to assess had it barely been classified as S-Rank. Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi had another purpose as well: building up Kakashi's mission record.

"Lord Hokage! I'll take this mission!"

"Since this mission requires leaving the Land of Fire, I'll have Kakashi accompany you for your safety!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied. Konoha would never give up this mission. At present, Doichi Hyuga was the only one with sufficient medical skill who was also willing to take the risk of going abroad.

If Doichi Hyuga refused, they could only force the matter! That would damage their relationship, though. Resolving the issue peacefully was naturally the best option.

The white-haired ANBU nodded, agreeing with the Hokage's arrangement.