"Y-you know Flying Thunder God?" Hanabi's eyes went wide. That was the Fourth Hokage's signature forbidden technique!
Toru Kujyo shrugged, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what he'd eaten that day. "Oh, that? I stole it."
Hanabi: "..."
Karin: "..."
The two girls were speechless for a moment. How could he admit to stealing a forbidden technique with such a straight face?
Toru Kujyo looked at Hanabi and warned her, "Don't tell anyone about this, all right? It's a forbidden technique. Not something I can show off in public."
Hanabi nodded blankly, but her mind was in turmoil. Just how many secrets was this man still hiding?
"All right, Karin and I should head back." Toru Kujyo turned to Hinata, his voice softening. "Get some rest. From now on, I can come and go from the Hyuga Residence openly. No more climbing over walls."
Hinata blushed faintly and nodded.
Karin rolled her eyes beside them, thinking that he really was acting coy after getting exactly what he wanted.
Toru Kujyo said goodbye to the sisters and soared into the air with Karin, vanishing into the night sky in a streak of light. He glanced back at the Hyuga Clan Compound. The banquet there seemed to have ended, leaving everything silent.
"Looks like they haven't received the news from Kumogakure yet," Toru Kujyo murmured, a meaningful smile curling his lips.
The real show was only just beginning.
The night was black as ink, and a faint scent of gunpowder smoke and dust still lingered in the air.
Toru Kujyo's secret base lay in a secluded underground chamber. Steam rose from the hot spring, lending even the cold stone walls a touch of warmth.
Eyes closed, he leaned against the edge of the pool and sank his awareness into