Protection

When Naruto brought Mizuki down with hundreds of shadow clones, Toru Kujyo could not help looking impressed. "He only spent such a short time learning it, yet he can already create this many clones. Naruto's chakra reserves really are astonishing."

After making sure he had memorized every detail of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Toru Kujyo deactivated his Byakugan and let out a long breath. The corners of his eyes felt strained, but his eyes shone with satisfaction.

"Time to head back. Hanabi and Hinata are still waiting for me."

Toru Kujyo leaped lightly down from the rooftop and returned to the warmth of home.

In the living room, Hanabi had already fallen asleep on the sofa, her little cheeks flushed. She had clearly worn herself out playing. Hinata sat beside her, gently draping a blanket over her little sister.

"Hanabi fell asleep?" Toru Kujyo asked softly.

Hinata nodded. "Yes. She said she wanted to wait for you to come home, Toru, but she couldn't stay awake."

Toru Kujyo walked over and carefully lifted Hanabi into his arms. "I'll take her to her room."

He gently laid Hanabi on her bed and tucked her in. She mumbled a few words in her sleep, rolled over, and continued sleeping peacefully.

When he returned to the living room, Hinata was putting away the snacks and toys on the coffee table. Toru Kujyo helped her tidy up.

"Toru," Hinata hesitated before asking softly, "we're being assigned to teams tomorrow. Do you think... we'll be on the same team?"

Toru Kujyo stopped what he was doing and gave it some serious thought. "Probably not."

Seeing the faint disappointment on Hinata's face, he explained, "They usually try to balance each team's strength. With our grades, we'll most likely be assigned to different teams so we can help the other students improve."

"Besides," Toru Kujyo continued, "Hiruzen Sarutobi has his own strategy for assigning teams. The Ino-Shika-Cho combination is fixed, and as the last Uchiha, Sasuke is bound to receive special attention. Naruto's grades might be poor, but his background is unusual, so he'll also be assigned to a priority team."

Hinata lowered her head, unconsciously tapping her fingers together. "I... I just hoped I could go on missions with you, Toru..."

Toru Kujyo smiled and patted her head. "Don't worry. Even if we're not on the same team, we're still family. Besides, different teams get chances to work together on missions."

"Okay." Hinata nodded, managing a faint smile.

"What's more," Toru Kujyo added with a knowing wink, "your father might already be pulling some strings behind the scenes."

"Father?" Hinata looked up in surprise.

Toru Kujyo nodded. "Lord Hiashi cares deeply about your growth, and he trusts me to protect you. He won't give up easily on the chance to put us on the same team."

Hinata's eyes brightened. "Really?"

"But we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out what happens." Toru Kujyo stretched. "All right, it's getting late. You should get some rest too. Tomorrow is an important day."

Hinata nodded and stood to return to her room. At the doorway, she turned and bowed. "Good night, Toru."

"Good night, Hinata," Toru Kujyo replied with a smile.

After Hinata left, Toru Kujyo returned to his own room, sat cross-legged on his bed, and closed his eyes, going over the details of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique in his mind.

Chakra distribution, changes in the hand seals, mental control... He listed the key points one by one in his mind. The essence of this technique lies in distributing chakra evenly and forming independent consciousnesses.

Toru Kujyo began forming hand seals, his fingers moving faster and more smoothly with each attempt. He could feel the chakra inside him flowing along specific pathways, ready to divide and reassemble as the technique required.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

After a puff of smoke, three identical copies of Toru Kujyo appeared in the room. He opened his eyes and surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction.

"It worked," Toru Kujyo and his clones said in unison.

He reached out to touch the nearest clone and felt a solid body. This was not an illusory image like those produced by the ordinary Clone Technique, but a physical clone capable of acting independently and even withstanding a certain amount of damage.

"Next, let's test their ability to act independently."

Toru Kujyo ordered the three clones to perform different actions. One began doing push-ups, another picked up a book to read, and the third stood by the window, gazing at the night sky.

"Perfect." Toru Kujyo nodded. "Now, release."

The three clones vanished into smoke at the same time, and Toru Kujyo received all the memories and sensations from their brief existence.

"This is where the true value of multiple shadow clones lies," Toru Kujyo murmured to himself. "They don't just increase combat strength. They can also speed up learning and training."

He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling as he considered the technique's endless possibilities. With it, he could practice several kinds of ninjutsu at once, carry out complex tactics in battle, and...

Toru Kujyo's thoughts were interrupted by movement outside the window. He got up and walked over, spotting several figures moving swiftly across the distant sky.

"Looks like Naruto's incident has been wrapped up," he said quietly. "Tomorrow, a new chapter begins."

Toru Kujyo returned to bed and closed his eyes. In the last moment before sleep, he recalled the genin identification photo taken earlier that day, Hinata's hopeful gaze, and Hanabi's innocent smile.

No matter which team I'm assigned to tomorrow, I'll grow stronger, Toru Kujyo silently vowed. Strong enough to protect everyone who matters to me.

With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hyuga Hiashi were having a late-night conversation in the Hokage Office.

"Hiashi, I've considered your request." Hiruzen Sarutobi blew out a smoke ring. "But team assignments follow certain rules and considerations."

Hyuga Hiashi's face remained expressionless, but his voice carried a rare note of earnestness. "Lord Hokage, Toru Kujyo is vital to Hinata's growth. They've trained together for years and understand each other perfectly. Assigning them to the same team would benefit the village as well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment. "I understand what you mean. But you also know that Sasuke Uchiha requires special attention, and Naruto's circumstances are unusual too..."

"Precisely for that reason," Hyuga Hiashi said, neither meek nor overbearing, "Toru Kujyo's mastery of the Byakugan has already surpassed that of many adult Hyuga clan members. With him there, we could better monitor and protect Sasuke Uchiha, and he could observe the Nine-Tails' condition at critical moments."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow relaxed slightly. "You have a point. But wouldn't that make Team 7 too powerful?"

"A healthy level of competition benefits everyone," Hyuga Hiashi said calmly. "Besides, neither Toru Kujyo nor Hinata has a showy personality. They won't cause friction within the team."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. "All right. I'll reconsider the team assignments. But the final decision will have to wait until tomorrow."