New Ninjutsu

In the Hokage Office, the Third Hokage offered to let Tianyun Hyuga choose one A-rank ninjutsu in exchange. It was also a little incentive to win him over.

But the Third Hokage had not expected Tianyun Hyuga to ask the moment he finished speaking, "Lord Hokage, could I trade the A-rank ninjutsu for three B-rank ninjutsu instead?"

The Third Hokage froze again for a moment and looked at Tianyun Hyuga in confusion. He now wondered whether Tianyun Hyuga was still too young to understand just how great the difference between A-rank and B-rank ninjutsu was.

After collecting himself, the Third Hokage said, "Tianyun, do you know how powerful A-rank ninjutsu are? Those are techniques only jonin can learn. B-rank ninjutsu simply can't compare..."

Tianyun Hyuga nodded. "Lord Hokage, I think B-rank ninjutsu suit me better as I am now. A-rank ninjutsu are still too far beyond me..."

The Third Hokage could not help praising him. "Good. It's right not to be greedy. A-rank ninjutsu really are a little beyond you, while you'll be able to learn B-rank ninjutsu in another two years. You've made a fine choice. I can authorize you to choose five B-rank ninjutsu in exchange."

Tianyun Hyuga bowed to the Third Hokage. "Thank you, Lord Hokage..."

As Tianyun Hyuga bowed, his body dipped below the desk and out of sight. The Third Hokage could not help marveling at how little he resembled a child. He seemed more like an adult with an excellent grasp of propriety.

In truth, the Third Hokage had suspected that someone might have placed Tianyun Hyuga under a genjutsu. He had specifically instructed ninja from the Yamanaka Clan to set up a barrier outside his office. Even the slightest fluctuation of genjutsu would trigger a reaction, yet the barrier had shown no response at all when Tianyun Hyuga entered. Combined with Tianyun Hyuga's clearly agreeable attitude, this put the Third Hokage's suspicions to rest.

Tianyun Hyuga had no idea that the Third Hokage had set up a barrier to test him. After bowing, he raised his head and said, "Lord Hokage, I have one last request I'd like your help with."

"Oh? What do you need my help with?" the Third Hokage asked in surprise.

Tianyun Hyuga said, "My mother, Meicun Hyuga, is considering taking missions to earn money. I hope you won't assign her any dangerous missions, Lord Hokage, or any that take her too far from Konoha."

This time, the Third Hokage truly remained stunned for a long while. When he finally recovered, he looked at Tianyun Hyuga with satisfaction, his mood suddenly brightening.

In the Third Hokage's eyes, Tianyun Hyuga was so protective of his mother that, as long as Konoha allowed Meicun Hyuga to live peacefully in the village, there was almost no chance he would betray it. In a sense, she was a hostage keeping Tianyun Hyuga in Konoha, and a source of leverage for the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage's expression turned serious. "All right, Tianyun, rest assured. I've agreed to your request, and I'll do as you asked..."

Tianyun Hyuga bowed again. "Thank you for your help, Lord Hokage. May I go home now? I think the Hyuga Clan Head has been waiting for quite some time. I don't want him giving me trouble..."

The Third Hokage smiled. "There's no hurry. I've already sent someone to notify Clan Head Hiashi. Choose your five ninjutsu first, then return to the Hyuga Clan!"

"Thank you, Lord Hokage..." Tianyun Hyuga thanked him again.

The Third Hokage nodded. "Lan Xing, take Tianyun to choose his ninjutsu. Once he's finished, take him to see Iruka, and your mission will be complete..."

A puff of smoke suddenly appeared in the office. Then an Anbu ninja appeared before Tianyun Hyuga and said to the Third Hokage, "As you command..."

The Anbu ninja was meticulous, bowing to the Third Hokage before leading Tianyun Hyuga out of the Hokage Office. They followed the stairs in the Hokage Building straight down into its underground passage.

As they walked through the passage, Tianyun Hyuga saw rooms on both sides. Their doors and walls were engraved with all sorts of patterns, which he immediately recognized as cursed seals for various barriers.

After proceeding about a hundred meters down the underground passage, the Anbu ninja stopped before a door. After forming a complex series of hand seals, the ninja placed a hand against it. The door slowly opened, revealing a brightly lit Scroll Room.

Once the door was open, the Anbu ninja said flatly, "The ninjutsu inside are all B-rank. You may choose five scrolls. Each scroll's name is engraved on the wooden table beneath it. You have ten minutes to choose."

Tianyun Hyuga curled his lip, not bothering to engage with the utterly impassive Anbu ninja. He went straight into the Scroll Room and began searching for B-rank ninjutsu scrolls he could use at his current level.

The Scroll Room held a considerable number of B-rank ninjutsu. Even without counting, he could tell there were over three hundred different scrolls inside.

With only ten minutes, Tianyun Hyuga did not dare waste any time. He first skimmed the names of all three hundred-odd scrolls, then quickly settled on five B-rank ninjutsu he could use.

The five B-rank ninjutsu Tianyun Hyuga chose were the Shadow Clone Technique, Illusion: Shadow Art, Wind Release: Gale Technique, Earth Release: Stone Armor Technique, and Fire Release: Fire Dragon Technique.

Of the five ninjutsu Tianyun Hyuga chose, four were support techniques. Only the Fire Dragon Technique was offensive.

Naturally, he chose this way because he wanted to stay alive first and foremost. Besides, Tianyun Hyuga was not short on offensive ninjutsu. The Hyuga Clan's nintaijutsu were all offensive, so once he awakened his Byakugan, he would have no shortage of attack techniques.

With five new ninjutsu in hand, Tianyun Hyuga left the Scroll Room in high spirits and followed the Anbu ninja out of the underground passage.

The Anbu ninja led Tianyun Hyuga to the building's lobby and handed him over to Iruka, then vanished before them without another word.

Iruka had been watching Tianyun Hyuga ever since the Anbu brought him over. He did not dare ask what had happened, since Anbu affairs were confidential. Only after the Anbu ninja left did he say to Tianyun Hyuga, "Come on, let's go to your house! Lord Hokage gave me a leather bag just now and asked me to help deliver it to your home."

Tianyun Hyuga knew that the leather bag contained the ten million the Third Hokage had given him. He did not want Meicun Hyuga finding out, so he quickly shook his head. "Iruka-sensei, the Hyuga Clan Head is still waiting for me. Give me the bag! I need to see the Clan Head first..."

Iruka did not dare casually disregard the Third Hokage's instructions, but if Tianyun Hyuga was going to meet someone as important as Hyuga Hiashi, he had no way of accompanying him. After a moment's thought, Iruka said, "Then I'll take you to the entrance of the Hyuga Clan compound. You can go inside on your own!"

As long as Iruka did not give the money to Meicun Hyuga, nothing else really mattered. Tianyun Hyuga said no more and followed Iruka out.