14 - Orochimaru’s Excitement!
Lately, Hyuga Nissei's eyelids kept twitching, and a nagging sense of unease gnawed at his heart.
The ninja world was growing restless again…
As a staunch supporter of the Third Hokage, many of the Hyuga clan had been sent to the front lines.
Even his own two sons would soon depart for battle.
As the Hyuga clan head, he couldn't help but worry, though he knew this was something the younger generation needed to face.
And, of course, it was to support the Third Hokage…
"Father."
At that moment, a young Hyuga man stepped inside.
Clad in the clan's customary white robes, his sharp features faintly echoed Nissei's own. His forehead, smooth and unmarred…
"Hiashi, how are the preparations going?"
Hyuga Hiashi, Nissei's eldest son and the future head of the main family.
"The clan is ready, and the necessary supplies are mostly in place," Hiashi replied steadily.
"Hm." Nissei nodded.
He was fairly pleased with this son.
Not long ago, several branch family members had been severely injured—one even had both arms crippled!
The entire clan had been furious, especially after the children woke up and explained the culprits and their motives. They'd clamored to confront the Uchiha for revenge!
But Hiashi hadn't acted rashly.
"Ignoring clan discipline, picking a fight, and losing so badly they got their arms broken—they had it coming."
Those had been Hiashi's exact words.
He saw beyond just the feud between the two clans, beyond the growing arrogance of the Hyuga youth.
With war looming, every ninja in Konoha was involved. If the Hyuga clashed too fiercely with the Uchiha now, it'd mean one less ally on the battlefield.
Or worse, an enemy ready to stab them in the back!
Setting aside the Hyuga's strict teachings, Hiashi was thinking of the clan's future…
That alone earned Nissei's approval.
His methods might still lack polish, but he already grasped the bigger picture—something a clan head absolutely needed.
"And your brother?"
"No idea," Hiashi shook his head.
"I thought he'd be with you, Father."
Both father and son furrowed their brows slightly.
With war on the horizon and the clan about to march, Hyuga Hizashi—the second son of the main family—had suddenly vanished.
"Father, I'll go look for him."
Hiashi gave a slight bow, turning to rush off and find his twin brother.
But the moment he turned, a chilling premonition struck!
He vaguely recalled… a few days ago, after those beaten branch members couldn't find him, they'd gone to his brother instead…
"Damn it!"
Meanwhile.
The three class-skipping students had finally dealt with their foe.
The Hyuga youth now lay battered, face swollen and unable to fight back…
"This guy calls himself a Hyuga chunin?" Obito Uchiha wiped the blood from his mouth, scoffing.
"Yeah, right—says the guy who got kicked ten meters away," Kakashi Hatake shot back with a roll of his eyes.
Wearing a ninja headband meant at least genin rank.
There was always a gap between proper ninja and ungraduated academy students…
Otherwise, why bother with graduation?
Kakashi sneaked a glance at Yuto Souta, who stood nearby lost in thought, his expression turning odd.
This Hyuga youth's strength clearly wasn't just genin-level.
He was likely a chunin!
Even injured, he'd kicked Obito flying and held his own against Kakashi for five full minutes!
Though he'd eventually succumbed to his wounds and exhaustion, all three of them had taken some hits…
But that wasn't the issue.
If this guy was this strong, then whoever had injured him…
Kakashi couldn't help but think of that Great Fireball hiding five fire dragons…
"This guy… he hasn't even been going all-out against me?!"
And that wasn't even his peak condition!
Yuto Souta, oblivious to Kakashi's stare, was reflecting on his recent training.
The Nested Great Fireball packed a punch, and its surprise factor made it devastating.
But… today's clash with this Hyuga youth had exposed plenty of flaws.
The seals—too slow.
The cost—too high!
He needed something stronger!
A technique for precise strikes that could be unleashed quickly!
His science-student brain kicked into high gear.
Unbeknownst to the trio, not far off, a pair of eyes watched them silently…
Snake-like pupils.
Orochimaru, the ultimate predator, had already marked Yuto Souta as his prey.
Being refused as a disciple didn't anger him—he had his pride.
So, letting his prey come to him had become his sole amusement…
"Even a Hyuga special jonin can't push you, huh… Souta-kun."
Orochimaru murmured hoarsely, his eyes gleaming with excitement!
He loved Yuto Souta's current expression.
Unlike the other two, bickering yet brimming with thrill.
After defeating a formidable opponent, instinctively analyzing the shortcomings of his research, casting aside emotions, and diving fully into ninjutsu development…
What a fine child!