15 - The Uchiha Research Maniac: The Hyuga Strike Back
"Who… who did this?!"
When the old clan head saw his second son, the ominous feeling in his heart finally turned into reality.
Hyuga Hizashi's injuries were horrific… bruises, burns, frostbite—there wasn't a single unmarred spot on his body!
Such wounds easily brought to mind the incident from half a month ago.
Only this time, there was an added burn and no broken arms.
Mostly because the trio had been too exhausted…
"Father, I'll find the culprits right now!"
Beside him, Hyuga Hiashi suppressed his rage, trembling as he gritted his teeth.
He was usually calm and restrained.
But this was his twin brother!
How could he stay calm seeing him like this?
His gaze fell on a few branch family members nearby, his eyes icy with killing intent.
"Before Hizashi got hurt, I saw you go to him."
"What did you say?"
Hiashi clung to his last shred of reason.
The questioned branch family members paled instantly.
Three minutes later.
They finally stammered out their story.
Hiashi took several deep breaths to quell the fury raging inside him.
"So… Hizashi went to stand up for you, breaking clan rules to confront those Uchiha kids…"
Looking at his unconscious brother, Hiashi voiced his conclusion.
It wasn't hard to piece together.
He knew his brother's nature better than anyone…
They'd once clashed fiercely over the main and branch family divide.
But the Hyuga main family… could only have one heir.
Once Hizashi accepted that reality, he'd willingly embraced his fate.
This unauthorized revenge mission was likely just to back up these branch members on Hiashi's behalf…
After all.
Some things Hiashi couldn't do himself.
"I understand."
With one final deep breath, Hiashi's gaze returned to its usual calm.
But behind that calm was a terrifying weight!
He turned to face his father directly.
"Father, if this isn't handled well, our clansmen on the battlefield might lose their will to fight."
With war imminent and one of their leaders beaten to a pulp, the culprits were obvious. Further tolerance would have dire consequences.
That wasn't the Hyuga way!
"I understand," Hyuga Nissei nodded.
"Hiashi, handle it."
"As the next head of the Hyuga main family—and as a brother!"
Meanwhile, back home, Yuto Souta didn't dive straight into his usual second round of theoretical training.
Instead, he filled a basin with hot water and indulged in a luxurious soak.
Today, he'd faced a real ninja.
Though it was just a contest of Gentle Fist and taijutsu, this was a ninja with genuine combat ability.
It excited him a little… but his choice to rest tonight wasn't just about that.
That afternoon, the trio had submitted their graduation applications.
Their homeroom teacher, Kuroshu Nen, had spent a full half-hour earnestly trying to dissuade them.
Obito had nearly backed out…
But in the end, it was settled.
Their applications would follow protocol, landing on the Third Hokage's desk for his decision.
Yuto Souta didn't have a habit of cramming before exams.
Not this time either.
He never fought battles he wasn't sure of—last-minute panic was for slackers.
Not his style.
"Slacking off, huh… Souta-kun."
A familiar voice cut through the air.
That raspy, eerie tone confirmed the visitor's identity.
Orochimaru.
But this time, it wasn't his real body—just a small white snake.
"Here to face my second rejection, Orochimaru-san?" Yuto Souta replied bluntly from the bath.
"No, I'm here to congratulate you on soon becoming a ninja…"
Orochimaru didn't take offense, his tone still playful.
"But don't worry, I've already picked out your jonin instructor—a very capable one."
"Trust me. Unlike that trash you faced today, this jonin will satisfy you…"
Yuto Souta frowned.
Outside of research, he rarely cared about much.
A habit carried over from his past life…
But he didn't like being manipulated.
Even if it was over something trivial…
"Didn't expect you to pass up this chance," Yuto Souta said coolly.
He'd assumed Orochimaru would use the jonin instructor role to get closer and achieve his goals.
It caught him off guard.
"No… I just don't have the time. The war in the Land of Wind needs me."
Orochimaru's voice held a hint of regret, growing fainter as if it might vanish any moment…
Just as the chakra in the little snake neared depletion, and even Yuto Souta thought Orochimaru was about to leave—
"By the way, the Hyuga clan's young master has already gone to the Third Hokage."
"Souta-kun… aren't you curious what they're up to?"