Chapter 203 : Chapter 203 Masahiko, you are a hero of Konoha!
Chapter 203: Masahiko, You are Konoha's Hero!
Konoha was just as it had always been.
The only difference was that the streets seemed a bit more deserted than usual, and there were far fewer patrolling Ninjas.
In exchange—
On the outskirts, the number of Ninjas had increased.
Inside the Ninja Academy, Neji was even more silent than before and more focused on his cultivation.
Even during class, he would silently use his Chakra, attempting to organize his Chakra pathways and Tenketsu, trying to train his Chakra control techniques.
Neji's expression remained calm and indifferent as Chakra threads formed at his fingertips, flipping through the pages of a book.
Under the guidance of a good teacher, he had a clear direction, and his strength was improving rapidly.
The amount of Chakra he could refine was also significantly more than before.
But a great mountain always weighed down upon him!
Without breaking the Caged Bird, he would always be a puppet in the hands of others, his life controlled by the Main House.
Thinking back to the scene from that day, an infinite desire to become stronger surged within Neji's heart.
If he were that strong, perhaps assassinating Hiashi—
"Calm down!"
Neji took a deep breath, suppressing the increasingly unstable emotions in his heart.
After class, he went to the corridor and looked down from above.
Below, Naruto's class was having a Taijutsu lesson.
Masahiko Yagyu hadn't come to class for a long time.
Neji watched Hinata practicing in the distance, his gaze becoming somewhat complicated.
He hated the Main House.
But at the same time, he felt that the little girl down there was truly quite pitiful.
Lacking the necessary ability, talent, and character, she was forced into that position because of her birth, facing danger time and again.
And what about him?
He believed he had the ability, yet he had become part of the Branch House, only to be controlled by others.
But at the same time—
The first time, his father died.
The second time, Hyūga Takashi died.
Neji clenched his fists and whispered, "Incompetence is a sin!"
He turned and went back to the classroom.
I must become even stronger!
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, a weariness he couldn't hide on his face.
"Hayate, I know you really want to contribute to the Village, but right now, your priority is to rest and recover!"
"
"Hokage-sama, I— *cough, cough*!"
Hayate Gekkō couldn't stop coughing, yet he still wanted to go on a mission.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.
"Say no more. Your current mission is actually not any easier than those in the Anbu."
He spoke garrulously.
Hayate Gekkō had no choice but to nod and leave.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly.
If not for his physical issues, Hayate Gekkō would definitely have been an excellent Ninja, and might even have been able to take over the Anbu.
But now, he could only refuse Hayate's repeated requests.
Besides—
I wonder how the situation is in the Land of Water.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, his inner anxiety beyond words.
Just then, a voice reached his ears.
Using Konoha's barrier and the newly installed equipment, Inoichi Yamanaka sent a message directly via the Mind Transmission Jutsu: "Hokage-sama, news has come back from the front lines; they have returned successfully!"
"That's wonderful!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was ecstatic.
It's good that they're back!
Before, his biggest worry was that something had happened to Kakashi and Masahiko.
They are the future of Konoha!
If something had really happened, he didn't know when he'd be able to cultivate another such outstanding genius. Fortunately, everything was fine now.
After a while, Inoichi Yamanaka came over and handed the intelligence scroll sent back from the front lines to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.
A few days later, at the entrance of the Konoha Anbu Base.
At night, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not yet slept, waiting here for the returning people.
After a long time, several figures returned from outside.
After the three of them bowed, they went straight into the base, leaving only Masahiko and Kakashi at the entrance.
"Hokage-sama."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi held Kakashi's hand and then patted Masahiko's shoulder. "You've done well, especially Masahiko—I've heard about how you stayed behind to hold off Kisame for everyone!"
"It was my duty, sir."
Masahiko replied respectfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and sighed, "Nothing is just 'what should be done'."
He smiled and pointed to the woods ahead.
"Care for a walk?"
"Sure."
Kakashi and Masahiko nodded together.
After entering the woods, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "There are too many capable people in the Ninja World. Of the many S-rank Rogue Ninjas, which one isn't a famous figure?"
"Some people do real work, while others cause destruction."
"We must remember the enemies who cause destruction, but we must also remember the heroes who contribute to the Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke softly.
He looked at Masahiko and Kakashi, his eyes full of kindness and benevolence. "In this regard, you have both done well."
"Thank you for your praise, Hokage-sama!"
Masahiko replied respectfully.
The three of them walked and chatted casually, with Hiruzen Sarutobi mostly listening as Kakashi and Masahiko described the events.
At the end.
Masahiko mentioned, "Afterwards, I went to find that female Ninja."
"Huh?"
Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly in surprise. "A Shadow Clone?"
"Yes, I wanted to try and see if I could cause some trouble for them."
Masahiko answered truthfully.
Then, he gave a rough description but omitted the part about controlling the Nighthawk, replacing it with using hidden weapon techniques to throw it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi looked at each other and nodded slightly. "Regardless of whether they believe it or not, it can only benefit us."
"I thought so too. Moreover, if our guess is correct, the battle and delay with Kisame Hoshigaki can serve to divert their attention—"
Masahiko explained his motives.
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed. "You truly have a talent for this line of work."
Kakashi scratched his head and adjusted his forehead protector.
"He's much better than I am. I can kill people, but I'm really not good at this kind of thing."
"Hahaha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed loudly. "Masahiko, just say what kind of help you need, and I will grant it!"
"Hokage-sama, I would like to learn the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu. I wonder if that would be appropriate?"
"Of course!"
The day after they returned.
Masahiko woke up slowly, his head thumping with pain.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been very generous; he had taught him the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu yesterday.
Last night, he had been practicing and experimenting in the Training Space.
This was an A-rank Ninjutsu, and its difficulty was certainly not low.
After an entire night—
[Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu: Proficient]
It was still some distance away from Mastery.
Starting from scratch was indeed difficult.
However.
With the foundation of other Ninjutsu, he wasn't slow to learn.
After waking up, he glanced out the window.
Hmm?
Below, quite a few people had already gathered.
Inuzuka, Akimichi, Aburame—
Basically, people from Konoha's major clans had come, but the most eye-catching were naturally the few from the Hyuga Clan.
These few were not from the Branch House; the leader was a genuine member of the Main House.
Masahiko came downstairs.
"I'm sorry—why didn't you wake me?"
"Haha, you are Konoha's Hero. We all came for an unannounced visit, so how could we disturb your rest?"
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