While Hinata and her "Roasting Squad" Clones were happily researching and observing the snake egg, an undercurrent regarding her was surging.
Inside the Hokage Office, the smoke was even thicker than usual.
Tsunade sat casually in the chair that originally belonged to the Sandaime, her long legs crossed and resting on the edge of the desk. She held a thick dossier, her brow furrowed.
The Sandaime gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"Hey, Old Man," Tsunade tapped the dossier with her fingertip; it recorded all recent intelligence related to Hyuga Hinata.
"What's written here... are you sure you're not joking with me? 'Unfathomable strength,' 'participated in and led the killing of Danzo Shimura,' 'possesses unknown power'... is this really talking about that little girl from the Hyuga Clan?"
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe.
"Though it's hard to believe, according to multiple verifications—including the blurred memories of surviving Root members and the traces at the scene—these are most likely true."
He explained to Tsunade, using official terminology, how Danzo had illegally captured Hyuga Clan members and attempted to move against Hinata, only to be killed in retaliation. Naturally, he omitted the part where Hinata might have been more proactive, shifting all blame onto the deceased Danzo.
Tsunade put down the dossier.
"In other words, that old geezer Danzo brought it on himself, kicked a steel plate, and was actually killed by a little girl?"
There was a hint of indescribable absurdity in her tone.
"You could put it that way." The Sandaime sighed. "Hyuga Hinata... her current strength and existence have become a variable we must face, yet find difficult to control."
"Difficult to control?" Tsunade sneered.
"Old Man, I think you've gone senile. A Ninja with such power, and the Young Miss of the Hyuga Main Family to boot—as long as her heart is with Konoha, that's a good thing. What's this about 'control' or not? As long as she isn't a second Orochimaru or Danzo, she should be treated with respect."
She stood up and walked to the window, looking down at the bustling Konoha Village.
"I'm quite curious about her now. How did a teenage girl quietly gain such strength? It looks even more impressive than Jiraiya's Sage Mode."
The Sandaime pondered for a moment.
"Perhaps it's a secret transmission of the Hyuga Clan. Hiashi hasn't revealed anything."
"Secret transmission?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"If the Hyuga Clan had the ability to Cultivate to this level in such a short time, they would have unified the Ninja World long ago. In my opinion, it's more likely this little girl is special."
She picked up another report, which recorded Hinata's recent activities in the Village, her conduct, and her general personality.
"Strong, clean background, protects her family, and contributes to the Village."
Tsunade rubbed her chin and summarized.
"This sounds like a perfect konoha hero, except for being a bit too mysterious."
"It's decided!" Tsunade suddenly slammed the table, startling the pensive Sandaime. "I'm going to see this Hyuga Hinata personally!"
"Tsunade, you haven't met her, and she doesn't know you yet. Going there so abruptly..."
"What's there to fear?" Tsunade interrupted him dismissively.
"Is she going to hit me? Besides, I'm going to express goodwill and curiosity, not to pick a fight. I really want to see what kind of person this little girl is—the one who could take down a devious fellow like Danzo."
"Shizune, let's go. We're going to meet this Young Miss."
Tsunade was still very confident in her own strength; her monstrous power was unrivaled to this day.
"Eh? Now... right now? Lady Tsunade, isn't this a bit rushed? Shouldn't we prepare..."
Watching the decisive Tsunade head out the door, the Sandaime opened his mouth but ultimately let out a helpless sigh. He knew he couldn't stop his Disciple; he only hoped this meeting would go in a positive direction.
Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata's courtyard.
In the quiet room, Hinata had just finished a round of nourishing the snake egg with spiritual energy.
The luster on the surface of the snake egg seemed to have become slightly more vibrant, and the life fluctuations inside were becoming clearer and more powerful. The three Clones were still "performing their duties" nearby.
Clone B was recording seriously, while Clone A was gesturing at the eggshell.
"When you come out, Big Sis will teach you a set of Snake Fist. When you grow up and get longer, Big Sis can also teach you how to bind enemies. I've specifically studied a set of Rope Art for tying people up, hehehe..."
Clone C, on the other hand, used spiritual energy to manifest illusions of various small snacks, waving them around the eggshell, trying to make the egg crave them.
"You need to study that? Isn't it just about restraining the limbs? Why make it so complicated?" Clone C looked speechless.
"What do you know? This kind of full-body Rope Art is the essence of binding. The marks left behind, the parts of the body pushed out by the rope... that's the essence. That feeling of being bound all over and unable to move, being firmly controlled, plus the pleasure of being constricted... just thinking about it makes one's blood boil~"
"?"
"You talk as if you've experienced it yourself. All talk and no action."
"Then why don't you stay still, and I'll let you experience if it's real right now."
"It's not certain who will bind whom. Don't beg for mercy when the time comes."
While they were bickering, Hinata's main body and the three Clones paused simultaneously.
Hinata looked up, her pure Byakugan gazing toward the courtyard gate.
Clone A immediately entered combat alert mode. "Work's here? Awesome!"
Clone B pushed up her non-existent glasses: "It's Tsunade. Why is she here? Didn't they say she went to look for Orochimaru?"
Clone C had already quickly put away the snacks and wiped off the grease.
"Wow! It's the Big Fat Sheep... uh, no, it's Tsunade! This is great. Her figure is explosive, all curves in the right places. Binding her with that Rope Art you described would definitely be super erotic. Why don't you go try? See how it works."
"Not now, I'm lacking Materials. Hey, main body, hurry up and exchange for an Immortal Binding Rope, then Tsunade won't be able to break free, hehe."
Hinata stood up, speechless at the Clones' suggestions. She didn't even have the equipment for that, yet the 'Lower House' was trying to control the 'Upper House.'
"If I exchange for it, I'll bind you first. You'd probably enjoy it anyway."
"Eh? Really?...Uh, I mean, that wouldn't be very good."
Hinata rolled her eyes again and dispelled the Clones.
"Poof!" "Poof!" "Poof!" Three clouds of white smoke flashed, and the three Clones with distinct personalities disappeared instantly. Their memories and perceptions returned to the main body simultaneously.
Only Hinata remained in the quiet room, along with the snake egg on the cushion.
Hinata straightened her clothes and walked steadily toward the courtyard gate.
She took a deep breath, her face returning to its usual gentle and indifferent expression, and reached out to pull open the gate.
Outside the door stood two people—Tsunade and Shizune.
And a pig... Tsunade crossed her arms, her golden eyes filled with undisguised scrutiny and curiosity as she looked the white-clad girl up and down. Shizune stood slightly behind her, a hint of awkward but polite smile on her face.
"I was unaware of your visit. May I ask what brings you here?"
Tsunade looked at the girl before her, whose aura was calm and seemed completely inconsistent with the image of the ruthless person who participated in "killing Danzo." Her interest grew.
"I wouldn't call it 'guidance,'" Tsunade's voice carried its characteristic magnetism.
"I've just heard many times that the Hyuga Clan has produced an extraordinary character, so I came specifically to get acquainted."
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