Chapter 17: Technology and Bold Moves!
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"I really didn't expect so many things to have happened..."
Inside the Hokage Office in Konoha.
After listening to the report, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the trio of Kakashi, feeling quite speechless.
He truly hadn't expected that these three, sent to support Shisui's squad, would run into Ao.
Then, while checking Orochimaru's abandoned laboratory, they encountered his 'beloved student'.
How unlucky could they be...
"However, you all performed very well."
Although his mood was complicated, a smile appeared on his face when his gaze fell upon Hyuga Makoto.
"Especially you, Makoto, your performance this time was excellent!"
Hyuga Makoto had completely exceeded his expectations this time!
Not only did he kill Ao, but he was also able to analyze and judge calmly when facing the danger posed by Orochimaru.
Ultimately, he protected his teammates and retreated unharmed!
Such performance further confirmed to him that his choice was correct.
"Hokage-sama, you flatter me."
Hyuga Makoto remained quite respectful toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, after all, he was the one who helped him complete his first exclusive mission.
"If it weren't for Captain Kakashi and Senior Sai, I couldn't have accomplished any of this."
"Makoto, you don't need to be so modest."
Kakashi, who had been silent, spoke up now, and Sai also nodded in agreement.
"That's right, if it weren't for you, we really would have been in trouble."
"It seems you three are getting along well."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the state of the three and couldn't help but laugh.
Although the trio had been quite unlucky, they had returned safely in the end, and this atmosphere satisfied him.
After all, the Anbu didn't operate under the same rules as the Root.
"Also, Makoto, you truly don't need to be modest. You were facing Orochimaru; your performance is undeniable."
"Then I thank the Hokage-sama for the praise."
Hyuga Makoto didn't act humble this time either; who doesn't love hearing compliments?
Moreover, receiving 'affirmation from the Hokage and the Anbu' would help advance his main quest!
And he planned to step things up; he still had some bold moves up his sleeve.
Thinking of this, he paused for a 'moment of hesitation' before continuing.
"Hokage-sama, speaking of Orochimaru, there is one more thing I feel needs reporting."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked puzzled, taking a puff from his pipe directly.
"Just say whatever you need to."
"Captain, Senior."
Hyuga Makoto didn't answer immediately, instead turning to look at Kakashi and Sai.
"Do you two remember what Orochimaru was wearing at the time?"
"I remember, it was a long robe with a black background and red clouds."
Sai replied somewhat strangely, while Kakashi frowned.
"Makoto, are you suspecting... that it was some kind of standard uniform?"
"Standard uniform?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately became much more serious. He clearly understood what this implied!
"I can't be certain, but besides the clothes, I noticed one other thing."
Hyuga Makoto shook his head slightly, but he quickly continued.
"Through the Byakugan, I saw he was wearing a ring on his hand engraved with the character 'Empty' (Kong)."
This sentence instantly plunged the entire Hokage Office into a deathly silence!
They were all intelligent people. If one piece of clothing wasn't much, adding a ring symbolizing identity...
"It's highly likely that Orochimaru has either joined some Ninja organization, or he created one himself!"
How could such a thing not make them tense?
This was Orochimaru; he was far too dangerous!
"Makoto, are you sure you saw clearly?"
Faced with such a grave matter, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to ask again. Hyuga Makoto was genuinely honest this time.
"Hokage-sama, I saw it very clearly. There is no mistake."
"It seems the situation is a bit troublesome..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly feeling frustrated now. Although it wasn't completely confirmed, he couldn't ignore any piece of information!
If Orochimaru truly created a Ninja organization, what was his goal? Would it be Konoha?
If Orochimaru joined a Ninja organization...
"What kind of organization would make the arrogant Orochimaru join? What organization dares to harbor a rogue Ninja like Orochimaru?"
The more Hiruzen Sarutobi thought, the more depressed he became. The Village already had issues with the Uchiha causing trouble, and now there was the crisis of Orochimaru outside the Village.
The worst part was that aside from the clothes and the ring, they had no other information!
"Hokage-sama, I think there might be one place we could try."
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was feeling most vexed, Hyuga Makoto 'timely' spoke up again.
"Orochimaru has many laboratories; where does the money come from?"
"The Ninja Black Market?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately understood Hyuga Makoto's meaning and nodded thoughtfully.
They had actually investigated the Black Market long ago, but hadn't gathered any intelligence. But now...
"We can investigate and see if there are people wearing similar attire!"
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind, and his gaze fell on Hyuga Makoto again.
He truly felt a sense of awe now. It was a good thing he agreed to let Hyuga Makoto join the Anbu.
Not to mention the Ao issue, they would have missed such crucial intelligence regarding Orochimaru!
"Perhaps I should do something..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered secretly. His thoughts were somewhat unconventional, and he needed to discuss them with Danzo and the others.
"Do not let today's events leak out."
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly spoke.
"Also, Makoto, your performance was exceptionally outstanding. I wonder what reward you desire."
"Reward?"
Hyuga Makoto was stunned for a moment, and his expression immediately brightened.
"Anything is possible?"
"Not entirely, but I will seriously consider it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, holding his pipe, completely unaware that Kakashi's and Sai's expressions had changed.
But Hyuga Makoto's next sentence immediately stunned him.
"Then, Hokage-sama, can the bounty for Ao be issued directly!"
"?"
"Also, can it be claimed under the names of Captain Kakashi and Senior Sai?"
"..."
"After all, the lion's share of the bounty comes from the Hyuga..."
"..."
Kakashi and Sai remained silent; they knew this sort of thing would happen.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He realized that although Hyuga Makoto was excellent, he seemed to have a few minor flaws...
...
"Finally back."
In the Hyuga Clan compound, at Hyuga Makoto's home.
Having just arrived home, he collapsed onto his bed. He had been traveling and sleeping rough for over a week and hadn't rested properly.
"But all of this has its rewards..."
A smile played on Hyuga Makoto's lips. Hiruzen Sarutobi was indeed very generous.
He had already agreed to ask the Hyuga Clan for the money, and the disbursement time would not exceed one week!
"And Kakashi and Sai voluntarily took less, so I got an 'Asuma' in hand..."
Hyuga Makoto genuinely lacked money, not because he couldn't live, but because he had to plan for the future.
"My Bloodline lacks other affinities, so I can only adopt other methods."
The real reason he wanted to find Orochimaru was because he valued Orochimaru's technology!
He wanted to clone bodies with different Chakra affinities. This would not only allow him to adapt to other Chakra natures in advance and accumulate enough experience.
When his Bloodline was upgraded, he could quickly master and utilize them!
"Even if I truly can't, I can still absorb them through some secret jutsu..."
Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but think of a certain 'Senior' from his memory, and the vibrant and flourishing Ninja World provided the necessary conditions for this.
"Moreover, to become the 'Core Of World,' I can't just stay in Konoha. Those bodies can help me a lot..."
[Main Quest: Become the Core Of World (2%)]
[You already have a decent small circle; everyone likes to gather around you, but you are too insignificant.]
Looking at his status panel, Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but nod.
Although the evaluation hadn't changed, the progress had increased!
After all, in this mission, he gained recognition from Kakashi and the Hokage, plus he exposed some of Orochimaru's secrets.
This gave him a clearer understanding of the direction for his future actions!
"Although I can replicate Naruto, that kid will also be a 'Core Of World' in the future, but..."
Instead of waiting until the Fourth Great Ninja War, why not proactively give things a push?
Whether as a protagonist or an antagonist...
"Forget it, I'll take it slow."
He shook his head and stopped thinking about these matters. He still had quite a few things to do.
He felt he really needed to thank Orochimaru properly.
Because Orochimaru truly gave him a pile of technology and bold moves...
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