Chapter 28: So Useful, Shisui
"Makoto-kun, are you heading out for training?"
"So diligent. No wonder you've achieved so much at such a young age!"
Inside the Hyuga Clan compound in Konoha.
Hyuga Makoto was leading Neji and Hinata out for training. On the way, every branch family member they encountered would greet them enthusiastically.
This situation had been going on for several days.
As the announcement circulated, the entire Hyuga Clan became aware of Hyuga Makoto's merits!
Especially since there were people continuously recounting how Hyuga Hiashi personally welcomed him, and how the main family members looked displeased but helpless.
The branch families were not fools; they all realized how special Hyuga Makoto was.
This was a branch family member who had freedom!
The way they looked at Hyuga Makoto now had become fervent; they all longed to be as free as he was.
However, Hyuga Makoto was personally invited by the Hokage; they didn't have that kind of treatment.
The best course of action now was to build a good relationship with Hyuga Makoto, hoping to get his recommendation!
"Thank you, everyone..."
Hyuga Makoto smiled politely, but his smile was somewhat stiff.
After these few days, he felt like he was about to wear out from smiling!
He understood the branch families' intentions, but he wouldn't foolishly make any promises.
"Everyone, I must excuse myself now. Let's have a proper sit-down when I have time later."
"Alright, then we wish Makoto-kun all the best!"
"Thank you..."
Hyuga Makoto quickly pulled Neji and Hinata and hurried away. Only after running out of the Hyuga compound gate did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hoo, I'm exhausted..."
"You blockhead, isn't this a good thing?"
Neji glared at Hyuga Makoto, but his eyes were also burning with excitement!
Originally, he hadn't realized what Hyuga Makoto joining the Anbu meant.
But as everyone discussed over these days, he also understood Hyuga Makoto's special status.
This was something his father had always longed for but never achieved!
"Indeed, Father has also been praising Makoto-nii all the time," Hinata added softly from the side. She truly hadn't seen her father praise anyone like this before.
"Tch, what do you two know?" Hyuga Makoto snorted lightly, walking forward with his hands clasped behind his head.
"Also, you two are progressing too slowly. Although you've mastered water walking, your Chakra control is still insufficient. You must keep practicing!"
"Oh..."
Hinata and Neji immediately dared not speak up. Hyuga Makoto's training regimen for them was too harsh!
However, this kind of training also made their performance at the academy exceptionally outstanding.
Even Hinata could score highly on some assessments, which surprised even her father.
So, even though they felt a headache coming on, they were also filled with motivation!
They chatted idly as they walked, quickly arriving at Konoha's bustling downtown area. However, Neji frowned at this moment.
"Are arrests always this rough nowadays?"
"Ah, them..."
Hyuga Makoto turned to look and saw members of the Police Force roughly pinning a villager against a wall, with many people whispering nearby.
"They have grievances, so they need an outlet, I suppose."
"Grievances?"
Neji didn't understand. Hinata softly explained.
"I heard Father mention that a Genius from the Uchiha committed suicide."
"Suicide?"
Neji's expression immediately became strange, as if he recalled something unpleasant.
But at this moment, Hyuga Makoto's hand was already gripping his head.
"Mm, Uchiha Shisui. You've seen him. His body was never found after his death, so the Uchiha are somewhat dissatisfied, I suppose."
"The body wasn't found...?"
Neji pursed his lips, the unpleasant memories deepening.
Hyuga Makoto also felt quite helpless. Didn't this kid Neji overthink things too much?
"However, I have a similar problem..."
Hyuga Hizashi 'took the blame' too heavily. Who knew what he would say if he were Edo Tensei'd?
What pained Hyuga Makoto was that he later remembered Hyuga Hizashi's remains were sent to Hidden Cloud Village; he didn't even have the chance to dig up the grave!
"I must find an opportunity to see if I can get his remains back..."
He sighed inwardly, then continued speaking.
"Let's go. We'll grab something to eat, and then head to training."
"Okay."
Neji didn't speak. Hinata timidly nodded beside him.
"But it's truly pitiful; without a body, he can't rest in peace..."
"Ha, perhaps..."
Hyuga Makoto shook his head, feeling a bit amused internally.
Uchiha Shisui was doing quite well right now!
At this moment, Shisui had awakened, and although he lacked his eyes, at least he was alive.
Hyuga Makoto had left a Shadow Clone to look after him. As for his eyes, Hyuga Makoto wasn't planning on putting them back in for now.
"Who knows if it will affect the Chakra Sphere's effect? I'll worry about it later..."
Hyuga Makoto was currently considering how to get a pair of eyes for this guy.
He remembered that Sasori had Sharingan in his Puppets; he just didn't know if he would encounter them, or if they would even be usable.
"Also, I need to consider the laboratory and equipment issues..."
Uchiha Itachi hadn't revealed the truth, and Shisui's death had severely struck the Uchiha's morale.
But Konoha didn't dare to relax; after all, it was hard to predict when the Uchiha might act out again.
Hyuga Makoto had also been on duty in Konoha the entire time. He used this opportunity to observe the layout of Konoha's barrier with his Tenseigan.
This observation confirmed his choice for the laboratory's location.
It was just that excavating it silently was a bit troublesome, besides the equipment issues that gave him a headache.
"These things need to be bought externally, and moreover, experiments are a bottomless pit. My current funds are completely insufficient, but..."
But he had Shisui!
Even without the Mangekyo, Shisui could still help him do many things.
Whether it was digging out the laboratory or taking missions in the black market to earn money...
"Huh? Makoto!"
Just as he was pondering some details, a little blond head suddenly popped out.
"Neji and Hinata are here too? What are you guys doing here?"
"Tch, him again..."
Neji turned his face away upon seeing Naruto. Hinata, however, politely greeted him.
"Naruto-kun, good morning."
"It's you, Naruto," Hyuga Makoto snapped back to attention, finding it somewhat amusing to see Naruto carrying large bags and packages.
"Why did you buy so much again? Aren't you afraid it will expire? Didn't I tell you to ask me if you couldn't buy something?"
"Tch, I went to look for you, but you weren't home."
Naruto picked his ear, then his face lit up with excitement.
"I heard you went on a mission. What kind of mission was it? Was it dangerous? Exciting? Fun?"
"A Ninja's mission isn't fun."
Hyuga Makoto rolled his eyes. How dare he casually ask about an Anbu mission?
"Alright, stop asking. You'll know once you graduate..."
Saying this, he paused suddenly, then spoke thoughtfully and slowly.
"Unless, someone can't graduate..."
"You bastard! Who are you talking about?!"
Naruto's entire shock of blond hair immediately stood on end, but Hyuga Makoto shrugged nonchalantly.
"I didn't name anyone specifically. Who knows? Alright, since we ran into each other, let me treat you to a bowl of ramen. We still have training later."
"Training?"
Naruto was momentarily stunned, but his eyes quickly lit up.
He was quite unhappy with Sasuke at the academy, yet Sasuke always seemed to have the upper hand over him.
If he could have a Ninja train him...
Thinking of this, he immediately became somewhat shy.
"Um... can I join you guys?"
"Uh..."
Hyuga Makoto blinked, but Naruto quickly added.
"I'll cover the ramen this time!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! I just got my allowance!"
"No regrets?"
"You're so nagging! I absolutely do not regret it!"
"Fine, since you insist."
Seeing Naruto's determination, Hyuga Makoto suddenly felt the kid was genuinely adorable.
He was already taking two others along anyway; taking one more wouldn't matter. Moreover, helping Naruto more would be very beneficial to him!
Naruto's face immediately broke into a grin. Finally, someone could tutor him in his training.
However, half an hour later...
"You guys... you guys..."
Naruto looked in disbelief at the pile of empty bowls on the table, then at Hinata who was lowering her head, and the nonchalant Hyuga Makoto.
He truly hadn't expected these two could eat so much!
"Forget it, forget it. He's going to train me anyway, and I just got my allowance..."
Naruto trembled as he glanced at his frog wallet, comforting himself internally.
"Makoto."
Just then, an Anbu Ninja suddenly appeared. He looked at Naruto with confusion for a moment before speaking.
"The Hokage-sama is looking for you. Please go immediately."
"..."
Hyuga Makoto hadn't spoken yet, but Naruto beside him turned pale green...
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