Chapter 29: Time for a Big Move!
"Captain Kakashi, what's the matter? You seem in quite a hurry."
On the way to the Hokage Building, Hyuga Makoto looked curiously at Kakashi beside him.
Today was his scheduled day off; otherwise, he wouldn't have taken Neji and Hinata for training.
But he hadn't expected Kakashi to come looking for him right after!
Thinking of Naruto's somewhat greenish face, Hyuga Makoto felt a little embarrassed. He didn't like deceiving fools...
But such urgency inevitably made him suspicious.
"Could it be, the Uchiha..."
"..."
Though Kakashi's expression was hidden behind his mask, his body clearly stiffened for a moment.
He gave Hyuga Makoto a somewhat speechless look. He felt this kid was getting a bit too close to a certain one-eyed old man?
"Makoto, don't think wildly, and don't be so extreme. It has nothing to do with them."
"Oh..."
Hyuga Makoto blinked. Kakashi immediately changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, you really are as the reports say—you can make friends with anyone."
He truly didn't want to discuss Uchiha matters further. He knew perfectly well it was a murky mess.
Especially with the valley barrier failing, a mysterious battle erupting inside, and Uchiha Shisui committing suicide on the same day.
All these things combined clearly pointed to something far from simple!
He quite liked Hyuga Makoto and naturally didn't want him getting too involved.
"That kid Naruto, he seems to get along well with you."
"Just so-so. I ran into him a few times when we were kids, helped him out a bit."
Kakashi didn't want to talk about it, and Hyuga Makoto wouldn't press. He replied with a hint of amusement.
"I found he's quite different from the rumors, and his personality isn't bad either, so..."
"He is indeed not bad. But you should know his true identity by now, right?"
Kakashi sighed slightly. Seeing Hyuga Makoto nod, he continued.
"Jinchuriki... every Village raises them the same way.
Only by instilling a resolute character can we prevent them from losing control in the future.
The previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was raised this way, and Naruto is no exception.
Since you've become friends with him without knowing, I'd ask you to look out for him more from now on."
"I understand, Captain Kakashi."
Faced with Kakashi's request, Hyuga Makoto had no reason to refuse.
Though Naruto was a bit of a blockhead, he was indeed a good friend!
Provided you don't count on him to avenge you...
Moreover, he wasn't surprised by this outcome.
Naruto's life was tough, but looking across the entire Ninja World, probably only Fū from Hidden Waterfall Village had it better!
Killer Bee had the Raikage as his good big brother, but he still had rotten eggs thrown at him as a child.
Gaara was assassinated by his own father who knows how many times, driven completely mad!
Other Jinchuriki had their own hardships too. Comparatively, Naruto was doing okay. Making friends with him was no problem at all.
Besides, Hyuga Makoto had been on good terms with him before joining the Anbu, so naturally, no one would ask him to sever that connection.
"You're here?"
After chatting casually for a bit, they soon arrived at the Hokage Office.
Yamato and Uchiha Itachi were already there. Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up once everyone was present.
"My apologies for calling you here at this time. There's a mission I need to assign to you."
"Please go ahead, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi, as the captain, took the initiative to respond. Hyuga Makoto curiously assessed the team composition.
"Four people... seems a bit few..."
"Because there are other matters in the Village requiring more manpower."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked somewhat awkward at the comment but still offered an explanation.
"You are all elite. This mission is primarily reconnaissance. Also, Makoto, this mission concerns you."
"Me?"
Hyuga Makoto was taken aback. Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze turned serious.
"Your judgment about Orochimaru was correct. He is indeed involved with a certain Ninja organization, and our investigation suggests he likely has more than one companion!"
"Orochimaru..."
Kakashi and Yamato frowned, while Uchiha Itachi looked curious.
He knew nothing about the matters concerning Orochimaru.
"Based on current intelligence, Orochimaru is suspected to have two companions."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't beat around the bush. He spoke gravely.
"One wears a mask, seems capable of bypassing Konoha's barriers, and is said to possess extraordinary insight. Other abilities are currently unknown.
The other is your target. He operates in the black markets of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers. I want you to confirm this."
"The black markets of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind?"
Kakashi nodded slightly, pondering what kind of person would associate with Orochimaru.
Hyuga Makoto, however, felt a bit strange inside. There really seemed to be someone from the Akatsuki Organization active in that area!
"Sasori..."
He truly hadn't expected this. Just earlier, he was pondering the Sharingan on Sasori's Puppet.
And now, he was really going to encounter him?
And right at this moment, his System flashed!
[New Side Mission Acquired]
[1. I am a Proud Ninja: Defeat Orochimaru and Sasori]
[2. Friends Stab Me Twice: Assist Orochimaru and Sasori in eliminating the Anbu squad]
"..."
Looking at the new side missions, Hyuga Makoto's expression grew even more peculiar.
He really hadn't thought Orochimaru would be there too?
"But, him being there shouldn't be a big problem..."
Hyuga Makoto murmured inwardly, his gaze involuntarily shifting to Uchiha Itachi.
Though it was much earlier, Orochimaru had surely used the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique by now!
Uchiha Itachi's Tsukuyomi should be able to handle him, right?
As for Sasori...
Hyuga Makoto truly wasn't afraid. His Tenseigan possessed Puppet control abilities!
If it came to a fight, even if he couldn't seize control, he should be able to completely nullify Sasori's Puppets.
"But it's best not to expose my abilities. At least, I have no intention of doing so now. So then..."
An idea suddenly occurred to Hyuga Makoto. Could he 'log in' to that persona ahead of schedule?
After all, he had long since figured out that to become the 'Core Of World,' he naturally had to gather people to his side.
If they were unwilling, then drive them away!
If they still refused, then he'd have no choice but to find a way to eliminate them...
And during this process, he also planned to gradually reveal the truth about the 'Otsutsuki'!
After all, the Otsutsuki were the future threat to the Ninja World. His role as the 'Core Of World' was most likely to deal with them.
"And now, this is a perfect opportunity."
Hyuga Makoto made up his mind. He even thought about imitating Otsutsuki Isshiki a bit.
As for how to prevent Konoha from paying too much attention to him, it couldn't be simpler!
Just let the Akatsuki Organization suffer a bit, and everything would be fine...
"Makoto, you are the most crucial part of this mission. I'm counting on you."
While he was lost in thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again, though his expression was somewhat odd.
"Also, do you have something on your mind?"
"Uh..."
Hyuga Makoto snapped back to reality, only then noticing he had been staring at Uchiha Itachi.
This was somewhat embarrassing, but he reacted quickly, immediately putting on a serious face.
"Hokage-sama, I was thinking about that 'person with extremely keen insight' you mentioned earlier."
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly realized he might have been better off not asking!
"Itachi-san, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan insight is considered unparalleled in the Ninja World, correct?"
But Hyuga Makoto looked at Uchiha Itachi and continued.
"So, does your clan have any missing persons?"
"..."
"Or, perhaps, bodies that were never recovered after death?"
"..."
"And also..."
"Alright, Makoto!"
Uchiha Itachi managed to keep his composure, but Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't hold back.
You can say these things, but don't say them in front of Uchiha Itachi to me...
"Makoto, this matter does warrant attention, but your current mission is Orochimaru's companion. Understood?"
"Oh, I know, Hokage-sama."
Hyuga Makoto blinked and said no more. Uchiha Itachi's gaze, however, grew distant.
He wasn't thinking of Shisui, but of that person who killed his comrade back then, forcing him to awaken his Sharingan!
He had never told anyone about this, but he had a vague sense that guy was watching him...
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