Guidance

Konoha had seemed to improve quite a bit now that Danzo and those so-called Elders were gone.

After the war ended, Amegakure also appeared to have made no moves, focusing on domestic reconstruction plans. Iwagakure was likely silently licking its wounds, but intelligence indicated that Ōnoki had personally paid a visit to the Land of Earth Daimyo’s residence. Apparently, he had clashed bitterly with the daimyo over funding.

Konoha faced the same problem when it came to funding. If Tsunade had not allied herself with Hyuga Mirai, the Konoha she saw would probably have looked prosperous, recovering quickly after the war. But in reality, Konoha had severe financial problems. Due to debts for medicine, weapons, and other supplies, Konoha had already mortgaged off many assets, including a commercial street within the village and Konoha’s civilian electricity supply.

By opening her Ring Terminal, Tsunade could see from the internal reports just how thoroughly Konoha’s economy had been encroached upon.

If Iwagakure failed to secure funding, it would probably face Hyuga Mirai’s economic infiltration as well.

The last time Tsunade looked, there had only been six trade associations. This time, there were eleven. Had she not looked carefully, Tsunade might have thought Konoha’s favorable environment had attracted new trade associations. But after checking the records, she found that every one of them was a shell trade association belonging to Hyuga Mirai.

Training Ground No. 2 was one of the larger training grounds in Konoha, and it was close to the Forest of Death. Other than lacking wild beasts and poisonous insects, it was much the same as the Forest of Death.

Tsunade had sparred with Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai here for a while, gaining a good grasp of their abilities. Their strength had genuinely surprised Tsunade. If she did not use the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Sage Mode, Wood Release, or the Electromagnetic Field Technique, even she might lose if she was careless.

Yuhi Kurenai’s illusion techniques were exceptionally intricate. Her various subtle methods linked together one after another, and one never knew when they would take effect. She also possessed a solid taijutsu foundation. Tsunade could not quickly deal with Yuhi Kurenai, especially when she also had to fend off Hyuga Kiyomi’s attacks.

As for Hyuga Kiyomi, there was little else to say. Her Gentle Fist foundation was formidable, and both her speed and strength far exceeded Tsunade’s expectations. Under normal circumstances, Tsunade simply could not defeat Yuhi Kurenai and Hyuga Kiyomi.

"Alright, stop."

Tsunade called a halt. The surrounding ground had already been ravaged beyond recognition, with deep pits two or three meters across everywhere. Earth Style ninja would have to be brought in later to repair the place.

After their intense exchange, beads of sweat had formed on Tsunade’s face, and her clothes had become slightly damp from perspiration, clinging tightly to her ample chest. Seeing this, Hyuga Kiyomi panted lightly and could not help finding it rather dazzling. She turned her head away, only to see Yuhi Kurenai slowly approach her—a sight that was just as dazzling.

Tch!

Hyuga Kiyomi silently clicked her tongue through gritted teeth, then stood up and closed her eyes, refusing to look at anything that might disrupt her mood as she worked to recover her strength.

"I understand your abilities now. They’re truly impressive. Even in the entire Ninja World, strength like this would earn you a name," Tsunade said generously in praise. If Kakashi fought the two of them, he might not necessarily win. Even if Kakashi faced Yuhi Kurenai, whom he countered, his chances of victory would not be high.

Tsunade did not know how effective an outsider’s Sharingan was, but even she had fallen under Yuhi Kurenai’s illusion technique just now. Although Kakashi’s Sharingan could see through illusion techniques, he would still be affected when faced with Yuhi Kurenai’s methods.

"Both of your fighting styles have already taken shape, so there’s no point in learning my taijutsu. But some techniques and Chakra skills would greatly improve your strength if you can master them."

Tsunade did not understand Gentle Fist or illusion techniques, but she could help Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai shore up their weaknesses and strengthen themselves comprehensively.

"Even taijutsu cannot do without Chakra enhancement. This technique of mine can keep a ninja’s body in peak condition, and after it is released, Chakra can be used to comprehensively enhance the body’s speed and strength."

A trace of pride flashed across Tsunade’s face as she pointed to the Blue-Violet Diamond Mark on her forehead. This ninjutsu had once been her signature trump card. She stored Chakra during ordinary times, then released the seal in battle, allowing the Chakra markings to spread across her entire body. It enhanced her speed and strength in every aspect while also regenerating injured areas.

"Tsunade-sama, are you going to teach us… this ninjutsu?"

Yuhi Kurenai and Hyuga Kiyomi were both somewhat startled. They did not seem to have done anything, yet Tsunade was going to teach them an S-rank Forbidden Technique—one of Tsunade’s own renowned S-rank Forbidden Techniques, no less.

"With your achievements, you can exchange for this ninjutsu from the Book of Seals. I’m merely its developer, passing on some experience. But don’t celebrate too soon. The Strength of a Hundred Seal requires Medical Ninjutsu and precise Chakra control as its foundation. Whether you can learn it is another matter entirely."

Tsunade slightly dampened the two women’s confidence. Her disciple Shizune had fairly good Chakra control, yet she had not learned this technique. Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai both possessed strong Chakra control, but whether they could learn it was still uncertain.

"Alright. From now on, I’ll assign you a training milestone every so often. Once you complete them all, you can begin training in the Strength of a Hundred Seal."

Hyuga Kiyomi had been of considerable help to Tsunade, while Yuhi Kurenai was also a powerful younger ninja in Konoha. Tsunade naturally had no reason to refuse helping these two improve their strength in her spare time. Besides, this could also cause Hyuga Mirai a little trouble. The thought made Tsunade even more enthusiastic.

After assigning their training tasks, Tsunade left. Sunset was approaching, making it the perfect time for a drink.

After leaving Training Ground No. 2, Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai arrived at a crossroads. They were about to exchange farewells and head home in different directions, but before they parted, Yuhi Kurenai smilingly caught Hyuga Kiyomi off guard and used her advantage to bully her a little before jogging away.

Hyuga Kiyomi took a deep breath and walked toward the clan compound with a calm expression.

"Clan Head, you’ve returned."

"Clan Head."

Hyuga Kiyomi replied, "Mm, I’m back."

Whenever the Branch family members in the clan compound encountered Hyuga Kiyomi, they respectfully greeted her. The atmosphere within the Hyūga Clan was now flourishing. She had torn down the rigid etiquette and class hierarchy within the clan, and many Hyuga clansmen preferred the way things were now.

In the past, Branch family members might have upheld the clan’s honor because of the teachings they had received since childhood and the Caged Bird Seal. But now, many Branch family members willingly protected the clan’s honor of their own accord. Having learned Ninjutsu such as Revolving Heaven, Air Palm, and Mountain Crusher Strike, they were eager to make the Hyūga Clan Konoha’s foremost clan.

When she returned home, Hyuga Kiyomi happened to run into Hyuga Neji, who had just returned from school. Until Hyuga Neji graduated, he would continue living at Hyuga Kiyomi’s home. After all, Neji was still Hyuga Kiyomi’s disciple. Though they were of the same generation by seniority, their ages were far apart.

"Clan Head," Hyuga Neji respectfully greeted Hyuga Kiyomi.

"Neji, your current strength should already surpass that of the top student in the graduating class. Your days at the Ninja Academy no longer hold much meaning for you." After thinking for a moment, Hyuga Kiyomi continued, "From now on, take three days off from school each week. So long as it does not interfere with your Gentle Fist training, I want you to learn more skills. It may be difficult. Can you do it?"

A flash of delight passed through Hyuga Neji’s eyes. He hurriedly said, "I have no problem with that. Thank you for your guidance, Clan Head."

"Alright, go inside."

Hyuga Kiyomi and Hyuga Neji headed inside, but they happened to encounter Hyuga Tokuma, who had come looking for her.

Upon seeing Hyuga Kiyomi, Hyuga Tokuma immediately said, "Clan Head, quite a few clansmen have reported recently that someone has been asking about matters within our clan. Neji and the others have also been questioned by the same person while going to and from school."

"Is that so?" Hyuga Kiyomi frowned slightly and then looked at Hyuga Neji beside her.

After recalling it, Hyuga Neji said, "Someone did stop me on the road and ask some questions, but they were all about my grades and training. In the end, he also asked whether I would be willing to serve Hokage-sama in the future. Oh, Clan Head, that person was the Hokage’s assistant."

"The Hokage’s assistant… Yakushi Kabuto? There’s no need to worry about him for now. His actions are probably related to the Military Police Force."

Hyuga Kiyomi thought of the person in the Hokage’s Office and formed some guesses. If it was the Hokage’s assistant, there was no need for concern for now. After all, Tsunade still did not know what she had seen, and she had just intended to teach her the Strength of a Hundred Seal and the techniques for using Monstrous Strength.

"Tokuma, have the clansmen for the Military Police Force been selected?"

Hyuga Tokuma replied, "They’ve been prepared, Clan Head. I’ll deliver the list to you shortly."

"Good. Bring Iroha over as well."

Hyuga Kiyomi gave the instruction. Since she had to train during the day, she needed to deal with the accumulated clan matters at night. Especially with the recent reforms and the preparations for the Military Police Force, many matters required her approval as Clan Head.

After returning home, Hyuga Kiyomi immediately summoned Hyuga Yuu, the maid who attended to her, into her room. Then, somewhat nervously, she lowered her voice and asked, "Yuu, that method you prepared last time didn’t seem to work. Do you have any others that might be effective?"

"Lord Mirai, I’m back."

Knowing that Hyuga Mirai’s true body was in Rōran, Uzumaki Ayaka had not gone to the Saudi Federation at all. Instead, she ran straight back to Rōran, and the moment she saw Hyuga Mirai, she pounced on him.

"I can’t breathe. Let go already."

Hyuga Mirai pushed away Uzumaki Ayaka’s face as it drew close, then said helplessly, "It’s only been a month. You’re being way too dramatic, Ayaka."

"Where’s the Tailed Beast Chakra?"

Uzumaki Ayaka took out a Nanocapsule and handed it to Hyuga Mirai with a smile. But before she could say anything, Hyuga Mirai continued, "Good work. Go get some rest first, Ayaka. I’ll have another mission for you after a while, and I’ll be going too."

Three thousand for now; there’ll be another three thousand tonight, though it might be a little late.