"Although he looks like an ordinary person on the outside, there's something off about him. He's definitely not normal — and he's not *that* person. Right now, he's just some freak."
Naruto mumbled something vague, yet clearly excited.
Jiraiya, however, caught every unspoken word with perfect clarity.
After confirming that Hiroki Hyuga had already left Konoha, he immediately took Naruto and departed from the village.
Hinata Hyuga couldn't be touched, but her companion wasn't anything special anyway.
And since he chose to leave the village himself, if he met a tragic end... well, that was only natural.
Watching their figures fade into the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi was caught in a swirl of mixed emotions.
"Jiraiya, please don't do anything that could endanger Konoha."
"Naruto, can you still sense his trail?"
Standing outside the gates of Konoha, Jiraiya turned to Naruto and asked.
Naruto looked uneasy, "C'mon, Master Jiraiya, how's that even possible?"
After walking for some distance, Jiraiya settled Naruto in a small inn.
"Naruto, you'll stay here for a few days while I gather some intelligence. Remember, you must always wear that necklace — even when sleeping," Jiraiya kept emphasizing.
"I understand, Master Jiraiya, but where exactly are you going to get information?"
"Mount Myoboku."
"You're awake?"
Shizune's gentle voice reached her ears. Opening her eyes again, dazzling golden light filled her vision.
Staring at the face drawing closer, Yugao Uzuki felt momentarily dazed. She struggled to recall memories, gradually matching familiar details with this figure.
A moment later, she hesitated before trying to sit up. "Tsunade... Tsunade-sama?"
Smiling warmly, Tsunade gently helped her back down along with Shizune.
"I've already treated your wounds. Just give yourself some time to fully heal."
The unfamiliar decor of the room caught Yugao's attention.
Looking around, she asked, "Tsunade-sama, where exactly am I?"
Instead of answering directly, Tsunade asked instead, "You've also heard Kaguya-sama's call, haven't you?"
"Kaguya-sama? What are you talking about?" Yugao looked puzzled.
Tsunade considered carefully how best to describe Kaguya — balancing what needed to be said without provoking her.
"Kaguya-sama is a primordial deity who once ruled the world. She shall guide its future, and we are her messengers on Earth. Welcome back, Yugao Uzuki."
Hiroki stepped forward then, his expression calm and composed.
Tsunade rolled her eyes dramatically.
Shizune fell silent.
At the sight of him, Yugao froze for a beat as fragments of memory began to resurface in her mind.
She shot upright and gripped Hiroki's shirt tightly.
Her wounds reopened, blood seeping out again, but she ignored it as she demanded, "Was it you who did this to me?"
"Calm down. Your health comes first," Hiroki held her hands gently. "I didn't do anything to you. If anyone's to blame, it's Konoha — they wanted you dead."
Yugao stiffened at his words, clearly stunned.
She let go of Hiroki's clothes, her gaze turning complex as she swept her eyes across everyone present.
Although they were all from Konoha, why had they gathered in this unfamiliar place?
Finally, she looked toward Tsunade with a confused and helpless expression. "Tsunade-sama..."
"Hmm... It's complicated. I'll explain once you're healed," Tsunade replied helplessly, rubbing her temples.
Yugao lay on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts scattered wildly, her mind in chaos.
"If you need a place to clear your head, head to the Snow Country once you're healed. It could use our help too."
After calmly saying that, Hiroki adjusted his clothing and walked out of the hospital room.
Seeing that Tsunade had yet to come out, he called toward that direction, "Tsunade."
Hearing his voice, Tsunade's forehead visibly twitched with anger.
That damn brat! Thinking he can just push me around because Kaguya favors him? Like I'm some puppet on a string!
It's so damn frustrating!
"...What is it?" she asked with an unpleasant tone.
"Tsunade, do you know the technique of Shiki Fuin?"
"Why are you asking about that? That's Uzumaki's Sealing Technique."
"So you don't know it? Didn't the Third Hokage know it?"
"How did you know he knew it?" Yugao asked suspiciously.
"Seems like the Third Hokage never really considered you close enough," Hiroki smiled. "Well then, if you don't know it, we should go retrieve it from Konoha."
"...Right..." Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"The current Konoha has already rotted," Ibuki continued. "Danzo Shimura doesn't value human life. Jiraiya persecutes loyal subjects. And yet, those people have been protected by the Third Hokage all along. Tsunade-sama, Konoha urgently needs a new ruler who can revive its glory!"
"..."
Before Tsunade could speak, Hiroki patted her shoulder.
At only eleven years old, he was already almost as tall as Tsunade.
"Don't rush. This isn't the time for your appearance. There's an Uzumaki orphan in Grass Village. When you get the chance, bring her back. Also, there's a mysterious ninja tool hidden there..."
As he walked away, Tsunade stood there, feeling a storm of emotions churn inside her.
After showing off a bit in front of Yugao Uzuki and Tsunade, Hiroki suddenly recalled something sad.
It seemed like these women were all stronger than him.
Yugao Uzuki now could fight against Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya at the same time.
Yugito had two Tailed Beasts within her, obviously powerful.
Tsunade was already at the top tier when she first appeared.
But himself?
He couldn't even defeat Hiashi Hyuga right now.
Under Kaguya's support, each of them had grown stronger at an incredible pace.
"All these powerful women. Even Hinata, I can't seem to beat anyone."
Hearing his lament, even Kaguya couldn't help but feel amused.
Leaving the palace of the Country of Hot Springs, Hiroki next appeared at the country's seaport.
Slipping on a pair of colored contacts and switching into regular civilian clothes, he transformed into just another good-looking teenager.
Boarding a ship headed for the Land of Water, he began his journey.
"Do you think Jiraiya will follow us here?"
"With the Frog Sage's techniques, probably," Kaguya responded, recalling events from a thousand years ago.
"Go ahead, Jiraiya-sama," Hiroki mused with a smirk. "Let's see how deep this dungeon goes together."
The Land of Water was a nation completely surrounded by sea.
The ninja village built in this country is called Kirigakure.
Even now, Kirigakure still maintains its Blood Mist policy, ruling with cruel oppression.
However, this policy only affects the village itself—those who are slaughtered are the kekkei genkai users within Kirigakure.
For ordinary citizens of the country, life goes on as normal.
If there's any clear impact, it's that they fear ninja, especially those possessing kekkei genkai.
They're afraid of getting caught up in trouble or killed by Mist ninja tasked with executing kekkei genkai users.
Hiroki came here with one purpose—to target the Kaguya Clan.
Although when they eventually destroy the clan, Zetsu can handle retrieving the bodies, to distract Jiraiya, he might as well make a small detour.
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