Author's Note:(Correction Notice)
Dear readers, please note that this is Chapter 53 — the continuation of the story following Chapter 44.Due to an upload order mix-up, Chapter 54 was published earlier than Chapter 53. The numbering has now been corrected, so you can continue reading in proper sequence from here.
Although the birth of Hyūga Hinata did not cause the same magnitude of commotion that Shinichi's birth did in the entire Hyūga Clan, it was still greeted with warm congratulations from all branches of the Branch Family.
For a clan like the Hyūga, a flourishing Main Family lineage was always a good thing. For Hyūga Hiashi's own family, he also hoped to have both a son and a daughter, looking forward to a life surrounded by grandchildren in his later years. Hinata's birth, in a way, made his life complete.
Shinichi, who was busy training, deliberately set aside some time every day after Hinata's birth to help his mother care for his little sister. Although Branch Family maids were assisting Hanako, outsiders were still outsiders. No matter how dutiful they were, Hanako felt more reassured by her son's help.
A few weeks passed quietly. The initially wrinkly-faced Hinata gradually blossomed. Her fair, tender appearance was deeply adored by both Hiashi and Hanako.
Shinichi naturally felt the same way. This experience of caring for an infant was one he had never had in his previous life. Sometimes, holding the soft, boneless Hinata, Hyūga Shinichi's understanding of the "responsibility" resting on his shoulders grew clearer and clearer.
Big Brother...
Becoming a competent big brother was not an easy task.
While Hyūga Shinichi was enjoying his cozy family life, the situation in the ninja world was quietly changing.
The fundamental conflict that sparked the Third Great Ninja War was the scramble for resources among the major countries. Due to its powerful national strength, the Land of Fire occupied the most fertile region in the entire world.
The disappearance of the Third Kazekage was merely the fuse for the war. The Suna ninja high command, trying to appease the agitated ordinary ninjas and civilians following the Kazekage's loss, chose to shift internal conflicts through external war. The resource-rich Land of Fire naturally became their target.
After the Suna ninjas initiated the war with Konoha, the other major nations also became restless. The Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning, and the Land of Water successively joined the conflict, participating in the effort to divide the Land of Fire.
The Great Ninja War thus erupted. To defend against the various powerful forces, Konoha Village naturally sent out its elite.
In the early stages of the war, the White Fang of Konoha killed the Suna Elder Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, crushing the Suna ninjas' morale in a single battle. As the war continued to escalate, Konoha managed to stabilize the situation after suffering massive casualties.
Namikaze Minato performed brilliantly in the Great Ninja War. Not only did he help Konoha win the Kannabi Bridge Battle, but his squad, partnered with Jiraiya, escaped unscathed even when encircled by two Iwa Jinchūriki.
At the same time, Minato deterred the Cloud Village's A-B combo on another battlefield, leading to a silent truce and easing the pressure on that front. Escaping the encirclement of Iwa's Jinchūriki and deterring the A-B combo also set the stage for the later conflict between Iwa and Kumo.
At the time Minato gained fame in the war, the Konoha Genin Might Duy activated all Eight Gates to protect his son, completely crippling the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist Village.
After several major battles, the terrifying military achievements amassed by Konoha caused the resource-sharing plans of the other major nations to collapse.
As the situation evolved to the present day, the Suna ninjas had been defeated by Konoha. The Land of Wind, a nation already lacking in resources, could no longer support the Suna ninjas in the war. Suna and Konoha signed a peace treaty, becoming allies.
On the front lines against the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, the death of the Third Raikage, who was encircled by ten thousand Iwa ninja and died of exhaustion, caused a deep-seated hatred between Iwa and Kumo. Although both nations still had small skirmishes with Konoha, their strategic focus shifted entirely to each other.
With the pressure on several fronts sharply reduced, Konoha gained an opportunity to recuperate. Konoha's biggest remaining enemy was the Land of Water. However, Konoha Village held an overwhelming advantage over the Mist ninjas. In the view of Minato and the other high-ranking officials, the threat posed by the Mist Village was merely a minor annoyance.
Against this backdrop of the ending war, Hyūga Shinichi's squad received its first mission since its formation.
"Bandit Suppression?!"
Inside the Hokage's office, Shibi Aburame, receiving the mission scroll, quickly glanced at the contents and muttered in surprise.
The Third Great Ninja War had lasted for years, disrupting order in many regions. During the war, many deserters and rogue ninjas emerged from various Hidden Villages.
These rogue ninjas gathered in small groups, forming bandit gangs that survived by looting. As the domestic situation in the Land of Fire stabilized, these bandit groups disrupting local security naturally became thorns in the eyes of those in power.
In the office, Shibi Aburame's squad was fully present. Aside from them, Hyūga Hiashi was also inappropriately present in the Hokage's office. The mission for Shibi Aburame's squad was hand-picked by Minato and was only issued after receiving Hiashi's consent.
The mission target was a bandit group numbering about twenty people. The leaders were three former Konoha Missing-nin, and the rest were just able-bodied commoners assembled by the rogue ninjas, not actual ninjas.
These former Konoha Missing-nin were all Chūnin during their time in the Village; their skill and quality were only average. Assigning a squad like Shibi Aburame's to this mission was technically overkill.
However, Minato still assigned this B-rank mission to them. Given that Chūnin-level rogue ninjas were involved, caution was required, even with a Jōnin leading the team. This mission would be excellent training for the squad. Furthermore, the enemy was located within the borders of the Land of Fire, meaning there was no need to worry about foreign enemies posing a threat to Shinichi, the Main Family heir.
"Shibi, the fundamental purpose of this mission is to ensure your squad tightens its coordination."
"The mission difficulty is not high, but you must still approach it cautiously and not underestimate the enemy."
"Detailed information about the rogue ninjas is included in the mission scroll. Your squad will depart soon and aim for a quick resolution."
Minato explained from behind his desk.
Without him saying it, the others understood Minato's intention. Their squad was somewhat unconventional, with two members who were too young.
The main goal of this mission was actually to give Shinichi and Shisui some exposure to bloodshed. Even Shisui, who was a Chūnin, had mostly performed logistical missions previously, making pure killing missions relatively rare for him. As for Shinichi, this was his very first time.
"Shinichi, perform well and don't disappoint me."
Hyūga Hiashi looked at Shinichi from the side, instructing him with a serious expression. This was the Main Family heir's first mission.
Although the difficulty was not high, Shinichi's performance would still impact the Main Family's reputation. He was confident in his son, but a young child going on a mission far from home still caused him some worry.
"Don't worry, Father, I will do my best."
Bandit suppression... killing people, huh...
Shinichi didn't feel any anticipation for such a task.
I suppose no one truly looks forward to killing and bloodshed.
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