"Brother Makoto, thank you for your hard work..."
The next day, in front of the gate of the Hyuga Clan Head's mansion, Hyuga Makoto was leading Hinata outside.
It was just that Hinata's face was a bit red, and she spoke somewhat haltingly.
"You were called by Father right after you came back, and you still have to accompany me in training. I'm really sorry..."
"Alright, alright, it's fine."
Hyuga Makoto smiled nonchalantly; he seemed to be in a very good mood.
"I was supposed to see the Clan Head yesterday anyway, so coming today and being able to take you to train is just right."
He did need to see Hyuga Hiashi. After all, he had disappeared the day after joining the Anbu.
Even if he didn't reveal any mission details, he still had to give a brief report.
Hyuga Hiashi was also very understanding; he didn't ask a single question about Anbu matters.
The two of them just drank some tea, chatted casually for a bit, and then he let Hyuga Makoto take Hinata for training.
"However, he told me not to forget the people in the clan, to chat more and keep in touch. It seems the Main House has suppressed my information..."
Although Anbu identity information indeed needs to be kept confidential, a portion of the personnel are semi-public.
Take Kakashi, for example. With that signature white hair and Chidori, who wouldn't recognize him?
And Uchiha Itachi working for the Anbu was known to the entire Uchiha Clan.
Besides them, there was Morino Ibiki. This guy was recognized by Kisame at a glance, forcing Kisame to kill his entire squad...
"Does this count as a highlight moment?"
Hyuga Makoto's situation was naturally semi-public as well; at least to the clan, it was bound to be public!
Otherwise, wouldn't he have joined the Anbu for nothing?!
However, he wasn't surprised. It was entirely the Main House that received Sarutobi Hiruzen; how could they possibly spread the word?
Even Hyuga Hiashi couldn't do anything about it!
"Neji from the Branch House saw me though. Why hasn't this kid said anything?"
Hyuga Makoto was a bit curious, but he couldn't be bothered to think too much about it.
The opening had already been made, and within the Main House, 'His Majesty has already rebelled'.
"You won't be able to play ostrich for much longer..."
Hyuga Makoto found it somewhat amusing, but he wasn't in a hurry. He turned to look at Hinata and said.
"By the way, we won't be training inside the clan compound today. I'm taking you out for a walk."
"Eh?"
Hinata blinked, appearing somewhat surprised.
"Going out?"
"Yeah, it's all training, what does it matter where we do it?"
Hyuga Makoto smiled nonchalantly. He also wanted to see if he could find a suitable place to dig a hole.
After all, he already had the technology, so it was time to consider the equipment and site selection.
"Besides, you're too introverted. You need to go out more and make more friends."
"Make friends..."
Hinata nodded, half-understanding.
"Then I'll listen to Brother Makoto."
But after speaking, Hinata kept staring at Hyuga Makoto, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.
"What is it, Hinata? Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Um, I..."
Hinata immediately shrank her little head back. She kept her head down and stammered for a long time before speaking.
"I just feel like Brother Makoto seems a bit different today..."
"Different?"
Hearing this, Hyuga Makoto himself was stunned for a moment, and then his expression became a bit strange.
He was indeed a bit different now!
Yesterday, while he was earnestly studying Orochimaru's data regarding the Cursed Seal, he could faintly sense some special energy floating between heaven and earth.
At the time, he didn't think much of it, but as he continued to delve deeply into Orochimaru's data, that feeling became clearer and clearer!
And when he completely finished studying the data, he found that he seemed to be able to easily perceive this energy, and even...
"I was just thinking about whether to give it a try, and this energy just surged in on its own!"
Hyuga Makoto was terrified at the time, because he knew very well how terrifying the natural energy of this world was.
However, the terrible situation didn't happen, because this natural energy was incredibly obedient.
It circulated quietly within Hyuga Makoto's body, just like his own power!
"So, I perfectly inherited this advantage from Otsutsuki Hamura?"
Hyuga Makoto felt that he really needed to thank that ancestor of the Hyuga Clan. He had endured all the hardships that his descendants were supposed to endure...
Moreover, this power was of immense help to him!
[Name: Hyuga Makoto]
[Bloodline: Moon Otsutsuki (15%)]
[Dojutsu: Tenseigan (2%)]
[Chakra Natures: Yin, Yang]
The bloodline development had increased by a full 5%. This was the sum of Tenzo and Shisui combined!
And along with the enhancement of his bloodline, his physical fitness and chakra had also grown significantly.
He felt that his current chakra was at least at the level of 'Two Kakashis' or higher...
"Coupled with the 'small loan' from Tsukimi no Mikoto, as long as I don't actively seek death, I don't need to fear general problems!"
Hyuga Makoto still had a clear understanding. Although he felt quite strong now, ninja battles focused more on experience and operation.
Otherwise, Sasuke, Naruto, and those true Otsutsuki, despite being so strong, wouldn't constantly stumble...
But how did Hinata notice his changes?
Could it be because of her 'purest Byakugan'?
"Where am I different?"
Feeling a wave of strangeness in his heart, Hyuga Makoto asked with a face full of curiosity, but Hinata shook her head.
"I don't know either, it's just a very strange feeling..."
"A strange feeling?"
"Yeah, it feels... it feels like Brother Makoto has become more approachable?"
"?"
"Anyway, it just feels better..."
"Ha..."
Hinata's words left Hyuga Makoto not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He felt it would be difficult to get Hinata to explain the specific situation clearly.
But if nothing unexpected happened, it was probably really caused by the enhancement of his bloodline.
After all, it was hard to say how Hinata's specific talent was, but her Byakugan was renowned all the way to the moon!
"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's move a bit faster."
Hyuga Makoto couldn't be bothered to dwell on it. Anyway, as long as there were no problems when he went to see Hyuga Hiashi, it was fine.
"Today I plan to teach you something different. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I will work hard!"
Hinata nodded earnestly. In her heart, Hyuga Makoto was an existence no less than her father.
Moreover, compared to her fear of her father, she felt a greater sense of closeness to Hyuga Makoto, so she naturally hoped to gain his approval!
"Alright, don't be so serious."
Seeing this, Hyuga Makoto couldn't help but pat Hinata's shoulder.
"I believe you can do it well. Maybe you can even give the Clan Head a surprise."
"Really?"
Hinata's eyes instantly lit up, and Hyuga Makoto rubbed his chin.
"Barring any accidents, it should be possible. Anyway, it feels very smooth when I use it."
"I believe Brother Makoto."
"Alright, let's go."
Hyuga Makoto led Hinata out of the clan compound while chatting casually.
The Hyuga clan members they passed by had varying expressions. The Branch House members basically had no reaction.
They all knew that Hyuga Makoto had been responsible for accompanying Hinata in her training since she was three years old.
At most, they were just curious about where this guy had been recently.
The Main House members, on the other hand, all knew about his situation, and the looks they gave him were full of dissatisfaction.
However, they didn't dare to say anything. After all, Hyuga Makoto was now affiliated with the Anbu, and the Third Hokage himself had come to invite him to join!
If they dared to do anything...
This wouldn't be targeting Hyuga Makoto; it would clearly be opposing the Hokage!
"Eh?"
But just as they were about to walk out of the Hyuga Clan compound, Hyuga Makoto suddenly noticed something.
He turned his head to look and was instantly stunned. He saw a pair of Byakugan staring fixedly at him from a distance!
At this moment, Hinata also noticed something. She followed Hyuga Makoto's gaze and immediately spoke timidly.
"It's Brother Neji..."
...