Hinata Hizashi didn't press Lucien too hard about his eyes. He only knew that the Sharingan could copy jutsu, but not its deeper functions, so after a final warning, he left the matter be.
"Next time you use it, be careful," Hizashi said sternly. "The more cards you reveal, the greater the danger you invite… remember, in the face of absolute strength, everything else is paper-thin."
Lucien clenched his fists as they walked. His mind grew sharper, his ambition fiercer. My chakra reserves should already be at the peak of Kage level. Just one more step, and I'll break into Super Kage. In terms of combat ability, even an ordinary jonin wouldn't be a match for me.
If jonin are divided into special, standard, and elite—then with my full strength, I can already stand at the level of elite jonin. But that's still far too weak. In the wars to come, even Kage-level shinobi will look like ants before the true monsters of the battlefield…
Images of Six Paths Madara and other godlike figures flashed through his mind. Against them, he was still a child swinging a wooden sword.
But talent comes in two kinds—innate, and earned through effort. With my Otsutsuki blood and my will, I will carve the path to the strongest. One step at a time.
The group of four moved from mountains to lush forests, finally leaving Yugen Village in the Land of Rivers, stepping onto the soil of the Fire Country. It wasn't long before the gates of Konoha came back into view.
No one had blocked their journey, and Hizashi took that as fortune.
"Good things come to those who wait. Our enemies were strong," he said with relief. "But we completed the mission on our first try. That alone is commendable."
"This must have counted as A-rank difficulty, right?" he added, his tone more serious. "If not for Lucien, even I may have fallen. But at most, the report will list it as B-rank. Missions like this are confidential—don't ever spread what you've done outside this room."
"Understood, teacher." The three students nodded firmly. They were no longer the same rookies who had first set out.
Hizashi smiled at their growth. "Good. Once we're back, let's have a meal together. My treat."
"Great idea!" Kusuo and Akai Chou cheered, relieved that the mission was behind them at last.
Lucien, however, hesitated. "I'm sorry… I might have to find my sister first. I don't know how Xiaoxing has been doing."
"Oh… I see." Hongdie's shoulders dropped ever so slightly.
"Huh? Hinata, you sound a little let down he's skipping dinner!" Kusuo teased mercilessly.
"Ah!?" Hongdie's face turned crimson, words catching in her throat.
Nanxiong burst out laughing. "I didn't think you could blush like that."
Shaking his head with a smile, Lucien stepped in. "Kusuo, I thought you'd never laugh."
The three boys laughed together and spared Hongdie further embarrassment, though her eyes still kept flicking toward Lucien despite herself. Yet his mind was elsewhere, on Xiaoxing, the sister waiting for him.
At last, they passed through Konoha's familiar wooden gates. Every one of them felt the warmth of home.
"It's only been half a month… I never thought I'd miss the village this much," Hongdie murmured.
"Everyone misses home after their first mission," Lucien replied.
"Lucien," she asked softly, "is Xiaoxing your only family?"
"Yes. I've never known my parents since… coming here. Xiaoxing is my only relative. That's why I want to surprise her as soon as I can. She doesn't have anyone else. If people pick on her while I'm away…"
He clenched his fist. Sister or not by blood, she was family to him now.
Hongdie lowered her eyes. "I… I'm sorry for asking about your parents."
"It's okay," Lucien said easily. He wasn't bothered.
They let the conversation drop, and under Hizashi's lead went straight to the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage was buried in documents, his room reeking of heavy tobacco smoke. A couple of ANBU stood around, quietly shadowing him.
"Oh? Hizashi." The Sandaime lifted his head, a smile creasing his features. "Back so soon? Mission completed? And my disciple here didn't give you trouble, I hope?"
"On the contrary, Hokage-sama," Hizashi said, bowing. "Lucien's performance was exceptional—"
But then, a knock interrupted, and at the Hokage's call, three new figures stepped in.
The first was a girl with long purple curls framing an adorably cute face. Though she was still young and undeveloped, she already carried the charm of a beauty in the making. A few years more, and she would surely be irresistible—an angel's face paired with a devil's curves.
The second was utterly plain: average face, build, height, weight—so forgettable he could disappear in a crowd without trying.
The third was his opposite entirely. Though still young, he had a brawny physique and muscles like steel cords, radiating raw force and danger.
Lucien's eyes narrowed, analyzing at once. The girl's an illusion specialist. The average one's an all-rounder. And that giant… definitely a taijutsu type.
"Violet?" Hongdie blurted in surprise.
"Hinata Akaichou!?" the purple-haired girl shot back, her tone sharp.
"Hey, hey, don't just stand there! Hand in your mission already," Violet said with haughty pride.
The Third Hokage instantly rubbed his temples. "These two again…" He hurriedly processed rewards, clearly not wanting the situation to get out of hand.
"Hokage-sama, I'll give you the full details in private later," Hizashi bowed again, then ushered his team out.
Even in departure, Violet cut Hongdie a pointed glance, a smirk ghosting over her lips.
And just as Hizashi stepped out the door, he almost collided with another woman walking in.
--
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