chapter 93 part 2
"Hizashi. Iroha has been under your care; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to accumulate so much military merit."
"So it's Senior Hizashi, please have a seat."
Tsukasa Kaede understood in his heart and gestured.
Byakugan, truly an excellent Bloodline Limit. It can monitor every corner of the Village without leaving home, and yet no one can discover it.
As for coincidental meetings like this... Tsukasa Kaede wouldn't believe such a coincidence. Hidden Leaf Village is so big, there are so many barbecue restaurants, and as the Clan Head of the Branch House, why would he specifically come here? It seems Iroha completed her mission well back then. Hizashi has clearly received the message. After several months, has he finally made up his mind to take action?
"I heard Senior Hiashi officially became the Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan? Congratulations indeed. I presume Senior Hizashi will soon become the Clan Head of the Branch House?" Tsukasa Kaede flipped a piece of grilled meat and signaled the owner for another serving.
In the past, when he spoke of people like Hiashi or Hizashi, he would always use the title "Lord," but now he certainly didn't need to, and no one would think it was wrong.
Strength dictates status.
"My elder brother is under immense pressure now. I rarely see a smile on his face anymore." Hizashi used this to open the conversation.
"After all, he's the Clan Head of a Konoha Great Clan; every action draws everyone's attention." Tsukasa Kaede uttered meaningless platitudes.
"Speaking of which, the attention you attract is far greater than my elder brother's. Many villagers want to know what the battle process was like that night; everyone has their own opinions, and people often argue about it." Hizashi said with a smile.
"So, Senior Hizashi, did you see it? With those powerful eyes..."
"As a matter of principle, our clan members do not casually use their Byakugan within the Village." Hizashi's heart tightened. "However, even without seeing it firsthand, one can imagine how magnificent that battle must have been. To possess such immense power at this age, I truly hope you can instruct the less promising juniors in our clan."
Tsukasa Kaede knew the main event had arrived. He put down his chopsticks and looked at the other person.
Hizashi whispered, "According to Village custom, with your age and strength, you must be appointed as a Squad Leader Jonin, right? From the Branch House, there's an excellent young man named Hyuga Takashi. If he could catch your eye, please don't hesitate to give him guidance. Of course, if there's anything you need, you can ask me, and I will cooperate fully."
A powerful ninja like Tsukasa Kaede was enough to make even the Hyuga Clan treat him with caution.
At the very least, even if the entire Hyuga Clan were to mobilize, it's hard to say if they could annihilate the three hundred Hidden Cloud troops led by A. And Tsukasa Kaede achieved a "no-damage" annihilation in the true sense! A powerhouse like Tsukasa Kaede has already demonstrated the capacity to rival an entire clan alone. After annihilating the Hidden Cloud forces, his strength will surely further increase, especially his top-tier power, which will certainly expand further, and his specific power will become even more immeasurable.
"Lord Hokage did indeed mention this to me before, very much hoping I could serve as a Squad Leader Jonin, but the specific candidates haven't been decided yet. I will follow the Village's orders," Tsukasa Kaede said slowly.
Hyuga Takashi, he did recall who this person was.
When the Kaedex Paths of Pain attacked Hidden Leaf Village, Hyuga Takashi served as a scout, constantly gathering intel from all sides with his Byakugan.
At this timeline, Hyuga Takashi should be... a little over ten years old? The age is just right. Hizashi choosing Hyuga Takashi as a breakthrough to further deepen his relationship with Tsukasa Kaede shows a certain level of skill.
Both sides clearly knew each other's respective motives, but knowing is one thing; they couldn't immediately embark on unspeakable cooperation. They always had to deepen their connection step by step.
The problem now is, the Hyuga Clan doesn't possess anything Tsukasa Kaede urgently needs right now. Even the Tenseigan? Tsukasa Kaede doesn't have enough ability to assemble an eye of that level, nor is it the right time — he can't really go slaughter the entire Hyuga Clan, can he?
But Hizashi did have a request for him, presumably wanting to test if Tsukasa Kaede, after resurrecting a Hyuga Branch House member like he resurrected Dan Kato, could truly allow a Branch House member to escape the Caged Bird Seal while still alive? "This guy doesn't seem that eager yet... but he will be in the future. Once he has his own son, he'll wish he could give his son everything, but can only watch his son forever become a minion of the Main House. His mentality will definitely become radical."
Tsukasa Kaede had already made up his mind.
A person like Hizashi can tolerate being wronged; this is his fate. But when he personally sees his descendants, whom he cherishes as his own life, also bearing the same fate as him, that steady mind will eventually completely shatter.
"Hyuga Takashi, I've remembered that name. If there's an opportunity, I will consider it, but I make no promises," Tsukasa Kaede said lightly.
"Is that so? Thank you very much. The Branch House will not forget your care for its outstanding Clan Members."
"No need for that. I said, it might not happen, and Hyuga Takashi might not meet my standards for taking on a disciple... Eh?"
Tsukasa Kaede had just picked up his cup, intending to clink cups with Hizashi, when his movements suddenly froze, so much so that he couldn't help but let out a surprised sound.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Yes, something interesting has indeed happened. I need to go out for a bit. It seems our meeting must end here for now, Senior Hizashi."
In Hizashi's eyes, the young man across from him had a special glint in his eyes. It was almost... the expression of an artist struck by inspiration. Although Hizashi felt he didn't quite understand art, that's probably what it was.
Subconsciously, Hizashi's back tensed, and he felt a chill down his spine. Who was so unlucky to be noticed by such a corpse enthusiast? And how did he notice? With a corpse wandering somewhere unknown? "Well then, Senior Hizashi, until next time."
Tsukasa Kaede formed Hand Kaedegns with one hand and immediately vanished from the spot, replaced by a Zombie that looked very much like a Living Human.
The moment this Zombie appeared, it sat there quietly, making no sound, nor mindlessly biting at the air like other Zombies. Apart from its cold presence, it was completely indistinguishable from a Living Human.
Byakugan!
Hizashi immediately began observing the Corpse in front of him, pausing particularly at its forehead.
"Hidden Cloud... carrying Ninja Tool scrolls. That's right, this guy is Magnet Release ninja Troy, an Elite Jonin from Hidden Cloud Village. Has he already become his Puppet so quickly? And besides the clothes, there are no injuries... Can he heal corpses?"
Hizashi's expression was incredibly solemn.
Only two days had passed since that battle, and Tsukasa Kaede, after killing Troy, was already able to control this person as easily as his own limbs? And unlike ordinary Living Corpses, it didn't have the instincts to bite and howl. This meant Tsukasa Kaede could maintain strong control over Troy.
"This is an Elite Jonin..." A chill rose in Hizashi's heart.
At this moment, others also noticed something amiss here. A casual glance made them jump up in alarm.
"Eh? How can a Hidden Cloud guy be here?!"
"Shut up, idiot. This must be Lord Tsukasa Kaede's Spatial Rift Jutsu. He probably went off to handle something important."
"Is that so? Then this Hidden Cloud guy must be the one who died that night..."