Masahiko had just returned home when a "thump, thump" sound of knocking came from downstairs.
He poked his head out, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.
This outfit... the Hyuga Clan?
He came down from upstairs.
When they met, the other party quickly bowed slightly and said, "Senior Masahiko, our Clan Head requests your presence as a guest."
"Is your Clan Head... Senior Hiashi?"
Masahiko was surprised; to be safe, he couldn't help but ask.
The other party nodded.
He pondered for a moment and nodded slightly: "Alright, let's go."
"Thank you!"
The other party thanked him politely before leading the way.
Both of them moved using the Body Flicker Technique.
In just two or three minutes, they traveled from one end of Konoha to where the Hyuga Clan was located.
He deliberately made a bit more noise and passed through the Branch House area on the way.
Inside a house in the Hyuga Branch House, Neji, who was training his Byakugan and Chakra point strikes, suddenly saw that figure.
That is... Teacher Masahiko?
He stared as Masahiko passed through the Hyuga Clan compound and headed toward the Main House, his fists unconsciously tightening.
Is Hyuga Hiashi going to warn Teacher?
Neji clenched his fists.
Never before had his killing intent been as blazing as it was now.
It's happening again!
If it were his past self, he would have only attributed this to "destiny" and felt powerless, but now, Masahiko's words flashed through his mind.
Do you dare to bet your life?
Neji's breathing was heavy, but he silently released his fists.
This was a life-risking gamble.
He couldn't be impulsive.
Neji took several deep breaths, suppressing the anger and restlessness in his heart, turning them into punch after punch.
Train, become stronger!
And then—
Kill them!
The fire in Hyuga Neji's heart was burning fiercely... toward the Hyuga Main House.
Hiashi sat in the reception room, tea and seats already prepared, waiting for the guest's arrival.
Masahiko walked to the door and said softly, "Senior Hiashi, sorry for the intrusion."
"Come in."
Hiashi nodded slightly.
Masahiko took off his shoes and entered, observing the spacious and luxurious living room.
Potted plants and vases of various kinds were placed on both sides, looking antique and carrying a certain aristocratic air.
He withdrew his gaze.
Hiashi stood up to greet him, and after a few polite pleasantries, he invited Masahiko to sit down.
After they sat facing each other, a maid nearby helped pour the tea.
Hiashi then spoke: "Masahiko, you have now been promoted to Jonin, and I heard you hold other positions in the village. I wonder if you have any other plans regarding the Ninja Academy?"
"Not for the time being. I plan to continue serving, but if I get too busy, I might have other teachers substitute for my classes."
Masahiko answered truthfully.
Hiashi nodded thoughtfully, then lowered his voice slightly and said, "I heard you've been giving guidance to Hinata and Neji recently?"
"It's not really guidance, just some insignificant suggestions," Masahiko replied.
"What do you think of Hinata?"
Hiashi asked.
Hearing this, Masahiko thought for a moment and said, "Kind-hearted and possessing a protective spirit. Perhaps she could adopt a combat style focused on defense and counter-attacking."
"Do you think she is suitable to be a Ninja?"
Hiashi asked again.
Masahiko said without hesitation, "In my view, every student has the potential to be a Ninja; they just excel in different areas."
Hiashi was momentarily speechless.
At this point, Masahiko said, "Take Hinata for example. Her aggressiveness might be lacking, but when she has something she needs to protect, she will likewise burst forth with infinite potential."
"Perhaps..."
Hearing this, Hiashi couldn't help but sigh softly.
Masahiko might be right.
But the will to protect alone wouldn't allow the Hyuga Clan to go further.
He paused slightly and said, "I'll trouble you to continue guiding them. Also... I heard the Anbu training unit is being restarted, and you're the captain?"
"Yes."
Masahiko nodded.
Hiashi said, "My Hyuga Branch House has a few promising talents. If you're short on people, the Hyuga family is duty-bound to help."
"If the Hyuga family is willing to help, I would naturally be extremely grateful!"
Masahiko understood clearly—
In the past, there were no members of the Hyuga Clan inside 'Root'.
Now, 'Root' was no longer a separate organization but had returned to its former training function, and the Hyuga Clan itself would provide personnel to the Anbu.
Therefore.
This kind of support would have no impact on Konoha at all, yet it simultaneously showed the Hyuga Clan's support for him... offending neither side.
Hyuga Hiashi was indeed much stronger than Uchiha Fugaku when it came to handling interpersonal relations.
No wonder they could stand tall!
...The next day, the Hyuga Clan sent people over.
One was about his age, named Hyuga Iroha, another was named Hyuga Tokuma, and there was also a child only twelve years old.
This child's name was Hyūga Takashi.
Unlike the first two, he was a Ninja from the Main House. Theoretically, he wouldn't participate in most outside missions and was likely just there to take part.
However.
The key to these three from the Hyuga Clan wasn't their number, but the attitude the Hyuga Clan was signaling.
That day, the Aburame Clan and Yamanaka Clan also sent additional personnel.
The number of Ninjas training in the Root base suddenly increased significantly.
Meanwhile, at a training ground in Konoha, Neji was quietly controlling his Chakra, constantly trying the technique of striking Chakra out from his pressure points.
After a long time, Neji was exhausted and stopped trying.
"So hard!"
He sighed softly.
It looked so easy when Teacher Masahiko used it, but when he tried, mobilizing even a tiny bit of Chakra was extremely difficult.
He lay on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.
Teacher Masahiko... probably wouldn't teach him anymore.
Neji felt a bit dejected, looking at the sky powerlessly.
If he had never received guidance, he wouldn't know how good it was to have a fine teacher; perhaps he wouldn't feel this desperate right now.
He covered his eyes powerlessly.
After a while, Neji suddenly sat up.
He couldn't give up!
If he gave up, he could only follow the predetermined destiny for the rest of his life, becoming what that person wanted him to be.
He had to become stronger!
Neji clenched his fists, not even shouting out loud, but silently transforming the resentment and anger in his heart into a more powerful motivation.
Since training in techniques yielded no results, he would strengthen his physical training!
He got up and started running along the outskirts of Konoha.
In a place Neji didn't notice, Masahiko looked away and then quietly walked toward the Konoha Ninja Academy.
These days, the Konoha Ninja Academy was in the stage of graduation exams.
Another class of children was nearing graduation.
There weren't many exceptionally outstanding Ninjas in this batch, but most were decent enough. In wartime, they could probably all become qualified Genin or Chunin.
However.
Selection in times of peace was different from wartime.
Out of these dozens of children, at most only one-third would become Ninjas, perhaps even fewer.
This situation would persist for several years; unless war broke out, the number of Ninjas would be restricted within a certain range.
This was also the result Hiruzen Sarutobi hinted at today.
Compared to children who had no chance of becoming Ninjas, Neji's situation was already much better.
So... let him suppress himself for a while.