Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

Carrying the icy chill of winter from the Land of Fire, the Konoha Border Force launched a long-range strike under the command of Sakumo Hatake and decisively eliminated a longstanding thorn in their side.

Sakumo Hatake earned glorious merits sufficient to elevate him into higher halls of power; Shirakawa Namiko and Yechame Hamako successfully eliminated a major threat that had long plagued the Konoha Border Force. Even Danzo, who usually kept his distance, secretly collected several Jonin and Chunin corpses from Sunagakure after the battle, planning to use them for future experiments.

Also left behind was the Chikamatsu Collection previously owned by the fallen Elder Chiyo. With permission granted by Hyuga Soushu and after discussion among the relevant parties, it was decided to divide the nine well-preserved puppets into four portions. Three would be returned to the village's research institute as study materials, while Danzo, Shirakawa Namiko, and Yechame Hamako each received two for personal collections.

Of course, Hyuga Soushu wasn't completely selfless either.

The main reason he gave up these spoils of war was because, in his eyes, those puppets were practically worthless. After all, even Mahiru Uchiha—the top-ranked puppet master of Sunagakure and wielder of the ultimate Puppet Technique treasure—had been killed by him. Thus, the value of these piles of scrap metal meant little to him, so he gladly used them to exchange for other usable resources.

Shirakawa Namiko and Yechame Hamako offered to jointly recommend Mahiru for immediate promotion to Konoha Jonin rank as compensation. Danzo refused to do such a thing, so instead, he simply exchanged thirty pounds of chakra metal.

Danzo's trade wouldn't be a loss either—after all, the amount of chakra metal extractable from just two puppets alone exceeded thirty pounds. Moreover, the puppets bore various secret cursed seal scripts considered priceless techniques exclusive to the Suna puppet lineage.

However, since Hyuga Soushu wasn't a researcher himself, what mattered most to him was how quickly he could convert these resources into his own strength—that was always his top priority.

Forget all the petty scheming and backstabbing—Hyuga Soushu's biggest gain came from the pile of coins he'd scraped together through battle after battle!

"Jackpot!"

When he returned to base, Hyuga Soushu pulled up his System Interface and spotted the four-digit coin count—he burst out laughing!

"3,848 coins!"

From this single round of combat, Hyuga Soushu had defeated five Jonin-level enemies including Elder Chiyo, earning 1,500 coins. Additionally, he had slain 41 Sunagakure Chunin and 33 Genin, gaining another 1,325 coins.

Moreover, high-ranking officials from Suna—the Chiyo Elder and Sahiga Kai Jonin—each provided an [Epic Legendary Reward] worth 500 coins.

With all that, Hyuga Soushu finally struck it rich!

No doubt about it—the very first thing he wanted to craft was the [Tri Force]. He'd been just eight coins short before, but now...

As for the remaining 3,840 coins, after browsing the equipment shop, Hyuga Soushu used his existing [Vampire's Scepter] and [Tiamat] along with 1,300 coins to craft the [Hunger Hydra].

He chose this item not just because he already had the two components, but mainly because the twenty points of skill haste from the Hunger Hydra were far more valuable in battle than the Giant Hydra's health boost.

As for the remaining two thousand five hundred and forty coins, after much deliberation, Soushu decided to spend one thousand three hundred on a [Storm Large Sword] and one thousand two hundred on an [Iron Seal].

[Storm Sword]: +40 Attack Damage

[Iron Seal]: +15 Attack Damage, +30 Armor

The purpose of these two items was to synthesize the [Guardian Angel], commonly known as Rebirth Armor.

After all, Soushu knew that having extra lives mattered most. He was quite certain there were no Revival Fountains in this world, so he couldn't afford to recklessly gamble with his life like he used to while playing games in his past life.

Additionally, another major concern for Soushu was whether the Caged Bird (Tenketsu) Curse Seal still posed any threat after being cleared multiple times by the Summoner Skill [Purify]. But according to the principle of "better safe than sorry," saving up for a [Guardian Angel] was definitely necessary.

Earning coins was like carving dirt with a pin; spending them was like shoveling sand away with water.

Left with only forty coins—insufficient even to buy a [Life Potion]—Hyuga Soushu could only sigh longingly at the dazzling array of equipment available in the shop.

"What are you thinking about? It's time to get to work!"

Freshly bathed and changed, Mahiru Uchiha pounced on Soushu—who was still sighing into the void—like a caged tiger finally unleashed, instantly clearing his head of all calculating thoughts.

What followed was the warmth of silk sheets and moments meant only for the two of them.

Whenever the Ninja Force deployed into battle, especially when launching a cross-border attack against another major Hidden Village, it was always necessary to report back to the village immediately, regardless of success or failure.

So the very first thing Sakumo Hatake did after the battle was summarize the combat report and send it to the Hokage Tower in Konoha via Ninja hawk.

In the report, Sakumo meticulously listed the achievements of every participating ninja and recommended rewards accordingly. At the very top of the list was none other than Hyuga Soushu, who had directly instigated the conflict.

However, to Konoha's F3, the most glaring name among those honored in the battle report was Mahiru Uchiha, jointly recommended by two senior Jonin commanders.

"Could it be that White Fang has already allied with those lunatics?"

Koharu Utatane's first instinct was that something ominous was happening.

With the Uchiha Clan's strength combined with Sakumo Hatake's prestige among the commoner ninjas, their alliance would create an influence far greater than the sum of its parts!

This could cause a massive shift in Konoha's internal power dynamics!

If pessimistically viewed, even the politically inherited traditions dating back to The Second, Tobirama Senju, might be overturned!

If the commoner shinobi and noble clans were to unite, then people like them, who considered themselves the protectors of justice and fairness, wouldn't fare well at all!

"That probably won't happen."

"But after carefully reading the report, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head and reassured Koharu Utatane, who was clearly anxious: 'There's absolutely no indication that Sakumo would ally with the Uchiha clan. However,'

'What we should really watch out for is this Hyuga representative.'

Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement, pointing at Hyuga Soushu's name listed first in the report: 'Perhaps it's his critical role that matters most.'

'He's just a Branch House member,' Koharu scoffed dismissively. 'Besides, according to previous intelligence reports, this guy indulges in carnal pleasures, spending all day in his barracks without knowing what he's scheming with those seductive Uchiha women. What threat could such an undetermined character pose?'

While speaking, Koharu cast a meaningful glance toward Hiruzen, whose reddening face betrayed both embarrassment and well-known lecherous tendencies.

'Even so,' Homura interjected thoughtfully, 'although he may indulge in lustful pursuits, the Uchiha Clan doesn't seem to reject his presence. Moreover, despite minimal training with his ninja force, his strength seems to be skyrocketing at an unnatural rate.'

Suddenly recalling something, Homura turned to ask the Third Hokage: 'By the way, are there really no secret dual-cultivation jutsu for men and women in the Ninja World?'

'How should I know!' Even with his usually gentle disposition, Third Hokage Hiruzen showed signs of being both embarrassed and angry.

'Setting that aside, the real concern is the influence this Hyuga Branch House ninja has within the Martial Faction,' Homura smoothly shifted topics while stroking his beard. 'The report also notes something important – the quick victory strategy was first proposed by Hyuga Soushu in Jonin combat meetings and then backed up by Sakumo Hatake.'

'Then under the pretext of rotational leave, let's recall him back,' Koharu interjected. 'Except for his directly commanded squad, we should dissolve the rest of his unit and integrate them into other understaffed ninja units.'

Hiruzen considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement.

'As for that unauthorized cross-border attack... We can't punish Sakumo or anyone else over it, or else village public opinion will blow up,' Homura closed the report while stroking its cover. 'Therefore, we'd better accelerate our moves regarding the Land of Rain – even if it's just some propaganda – so we won't let Sakumo Hatake take full credit as the sole war hero!'

'I'll speak with Orochimaru about this,' Third Hokage agreed.

From these words, both Homura and Koharu understood the old monkey's preference.

'It's actually Orochimaru...'

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