Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

When Hyuga Soushu finally walked out of the dormitory with an aching back, it was already noon the next day.

After the latest village decree was announced during the Jonin Military Meeting, the Konoha Border Forces who were still stationed along the Land of Wind's border had already begun preparing for their withdrawal.

In the past few days, Sunagakure had remained quiet. The only event worth mentioning was when a local noble from the Land of Wind, trembling nervously, arrived at the captured Suna camp with a group of samurai who looked just as frightened as quails, to discuss supply matters with Sakumo Hatake.

Sakumo and the other Konoha Jonin didn't give this surprisingly courageous noble any trouble. Instead, they politely reassured him that Konoha would take no liberties and paid market price for the supplies delivered.

After all, the money was originally taken from Sunagakure Camp, and there wasn't much use bringing it back home anyway—so why not just do a favor and call it even?

But for this local noble from the Land of Wind who had come personally to Konoha's encampment expecting nothing less than risking his life or losing his skin, Sakumo Hatake and the Jonin welcoming him were practically saints—completely unlike those grim-faced Sand ninja who always looked like they had a stick up their backsides!

"No matter what Lord Daimyo or those Sand brutes say in the future, the border patrol duties will be entrusted entirely to you honorable and kind-hearted Konoha ninja!"

When Hyuga Soushu reached the center of the camp plaza, he happened to witness the departing local noble enthusiastically making promises to Sakumo Hatake and others who had come to see him off.

Though Sakumo himself didn't really believe such a small-time noble could actually fulfill these promises, he still maintained a polite smile on his face as he thanked the man for his assurances.

Hyuga Soushu didn't dwell on it either and simply proceeded directly to the area where his squad was stationed.

"Teacher!"

Might Duy, who had been squat-jumping while hugging his knees, immediately noticed Hyuga Soushu's arrival. He sprang up and hurried over with brisk, eager steps.

Hearing Might Duy shout out, the rest of the ninjas in the squad base quickly exited their tents and swiftly formed ranks before Hyuga Soushu.

Although Hyuga Soushu wasn't exactly a qualified commander—his fighting style favored solo combat, and he often charged ahead, leaving his subordinates behind—he remained deeply admired by his men. Since arriving at the Western Camp, he had spent most of his time staying close to Mahiru Uchiha, neglecting both training and supervision of his squad.

"Very soon, I'll be transferred back to the village due to orders from the village leadership. This unit will then be handed over to another officer appointed by the Border Forces."

Hyuga Soushu stood in silence for a moment before deciding to lay everything bare upfront.

A wave of slight unrest rippled through the assembled ninja, but their discipline as shinobi kept them from questioning or protesting immediately.

"This is the village's decision. I have no choice either."

Hyuga Soushu swept his gaze across the group, memorizing everyone's expressions at this moment.

"Disperse now! Everything follows Central Command Tent's arrangements!"

"At once!"

Although somewhat reluctant, these ninja immediately responded in unison.

"Teacher, what about us?"

After everyone had gone, Might Duy piped up eagerly: "We're your direct subordinates after all!"

"Let's go back to the village together."

Hyuga Soushu smiled slightly. "You'll need to adapt to my training methods, though."

"No problem! Passionate effort is exactly what youth is all about. Under your guidance, I'll definitely become a great ninja!"

Buoyed by excitement, Might Duy leapt high into the air, then continued with his noon physical training at Hyuga Soushu's gesture.

"Genji-senpai."

Hyuga Soushu shifted his gaze toward Genji who stood not far ahead.

"Pity, our squad will probably disband after returning to the village, so..."

"That is indeed too bad."

Though Kosuke Maruboshi felt some regret, he simply nodded without further comment.

As one of Konoha's first-generation ninja, he had witnessed countless partings and deaths. Though feeling some sentimentality about dissolving this small unit, their time together hadn't been particularly long. Moreover, Hyuga Soushu wasn't particularly enthusiastic about building emotional connections with his subordinates, so his feelings weren't especially deep.

"But I really am curious about Soushu Jonin's abilities. Would it be possible for me to witness them again?"

This question was on Kosuke Maruboshi's mind first and foremost.

He didn't harbor ill intentions. He also recalled how, when the squad was first formed, the Hokage had personally summoned him and asked him to guide Hyuga Soushu using the Will of Fire. Now obviously such influence seemed impossible, but through recent observations, Kosuke Maruboshi did gain general understanding of Soushu's abilities. However, he couldn't quite determine the gap between their strengths, so he wanted to test it firsthand.

"Sure, right here."

Soushu agreed immediately.

"Here?"

Kosuke hesitated momentarily, since most of his ninjutsu were large-scale offensive techniques. Practicing them within this confined plaza might cause some damage.

"It doesn't matter. Please proceed without concern."

Hyuga Soushu smiled slightly, then assumed the opening stance of Gentle Fist.

"Jonin Soushu, are you not going to use your usual weapons?"

Kosuke casually asked while already forming hand seals.

"A ninja of the Hyuga Clan isn't necessarily dependent on weapons for battle."

Soushu answered calmly.

Besides, he already had enough advanced gear; heavy weapons weren't needed for a regular sparring match. Moreover, bringing out the Torch Pole would result in serious injuries either way—such excessive force truly wasn't warranted.

"Then I shall ask for Jonin Soushu's instruction!"

Completing his seals, Kosuke Maruboshi took a deep breath.

[Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!]

A highly condensed chakra water dragon erupted from Kosuke Maruboshi's mouth, lunging straight at the nearby Hyuga Soushu!

[Counter Storm!]

Hyuga Soushu let out a low shout and immediately activated his technique, charging headlong into the Water Release jutsu.

[Eight Trigrams Gentle Fist: Thirty-Two Palms!]

Under Mitotou Kousuke's wide-eyed gaze—nearly popping out of their sockets—Soushu forcefully used his Gentle Fist techniques to smash the mighty water dragon into countless droplets scattered across the sky like fireworks.

What the hell was that?!

Kosuke Maruboshi and every ninja who witnessed this scene were left agape, their astonishment too great to express.

Is he even human?

"Probably only someone from Kumo using the Lightning Release Body Strengthening Technique could reach such a level?"

Inside the tent, Toshimichi Yamanaka was watching intently through the crack, his heart pounding with excitement, eyes burning intensely.

"I've made my decision. I'm going back to the village."

Mitotou Kousuke licked his lips, his eyes equally filled with fanaticism.

"Same here!"

Toshimichi Yamanaka nodded repeatedly.

As for the command authority over the Ninja Force as a Tokubetsu Jonin or any subsequent military rewards, he had long since dismissed those concerns from his mind.

For ninja, especially those belonging to the Martial Faction, what could be more important than following a powerful martial ninja?

Although Soushu had never publicly announced himself as a member or supporter of the Martial Faction, his words and actions had led the Konoha ninja to automatically consider him part of it, so whether he acknowledged it or not didn't matter—if the Martial Faction believed he was one of them, then he was!

"We definitely shouldn't mix with these vermin in the village!"

Toshimichi Yamanaka whispered. "Staying with them is why Konoha will never improve!"

In a fight where both sides are equal, it's taijutsu that decides who wins in the end.

Having finished his display of prowess, Hyuga Soushu said casually after wrapping up the show.

Kosuke Maruboshi stood speechless.

Afterwards, Soushu exchanged a few polite words before heading off to the Jonin Mess Hall to get lunch for Uchiha Mahiru, who had been bedridden from overexertion during battle.

Within his Byakugan vision, he'd long since noticed the murmuring between Toshimichi Yamanaka and Mitotou Kousuke.

Mission accomplished!

Soushu deciphered their supposedly private conversation through lip reading, feeling quite pleased inside.

Quality over quantity. Gaining two more Tokubetsu Jonin-level followers was always a bonus.

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