Why do this?
This question, aside from Jiraiya who could vaguely guess the reason, left everyone else confused about Hyuga Mirai's intentions.
He had broken Konoha's record for the fastest promotion to Chunin, becoming the youngest medical ninja, and aside from Tsunade's departure, Hyuga Mirai's medical ninjutsu was almost unmatched in Konoha. This wasn't just some boast by the Hyuga clan, but something spread among the ninjas who had been saved and given hope by him during the two wars.
Because of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't send ANBU to stop Mirai's reputation from spreading within Konoha. Without an organizer, there was no way to stop his growing fame unless all ninjas were silenced, which would be impossible.
"Hyuga Mirai, you..."
Kiyo Hyuga immediately disregarded everything and rushed to confront Mirai. Whether it meant making him unable to fight or even breaking his limbs, she just wanted to understand why he would do something like this.
But Kakashi suddenly stepped in front of her, his voice calm but firm.
"Stay calm. This man isn't simple."
Although Kakashi wasn't sure of the strength of the Hyuga clan members around him, he could tell that the two lying on the ground were likely branch family guards, and the one who had died was from the main house.
To kill three people in an instant and even knock Kiyo Hyuga, who had used her Kaiten technique, with a single punch—this kind of power was something Kakashi knew he could never match. Hyuga Mirai's true strength was far beyond what he had shown on a daily basis.
"Ah, Kakashi, congratulations on joining the ANBU," Hyuga Mirai said, looking at the Sharingan beneath Kakashi's mask. He smirked lightly before turning to Orochimaru and sighing. "Orochimaru, this seems a bit sudden. What happened? Oh, by the way, could you help me take the body?"
"I can't help it. It seems I've been betrayed by my partner." Orochimaru smiled faintly, using his summoning technique to call forth a five-meter-long snake, which began to slither towards the body of Hyuga Nichirin.
However, Orochimaru suddenly realized what had happened. He had reflexively agreed to Mirai's request. It seemed that once he was distracted with something slightly important, he couldn't help but agree, just like last time.
He chuckled inwardly. Was this trust that made him act so? Orochimaru thought to himself, and silently vowed that next time, he wouldn't be so easily persuaded.
"Stop Orochimaru!"
Jiraiya shouted, but he regretted it as soon as he did. Aside from him, who was preparing to summon the two Great Sages to help gather Sage chakra, there were only four others left.
One of the ANBU had just carried the two heavily injured branch family guards away, and was too far to act. Kiyo was in a state of disarray, her Byakugan locked on only to Hyuga Mirai.
The remaining branch family guards were also nervously watching Mirai's every move. One of them had nearly died, and if Mirai hadn't stopped his attack, this guard didn't think he would have made it out alive.
To be honest, this branch family guard was terrified.
Others didn't understand, but as someone from the Hyuga clan, he knew just how strong Hyuga Nichirin and the two branch family guards were. They were no less than elite Jonin.
The moment Hyuga Nichirin, the second elder's heir, died in an instant and the other two were heavily injured, he realized just how terrifying Mirai was. Even Kiyo Hyuga, who was close to the Jonin level, was sent flying with a single punch after using her Kaiten.
Only Kakashi tried to rush forward, wanting to take Hyuga Nichirin's body back. The Byakugan was incredibly important to the village's strategy, and Kakashi couldn't let a rogue ninja steal it.
But as soon as he moved, a figure appeared in front of him.
'That was fast!'
Kakashi was stunned, recognizing the speed of the movement. It was almost on par with his teacher, and even his Sharingan had trouble tracking it.
Hyuga Mirai sighed and warned, "Kakashi, you'd better not move. With the battle power you're missing from not being promoted to Jonin, you don't have enough strength to interfere. Watching from the sidelines would be your best choice."
"Is that so? Then allow me to learn from you," Kakashi responded calmly, though his eyes were sharp. He quickly sheathed his short blade and formed hand signs. A ball of near-physical chakra in the form of lightning appeared in his hands, filling the entire forest with the sharp, thunderous sound of a thousand birds.
Having obtained the left eye's Sharingan, Kakashi had perfected this technique. Now, even if Mirai had hidden his strength, Kakashi wasn't afraid.
"Are you going all out? Then I'll match you a bit," Mirai said, seeing Kakashi use more than half of his chakra. He became more serious.
Mirai formed hand signs and released the pressure from his body.
"Added-Weight Rock Jutsu—Release!"
The threefold gravity released, and Mirai instantly felt his cells being freed from the pressure. His speed and strength surged to another level.
"I see. You modified the Added-Weight Rock Jutsu and applied it as a sealing technique to enhance your training," Orochimaru observed, noticing many seals appearing around Mirai's body, although they disappeared just as quickly.
For this young boy, Orochimaru had never underestimated him. To be able to deceive a family with such keen insight and raise his strength to the point where it rivaled his own—such vigilance, determination, and method of action were enough for Orochimaru to treat Hyuga Mirai as an equal.
In fact, when it came to scientific research, Orochimaru even regarded Mirai as a senior or a guiding light.
At the moment when Hyuga Mirai revealed his true power, the two of them, if working together, could easily shake off Jiraiya and the others' pursuit.
However, Orochimaru could see that Mirai had no intention of retreating just yet. Perhaps he was absolutely confident in his own strength, or perhaps there was some need for venting.
"Heh, living for so many years in such a traditional family, must have made you feel quite frustrated, huh, Mirai?" Orochimaru chuckled silently to himself. Since Mirai still seemed intent on playing a little more, he would naturally accompany him.
Moreover, Orochimaru wanted to learn more about Hyuga Mirai. If he couldn't earn his respect, then there would be no need to try to recruit him.
"Kakashi, don't act rashly."
Though Jiraiya wanted to warn Kakashi, it was too late by the time he spoke.
A sharp thunderclap echoed, followed by Kakashi moving with lightning speed, his attack aimed directly at Hyuga Mirai.
"His speed doesn't seem that fast."
Hyuga Mirai's Byakugan seemed to flash with a deep blue hue. When Kakashi closed the distance to just three meters in front of him, Mirai extended his right hand with precision, stopping Kakashi's lightning-charged fist mid-air, grasping it firmly.
"Wha—what?"
Kakashi's eyes widened. His perfected Chidori had been so easily neutralized? Just moments ago, his Sharingan had clearly tracked Mirai's movements, but the situation unfolded so rapidly that he had no time to react. It felt as though his wrist had involuntarily placed itself into Mirai's grasp.
"Rest."
With a casual swipe, Hyuga Mirai struck directly at Kakashi's chest. If Kakashi had studied the White Fang's sword techniques, perhaps his skill would be greater, but the combination of the Sharingan and Chidori had too many obvious weaknesses. Mirai found no interest in it.
But just then, a huge short sword, several meters long, sliced toward his position. Mirai furrowed his brow slightly, shifting from a palm strike to a kick. Using the rebound force from his foot, he swiftly retreated from the spot.
Kakashi seized the opportunity to bring his left arm up to block his chest, but the massive force of Mirai's kick sent him flying.
In the air, Kakashi could hear several distinct cracks—his arm had been broken by a single kick.
After sending Kakashi flying, Mirai used his Shunshin to leap several dozen meters away, raising his head to look at the giant toad, Gamakichi. Mirai, having spent a lot of time with the small purple snake, now found the sight of Fukasaku somewhat irritating.
'Perhaps I should summon the little purple one and have him eat this smelly toad.'
Mirai briefly entertained the thought and was about to summon when he saw Kiyo Hyuga break free from the protection of the branch family and charge toward him.
"Idiot, don't go!" Jiraiya shouted anxiously, but Kiyo Hyuga didn't listen to him.
The admiration in her white eyes had disappeared, replaced by a bitter resentment from being deceived.
"Kiyo, you're so weak. In this situation, you should've fled immediately. Why rush in? You're wasting the lives of the branch family that have been protecting you."
Kiyo Hyuga didn't waver. Her Byakugan remained fixed on Hyuga Mirai, and her face was contorted with the rising tension in her veins.
"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"
With a loud snap, Kiyo Hyuga charged forward, landing two strikes before Mirai caught her wrist.
"Your momentum is too strong. The first few moves should be used to disguise your full power."
Mirai's calm words reached Kiyo Hyuga's ears, and she paused, briefly lost in thought, recalling past training with her team. Back then, Mirai had always spoken in the same manner, correcting her use of the Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms.
'What did I say back then?'
'Hmph, you only talk big. Why don't we have a match then?'
Later, Mirai had seemingly declined.
Had he been deceiving me all this time? When did it start?
"You said that for everything that happens, there's always a reason. So why—why are you doing this today?!"
Kiyo Hyuga's Byakugan fixed intensely on Hyuga Mirai, hoping to get an answer.
(End of Chapter)
=========================================================
DROP THEM POWER STONES PLEASE
SUPPORT ME ON P@TREON IF YOU'D LIKE ACCESS ON ADVANCED CHAPTERS
PAT REON . COM / TurdTranslations (Just remove the space).