Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki

Chapter 12 The Son of the Daimyo

"Going to the front lines...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile froze on his face.

The pipe in his hand stopped in mid-air, and his gaze slowly swept across Orochimaru's face, calm and resolute.

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth, the words he instinctively wanted to say stuck in his throat, but he couldn't utter a single one.

Should we still go and fight for it...?

Even though you've been transferred away from the front lines for so long, even though everyone thought you'd given up, are you still unwilling to give up?

Orochimaru...

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his eyes, brought the pipe to his lips, and took a deep drag.

The decision to transfer Orochimaru back to the village from the front lines was the result of discussions with the higher-ups long ago. Even Jiraiya agreed with this decision.

Only Orochimaru himself and Danzo Shimura were unaware of this.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had envisioned a perfect ending.

Orochimaru gave up the competition for the Fourth Hokage, settled down, and became a key figure in Konoha's technology, spreading out to important positions in Konoha along with Tsunade and Jiraiya, eventually retiring to the background on the stage of history.

Even now, Orochimaru still hasn't let go...

"Orochimaru," Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "This mission is simple, but to handle two things at the same time... isn't that too hasty?"

"Hehehe..."

Orochimaru chuckled and licked his lips.

"I have to hurry, Sarutobi-sensei. My influence in the village can't compare to that of the younger generation..."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi closed his eyes.

He knew that Orochimaru had made up his mind.

He was determined to fight for the position of Hokage, even if it meant suffering heavy losses and being abandoned by everyone.

Thoughts churned in my mind.

He wanted to use his position as Hokage and his role as a teacher to completely reject Orochimaru's proposal.

But he feared that Orochimaru would be completely heartbroken, that the Orochimaru who had once stood behind him like a father and son would become a stranger to him from now on.

He wanted Orochimaru to stop fighting for that position, to tell him that it wasn't right for him, and to tell him to just focus on his research.

But he couldn't bring himself to say it.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally softened.

"Since that's the case... then you may go."

He waved his hand and sighed wearily.

"As for what's happening at the front, we'll talk about that after you've completed this mission..."

He paused, then looked up at Orochimaru with a complicated expression.

"Don't go too far, Orochimaru."

"Teacher," Orochimaru suddenly spoke, a faint smile playing on his lips, "I have someone in mind for this mission."

"Let's talk about the Cloud Hidden Battlefield."

-

"I see?"

Hiashi Hyuga's voice was calm, but the tremor in his words betrayed his disappointment, yet he couldn't lose his composure in front of his junior.

"Lord Hiashi, is there something wrong with that scroll?"

Hinata Seiran tilted her head slightly, her expression innocent and naive: "Or is it that the scroll was forged by someone else?"

"No... no problem."

Hiashi Hyuga forced a smile; how could he tell Seiran Hyuga that the scroll had been stolen and that the culprit was Danzo Shimura?

Not to mention, the contents of that scroll were not something a member of a branch family was qualified to know.

"That's good." Hyuga Seiran nodded, seemingly relieved, then looked puzzled at Hyuga Hiashi, who was still standing motionless. "Lord Hiashi, is there anything else?"

"....fine."

Hyuga Hiashi finally followed the elders' advice and asked Hyuga Aoran the question.

The child before me is gentle, polite, and highly talented. Despite being a member of a branch family, he never complains.

Of all the branch family members in the Hyuga clan, only he was like a piece of warm jade, never fighting or grabbing, quietly doing everything well.

He couldn't bear to question such a child.

"Then I'll be leaving first."

Hinata Seiran bowed respectfully and then left in small steps.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds and shadows, splitting Hyuga Hiashi in two.

"Send people to the ancient tomb that Hyuga Aoran found to investigate it thoroughly."

His voice suddenly became low and cold, as if he were a different person.

"You have to report even the slightest clue."

"yes!"

A very soft rustling sound came from the shadows, then silence fell.

Hiashi Hyuga stood alone on the bluestone path, gazing in the direction where Ayane Hyuga had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

The sunlight was still shining obliquely, shrouding half of his face in shadow, making it impossible to see his expression.

"...Qinglan".

Don't let me down.

-

"The side effects are really severe..."

Hinata Seiran slowly lifted his sleeve, revealing his pale, almost transparent skin.

At this moment, his arm was covered with fine and deep marks, like incantations etched into his skin by lightning.

"My physique is more than enough to train in Lightning Release Armor."

Hinata Seiran lowered his sleeves and inwardly chuckled to himself.

The move he practiced all day yesterday is considered lightning-based, but it's not quite.

It was a skill he learned in his previous life when he imitated Kinshiki Otsutsuki.

God chases.

Unlike the Lightning Release Armor, this Lightning Release technique is purple, more powerful, and faster.

In the original work, Kinshiki Otsutsuki used this move to briefly suppress Sasuke with the Rinnegan.

The only hard requirement for this move is that one must be an Otsutsuki or possess Otsutsuki chakra, plus a sufficiently strong physique.

Hinata Seiran clearly barely met the requirements.

Although he can't compare to Orochimaru, this is about right.

Just then, a small white snake suddenly emerged from the sleeve, hissing and flicking its tongue a few times.

"The son of a daimyo? Shall we depart now?"

"I see."

Hinata Seiran patted the little white snake's head, and the little white snake immediately turned and darted into the grass, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Yugakure Village...

What a nostalgic place.

Hinata Seiran sighed inwardly, gazing in the direction of the Hokage Building.

It really comes down to having connections at higher levels...

I finally have a chance to get my things back...

-

"From the Hyuga clan?"

"He's good-looking."

The daimyo's son lifted the sedan curtain and lazily glanced at Hyuga Seiran, who was following closely behind, as well as several Konoha ninjas.

"However, there's war going on everywhere right now. Since Konoha accepted this mission, they should have the strength to protect me, right?"

"Since His Highness has issued a mission in Konoha," Hinata Seiran said expressionlessly and in a flat tone, "the village will take full responsibility."

"Yes, I'm satisfied. Let's go."

"The weather's been nice these past few days, let's all come soak in the hot springs together, everyone from Konoha..."

The voice of the daimyo's son drifted slowly from the sedan chair, and the surrounding guards seemed to be used to it.

He didn't look like someone involved in the Ninja World War at all; it was as if the war had nothing to do with him.

Or rather, it really has nothing to do with him.

It's that simple in the ninja world.

A daimyo is a daimyo, and a Hokage is a Hokage.

The fact that the village is at war and the Land of Fire is at war does not mean that those who enjoy the fruits of others' labor must also go to war.

As nobles, all they need to do is enjoy themselves.

As for the remaining matters that the ninjas, samurai, and army had to worry about...

There are many.