CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: HYUGA HIZASHI: CHILD, THIS IS THE BEST GIFT I CAN GIVE YOU!

Constitution enhancement?

Ryoho Kyohiko glanced at it, slightly surprised, but then secretly delighted. For him now, there was no reward more valuable than enhancing his basic attributes like constitution. These basic enhancements were tangible. However, the effects of the constitution enhancement would manifest slowly, probably over a few days to a month. Ryoho Kyohiko was not in a hurry.

He was more curious now about the outcome of the Hyuga clan’s reforms. Although he had discussed some things with Hyuga Hizashi before, it was mostly Hyuga Hizashi raising some difficult problems and him giving a little advice. Most of it was left for Hyuga Hizashi to ponder himself. After all—this was an internal matter of the Hyuga family. As an outsider, it was not convenient for him to interfere too much.

However, judging from the current reward, the situation of the Hyuga clan should be developing in a good direction. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been rewarded—if the Hyuga clan fell into internal strife, how could there be a reward?

A thought moved in his mind. He wrote a note and then teleported it with the Flying Thunder God. After a moment, a figure arrived silently.

Ryoho Kyohiko asked.

"Shusaku-senpai, are the situations of the Hyuga, Uchiha, and Kaguya clans all under surveillance?"

Gekko Shusaku replied.

"Of course! As per your instructions, we have been sending people to protect the Kaguya clan to prevent them from being targeted by certain people from the Hyuga clan."

Although the Kaguya clan only had nine people, they were very special—seven were pregnant women, and while the other two were sick and disabled, in Ryoho Kyohiko’s eyes, one of them was definitely a huge treasure, and the child he would have would surely have a very strong Kekkei Genkai! Because Ryoho Kyohiko guessed that a bloodline disease like his was precisely a manifestation of the Shikotsumyaku being too powerful. And his child... using Uchiha Itachi as a control group, it was very likely to be Kimimaro. If a solution to the bloodline disease could be researched from Kaguya Eisuke, it might benefit the descendants of the Kaguya clan, so they would no longer suffer from the torment of the bloodline disease.

As for the method, the current method was to use the Hashirama cells, which were in a weakened state after their life force was extracted by Ryoho Kyohiko’s ninjutsu, combined with a special curse mark derived from the Yin Seal and sealing jutsu. It was still effective. At least, Kaguya Eisuke’s physical condition had clearly improved, and he was obviously able to resist the erosion of the Shikotsumyaku’s power. But this method treated the symptoms, not the root cause—if it were that simple, Orochimaru in the original timeline wouldn’t have been helpless against Kimimaro’s bloodline disease.

Ryoho Kyohiko commanded.

"The pregnant women of the Kaguya clan must be well looked after. Don’t let some people have any opportunities."

"Yes!"

***

In the Hyuga clan’s territory.

In Hyuga Hiashi’s courtyard, he waved his hand, and a maid brought over freshly brewed tea, respectfully pouring it for the two of them. After the maid left, he smiled.

"Hizashi, you did a beautiful job on this matter, fulfilling my long-cherished wish, and also fighting for an opportunity for the branch family. It is truly a great merit!"

As he spoke, Hyuga Hiashi raised his teacup.

"Come, let’s use tea instead of wine. A toast to you."

Hyuga Hizashi spoke, carefully touching his cup to his brother’s, lowering it slightly.

"It’s not a merit. This matter was accomplished, firstly, because of brother’s planning, and secondly, because of Elder Kisai’s tacit cooperation. I just had a fearless drive!"

Hyuga Hiashi smiled, took a sip of tea, and then continued.

"The recent turmoil within the clan, you should have been operating behind the scenes, right?"

Hyuga Hizashi spoke, about to stand up and bow in apology, but Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand.

"I dare not hide it from brother. I did have the branch family operate in secret, but I wasn’t sure if it would succeed before, so I did not inform you, brother!"

Hyuga Hiashi had a sincere look on his face.

"No need. You and I are brothers, why be so distant? I mentioned this so that you would discuss it with me next time. That way, if something happens, I can take the blame for you."

"We are brothers, of course we must help each other!"

He put down his teacup.

"It’s just, you suddenly became so eager. Did something happen?"

Hyuga Hizashi hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head.

"Brother, I do have selfish intentions."

Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand, though his eyes were full of inquiry.

"Who doesn’t have selfish intentions? As long as it doesn’t affect the grand plan of the family, a little selfishness is not worth worrying about."

It was clear that he needed to know what Hyuga Hizashi’s "selfish intentions" were, but he wouldn’t ask directly.

A look of shame appeared on Hyuga Hizashi’s face.

"Brother, I’m going to have a child soon. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be born next year."

Hyuga Hiashi was stunned for a moment. A child... A rare look of daze appeared on his face. He was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"How fast!"

Hyuga Hizashi couldn’t grasp Hyuga Hiashi’s mood at the moment and didn’t know how to respond.

Hyuga Hiashi smiled.

"It seems like just yesterday that you and I came of age. Unknowingly, you’re about to have a child. Congratulations! After your child is born, raise him well and strive to win a spot."

Hyuga Hizashi lowered his head.

"I will do my best."

Hyuga Hiashi narrowed his eyes, then said, "How about I teach him?"

"What?"

Hyuga Hizashi looked up, a trace of astonishment on his face.

Hyuga Hiashi said, "After your child is born, I will teach him."

Hyuga Hizashi quickly thought and, in the blink of an eye, came up with an excuse.

"This, I’m afraid it’s not appropriate!"

"I know brother means well, but there will definitely be rumors within the family, which will not be good for you or the future child."

"If he is fortunate enough to join the main family, and then receive brother’s guidance and teaching, what do you think?"

Hyuga Hizashi looked at Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded lightly and sighed with emotion.

"I was too excited. Hahaha, Hizashi, you have truly grown up!"

The former Hyuga Hizashi... although he had drive and brains, he lacked such adaptability and comprehensive thinking. The current Hyuga Hizashi, if not for the Caged Bird curse mark, would be more competent as a main family member or elder than all the current elders. Unfortunately, even he had no way to remove this Caged Bird, otherwise he would be very willing to help Hyuga Hizashi remove it at this moment.

Hyuga Hizashi was silent for a while. Through his long association with Hyuga Hiashi, he had gradually discovered his brother’s deep and complex personality. Even he couldn’t tell if the current Hyuga Hiashi was showing his true feelings or being hypocritical.

"Brother, I still feel that I am not mature enough and tend to act impulsively. Fortunately, I did not cause you any trouble this time."

"How could it be trouble!"

***

At this moment, inside the Konoha Hospital.

Kaguya Eisuke finally saw his weakened wife in the hospital room. Even for a member of the Kaguya clan, her face was pale and colorless at this moment. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.

"You’ve worked hard!"

Her eyes dimmed, and after a moment of silence, she smiled.

"How could it be? Compared to..."

"Compared to most people, we are already very lucky. At least we are still alive, and our children, under Konoha’s care, can be born and grow up healthy!"

How could they not know Konoha’s needs? Konoha needed them, needed the Kaguya clan, which was why they had brought them to the village from so far away and given them many preferential policies. The purpose was naturally to let them multiply here and form a new Kaguya clan. So, no matter what, Konoha would take good care of this group of people and would not let any family or person touch them.

However, even so... there was still a trace of worry in her heart.

"Eisuke, I’m worried. What if our child is like you and gets the bloodline disease?"

Kaguya Eisuke stroked his wife’s hair.

"He won’t."

Then, he stood up, turned around, and smiled.

"Look, am I not getting better now? Konoha’s technology can even treat me. Sooner or later, they will be able to solve the bloodline disease."

"I hope there is such a day..."

After a moment of sighs and tenderness, they looked to the side. The baby had been placed in professional equipment and looked very healthy now. Although he was sound asleep, they still felt... this child would definitely be very healthy in the future.

"What should we name our child?"

Kaguya Eisuke smiled.

"Didn’t we already discuss it?"

"Kimimaro!"

"Are we really calling him that?"

"Yes!"

"Alright, then let’s call him Kaguya Kimimaro."

***

The next day, at the Konoha Anbu.

For several days in a row, Hyuga Hizashi did not go to the Konoha Anbu, but was busy with family affairs. In addition, he knew that this was a critical and sensitive period. His every move was likely under the watchful eyes of interested parties. If they caught hold of anything, his child’s future might be ruined.

This person, Hyuga Hiashi... when he was gentle, he could be as warm and amiable as spring. But once he was angered, or lost his value, the result might be different. Thinking of this, Hyuga Hizashi couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. He and Hyuga Hiashi were clearly twin brothers, only a few dozen seconds apart, but their lives and destinies since childhood had been completely different.

He looked towards his home and said silently in his heart.

"I am destined to be of the branch family, but fortunately, my child may not be. Child, this is the best arrangement I can make for you..."

Escape the branch family! Only in this way could he break free from the cage on his head and not become a caged bird.

***

At the Anbu headquarters.

"Kyohiko-kun, you’re not even coming to welcome me?"

Ryoho Kyohiko smiled.

"I trust your abilities, Orochimaru-senpai. With you on the case, how could there be any problems?"

A slight smile touched Orochimaru’s lips.

"This trip out was indeed fruitful."

Ryoho Kyohiko was curious.

"Survivors of the Yuki clan, and what else? The Kaguya clan’s book collection?"

Orochimaru shook his head and couldn’t help but sneer.

"What are you joking about? How could they possibly have a book collection?"

The Kaguya clan, this group of battle maniacs, all their inheritance was in combat. How could they possibly leave behind something like books, which was completely out of character for them? However, besides the Yuki clan, he was not without gains.

Orochimaru smiled.

"I sent a shadow clone to Kirigakure. Heh, although I’m not sure what kind of existence that Karatachi Yagura is, I can see that there are already signs of internal strife within the current Kirigakure..."

Although the Village of the Bloody Mist had always been full of slaughter and chaos, before, they still maintained a certain degree of restraint internally. Now it was different. Kirigakure’s rule was already showing signs of falling apart, and many ninjas were even defecting. For a large village, this was absolutely fatal.

Then there was the Three-Tails. After the Three-Tails Jinchuriki used that power, there were signs of it going on a rampage. Although it was suppressed, it also tied up a lot of their strength. Kirigakure might be considering changing the Jinchuriki.

After recounting what he had seen and heard, Orochimaru looked at Ryoho Kyohiko.

"Unfortunately, my shadow clone did not encounter an attack from Karatachi Yagura, so I couldn’t confirm the other party’s identity."

Ryoho Kyohiko shook his head.

"Even if he discovered you, you were a shadow clone. How could he possibly make a move?"

Orochimaru nodded. His current self was also just a clone. His real body had just arrived in the Land of Fire. On the way back, he had briefly explained the situation and then headed for his base. Kazuma was not a peaceful person. He had to keep an eye on him at all times.

Ryoho Kyohiko pondered Orochimaru’s words. Rogue-nin... This was not surprising. In the original timeline, many rogue-nin had appeared in Kirigakure, and many had joined the "Akatsuki" organization. But now, the "Akatsuki" had not yet appeared. So, was this defection deliberately caused by Madara, or was it really beyond his expectations?

Also, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki... The current Nohara Rin was always at the Konoha Hospital, her home, or the Konoha Hospital Research Institute, a three-point line. She never went out. Unless Black Zetsu and White Zetsu personally made a move, there was no possibility of her being abducted. But to prevent Nohara Rin from being abducted, and also—people’s hearts are hard to fathom! Obito’s defection might change Nohara Rin’s pursuits.

Ryoho Kyohiko’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he left with the Flying Thunder God.

At the Konoha Hospital.

Yuhi Kurenai was with Nohara Rin, trying hard to persuade her.

"Your medical talent is outstanding. If you continue to study, you will definitely become a very powerful medical ninja. Why do you suddenly want to develop into a field medic?"

Nohara Rin hesitated for a moment.

"This..."

She turned her head, looked at Yuhi Kurenai, and said in a low voice, "Obito defected. I feel I have a responsibility. During that time, Obito came to see me several times, but I was always busy and didn’t talk to him much. Maybe if I had talked to him a little longer, I could have found out..."

Yuhi Kurenai frowned.

"It’s not your fault! Rin!"

During this time, besides studying medical ninjutsu and genjutsu, she had also been studying psychology. She was very worried about Nohara Rin’s current state. The other party was blaming herself for Obito’s defection! If this continued, it would definitely form a psychological illness, or change some of her behavioral cognitions, which would definitely be detrimental to her future development. And with such a psychological state, even if she became a field medic... she would also be an unstable existence. Just like Hatake Kakashi back then.

Nohara Rin shook her head, her tone and gaze dim.

"If I could do it all over again, I could have saved Obito. I once had a chance to save him..."

At this moment, a voice sounded.

"There was no such chance."

Surprise appeared on both Yuhi Kurenai’s and Nohara Rin’s faces. They looked towards the door in unison. Ryoho Kyohiko let out a breath, a smile appearing on his stern face.

"Good thing I remembered, otherwise..."

Yuhi Kurenai was not very familiar with the inside story of Obito. Hearing Ryoho Kyohiko say this, she was slightly surprised.

"Kyohiko, what do you mean by that?"

Ryoho Kyohiko sighed.

"This matter is very complicated. Rin, it is indeed related to you, but not that much."