Chapter 16

Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders were quickly conveyed by Ōki Takahiro.

The Ninja Academy suddenly became lively.

As one of the teachers, Haruki also received his assignment.

He was to conduct the graduation assessment for Class 6A.

The assessment was straightforward, involving the Three Basic Techniques: Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Clone Technique. Any two of these had to meet the standards.

In theory, it was just a formality.

After all, in a normal situation, there wouldn't be students who couldn't master the E-rank Three Basic Techniques after six years of learning.

Haruki arrived at the exam hall on time.

Most of the students looked relaxed.

"You must already be aware of the details, so let's not waste time. Let's start from the first row," Haruki said.

The first student walked up to him, bowed slightly, and then started forming hand seals.

With the flow of chakra, an identical clone appeared to his left.

After a few seconds, he canceled the clone and left a log in its place.

"Congratulations on your successful graduation."

Haruki placed the Konoha forehead protector on him.

"Thank you, sensei!"

Although it was expected, the student was obviously very excited, his face glowing with joy.

After he left, the second student stood up.

After repeating the process twenty-seven times, the entire class graduated smoothly.

The distribution of squad leaders would be announced the day after tomorrow.

"Sensei, will I be in the same team as Kushina?" asked Minato.

"Minato, why don't you first worry about whether I'll be your squad leader?" Haruki teased.

"Huh?" Minato was taken aback.

"Guess the sensei isn't the most important after all," Haruki said with a mock sigh and shake of his head.

"No… that's not it!" Minato quickly explained. "I would definitely refuse any other sensei!"

"Oh? The squad leader is assigned by Lord Hokage. How would you refuse?"

"Um… uh…"

Minato stuttered, unsure what to say since there was nothing he could do against an order from the Hokage.

Haruki smiled.

It seemed his training plan was going well.

"Don't worry, you and Kushina will be on the same team. Moreover, there's another little beauty," Haruki said.

"Huh?"

Minato looked up, hesitating. "Sensei, isn't the Hyuga clan heir a boy?"

"What? Would you prefer a male teammate?"

"No, no." Minato quickly replied.

"Tsk, I should tell Kushina," Haruki said with a playful smirk.

"What? No, no, no, sensei, that's not what I meant!" Minato was flustered by the layered teasing.

"So, which do you prefer, a male teammate or a female one?"

"A male!"

"Hahaha."

Haruki couldn't help but laugh.

Minato looked frustrated but didn't dare to argue.

So annoying!

"I have a task for you today." Haruki ruffled his yellow hair.

"What is it?" Minato's enthusiasm was low as he endured the teasing.

"I have something to attend to later and can't be there for your training. You're ahead of Kushina in progress, so I'm asking you to be her temporary sensei."

"Rea… really?" Minato's eyes widened.

"You don't want to?"

"I do! Thank you, sensei!"

Minato's mood instantly lifted, eager to start guiding Kushina in training at the Forest of Death.

Ah, youth.

Seeing his enthusiasm, Haruki couldn't help but sigh.

A student-age romance is very different from one after entering society.

At this stage, they liked each other without any strings attached.

"I'm off."

With that, Haruki vanished into the air.

He reappeared at Orochimaru's lab.

"Here."

Orochimaru handed him a scroll.

"Thanks."

Haruki read through the contents but didn't put it away.

Placing the scroll on a corner bookshelf, he wrote "Caged Bird" on its surface.

"Nagata Teru, deliver this letter to the Hyuga clan head."

Haruki called one of his trusted aides and then whispered something to Orochimaru.

Although somewhat impatient, Orochimaru agreed.

Haruki disappeared.

An hour later, there was a knock at the door.

"Hyuga Hiashi here to see Lord Orochimaru. May I ask where Lord Haruki is?"

"He has something to do. Please wait here for a moment."

"Okay." Hiashi was very polite.

Orochimaru glanced at him before turning toward his lab but paused at the door.

"The things here are confidential. Don't touch anything."

"Lord Orochimaru, I won't look at anything."

Hiashi shivered at the warning.

After Orochimaru left, he finally relaxed.

One of the legendary Sannin, experienced in countless battles.

To be honest, Hiashi was a bit envious.

Because of the Byakugan, he, as a main family member, had never left Konoha.

But the rules of the Hyuga clan were beyond his control.

Hiashi sighed.

His beloved younger brother had become especially cold after receiving the Caged Bird mark.

The happiness of childhood was long gone.

"Hmm?"

Hiashi's eyes focused on the bookshelf in the corner.

The words "Caged Bird" were as conspicuous as stars in the night, exceptionally glaring.

Why would a scroll about the Caged Bird be in Orochimaru's lab?

Then he remembered Orochimaru's earlier words.

Everything here is confidential.

Hiashi felt an itch of curiosity.

The so-called secrets of the legendary Sannin, involving the Caged Bird no less.

What could it be?

He hesitated, his heart in turmoil.

After a moment, he activated his Byakugan.

Not far away was an immense, chilling chakra, likely Orochimaru's.

Around him were several others, but their chakras were ordinary.

Hiashi's expression fluctuated, and he finally took a step.

He quickly grabbed the scroll and opened it.

His eyes scanned the content.

He froze on the spot.

As the Hyuga clan's heir, he was very familiar with the Caged Bird.

It was a curse mark that could only be removed by death.

But the scroll in front of him deconstructed the Caged Bird from its very core.

If he didn't know how stubborn the elders were, he'd think there was a traitor in the main family.

Was it Orochimaru?

He had always heard that Orochimaru's research abilities were formidable.

But what puzzled him was why Orochimaru didn't completely break the Caged Bird, only changing the control.

Hiashi's breathing grew rapid with tension.

If this scroll got out, a revolt among the branch family was inevitable.

At that moment, a powerful chakra, not weaker than Orochimaru's, surged outside the door.

Like a startled bird, Hiashi stuffed the scroll into his robe, deactivating his Byakugan, and turned to the entering Haruki.

"Oh, it's Hiashi. Did you see the letter I wrote?"

"Lord Haruki."

Hiashi tried to stay calm. "Thank you for your kindness, but as a main family member, I don't need a squad leader. My strength has surpassed the need for one. So, I must decline your offer."

"That's a pity," Haruki said, showing a timely expression of regret.

"If you're willing, the Hyuga clan's suitable members can become your students."

"I'll consider it. Sorry to have troubled you."

"It's no trouble. You've done much for the Hyuga clan. It was my duty to come."

After Hiashi left, Orochimaru reappeared.

"What do you think he'll do?"

"I don't know," Haruki replied.

Though in the original story, Hiashi ultimately changed the Caged Bird system, much of it was due to his Hokage son-in-law.

"By the way, I've always wondered why you didn't just eliminate the Caged Bird. Why all this trouble? Do you really want to protect the Byakugan from leaking out?"

"No. I've heard a rumor that if someone can break the Caged Bird themselves, their Byakugan can evolve."

"Evolve? The Byakugan can evolve?" Orochimaru looked at him in surprise.

"Do you think the Byakugan is on par with the Sharingan because of the Hyuga clan's boasting?"

"Interesting." Orochimaru looked outside, his gaze seeming to linger on Hiashi.