Chapter 31: New Unit

Two months later Hijiri deemed the first two batches of chefs ready to be sent to the capital for the opening of the first two restaurants. As for the third, since they would cook high-quality dishes for the nobles, they needed still a bit of training.

Hijiri at this time received news that the hostilities between Senju and Uchiha opened again more fierce than ever. The two Uchiha prodigies Izuna and Madara had even opened their Mangekyo Sharingan and only Hashirama Senju and his brother Tobirama were their match.

Hijiri decided that the Hyuga shouldn't stay away from the clash.

For this purpose, he took 5 Chunins with high chakra control from each of the 3 corps and trained them privately.

A month later the last restaurant received his chefs and Henji went to oversee their development.

4 months later Hijiri was satisfied with the training of the 15 Chunins and deemed them ready to be brought to the battlefield.

After bidding farewell to the Elders he started tree-jumping with his new unit.

They reached the edge of the battlefield. There Senju and Uchiha were engaged in close combat. 

Hijiri made a sign to his unit to stay hidden and not intervene. After a whole hour, the two forces retreated leaving the bodies of the fallen and the mortally wounded.

At this point, Hijiri and his unit entered into action. They quickly dispersed themselves around the battlefield to find and heal any survivors.

In fact, the training that Hijiri had subjected these Chunins was a healing course. He didn't want to bring his clansmen here to kill but to save lives.

He wanted to have a good relationship with both of these two clans and give his clan the reputation of a healing ninja clan, other than one specialized in taijutsu.

After healing the dying and making them stable, they divided into two groups. One went with Hijiri's shadow clone to the Senju while the other went with Hijiri to the Uchiha.

Soon Hijiri with 7 Chunins arrived near the Uchiha encampment where they were stopped by a patrol unit.

(Patrol leader): "Stop! Identify yourselves!"

(Hijiri): "We are the Rescue and Healing Unit of the Hyuga clan. We have just saved some of your members from the battlefield. We are bringing them back to you. I also have something to say to your leader."

The patrol leader, recognizing some of his companions said: "Wait here. I will notify the leader."

(Hijiri): "Okay"

5 minutes later the patrol leader returned and said: "Come with me."

They were brought into the Uchiha encampment. Unlike the Hyuga who have a fixed residence, the Uchiha have an encampment that they will move when needed.

Here they met a young man with long black spiky hair and a younger one with medium black hair. Both had penetrating black eyes and were looking at them sternly. They were Madara and Izuna.

(Madara): "Who are you and what is your purpose here?"

(Hijiri): "My name is Hijiri Hyuga, General of the Hyuga, I come here to bring back some of your wounded left on the battlefield. We also offer our services to help your dying to recover."

(Madara): "What is your purpose for doing so? Do you wish for an alliance with the Uchiha? And what does your title as general of the Hyuga mean?"

(Hijiri): "No, we don't wish to ally ourselves with the Uchiha right now. My title simply means I am the defacto leader of the Hyuga. My purpose is to limit the casualties in this war. I believe that neither you nor the Senju will prevail and that the war will end when both sides will be tired of constantly fighting."

(Izuna): "Wait. 'both'? Did you also rescue the Senju?"

(Hijiri): "Yes"

Madara's gaze become hostile: "Since you helped the enemy, why shouldn't I kill you?"

(Hijiri): "Because we also helped you. And we will continue being active on the battlefield. If you attack us, you will make the entire Hyuga clan your enemy. You will have to face us other than the Senju."

Madara's face darkened and he started thinking.

(Izuna): "We are not afraid, besides we can also take you as a hostage. Your clan won't dare to attack us then."

Hijiri gritted his teeth. He had almost done it peacefully but it seems he had to establish his strength first.

(Hijiri): "Who? You? You don't have the ability to stop me if I want to leave."

(Madara): "You underestimate the strength of the Uchiha! I won't allow you to leave!"

(Hijiri): "What about a one-on-one? If you win we will surrender, if I win we will heal your dying and leave."

(Izuna): "Why should we do that? We have the number advantage."

(Hijiri): "Your people are tired from the earlier fight with the Senju. Even if you won there would be casualties on your side. Besides, are you perhaps afraid?"

It was a cheap provocation.

(Madara): "Never. We will settle it with a duel."

But it worked.