Chapter 139: New Year's Eve, Konoha Year 58

"Impure World Reincarnation." Hiruzen exhaled a ring of smoke. "Hiashi, is indeed very knowledgeable."

In the night wind, the Hokage stood with his back turned, wearing his ceremonial robes, while Yuto knelt on one knee behind him.

"Hokage-sama, the clan head is just..." Yuto hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "He is just worried about our clan members scattered outside."

Hiruzen chuckled. "It's impressive that you could come up with such a reasonable excuse."

Yuto lowered his head and remained silent.

"Telling Meiko about Impure World Reincarnation and then sending you away... Sigh, Yuto-kun, this is what I was most worried about. Not knowing what they discussed can only lead to baseless speculation, and distrust will grow from there."

"Fortunately, Hiashi is a very steady person and won't easily do anything detrimental to the village."

"Continue to monitor the Hyuga clan's actions, Yuto-kun. To make your work easier, you won't be assigned new duties for now. As for the reason..."

"Hmm, I'll spread the word that you are about to become an advisor to the Fourth Hokage. The new advisor should need ample time for independent learning, after all."

"By the way, Yuto-kun, your appointment as the Fourth Hokage's advisor isn't just a cover. Use this time to learn how to assist the Hokage in managing the village. You've served as a vice commander on the front lines; you have the ability."

Yuto promptly expressed his "loyalty" "Hokage-sama, you are not old yet."

"No, I am old... too old to suppress the Hyuga's unusual actions. Perhaps this matter should be handled by my successor." Hiruzen waved his hand. "You can leave now. Contact me anytime if something comes up, and inform Minato about the Hyuga clan's situation to keep him in the loop."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

...

"Oh? Dissatisfied with us leaving the village without permission?" Hiashi took a sip of tea. "Understandable. The Hokage must have guessed that we went to seek the Moon God."

"But even the Third Hokage couldn't know that this trip was very fruitful, even meeting Meiko."

"Well done. Continue gathering information."

"However... Yuto-kun." The clan leader looked at the branch family boy as if he were gazing at a great treasure. "We're still having the same issue. You should settle down, marry, and have children."

"About that, clan head-sama," Yuto replied awkwardly, "I might be entering the Hokage's building soon to study. The village seems to favor me as an advisor, so I might not have time to deal with my personal matters."

Hiashi was taken aback, then smiled. "That's good. Follow the village's arrangements."

Indeed, it is a good thing. A spy in a high position will naturally gather more intelligence.

Hiashi never considered the possibility of Yuto breaking free from control after gaining power.

—Lion's Fang Bite, Chakra Enhanced Strength, Yin Seal... No matter how many skills one possesses, a single activation of the curse seal would cause even the fiercest lion to die on the spot.

...

Yuto punched a large tree, causing the snow to explode into a firework-like shape.

However, when he retracted his fist, the bark was intact.

His Gentle Fist had reached a level where he could channel the force into the object's interior without using chakra, leaving the bark unscathed but shattering the core.

Yuto was truly a "year-round warrior," training whenever he wasn't bedridden.

"Yuto." A woman's voice came from above. Tsunade, smiling, sat on a tree crown and tossed him a gourd. "In a few minutes, you can drink."

In the ninja world, a 15-year-old boy is considered an adult.

"Sensei," Yuto shook the gourd, "why are you here? Where's Shizune?"

"She went out to play with her friends. Honestly, you two are heartless enough to leave this old lady at home."

"You're not old. With the Yin Seal, you'll be as youthful as ever twenty years from now."

"The aging is in the mindset." The blonde woman sighed, tossing a snowball at Yuto. "When Shizune left, do you know what I told her?"

"—Come back on time, or no sweets for a week!"

"That's what Grandma Mito used to say to me when I was little..."

Yuto laughed, jumping up to sit beside Tsunade on the tree crown.

"Sensei, what kind of liquor is this?"

"Sakura sake."

"That's strange. I've only heard of sakura mochi."

"Ignorance is a sign of youth."

"Sensei, you'd be better off giving me a ninjutsu scroll or something. I'm not interested in alcohol. Even on New Year's Eve, I should be training."

"You're still too young to appreciate alcohol. And, what kind of sensei I would be if I give you work as birthday gifts?"

"...That's not something a good sensei should say." Yuto laughed, slowly relaxing.

For the upcoming New Year, he had been anxious.

Konoha Year 58 marked the end of the Third Shinobi World War. The Battle of Kannabi Bridge had completely changed the world's course before then.

Obito would turn completely dark, following Madara's path to madness. In a year, he would even take advantage of Kushina's childbirth to kill his sensei and sensei's wife!

Yuto wasn't sure whether to intervene.

His courage was growing. With a clone with Hashirama cells, Now, Yuto wanted to obtain Madara's cells. Not for any reason other than that the names Hashirama and Madara somehow sounded harmonious together.

If he were to pursue this, it would be like pulling barbeque out of the fire with bare hands, risking great danger.

Moreover, Madara, lurking underground, would likely know about the Moon God. His personality would make it unlikely for him to ignore the matter; he might strike at any time to capture someone with powers similar to the Rinnegan.

Half of the four clones had been created. In a few years, their power would mature enough to break free from the cage bird, fulfilling a long-held dream.

'Using Madara's cells might speed up the process... The legendary Ghost of Uchiha, barely surviving with the Gedo Statue's support, had given his eyes to Nagato, leaving him at his weakest.'

'Even if it failed, there was still Shisui. It would just slow down the clone's growth a bit.'

'If they shared the same fate and were consumed by their sensei, living together forever in one body, it would be a touching story... right?'

As Yuto pondered, countless fireworks suddenly launched from the ground, ripping through the air with a sharp buzz. Various colors and shapes exploded against the black night sky, enveloping the two in an illusionary world.

"Happy New Year! Happy coming of age!" The blonde woman suddenly shouted, opening the gourd of sakura sake and pouring it into Yuto's mouth.

The caged bird was now fifteen.

(End of Chapter)