Three days had passed since Hibari returned.
The Hokage was still having the Intelligence Division work overtime to sort and summarize the vast amount of intelligence Hibari had brought back from Kumogakure, using it to analyze Kumogakure's current situation.
Nothing unexpected happened in the village; everything was proceeding as planned.
Therefore, Hibari had nothing much to do. The weather was cold, and he didn't even want to leave home. If no one from the Anbu came to call him for tasks, he wouldn't even go, spending his days holed up at home, researching the 'treasures' he had gotten from Kumogakure.
In Hibari's own courtyard, under a small tree whose leaves had mostly fallen due to the increasingly cold weather, Hibari stood upright, hands clasped in front of his chest, practicing the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
As Hiruzen had said, the earlier this technique was practiced, the better. It was a cumulative growth-type technique; no wonder it was called nin-taijutsu. It required continuous, daily training, just like taijutsu, to constantly strengthen the technique.
Hibari himself possessed Lightning Release chakra and had a decent grasp of Lightning Release. For the past three days, he had been constantly learning this 'Lightning Release Armor Technique,' and had already gained some basic proficiency.
Through the gap in his clasped hands, some lightning flickered. Then, the Lightning Release chakra energy began to spread from his hands, and soon, it enveloped his entire body.
Next, Hibari carefully opened his palms, causing his body's Lightning Release chakra to fluctuate slightly. After stabilizing the Lightning Release chakra fluctuations within his body, Hibari smiled.
His efforts over the past three days had finally paid off; at least the Lightning Release chakra now covered his entire body. The next step was continuous refinement, allowing him to move freely in this mode and accumulate the power of the Lightning Release chakra.
With a flicker in his eyes, Hibari raised a hand and struck the stone table beside him. With a soft 'bang!', Hibari felt a slight pain in his hand, but after removing his palm from the stone table, he could see some subtle cracks on its surface.
"It still has some power... This is just the beginning. In the future, once I master this Lightning Release Armor Technique to a high level, combined with powerful moves like Lightning Oppression Horizontal, my strength will increase by a huge margin," Hibari murmured softly.
While Hibari was busy with these matters, Hashirama, the retired First Hokage, strolled over, carrying a birdcage.
This time, his birdcage didn't contain a 'hibari' but two canaries he had relentlessly pestered Hibari for after Hibari made a huge profit.
"Hibari, what are you doing? Why are you crackling? It looks a bit familiar..." Hashirama asked as he approached.
"Hahahaha, Hashirama-jiisan, this is good stuff! It's the Raikage's legacy that I got from Kumogakure, the Lightning Release Armor Technique and various other derived techniques..." Hibari said with another laugh.
After chatting about these topics for a while, Hashirama said, "You've learned quite a few Water Release ninjutsu from Tobirama, and you've mastered Water Release chakra quite skillfully, haven't you?"
"Mm, no problem at all. I don't feel like a 'landlubber' anymore," Hibari nodded and said.
Hashirama also nodded with satisfaction, then said, "Since that's the case, you should also come with me to learn the Wood Release and see if you can inherit my mantle..."
"Hm? Hashirama-jiisan, have you recovered? There's no rush for this; I can learn it whenever you're feeling better," Hibari asked, somewhat concerned.
Hashirama smiled, then said, "My body is still the same, but there's no discomfort. As for the Wood Release, although I can't use it as freely as before, teaching you is still possible..."
At this point, Hashirama paused, and his tone became somewhat melancholic. He said, "As for the time, I actually don't have much left..."
Hibari's expression shifted in surprise upon hearing this. He asked, "Ojiisan, what do you mean by that? Has your condition worsened?"
Hashirama was stunned for a moment, then realized he had misspoken and quickly waved his hand, saying, "That's not what I meant. You've only been back for two or three days, so you probably don't know yet, but the capital city has invited me to live there."
"The capital city? The Daimyō's palace?" Hibari raised an eyebrow and asked.
"That's right. I can hide my physical condition from others, but I can't hide it from the Daimyō; otherwise, it could easily cause trouble," Hashirama said with a smile.
"That's true... But what does that have to do with you living there?" Hibari still asked, somewhat puzzled.
It was understandable that Hashirama's physical condition had to be reported to the Daimyō. After all, the true ruler of the Land of Fire was indeed the Daimyō. As the 'nuclear weapon' of the Land of Fire, Hashirama Senju, any changes in his condition naturally had to be reported promptly. Otherwise, if something ridiculous or chaotic happened, no one would look good.
"Actually, it's a good thing, I suppose. Considering my contributions over the years, the Daimyō invited me to the capital city to recuperate and even granted me the title of 'General.' Although it comes with no real power, it's essentially an honorary retirement, where I'll be well-fed and well-cared for," Hashirama said with a chuckle.
Titles like 'General' indeed had no real power, just as Hashirama said. At best, they might command a small armed force composed of ordinary people. After all, the military power of the Land of Fire was entirely in the hands of the Hokage. Even the Daimyō had little authority in this regard. As long as the Hokage decided to start a war, the Daimyō's palace could just watch.
However, the Daimyō was still the ruler of the Land of Fire, and the capital city was even more prosperous than the still-developing Konohagakure, also being the center of political power. If Hashirama Senju truly went there, it would probably have some connection to the shift in the Senju clan's development direction.
"So, Hashirama-jiisan, are you really going to go there? Won't you miss Konoha?" Hibari asked.
Hashirama's gaze became slightly complex, then he smiled again and said, "It's not like I'm going to be tied down there permanently. Who would dare to confine me? If I want to come back, I can return anytime; it's only a two or three-day journey."
He paused slightly, then Hashirama continued, "And me staying here would also affect subsequent Hokages."
Even if Hashirama wasn't the Hokage anymore, his prestige in the village was unmatched. It was fine for Tobirama to be the Second Hokage, as he was Hashirama's brother and also a very prestigious person.
But what if one day, Tobirama also stepped down? With both brothers in Konoha village, how much prestige would the Third Hokage have? Could they surpass the two of them? They might not be able to command respect!
At that time, even if Hashirama and Tobirama had no ulterior motives, the people below would start having their own schemes. It wouldn't be a big deal for a short time, but over a long period, it would indeed be detrimental to the village's various developments, easily leading to chaotic factions constantly fighting amongst themselves.
Hearing this, Hibari also nodded, indicating his agreement.
At this, Hashirama chuckled and said, "However, there's no great rush. I'll go whenever I feel like it, but I can't keep the Daimyō waiting too long, can I? So, before that, I still need to teach you."
Hibari didn't hesitate, nodding directly and saying, "Alright, since you've already decided, Ojiisan, I won't try to dissuade you. I happen to have nothing to do these past few days, so I might as well learn with you."
"Hahahaha, good! I believe you won't disappoint me, you brat," Hashirama said with a hearty laugh.
Just then, a Senju clan attendant came over and said to Hibari and Hashirama, "Lord, Young Master Hibari, you have guests."
"Oh? Who is it? Is it another person coming to visit me?" Hashirama asked with a smile.
Ever since he retired, the respected elders in the village would occasionally come to chat with Hashirama, which was a good thing; it enriched Hashirama's retirement life.
"Not this time. It's the young head of the Hyūga clan. He said he had an appointment with Young Master Hibari for a discussion." The female attendant said softly.
As soon as she finished speaking, Hibari's expression turned a bit awkward. He had only been casually polite to Hitenn before, but this 'straight-laced' fellow actually showed up.
Hashirama asked with some curiosity, "Hibari, what do you have to discuss with the young head of the Hyūga clan?"
"Haha, hahahaha... Nothing, nothing. Isn't Hitenn one of our Anbu members? Theoretically, he's also my subordinate. Perhaps the Anbu has something that needs me to arrange... Ahem, Hashirama-jiisan, please continue walking your bird; I'll go see him." Hibari gave an awkward laugh, vaguely brushing him off.
Then, led by the female attendant, Hibari quickly headed towards the reception room where Hitenn was waiting.
Although Hashirama felt that Hibari was a bit strange, he didn't truly delve into it. After a smile, he went back to walking his bird.
Upon pushing open the door to the reception room, Hibari saw Hitenn, the young head of the Hyūga clan, dressed in traditional Hyūga clan attire, sitting there waiting for him.
His posture was very formal; he knelt in front of a small tea table, back perfectly straight, elegantly holding a teacup.
Upon hearing the sound, he looked up at Hibari, then respectfully stood up and said, "Deputy Commander, my apologies for this unannounced visit."
"Oh, no apologies needed, no apologies needed. Didn't I say the other day that you can come anytime you're free?" Hibari walked in with a smile.
Although Hibari was sometimes made very uncomfortable by Hitenn, this rigid, straight-laced fellow, he didn't dislike him at all. On the contrary, while such a person might be difficult to get along with, once you could accept his way of doing things, you would find that he was actually a very good guy.
Hitenn smiled, then after Hibari closed the door and casually sat down across from him at the small tea table, he spoke again, "Deputy Commander, regarding what you said about the maternal and child health hospital, I have already spoken to my father..."
Hearing Hitenn's words, Hibari nearly spat out the tea he had just sipped...
"Your father didn't say he wanted to kill me, did he?" Hibari quickly asked.
——————————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]
There are 50+ advance chapters available for you to read!