Chapter 35: Teacher, I'm Counting on You to Be My Pillar of Support!
Although Aburame Torune had claimed the situation at Stone Drum Mountain was critical and the defense line teetering on the edge of collapse with Mist forces potentially breaking through at any moment, he still gave Ritsu a bit of time to prepare. He wasn't so harsh as to immediately drive Ritsu straight to the front lines to fight the Mist to the death.
When Ritsu returned to his quarters, Hiruko-sensei hadn't left yet.
"Ritsu, how did it go? What did Aburame Torune want?" Hiruko asked the moment he saw his student return.
"Teacher, wait just a moment. I've sent for the two elders. Once they arrive, I'll explain everything to all of you together... Ah, they're already here!"
Ritsu hadn't even had time to sit down before Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro, having received his message, hurried over.
"Clan head, what's happened? Why did Aburame Torune want to see you?" Hyuga Shinichiro, who had a more impatient temperament, burst out with questions the moment he entered.
"Teacher, Elder Takashi, Elder Shinichiro, please sit down. Aburame Torune spoke to me about two matters." Ritsu took his seat and picked up his cup, drinking some of the completely cold tea.
Then, looking at the three men who'd seated themselves and noticing six eyes staring intently at him, he paused before continuing. "The first matter: all our clan members who came with us to the front will be distributed across different squads to execute missions."
"That sounds perfectly normal," Hyuga Takashi said slowly after contemplating for a couple of seconds.
"Indeed, this matter is routine. So, Elder Takashi, Elder Shinichiro, I'm entrusting this to both of you. You must arrange each clan member's assignment as carefully as possible. Find them reliable teammates who can help them complete their missions while also preserving their own lives."
"And what about you, clan head? Won't you be participating in this?" Hyuga Shinichiro asked with a frown.
"The second matter: I've been assigned a mission. I need to leave immediately to reinforce the Stone Drum Mountain defense line. Apparently it's under fierce assault from the Mist, the defensive line is precarious, and they've called for reinforcements multiple times."
Ritsu revealed the second issue, which simultaneously answered Shinichiro's question.
"That sounds considerably more dangerous," Hyuga Takashi said, his brow furrowing tightly. "Clan head, how many people are they giving you?"
"Just one person accompanying me."
"What?"
Hiruko cried out in shock. "They're only giving you one person? Aburame Torune is being far too blatant! Does he think he's the only one in charge of this forward camp? I'm going to find Orochimaru right now!" He shot to his feet, ready to storm out and confront Orochimaru.
"Teacher, calm down. The person accompanying me is Uchiha Shisui."
"Hm?"
Hiruko, who'd already taken two steps toward the exit, stopped. He turned around, seeking confirmation. "You mean that Uchiha Shisui?"
"As far as I know, the Uchiha clan has one and only one Uchiha Shisui."
"Well then... I suppose there's nothing wrong with that arrangement after all."
Hiruko walked back and sat down again.
Even Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro nodded in agreement.
The name "Shisui of the Body Flicker" was legendary even among Konoha shinobi who'd never set foot on the eastern battlefield. Hailed as the Uchiha clan's greatest genius, his speed approaching instantaneous movement had struck terror into the hearts of Mist shinobi. Along with Namikaze Minato, he was considered one of Konoha's rising stars, one in the south and one in the north.
And while Hyuga Ritsu was called the Hyuga clan's greatest genius from the Branch Family, the weight behind that title couldn't compare to what Uchiha Shisui's name carried.
"I thought that Aburame Torune would try to scheme against you through the mission..." Hiruko frowned, clearly troubled, muttering, "Is there something about this mission we don't know about?"
Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro also wore expressions of deep contemplation.
"Teacher, elders, don't waste your energy. With only the information we have, we can't see any problems. I have my own plans for this matter. Regardless, with Uchiha Shisui along, if we encounter danger, I'll just let him take the vanguard. Before I depart, there's another matter I need to discuss."
"What is it?"
Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro focused their attention, looking over at him.
"I've already entrusted the matter of breaking the Caged Bird Seal to my teacher. He's agreed to help our clan research a method to remove the curse that can be widely implemented." Ritsu's expression turned serious.
Joy immediately appeared on the faces of both Hyuga Takashi and Hyuga Shinichiro.
"Therefore, from now on, Elder Takashi and Elder Shinichiro, you must lead our clan members in giving teacher your full support. As long as teacher's requests don't harm the village or the family's interests, and they're within our capabilities, fulfill all of his requirements at any cost. Do either of you have any questions about this order?"
Ritsu stared at the two elders. "If so, speak now. If not, I'll remind you of one thing: the method I used to break the Caged Bird Seal involved a forbidden technique. So don't act all shocked when the time comes!"
"Don't worry, clan head. As long as we can solve the Caged Bird Seal problem, no price is too high. Even if we need to help obtain human subjects for experimentation, that's not an issue."
Hyuga Shinichiro spoke excitedly.
"Shinichiro, what nonsense are you spouting? Some things you just do without saying them aloud! Are you afraid people won't have leverage to use against us?" Hyuga Takashi was more cautious, reprimanding Shinichiro for his careless words.
The latter promptly admitted his error, grinning as he said, "Understood, understood. I definitely won't say such things again. But as long as... well... the clan head's teacher has any requirements, I guarantee they'll be met."
"Just call me Hiruko."
"Hiruko-san, please guide us from now on. You're the clan head's teacher, so if there's anything you need, just tell us." Hyuga Takashi's attitude was quite respectful.
Hiruko shook his head, not bothering to correct their form of address again.
He looked at the smiling Hyuga Ritsu and gave a wry laugh, sighing. "Ritsu, this is practically kidnapping!"
"Teacher, I'm counting on you to be my pillar of support!"
Ritsu grinned broadly.
At these words, Hiruko's expression shifted, and his mind involuntarily recalled their first meeting nearly ten years ago. A tiny little bean sprout had run up to him and said with complete childish sincerity, "Please accept me as your disciple!"
At first he'd refused, but Ritsu had persisted in pestering him for nearly three months. Eventually, he'd been moved and accepted this self-recruited student.
In the blink of an eye, nearly ten years had passed.
Ritsu, like himself, was now a jonin, and had even become the Hyuga clan head. Yet he, the teacher, remained just an ordinary jonin. Aside from teaching Ritsu the Chimera Technique, he couldn't help his student with much else.
Hiruko exhaled, extinguishing the memories playing in his mind. Looking at Hyuga Ritsu, he said, "Hold out your arm. I need to draw some blood."
"Eh? Draw blood for what?"
"As an example of someone who's broken the Caged Bird Seal, your blood samples have tremendous research value."
At that moment, Hyuga Akiba's voice called from outside. "Clan head, there's a Uchiha clan shinobi outside. He says his name is Uchiha Shisui and that he's looking for you!"
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