Chapter 38: Lord Orochimaru
The one who took on the same B-rank mission as Uzumaki Maple Squad was Kakashi Hatake. Logically, Kakashi, being alone, wasn't qualified for a B-rank mission, but with Kaminari Kaede, an Elite Jonin, accompanying him, Hiruzen Sarutobi considered letting Kakashi join.
The members of Uzumaki Maple Squad, under Hyuga Mirai's coordination, worked together with great synergy. Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted Kakashi to witness this teamwork, otherwise it would be difficult for Kakashi to find a team willing to accept him.
Ever since Konoha White Fang's suicide, Kakashi had found it difficult to integrate into teams. He had already been jointly complained about by two mission teams, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite troubled by how to arrange things for Kakashi.
Because Kaminari Kaede was present, Kakashi had no command authority in the joint mission, and Kaminari Kaede, in order to train Hyuga Mirai, handed the mission's command over to him.
Fortunately, this B-rank mission went smoothly, only encountering a few waves of Rogue Ninja and one wave of bounty hunters. The Rogue Ninja were generally weak and, under the attacks of Kakashi and Hyuga Kiyomi, didn't last long before being terrified and scattering to escape.
The bounty hunters later were more troublesome, consisting of six Rogue Ninja, three of whom were Chunin. However, Hyuga Mirai's trio managed to tie down two Chunin and three Genin. Once Kakashi dealt with the remaining Chunin and came to support them, they successfully repelled this wave of bounty hunters.
Kaminari Kaede stood beside the client and didn't make a move, but he was constantly observing the movements of both sides in the fight. If the four encountered danger, Kaminari Kaede would still rescue them immediately.
However, the result greatly satisfied him. Hyuga Mirai's trio, relying on their tacit cooperation, managed to hold back enemies more than double their number. Hyuga Mirai's tactical commands were crucial, allowing Hyuga Kiyomi and Kurenai Yuhi to utilize their abilities at the most critical moments.
As long as his mission record was sufficient, Hyuga Mirai could directly become a Chunin.
In the period that followed, once Hyuga Mirai had accumulated enough missions on his record, he received a Chunin appointment letter.
At the same time, Kaminari Kaede was also transferred by Hiruzen Sarutobi from this squad to another location. For this, Kaminari Kaede uncharacteristically treated the three of them to a farewell meal.
When he received this appointment letter, Hyuga Mirai felt a little relieved, at least from now on there wouldn't be a Jonin captain supervising them on missions.
Hyuga Mirai held the appointment letter and looked at it for a while. Hyuga Kiyomi, standing beside him, couldn't help but huff enviously, "What's so special? It's just a Chunin appointment letter. How long are you going to stare at it? Next Chunin Exams, I'll also participate and pass to become a Chunin."
"Me too, Kiyomi-chan, let's work hard together," Kurenai Yuhi interjected, emphasizing her presence.
"This isn't just a Chunin appointment letter; it also has special significance."
Hyuga Mirai put away the appointment letter and slowly said to the two of them,
"This is freedom! From now on, we won't have to rush to take missions. Isn't that great?!"
After hearing this explanation, the two girls thought it over and realized that it was indeed as Hyuga Mirai said. During this period, they were quite tired of taking missions, constantly repeating bandit clean-ups and escorting merchant caravans, with almost no time to rest.
"As the captain, I declare that we will take a good rest for a while before taking on more missions!"
Hyuga Mirai directly used his captain's authority to give himself a good vacation. Now, unless it was a B-rank mission, it wouldn't help him at all. Those C-rank missions would only waste his time. With this free time, Hyuga Mirai might as well properly research the Main Family's cellular genes.
Hyuga Kiyomi had brought him cells from twenty people, including two from the Main Family: her own flesh and blood cells, and the flesh and blood cells of the Main Family's second elder's grandson.
If he could thoroughly understand the gene sequences of all these people, then Hyuga Mirai would have a great chance of understanding the essence of the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Perhaps Hyuga Mirai could even research information about the Ōtsutsuki ancestors from the genetic factors.
Hyuga Mirai's trio disbanded after their meal. He used the excuse of having something to do at Konoha Hospital, so he declined Hyuga Kiyomi's request for sparring.
Hyuga Mirai could develop in the direction of Konoha Hospital; this was something the Main Family Head had agreed to.
Thanks to the invention of the Healing Tag, the Hyuga Clan's reputation within Konoha had improved significantly. Although Hyuga Mirai was from the Branch Family, in their eyes, the Branch Family's achievements were the Main Family's.
Although Konoha Hospital's status within Konoha wasn't very high, it was at least an independent department. If Hyuga Mirai could become the director of Konoha Hospital, it would greatly help the Hyuga Clan's standing within Konoha.
When Hyuga Mirai arrived at the entrance of Konoha Hospital's laboratory, he found someone waiting for him there.
"Lord Orochimaru?"
Long black hair, golden slit pupils, and light purple eyeshadow—it was none other than Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes constantly scrutinized Hyuga Mirai, saying, "After learning of your promotion to Chunin, I've been waiting for you here. Heh heh, shall we have a chat, Mirai-kun?"
"Of course, please come in and talk, Lord Orochimaru."
Hyuga Mirai said with a smile, then opened the door and invited Orochimaru into the laboratory.
After closing the door, Hyuga Mirai quickly formed hand seals and placed his hand on the door. Then, many sealing runes spread from his palm, instantly covering the entire laboratory.
Seeing Orochimaru constantly turning his head to look at the sealing runes, Hyuga Mirai explained, "Just a little trinket I researched; it can only block sound and external prying."
"Heh heh, it seems Mirai-kun isn't quite what he appears to be on a daily basis…"
The interest in Orochimaru's eyes grew stronger. Before coming to find Hyuga Mirai, he had seen Hyuga Mirai's file, which included evaluations from Nin school teachers, Dr. Nakano, Kimura, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But now it seemed the young man in front of him was hiding many secrets.
"Does Mirai-kun know why I've come to find you?"
"It should be related to those few research papers on cellular genes I released, right? Lord Orochimaru, where do you find problems?"
"Indeed." Orochimaru said with a hint of excitement on his face, "For Konoha's Medical Ninja, your research, Mirai-kun, is too profound. Besides me, who has some research in this area, perhaps only Tsunade can understand it. However, you frequently encounter her at Konoha Hospital. If your target was Tsunade, there would be no need to let this research circulate outside."
Hyuga Mirai brought over two cups of tea, handed one to Orochimaru, and smiled, "Although Lady Tsunade is a medical prodigy and very skilled in cell research, her philosophy and mine differ. We are bound to part ways sooner or later."
Orochimaru said, "Then, Mirai-kun, are you certain that my philosophy and yours are necessarily the same?"
"Of course, because Lord Orochimaru and I are both of the scientific faction."
Hyuga Mirai said somewhat seriously,
"We only believe in the existence of truth, and we are both trying to thoroughly research and control truth through our own efforts!"
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