Those present without ocular techniques only saw a blur when Makoto moved. But those with Sharingan or Byakugan saw Makoto's complete movements.
It was terrifying.
The sheer power alone reminded Hiashi Hyuga of Tsunade, the legendary Sannin.
Ninjas generally have high attack but low defense.
Even with a ninja's reinforced body, to achieve punching through someone's skull without sending them flying requires a terrifying level of speed and localized kinetic energy.
Fists are blunt weapons, not sharp tools like the Raikiri.
Even the Fourth Raikage and Bee need to use Double Lariat, applying force from both sides to shear a head off.
But Makoto just... punched.
The power behind Makoto's strike was already terrifying, but what was more terrifying was his precision.
That punch wasn't meant to kill.
It locked onto the Caged Bird Seal on Hanabi's forehead in a microsecond and erased it physically.
As for the never-before-seen "time reversal" ability at the end? Hiashi could only assume it was Makoto's unique Kekkei Genkai.
"Your strength is already comparable to the Sannin," Hiashi spoke with a bitter smile. "So why must you insist on the Hyuga clan's Byakugan? You don't need it."
"Who's insisting on the Byakugan?" Makoto scoffed. "Clan Head Hiashi, don't be so self-important. Even if you gouged out your eyes right now and offered your Main House Byakugan in exchange for Hanabi, I wouldn't agree. She's worth more than just eyes."
"Huh?"
Hearing this conversation, Hanabi looked up at Makoto, her pale eyes wide with surprise.
"Without the Caged Bird, there are no restraints, but also no protection," Hiashi sighed. "I hope you can protect Hanabi well. This is my request as a father."
Hiashi Hyuga bowed deeply to Makoto.
As a father, Hiashi naturally wished both his daughters could be free.
But as a Clan Head, he was powerless against tradition.
Now that Makoto had broken Hanabi's seal, Hiashi felt a twisted sense of relief.
'At least one of them is free.'
Today, not many members of the Hyuga clan came along to see them off. The Great Elder was too old and proud to come.
This gave Hiashi room to maneuver.
Even when a branch member suggested, "Should we reapply the seal when we return?" Hiashi pretended to be deaf.
If the Elders questioned him later, Hiashi only needed to have the witnesses recount how Makoto erased the seal with a punch.
'Even if we reapply it, he'll just punch it off again. Why bother?'
As Hiashi bowed, Makoto glanced at the Branch House members behind him.
Aside from Neji, who was visibly agitated, the others showed no intense emotion.
This was normal.
Neji wanted to rebel because he had talent and dreams. But for the rest? The Caged Bird was indeed a "protective" cage. It meant they didn't have to think.
They just obeyed.
Removing the seal would require them to trust Makoto. And honestly, would you trust a guy who just punched a little girl's head?
"Um." Hanabi tugged at Makoto's sleeve.
"Why are you so strong? Did you train harder than me and my sister?"
"Well, effort is needed," Makoto stroked his chin. "But it's mainly because of lineage."
Makoto said something quite contrary to the "Will of Fire."
"L-lineage? Like a Kekkei Genkai?" Hanabi was confused.
"Something like that," Makoto shrugged. "The power I've gained can't be replicated by others. It's unique to me. Isn't that 'lineage'?"
"Even if I did put in effort, I wouldn't lie and tell you that just trying hard can make you as strong as me. That's cruel optimism."
"Oh." Hanabi nodded thoughtfully.
Compared to Hinata, Hanabi was younger but far more pragmatic as she easily accepted the cold truth.
Meanwhile, Sasuke, who had been lost in thought, instinctively glanced at Naruto beside him.
He guessed Makoto was probably taking a jab at Naruto.
Naruto works hard... but the Nine-Tails and his Uzumaki chakra are definitely 'lineage'.
The Shinobi World did not reject the concept of bloodlines.
Before the villages, Clans ruled everything.
Even now, Kekkei Genkai were king in the Shinobi world.
"Makoto! I think you're wrong..." Naruto started to shout.
"Sssshhhh! adults are talking here, children shouldn't interrupt," Hanabi snapped.
She glared at Naruto with her Byakugan veins bulging slightly.
"Eep!"
Naruto instinctively yelped and retreated.
Then he realized something was off.
Wait.
Who was calling him a child? Who was the real child here? She's seven!
"I... Mmph!"
Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but Sasuke threw a Soldier Pill into his mouth with perfect accuracy.
Gulp.
Naruto immediately choked.
"Hard work is good," Makoto continued, lecturing the kids. "But working hard in the right direction is key."
"Two primitive men went logging. One persistently punched trees with his fists until his hands bled. The other made an axe using branches and stones."
"In the first primitive man's eyes, the second wasn't working hard, he lacked 'Guts'. He lacked 'Youth'."
"But hard work alone can't change destiny. Knowledge can, tools can, lineage can."
After speaking, Makoto bid farewell to the Konoha group.
He turned and left with Konan, Karin, and Hanabi.
"Working hard in the right direction..." Sasuke stood there, staring at Makoto's back.
'Have I truly been working hard in the right direction by staying in Konoha?'
'Or am I just punching trees while Itachi sharpens his axe?'
...
Konoha Hospital.
"Strange."
Kakashi lay in his hospital bed, picking at his teeth.
He felt something odd since waking from his exhaustion-induced coma earlier.
After hesitating briefly, Kakashi had said goodbye to Team 7 and returned to the Medical Department.
He found his original bed and lay down again.
Closing his eyes, he decided to feign sleep.
Sure enough.
After some time, quiet footsteps approached.
Creak.
The door opened.
Kakashi kept his eyes closed, regulating his breathing.
"Kakashi-senpai... I'm here."
A masked Anbu—codenamed Tenzo—crept into the room.
He looked around nervously.
Then, he reached out and gently pried open Kakashi's jaw.
'The hell is this for?' Kakashi was bewildered but stayed limp. 'Is he checking my mouth?'
The next second, a thick, hard piece of wood was shoved into his mouth.
"Kakashi-senpai," Tenzo whispered apologetically. "I couldn't think of any other way. The Third Hokage said experiments are banned, so I have to improvise."
"Just try eating some of my Mokuton. It's... organic."
"Mmph!!" Kakashi's single visible eye snapped open in horror.
He stared at Tenzo, who was holding a literal wooden block to his lips.
'Are you fucking crazy?! I'm not a beaver!'
-----
End of the Konoha crush arc, next arc will be the unsealing of Uchiha hikari and Boruto arrival!
On another note, there is no yaoi in this fic! gay joke yes but no yaoi and please tell me if its too much and i reduce it.
Real shit will start once boruto arrive, believe it!