Talent System In The Naruto Universe-Chapter 167. Meeting Again

"Leaving so quickly?"

Hanekawa watched as Tsunade disappeared from sight and couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

The moment had lasted only a few seconds—far too short.

However, Hanekawa noticed something different about Tsunade compared to before.

This subtle change undeniably excited him.

Taking a deep breath, Hanekawa grabbed his sleeping bag and climbed inside.

Since the camp was spacious enough, they didn't share sleeping quarters.

---

The Next Day

Hanekawa was woken by a commotion.

Opening his eyes, he yawned, packed up his sleeping bag, and stepped out of the tent.

The noise was coming from a group of Sand Village shinobi.

Under Baki's leadership, a contingent of 500 ninjas was entering the camp in an orderly manner.

Hanekawa was greeted by Nara Suzaku, a Konoha ninja.

The Nara clan, known for their high intelligence, often held positions such as strategists.

At the moment, Nara Shikaku was accompanying Orochimaru to the Land of Frost.

The smaller-scale conflict in the Land of Rivers was assigned to Nara Suzaku.

As for Tsunade, she was likely still asleep.

Due to a shortage of tents, the Sand shinobi had started constructing their own, creating quite a bit of noise.

Hanekawa scanned the crowd but, aside from Baki, didn't recognize any other Sand Village ninja.

This was understandable.

The Sand ninjas he was familiar with—Chiyo, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro—weren't present.

Gaara and Kankuro hadn't been born yet, and Temari wasn't even a year old.

---

"Good morning, Hanekawa."

From a nearby tent, Kurenai Yuhi emerged.

Upon seeing him, she jogged over with a cheerful smile.

"How did you sleep?"

Hanekawa naturally took her hand.

"Pretty well."

Kurenai blushed slightly but didn't pull her hand away.

"Ah, the passion of youth!"

Might Duy suddenly appeared, enthusiastically suggesting, "How about a morning run?"

Kurenai instinctively withdrew her hand.

"Uncle Duy, it's wartime," Hanekawa said with a smile, glancing at Kurenai. "We should save our energy for the battles ahead."

He found her shyness amusing, especially since she had been fine moments earlier.

"You're absolutely right!"

Might Duy looked around eagerly and asked, "When do we get our missions?"

"We'll wait for our teacher's orders," Hanekawa replied after a brief pause. "Don't worry, Uncle Duy. There will definitely be tasks that suit you."

"I look forward to it!" Might Duy said with excitement.

Kurenai quietly observed their conversation, unable to fully understand Might Duy's obsession with the concept of youth.

However, she chose to respect it.

Hanekawa's ability to engage in any kind of conversation impressed her.

---

"Come and eat!"

Moments later, Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, called them over.

Breakfast wasn't extravagant but wasn't terrible either—just rice balls.

The fact that they were warm made them more enjoyable.

Tsunade frowned.

Although the rice balls weren't bad, she had grown used to Hanekawa's cooking and found them unappetizing in comparison.

She ate just enough to fill half her stomach and decided to have Hanekawa prepare something special for her at lunch.

---

"Lady Tsunade."

Nara Suzaku entered and reported, "The Sand Village shinobi have all been properly assigned."

Baki followed closely behind.

"Lady Tsunade," Baki said respectfully, "Elder Chiyo instructed us to follow your orders."

Chiyo clearly understood that, in this situation, the Sand Village had to cooperate fully with Konoha.

Moreover, taking orders from Tsunade wasn't a disgrace.

"Summon all the jonin for a meeting," Tsunade instructed. "We'll gather in the main tent."

"Yes," everyone replied in unison.

Hanekawa followed Tsunade to the main tent, standing quietly to the side and waiting.

Before long, all the jonin from Konoha and the Sand Village had arrived.

Hanekawa was surprised to see nine jonin from the Hyuga clan present.

Considering the total force of 500, this was an impressive number.

This might be viewed as an investment by the Hyuga clan.

Of course, the Byakugan was especially useful for countering the Mist Village's Hidden Mist Jutsu.

"Let's begin."

Tsunade scanned the group before speaking.

"Nara Suzaku," she said.

"Last night, Hyuga Saku led a group of Hyuga clan ninjas to scout the Mist Village's movements," Nara Suzaku began.

Tsunade turned her gaze to a young man in the crowd.

"Mist Village shinobi are currently active in the southern region of the Land of Rivers," Hyuga Saku reported, stepping forward. "We haven't located their main base but have identified five outposts.

Additionally, we spotted their transport ships along the coast."

"As expected."

Tsunade fell into deep thought.

"I suspect their main base and supply points are located at sea."

"The Hidden Mist Village excels in Water Release jutsu, making fighting them at sea very disadvantageous," Nara Suzaku said with a frown.

"Do we just wait for them to make the first move?" Baki couldn't help but interject. "That would be far too passive!"

"We definitely won't sit around waiting," Tsunade replied, shaking her head. "First, we'll take out their outposts and then locate their main base and supply points."

While the Hidden Mist Village is skilled in Water Release, both their main base and supply points would still require land—likely islands.

"Yes, ma'am," everyone responded in unison.

"Let's start assigning tasks," Tsunade said, glancing at Hanekawa.

She realized that, surprisingly, Hanekawa was the strongest Water Release user in the group, followed by Kurenai Yuhi.

As for the Sand Village, their abilities in Water Release weren't worth mentioning.

After all, the Land of Wind is mostly desert—there's no point in learning Water Release there.

---

Three hours later, task assignments were complete, and Hanekawa's team was given a mission to explore the sea.

"This is a joint mission," Tsunade said as they approached the camp gate.

"Who else is involved?" Kurenai asked curiously.

"The Hyuga clan," Hanekawa explained. "Our task is sea exploration, and the Byakugan will make it much easier to accomplish."

"That's true," Kurenai said, a bit envious. "The Byakugan is so convenient."

While it may not be as flashy as the Mangekyo Sharingan, the Byakugan is incredibly useful to an average ninja. Its abilities—enhanced sight, x-ray vision, and insight—are practically cheats in battle.

---

"Thank you for waiting, Lady Tsunade."

A sudden voice drew everyone's attention. Hanekawa turned to see Hyuga Saku arriving with three young ninjas who also had the Byakugan.

"These are my three students," Hyuga Saku introduced them.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

He recognized one of them—Hyuga Homon.

In the original story, Homon was a jonin from the Hyuga clan with minimal screen time. He primarily handled support and reconnaissance duties during the Fourth Great Ninja War without any major highlights.

---

"My plan is to track the transport ships," Tsunade explained after everyone became acquainted.

"Yes, ma'am," they all responded.

"The success of this mission hinges on the Byakugan," Tsunade said seriously. "Your team will handle reconnaissance and map-making."

"Understood!" Hyuga Saku replied promptly.

This was a high-stakes task for the Hyuga team, but Saku welcomed the challenge.

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The Hyuga clan had sent many members to this conflict, aiming to make a strong impression on Tsunade. This mission was the perfect opportunity, and Saku couldn't afford to mess it up.

"Move out!" Tsunade commanded, waving her hand.

The eight of them set off, running south. After two hours, they reached the coastline.

"Now, we wait," Tsunade said softly, scanning the empty sea.

Everyone nodded and found hidden spots to conceal themselves.

---

Time passed slowly. Just as Hanekawa thought they might return empty-handed, a ship appeared on the horizon. His spirits lifted.

The transport ship docked, and Hidden Mist Village shinobi arrived to unload supplies.

"There are eight ninjas onboard. Judging by their chakra levels, two are jonin, three are chunin, and three are genin," Hyuga Saku reported, veins bulging around his eyes as he activated his Byakugan.

"Hanekawa," Tsunade said after some thought. "You're skilled in Water Release. Follow them closely while we remain a bit behind."

"Got it," Hanekawa replied with a grin. "Leave it to me."

"Don't get too close," Tsunade warned. "If you're discovered, retreat immediately. We'll cover you."

Hyuga Saku glanced skeptically at Hanekawa.

To be honest, he was doubtful.

Hanekawa seemed too young.

And as Tsunade's student, how could he possibly excel at Water Release? Even if he did, there was no way he could outmatch the jonin from the Hidden Mist Village, right?

"They've finished unloading. The transport ship will likely set sail soon," Hyuga Saku reminded them.

Since it was Tsunade's order, Hyuga Saku held back his doubts and decided to trust her for now.

---

Water Release: Water Body Flicker Technique!

Hanekawa formed a single-handed seal, turning into a puddle of water and vanishing.

This was a Water Release technique he had learned from interrogating Hanzo's corpse.

It felt similar to the Hydrification Technique used by Suigetsu Hozuki—extremely useful for evading physical attacks.

However, its weakness was equally apparent: it was highly vulnerable to ninjutsu, especially Lightning Release.

Hyuga Saku's expression showed clear surprise.

He hadn't expected to see such an advanced Water Release technique.

Hanekawa swam swiftly through the seawater, closing in on the transport ship.

Maintaining a safe distance, he followed at a steady pace.

Fortunately, he had mastered the Yin Seal technique; otherwise, he wouldn't have had the chakra to swim in the sea for so long.

About an hour passed before Hanekawa's eyes lit up.

He spotted an island ahead—most likely the Hidden Mist Village's main base or supply point.

Forming hand seals, Hanekawa closed his eyes, attempting to sense the situation.

Soon, he frowned.

The island was protected by a barrier that blocked his sensory abilities.

After some thought, Hanekawa swam closer, activating his enhanced visual jutsu, Eightfold Vision.

The transport ship docked at the shore, and a group of people disembarked.

Hanekawa's eyebrows rose as he spotted a familiar figure—Mei Terumi.

Though it had been a long time since he last saw her, her distinct features, especially her long red-brown wavy hair, made her unmistakable.

Beside her was a young man with green hair, carrying twin blades on his back.

Hanekawa had never met him before, but he could guess his identity.

He was Kurosuki Raiga, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The twin blades he carried were the Lightning Blades: Kiba.

In the original timeline, Raiga defected from the village, occupied a gold mine, oppressed the villagers, and was ultimately killed by Hyuga Neji and Naruto Uzumaki.

"Looks like we've found the right place," Hanekawa thought, retreating quietly.

---

Minutes later, he spotted Tsunade standing on the water's surface.

Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara, lacking sufficient chakra for prolonged water travel, had remained on the shore, protected by Hyuga Saku.

"What's the situation?" Tsunade asked, looking at him.

"The island has a barrier preventing sensory jutsu, but I saw Kurosuki Raiga," Hanekawa reported, his body submerged in water with only his head above the surface.

Using Water Release chakra to envelop himself, he could swim like a fish—far less conspicuous than standing on the water's surface, which might draw attention.

Tsunade's eyes gleamed as she pondered their next move.

Hanekawa looked up at her.

His gaze was drawn to her long legs, slender waist, and her... Plentiful chest.

"Forget it. Our mission is reconnaissance, not combat," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "I'll call Hyuga Saku over."

She formed hand seals and sent a shadow clone speeding toward the shore.

While the barrier could block sensory jutsu, it couldn't stop the Byakugan.

Hanekawa, like Kurenai, couldn't help but admire the usefulness of the Byakugan.

Unfortunately, the Byakugan was a kekkei genkai exclusive to the Hyuga clan.

Obtaining it would require drastic measures—like stealing a pair of eyes.

But with the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird Seal on the branch family, only the main family's Byakugan could be taken.

Hanekawa suddenly thought of Ao from the Hidden Mist Village. He had obtained a Byakugan during the Third Shinobi World War.

---

"Lady Tsunade," Hyuga Saku appeared before them.

"Just determine the number of ninjas on the island," Tsunade instructed, pointing at the distant island. "Be careful."

"Yes!"

Hyuga Saku dashed across the water toward the island.

Hanekawa and Tsunade waited.

---

After about ten minutes, a sudden mist rose over the sea, quickly engulfing the island.

"This is the Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Tsunade's expression darkened. "Hyuga Saku has been discovered!"

"Three jonin are chasing him," Hanekawa said, forming hand seals and closing his eyes. "Southeast direction."

"Prepare for backup!" Tsunade ordered firmly.

"Yes," Hanekawa replied, diving back into the water.

A figure burst from the mist—it was Hyuga Saku.

Suddenly, a roaring sound echoed.

The sea surged, forming a massive water dragon that shot into the sky.

Simultaneously, a giant lightning ball materialized and hurtled toward Hyuga Saku at high speed.

Hyuga Saku spun around and punched the lightning ball, dispersing it.

Just as the water dragon was about to hit him, Tsunade appeared and shattered it with a single punch.

"So, the Princess Tsunade graces us with her presence!"

With those words, a massive Executioner's Blade came hurtling toward Tsunade.

Water Release: Water Wall!

A barrier of water rose, blocking the Executioner's Blade.

"Oh? Another Water Release user?" Biwa Juzo scanned the area, but he couldn't find Hanekawa.

"Leave him to me," Mei Terumi said suddenly, her excitement evident.

If Tsunade was here, then the other Water Release user was most likely Hanekawa.

"Excellent."

Kurosuki Raiga grinned, gripping his twin blades tightly. "If we kill Tsunade, we'll secure a great victory!"

(Wtf wrong with me, I'm so careless lately. Anyway here's the chap)

_

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