章節 80: Chapter 80: Fourteen Years Old

Yuto felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

Upon sensing the immense and violent chakra of the Eight-Tails, he rushed over, hoping not only to gain battle merits and spread his fame but also to "test his ultimate combat abilities under normal conditions."

With the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Byakugan and Gentle Fist, Explosive Tags, and his self-created S-rank jutsu, no ordinary Jonin could pose a threat to Yuto. However, Killer B, whose physical condition had significantly deteriorated, couldn't exert the full power of a Jinchuriki and thus couldn't present a life-threatening challenge to him.

"Let's call it a day, shall we? It's almost the New Year," Yuto said, watching as Killer B retracted his Tailed Beast Cloak. He knew B didn't want to fight anymore either. Yuto shrugged and added, "We have many injured to treat on our side, and so do you in Kumogakure. Let's leave it at that."

Killer B looked at his comrades groaning in pain on the ground, and simply sheathed his sword. "In just a few days, you've shown your grace. You're the Hyuga's pride, with the Byakugan as an ace."

Yuto smiled but didn't reply. He just motioned for the Konoha ninjas to gradually withdraw from the valley.

In the past few months, a saying had spread across the eastern battlefield of Konoha, whether among Kirigakure or Kumogakure:

"The young man named Yuto Hyuga is the strongest Byakugan user since Konoha's founding and the hope for the revival of the decaying Hyuga clan."

Everyone knew this was the most childish and superficial attempt at sowing discord. Yuto could see it, intelligent shinobi could see it, and of course, Konoha's higher-ups and the Hyuga clan could see it too.

In a truly united family, such attempts at sowing discord would only be a joke. Such shallow and direct flattery wouldn't even be worth discussing over tea—if the family was truly united.

But Yuto didn't care.

After Killer B and the Kumogakure shinobi withdrew, Yuto temporarily took command of the Konoha unit. Though it wasn't entirely proper, given his reputation as the "Lone Lion," no one would object. He led the remaining ninjas through enemy lines and successfully reached Konoha's territory.

"Keep heading west, and you'll see the main camp. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that; you have good eyes," Yuto said, patting the shoulder of the leading Jonin.

The Uchiha Jonin frowned uncomfortably, wanting to glare at Yuto out of pride but couldn't. Yuto's fame and long list of achievements were intimidating. Both Orochimaru and the Hokage had publicly praised Yuto several times. This boy's status in the Konoha camp far exceeded that of an ordinary Jonin.

Even the Uchiha couldn't produce a genius to rival him at this time.

"Got it," the Uchiha Jonin nodded, motioning for his subordinates to disappear into the forest. Before leaving, he glanced at Yuto, seemingly puzzled as to why he wasn't returning to the main camp with them.

With the New Year approaching, fierce conflicts would lessen, offering a rare "holiday" during the war. Many would return to camp to celebrate the New Year.

Yuto waved at the Uchiha Jonin, receiving a haughty "hmph" in return.

The boy felt content. Sometimes, the Uchiha with their red eyes were quite amusing.

After the Konoha troops left, Yuto wandered to a specific valley. In a corner of the valley, he had dug a large hole filled with snow and ice, making it cold and dark.

Yuto stripped off his clothes, sealing his "Ryuun Steel" ninja tools into a scroll. He removed his forehead protector, revealing a smooth forehead with not only the ugly caged bird curse mark but also a purple rhombus mark.

This was the Strength of a Hundred Seals, allowing him to fine-tune his body and accumulate chakra, which could be explosively unleashed in battle, making even ordinary strength capable of smashing cliffs and diverting rivers.

Tsunade had been overjoyed to learn that her beloved disciple had completed the Strength of a Hundred Seals in just ten months. She reportedly dragged Hiruzen Sarutobi to a village bar for an all-night celebration, then tricked the old man into gambling outside the village. When he sobered up, he furiously berated Tsunade in the Hokage's office, looking ready to tear her apart.

Thinking of the blonde woman, Yuto's lips curled. The day he would return to Konoha and be taken by his sensei to train in the Hundred Strength series of jutsu was drawing nearer.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Yuto entered the cold, dark ice hole, sealing the entrance with a large ice block.

He sat cross-legged, assuming a meditative posture.

Yuto's body quickly lost heat. Even for a strong shinobi, without using chakra, he couldn't resist the natural loss of heat.

By pushing his body into a near-death state and entering complete "stillness," he could feel the natural energy.

This was an essential practice for the senjutsu of the Shikkotsu Forest lineage, a foundational technique.

Indeed, Yuto was already learning senjutsu.

Only he and the slug knew this.

In the past six months since his one-on-three battle against the major shinobi villages, Yuto had accomplished much. His coordination with the slug had become more seamless; he killed, and the slug cleaned up, leaving no traces.

Two months ago, to help Yuto advance further, the slug sage began teaching him senjutsu.

However, Yuto's progress was slow. He had yet to master it.

Practicing senjutsu required the practitioner to have vast amounts of chakra. This personal power was necessary to resist the invasion of natural energy. In terms of senjutsu aptitude, the strongest in the ninja world were the Senju and Uzumaki clans, whose life force and chakra reserves were unmatched, giving them a natural advantage in senjutsu.

Yuto and the slug estimated that it might take years to complete senjutsu.

However, the branch family boy wasn't impatient. He had planned his time well: training, going to the battlefield, conducting experiments, seeking "spoils," and studying senjutsu. Every day was fully occupied.

Though he hadn't mastered the first stage of Shikkotsu Forest senjutsu, "stillness," Yuto could already go for short periods without eating. He sat in the ice cave, unaware of the passage of time.

After a long while, he felt a warm, slippery sensation in front and behind him. Yuto opened his eyes.

"Katsuyu-sama."

"Yuto-kun, it's time to wake up," a human-sized slug lay on him, speaking gently. "It's been four days. If you don't eat soon, you'll be in danger."

"Alright...thank you," Yuto said, patting the slug's tentacle with a smile.

The New Year had passed. It was now the beginning of Konoha Year 57.

Yuto was fourteen.

He rested for a while, his first time meditating for so long, feeling physically exhausted but mentally refreshed. With some food, he would be at his peak.

Yuto knew tonight was crucial, as important as developing the God's Mask.

"Let's go, slug," Yuto said, his eyes burning with fervor, almost madly.

"We're going...to have a baby."*

*TN: Lol. it came out wrong.

(End of Chapter)