Chapter 316: Further Cooperation
After all, the Claw Organization was native to this Esper world, and its sphere of influence was extensive.
Following Toichiro's successful integration into Hyuga's forces, he officially became a member of the Hyuga group. Not long after, they began receiving substantial support from Hyuga—resources, advanced training methods, and techniques they had once only dreamed of acquiring.
However, these developments weren't what Ryosuke cared about.
What intrigued him most were the rules of this world—the ones that had allowed him to so easily shatter his original spiritual limits after arriving here.
But despite his curiosity, Ryosuke had no clear method for exploring these so-called rules. Even with the Tenseigan in his possession, it was difficult to grasp the nature of the materials or principles that composed the world's fundamental structure.
It reminded him of the time he tried to master Sage Mode with Naruto's help. Back then, he hadn't even been able to sense natural energy, much less manipulate it. Now, in this unfamiliar world, it was no different.
The disparity between the two realms was clear. The rules were distinct, yet Ryosuke couldn't decode the meaning behind them.
After a month of fruitless searching, Ryosuke temporarily shelved the idea.
Something was still missing.
Still, even while immersed in training, he hadn't forgotten about his young wife, whom he had left to train in the world of Ultraman.
When Ryosuke reopened the space-time gate and returned to that world, nearly two months had passed.
With just a glance of spiritual perception, he easily locked onto Hinata's location—and sensed Uchiha Sasuke's presence nearby as well.
First, he delivered a body-training solution to Sasuke, something they had previously agreed upon.
Then Ryosuke headed toward the GUTS headquarters, where Hinata had been stationed. He hadn't seen her in some time.
Due to the detailed records this world had on ninjas—and the significant strategic value Sasuke and Hinata brought to humanity—they were treated quite well. Hinata had even been given a provisional role as Assistant Investigation Commander on the GUTS.
Since she was operating solo in this foreign world under that identity, they had also provided her with a personal lounge.
This time, Ryosuke didn't bother concealing his arrival. It had already been agreed that he would return periodically to monitor her training progress.
"Ryosuke!"
A cheerful voice echoed from the large lounge.
Ryosuke's eyes met Hinata's. Her entire aura—her spirit, her energy—had undergone a visible transformation.
Before, while she held the title of clan leader and possessed the dignified presence that came with long-term leadership, her strength had always lagged behind, limiting her ability to fully assert herself.
But now… that weakness had clearly faded.
"The first monster I fought—Magnia—was a parasitic creature from outer space," Hinata began, as Ryosuke entered.
"They found a lot of materials on it, but barely any usable flesh and blood for body-trqining liquids. The second one I encountered was... well, some kind of humanoid dinosaur."
…
The lounge prepared for her by the GUTS Team was surprisingly spacious. They had clearly anticipated that she would require room for physical training and equipped the space with various fitness devices.
But for Hinata, a kunoichi, those civilian training tools were more ornamental than practical.
"So for now, I haven't gathered enough monster materials," she said, a little frustrated. "But I'll admit, the fights are doing wonders for my strength—especially those times where I get smacked halfway across the field in a single hit."
As she spoke, she casually threw a punch. The sharp force that cut through the air was noticeably more focused than before.
She had always been capable of generating palm winds with her raw strength. But now, her power was more compact—more refined. Her stance had become second nature, her control fluid.
"Power, speed, neural response…"
With calm confidence, Hinata performed the Hyuga clan's secret technique in front of Ryosuke.
Not just the classic Sixty-Four Palms, either—she demonstrated Two Thousand and Forty-Eight Palms.
An absurd escalation. But a necessary one.
With the gradual integration of Ōtsutsuki techniques, the original Soft Fist was being modified for interdimensional combat. Since enemies from other worlds might not have the same tenketsu systems as humans—or even have meridians—the new Soft Fist techniques were designed to strike beyond traditional acupoints.
Even without pressure points to seal, the sheer force and chakra precision behind her attacks could still do damage.
Palm after palm slammed the air. The airflow surged wildly inside the lounge. Rooms nearby even trembled slightly from the pressure she generated.
Thanks to her tenth-level body-training, the swelling she'd suffered during the process had completely subsided. Her body, once bloated with raw medicinal power, had finally absorbed it fully and turned it into growth.
But of course, this kind of progress was expected. The Hyuga clan, being physical-combat specialists, generally had the endurance to survive level-ten tempering.
The true challenge began after that.
The higher the level of refinement, the more unstable the medicinal power—and the more dangerous the beastly energy embedded within.
To not only survive this unstable force but control it, tame it, and turn it into physical strength? That was the true test.
It was like opening the Eight Gates. The early gates were manageable. But once you passed a certain threshold, you started risking your life.
The danger contained in anything above level ten… could easily tear a person apart from the inside.
"You've done well… but don't get complacent."
Ryosuke nodded and handed her a scroll.
"This has the next five levels of body-tempering formulas. Think carefully before using them. Every step forward carries more risk. And I won't always be here."
"I understand."
Hinata gave a firm nod as she took the scroll.
"Once you reach the strength level of fifteen," Ryosuke added, "I'll try injecting you with some of my Tenseigan chakra… to see if your Byakugan can evolve."
He paused for a beat, then continued.
"I'll also test this method on Hanabi. Her Byakugan's purity is roughly the same as yours. If she can do it, you can too—it's only a matter of time."
"…But won't that be dangerous?" Hinata asked, her tone uncertain.
"Let me try first."
She was a little afraid that her sister might encounter an accident during the attempt, and the thought of bearing that guilt for the rest of her life made her uneasy.
"Hanabi's training talent far surpasses yours," Ryosuke stated plainly, showing no hesitation. "If danger arises, she'll have a better chance at handling it than you."
He met Hinata's eyes, speaking with a rare seriousness. "Besides... Madam, this isn't something I arranged for your benefit."
"Hanabi's desire to grow stronger is much more intense than yours. Even if I said nothing, she'd come looking for me the moment she found out about this."
In truth, Ryosuke had always claimed he wouldn't show favoritism—for the sake of fairness within the clan.
But no one was perfect.
Ryosuke knew deep down he was still human—capable of selfishness. So, after each formal rejection, he always found a roundabout way to get Hanabi the training materials she needed.
How could he treat his own family unfairly?
And Hanabi's growth rate was astonishing—not just among her peers, but even compared to many older clan members. If he didn't give her the necessary resources, wouldn't that be wasting her potential?
Hanabi was clever too. Even when she was turned down openly, she still found ways to get what she needed through him, in secret.
If she found out that the Byakugan could evolve into the Tenseigan, she would absolutely come knocking.
"Hmph."
Hinata's face tensed, her earlier worry dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
"Know yourself, Madam."
Ryosuke caught her reaction and smirked slightly. Sensing her dissatisfaction, he added with a subtle warning tone, "You've made progress, yes, but compared to the clan's overall level, you're still relatively average. You know what I mean."
"I get it! Loud and clear!" Hinata snapped, genuinely irritated.
Pouring cold water on me the moment we meet… When did he get so blunt?
"Are you mad?"
"No!"
"You totally are. But I'm just being honest."
"I said I'm not! Just get out of here already!"
...
Of course, Ryosuke had no intention of leaving so soon.
He stayed for an entire day and night. During that time, members of the GUTS Team came knocking, alerted by the vibration shaking the nearby rooms. But Hinata sent them away, unwilling to expose Ryosuke's presence just yet.
Even though the GUTS Team knew someone from the ninja force had bypassed all their detection systems and entered their headquarters without being noticed, they didn't push the issue. Out of respect for this strange but powerful ally, they refrained from making waves.
However… this visit was different.
This time, Ryosuke fully experienced the warmth and intimacy that came with being husband and wife.
And in the end, persuading Hinata to train harder and raise her physical strength had proven to be the right call.
"I have to go now."
Fully dressed, Ryosuke sat on the edge of the bed, gently holding Hinata's hand.
She didn't speak—just tightened her grip.
Though she now held a different perspective and status, this was still her first mission. The first time she had been completely away from her clan, immersed in an unfamiliar world, walking a path alone.
There was no shame in feeling hesitant or uneasy.
Ryosuke didn't say much. He leaned against the bed quietly, fingers interlocked with hers, sharing warmth in silence.
That small, wordless act of closeness pulled them even tighter together.
This time, Hinata's face wasn't pale like their first reunion—it was glowing with a rosy hue.
Unlike that first encounter, where she felt overwhelmed and terrified, now she felt something else entirely—something fulfilling and passionate.
"You really weren't around…?"
Hinata finally broke the silence. "When I fought that monster the first time… you really weren't nearby?"
She leaned closer, her voice quiet, almost like a whisper.
"Growing up… is hard."
Ryosuke didn't answer directly. "If we ever have a child—and that child finds themselves in danger while I'm not around—as a mother, what will you do? Will you have the power to protect them?"
That single sentence, without invoking the family or the clan, cut through the doubts in Hinata's heart.
"Everyone wants to remain a child," Ryosuke continued. "To live without worries. But we can't stay stagnant. We can't ignore or gloss over our weaknesses once we've seen them."
"So long as you keep strengthening yourself, keep filling in your shortcomings, you'll be able to face any threat with confidence."
And just like that, Ryosuke stood to leave.
He didn't need to say more. Hinata reached out, lightly pushed his body off the bed, and allowed him to go.
Maybe—just maybe—she feared that if he stayed any longer, she'd lose the will to continue down this path she had chosen. That she'd once again return to the clan, taking on the role of a strategic clan head—someone who only managed logistics and never set foot on the battlefield.
It truly felt wonderful to be protected.
But no one can rely on protection forever. Sooner or later, everyone has to step forward—to face the unknown and prove themselves.
Before he left, Ryosuke still took the time to relay important clan updates to her, knowing she still held the responsibility of clan leadership.
The comfort of this temporary peace was nearly enough to make him forget everything else.
But the message was urgent.
The Hyuga clan had discovered another world—and they were actively pursuing cooperation.
Currently, only Ryosuke and Uchiha Sasuke could access the world of Ultraman. That meant Ryosuke bore the full responsibility of conveying the clan's message.
Alongside that message came the clan's strategic stance.
When dealing with alien worlds, the clan preferred peaceful cooperation backed by the threat of force as deterrence.
They would show these new allies just how brutal the struggle for supremacy across the heavens and worlds could be—while also giving them a chance to align with Hyuga and earn their rightful place.
By forming alliances, many future problems could be avoided. But for those who refused? A display of power would follow.
After all, this wasn't a game where others decided whether to play—it was up to Hyuga to choose whether they would be allowed to play at all.
Inside the room, Hinata quietly absorbed the content of the scroll Ryosuke left her.
After pondering in silence, she quickly took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and left her quarters.
With her current rank as Coordinating Commander, her access through GUTS headquarters was unhindered.
Eventually, she arrived at the core command room.
Under the curious gaze of Iruma Kei, Hinata stepped forward with clear determination in her eyes.
"I've received word from the clan," she announced calmly. "The Hyuga are ready to take the next step with the GUTS Team—not just cooperating to eliminate monsters, but forming something deeper."
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