Hyūga Hizashi reacted a beat too late, stepping in front of Hyūga Hiashi protectively.
Hiashi's face had gone ashen as he stared at Hyūga Ming.
If Tsunade hadn't been present, he would have already taught this brat a harsh lesson.
A branch family member daring to release killing intent toward the main family—
That was outright treason.
Hyūga Ming snorted and shot Hiashi a disdainful glance.
"Pathetic."
"You—!" Hiashi raised a trembling finger, furious. The rumors within the clan hadn't exaggerated at all—this man showed absolutely no respect toward the main family.
Boom!
A deafening impact rang out as the ground beneath Tsunade's feet cracked apart.
Green chakra surged violently from her body.
This time, even Hyūga Ming felt his breathing turn heavy.
"This is not your Hyūga clan compound," Tsunade said coldly.
"I apologize, Lady Tsunade," Hiashi said at once, bowing respectfully.
Flawless etiquette. Nothing to criticize.
Hizashi followed his lead, stepping back behind his brother.
Hyūga Ming also took a step back—but in the opposite direction, deliberately putting distance between himself and the two brothers.
Don't come any closer was written all over his posture.
Tsunade's expression darkened.
She'd known she shouldn't have accepted this team.
She'd assumed the Hyūga would be easy to manage—
then she glanced at Hyūga Ming, who looked utterly unconcerned.
Who would've thought the Hyūga clan could produce such a thorn?
It gave her a headache.
"I don't care how you behave inside the Hyūga clan," Tsunade said sharply.
"But right now, you are my subordinates."
Under her pressure, Hiashi and Hizashi pressed their lips together and said nothing further.
Hyūga Ming sucked in a breath dramatically.
"The might of a jōnin… terrifying indeed."
This brat really wasn't afraid of her at all.
Tsunade's eye twitched. She shot him a fierce glare.
Ming whistled casually and looked away.
Tsunade took out a scroll and held it up before the three of them.
"I've accepted a C-rank mission—eliminating a group of bandits. It's also meant to help you coordinate as a team."
To be blunt, this assignment was babysitting duty.
She didn't truly recognize them as a proper squad yet.
Hiashi and Hizashi had both graduated two years ago, yet neither had ever left the village on a mission.
As the main family's precious heir, Hiashi had been protected far too well.
After two years of training, the clan finally decided he needed real experience.
To ensure nothing went wrong, Tsunade had been assigned.
As for Hizashi, he'd already completed many missions and was a fully qualified genin.
His role this time was simple—protect Hiashi.
Hyūga Ming had only just graduated this year. Originally, he should have been assigned to a standard genin team.
Instead, the Hyūga clan forcibly inserted him into this newly formed squad.
As a death guard, no less.
If Hiashi or Hizashi were ever in danger, Ming was expected to fight to the death to ensure their safe return.
Hyūga Ming bared his teeth at Hiashi in a chilling grin.
He would make Hiashi understand something very clearly—
Sometimes, the most dangerous enemies were your own teammates.
"Any objections?" Tsunade asked.
"If not, we depart immediately."
Ming raised an eyebrow.
He hadn't known they were heading out on a mission right away.
That old man Hyūga Dema hadn't mentioned a word.
He glanced at Hiashi and Hizashi.
Neither of them looked surprised.
So he was the only one left in the dark.
Noticing his reaction, Tsunade said sternly,
"A ninja must be ready for combat at all times. With an attitude like that, you won't even know how you died."
"Still," she added, "if you're unprepared, we can wait."
This time, Hiashi and Hizashi remained silent—clearly in agreement.
"You people are surprisingly considerate," Ming said with a cheerful smile.
It was obvious none of them were trying to pressure him.
"I keep the ninja handbook close to heart," Ming said, patting the ninja pouch at his waist.
"I'm always ready."
Of course, the pouch was just for show.
Everything he owned was stored neatly in his inventory—stackable up to ninety-nine.
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
"Then let's move out."
At the village gate, Tsunade submitted the mission documentation to the guards, and their squad was immediately cleared to leave.
Any ninja leaving Konoha required official mission authorization—
a safeguard against defection and espionage.
Two ninja guarded the gate openly, with numerous ANBU hidden among them.
Hyūga Ming swept his gaze over the gate guards.
He didn't recognize either of them.
No wonder—these were the future gatekeepers even Uchiha Madara would fear.
Ming chuckled softly.
The other three glanced at him, puzzled.
The squad quickly left the village, weaving through the forest at high speed.
Chakra truly was an incredible thing—it directly enhanced the human body.
Ming brought up the rear, leaping from branch to branch with ease.
Beast roars and birdsong echoed through the forest, masking the sound of their movement.
They weren't familiar with one another, and there was nothing to talk about.
Hyūga Ming turned his thoughts inward, contemplating chakra itself.
Chakra was astonishingly versatile.
It strengthened the body, reinforced defense, transformed into elements, manipulated space, and even condensed into physical form.
On his game interface, chakra was just a numerical stat.
But its true manifestations came through ninjutsu and innate abilities.
Techniques like throwing weapons or laying traps were technical skills—
they didn't register as system skills and required real practice.
Only abilities that manifested as skills could be upgraded directly with experience.
The cost varied depending on difficulty.
For example:
[Substitution Technique (Lv.5)]
Once expanded, it became:
[Substitution Technique (Lv.5)]
EXP: (0/500)
Trait: None
Once a skill reached max level, it would gain a special trait.
Similar skills could even be fused later on.
He just didn't meet the conditions yet.
Back during closed beta, he'd memorized the game's guides inside and out.
For example—the Byakugan's evolution into the Tenseigan.
Requirements:
Byakugan (Max Level)
Ōtsutsuki Chakra
And that was the problem.
Ōtsutsuki Chakra only dropped from Ōtsutsuki clan members.
And every one of them on this planet was completely untouchable.
The Sage of Six Paths in the Pure Land.
The hidden boss Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
Go near them, and it was instant death.
That left only one option—
The Ōtsutsuki clan on the Moon.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was sealed—no chance there.
But he had no way to reach the Moon.
"Tch. The Byakugan really has no future," Ming cursed internally.
"Better to farm the Uchiha for Sharingan."
As he thought this, he noticed Hizashi slowing slightly until they were side by side.
Ming shot him a sideways glance.
"What? You got something to say?"
He had no interest in Caged Bird Seals anyway.
Anything he got from them would just be [Byakugan (Damaged)].