Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

Bright moonlight bathed the land, as if draping the world in a silver veil.

As Hyuga Soushu and Yechame Hamako led the battered remnants of the Konoha Advancing Unit back into Konoha-controlled territory in the western River Country, they coincidentally encountered the Konoha Ninja Forces rushing forward for reinforcement.

"Captain Yechame Hamako! You're finally back!"

The Jonin leading the second wave of reinforcements was initially startled upon seeing them. But after a closer look and confirming that this ragged group of exhausted ninjas, clearly on the verge of collapse, were indeed fellow villagers, he happily called out and waved for his subordinates to rush forward and assist these battle-worn heroes.

"It's Captain Ray!"

Equally drained, Yechame Hamako focused his eyes, identified the chakra signature of the other ninja, and relaxed slightly.

"How is Headquarters? Have all the reinforcements arrived?"

"They've all arrived!"

Captain Ray used Body Flicker to appear beside Yechame Hamako, handing him a secret medicinal potion to replenish energy, while cheerfully adding, "The second and third waves of reinforcements—one thousand two hundred in total—from the village have both arrived!"

"Is that so!"

Yechame Hamako's face immediately lit up with joy.

If the one thousand two hundred reinforcements from the village had indeed fully arrived, then the Western Border Forces numbering nearly two thousand would have considerably more confidence.

At least now they could manage defensive counterattacks instead of just cowering like frightened prey during Sand's future offensives.

"Lord Sakumo has also departed the village and should arrive at headquarters by morning."

Captain Ray signaled his subordinates to help carry the exhausted remnants of the Advancing Unit while passing another potion to Hyuga Soushu.

"Thank you, but no need."

Hyuga Soushu naturally declined politely.

Although similarly tired, his condition was relatively better, making it unnecessary to take medicinal stimulants that could potentially drain his body.

If his physical strength got depleted by such potions, he wouldn't be able to handle Mahiru Uchiha, once hooked on battle, later on.

Nonetheless, Hyuga Soushu did feel some curiosity about Sakumo Hatake's movements.

"How many people did Lord Sakumo bring along?"

Before Hyuga Soushu could ask personally, an suddenly enthusiastic Yechame Hamako eagerly jumped in with the question.

"This might need asking Commander Namiko," 

Captain Ray spread his hands and shrugged.

"Still, even if Lord Sakumo comes alone, those Sand bastards probably won't dare act recklessly anymore."

Another Jonin from the Advancing Unit added, joining the conversation.

After this brief episode, everyone's spirits visibly relaxed.

Sakumo Hatake's very presence served as an anchor for the western front line. His arrival was worth more than a thousand reinforcements. Among his old subordinates, he was practically seen as a god.

Remaining silent, the relatively fresher Hyuga Soushu simply listened carefully to the excited conversations of Konoha ninjas talking about Sakumo Hatake's coming while traveling alongside them.

From the fervent discussions, it was clear how revered Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, truly was.

Even a few Konoha ninja chanted slogans in support of Lord Sakumo becoming the Hokage. Surprisingly, such seemingly treasonous words not only escaped scolding from higher-ranked Jonin but even received nods of approval from many as if they found it perfectly reasonable.

Yet, were all these ninjas passionately discussing the village's future really supporters of Hatake Sakumo?

Hyuga Soushu didn't believe so.

In his eyes, ninjas were nothing more than ungrateful opportunists who changed allegiances with the wind—including himself. Counting on these spineless fence-sitters to get anything done would be nothing short of a miracle—or more like the devil himself showing up.

If ninjas possessed just a bit more fighting spirit, the entire Ninja World wouldn't have reached its current state—despite possessing overwhelming military might, they still relied upon missions and rewards funded by Daimyos, Courtiers, and wealthy merchants.

Though they had the power to control the ninja world, they instead became tools used by others to maintain political dominance. One had to admit, it was quite typical Eastern tradition.

"Captain Soushu," Yechame Hamako suddenly interrupted Hyuga Soushu's drifting thoughts, "I heard you also get along quite well with Lord Sakumo?"

"The White Fang is the ninja I admire most," replied Hyuga Soushu with a straight face, while speaking complete nonsense.

He admired the accomplishments, not necessarily the man himself.

Especially someone who preferred honorable suicide over facing darkness head-on and using their sharp fangs to tear through the iron curtain—he had his own opinions about that kind of decision.

"Same here!"

"Me too!"

Voices rose around him in agreement, instantly livening up the atmosphere. Even Soushu, who had barely interacted with them before, had now become someone they could confide in and chat openly with.

"Everyone's fate is different."

Soushu exhaled slightly, pretending to listen attentively, no longer dwelling on irrelevant thoughts.

Getting too caught up in distant worries only caused unnecessary trouble. What mattered most was overcoming one challenge after another right in front of him.

After activating his system interface, Soushu's mood immediately improved.

[Coins: 1925]

This fortune came from defeating six Sand Jonin, twelve Sand Chunin, and eight Sand Genin, plus the leftover 61 coins he had before—all earned through this series of battles!

The price paid? Just the two [Life Potions] he had stashed away.

Moreover, his level had risen to Level 9!

[Power Strike] Level 1

Now, the cooldown time for his W ability was further reduced to 5 seconds, making his skill levels form a 2-3-3-1 configuration—which significantly enhanced Soushu's combo attack and armor-piercing capabilities.

All things considered, although the reinforcement mission was costly, for Soushu personally, it had definitely been an incredibly profitable endeavor!

It was way faster to make money this way than to waste his youth struggling in the Land of Rain!

"Fortune favors those who dare!"

Soushu grinned until his gums showed.

"Captain Soushu, thinking of something pleasant?"

Yechame Hamako noticed Hyuga Soushu's cheerful expression and leaned in closer.

"Oh, I just thought of something funny," he said casually while opening the shop interface. But then he suddenly realized something was off.

Why did the [Combustion Gemstone], which was meant for synthesizing the [Tri Force], suddenly switch back to the old [Purifying Corruption]?!

Could this damn piece of junk actually update itself now?!

Hyuga Soushu felt somewhat overwhelmed.

"Forget it," he thought after a brief moment of consideration. He realized the system had simply split the final [Tri Force] synthesis cost across its current parts. Overall, it wasn't too bad since the [Purifying Corruption] was even better than the [Combustion Gemstone] before it.

With no hesitation, Hyuga Soushu spent seven hundred coins to synthesize [Purifying Corruption].

Then, he browsed through his equipment list again and located the third component of the [Tri Force]—the [Furnace Binding Axe]. Without hesitation, he purchased it, spending another 1200 coins, leaving him with just 25 coins.

However, the final synthesis of the [Tri Force] still required an additional 33 coins.

"I should've beaten up a few more people for extra loot earlier."

Facing the nearly complete [Tri Force], needing just eight more coins to finish it, Hyuga Soushu could only sigh in frustration.

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