Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

The Jonin Mess Hall was still completely empty at this moment.

Perhaps the serving ninja currently on meal distribution duty had also heard about Sakumo Hatake's arrival at the camp. So when they saw Hyuga Soushu and Mahiru Uchiha arrive, their expressions turned somewhat strange.

Hyuga Soushu paid no mind to such petty concerns. He simply took Mahiru Uchiha's hand, ordered some dishes, then found a quiet corner where they sat facing each other. They began sweetly feeding each other bite by bite.

After consecutive days of intense battles followed by all-nighters, Soushu's body felt thoroughly drained. In record time, he devoured both their meals.

Meanwhile, Mahiru Uchiha kept motioning to the serving staff for extra side dishes while occasionally using her handkerchief to wipe the corners of Soushu's mouth.

"Soushu-kun~"

Mahiru called out in a sugary tone.

"Hmm?"

Soushu picked up a piece of fish fillet—Mahiru's favorite—with his chopsticks and brought it close to her lips.

"Un!"

Delightedly, Mahiru opened her mouth and bit straight into the fish fillet her beloved offered. As she finished eating every last crumb, she playfully flicked her tongue over the chopsticks. Her sparkling eyes gave Soushu a teasing glance at the same time.

If Soushu hadn't possessed extraordinary self-control, he might have lost composure right there and then.

What Mahiru loved most was seeing her usually stiff and formal Soushu let go and show his true self—whether during intimate moments or in public. She adored every second of it.

"Don't play with fire."

Soushu scolded dryly, though his slightly flushed face and averted gaze made him look anything but intimidating to Mahiru.

To her, that shy blush spreading across his cheeks was like a rising sun—intimate, passionate, and full of life.

Mahiru couldn't help but recall how energetic Soushu had been the previous night as they were together, bringing her immense pleasure.

"Then tonight—"

"Shut up!"

Instantly, Soushu covered Mahiru's mouth with his hand.

"Alright, alright. Just eat your meal properly."

Quickly leaning back with a tactical dodge, Mahiru escaped Soushu's silencing grip before provocatively licking the palm covering her lips.

"Mm."

Swallowing hard, Soushu crossed his legs quickly to compose himself and resumed devouring his meal with renewed focus.

"You'll be training your Squad later, won't you?" Mahiru casually played with her loose strands of hair as she asked.

"Yes, it really is necessary."

Hyuga Soushu nodded slightly, quickly finishing off the beef on his plate.

Since arriving at the Western Camp, due to various unexpected circumstances, his personally commanded Squad hadn't yet undergone a comprehensive combat-oriented drill.

A knock interrupted them.

Looking up, Soushu saw the same annoying female messenger ninja standing outside again.

"What now!"

Mahiru immediately realized nothing good would come from this interruption.

"Lord Sakumo is about to convene the Jonin Military Meeting, so Commander Namiko sent me to inform you."

The messenger kunoichi said nervously.

To her, Mahiru Uchiha looked like a tigress ready to strike — terrifying to watch.

Then again, today really was cold. The poor messenger girl, hit by both icy chill and fear, shivered once more.

"When?"

Hyuga Soushu slightly turned his face sideways. Immediately Mahiru's frosty demeanor melted into tenderness as she gently dabbed the corner of Soushu's mouth with a handkerchief.

"In half an hour, at the Command Center."

The messenger answered promptly.

"Understood. You may return with your report now!"

Hyuga Soushu nodded. The messenger kunoichi quickly left like someone escaping from a death sentence.

"Honestly... Do I seem that scary?" 

Mahiru Uchiha asked casually.

"You're my beloved."

Soushu replied irrelevantly.

Mahiru immediately giggled softly, her brief displeasure dissipating like mist.

When Hyuga Soushu arrived at the command center in unhurried pace, most jonins from Western Camp had already gathered. Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake — newly arrived — was seated in an honored position between Shirakawa Namiko and Yechame Hamako. The three were engaged in warm conversation filled with hearty laughter.

"Jonin Soushu."

Toshimichi Yamanaka, his subordinate from Yamanaka clan, noticed his arrival and stood up immediately to greet him.

Soushu nodded and walked over to sit beside Toshimichi Yamanaka.

Approximately five minutes remained before the official commencement of military meeting.

"Jonin Soushu, your performance on this reinforcement mission certainly impressed us all!"

Sakumo noticed Soushu's arrival and spoke out: "Leading charges forward while covering retreats, winning one valorous victory after another. Truly worthy of carrying Hyuga Clan's honor as Konoha ninja!"

His words silenced the previously noisy central command tent.

"Squad Leader Sakumo flatters too much," Soushu responded while rising to bow respectfully, still not having warmed the seat. "This is merely fulfilling a jonin's duty. Moreover, Comrade Hamako led this mission brilliantly; I am but a junior who learned from senior ninja's bravery."

"Not surprisingly coming from noble lineage, though such modesty seems unnecessary."

Sakumo chuckled heartily, "A fair rewards system is what keeps ninjas' spirits high. Your remarkable achievements warrant equivalence to six S-rank missions, perfectly reasonable!"

"Woah!"

The assembled jonins erupted in astonished murmurs.

Such public praise in advance clearly indicated Sakumo's full approval and recognition of this reinforcement mission.

Yet for those stationed at Western Camp, Shirakawa Namiko - their western front commander - had actually made a terrible strategic move:

After dispatching the first reinforcement unit, he failed to quickly organize a second wave of reinforcements, leading to nonstop fighting without rest and heavy losses, indirectly crippling Yechame Hamako's First Squad by decimating its middle-level commanders; although unintentional, such arrangement indeed lacked prudence.

After Sakumo Hatake rushed in, the Jonin in the Western Camp originally thought this meeting would be another grand occasion where the White Fang would take command once again and lead the Ninja Force into battle. However, given his commendation of Hyuga Soushu and his unusually amiable attitude today, the atmosphere had a hint of turning a solemn occasion into a celebration — like celebrating at a funeral.

The Jonin Assembly couldn't help but feel this wasn't something the White Fang would usually do — and that's exactly why they were so surprised.

After all, Shirakawa Namiko — known as Namiko — had only just been recommended by Sakumo Hatake while he was preparing to return to Konoha to assume the position of the incoming Jonin Unit leader. Since she'd only just taken the position, it was only natural some Jonin weren't ready to accept her authority yet.

"Thank you for your praise, Leader Sakumo."

Hyuga Soushu naturally had no reason to deny his own merits, so he bowed politely and returned to his seat.

Just then, Danzo entered, his expression dark, surrounded by several Jonin.

"Now this is getting interesting,"

Hyuga Soushu gave the group of Jonin following Danzo a sharp, assessing glance, sensing that things were about to become even more intriguing.

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