Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 188: Hyuga Fuji: Do You Have Issues with the Future I Created?

Kitsuchi spoke gravely, "The next battle isn't one we can be part of. Let's leave this place for now."

Yugito gave him a strange look. "If the future you and your companions hold the upper hand, why are we retreating?"

Yugito had spotted the inconsistency.

'That's right. If we have the advantage, why did Mabui tell us to run?'

Kitsuchi frowned deeply.

Before he could figure it out, Pakura, who had been flying above, locked onto their position. At the same time, Aburame Shikuro led a squad of ninjas to block their retreat and cut them off from the Konoha forces.

As for the Sand shinobi? They had wisely fled far away the moment they realized the situation was dire.

…

The future Kitsuchi, standing beside Naruto, watched as his past self was intercepted by Pakura and Shikuro. His eyelid twitched.

Something was wrong. None of this had happened in his memories of the past.

"Naruto, don't hesitate! Capture Hatake Sakumo now! I have a bad feeling about this!"

Kitsuchi did indeed want to change the future.

However, based on the research conducted in the future, such a possibility was minimal.

The prevailing belief among scientists was that while the past could be altered, the future could not. Any changes in the past caused by people from the future would simply create a new time loop, ensuring that events in the future remained unaffected.

That was why Kitsuchi had led this mission himself. As someone who had lived through these events, he hoped to create a different outcome.

But now, changes were clearly happening—scenes he had never witnessed were unfolding before his eyes. This filled Kitsuchi with unease.

In the original timeline, his past self should have left this area at this point. What had caused this deviation?

"Naruto, capture Hatake Sakumo quickly. I need answers from him."

Seeing Naruto hesitate, Kitsuchi's tone became more urgent.

"But… Kakashi-sensei…"

Naruto glanced at Kakashi, who was locked in a fierce blade duel with Sakumo at close range, and felt a pang of guilt.

If he hadn't referred to Sakumo as "Kakashi-sensei's father" in front of him, Sakumo wouldn't have used Kakashi as a shield, turning him into a hostage.

Now Sakumo wasn't even using his full strength. He was simply dueling Kakashi in a pure contest of swordsmanship.

If Naruto interfered, the consequences were unpredictable. But at the same time, this was the perfect chance to capture Sakumo.

After a moment of inner conflict, Naruto scratched his head in frustration. "Sorry, Kakashi-sensei. I'll apologize to you in the future."

The hundreds of hands behind the Buddha statue surged forward, striking at Kakashi and Sakumo.

Naruto controlled the assault so that only a few hands targeted Kakashi. Even so, Kakashi barely had time to activate a tailed beast chakra cloak for protection before he was sent flying by the wooden palms.

The remaining hands all converged on Sakumo, leaving him no room to evade.

'Was the Second Hokage being too humble when he described the First Hokage? If the Hundred-Armed Avalokitesvara is this terrifying, how much worse would the True Several Thousand Hands be?'

As the mass of hands descended, Sakumo's face twitched.

It seemed this was the end.

Glancing at Kakashi, who was now airborne, their eyes met briefly. Sakumo's heart felt unexpectedly calm.

So be it. He had said what needed to be said and bought some time. Leaving now wasn't such a bad outcome…

Sakumo channeled all his Sage Chakra into one final swing, managing to sever several of the wooden hands. But the rest overwhelmed him, burying him beneath their crushing force.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each impact kicked up massive sandstorms, making the ground tremble and the desert itself seem to groan in agony.

The areas struck by the hands became deep craters, with sand scattering in all directions and dust filling the air.

"So this is the power of Wood Release?"

The Konoha and Sand ninjas who had retreated to a safe distance swallowed nervously at the scene of devastation, instinctively taking another few steps back.

Naruto sustained the attack for several seconds, ensuring no further movement from the target before withdrawing the wooden hands. He stared intently at where Sakumo had stood.

There was nothing there… or so he thought.

Naruto's pupils contracted.

At the edge of one of the craters stood two figures, one in front of the other.

A gentle breeze brushed against the leading figure's robes, adding an ethereal quality to his presence.

Naruto's expression grew serious, his rarely seen solemn demeanor taking over. Beside him, the future Kitsuchi's face darkened as he muttered, "Be careful, Naruto."

In his original timeline, this person had never appeared here.

Everything had changed.

But why? Why was he unaware of the reasons behind these alterations?

Huangtu trusted in Naruto's strength, but facing this person—especially at this specific point in time—he couldn't suppress his unease.

Naruto nodded firmly, his gaze locked on those piercing white eyes.

Hyuga Fuji… the most infamous S-ranked rogue ninja in history!

Sakumo, standing in front of Hyuga Fuji, exhaled in relief and smiled. "Looks like I'll live a bit longer."

Ignoring the tense atmosphere, Hyuga Fuji tilted his head and said gently, "Sakumo-senpai, dying to them wouldn't bring you back. You gave up too easily."

"Pakura must have informed you."

Sakumo glanced at Kakashi, who was struggling to stand in the distance, his face conflicted. He muttered, "I've met the people I needed to meet and delayed long enough. I just wanted to take a little break."

While the two spoke as if no one else was present, Yakumaru, blocked by Aburame Shikuro's forces, regrouped with Kakashi and the others.

Meanwhile, the present-day Kitsuchi and Yugito, after some consideration, moved to stand behind Naruto, seeking his protection.

Swish, swish, swish…

The sound of rushing wind heralded the arrival of the ninja forces stationed in Roran. Led by Pakura and Shikuro, they assembled behind Hyuga Fuji.

In an instant, the three sides faced off once more in the ruined desert.

Breaking the silence, Hyuga Fuji looked at the golden-haired Naruto and spoke first:

"So, Minato's child has grown this much. How's your family doing in the future?"

"Don't pretend to care," Naruto snapped, his tone icy. "You have no right to talk about them."

Hyuga Fuji remained unperturbed, smiling faintly.

"From what I know of the future, I actually saved their lives. And judging by what happened, I merely looked the other way—I even held back against them. I doubt they've blamed me, have they? If we're talking about grudges, the Kitsuchi beside you was personally involved, wasn't he?"

The future Kitsuchi: "…"

He knew exactly what Hyuga Fuji was referring to and couldn't help but glance awkwardly at Naruto.

"…"

Naruto didn't notice Kitsuchi's reaction and paid no heed to Hyuga Fuji's words. His eyes remained fixed on the man, remembering the warnings from others never to trust him.

Hyuga Fuji's words were like the whispers of a devil. He had lured thousands away from the Land of Fire and earned the unwavering loyalty of several Kage. He was not someone to believe.

Yet, Hyuga Fuji's next question made Naruto falter slightly.

"By the way, since you've come here to change the future, I'm curious—what kind of future are you hoping for? Do you… have some issue with the future I created?"

(End of Chapter)

***

If you wish to read all the chapters of this fic till chapter 381 (where it ends) and support me.

You can go to patreon. com /NahinS77