Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The First Collaboration Between Team 8 and Team Guy, Captain Yagyu
Tsunade's sudden indulgence led Yagyu to acquire the forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals in a way even he hadn't anticipated. After quickly helping Tsunade organize scrolls, books, and documents, Yagyu opened the scroll containing the sealing technique. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes the moment he glanced at it.
Before Hinata and the others returned, Yagyu informed Tsunade, who was still busy working, and then entered the private room in the Hokage's office. He activated the transportation scroll by channeling chakra into it.
Boom—
Just like with summoning jutsu, numerous tadpole-like runes spread out, forming a jutsu array. Yagyu, standing within it, was enveloped in a puff of white smoke. When the smoke cleared, Yagyu's figure had vanished.
Now, he stood in a dimly lit, windowless room with no doors, illuminated only by two faint yellow lights. The room was narrow, filled with bookshelves packed with scrolls, and the space was tight.
Beneath Yagyu's feet was a permanent jutsu array, something that hadn't been there the last time he visited. Clearly, this transportation array had become the only entrance and exit to the forbidden jutsu library. The walls were also covered with tadpole-like runes, which seemed to be part of a barrier technique.
Scanning the room, Yagyu quickly spotted the Scroll of Seals, now placed prominently on a shelf by itself, no longer hidden in a secret compartment. Activating his Sharingan, he confirmed it was the genuine Scroll of Seals.
With a hand seal, Yagyu channeled chakra into the large "seal" symbol on the scroll.
Yes, Yagyu had already mastered the sealing technique to unlock the Scroll of Seals. He had previously captured an image of the sealing jutsu, though at the time, he hadn't realized it was the key to opening the scroll.
As his chakra flowed into the scroll, the large seal symbol began to glow with a blinding red light. After a moment, the red glow and the seal vanished. Yagyu eagerly opened the Scroll of Seals, ready to examine the forbidden jutsu inside.
"I see..."
Upon opening the scroll, Yagyu realized why he hadn't found individual forbidden jutsu scrolls during his previous visit. He also confirmed that the version Naruto had stolen had been a fake.
The opened Scroll of Seals didn't contain dense text or diagrams illustrating training methods. Instead, it listed only the names of the forbidden jutsu. Below the list, the scroll's surface was blank, resembling a storage scroll.
Locating Naruto's much-envied Shadow Clone Jutsu, Yagyu activated the scroll by inputting chakra into it, much like a storage scroll.
Poof—
A small cloud of white smoke appeared, and when it cleared, an individual scroll materialized on the surface.
So the massive Scroll of Seals was essentially a large-scale storage scroll, just like the ones TenTen used to store her weapons. The scroll contained other scrolls within it!
Opening the independent scroll, Yagyu began to study the principles and training method for the Shadow Clone Jutsu. He then took both the individual scroll and the Scroll of Seals to a spot under the dim lights and began reading through the forbidden jutsu right in the library.
Since Tsunade was protecting him, the Hokage's office and the forbidden jutsu library had essentially become his second home. He could come and go as he pleased—there was no need for him to steal anything.
That wasn't the most important part, though. The key benefit was that Yagyu could bring Hinata and the others with him, allowing them to stay close to Tsunade and make a good impression.
For the next few days, Yagyu brought Hinata and the other girls to the Hokage's office regularly. While Yagyu studied forbidden jutsu in the library, Hinata and the others helped Shizune lighten Tsunade's workload.
During this time, every ninja who came and went from the Hokage's office took note of Yagyu and Hinata's group. The rumors about Yagyu being a Senju descendant were now solidified, and word spread that both Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan, and Ino, the heiress of the Yamanaka clan, were being highly regarded by the Hokage.
Upon hearing the news, Hiashi Hyuga was pleased with his decision. Tsunade's favor toward Yagyu indicated that his chances of becoming the Sixth Hokage were high. If Yagyu became Hokage and ended up with Hinata, Hiashi could persuade the clan elders to allow Hinata to marry out of the clan. This way, his eldest daughter would marry outside, and his younger daughter would inherit the clan, neither of them needing to bear the Caged Bird seal. The Hyuga clan would also become the primary supporter of the Hokage—a plan with multiple benefits.
A few more days passed, and soon more than a week had gone by since Tsunade's inauguration. After half a month of downtime, the mission system in Konoha was finally back in operation. A flood of missions inundated the mission request center in the Hokage's office.
With too many missions and the need to quickly assist clients, most of the Jonin had been dispatched. Even some experienced Genin teams with Chunin captains had been sent out.
Ino and Sakura, who had been helping Shizune, returned to their respective teams, leaving Konoha without even time to say goodbye to Yagyu.
Soon, Yagyu himself had no time to study jutsu in the library.
One day, as Yagyu brought Karin and Hinata to the Hokage's office like usual, Tsunade asked Karin to assist Shizune but kept Yagyu and Hinata back, her expression serious.
"Yagyu, doesn't your Team 8 have another member?"
"Yes, it does." Yagyu nodded.
"Go get him. I have an important mission for your team once you return."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Slightly surprised, Yagyu nodded seriously, the formality in his tone signaling the shift in responsibility.
Yagyu and Hinata left the Hokage's office. With the help of his Kagura's Mind Eye and Hinata's Byakugan, they quickly found Shino Aburame in a forest near Konoha, collecting insects.
"A mission finally?"
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei and the other Jonin have been sent out on missions. After the system was down for so long, the backlog of requests has overwhelmed the village."
"You're right. I haven't seen many of the Jonin around the village lately. So it's just the three of us for this mission? Does that mean we'll start doing missions on our own now?"
"Maybe it's just because of the current situation. The Chunin Exam results haven't been finalized yet, so we probably won't be taking on solo missions until someone in our team is promoted."
"If it's based on skill, only you and Rock Lee stand a chance of being promoted this time."
"You have a good chance too, Shino. After all, you captured that puppet master from Sunagakure on your own. Suna had to pay quite a hefty price to get him back recently."
As they chatted, Team 8 made their way back to the Hokage's office.
When they entered, they were surprised to see three familiar figures already there.
"Hey, Yagyu!"
Rock Lee immediately flashed a thumbs-up and grinned widely.
Neji Hyuga, having mended his relationship with Hiashi and letting go of his grudge against the main branch, crossed his arms and nodded toward Yagyu.
"Neji-niisan."
Hinata shyly greeted Neji, who responded with a respectful nod, much more polite than in the past.
Yagyu smiled and said, "Long time no see. Are you here for a mission too?"
"No, we're waiting for you."
The one who answered was TenTen, wearing her usual white qipao and sporting her signature double-bun hairstyle with two small braids hanging down.
Raising an eyebrow, Yagyu turned to Tsunade, who was seated at her desk, exuding the authority of the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, is this a joint mission?"
"That's right," Tsunade confirmed with a nod, her tone serious. "During the third round of the Chunin Exams, Konoha invited many wealthy and noble figures to observe. Unfortunately, the unexpected attack caused the mission system to shut down, leaving some of those important guests stranded in Konoha."
"Most of the Jonin are out on missions now, and the village's available forces are limited to you newer generation ninjas."
"But since you're still Genin without much experience in completing missions on your own, this will be a joint B-rank mission."
Tsunade pulled out a scroll from her desk and tossed it to Yagyu. "The client is a noble from the Land of Birds. They specifically requested you to lead the team, Yagyu. You'll be responsible for negotiating with them."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Yagyu respectfully nodded.
Tsunade turned her gaze to Team Guy and instructed, "You're last year's Team 3 and also lack experience in completing missions on your own. Don't look down on your juniors just because you're older. For this mission, follow your captain's orders, understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Team 3 replied just as respectfully.
Soon, Team 8 and Team 3 left the Hokage's office.
In the hallway, Rock Lee walked alongside Yagyu, facing backward as he spoke, his expression grateful. "Yagyu, Gai-sensei told me everything. Thank you for your help at the central tower."
Yagyu smiled, "It was nothing. We're all Konoha shinobi. Anyone else would've done the same in that situation—I just reacted a little faster. And besides, I technically interfered in your match. I hope you're not upset."
"Of course not! I'm very grateful."
Lee quickly shook his head and gave Yagyu a deep bow.
"I accept your thanks," Yagyu said, patting Lee on the shoulder before turning to Neji and TenTen.
"I've seen your skills in action. In terms of overall strength, your Team 3 is definitely the strongest among the Genin squads. I look forward to working with you on this mission."
Instead of feeling looked down on for being all eliminated in the exams, Neji and TenTen were pleased by Yagyu's words, their fondness for him growing.
Neji, who had already felt indebted to Yagyu due to his mended relationship with Hiashi, silently vowed to follow Yagyu's lead. Given Yagyu's close relationship with Hinata, Neji considered him likely to become a part of the Hyuga family—someone he'd need to serve in the future.
With Yagyu's skillful diplomacy, Team 3, already full of gratitude and goodwill, quickly accepted him as their captain.
After leaving the Hokage building, Yagyu led both teams to a guest house where they found the steward of the noble from the Land of Birds, negotiated the details, and set the departure time.
The nobles, having already explored every corner of Konoha, were eager to return home and wished to leave as soon as possible. After informing them to pack their belongings and obtain exit permits from the Hokage's office, Yagyu sent the teams to gather their gear and meet at the village gates.
Yagyu, meanwhile, headed to the Hokage's office to get the exit permits for both teams.
Normally, this would be the role of the Jonin leader, but with all the Jonin out on missions, it fell to the captain.
After getting the necessary documents, Yagyu arrived at the village gates, awaiting the arrival of Team 3, Team 8, and the noble's entourage.
Konoha's ninjas were efficient, and within fifteen minutes, both teams arrived, each member carrying a backpack.
"Yagyu, didn't you bring anything?"
Seeing Yagyu empty-handed, Lee, like Shino earlier, asked curiously.
"I packed everything in a storage scroll," Yagyu said, showing them a scroll.
"Oh, I see!"
Lee nodded in understanding.
TenTen's eyes sparkled at the idea. Why hadn't she thought of that? If she used a storage scroll for everyday items, she could pack even more on missions!
"By the way, Lee, Neji—what's with those bandages? Are you injured? I know some medical ninjutsu—want me to help?"
Knowing that Team 8 and Team 3 were unfamiliar with each other, Yagyu worked to keep the conversation flowing, further boosting the third team's favorable impression of him.
However, both Lee and Neji declined Yagyu's offer. As dedicated fighters, they were used to their injuries and didn't want to waste Yagyu's chakra on something that would soon return.
Yagyu continued to skillfully steer the conversation, even complimenting TenTen's impressive shuriken-jutsu during the exams, making the atmosphere between the two teams grow warmer.
Finally, after about an hour of waiting, the noble's entourage from the Land of Birds arrived at the village gates.
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