Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 95 Family

Hiruzen Sarutobi's departure signifies the end of this conflict.

But Hyuga Kanan knew that with Hiruzen Sarutobi's current personality, his departure now did not mean the end of the matter. What he said probably wouldn't be easy to reassure the other party, and there would be no shortage of surveillance afterward.

Then there's Shimura Danzo, the Dark Knight of the Ninja. His actions just now completely surprised Hyuga Kanan. In Kanan's mind, Danzo was someone who always wanted something in return for his presence. The fact that he didn't help Sarutobi Hiruzen was utterly unbelievable. After all, in Danzo's mind, someone like Hyuga Kanan was a threat to Konoha, and how could someone as self-centered as him not step in to speak favorably of Hyuga Kanan?

Unless Danzo has some plan that requires Hyuga Kanan to live, he wouldn't care whether Hyuga Kanan is from Konoha or whether there are a large number of people around. He would definitely issue an order to surround and kill Hyuga Kanan.

Since no order has been given to take action yet, it will definitely cause considerable trouble for Hyuga Kana later.

Hyuga Kanan genuinely wanted to leave Konoha, but the thought of the advanced knowledge Konoha possessed that he coveted made him want to stay and see if there was a chance to obtain it directly.

That knowledge could allow Hyuga Kanan to advance further in her training and would be of great use to her future endeavors. Leaving like this left Hyuga Kanan feeling unwilling. Moreover, she needed the help of the Hyuga clan to collect the materials she required.

"Let them keep watching! I have no intention of doing anything to Konoha anyway. The worst one is Shimura Danzo. I don't know what he's up to. Things will probably get even more complicated later."

Hyuga Kanan thought to himself, but his face remained expressionless as he watched the Konoha ninjas retreat.

Orochimaru and Jiraiya had no intention of leaving and remained standing, talking with Hyuga Kanan. Jiraiya wanted to defuse the resentment that Hyuga Kanan had felt from the earlier conflict with Konoha, while Orochimaru was very interested in Hyuga Kanan's growth rate and his ability to break the Caged Bird Seal, and wanted to learn some information from him.

Looking at Orochimaru's curious eyes, Hyuga Kanan probably knew that Orochimaru had probably embarked on the path of scientific research and was eager to explore and understand anything he didn't know.

Hyuga Kanan was able to fight his teacher and even gain the upper hand. Although his teacher didn't use his full strength, who could guarantee that Hyuga Kanan would? Moreover, just now, if he and that idiot Jiraiya hadn't used ninjutsu together to break the Bagua Palm pattern that the opponent had used, Hiruzen Sarutobi probably wouldn't have been able to get rid of the attack so easily.

Thinking of this, Orochimaru could hardly contain his curiosity. However, Jiraiya was still here, and Hyuga Kanan might not tell him anything, but if Hyuga Kanan had a need, then there was a possibility of a deal.

Suppressing his thoughts, Orochimaru remained silent, watching Jiraiya's performance without interrupting, intending to speak with Hyuga Kanan alone later.

Suddenly, Hyuga Kanan's gaze fell on Hatake Sakumo, who was about to leave, and a hint of apprehension in the depths of his eyes was noticed by Orochimaru, who was silent beside him. This piqued Orochimaru's interest in Hatake Sakumo as well.

Hyuga Kanan had shown absolutely no fear towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage of Konoha. Hiruzen had defeated the Third Mizukage and was arguably the strongest shinobi in Konoha. Yet, Kanan hadn't shown the same disdain he displayed towards Sakumo Hatake. Orochimaru knew Sakumo was incredibly strong, but in his mind, Hiruzen was still stronger. However, seeing Kanan's current expression made Orochimaru seem to have discovered something interesting.

After Hyuga Kanan announced the materials he needed, seeing Jiraiya's embarrassed expression, he knew the latter couldn't help him obtain them and immediately lost interest in Jiraiya. Jiraiya was a very troublesome person, too deeply involved with Mount Myōboku, and lacking in cunning. He was easily swayed by the toads of Mount Myōboku, losing all independent thought and only focused on finding a savior for the ninja world to save it.

Jiraiya is the type of person who easily exposes his presence as an outsider, so it's best not to get too close to him. Besides, he doesn't have anything you need. The ninjutsu knowledge he possesses is completely useless to me.

However, Orochimaru beside him was the most perfect trading partner in Hyuga Kanan's mind. The other party was someone who possessed most of Konoha's knowledge, and Kanan had something that the other party was interested in. The two of them were the most compatible trading partners.

Upon hearing the materials Hyuga Kanan needed, Orochimaru's expression turned thoughtful. These materials were also extremely difficult for Orochimaru to obtain, but with some effort and resources, he could acquire some. However, these items were of very high value, so he needed to carefully consider what Hyuga Kanan would offer in exchange.

Seeing Orochimaru's expression, Hyuga Kanan knew that the other man was confident he could obtain these items. Therefore, he needed to prepare something to trade with Orochimaru. After all, Orochimaru possessed many things that Kanan desperately needed, so he needed to carefully prepare what he could offer in exchange.

Their eyes met instantly, both understanding the meaning in each other's gazes. Neither spoke aloud, not wanting Jiraiya, who was still explaining that Konoha's operation was not malicious, to know about their deal.

Hyuga Kanan and Orochimaru glanced at each other and nodded slightly before their eyes met again, a gesture that Jiraiya, standing nearby, completely failed to notice the tacit understanding between them that they had already reached a deal.

Finally, Hyuga Kanan interrupted Jiraiya and left, citing that he would not take any action against Konoha and that he still needed to visit his mother.

Orochimaru watched Hyuga Kanan leave and then quickly followed suit, not wanting to listen to Jiraiya's rambling any longer.

Jiraiya watched the two figures leave, a slight smile playing on his lips. He felt he had saved Konoha from another unnecessary battle and eased Hyuga Kanan's hostility towards the village. He left with great satisfaction.

With the departure of the Konoha ninja, the Hyuga clan's territory returned to peace, with only the ruins bearing witness to the fierce battle that had just taken place.

The Hyuga clan members who were being relocated knew that the conflict was over and they would return to their clan territory. Only the newly appointed clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, remained, looking completely bewildered.

Hiashi Hyuga stood there, his face full of embarrassment, his gaze fixed on the clansmen busily packing their belongings. A strong sense of regret welled up within him.

He secretly regretted making another wrong choice, lamenting that he hadn't thought things through more carefully. He realized that his decision not only brought unnecessary trouble to his people but could also affect the future of the entire family.

Hiashi Hyuga couldn't help but recall all the admonitions his father had given him in the past. His father had told him to treat his younger brother, who was away from home, well, so that the younger brother would remember the goodness of the Hyuga clan.

But he never considered that his father had warned him that his younger brother was extremely powerful and could protect the Hyuga clan. And when faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's pressure, he once again abandoned him without hesitation, without offering a single word of explanation to Konoha, or even showing any sign of support.

He pondered why he always made the wrong choices. Hiashi Hyuga felt ashamed of his incompetence. His father had already given him the answer, yet he hadn't thought it through properly. Now, he was filled with worry about the future of the Hyuga clan. He knew that his younger brother wouldn't blame the Hyuga clan, but he also wouldn't have any feelings for the family anymore. From now on, they would truly be strangers.

At this moment, Hiashi Hyuga felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, yet also a sense of powerlessness. A ninja who could fight the Hokage without being at a disadvantage, if he could take charge of the clan, then suppressing the Uchiha clan and becoming the number one clan in Konoha would no longer be just a dream.

At that moment, he made up his mind that if given another chance, he would not repeat the same mistake. He hoped that through his mother's relationship with Hyuga Hizashi, he could mend his relationship with Hyuga Kanan and regain his trust. Looking at his clansmen, he silently vowed to salvage his relationship with Hyuga Kanan for the prosperity and development of the clan, so that Kanan could believe he could be a reliable leader.

Suddenly, he saw Hyuga Kanan heading quickly towards his mother's residence. Knowing this was an opportunity, he gave instructions to the guards around him and then headed there as well.

Hyuga Kanan ignored the surrounding Hyuga clan members and had no intention of greeting them. Instead, he quickly left and headed towards his mother's residence.

Soon, they entered the courtyard of their mother's residence and gently knocked on her door. After receiving her permission, they went inside.

If Hyuga Kanan truly cared about anyone in this world, it was only his mother and his second brother, Hyuga Hizashi. They were his real family. As for everyone else, they were complete strangers to him, with little connection or relationship to him.

When Hyuga Kanan faced ridicule and sarcasm from other clan members, her mother and second brother would always come to visit and comfort her, always worried that she would be affected. They were also the first to stand up for her when others criticized her. Her second brother even spoke up for her after she had suffered the Caged Bird Seal punishment from the main clan.

Even Hyuga Kanan, an outsider, truly felt the rare warmth and affection in this world.