Chapter 34 — Hiruko's Blueprint for Power
"Sensei, you're seriously underestimating yourself."
Hyūga Ritsu spoke bluntly.
"What?"
Hiruko blinked, stunned that his own disciple would rebuke him so directly.
"Teacher, you always say you merely improved the Chimera Technique…
But from where I stand, that's no different from creating an entirely new forbidden jutsu."
Ritsu leaned closer, voice calm but stirring something deep inside the older man.
"Your talent isn't 'mediocre.'
Maybe your body's natural talent couldn't keep up with prodigies like Orochimaru, but that's exactly what this jutsu was created for — to compensate for those innate limitations."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word hit Hiruko like a plucked nerve.
Something long dormant began to stir inside him — a forgotten spark of ambition.
"Sensei."
Ritsu placed both hands on the table, leaned forward, and locked eyes with him.
"I've personally tested the viability of the Chimera Technique.
So why shouldn't you use it to grow stronger?
If you gain power, achievements will naturally follow.
It's only a matter of time before the world recognizes you."
Hiruko fell silent.
After a few seconds, he let out a helpless laugh and shook his head.
"It's not as simple as you make it sound.
You and I are not the same, Ritsu.
You already had a bloodline limit — I have none.
To survive the Chimera assimilation, I would need to acquire five kekkei genkai.
And just obtaining one Shikotsumyaku nearly cost us everything — and that was only possible because a war is happening."
"But the war isn't over yet," Ritsu countered immediately.
"From what I've learned, Kirigakure has at least four bloodline limits: Shikotsumyaku, Lava Release, Boil Release, and Ice Release.
Four already — we're almost there."
"Lava Release won't work."
Hiruko shook his head.
"Huh? Why not?"
"The Chimera Technique isn't just about collecting the right number of bloodline limits.
They must be compatible — the combination determines survival rate and eventual strength.
The wrong mix means instant death."
Ritsu's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"So you have been thinking about this, Sensei."
He tapped the table.
"You rejected Lava Release right away.
Which means Shikotsumyaku, Boil Release, and Ice Release are part of your plan.
If that's the case, why not start gathering them now?
I may not be free to act, but my clansmen can help you."
"…Do you seriously think that's possible?"
Hiruko clearly wanted to believe — but lacked confidence.
Bloodline users are never easy targets.
Every clan guards their kekkei genkai with absolute paranoia.
Every village treats their unique blood inheritance as national secrets.
Capturing even a single carrier is as hard as kidnapping a kage's shadow.
The only reason they captured that Kaguya-clan jōnin before was sheer luck — the man was a battle lunatic who had lost himself to bloodlust, completely ignoring his Kirigakure squadmates.
Separated, outnumbered, and unstable — he fell into their trap.
Ordinarily, such luck was impossible to reproduce.
The Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist was one of the best techniques in the entire shinobi world for capturing enemies alive.
A few precise strikes to seal off an opponent's chakra network, and even a jōnin becomes no harder to carry than a trussed chicken.
"Of course it's possible,"
Ritsu said with full confidence. "The only concern is whether we actually encounter Mist shinobi who possess the kekkei genkai we need.
But as long as we do—and we hold the advantage—the Gentle Fist can subdue them alive with ease. Once captured, my clansmen can guard them. Even after the war, we can transport them back to the Hyūga compound to be contained securely."
He smiled faintly.
"And conveniently, I already have a perfect reason to rally the entire clan to assist you in capturing kekkei-genkai Mist shinobi."
"Oh?"
Hiruko raised a brow. "What reason?"
"Sensei," Ritsu said formally, voice steady, "as the head of the Hyūga clan, I hereby formally commission you to research the Caged Bird Curse Seal, and to develop a method to remove it. For this purpose, the Hyūga clan is willing to meet any request within our power."
"Any request…?"
Hiruko stroked his smooth chin, and it was clear the offer hit straight at his heart.
"Yes. Anything within our clan's capabilities."
Ritsu nodded. "Capturing kekkei genkai users from Kirigakure is dangerous, yes — but it is not beyond our capability."
"…There's no flaw in that logic,"
Hiruko admitted, nodding repeatedly.
His disciple was planning everything neatly for him.
"Right, sensei — your plan doesn't involve any of our village's kekkei genkai, does it?
Senju Wood Release, Uchiha Sharingan, Hyūga Byakugan… is there any among them you're aiming at?"
"Wood Release is extinct, isn't it?"
"True."
"As for the Sharingan — powerful, yes. But offending the Uchiha clan is suicide. Even if I acquired it, I would never dare reveal it unless I planned on becoming a missing-nin."
"And my clan's Byakugan?"
"That's also not in my blueprint," Hiruko sighed. "The village's three kekkei genkai are indeed powerful, but targeting our own village's clans creates trouble with consequences far too great.
So my current ideal combination is Shikotsumyaku + Boil Release + Ice Release + Storm Release. The final kekkei genkai is still undecided."
Ritsu clicked his tongue softly.
"Shikotsumyaku for defense and close-quarters power…
Boil Release for explosive mobility…
Ice Release for battlefield control…
Storm Release for devastating mid-to-long-range output…
It is a well-built set."
It was a beautifully balanced configuration — one that covered all ranges of combat.
"As for the fifth kekkei genkai," Ritsu said, "you can take your time choosing. Meanwhile, we can already begin working toward collecting the other four—"
He suddenly stopped.
Because noise erupted from outside the tent.
"Akiha, what's going on?" Ritsu called.
"Clan Leader! There's a messenger — he says he has an urgent order for you!"
"A messenger?"
Ritsu exchanged a glance with Hiruko.
Hiruko nodded faintly.
"Let him in."
A few seconds later, the tent flap lifted.
A short, slender teenage boy stepped inside.
White spiky hair.
A black face mask covering everything below the eyes.
His forehead protector was tilted, hanging low over his left eye — leaving only a single cold, expressionless right eye visible.
His entire presence radiated the silent warning of someone who had killed far too many people for his age.
Ritsu and Hiruko both narrowed their eyes at the same time.
"In the name of Deputy Commander Aburame Ryōma," the boy said calmly, "Hyūga Clan Leader, you are requested immediately. There is an important matter he must discuss with you."
His voice was as cold as his gaze — entirely devoid of emotion.