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Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: A Team Without Trust

Hizashi finally snapped to attention, stepping protectively in front of Hiashi.

Hiashi's face was stone-cold as his eyes bore into Akira. If Tsunade weren't standing right here, he would've already taught Akira a lesson.

A branch family member bold enough to radiate killing intent at the Main House?

That was treasonous.

Akira sneered, throwing a lazy glance at Hiashi. "Pathetic."

"You...!" Hiashi's voice trembled with fury as he pointed at him, stunned by Akira's utter lack of respect, just like the rumors said.

Boom!

The ground beneath Tsunade's feet cracked apart, and a surge of green chakra exploded from her body.

Even Akira felt the air grow thin.

"This isn't your little Hyuga house," Tsunade said coldly.

"My apologies, Lady Tsunade," Hiashi said at once, bowing in perfect form.

Respectful to a fault, even in disgrace.

Hizashi immediately fell back in line behind his brother, mirroring his stance.

Akira, meanwhile, took a casual step back, increasing the distance between them.

His posture screamed: Don't come near me.

Tsunade's expression soured. She knew she shouldn't have accepted this squad.

She'd thought the Hyuga clan would be easy to handle, but after one look at Akira's nonchalant face, she knew she was in trouble.

A thorn among thorns.

"I don't care what your clan politics are. Out here, you're under my command."

The pressure in her voice silenced even Hiashi and Hizashi. They pursed their lips and said nothing more.

Akira let out a low whistle. "Man… Jonin pressure is insane."

He didn't sound afraid at all.

Tsunade's eye twitched. She shot him a death glare, but Akira just whistled and looked away.

Tsunade then pulled out a scroll and unrolled it for the three of them to see. "We've got a C-rank mission: bandit cleanup. Good way to test your synergy as a team."

Honestly, she was more like a glorified babysitter.

They weren't even officially a genin squad. Hiashi and Hizashi had graduated two years ago and had never been on a mission outside the village.

As heirs of the Main House, they were carefully protected.

But now the clan wanted the future head to get some field experience, and Tsunade had been "chosen" to keep him safe.

Hizashi had already completed several missions and was a certified genin. His role this time? Protect Hiashi.

As for Akira, he had just graduated this year. Normally, he'd be placed in a regular genin team, but the Hyuga clan forcibly inserted him into this new squad.

As a deathsworn.

If anything happened, Akira was expected to give his life to protect the other two.

Akira grinned at Hiashi, flashing those bone-white teeth again.

He'd show Hiashi, sometimes, your biggest threat is standing right behind you.

"If no one has objections, we're heading out," Tsunade said.

Akira raised an eyebrow. We're going out now? That old goat Derma didn't mention anything about this.

He glanced at Hiashi and Hizashi. They didn't look the least bit surprised.

So he was the only one kept in the dark.

Tsunade noticed his reaction. Her tone grew stern. "A ninja should always be ready to fight. Act too casual, and you'll die without knowing how."

"But if you really need time to prepare, we can wait."

Even Hiashi and Hizashi, for once, held their tongues. They seemed to agree with Tsunade's assessment.

"Well aren't you all just so thoughtful," Akira said with a grin.

At least they weren't trying to set him up, yet.

"I always follow the Ninja Handbook. Ready to go, anytime." He patted the pouch on his waist.

Of course, the pouch was just for show. All his tools were stored in his inventory panel, which allowed up to 99 items stacked per slot.

Tsunade nodded in approval. "Then let's move out."

At the village gate, Tsunade handed over their mission scroll to the two guards on duty.

Ninjas couldn't leave the village without an approved mission, this was to prevent traitors and spies from slipping out.

Aside from the obvious guards, there were several ANBU hiding in the surroundings.

Akira swept his eyes over the gatekeepers.

Didn't recognize a single one.

So these are the legendary Gate Gods, the ones even Madara feared.

He chuckled under his breath.

The other three gave him odd looks but said nothing.

Their squad set off, moving swiftly through the forest.

Chakra really was a cheat, boosting speed, stamina, and strength all at once.

Akira took the rear, leaping from branch to branch through the treetops.

Roars of beasts and birds echoed through the woods, masking the sounds of their movement.

No one spoke. The team lacked chemistry, and no one was keen to force conversation.

Akira, meanwhile, was deep in thought.

Chakra was a fascinating thing, versatile and powerful. It enhanced the body, increased durability, transformed into elemental techniques, even manipulated space.

His game panel merely listed it as a data point, but its true nature was more profound.

What manifested in the world were his jutsu and innate abilities.

Things like throwing accuracy, trap-setting, those were techniques, not skills. He had to learn them the hard way.

But skills, those that showed up on his panel, could be leveled up using EXP.

The harder the skill, the more EXP required.

Take this, for example:

[Substitution Jutsu (Lv5)]

When expanded, it became:

[Substitution Jutsu (Lv5) – EXP (0/500) – Trait: None]

Fully maxed skills unlocked traits.

Some could even merge later into advanced forms.

He wasn't there yet.

But before the open beta, he had studied the game mechanics in detail.

For example, Byakugan's evolution into the Tenseigan.

Requirements? A max-level [Byakugan] and the item [Ōtsutsuki Chakra].

Only then could he unlock [Tenseigan].

But here's the kicker: Ōtsutsuki Chakra only dropped from Ōtsutsuki Clan members.

And every last one of them on this planet was someone he couldn't afford to fight.

The Sage of Six Paths in the Pure Land? Instant death.

The hidden boss Ōtsutsuki Isshiki? Just a death sentence.

That only left the moon, where the Ōtsutsuki branch family resided.

As for Kaguya, sealed away? Not even worth considering.

But getting to the moon?

No clue how.

"Yep, Byakugan's a dead end," Akira muttered. "Might as well start grinding Uchiha for a Sharingan drop."

Grumbling inwardly, he noticed Hizashi slowing down a bit, letting their speeds align.

Akira gave him a sideways glance.

"What? Got something to say?"

He had no interest in collecting damaged Byakugan drops.

All they yielded was:

[Byakugan (Damaged)]

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