Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 98: The Legend of the Undying in the Underground Black Market

A knock came at the door.

"The door's open. Come in."

Senju Tobirama stepped into Hyuga Fuji's office, glanced at the paperwork piled on the desk, and said coldly, "We're running out of funds. Where's the money?"

"…"

Hyuga Fuji looked up, meeting Tobirama's indifferent gaze, and smiled faintly. "This is the money that's supposedly pushing Konoha toward ruin."

Tobirama's face remained impassive, completely ignoring the remark. "It's better off in my hands than being wasted on some unknown endeavor."

Hyuga Fuji stared at him silently.

Even with Tobirama's composed demeanor, the oppressive silence made him feel somewhat cornered. But retreat was not an option.

As "Advisor Tobi" in the Technical Development Bureau, he needed to secure funding somehow. Embezzling funds from other projects was out of the question.

With Konoha's finances under Fuji's management, there was no way around him.

Tobirama gritted his teeth internally. If he had known this, he wouldn't have confronted Fuji yesterday. Just looking at his smug face made him angry.

After a pause, Hyuga Fuji finally withdrew his gaze and sighed. "Thinking back to our conversation yesterday, something about it feels a bit… odd."

Hearing this, Tobirama's mind interpreted the words as, "I miss your rebellious spirit," and his composed facade cracked. His face turned red with suppressed frustration.

"Don't push it, kid!"

Hyuga Fuji's clear gaze met his. "I didn't mean to insult you, Lord Second. I was simply sharing an observation. What's running through your mind?"

"…"

This isn't what it looks like! Tobirama thought, though he couldn't voice it.

He knew these thoughts stemmed from a bias—a prejudice formed through his own knowledge and past experiences regarding Hyuga Fuji.

But Fuji hadn't actually insulted him outright, not even once.

Accepting the paperwork Tobirama handed over, Hyuga Fuji signed and stamped it. "Anything else?"

Tobirama didn't respond immediately.

Instead, his gaze shifted to the documents on Fuji's desk. His eyes narrowed. "Education reform?"

"And a department for psychological treatment."

Hyuga Fuji picked up two documents, handed them to Tobirama, and smiled. "Interested?"

It took Tobirama several minutes to read through them. When he finished, his crimson eyes locked onto Fuji, his expression unreadable.

Setting aside personal differences, was he… impressed?

This young man had accomplished so many things Tobirama himself had once aspired to but failed to achieve.

Education reform. Without someone at the pinnacle of power to take the first step, the ninja world would remain trapped in a cycle where twelve-year-old children graduate into a life of violence.

As for those who succumbed to darkness, most villages would either imprison or execute them.

The solution had always been to deal with individuals after problems arose. No one ever addressed prevention or tackled the root causes.

A ninja raised in an environment where killing was normalized would inevitably spiral into extremism.

"Count me in for education reform. I founded the academy, after all. I know its flaws better than anyone," Tobirama said firmly.

Hyuga Fuji paused briefly, then looked at him thoughtfully and chuckled. "You'll need to take that up with the Fourth Hokage. You're currently listed as an ex-Root member. With that on your record, joining the education system won't be easy."

Tobirama's expression soured.

Root… how many crimes did that brat Danzo take the fall for on your behalf?

And why on earth did his cover identity include being named "Tobi" out of admiration for himself? Admiring myself enough to take my own name? What kind of twisted humor is this, you evil little brat?

"I'll explain it myself," Tobirama muttered, turning to leave. Halfway to the door, he paused and glanced back. "If you lose, I'll summon you with Edo Tensei to put you to work!"

Hyuga Fuji smiled. "You're already working for me."

Tobirama's face darkened. Without another word, he slammed the door shut behind him.

Chuckling, Hyuga Fuji shook his head, then picked up dossiers on five ninjas to review.

Madara had sent some White Zetsu spies to infiltrate Konoha, even going so far as to have them replace a few people entirely. While it was a nuisance, it also made things convenient.

Root had already helped him identify several White Zetsu impersonators within Konoha.

Those White Zetsu were now replaced by his "White Zetsu-type ninjas," likely dealing with Hiruko at this moment.

This way, Fuji's counterintelligence would directly feed misinformation back to Madara…

"Fuji, I'm a Chūnin now!"

The door knocked again, followed by an excited voice.

Hyuga Fuji smiled. "Come in, sensei."

Might Dai entered the office, his face full of joy. "The Hokage told me to report to you. He said you'd be reassigning me to a new team."

"Yes," Hyuga Fuji nodded. "I'm forming a new department and need some personnel. Are you willing to join?"

"Of course! We're superior and subordinate now, aren't we?" Dai quickly straightened his posture, his expression turning serious. "I'll follow your orders."

"Good. Actually, I'd also like your son, Guy, to join as well."

"Guy?"

"I'm short on people."

"Let me ask him later. Who are my teammates?"

At this, Hyuga Fuji clapped his hands lightly. Three figures materialized in the room.

Dau immediately recognized them—because he had beaten them before.

Three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist stood before him, their faces emotionless, though their eyes betrayed their reluctance.

"From now on, they'll be your subordinates," Fuji announced.

Two of the swordsmen looked utterly dejected.

First, they had been defeated by Duy. Now, they were assigned to serve under him? What kind of twisted development was this?

Just let the world end already…

Even Juzo sighed quietly.

When they had fallen, one by one, to Dai during that Chūnin exam, this outcome had been something they had vaguely anticipated.

Hyuga Fuji would never allow all Hidden's members to operate as former Root ninjas. He needed a façade, and having a few unaware Konoha ninjas like Dai serve as the public face of the group was part of that strategy.

But having Dai as a superior? That was going to be painful.

"You'll have some time to adjust to each other. Once you're ready, I'll assign missions."

Looking at Dai, Hyuga Fuji smiled warmly. "I forgot to say earlier—congratulations on becoming a Chūnin, sensei. I also have a gift for you."

Under the curious gazes of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Fuji retrieved a bag from under his desk and handed it to Dau.

Though puzzled, Dai accepted the bag. Upon opening it, his trademark cheerful grin returned, his teeth gleaming.

"Thank you!"

After a few more words, Dai left, carrying his gift. As he walked, he opened the bag again and examined its contents—a brand-new green bodysuit.

The familiarity of the scene suddenly struck him.

Ah, he remembered now. When Fuji had been promoted to Jōnin, Dai had gifted him a similar suit.

This was a return gesture, wasn't it?

Satisfied, Dai nodded. It was a great gift!

---

"An undying legend in the underground black market? Their appearance hasn't changed in decades?"

"It must be them."

"How convenient."

"They seem confident in their strength, enough to not bother hiding their identity. Coupled with decades of bounty hunting, it's no surprise some people know about them."

At a branch of the Fire Country's underground exchange center, four ninjas discussed the information provided by the staff.

"Who gets to handle this?"

Kaguya Yuko licked his lips and looked at his three companions with a battle-hungry grin.

Beside him stood Iwagakure's Explosion-Release user Gari, Aburame Shikuro, and the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.

Unable to contain his excitement, Yuko thought to himself, If no one volunteers, maybe I'll just fight these three instead.

(End of Chapter)