Hokage’s Office.
“Hiss—” Watching the scene unfold through the crystal ball, both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.
They knew Hyuga Hiashi’s strength very well.
As the head of Konoha’s most powerful clan, the Hyuga clan, he was a master of taijutsu and unquestionably one of the strongest among the jonin.
And he was just sent flying by his own seven-year-old daughter?
And he looked seriously hurt, at that?!
Just how strong was Hyuga Hanabi now?!
Immediately, both of them turned their shocked gazes toward Shendai, who stood calmly at the entrance of the manga shop, looking utterly unruffled.
This manga shop was absolutely terrifying!
Just by reading a manga, you could instantly create a high jonin, or even a Kage-level powerhouse?!
Who exactly was this shop owner?!
How could he possibly operate such an unbelievably miraculous manga shop?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen forcibly suppressed the storm raging in his heart.
He took a deep drag from his pipe, pondered for a moment, and then said, “Kakashi.
It seems this manga shop is even more fearsome than I imagined.
To so easily transform a seven-year-old child into a Kage-level existence… This is no trivial matter.
I will have to go there myself.” Kakashi asked, “Should we mobilize the Anbu?” Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to look at Kakashi.
“Do you believe the Anbu would hold any significance in the eyes of such a being?” Hearing this, Kakashi fell silent.
Indeed.
The strength of this manga shop’s owner was beyond imagination.
Bringing more Anbu likely wouldn’t make a difference.
Once a certain threshold of power was crossed, numbers ceased to be a countermeasure.
Sarutobi Hiruzen rose to his feet.
He picked up the Hokage hat and set it firmly upon his head.
“I will only take two Anbu with me.
That will serve as a gesture of our sincerity.” Beneath the brim of the hat, the Hokage’s eyes held an unprecedented gravity.
He knew.
Konoha was about to change!
The entire shinobi world was about to change!
And the epicenter of it all… was this very manga shop.
… “Father!
Are you alright?!” Seeing Hyuga Hiashi sent flying by a single punch, both Hinata and Hanabi rushed over anxiously.
Hyuga Hiashi hid his now-purple, swollen hand behind his back.
He raised his other hand to wave the two sisters off.
Though cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his expression remained calm.
“What are you saying?
It was just a test.
How could I possibly be injured?
There, the test is complete.
Hanabi’s new ability is indeed quite remarkable.” Shendai couldn’t help but admire him.
A true master, indeed.
Forcing yourself to look dignified, even with tears welling in your eyes.
Seeing that Hyuga Hiashi claimed he was fine, Hanabi let out a long sigh of relief.
“I only used about thirty percent of the Armament Haki’s power just now.
I was worried I might hurt you, Father.” Hyuga Hiashi’s face twitched violently.
That… was only thirty percent?!
Thirty percent of Armament Haki was that powerful?
Then what about one hundred percent?!
Hanabi asked, “Father, do you want to test it again?
This time I’ll definitely give it my all!” You girl are trying to kill your own father!!
Hyuga Hiashi felt a mouthful of old blood surge up his throat.
Struggling to keep his composure, he said hurriedly, “It’s nearly time for dinner.
Let’s go eat first.” “Father, it’s just past three in the afternoon…” “I’m hungry!” “Father, why are you hiding that hand behind your back?” “I have a bad back.
Just rubbing my spine.” Hyuga Hiashi winced in pain now and then, baring his teeth slightly.
“Alright.
Since we’ve all finished reading, it’s time to head home.” Damn it.
I need to get home and put some medicine on this fast.
I can’t take much more of this.
And yet, deep down, Hyuga Hiashi was overjoyed.
He might not have gotten anything good himself, but his two daughters had gained the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and Armament Haki respectively.
Their strength had improved by leaps and bounds.
Hanabi, especially, after gaining Armament Haki, had already surpassed her own father in raw power.
And Hanabi was only seven years old.
Even peerless prodigies like Hatake Sakumo or Uchiha Shisui had never come close to possessing such strength at that age.
But his daughter—Hyuga Hiashi’s daughter—had achieved it!
And this was only the beginning.
She would only grow stronger from here!
For that reason alone, he, as a father, was happier than if he had drawn any treasure for himself.
He could already envision the future rise of the Hyuga clan within the shinobi world.
“Oh.” Hanabi nodded.
Hyuga Hiashi turned to face Shendai.
Without any unnecessary words, he bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees.
“You have my deepest gratitude!” If not for Shendai, Hinata and Hanabi could never have made such progress.
The advancement of his two daughters would grant the entire Hyuga clan a brand new future.
Though the Hyuga clan was now considered the most powerful clan in Konoha, that was only because the Uchiha clan had been annihilated.
Back when the Uchiha clan still existed, the Hyuga clan possessed the Byakugan, which was named alongside the Sharingan as one of the Three Great Dojutsu… yet in truth, they were incomparable.
The Uchiha clan’s Sharingan was merely its base form.
They also possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, Susanoo, Izanagi, and Izanami.
What did the Hyuga clan have to compare?
Throughout the Hyuga clan’s history, there had never even been a single truly top-tier powerhouse they could boast of.
But now, all of that was about to be rewritten.
Hinata and Hanabi would make the Hyuga name known far and wide.
As the head of the Hyuga clan, offering Shendai such a profound bow was entirely appropriate.
Even this was insufficient to express his gratitude.
What they had obtained here was not merely a simple reward; it was the future glory and honor of the Hyuga clan.
Hinata and Hanabi also bowed to Shendai in unison.
Shendai smiled.
“You read the manga.
I collected the payment.
Getting something good is all down to your own luck.” Hyuga Hiashi straightened up, offered a few more words of thanks, and then took his leave.
Hinata and Hanabi bid Shendai farewell and followed after their father.
… “How did Hanabi get so strong?!” Inuzuka Kiba, who had just arrived at the manga shop with Akamaru in his arms, happened to witness the end of the bout between Hyuga Hiashi and Hanabi.
He was utterly stupefied.
Then, ecstasy lit up his face.
“This manga shop really is the real deal!” Inuzuka Kiba looked down at Akamaru in his arms.
“Akamaru, I swear I’ll make you even stronger than that monster!” “Woof!” Akamaru wagged his tail.
Inuzuka Kiba walked into the manga shop, Akamaru in his arms, and asked expectantly, “Boss, do you have any manga here that can make ninja dogs stronger?” “Looking to power up your ninja dog?” Shendai said, “I don’t have anything specifically for improving ninja dogs.
But there is a volume called Digimon—Part 1 that’s related to companion creatures.
You could take a look.
There might be something you’re after.” “Then I’ll take that one!” Inuzuka Kiba approached the bookshelf and was immediately drawn in by the cover of Digimon—Part 1.
He pulled out his money and said, “I’ll read this one!” Shendai collected the payment.
Inuzuka Kiba happily took the manga and went to find a seat to read.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen approached the manga shop, accompanied by two Anbu wearing white masks.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two Anbu and warned them in a deep voice, “When I enter the manga shop in a moment, you two will wait for me outside.
Remember!
No matter what happens, do not offend the owner of that shop!
Understood?” “Yes!” Both Anbu answered in unison.
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze toward the manga shop, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.