Even though Anko didn’t have much screen time in the original story, in the era Inaba Hyuga currently found himself in, her reputation in the village was actually quite high.
After all, she was Orochimaru’s personal disciple.
By seniority, she was in the same generation as the current Jonin Commander, the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze!
And to be taken in as Orochimaru’s student, little Anko’s talent and potential were naturally top-tier.
As for why she only ended up as a Special Jonin in the future…
well, life is hard; best not to dwell on it.
Right now, facing Inaba Hyuga’s addition to the team, little Anko looked rather dissatisfied.
She circled Inaba Hyuga, sizing him up while muttering, “Just a Branch House member, and only a Chunin?
What gives?
Is Master really being this half-hearted about filling out our team?” Though little Anko sounded prickly and looked utterly contemptuous, Inaba Hyuga keenly realized that this blame probably belonged to Orochimaru.
Clearly, Orochimaru hadn’t told these people anything about his true strength, only disclosing his official ninja rank.
Another test?
Having figured this out, Inaba Hyuga calmly shrugged and said, “You’re Anko Mitarashi, right?
If I remember correctly, aren’t you just a Chunin right now too?” Anko instantly puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
“I’m only ten years old, okay?!
Are you trying to pick a fight?” As she spoke, one of her hands slid quietly into her sleeve.
Inaba Hyuga, who had just traded blows with Orochimaru yesterday, recognized it at a glance: this was clearly the wind-up for Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!
Compared to Orochimaru, Anko’s cast speed at her current age was far slower, lacking suddenness, and naturally wasn’t going to be effective.
He flashed a faint smile.
“Let me ask you, is this Chunin really reliable?” The sentence left Anko frozen in place.
At the same time, the faces of the two teammates behind her changed dramatically.
Not because Inaba Hyuga’s words carried any profound wisdom, but simply because—the sentence had come from right behind little Anko’s neck!
At that moment, Anko’s eyes widened in shock.
Her pupils contracted, her goosebumps rose, and she mechanically turned her head, looking at the identical Inaba Hyuga who had materialized out of thin air behind her, along with the short blade he held pressed against her neck.
“A Shadow Clone?
When did you—?” Anko asked blankly.
The Inaba Hyuga standing right before her eyes had never left her sight, still maintaining that harmless, gentle smile.
When had he sent a Shadow Clone behind her?
His right hand had been in front of him the whole time; she had been watching it constantly.
How on earth had he formed the hand signs?
Why hadn’t she noticed at all?
The teammates standing behind her saw it more clearly, though they were no less astounded.
“One-handed seals with his left hand…
and so fluent?” “You actually use a blade?
Are you really from the Hyuga Clan?” If not for the unmistakable traits of the Byakugan, they would have suspected he wasn’t a Hyuga at all.
Inaba Hyuga said modestly, “I am indeed a genuine member of the Hyuga Clan.
I just dabble a bit in kenjutsu.” The uncle with a senbon in his mouth marvelled and asked, “You don’t practice the Gentle Fist?” Inaba Hyuga shook his head gently and explained, “Because the Gentle Fist accessible to the Branch House is incomplete.” “Wait, really?” Little Anko blurted out, sounding completely clueless.
The uncle nodded, his eyes showing a touch of admiration.
“I knew about that.
But even knowing it, very few members of the Hyuga Branch House actually have the resolve to abandon the Gentle Fist and pursue other paths.
You’ve got guts.” The Hyuga Clan’s dirty laundry was no secret in Konoha.
The uncle had known plenty of Branch House members in the past, seeing many complain about their situation and how they couldn’t even learn their own clan’s full heritage.
Yet those with the courage to break free of those shackles and forge another path were extraordinarily rare—or rather, up until now, Inaba Hyuga was the only one he had ever seen.
After all, no matter how incomplete, the Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams techniques remained the ultimate nintaijutsu paired with the Byakugan kekkei genkai.
Besides, as long as one sucked up to the Head House well enough, Branch House members weren’t completely devoid of chances to learn the complete Gentle Fist—much like Neji learning Rotation in the original storyline without facing overwhelming outrage or opposition.
Giving up the Gentle Fist, on the other hand, was practically equivalent to cutting oneself off from the clan!
The Head House certainly didn’t like renegades who did things their own way.
The uncle clearly knew a good deal about the internal affairs of the Hyuga Clan, which made his approving look toward Inaba Hyuga all the more genuine.
“I’ve seen plenty of Hyuga Branch House members complain, but you’re the first one I’ve met with the courage to actually make a change.
You’re alright, Inaba Hyuga.
Welcome to the squad.
I’m your captain from here on—Tomoe, Jonin.
I specialize in Earth Style and Water Style.” Then, the short-haired young man with a sword strapped to his back spoke up: “Rinfu Gekko, Gekko Clan.
I specialize in close-quarters taijutsu and sword techniques.
Jonin.” Then Anko chimed in reluctantly, “I’m Anko Mitarashi—as you know.
Chunin.
I specialize in soft-body taijutsu and snake summoning, plus a little medical ninjutsu.” The introductions were brief, but rich in useful information.
It was wartime, after all; practical utility took precedence over introducing hobbies and dreams.
Inaba Hyuga finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed he had passed the initiation test.
Two Jonin plus Orochimaru’s personal disciple—this new team of his was stacked!
And the team composition was balanced, too: a ninjutsu-specialist captain, a front-line sword-wielding striker, and a minor healer who was more than capable of protecting herself.
The classic tank/caster/healer holy trinity was complete!
Adjusting his tone accordingly, Inaba Hyuga offered his own introduction: “Inaba Hyuga.
I specialize in scouting and skirmishing.
My combat style relies on sword techniques and Lightning Style, and I also know a bit of medical ninjutsu.” The team clearly didn’t lack damage output, so Inaba emphasized his scouting and mobility skills.
Although he was confident in his direct combat abilities, he understood that filling team gaps was far more important than boasting about individual strength.
This was the Art of Coasting—a discipline dedicated to laying low on the battlefield while steadily ranking up.
He couldn’t help it; he had offended too many people recently.
He needed to carefully foster his relationships with his new teammates.
Tomoe looked slightly surprised upon hearing his intro.
“You know medical ninjutsu too?” Inaba Hyuga nodded.
“Thanks to Lady Tsunade, most of our class learned a bit of medical ninjutsu back at the Ninja Academy.” Unfortunately, by the time Inaba transmigrated into this body, Tsunade had already departed the village.
This was merely from his inherited memories; he personally hadn’t seen Tsunade in this world yet.
“I see.
Lady Tsunade…” Tomoe’s tone suddenly grew distant, his eyes drifting off.
Inaba couldn’t help but feel curious.
Could his new captain have some history with Tsunade?