Chapter 31: 31 - No Proper Burial for Proper Elites
A branch house boy, not even ten years old, displayed an unbelievable level of combat power.
Relying on his own strength, he single-handedly defeated five elite jonin from the main house.
Even Kakashi, hailed as Konoha's number one genius, was nowhere near his level.
If such a genius had emerged in any other ninja clan, they would have celebrated and spared no effort in nurturing him.
But not the Hyūga clan.
Unless one was born into the main house, a genius from the branch house—no matter how talented—had to be restrained as early as possible to prevent future disorder.
Thus, when a mere branch house boy launched an assassination attempt on the main house elders…
The elders, severely weakened by their hearts being forcefully removed, were both horrified and filled with unease.
"Why rebel?"
"The reason is simple, because I am Hizashi."
Facing the terrified and bewildered main house elders, the cold expression of "Hiashi" revealed a trace of excitement—and madness.
He had waited too long for this moment.
In fact, he knew that if not for the sudden rise of Tanaka, he would have never lived to see this day. Whether he died in battle or of old age, this opportunity would have never come.
But now… Hiashi and the elders lay prostrate before him.
Most importantly, he had finally avenged his childhood pain.
It was the Second Elder—the very one he had just struck with sixty-four palms—who had once carved the Caged Bird onto him.
"What? You say you're not Hiashi, but Hizashi?"
"Impossible!"
"Our Byakugan sees everything clearly. You are undoubtedly Hiashi."
The main house elders, lying on the ground, were filled with shock and disbelief.
"Hiashi" ignored them and instead stepped past their weakened bodies, turning to look at Tanaka.
Having witnessed the power of the Op-Op Fruit more than once, he understood that while Tanaka's abilities were incredibly powerful, they also consumed a great deal of stamina.
And sure enough…
"We can't hold on any longer." One of Tanaka's shadow clones spoke before all four clones dispersed into white mist.
Immediately, a wave of exhaustion crashed over his body and mind. His body swayed slightly, and his face showed undeniable fatigue.
"Tanaka-sama." Natsu, standing beside him, reacted swiftly, stepping forward to support him.
"Are you alright?" Seeing his disciple utterly drained, Hizashi hurried forward, full of concern.
"It's nothing, just overexertion. I just need some rest." Tanaka took a few deep breaths and shook his head.
This outcome had been expected.
After all, his opponents were five elite jonin from the main house, all possessing the Byakugan and proficient in numerous secret techniques.
He knew that he had to end the battle in a single strike.
Otherwise, the situation would spiral out of control, and he would have no choice but to use his Void Walker's Gate to escape with Hizashi to the One Piece world.
Because of this, he had held nothing back. Right from the start, he went all out—activating Amputate to remove the Great Elder's heart.
At the same time, he split into four shadow clones, using his fruit's power to teleport them behind the other four elders and simultaneously activate Amputate again.
This meant he had executed four spatial swaps and five Amputate techniques, each at full power.
How could that level of exertion not be exhausting?
But the result was nothing short of spectacular.
If word got out, it would shake not only Konoha but the entire ninja world.
After all, an eight-year-old child had just instantly defeated five elite main house jonin.
This level of achievement was nearly unheard of—especially before Minato mastered the Flying Thunder God and reached Kage-level.
"That's good to hear." Hearing Tanaka say this, Hizashi finally felt relieved.
"Natsu, could you bring me something to eat? Preferably something highly nutritious." Tanaka took a deep breath and then spoke to Natsu, who was supporting him.
"Two days ago, the main house sent people to the Nara clan to purchase a batch of deer and deer antlers."
"Would that work for you, Tanaka-sama?"
As a former servant of the main house head, Natsu might not know everything about the main house's affairs, but when it came to food, she was absolutely well-informed.
"That will do."
Hearing this, Tanaka's eyes lit up.
The One Piece world had Sea King meat, and the Naruto world had its own premium ingredients.
For example, Nara clan's deer and Akimichi clan's meat.
Among them, the Nara clan's deer were especially famous.
Whether it was deer antlers used in medicine or deer meat and deer blood as food, they were all essential for ninjas who constantly fought and suffered injuries.
Because of this, the Nara clan's deer were not only in low supply but also incredibly expensive. A ninja from a commoner background—unless they were a genius like Minato or Orochimaru—couldn't afford to eat deer meat daily, let alone have deer antler soup at every meal.
Of course, for a noble clan like the Hyūga, this was a trivial matter—but only for the main house.
For the branch house, even a genius like Tanaka could only watch unless he paid for it himself.
"You... you're really not Hiashi?" Lying on the ground, heart removed, Mitsuhiko stared at Hizashi in disbelief.
If this person were truly Hiashi, he would never be so close to Tanaka. The only explanation was that the man wearing Hiashi's face was actually Hizashi.
"Does it even matter to you whether I'm Hizashi or Hiashi?"
Hizashi walked up to Mitsuhiko and casually picked up the five hearts of the main house elders.
"Hizashi, how dare you commit such a grave sin? The main house will never forgive you!"
Reiji weakly but furiously rebuked Hizashi.
"Your disciple won't be spared either."
Yuzuru stared at Tanaka with venomous hatred.
"Interesting."
Sitting on the ground, Tanaka took one of the hearts from Hizashi and squeezed it hard.
"AAAHHH!"
Yuzuru, who had just been glaring at Tanaka with hatred, instantly turned deathly pale, letting out a bloodcurdling scream.
Smack!
Tanaka showed no mercy. One by one, he reached out and gripped the five hearts firmly.
"Agh! Stop!"
"Even if you kill us, your scheme will never succeed! Rebels like you will never have a proper burial!"
"The main house will see to it that you are completely eradicated!"
The once lofty and untouchable elders of the main house were now rolling on the ground, writhing in agony.
Even after losing their hearts, they still hadn't grasped the reality of their situation. Instead, they continued cursing Tanaka and Hizashi, clinging to their superiority over the branch house.
"You've got it wrong. It's not the main house that will destroy us—It's me who won't let the main house off."
With that, Tanaka clenched his fingers and crushed one of the hearts in his hand.
"AAAAHHH!"
Reiji's face turned deathly white, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage and despair. He glared at Tanaka like a vengeful ghost, as if he wanted to curse him with his dying breath—but before he could utter a word, his body collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.