Feeling the whistling wind in his ears, Hyuga Goryu awoke from his unconsciousness with a sense of confusion.
"I'm still alive?"
"Yes! Because of your desperate counterattack, we all survived!"
Stopping his rapid movement, Hyuga Byakuro gently set Hyuga Goryu down on the ground.
"Thank you, Hyuga Goryu! And—I apologize for my earlier bad attitude!"
Looking at Hyuga Goryu, who had fully come to his senses, Hyuga Byaku immediately bowed in apology.
If it weren't for Hyuga Goryu's sudden outburst this time, all four of them would have been dead for sure!
"Me too! If you ever need me, Hyuga Ninkawa, in the future, I'll be there without hesitation!"
Seeing Hyuga Goryu's surprised expression, Hyuga Ninkawa beside him immediately made a solemn promise!
"Count me in on that promise!"
Noticing Hyuga Goryu about to speak but hesitating, Hyuga Byakuro, also standing nearby, chuckled lightly and added his own commitment.
"What are you all doing? Helping each other as teammates isn't just what we're supposed to do?
Besides, helping you all—wasn't that also helping myself?
The fact that you didn't abandon me and leave on your own is already enough!"
Looking at the three who were apologizing and making promises, Hyuga Goryu, sitting on the ground, couldn't help but adopt a serious expression!
"Hyuga Goryu is right! We're teammates—family even! Saying all this feels too formal!"
Stunned for a moment by Hyuga Goryu's sincere demeanor, Hyuga Byakuro reacted with a carefree chuckle.
And just like that, after a heart-pounding brush with death together, Hyuga Goryu gained his first group of companions with whom he could speak freely!
Returning smoothly to the Hidden Leaf Village, the group of four first went to the Hokage Tower to report the situation they had encountered.
Then, after receiving praise from the Third Hokage, they left the Hokage Tower and returned to the Hyuga clan's gathering place!
During this process, Hyuga Goryu, who had made the desperate counterattack, was rewarded with a ninjutsu by the Third Hokage!
The Shadow Clone Technique!
And this technique happened to be exactly what Hyuga Goryu urgently needed right now!
After all, someone had to tend to the fields in his vegetable-growing space! His shadow clones were the perfect fit!
Stepping back into the Hyuga clan's gathering place, Hyuga Goryu noticed the clan members whispering among themselves!
Especially after they saw him appear, the mocking gazes—far exceeding those of the past—made Hyuga Goryu particularly uncomfortable!
For some reason, he had a sinking feeling that something bad had happened while he was away!
With a mix of worry and unease, Hyuga Goryu quickened his pace, nearly colliding with Hyuga Tokuma and his group, who had just emerged from around a corner!
"Hm? Hyuga Goryu?! It's you, you piece of trash! Heh, what's this—did the trash turn into a cripple now?"
Glancing at Hyuga Goryu's visibly injured right arm, Hyuga Tokuma, initially annoyed, sneered coldly.
"Even if I really became trash, I could still take care of you!"
Without even glancing at the provoking Hyuga Tokuma, Hyuga Goryu stepped aside, intending to leave!
"Hyuga Goryu! You piece of trash, are you trying to slip away?"
Seeing Hyuga Goryu about to walk off, Hyuga Hidemu—whose injuries had healed—immediately saw red.
Without needing a signal from Hyuga Tokuma beside him, the hate-filled Hyuga Hidemu lunged at Hyuga Goryu's back!
"Today, I'll repay you for breaking my wrist!"
A vicious glint flashed in his eyes as Hyuga Hidemu, gripping a kunai, aimed for the shoulder of Hyuga Goryu's still-intact left arm!
His malicious intent couldn't have been more obvious!
Unfortunately, from the moment Hyuga Goryu gained his vegetable-growing space, Hidemu never stood a chance.
"I told you—you're worse than trash!"
Saying this in a calm tone, Hyuga Goryu dodged Hyuga Hidemu's sneak attack with equally calm movements!
Watching Hidemu's expression shift from ferocious to shocked, then from shock to disbelief, Hyuga Goryu's eyes flashed with a cold light!
"I think it's time I teach you another lesson!"
Seeing Hidemu's gaze turn to fear at his words, Hyuga Goryu didn't hesitate to break his wrist once again!
The crisp sound of the wrist snapping instantly stunned all the nearby Hyuga clan members.
The same calm tone, the same spot.
This eerily familiar scene left all the Hyuga clan members present in a daze.
And by the time they snapped out of it, Hyuga Goryu, having finished the deed, had already walked past the corner and left.