Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 265 Joint Chunin Exam 7

At that moment, Hyuga Kanan was intently observing the graduating genin, his gaze focused and sharp. Just then, Hatake Kakashi led his team onto the stands, and their attention was immediately drawn to Hyuga Kanan.

As an experienced and powerful Jonin, Kakashi Hatake possessed exceptional observational skills regarding his surroundings and the people around him. He was particularly intrigued when he saw Neji Hyuga standing respectfully beside a member of the Hyuga clan, displaying unprecedented deference. Furthermore, the highly respected Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had also treated that Hyuga clan member with great courtesy, further perplexing Kakashi. What could possibly make this Hyuga clan member so special?

Kakashi Hatake, a ninja with exceptional intelligence, quickly made a decision to test the waters. He led his team to Hyuga Kanan's side. He politely greeted Hyuga Neji first, then quickly shifted his attention to Kanan. He tentatively inquired, "May I ask who this gentleman is? I don't recall ever seeing you in Konoha before." However, before Kakashi could continue, the blond-haired kid behind him blurted out, "Uncle, your eyes are exactly like Hinata's! Are you related to Hinata? Are you here to cheer her on too?"

Kakashi Hatake's lips twitched involuntarily, and he muttered to himself, "I knew that bringing along Naruto Uzumaki, that unpredictable brat, would inevitably lead to some unexpected events."

He couldn't help but wonder if Naruto hadn't noticed the current situation. For a skilled ninja, observing their surroundings and analyzing information is one of the most important skills. However, for someone as carefree and impulsive as Naruto, this seemed a bit too much to ask.

Hyuga Kanan watched the blond-haired brat with great interest, thinking to himself, "Naruto Uzumaki? The surname Uzumaki is quite something..." He recalled the once-renowned Uzumaki clan, famous for their immense strength and unique abilities. The most distinctive feature of the Uzumaki clan was their vibrant red hair.

"But since this brat has acquired the surname Uzumaki, he must have some connection with the Uzumaki clan," Hinata Kanan mused to himself, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

When Kakashi Hatake saw the hint of curiosity in Kanan Hyuga's eyes, he felt a slight unease. He couldn't help but think of Naruto Uzumaki's special identity—the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha! Arousing the interest of such an unknown member of the Hyuga clan was definitely not a good thing. The existence of Jinchuriki was a closely guarded secret for every ninja village. They needed to protect these precious powers, ensuring they wouldn't be discovered or exploited by outsiders prematurely. And Naruto Uzumaki, as a Jinchuriki who hadn't yet fully matured, needed to be treated with even more care. If his identity were revealed, it could trigger countless troubles and crises. Therefore, Kakashi Hatake decided he had to take measures to protect Naruto Uzumaki and prevent him from falling into danger.

"Hey! Naruto!" Kakashi Hatake saw Naruto striding forward and quickly grabbed his collar, pulling him back behind him and scolding, "Shut up!"

At the same time, Kakashi Hatake turned to Kanan Hyuga, trying to divert his attention: "You are a member of the Hyuga clan, right? This is the first time I've met you in Konoha. I wonder what your relationship is with Neji Hyuga?"

However, Hyuga Kanan ignored Hatake Kakashi and continued to stare at Uzumaki Naruto. At this moment, Hyuga Neji whispered to him, "Teacher, they are Team 7 of Konoha Village, consisting of Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke. The captain is Hatake Kakashi."

When Hyuga Kanan heard these names, he immediately found them very interesting: "Oh? The Uzumaki clan, the Uchiha clan, and the Hatake clan, what an interesting combination."

Then, Hyuga Kanan looked at Hatake Kakashi and noticed that the other man's appearance was very similar to Hatake Sakumo's. He stopped paying attention to Naruto and asked Hatake Kakashi, "What is your relationship with Hatake Sakumo?"

"It is indeed my father. Do you know my father?" Kakashi Hatake was slightly taken aback. He never expected that the other party would suddenly mention his father, and judging from the tone, they seemed to know each other very well.

“I suppose we know each other!” Hyuga Kanan replied. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a powerful aura suddenly erupted from his body, surging towards Hatake Kakashi like a raging wave. This aura seemed to carry endless pressure, making it suffocating.

Kakashi Hatake's expression changed instantly, his body stiffening on the spot, unable to move even a finger. Behind him, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno were even more vulnerable; their bodies were affected by the force of the attack, collapsing to the ground, trembling uncontrollably, as if a mountain had crushed them.

However, this momentum came and went quickly. In the blink of an eye, Hyuga Kanan withdrew his aura, a hint of disappointment on his face. He looked at Hatake Kakashi calmly and said in a flat tone, "You've somewhat disgraced Hatake Sakumo. As Hatake Sakumo's son, to have only reached this level is truly disappointing."

Cold sweat beaded on Kakashi Hatake's forehead. The aura he had just witnessed made this elite Jonin feel as if he were enveloped by endless seawater, rendering him completely immobile. If the opponent had truly been an enemy, he would have been killed instantly, without any ability to resist.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, who were behind him, finally got up from the ground, ignoring their disheveled appearance. Naruto looked up at Kanan Hyuga without any embarrassment and asked directly, "Uncle, what was that just now? It looked amazing! Can you teach me? If I learn it, I'll definitely be able to defeat that arrogant Sasuke." Sasuke completely ignored Naruto's words, his eyes fixed on Kanan Hyuga with a gleaming light. The aura he had just displayed far surpassed that of the mysterious man they had encountered in the Forest of Death. Moreover, even Kakashi, an elite Jonin, was completely powerless against him. If he could learn from him, he could grow rapidly and kill that damned clan traitor.

Looking at the two before him, Hyuga Kanan couldn't help but admire their energy. He smiled and replied to Uzumaki Naruto, "Want to learn my techniques? That won't be easy. But if you have the determination and perseverance, perhaps it will be possible in the future."

Upon hearing this, Naruto Uzumaki jumped up excitedly and exclaimed, "Great! I will definitely study hard!" Sasuke Uchiha looked at Kanan Hyuga with a determined expression, seemingly vowing to become stronger.

Hyuga Kanan stroked his chin, thinking to himself: These two kids are quite interesting. If I train them properly, they might actually become my helpers in the future. So, he decided that if he had the chance in the future, he would try to guide them.

Hyuga Neji watched everything unfold with a calm expression. In truth, he had anticipated this outcome. After all, the name Hatake Sakumo represented a legendary figure in Konoha, whose influence was known to all. As Kakashi's father, Hatake Sakumo's reputation was even more legendary. Therefore, when the teacher heard that Hatake Sakumo was a bloodline successor, a strong sense of curiosity would undoubtedly arise within him.

In fact, the teacher had mentioned the outstanding talents of Konoha Village to Hyuga Neji on several occasions, and Hatake Sakumo was one of them. According to the teacher, Hatake Sakumo was practically invincible in that era. His duel with the teacher, in particular, was the only battle in which the teacher used his full strength. Although the teacher ultimately defeated Hatake Sakumo, the intensity of the battle was enough to prove Hatake Sakumo's immense power.

Hyuga Neji knew that his teacher's curiosity about Sakumo Hatake's son was not without reason. After all, in that era, Sakumo Hatake, with his exceptional talent and formidable strength, had become a symbolic figure of Konoha. Now, Kakashi Hatake had inherited his father's mantle, naturally attracting his teacher's attention. Therefore, Hyuga Neji understood that his teacher's probing of Kakashi was actually an attempt to determine whether he truly possessed Sakumo Hatake's bloodline.

Kakashi Hatake was utterly embarrassed. Neji Hyuga had said something similar during their previous encounter. He never expected to hear it again today. Perhaps he had never truly understood his father, nor did he know what his father represented in Konoha. Perhaps, in the eyes of true powerhouses, he, the son who inherited Sakumo Hatake's bloodline, had completely tarnished his father's reputation.

After testing Kakashi Hatake's strength, Hyuga Kanan stopped paying attention to him. He was far too weak, not even inheriting one percent of Sakumo Hatake's power, and lacking any of Sakumo's indomitable swordsman aura. He was just an ordinary Konoha ninja, giving Hyuga no reason to have any expectations.

Back then, Hatake Sakumo was one of the most promising people in the ninja world. If he had continued to grow, he would have had the opportunity to break free from the shackles of ninja chakra and embark on the path of a true swordsman.