This trip to the One Piece world had been incredibly rewarding for Tanaka.
Compared to snatching the Op-Op Fruit, this gain was simply unparalleled.
He had obtained the training methods for both Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
Additionally, he acquired the Rokushiki and Life Return from CP9.
If he fully absorbed all of these abilities, his combat power would increase by at least two levels compared to his current strength.
Boom!
Tanaka temporarily set aside matters concerning the World Government Crush Plan. He reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out a scroll, then unfurled it.
Immediately, a kraft paper bag appeared in his hand.
Inside the bag were none other than the training methods for Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
Although he now had the training methods in hand, he did not start practicing immediately. Instead, he formed a hand seal.
Poof! Poof!
Two plumes of white smoke rose, and two shadow clones, each possessing the same chakra levels as the original, emerged one after another.
"You will train in Haki."
"You will train in Rokushiki."
Tanaka handed the scroll containing the Haki training methods to one of his shadow clones, then assigned the task of practicing Rokushiki to the other.
As for his original body, he continued as usual.
"Natsu."
As soon as Tanaka spoke, light footsteps could be heard coming from the hallway outside the door.
Moments later...
Shhhk—
The sliding door was pulled open from the outside, and Natsu stepped inside.
"Tanaka-sama, how may I serve you?"
She first bowed respectfully before gazing at Tanaka.
"Prepare a meal, and also handle these things for me."
Tanaka unzipped his backpack and placed ten scrolls on the table.
"These scrolls contain preserved Sea King meat."
"Inform Hizashi-sensei that every member of the clan is free to eat as much as they want. There's no need to worry about supply issues."
He tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
For the Hyūga clan, he wasn't just taking without giving—on the contrary, he was investing heavily in their growth.
Whether it was to establish himself as a Hokage bearing the Hyūga name or to gain a foothold in the One Piece world, the Hyūga clan was his greatest support.
Even though the Hyūga clan had only about 300 members, this generation of clansmen were bound to him with firm loyalty and gratitude.
Especially after he instantly defeated the ANBU Commander and became the youngest jonin in Konoha's history, his status within the Hyūga clan completely overshadowed the clan leader, the elders, and all the Hyūga jonin combined.
For at least two generations, he wouldn't need to worry about raising ungrateful traitors.
So, Tanaka set himself a small goal—first, to build an army of 3,000 Hyūga warriors.
Their training would follow a standardized system: dual-Haki mastery, Rokushiki techniques, and secret Hyūga taijutsu.
In short: If he grew stronger, the Hyūga clan grew stronger. If the Hyūga clan grew stronger, he became even more powerful.
A positive cycle of mutual reinforcement between man and clan.
"Yes!"
For the past half month, she had been eating Sea King meat at every meal. She fully understood how greatly this food enhanced a ninja's training.
After all, the Hyūga clan specialized in the Byakugan and used the Gentle Fist.
Since the Hyūga clan was a bloodline limit focused on taijutsu, the benefits of Sea King meat far exceeded those for ninjutsu or genjutsu users.
Having experienced life under the main house, Natsu knew that if the Sea King meat had fallen into the hands of the main house, they would have hoarded it all for themselves, not leaving even a single drop of broth for the branch house.
But now, Tanaka had somehow obtained Sea Kings, and instead of keeping them for himself, he was providing them to the entire clan.
A genius who saved the entire branch house.
A prodigy of unparalleled talent, surpassing all of Konoha's history.
A visionary who brought fortune to the clan and rebuilt the Hyūga name.
How could she not be filled with boundless gratitude to him?
"Remember, the information about Sea King meat must not be leaked for now."
Tanaka tapped his knuckles against the table, yet each tap felt as if it landed directly on Natsu's heart.
The existence of Sea King meat could be revealed—but not yet.
If it were exposed now, the greedy Konoha Council, along with the major ninja clans, would join forces to pressure them and divide up the Sea King meat.
Only when every member of the Hyūga clan was equipped with Rokushiki, Haki, and secret taijutsu techniques, would it be the right time to reveal it.
Of course, if he reached adulthood and awakened the Op-Op Fruit, then with a single ROOM covering all of Konoha, he could simply slash down the entire village. At that point, revealing it wouldn't matter anymore.
"Tanaka-sama, please rest assured."
"The Hizashi-sama and the elders have already issued a strict gag order. Clan members will monitor each other, and no one will be left alone. Any violators will have their Byakugan revoked and their entire family executed."
"At all times and in all places, at least 20 clan members are assigned to watch over the Sea King meat, ensuring that every single piece is consumed only within the Hyūga clan."
Natsu's gaze sharpened, her expression stern, as if she were swearing an oath of military service.
"Go." Hearing this, Tanaka nodded slightly, signaling her to withdraw and prepare the meal.
"Tanaka-sama, please wait a moment."
Natsu collected the scrolls in front of her, closed the sliding door, and as soon as she stepped outside, she used the Body Flicker Technique to rush toward the kitchen, afraid of making Tanaka wait too long.
In the past, the kitchen that supplied food to the entire Hyūga clan was already considered a heavily guarded area. Now, with the addition of Sea King meat, its security had been tightened even further.
There were layers of surveillance, both overt and covert.
As Tanaka's most trusted aide and the person responsible for overseeing the Sea King meat, Natsu was one of the few who could freely enter without reporting to the clan leader or elders.
Anyone else had to undergo rigorous inspections before setting foot inside.
About half an hour later, she returned, sliding the door open once more. She carried in dish after dish, all prepared with Sea King meat, along with a variety of vegetables, placing them before Tanaka.
Due to the sheer number of dishes, she even used shadow clones to help transport them.
"Natsu, has anything changed in the village?"
Tanaka picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of salt-baked Sea King meat into his mouth. As he chewed, he asked his question.
Although he had only been away from the shinobi world for just over half a month, this was still a time of war. Both Konoha and the wider shinobi world were in constant flux.
The current peace was merely an illusion—Konoha was desperately suppressing the news of Sakumo's suicide while preparing for war.
If word got out, and spies from other villages picked up on it, the flames of war would reignite.
So, when it came to the situation in Konoha and the ninja world, he paid close attention to every whisper and rumor.
"There is."
Kneeling at his side, awaiting orders, Natsu lifted her eyes and spoke words that carried an air of shock.
---
---
30 Advance chapters!
p@treon.com/Malphegor