It's official. I absolutely HATE being right. Having the Jikankage for a teacher…fan-flippin'-tastic. She's no doubt doing this under orders. Her Shima's Time Jutsu are too powerful to be regulated without the Jikankage…I'm probably who she has to watch rather than the Tsukikage's daughter like everyone else thinks. But I have to make sure. After we get on to the Main Land, I can find somewhere to hide so I can use more of my Shima's inherent jutsu.
"Hotaru, we're docking in a moment. Do you have everything?" Setsuna asked sweetly. Hotaru didn't answer. The memories of the Council meeting were still fresh and her shoulder was burning.
Hotaru felt like diving into the sea and swimming the rest of the way to the Main Land. The barge pulled up to a dock that was beneath a sign she recognized as the symbol of Konoha-the Village Hidden in the Leaves. So this is where the exam was going to be held. It was one of the largest Main Land Villages.
The Sanin come from this Village. I highly doubt any of them are stupid enough to stick around here after what they've done. Hotaru shouldered her bag as she walked towards the exit of the boat. If they did stick around, they'll be toast within the 5 minutes it will take me to find them. No one transgresses on the people of the Shizuka Shima and gets away with it.
The unloading of the 9 or 10 Shima Renzoku genin teams and their teachers wasn't that difficult, since each genin was only allowed 3 bags maximum and the teachers were limited to four. Hotaru had only two with her and she had cleverly packed them to carry the equivalent of 4. Being one of the first genin on to the wooden dock, Hotaru took note of the multiple villages' genin teams with their teachers in sectioned lines. The Hokage, leader of Konoha, came forward once all the Shima Renzoku shinobi were unloaded.
"Welcome to the 'Main Land', honored guests." The Hokage greeted with a smile. "It has been too long since we have had contact with our Island Brothers and Sisters."
"Thank you for the invitation. I am the Jikankage Setsuna Meioh. The Tsukikage Usagi Tsukino has sent me in her place." Hotaru's teacher replied as she stepped forward. "We have brought our best and brightest teams. No one in our island chain can beat them."
The Hokage nodded, understanding. Hotaru's eyes scanned the crowd of genin. Chakra flares were everywhere but Hotaru recognized the chakra flares of the hosting village's premiere families, the Hyuga and the Uchiha clans. Hotaru could see the only survivor of the Uchiha Massacre and the Hyuga head family's heir and the branch family's prodigy. There were also very powerful flares from the Sand Village and Sound Village. These were only a portion of which she'd be facing.
The Hyuga clan's head family was off to the side of the collection of genin. A flare made Hotaru's eyes travel to the Head. He looked like he recognized Hotaru. He let a faint smile curve his lips and his eyes soften a little. This man was strong and powerful but he had a soft spot-apparently-for the orphaned girl. Hotaru realized that she knew him from somewhere. She knew those eyes from somewhere.
"Hyuga Clan Kekkei Genkai, the Byakugan…" Hotaru murmured to herself in awe. "The jutsu that can see the Chakra Network…Mother told me about those eyes…but what did she say? What did she say?"
"This is the Byakugan, the only jutsu to see the Chakra Network." Her mother said as she showed Hotaru a picture of a few kids together with eyes of different types. She tapped the kid with the white looking eyes. "The Hyuga clan are born like this, my angel. No matter what you can trust the Hyuga family. You will always be welcome with the Hyuga clan…"
Hotaru gave the Hyuga Head a slow blink to show she noticed-and knew who he was. She couldn't outwardly bow but this was good for now. She'd go over and introduce herself later.
"…if the genin and their teachers would follow me, I will take you to your residence while you're here." The Hokage's words started to filter into Hotaru's mind again. She looked at the aging man. His chakra was powerful but old, like him. If Hotaru fought him, he'd die too soon for her to have a good time. "Come with me, honored guests."
Purposely falling behind, Hotaru escaped the pushing she would've gotten from the other islanders. She passed the Hyuga Head family but the Hyuga Head wasn't going to let her slip away so easily.
"Shima genin, come to me." He called to the girl. Hotaru stopped and pointed at herself curiously. "Yes, child-you. Come to my side right now."
Not looking at her teacher or teammates, the still aqua-clad girl walked over to the Head of the Hyuga clan and bowed in respect. He gave her a smile and put his hand on her shoulder. Hotaru returned the smile, happy that at least someone was happy to see her for once in her life.