Hiruzen Sarutobi subtly inquired about the current situation of the Uchiha Clan.
Itachi Uchiha answered truthfully.
Hiruzen listened carefully, cross-referencing the information with reports previously submitted by Shisui Uchiha.
There were practically no discrepancies.
Then, he began asking about Hiroki Hyuga.
After a moment of contemplation, Itachi described Hiroki Hyuga's fighting style.
"He already surpasses the strength of a typical genin. But exactly how strong he is—I'm unsure."
"There haven't been any particularly dangerous encounters before."
"In recent months, he's been slacking off constantly. Every time, Hana Inuzuka and I defeat the enemy first, only for him to step in afterward and take control of them."
After Itachi left, Hiruzen sat there puffing on his pipe, thinking about how best to use this young Hyuga whose potential was just starting to show.
Shortly after, Hiashi Hyuga entered the Hokage's office.
He formally requested that Hiroki Hyuga be placed directly under the jurisdiction of the Hyuga Clan.
Hiruzen gave a silent nod.
Watching Hiashi leave, Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
The Uchiha Clan acts stubbornly because they've produced several strong individuals who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Now why has the Hyuga Clan suddenly become so bold? What gives them such confidence?
Could it really be due to that outstanding sum of one hundred and eighty million ryo?
According to analysis from Danzo Shimura and others, the Hyuga Clan had loaned out a total of one hundred and eighty million ryo to help others redeem their comrades.
Even though they'd spent such a massive sum, the Hyuga showed surprising ease—they neither chased debts nor experienced any decline in lifestyle.
Hiruzen recalled the history of the Hyuga Clan's rise.
As early as the Warring States period, while other ninja clans were locked in endless conflict, the Hyuga chose stability by settling permanently within the Land of Fire, supporting one another and cultivating good relations with noble families there.
Even their clan's emblem featured the same flame symbol as that of the Land of Fire.
Later, when Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha brought peace to the land and established the system of one village per nation, Konoha was built in the Land of Fire.
That's when the Hyuga officially joined Konoha, continuing until today.
"Could the Hyuga Clan have gained the support of the daimyo (feudal lord)?" Hiruzen muttered, frowning in thought.
Remembering certain things, he felt a wave of nostalgia for his old comrade Danzo.
Although that man often acted rude and domineering, he consistently voiced exactly what Hiruzen himself was thinking.
As for Danzo Shimura, he had kept a low profile for quite some time.
Danzo Shimura, as supreme commander, should have been held accountable for the war's failure.
Yet instead of punishment, Hiruzen simply chose silence.
Danzo understood perfectly—he remained quiet, planning to wait until people forgot about the war incidents before resurfacing and making moves again.
After becoming a Chunin, White Zetsu Hyuga settled into life as Hinata Hyuga's personal attendant.
As for Itachi Uchiha and Hana Inuzuka, their paths rarely crossed anymore.
Itachi followed Fugaku Uchiha's orders and officially entered Anbu operations.
Hana, on the other hand, continued missions with different teams.
When Hinata learned from Kaguya that White Zetsu Hyuga had disguised himself, she worried someone would discover him and told him not to wander around recklessly.
The only person close to the truth was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto Uzumaki.
Each time he ran into Hinata Hyuga and White Zetsu Hyuga, he felt a strange sensation. Meeting Hinata Hyuga filled him with fear and dread, while meeting White Zetsu Hyuga gave him an eerie feeling.
Naruto didn't know how to describe this sensation. In the village, few people were willing to listen to him seriously.
Steam rose from the water, blurring his vision.
Tsunade sat immersed in the warm pool, her thoughts drifting far away.
The Country of Hot Springs—this nation was rich in natural resources and dotted with hot springs, making it a perfect place for tourism and living.
Would she ever cross paths with Jiraiya here again? And if so, would he be an enemy this time?
A frown creased Tsunade's face.
Even though she had stayed here for quite some time, she still had no idea what Hiroki Hyuga and the others' ultimate goal was.
From their occasional words, she learned only bits of information about that woman.
A being sealed away for a thousand years... known only as Kaguya.
She wiped the water off her body, dressed, and finally stepped out of the hot spring inn.
Her cold demeanor returned. "Is our target really in the Hidden Hot Spring Village?"
"Correct," came a voice from a certain direction.
Inside the Hidden Hot Spring Village, wisps of blood mist seeped into the humid air.
The peculiar scent entering his nose caused the gray-haired youth with purple pupils to wear an even more enraptured expression. Cackling wildly, he swung his crimson scythe and charged into the crowd ahead.
"Dammit, Hidan! What the hell are you doing?"
Hidan licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, smirking devilishly. "I've had enough of this village's atmosphere! The Evil God granted me new power!"
"Hidan, why are you associating with the Cult of the Evil God?"
"Stop!"
Villagers brandishing weapons rushed toward him, but Hidan showed no concern or defensive intent.
His body bore more and more wounds, bleeding faster and faster—the beat of his heart quickened.
Yet ecstasy spread across Hidan's face.
"Whoa... Ah, awesome!"
By the time Tsunade arrived, blood mist had consumed the entire village.
The thick stench of blood kept her eyebrows tightly knitted together.
Walking through the village, she saw many fallen all over the place—some dead, some critically injured, barely holding onto consciousness.
From years of battlefield medicine, she knew—less than ten of them would live.
Seeing the appearance of a stranger, those still conscious looked at her with bright, hopeful eyes, trembling lips trying to say something.
Instinctively, Tsunade approached the wounded, crouched beside them, gathering chakra in her hands.
The soft green glow from her hands brought a flicker of hope to the man's weary eyes.
Suddenly, Tsunade hesitated for a moment. She lowered her gaze elsewhere and withdrew all the chakra from her hands.
"I'm sorry. I'm not here to save you."
Following the traces left on the ground, Tsunade turned and walked away.
"Glory to the Evil God!"
Drawing a kunai, he carved a slash into the forehead protector resting around his neck. Hidan strode down the road, his massive scythe slung over one shoulder.
Ahead, a blonde woman wearing a long green coat stood staring at him coldly.
The distance between them narrowed quickly.
Tsunade slowed her pace and stepped directly into his path.
"Hey, woman, don't block my way," Hidan complained loudly.
"You killed everyone from the Hidden Hot Spring Village?" Tsunade asked.
"Oh? So you're a ninja too," Hidan sneered after taking a good look at her. "If you want revenge, then come and die."
Hidan grinned widely and attacked.
His taijutsu was useless—it couldn't even touch a single strand of Tsunade's hair.
White Zetsu, who was just about to warn Tsunade about Hidan's special body, now felt relieved.
Damn it.
During their taijutsu clash, Hidan looked like nothing but a helpless fool in Tsunade's hands.
The severed rope attached to his weapon suddenly extended, sending the red blade of the scythe flying rapidly toward Tsunade.
In an instant, she dodged aside and formed the hand seals.
[Wood Release – Cage]
Countless wooden beams shot up from the ground. Growing rapidly in the same direction, they surrounded and trapped Hidan within a wooden prison.
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