"Who are you all?"
Hideki scanned Genya, the other two, and Kurenai, but his gaze finally settled on Genya.
After all, Genya's behavior clearly showed he was the leader.
Although he had already guessed their identities, Hideki still asked. After all, in his opinion, Sarutobi Hiruzen should already know who he was.
Did they really expect him to just leave for the Land of Lightning?
"I am Uchiha Genya. I was assigned this mission to escort the elder back to the Land of Lightning!" Genya handed Hideki the mission order to check for himself.
Hideki looked at it and sure enough, it was the mission he had issued.
And the reward of 3,000 ryō was clearly marked on it — it was definitely his mission.
It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't want to make a big deal out of this. But Hideki was still a bit suspicious that Hiruzen would actually let him leave.
After all, he was carrying something Konoha had been researching all along — the cells of the First Hokage, along with experimental data.
Would Sarutobi Hiruzen really let him go?
Wait, Uchiha Genya... The heir of the Uchiha clan. And that Byakugan girl — could she be Hyuga Hinata? Having the Byakugan without the Caged Bird Seal was interesting.
Was Sarutobi Hiruzen trying to kill two birds with one stone? If a Byakugan reached the Land of Lightning, some might not be able to resist making a move on Hinata. The temptation of those eyes was very strong.
Years ago, the Land of Lightning's plan had failed once — could this time finally succeed?
It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to act against the young Uchiha heir, but afraid of offending the Uchiha clan, he also sent the Hyuga clan's main family girl as a sort of peace offering.
If that was the case, Hideki didn't mind being Sarutobi Hiruzen's tool.
"Have you confirmed everything? If so, let's depart!" Uchiha Genya looked at Hideki with a faint smile in his eyes.
From the old man's expression, Genya already guessed his thoughts.
Heh, he hoped the old man wouldn't do anything too reckless. Otherwise, it would be him who would regret it.
"Hm, let's go!"
On his aged face, Hideki also showed a faint smile as he followed Genya towards the Land of Lightning.
But while on the road, he casually asked, "You're the heir of the Uchiha clan, right? Why would you take on such a thankless task without any reward?"
He asked this to test why it was Uchiha Genya escorting them.
"It was assigned to me. Otherwise, do you think I'd willingly escort you?" Genya glanced at Hideki and then added, "Although some have ulterior motives, trying to kill by using others' hands, I hope you won't be that weapon."
"We've only accepted a simple mission. After escorting you safely to the Land of Lightning, once the task is done, just sign to confirm completion."
"Everyone stays out of each other's way."
The latter words were obviously a warning and a statement of his own resolve.
Thud.
Hideki felt a dark unease growing inside him at Genya's words.
He even looked back, as if checking whether any members of the Uchiha clan were following.
Genya dared to expose him—or rather, he exposed Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions!
Now Hideki suspected someone was following to protect this little Uchiha brat.
But after scanning behind, he saw no one, which made him even more terrified.
It meant the person protecting Genya was far stronger than him—much stronger.
It seemed they had to be careful with this matter, and even after reaching the Land of Lightning, they should avoid provoking Uchiha Genya unless absolutely necessary.
Besides, Genya's eye was useless anyway, so this was just a favor to the Uchiha.
With that, the group continued heading toward the Land of Lightning.
For some unknown reason, even after Genya had revealed Hideki's true identity, Hideki still walked leisurely, like an ordinary old man.
Genya was helpless but could only follow behind slowly.
Konoha.
Hokage Office.
"Father, they have set off!" Sarutobi Asuma's eyes darkened as he watched Uchiha Genya and the others gradually disappear in the crystal ball.
"I know!" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then looked at Asuma and said, "Stop worrying about dealing with Uchiha Genya. Take your disciples and go on your mission."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and resolute.
No one could be sure if any of the Uchiha clan's Police Force captains were secretly following Uchiha Genya.
If captains were indeed following him, then Asuma going after them wouldn't benefit him at all.
It was better to let the Uchiha clan and the Land of Lightning's Hideki fight it out.
No matter who won or lost, it would work to their advantage.
Reluctantly, Sarutobi Asuma left the Hokage office.
Hospital.
"Grandfather… where is Neji? Has he still not been found?"
At the Uchiha hospital, Hyuga Sosuke looked at the Eighth Elder who had just returned.
His eyes were full of hatred.
As time passed, Hyuga Sosuke's hatred towards Neji only grew stronger.
Being beaten by a branch family member was a disgrace beyond words!
"Still no sign of him," Eighth Elder shook their heads, but their expressions were unusually serious.
It was no longer just about not finding Hyuga Neji.
His son had gone searching for Neji but had not returned.
There was no news at all!
This was what truly terrified everyone.
Someone had attacked the Hyuga main family.
And it was very likely related to Neji's disappearance.
Who was it?
Who dared attack the Hyuga main family?
"Grandfather… I hate this, I hate it."
Hyuga Sosuke's eyes showed his unwillingness to accept the truth.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"Grandfather, Neji's mother hasn't left yet, right? I want to ask her directly where Neji has gone."
"This…" Eighth Elder hesitated.
If his grandson actually killed Neji's mother, it could cause irreparable consequences.
"Grandpa… if you don't let me go ask, then I'll kill myself!" Hyuga Sousuke stared into his grandfather's hesitant eyes and became serious.
In the end, the Eight Elder still looked at the person beside him and said, "Prepare a wheelchair!"
The matter had to be settled. No matter what, they couldn't let Hyuga Neji keep hiding like this.
It was time to teach Hyuga Neji a lesson—no, to collect some interest.
Outside Konoha, inside the laboratory—
"Why is my right eye twitching nonstop?" Hyuga Neji squinted, feeling his eyelid twitching constantly, with a faint sense of foreboding.
"It might be a side effect from merging with the Shikotsumyaku. It's nothing to worry about!" Kimimaro sat beside him, his Byakugan eyes fixed on Neji as he spoke slowly.
Kimimaro's eyes had regained normal vision and he could even use some of the Byakugan's power, but he was still a bit short of the Byakugan's full ability to perceive chakra within the human body.
"I have a direction… I finally have a direction."
At that moment, an old but excited voice echoed.
****
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