Kumogakure, Raikage's Office.
"Hideki, you're finally back!"
The Raikage stood up excitedly the moment he saw the figure entering. His muscular frame moved like a whirlwind as he appeared right in front of Hideki. "I was worried to death!"
Without hesitation, he pulled Hideki into a big hug.
"What, did you think I wouldn't make it back?" Hideki looked at the Fourth Raikage and pushed him away gently.
"Of course, I trust your strength. But that old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen, I never expected he wouldn't send assassins after you on the way back!" The Fourth Raikage Ai looked Hideki in the eyes seriously before continuing, "Did you bring back the Hashirama's cells?"
His tone grew heavy, and his gaze became incredibly serious.
The Hashirama's cells were exactly what they wanted most right now. The laboratory in Kumogakure also needed these cells — they could make ninjas stronger.
According to Kumogakure's analysis, the Hashirama's cells could even regenerate lost limbs.
This would allow many ninjas to regain their fighting strength. That was why the Raikage had stolen the Hashirama's cells!
"Of course!" Hideki smiled lightly as he took a small scroll from his chest.
He unrolled the scroll.
Starting to form hand signs, he finally pressed his fingers against the small scroll.
In an instant,
Smoke filled the room.
When the smoke cleared, a small transparent vial appeared before them. Something inside it seemed to be writhing.
"This is the Hashirama's cells," Hideki showed it to everyone.
"Hashirama's cells?" As the vial was revealed, someone stood up, eyes filled with eager anticipation.
If Hyuga Hiashi were here, he would definitely recognize him — this was the Dodai who, years ago, negotiated with Konoha demanding Hiashi's life!
But now, this Dodai was the one of the leaders of Kumogakure, a figure comparable to Danzo of Konoha.
Compared to Danzo, Dodai was even more trusted by the Raikage.
"Dodai, now that we have the Hashirama's cells, research can finally begin!" The Fourth Raikage Ai looked seriously at Dodai. "I want to see results as soon as possible!"
"Konoha has been studying these Hashirama's cells for so long but couldn't develop anything yet. We can only try our best!" Dodai held the Hashirama's cells, unable to hide his fondness.
"Then start immediately. Aim to fully understand these cells — ideally, we could even achieve limb regeneration!" Without even inspecting the cells, the Fourth Raikage handed them over to Dodai for research.
After all, although he was the Raikage, he didn't understand these studies and preferred to stay out of it.
But he knew if they could really use the Hashirama's cells to regenerate lost limbs, everything would be worth it.
Dodai examined the cells closely, his eyes burning with eagerness. "If this experiment succeeds, Hideki, you will be the greatest contributor to Kumogakure."
"By the way, the ones escorting me this time were Hinata Hyuga of the Hyuga Main Family and the heir of the Uchiha clan!" After assigning the task, Lord Hideki looked at Dodai and spoke again.
Huh?
Someone from the Hyuga Main Family?
Dodai's eyes flashed sharply. He looked at Hideki and asked, "Who? Someone from the Hyuga Main Family?"
Those from the Hyuga Main Family in Konoha rarely took missions lightly. Moreover, years ago, when they raided the Hyuga clan's main family and kidnapped the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan head, they completely offended the Hyuga.
By all logic, no one from the Hyuga Main Family should come to the Land of Lightning!
But this time, they actually came?
Is it a trap? Or something else?
"The young lady of the Hyuga clan — Hinata Hyuga!" Lord Hideki narrowed his eyes, observing Dodai's reaction carefully. "She personally escorted me back to Kumogakure."
"Hyuga Hinata… Is that the little girl?" Dodai's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but speak up. "Last time he went to Konoha, it was for the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. Unfortunately, he didn't get it then, but I didn't expect her to come to Kumogakure!"
"Maybe Sarutobi Hiruzen is trying to make peace with us!" Hideki then recounted the recent tensions between the Uchiha and the Sarutobi clan in detail.
He explained all the stakes clearly.
"It seems Sarutobi Hiruzen wants to use our hands to kill the heir of the Uchiha clan!" Dodai narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something.
Not to mention, he had clashed with Sarutobi Hiruzen before, so he already had a sense of Hiruzen's intentions.
"Should we capture him then?" The Fourth Raikage looked at Dodai, ready to order his men to seize Genya and the others.
"No need… for now," Dodai decisively shook his head. "We cannot make a move inside Kumogakure. And unless absolutely necessary, no one is allowed to harm Uchiha Genya!"
"From the information we have, Uchiha Genya doesn't seem very capable, even weak. He doesn't even possess the Sharingan. But somehow, I feel that Genya is very important—he could influence the rise or fall of the Land of Lightning!"
Dodai didn't know why, but he was very cautious about Uchiha Genya.
He even believed that if Genya was harmed, the Land of Lightning could face serious trouble.
"Dodai-dono, aren't you being too cautious?" The white-haired Darui scoffed a little. To him, the Land of Lightning's strength had already surpassed all of Konoha.
Even if the Uchiha clan found out that it was them who moved against Genya, they wouldn't react too strongly.
Besides, the Hyuga clan's previous lesson was still fresh. Back then, Dodai-dono forced Hyuga Hizashi to apologize and even committed suicide. Yet here in the Land of Lightning, they were acting so carefully!
The worst outcome of this situation would be war—but what did the Land of Lightning fear about war?
Also, since Sarutobi Hiruzen hinted that they could act, it meant he certainly wouldn't start a war with the Land of Lightning.
"No, it's different!" Hideki shook his head and agreed with Dodai's view. "I spent some time in Konoha and know it well.
Let me put it this way—the Uchiha clan now is extremely united under the leadership of Uchiha Kinya.
They are so strong they could resist all of Konoha together as one clan.
In my opinion, it's best not to offend the Uchiha clan if possible. They're all lunatics!"
"I received news before leaving that Uchiha Genya had crippled the arm of Sarutobi Hiruzen's only grandson!"
Hiss...
At these words, everyone couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
"Is it because of this that Sarutobi Hiruzen turned murderous toward Uchiha Genya?" Dodai frowned and asked again.
"Yes, this might have been the final straw that made Hiruzen make up his mind," Hideki said seriously, assessing the situation.
"Hmph. If there was such a reckless person in the Land of Lightning, I would have crippled him long ago!" The Fourth Raikage Ai snorted coldly and spoke up.
In the Land of Lightning, if anyone dared to treat his son or grandson that way, that person wouldn't live past the next day!
"The situation is different. Besides, the younger generation of the Sarutobi clan has been acting too arrogantly," Hideki continued to explain.
Having stayed in Konoha for so long, he still admired the Uchiha clan's deeds. After all, they provided the civilians of Konoha with a decent living environment. Compared to the Sarutobi clan, the Uchiha were practically saints.
"So, what should we do?" The Fourth Raikage Ai looked at Dodai, his trusted advisor.
"Don't act just yet. I'll go meet these people!" Dodai rubbed his chin and smiled. "It's also a good chance to see the young lady of the Hyuga clan again!"
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