"Why the sudden mission?" Ayano asked, watching as Hiashi changed into his ninja combat uniform.
"Some supplies need to be transported to the front lines. It's a matter of great importance, and the Hokage has assigned us Hyuga for the task," Hiashi replied coolly.
The servants had already packed his things, and Hizashi was waiting for him outside.
"How long will you be gone?"
"If all goes well, I'll be back in two or three days."
Ayano stood nearby with a worried expression, but given Hiashi's aloof attitude, she didn't feel comfortable saying anything more.
When Hiashi reached the living room, he saw Hizashi and Kaito in the courtyard.
Currently, the Hyuga clan was suffering from dwindling numbers, with very few adult or elite ninja remaining.
Among the younger generation, only Kaito showed exceptional promise.
Hiashi paused for a moment, then suddenly asked Ayano beside him, "Is Shinji home?"
Ayano was startled by the question before responding, "Right now... he should be."
"Call him over."
"Eh?"
"Go get Shinji."
"Oh! Yes, right away!"
Ayano hurriedly left, making her way to Shinji's residence.
Shinji was at home reading when he heard a knock at the door.
He thought it might be Ayari.
"Sister Ayano?"
"Shinji, Hiashi wants to see you," Ayano said, getting straight to the point.
Shinji was also surprised: "Right now?"
Ayano replied, "Hiashi is waiting for you."
Shinji pondered for a moment, then said to Ayano, "Sister Ayano, please wait a few minutes."
"Wait—" Before Ayano could say anything more, Shinji turned and closed the door.
This made Ayano furrow her brow slightly.
She wanted to knock again but raised her hand only to lower it.
Frowning in thought, she activated her Byakugan to see what Shinji was doing in the room, but the first thing she saw was Shinji in the process of changing clothes.
She hurriedly deactivated her Byakugan, startled.
The few minutes Shinji mentioned were indeed just that.
When he reopened the door, Ayano found him dressed in Konoha's standard green ninja combat uniform, a headband tied across his forehead, with leg wraps, ninja tool pouches, and all the necessary equipment.
Ayano was stunned, realizing she had only told him that Hiashi wanted to see him. Why had he prepared himself in this manner?
She carefully considered Hiashi's intentions. Calling Shinji over at this time must mean he wanted to bring him along on the mission.
How had he guessed that?
"Let's go, Sister Ayano."
"..."
When they arrived where everyone was gathered, both Hizashi and Kaito were quite surprised to see Shinji in full gear.
Especially Hizashi, who never imagined Shinji would be participating in this mission.
'Was this Hiashi's decision...?'
Previously, when Konoha was in mortal danger, Shinji hadn't been sent to the battlefield. Why was Hiashi bringing him now? What did this mean?
Hizashi pondered this for a long while without reaching an understanding. Now, standing beside Hiashi, he silently observed Shinji.
"Lord Hiashi," Shinji bowed respectfully.
"I see you're already prepared," Hiashi said, assuming Ayano had informed him about the mission.
Shinji replied, "I've always wanted to do something for the clan and the village. I'm grateful that Lord Hiashi is giving me this opportunity. I only hope I won't slow everyone down during this mission."
Hiashi nodded. "It's good that you understand the gravity of this."
He then looked toward Hizashi and Kaito.
"Let's move out."
…
Orochimaru returned home from the Damiyo's residence to find Danzo sitting in his living room.
"Lord Danzo, breaking into people's homes isn't a good habit, you know."
"Orochimaru… to be specifically summoned by the Damiyo. You're quite highly regarded."
Hearing Danzo's neutral tone, Orochimaru smiled faintly as he sat down in the seat beside him.
"I did save his life once," he said. "Lord Danzo, have you forgotten? You were the one who arranged everything back then."
Danzo smirked. "I thought you had forgotten. I was under the impression that you, Orochimaru, believed you had reached this position entirely through your own efforts."
Orochimaru let out a soft laugh, though the sound was hoarse and deep, giving it an eerie quality.
"Lord Danzo seems rather displeased with me," he said.
Danzo scoffed. "How dare I be displeased with the future Hokage?"
Orochimaru sighed. "It seems Lord Danzo has misunderstood me. Everything I have was given to me by Lord Danzo. I've never had any intention of betraying you after getting what I wanted."
Danzo remained unmoved by these words.
Orochimaru continued, "What Lord Danzo doesn't know is that Sarutobi Sensei seems to have uncovered some clues already."
Danzo's eyes shifted slightly upon hearing this. "What clues?"
"Naturally, about those things we've done in the past."
Danzo frowned. "How do you know this?"
"During my recent conversations with Sarutobi Sensei, he has repeatedly tried to test me. He's already suspicious."
Hearing this, Danzo's brows furrowed deeply as he carefully considered his recent conversations with Sarutobi.
Suddenly, he recalled Sarutobi's comment when he had recommended Orochimaru to be the commander against Kirigakure, that statement about not allowing traitors to live, could that have been directed at him?
Thinking about it that way, it seemed entirely possible.
Orochimaru sighed. "Lord Danzo, we're currently at a critical point. The wisest choice would be to retreat from the rushing current to save ourselves."
"What we should do first is handle the situation with the traitor, eliminating all traces and evidence, then offer up a scapegoat. If I go to the front lines now, I won't be able to control events in the village. With communication between us becoming difficult, if one person falls, both of us are doomed.
"It's just repelling Kirigakure, letting Minato have achievement wouldn't matter much in the long run. What do you think, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo's gaze flickered as he considered the credibility of Orochimaru's words.
Orochimaru smiled faintly again. "Lord Danzo, neither of us can operate without the other now. I absolutely cannot abandon you, especially since all my 'evidence' is in your hands, isn't it?"
Only then did Danzo speak calmly. "It's best that you understand that."
Seeing this, Orochimaru's smile widened, and his snake-like gaze became even more inscrutable.
He chuckled. "Lord Danzo knows my character. I'm only interested in researching forbidden techniques. I know nothing about politics, even if I were to become Hokage. I would still have to rely on Lord Danzo's help to govern the village!"
Danzo didn't indicate whether he believed these words, only saying, "The traitor matter needs to be resolved quickly. I will put forward the scapegoat during this period."
Orochimaru agreed outwardly, but inwardly he was laughing coldly.
During such a sensitive time, how credible would a traitor who willingly exposed themselves be?
Not only would it fail to eliminate suspicion, but it might even become the fuse that the Hokage could use to light everything up!
'Danzo, oh Danzo. No wonder you've been overshadowed by Sarutobi Sensei your entire life. You think yourself clever while treating others as fools? This is as far as your vision extends.'