Over the forests west of Konoha, a black-and-crimson space–time vortex opened.
Kageyama Kokugetsu and Kakuzu stepped out onto the treetops.
"Well done, Kakuzu," Kokugetsu said with a smile.
"It wasn't all my doing," Kakuzu replied coolly.
"Fair enough. Head out first. I'll contact you if something comes up."
"Mm. I'm off."
Kakuzu dipped his head and vaulted away, vanishing in a few bounds.
"Not bad. I finally have a genuine subordinate," Kokugetsu said, pleased.
Kakuzu was different from his ANBU men; those only followed him on missions. Off-mission—or when things grew big—they didn't necessarily heed him. Only Kakuzu would go where he pointed. It would cost money later, but he had money to spend.
Hiring a Kage-class bruiser with cash was a bargain—well worth it.
"The ones who stirred this up are dealt with. Time to train—and relax. The rest can wait until I'm back from the assignment."
He stretched, rose into the air, and flew upward.
…
That afternoon, Hyūga Hizashi arrived at the clan head's residence, grave-faced, with what he'd found.
"Brother, this is everything so far," he said, handing over a scroll in the tearoom.
"Sit and have tea."
Hiashi took the scroll and read, his frown deepening.
"Hyūga Aokawa has gone missing. That's… off."
"Brother, Aokawa was the main handler. The others only assisted," Hizashi said. "From what the others reported, and from what our Fire Country network pulled from the exchange: the bounty ninja who killed the chief elder is the same one who accepted a contract against Kageyama Kokugetsu.
"This Kakuzu has a complicated—and frightening—background."
"A rogue from Takigakure?"
Hiashi hissed. "Tried to assassinate the First Hokage and was thrown in prison by Taki's leadership, then broke out, stole the Earth Grudge Fear, and slaughtered their entire leadership?
"That age makes no sense. Does he not grow old?
"Or is it the jutsu?"
Kakuzu's deeds weren't minor; Taki, Konoha, and several Konoha clans had records. Records aside, Kakuzu came and went like a ghost. Too strong to handle—and those who could had no interest.
"Most likely the jutsu," Hizashi said. "He's older than the Hokage by quite a bit."
"A pity it twists a man into neither man nor ghost, or many would be tempted," Hiashi said. "But why would such a famed, greenlit monster in the bounty world kill the client for no reason?
"There must be a cause.
"How did Kokugetsu pull that off?
"Money?
"If it were for money, the chief elder was obviously wealthier than Kokugetsu.
"And how did Kakuzu enter Konoha unnoticed—and leave in one piece?
"It's like looking through fog. Confusing—and… unsettling."
Hizashi nodded. "So we truly drop it?"
"Mm. Keep pushing and who knows what happens next…
"Kageyama Kokugetsu grows harder and harder to read."
Hiashi admitted a wariness: the way those three elders had died—if turned on him, he wasn't sure he'd live.
"And the main house?"
"Smooth them and stall."
"And in the clan?"
"Have people spread the word to be polite if they meet Kokugetsu.
"You don't need me to teach you the reason, do you?
"He took a Byakugan back from Kirigakure and upheld the Hyūga's honor; therefore we will not reclaim his Byakugan, as a token of thanks.
"That's it. As expected of you, Hizashi."
"You praise me too much, Brother."
Hiashi shook his head inwardly. His younger brother truly was exceptional—no worse than he in conduct, and perhaps even better in talent. But in the Hyūga, being born a little later decided everything.
"Clan Head, bad news!"
A figure appeared outside the tearoom, kneeling on one knee.
"Such agitation—what is it?" Hiashi said, displeased.
"The guardians of the cemetery report the second and third elders' graves have been robbed."
"What?" the brothers cried together.
"Outrageous—desecrating the dead… No. Kokugetsu is currently on assignment outside the village.
"Damn it—who did this?"
Hiashi cursed as he rose and slid the door open.
Hizashi followed. They soon reached the Hyūga cemetery.
…
Deep in Konoha's rear mountain, in the damp underground of a research facility—its innermost lab.
Sterile lights flooded a room messy with blood and grime. A pale figure in a Konoha flak jacket, black hair to the shoulders and white latex gloves on both hands, worked in total focus.
An hour later, the figure set down the tools and studied a report.
"The Hyūga's optic nerves and physiology do differ from common stock.
"The genes, too, are a little different—something special.
"A pity the Byakugan were gouged out by the Hyūga. Otherwise I'd find much more."
Removing a dead main-house member's eyes was Hyūga tradition—to prevent leakage and as reserve stock. The storage was guarded to an extreme, twenty-four hours a day with sentries and patrols; even Orochimaru couldn't steal from it.
"But curiosity about the elders' sudden deaths did yield something interesting.
"Both necks snapped—looks like that prodigy Kageyama Kokugetsu's work.
"Tsk, tsk… that doesn't match his public face or reputation.
"Sensei Sarutobi, it seems you've misread this one. Intriguing.
"Trading this little secret for a look at a Byakugan isn't too much to ask, is it?"
After a moment, Orochimaru left that lab for another.
…
Three days later, with the mission complete, Kokugetsu returned to Konoha. He filed his report, dismissed his subordinates, and headed straight for the Hyūga.
In the study, hearing the servant's message, Hiashi's brow creased.
He isn't here to strut, is he?
If he pushed too far… they'd see.
A moment later, Hiashi entered the front reception room. Kokugetsu was sipping fragrant tea at his ease.
"Clan Head Hiashi, this tea is quite good," Kokugetsu said, only inclining his head rather than standing.
Success had made him brash.
Irritated, Hiashi gave a slight nod, sat opposite, and spoke with bland tone.
"To what do we owe the honor, Kokugetsu-kun?"
Kokugetsu set down the cup, his face hardening.
"I'm here to call you to account. Have you heard of Hyūga Aokawa?"
Hiashi's heart gave a thump, though his face didn't change. "I have. How has he offended you, Kokugetsu-kun?"
"Secretly surveilling ANBU under the Hokage, colluding with a bounty ninja to put a Hokage-direct subordinate to death.
"I would like to ask, Clan Head Hiashi—what exactly is the Hyūga clan trying to do?
"Do you feel Konoha cannot contain so great a Buddha and wish to make your own rules?"
Hiashi's face went ashen, and his voice weakened despite himself.
"Don't pin hats on us, Kokugetsu-kun. There must be some misunderstanding…"
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Naruto: Can You Be an Uchiha Without Doing What You Want?
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