In the northern highlands of the Hidden Cloud, the sandy-blond, powerfully built Fourth Raikage convened a meeting to discuss the upcoming peace talks with Konoha.
From the head seat, the Fourth Raikage said, "It's decided. Jonin Dodai and Jonin Samui will go. Dodai, you'll be in charge of the delegation's affairs."
"This trip isn't only to sign a peace treaty with Konoha. Your other objective is to seize the Hyuga clan's main-house daughter, Hyuga Hinata, and bring her back."
"If we succeed, we'll use Hyuga Hinata for breeding and create another Hyuga clan within the Hidden Cloud."
"That's the real reason the negotiations will be held in Konoha."
Murmurs rippled through the room. The Hyuga were a great clan of Konoha—wasn't this provoking them? Did Lord Raikage not actually want peace?
Even Samui, with her short pale-blond hair, was taken aback. She had no objection to using Hinata as a reproductive tool—doing so would greatly strengthen the Hidden Cloud. In the Third Great Ninja War, Cloud squads consistently fell behind when facing Konoha teams with Hyuga present; the Byakugan's long-range reconnaissance let Konoha ambush them and win outnumbered. That was a major reason for Cloud's setbacks against Konoha.
She couldn't help saying, "Lord Raikage, if we do this, won't it reignite the war?"
Success would bring huge gains, but failure could plunge them back into conflict—something the Cloud, not as wealthy as Konoha, could ill afford. A new war could leave both sides bloodied—and even open them to ambush by their old enemy, Iwagakure. In her view, better not to attempt it at all. The Third War had dragged on long enough; it should end.
The Fourth Raikage snorted. "Doesn't matter. Even if Konoha discovers it, that cowardly old Third Hokage wouldn't dare start another war with us."
"Konoha beat Iwa and wrung an unequal treaty from them. We're stronger than Iwa—Konoha won't dare fight us again."
Envoy Dodai smiled. "Brilliant as ever, Lord Raikage. I guarantee success."
If he pulled this off, he'd be the village's greatest hero and his position unshakable.
"Of course I trust you," the Raikage said, pleased. "Your infiltration skills are among the best in the Cloud. Once you take Hyuga Hinata, head straight for the Fire–Lightning border. I'll have people waiting to receive you there. We'll celebrate when you return."
…
Konoha, afternoon.
Uchiha Ryosuke strolled down the village street, planning to find Might Guy and learn the method to open the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates. Once he opened the Fifth Gate, he'd basically be an early-stage big boss—more than enough to handle the Night of the Uchiha Massacre. His confidence came not only from chakra but from his physical stats—already higher than Might Guy's a decade later.
Opening the Eight Gates depends on both chakra and bodily toughness.
While searching through the woods of Konoha, he happened upon a few brats surrounding a girl younger than they were. His brows knit at once.
Wasn't that Hyuga Hinata?
He remembered that in the original storyline the next heir of the Hyuga was often bullied by little punks—sometimes in winter, sometimes in summer. Ridiculous as it was, this should be where Naruto shows up to help, right?
He looked left and right—no sign of Naruto. 'Did my transmigration already alter the plot? Or maybe this scene never existed to begin with?'
The brats were pointing at Hinata's eyes and jeering.
One boy jabbed a finger toward them. "Your Hyuga clan's Byakugan is so weird—white pupils!"
Another chimed in approvingly, "Not like the rest of us at all—like monster eyes."
Hinata shrank back, unsure what to do. They had her boxed in and wouldn't let her leave, taunting her eyes over and over—even though, yes, they were different from most people's in the village.
One of the boys even reached out to shove her, spooked by those unusual eyes. A girl with eyes like that had to be a monster… right?
Ryosuke headed over and called out as he walked, "What do you think you're doing?"
The kids froze and turned. A man in a high-collared robe.
Their faces changed at once. "He's from the Uchiha clan."
Their parents had taught them: in this village, the Uchiha were not to be provoked. They immediately prepared to bolt.
Ryosuke wasn't about to let them slip away so easily. "Run, and I'll come to your homes and haul you in myself."
The kids stopped dead. If their parents learned they'd offended an Uchiha, they'd be in for it.
Ryosuke had already reached them. "Apologize to the girl. Promise there won't be a next time. Otherwise I'll throw you in jail."
The word 'jail' scared them pale. They hurried to say, "We're sorry—we promise it won't happen again!"
Ryosuke frowned. "Louder. And like you mean it."
They did as told.
Only then was he satisfied. He was already being merciful by not locking them up. "Scram."
The kids bolted as fast as their legs would take them.
Hinata, for her part, was still a little frightened. The newcomer had chased off those awful boys, but he was… a bit fierce.
Ryosuke studied the little girl—more and more pleased the longer he looked. Small and cute. If he didn't know what she'd grow into later, he'd never guess Hinata would become, well, a knockout. A very gifted girl indeed.