"Kumogakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment.
"Discuss cooperation?"
"They're already on the way?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi faintly felt that something was wrong.
After all, Konoha had not even agreed yet, but Kumogakure's team had already set out and was on the road. What did that mean?
Did it mean that whether Konoha agreed or not, this cooperation had to happen?
What kind of cooperation were they talking about?
But refusing would not be easy either.
Konoha's current situation was not too good. Its friction with Sunagakure was already intense. If they offended Kumogakure as well, they might not be able to endure it.
And once there was an opportunity, Iwagakure would definitely attack Konoha.
This, Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain of.
He understood Onoki's way of doing things very well.
"Since they're coming, let them come."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kumogakure's envoy team arrived even faster than Hiruzen Sarutobi expected.
And it was personally led by Killer B.
A jinchuriki.
The Eight-Tails' jinchuriki.
But unlike most jinchuriki, Killer B could communicate perfectly with the Tailed Beast inside his body.
Even more perfectly than Yagura Karatachi.
And the Eight-Tails had more chakra than the Six-Tails.
But Killer B was only responsible for military strength. The true decision-maker was still C.
A strategist.
A position similar to Nara Shikaku's in Konoha.
"Welcome, welcome!"
A team personally led by Sarutobi Shinnosuke received them, bringing Kumogakure's group into Konoha and all the way before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi rose, nodded, and revealed a smile.
"Welcome, everyone from Kumogakure, to our Konoha."
"Please, take a seat."
"I have already had my people arrange a courtyard for you. You may move in directly…"
"Kumogakure's letter mentioned that you wished to discuss cooperation with our Konoha. May I ask what kind of cooperation you wish to discuss?"
Killer B looked toward C.
C smiled faintly.
"Hokage-sama, there is no need to rush the matter of cooperation. Please allow us to settle in first. The journey here was tiring, and cooperation likely cannot be discussed to a conclusion in just a short while."
"But please rest assured, Hokage-sama. This time, Kumogakure has absolutely come with full sincerity."
The people of Konoha were discussing the matter of the Kumogakure envoys.
"So those are Kumogakure's ninja."
"The pale ones really are pale, and the dark ones really are dark."
"They don't quite fit Konoha's aesthetic. Girls from Konoha are still prettier."
One Konoha ninja said confidently, "Even Kumogakure can tell that our Konoha is much stronger than Sunagakure. That's why they came to our Konoha instead of Sunagakure."
"Exactly. This time, Kumogakure has most likely come to form an alliance with Konoha. They may have sensed that Konoha and Sunagakure are about to fight, and they intend to participate and divide up Sunagakure."
"Sunagakure used to be a poor, barren place. Aside from sand, there was only more sand. But now, Sunagakure does have quite a few good things. Rasa truly counts as a capable figure."
A Konoha ninja could not help sighing.
"Killer B is still alive, but Minato-sama is already gone."
"If only Minato-sama were still alive."
…
Night fell.
A figure infiltrated the Hyuga clan compound.
He stole Hyuga Hinata, who was sleeping soundly.
Even ninja villages outside Konoha understood the Hyuga clan very well.
The existence of the Caged Bird seal made the Byakugan of Hyuga branch family members a special case. Once they died, the Byakugan would suffer irreversible destruction.
Therefore, if one wanted to obtain the Byakugan, one could only target members of the Hyuga main family.
Kirigakure had done the same back then.
A rare Hyuga main family member had gone to the battlefield, and Kirigakure had seized the opportunity.
Rasa had also used that point to create a rumor.
This time, Kumogakure's target was none other than the daughter of Hyuga Hiashi, the future clan head of the Hyuga clan—Hyuga Hinata.
Once she was abducted, they could directly seize a pair of Byakugan.
Moreover, Hinata possessed the pure bloodline of the Hyuga main family. Once she grew up, they could also have her bear children with the Byakugan for Kumogakure. Of course, that would be more than ten years later.
Kumogakure wanted both the future and the present.
The banquet attended by Killer B and C had drawn nearly all of Konoha's higher-ups over.
Meanwhile, one Kumogakure jonin had not appeared.
This did not arouse suspicion among those present.
After all, from the beginning, this jonin had disguised himself as an ordinary chunin accompanying the delegation.
"Success!"
The Kumogakure jonin looked at the unconscious Hyuga Hinata in his hands and leapt over the wall of the Hyuga compound, his heart surging with excitement.
"It was far easier than expected."
"Infiltrate. Retrieve. Escape."
"This time, I've rendered great merit to the village."
"That Ao from Kirigakure obtained one Byakugan, and his status in Kirigakure rose sharply. He was valued during the Third Mizukage's era, and he was valued during the Fourth Mizukage's era as well."
"And now, even in the Fifth Mizukage's era, he is still valued."
But at that moment—
A figure pursued him at extreme speed.
Hyuga Hiashi was filled with intense fury.
His first daughter—at this moment, Hiashi's love for her was at its strongest.
And because he was still young, once his blood surged, anger overtook him.
Hyuga Hiashi had no thought to consider who the intruder was, or what the intruder's goal might be.
Right now, Hyuga Hiashi had only one thought.
Kill that damned bastard and take back his daughter.
"Byakugan!"
The Byakugan of the main family, combined with Hyuga Hiashi's strength, instantly located the Kumogakure jonin's traces. After that, Hiashi did not hesitate at all and chased straight after him.
"Gentle Fist!"
The Kumogakure jonin sensed danger. He turned back and saw the furious Hyuga Hiashi rushing toward him.
And the Gentle Fist that was already right before his eyes.
The Kumogakure jonin's pupils shrank.
A fierce battle erupted in an instant.
Very soon, the Kumogakure jonin's heart sank, because he discovered that Hyuga Hiashi's strength was far greater than he had expected. Furthermore, the existence of the Byakugan brought him enormous trouble in battle.
He was still holding Hyuga Hinata in his arms.
And every one of Hyuga Hiashi's attacks was aimed at vital points meant to take his life.
Bang!
One strike landed. Hyuga Hiashi's following attacks became even more airtight.
The Kumogakure jonin was completely suppressed.
"Stop!"
"You can't kill me!"
"I am from Kumo—"
But before the Kumogakure jonin could finish speaking, Hyuga Hiashi's hand blade had already pierced into his body.
The unfinished words would never be spoken.
Another Kumogakure ninja who had come to assist happened to see this scene. His pupils shrank violently.
Immediately, he turned and ran toward the banquet without looking back.
"Killer B-sama! C-sama! Terrible news! Ibis-sama was killed by a Hyuga ninja!"