As the night faded, the distant sky showed the first light of dawn, and the rising sun spread its light and warmth over the village.
Hokage’s Office.
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was biting his pipe, ready to start his day’s work.
Swish!
An ANBU appeared before him.
“Oh, Kakashi, what’s the matter?”
Without looking up, Hiruzen continued going through his paperwork.
He was in a great mood.
His whole demeanor was relaxed and cheerful as if he had become ten years younger.
Just yesterday, the village held a grand celebration to commemorate the signing of the peace agreement between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village.
Peace had finally arrived.
The villagers were likely still reminiscing about the ceremony and praising the Third Hokage’s noble achievements.
The public relations issues caused by the Naruto incident were finally about to be resolved.
“Lord Third, it’s about the Hidden Cloud delegation.”
Kakashi, kneeling on one knee, wore a complex expression. Such a significant incident required the Hokage’s immediate attention.
The delegation???
Hiruzen’s face stiffened.
He eagerly anticipated the delegation taking the signed peace agreement back to the Hidden Cloud.
Could it be that something had gone wrong?
Hiruzen felt a growing sense of unease.
“What happened?”
Kakashi took a deep breath and reported the information he had.
“Around 1 AM last night, the Hidden Cloud delegation infiltrated the Hyuga clan grounds and kidnapped the clan’s heiress. There was a battle in the streets, and ultimately…”
Hiruzen felt his heart sink.
“And ultimately what?”
Kakashi hesitated for a moment.
“From what I understand, they’re all dead.”
Clatter!
The pipe Hiruzen had been biting fell helplessly, clattering on the desk. The scattered embers and ash burned holes in the paperwork.
Hiruzen’s wrinkled face turned ashen, and he slumped in his chair, stunned and unable to react for a long time.
It’s over…
It’s all over…
They had just signed the peace agreement yesterday, and now the delegation was killed overnight.
If this news reached the Raikage, all their efforts would be for naught.
He had just managed to turn the public opinion around!
“Who?!”
“Who did this?!”
“Who dared to commit such a heinous act?!”
Hiruzen’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with a desire to tear the culprit.
He completely ignored the part of Kakashi’s report about the Cloud ninja kidnapping Hinata.
Kakashi hesitated.
“It was Mirai…”
Mirai?!
“Not again!”
Hiruzen gritted his teeth.
Meanwhile.
Hyuga Clan Grounds.
In the elegant and dignified residence, a maid in a kimono knelt by a low table, pouring fragrant tea into cups on either side.
“Mirai, please try our Hyuga tea.”
Hiashi Hyuga, now dressed formally, smiled as he invited Mirai to taste the tea.
The Hyuga clan adhered to strict rules, and serving tea was their highest form of courtesy.
“Excellent tea.”
Mirai took a sip and praised it before setting the cup down.
After the pleasantries, Hiashi’s expression became serious.
“Mirai, what are your plans regarding the deaths of the delegation last night?”
When he uncovered the face of the dead ninja last night, he broke out in a cold sweat.
The dead man’s appearance was identical to that of the Cloud ninja who had signed the peace agreement at the Hokage’s office during the day.
They had just signed the agreement in the day, and by night, they were dead.
Hiashi could already imagine the Raikage’s fury upon hearing this news.
The recently halted war might very well reignite.
This was a major diplomatic incident!
Even as the head of the Hyuga clan, he could not bear this responsibility!
When Hiashi asked an earnest question, Mirai didn’t answer directly. Instead, he picked up the teacup on the low table and took another sip.
“What do you think Hiruzen will do once he learns of this?”
Hiashi frowned.
Without thinking much, he replied, “With all due respect, given what I know of the Third Hokage, he’ll likely place all the blame on the two of us.”
The current strength of Konoha had fallen to its lowest in history.
Orochimaru had defected, Jiraiya and Tsunade had left the village, and none of the Three Legendary Sannin were present.
On the night of the Nine-Tails’ attack, Minato and Kushina had died, and the village had lost many Jonins.
In contrast, the strength of the Hidden Cloud was significantly more muscular.
With two perfect Jinchuriki, the Eight-Tails and Two-Tails, both in their prime.
With the enemy strong and us weak, perhaps in his younger days, the Third Hokage would have used political maneuvers.
But now, in his old age, it would be much harder for him to take a firm stance.
He would likely do everything he could to shift the blame onto us, clearing himself of any responsibility.
This was what worried Hiashi.
He could not bear this burden.
“What’s done is done. Why worry?”
Mirai took another slow sip of tea, savoring its warmth and aroma before giving Hiashi a calm look.
“Mirai, you…”
Hiashi’s face froze. While he was anxious and restless, Mirai seemed utterly unbothered.
The Hyuga clan might be in danger if this matter wasn’t handled well.
Mirai, seemingly oblivious to Hiashi’s concern, turned to look outside at the courtyard.
There, two children were playing happily.
Children always had boundless energy, and despite the harrowing events of the previous night, they showed no signs of fatigue.
Those deep blue eyes softened with a gentle smile.
Outside, in the courtyard.
Naruto glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then beckoned Hinata over secretly.
“Hinata, I want to show you my big treasure. Don’t tell anyone else, okay!”
“Huh? What big treasure?”
Hinata looked at Naruto curiously, her pure white eyes filled with intrigue.
Naruto pulled down his pants slightly and lifted the electromagnetic railgun to his waist.
“Here, it’s this!”
The strange metallic structure immediately caught Hinata’s attention.
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
Her pure white eyes were full of admiration.
Last night, the weapon Naruto used to defeat those bad guys was right before her!
A weapon that had made those bad guys so fearful they didn’t dare approach.
This must be Naruto’s immense treasure!
“This was a gift from my uncle!”
Naruto proudly lifted his head.
Through Mirai’s efforts, Naruto gradually shed his gloom and regained the energy and vigor appropriate for his age.
“My uncle said this is just the beginning. He’ll give me even more powerful things in the future!”
“Naruto, can I touch it?”
Hinata looked at the gun in Naruto’s hand, her pure white eyes showing a hint of longing.
She wanted to examine the unique weapon closely.
“Of course, but only touch it!”
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