After a detailed inquiry, Hyuga Kyo discovered that all four members of Anbu Team Eleven were listed on the bounty notices, each with a reward of 20 million Ryo.
“This bounty must be the work of Kumogakure, right?”
Hyuga Kyo could only think of Kumogakure and Iwagakure as having grudges against Anbu Team Eleven. Between the two, Kumogakure seemed the more likely culprit.
“But how did Kumogakure get our detailed information? Could their spies have infiltrated the Anbu?”
This sudden thought startled Hyuga Kyo.
The Anbu, directly under the Hokage, was composed of ninjas personally selected by the Third Hokage. If there was a spy among them, it meant this spy had been in the village for a long time and had no apparent flaws.
Then, Hyuga Kyo thought of the second bounty notice.
The second bounty was 5 million Ryo higher than the first, reaching a staggering 25 million Ryo, almost the bounty level for elite jonin from the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
The most puzzling part was that this second bounty was for a single person, targeting Hyuga Kyo alone.
This indicated that the person issuing the bounty had a personal grudge against Hyuga Kyo, unrelated to Anbu Team Eleven.
“Who could it be?”
Seeing Hyuga Kyo deep in thought, Hiashi assumed he was worried about the bounty and offered some comfort, “You don’t need to worry too much. For ninja, bounties in the black market are a testament to our achievements. Only powerful ninja have high bounties.”
Hyuga Kyo nodded.
He wasn’t afraid; he was just curious about who had issued the bounty.
Hiashi gently sipped his tea and asked, “Do you know how much my bounty is in the black market?”
“How much?”
“One hundred million ryo,” Hiashi said calmly.
Hyuga Kyo laughed awkwardly, “Heh, no wonder you are the clan head.”
Hyuga Kyo understood that the 100 million ryo bounty was not just for Hiashi but also for the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.
It was well known that only the Byakugan of the Hyuga main family could be stolen, and there were few main family members.
So, killing Hiashi would not only yield a pair of Byakugan but also severely impact the Hyuga clan’s main and branch family systems.
After leaving the Hyuga main house, Hyuga Kyo walked slowly home. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness as he passed through a narrow alley, blocking his path.
Hyuga Kyo immediately became alert, drawing his Kusanagi sword and activating his Byakugan, ready for a fight.
The figure stepped out of the shadows, leaning on a cane, and coldly observed Hyuga Kyo. “Special Jonin Hyuga Kyo, you should know who I am.”
Hyuga Kyo immediately deactivated his Byakugan and nodded, “Yes, Lord Danzo.”
The one blocking his path was Shimura Danzo, known as the “Darkness of the Shinobi,” and one of Konoha’s advisors and the head of Root.
“You have great talent. Staying in the Anbu has no future. Join my Root. You will find everything you want there.”
Danzo’s tone was cold and lacking in warmth as if he were not recruiting but issuing an order. Yet he seemed confident as if his offer were irresistible.
Without hesitation, Hyuga Kyo replied, “I’m sorry, but as an Anbu directly under the Hokage, I must follow the orders of the Third Hokage.”
Danzo’s eyes turned cold, “If I remember correctly, this is the second time you’ve refused to join Root.”
During the Orochimaru defection incident, Hyuga Kyo, who was briefly detained, had once refused Root’s recruitment. But back then, he was just a wartime chunin, a dispensable pawn, so Danzo had yet to take it seriously.
But now, Hyuga Kyo had made a name for himself, becoming a special jonin, defeating several Uchiha challengers, and recently completing a secret mission assigned by the Third Hokage. He was now a rising star in the village, prompting Danzo to recruit him personally.
Therefore, Hyuga Kyo’s immediate refusal made Danzo very displeased.
Ignoring Danzo’s threat, Hyuga Kyo remained unfazed, “I’m sorry, but I have no interest in joining Root.”
“Young man, every decision must be made carefully. Otherwise, you will regret it in the future.”
With that, Danzo’s figure slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Watching the self-assured Danzo, who seemed to believe he had everything under control, Hyuga Kyo remained expressionless.
He had sensed Danzo lurking in the shadows when he entered the narrow alley. The subsequent panicked activation of his Byakugan and drawing of his sword were all part of an act.
His purpose was to activate his Byakugan and legitimately observe Danzo’s current condition.
And this performance was not in vain. Hyuga Kyo discovered that Danzo had already transplanted the First Hokage’s cells and an entire arm full of Sharingan.
“No wonder he’s been appearing less in public recently.”
While feeling surprised, Hyuga Kyo also had to think about countermeasures.
He had remembered the village’s previous purge. After extensive investigation and information from Orochimaru, he learned that Danzo had orchestrated it.
So, whether Danzo provoked him or not, Hyuga Kyo wouldn’t let Danzo off.
The information he just obtained was slightly unexpected. He hadn’t anticipated Danzo would have already transplanted the First Hokage’s cells and numerous Sharingan at this time.
This also indicated that Danzo had never given up on human experimentation and was ahead of Orochimaru in researching the First Hokage’s cells.
Furthermore, Danzo must have started collecting Sharingan a long time ago. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so many even before the Uchiha clan massacre.
Since the Uchiha clan didn’t have the Caged Bird Seal, collecting Sharingan was relatively easy, especially for someone like Danzo, who controlled Root.
“Hmph, it seems premeditated.” Hyuga Kyo thought silently as he walked home without showing any emotion. “Even if the Uchiha don’t plan a coup, Danzo will act against them. He’s targeting the Uchiha’s Sharingan!”
As a Konoha’s advisory council member, Danzo’s normal strength should be close to that of a Kage. Otherwise, he wouldn’t covet the Hokage position.
Now, with the First Hokage’s cells and numerous Sharingan, his strength might surpass the Third Hokage…
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