Although the patrol areas of the Police Force had been reassigned, the Hyuga clan was not handling the tasks as effectively as the Uchiha had. The Uchiha clan had consistently enforced the law strictly, regardless of a person’s background. In contrast, the Hyuga branch family, heavily controlled by the prominent family, hampered and overwhelmed.
During this period, Kazuya identified Uchiha civilians with business talent and quietly set out on a mission. Konoha had a lax exterior but was tightly controlled within. Civilians leaving the village were rarely scrutinised. Many Uchiha civilians lacked ninja abilities and would never awaken their Sharingan. Aside from their surname, they were no different from ordinary people.
In his previous life, Kazuya had worked in the food industry. He spent his days writing food recipes and planning strategies for dishes that didn’t exist in this world.
…
Outside Konoha’s barrier.
Ao led seven elite Mist ninjas swiftly towards Konoha.
“Byakugan!”
The veins around Ao’s right eye bulged as he scanned Konoha, noticing that the Police Force was no longer Uchiha but Hyuga.
“It seems there’s a rift between the Uchiha and Konoha. Our opportunity has come! Let’s move!”
Ao was thrilled. While the Hyuga clan also possessed dojutsu, they were far less threatening than the Uchiha. Since obtaining the Byakugan, Ao has trained rigorously. Being a main family of Byakugan, this eye had a wider field of vision than the branch families.
Moreover, he knew the branch family Byakugan had a vulnerability—behind the neck, where the blind spot grew with lower purity.
“Stay close. Hyuga patrols ahead.”
“Yes, Lord Ao.”
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique.
The eight concealed themselves in the mist, approaching the patrolling Police Force from behind.
“Captain Morisuke, why does it feel foggy?” asked Kobayashi Yusuke, a patrolling member.
Their four-person team was led by jonin Hyuga Morisuke, with the other three being chunin.
Hyuga Morisuke scanned the area with his Byakugan but saw nothing unusual.
“Byakugan!”
Morisuke scanned the forest again, finding no threats. He slowly rotated his field of vision to ensure nothing was missed. He didn’t realize the intruders were in his blind spot behind him.
“Nothing detected. It might be forest mist. Stay alert.”
The Hyuga’s reputation for keen surveillance made his team relax.
Morisuke’s expression suddenly tightened. “Watch out!”
A blade flashed from behind Morisuke, targeting Kobayashi Yusuke.
“Argh…”
Morisuke was a step too late. When his Gentle Fist struck, Yusuke clutched his neck, collapsing.
“Damn!”
A masked ninja with a giant sword appeared in the mist.
“It’s Zabuza Momochi!”
“Silent Killing Technique!”
Morisuke reactivated his Byakugan, spotting several chakra signatures in the mist and charging at his team.
Before they could signal for help, the remaining two chunin fell in pools of blood. The attackers, dressed as Mist’s assassination squad, were led by Ao, who was wearing an eye patch over his right eye.
“Didn’t expect you! How dare you cause trouble in Konoha!”
Hyuga Morisuke adopted a Gentle Fist stance, but his heart sank. Ao, who had stolen a Byakugan during the Third Shinobi War, was a mortal enemy of the Hyuga and a top-level wanted criminal in Konoha.
Ao stood on a tree branch. “Shame you’re a branch member, or I’d have another Byakugan.”
Morisuke remained silent. The prominent family never patrolled Konoha’s outskirts. Surrounded by eight Mist ninjas, all Jonin-level, with Zabuza having the lowest chakra, his chances of survival were slim.
Morisuke readied himself. Zabuza’s muffled voice came from behind his bandages, “Let me test him.”
Ao nodded. “Make it quick.”
Furious at being treated as a mere practice target, Morisuke watched Zabuza disappear into the mist, his Byakugan locked on him.
Seeing no advantage, Zabuza charged with his sword. Morisuke’s solid Gentle Fist and Zabuza’s fierce swordsmanship soon clashed. Morisuke’s traditional, measured stance contrasted with Zabuza’s aggressive attacks, resulting in a fast-paced duel.
Zabuza, confident in his swordsmanship, fought fiercely. Though not yet among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he was a rising star, proficient in silent killing.
Unfortunately, he faced the Hyuga, his natural counter. Morisuke had multiple chances to kill Zabuza but held back, knowing his priority was to alert Konoha. Losing the Hyuga’s position in the Police Force over his failure was unacceptable.
The combatants moved quickly, and Morisuke found an opening, striking Zabuza’s sword side, disarming him. Injured, Morisuke retreated, pulling a signal flare from his pouch.
“Not so fast!”
The nearby Mist ninja, ready for this, hurled a shuriken, blocking his escape. Morisuke, in a desperate move, impaled himself on the shuriken, launching the flare as he fell.
A Mist ninja kicked him away, rolling him across the ground. Mortally wounded, Morisuke’s body glowed faintly as the Caged Bird Seal activated, sealing his Byakugan. He died quickly, his body riddled with shuriken.
The forest soon received the emergency signal. Multiple flares exploded in the sky.
Furious, Ao glared at Zabuza. “We can’t proceed. Retreat!”
The Mist ninja swiftly departed.
…
Moments later, three Anbu arrived at the scene. One, with a fox mask, silver hair, and a sword, was Kakashi Hatake.
Kakashi quickly pulled up his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan. After scanning the area, he signalled his teammates.
The other Anbu inspected the bodies, reporting, “Taijutsu and dense mist… Likely Mist ninja.”
Kakashi nodded. “They’ve retreated, but they might return. I’ll report to the Third Hokage.”
Mist ninjas had been causing trouble since the Third Shinobi War, often repelled by the Uchiha. This time, four Konoha ninjas, including a Hyuga, were killed, escalating the situation.
The problem just got bigger.
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