Memorial Visit

Naruto watched the others walk away, staring fixedly at Kakashi like a puppet.

He subjected Kakashi to a soul-piercing question: "Ever since I was old enough to remember, I've had no parents. The villagers called me the reincarnation of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Now that I've finally found a clue, Konoha forbids me from pursuing it. Do you really want me to keep being this demon fox?"

Kakashi's heart twisted as though stabbed by a blade. "Sorry... Naruto, that isn't what I want."

Even Jiraiya and Tsunade had been unable to change this. What could he do?

"Then it's Grandpa Hokage's order."

Naruto sneered. "Fine, you won't tell me my parents' names. But you won't even let me search for them myself?"

Naruto's pupils narrowed into vertical slits, and blood-red chakra emerged from his body.

Seeing Naruto begin to show signs of a tailed transformation, Kakashi swiftly struck the back of his neck and knocked him unconscious before lifting him onto his back.

"You guys eat. I'm taking Naruto back."

"Is Naruto really all right?" Sakura asked, stepping in front of Kakashi with Sasuke to block his way.

Kakashi forced an ugly smile. "I'm taking him home. Don't worry, he'll be fine after some sleep."

Only after hearing that did Sasuke and Sakura finally move aside and let Kakashi leave.

Back in Naruto's messy room, Kakashi carefully laid Naruto on the bed.

He had no intention of reporting this matter to the Third Hokage. If Lord Hokage found out, Naruto would inevitably end up like his master's wife, living every day inside a sealing barrier.

This was all he could do for his master and his master's wife. Kakashi leaned weakly against the side of the bed.

It was not the weakness of having exhausted his chakra, but the utter loss of spirit.

He had failed to save Obito, failed to save Rin, failed to help his master, failed to protect Obito's eye, and failed to give Naruto a happy childhood.

Kakashi stared blankly out the window.

"I'm such trash..."

Meanwhile, having completed the first phase of his plan, Hyuga Kei continued touring Konoha with Hikari and Karin.

As their guide, he took the two of them around all of Konoha's famous landmarks.

"This is the Yamanaka clan's flower shop in Konoha. Let's go inside. I'll buy you two a bouquet each."

"Okay, okay!" Karin was exceptionally excited.

Upon entering, they saw a familiar face: Ino Yamanaka.

"Welcome to Yamanaka Flower Shop. What can I get for you?"

"Please get me a bouquet of roses and a bouquet of violets."

Karin immediately protested. "Why do I get violets? I want roses too."

"Violets symbolize wisdom. They suit someone as clever and mischievous as you best."

Karin looked extremely unwilling. "Fine."

Ino wrapped the two vibrant bouquets and handed them to Hyuga Kei. "That'll be 1,000 ryo."

Hyuga Kei handed over the money and accepted the two bouquets.

"Please come again."

The three left the flower shop, and Hyuga Kei solemnly handed the bouquets to the two girls.

The roses were beautiful and noble, while the violets were elegant and graceful.

"May Hikari and Karin always be beautiful, charming, clever, and adorable!"

Hikari accepted the flowers with a sweet smile. "Thank you, Brother Kei."

Though Karin still wanted the roses, she did not make a fuss at this point. Smiling, she accepted the violets. "Thank you, Brother."

The sight left the passersby around them stunned. Were young people these days really this bold?

He was two-timing, yet keeping both boats so steady.

At some point, Ino's mother appeared beside Ino and began lecturing her. "Ino, remember this: don't ever find a boyfriend like that."

"Especially that Sasuke. Look at how many girls are around him. Do you understand?"

Ino nodded blankly.

After making another round, Hyuga Kei and the two girls returned to the hotel and let the girls rest properly.

At dusk, Hyuga Kei used the Transformation Jutsu and went to Nakayama Flower Shop again, where he bought several bunches of white chrysanthemums. Under cover of night, he entered Konoha Cemetery and found the shared grave of Hizashi and his wife.

Hyuga Kei quietly placed the white chrysanthemums before their gravestone and bowed, then found his parents' gravestone, placed white chrysanthemums there as well, and bowed.

Early the next morning, Neji Hyuga also brought white chrysanthemums to the cemetery to offer flowers to his own parents and Hyuga Kei's parents. There, he saw flowers still glistening with droplets of water.

Neji immediately activated his Byakugan to examine the traces left around the area.

"Did Brother Kei return to Konoha?"

"What did he come back to Konoha for?"

A huge question arose in his mind.

"That was close." Hidden nearby, Hyuga Kei watched the boy, who had grown so much, and quietly let out a breath. "Has this child grown so much already?"

On his way back, Hyuga Kei saw several young people wearing Kumogakure forehead protectors pass by him.

As they crossed paths, the Kumogakure ninja spoke quietly among themselves.

Karui scratched her reddish-brown hair. "Which village is that ninja from?"

The Sound Village had only recently been established by Kabuto Yakushi and had no reputation yet.

Atsui responded from beside her, "Oh, I think I heard my sister mention it. It's called the Sound Village."

"Tch, just some ninja from a small village. During the Chunin Exams, I can chop them to death with one slash."

Omoi, also one of Killer B's disciples, could not help reminding her, "Anyone who can represent a small village isn't going to be easy to deal with."

"Got it. Stop being so cautious."

Hyuga Kei, who had passed by them, frowned in thought. The plot had deviated from the original work.

Hyuga Kei recalled their faces and appearances. "These people are Samui's younger brother Atsui, and Killer B's two disciples, Omoi and Karui."

In the Fourth Great Ninja War caused by Hyuga Kei, Kumogakure and Konoha had become allies in the same camp and established a solid foundation of trust.

Their relationship now was not as rigid as it had been in the original work. It was not impossible for them to send genin to participate in the military competition between the major nations.

Soon after, Hyuga Kei received a letter from Kabuto Yakushi. He had led the Sunagakure team to Konoha and had already met Sarutobi Hiruzen.

That night, Hyuga Kei found Kabuto Yakushi waiting for him atop Hokage Rock.

From there, they could overlook every corner of Konoha.

Kabuto reported, "Lord Kei, I have found the location of the Root Organization's base. Shimura Danzō is inside."

"Good work. But Danzo can't die yet, or Konoha will become alert."

Hyuga Kei sat atop the First Hokage's stone statue. "Wait until the night before the plan begins, then kill him. Remember to be careful of Kotoamatsukami's ocular technique. That thing doesn't work on me, but you need to be careful."

Kabuto stood behind Hyuga Kei with a slight bow. "Understood."

"Kumogakure is here too this time. Do you have detailed information on them?"

Kabuto took out a booklet, opened it, and read, "Kumogakure has dispatched twenty-seven genin. The strongest are Atsui, Karui, and Omoi. Their team leader is Troi the Magnet Style user, an Elite Jonin."

Hyuga Kei asked about several people he was more concerned with. "Did the Raikage, Killer B, or Yugito come?"

"No."

"What about the other villages?"

"Konoha has eighty-seven genin participating. Those worth noting include Neji Hyuga, Uchiha Sasuke..."

Hyuga Kei interrupted Kabuto. "Tell me about Neji Hyuga."

"Neji Hyuga applied for early graduation as a genin in Konoha's Year 60. He excels in taijutsu and Nintaijutsu... He has completed 136 D-rank missions, 23 C-rank missions, and 1 B-rank mission."

Hyuga Kei nodded inwardly. Neji, free from the shackles of the Caged Bird, truly lived up to his name as a genius.

"All right. If anything comes up, I'll contact you again. Remember our plan."

Kabuto pointed at his head. "Rest assured, Lord Kei. I've rehearsed it countless times in my mind."

"For this grand show."

Kabuto's expression was exceptionally excited. He had schemed over this grand show for three years, and now it was finally about to begin.

More than that, this was his war of revenge.

"That's for the best." As Hyuga Kei spoke, his figure vanished before Kabuto Yakushi's eyes.