New Shoots

Hyuga Clan Compound, branch family courtyard.

"Lord Mitsunobu, we found a large number of Explosive Tags in the old district."

"This is the distribution map of the Explosive Tags."

In a very short time, Sota Hyuga had already drawn up a map showing the Explosive Tags' locations.

Mitsunobu took a pen and marked a few spots on it, discovering that most of the covered area was in the old district.

However, part of the new district was covered as well. There were even some on Hokage Rock.

Holding the first Explosive Tag, Mitsunobu examined it carefully, his eyes thoughtful.

Then he asked, "How many of these Explosive Tags can still be activated?"

Sota's eyes flickered. "These Explosive Tags are of excellent quality. An estimated ninety percent can still be activated."

"What's the estimated blast radius?"

Sota pointed to several blocks on the map. "These blocks will be completely wiped out, and Hokage Rock will be blown up too."

Mitsunobu fell into deep thought.

Destroying Konoha with these Explosive Tags alone would be difficult.

But this was a critical moment in the standoff between the Uchiha and Konoha.

Could something be made of this?

If he chose to act, he would certainly lose his life afterward.

But did the branch family still have any hope?

After pondering for a long while, Mitsunobu recalled Hizashi's teachings.

"Ninja must see the shape of the future if they wish to survive."

During the Third Hokage's years in power, the Senju Clan had vanished, while both the Uchiha and the Hyuga Clan had steadily declined.

When Kumogakure invaded and their envoy was killed, they had even demanded that the clan head go out and pay with his life.

In the end, under the Great Elder's coercion, Lord Hizashi had been the only one who could pay the price.

A light called conviction flickered in Mitsunobu's eyes.

"Sota, how many people know about this? Do the Anbu know?"

Sota's heart skipped a beat.

"Lord Mitsunobu, these Explosive Tags were all disguised. Some were even hidden inside the wooden beams of buildings. Only the Byakugan could spot them."

"At present, only eighteen people know."

"Mm. They're all our people."

Sota emphasized the words "our people"—meaning every one of them belonged to the branch family.

Mitsunobu ordered, "Remember this: you have already completed the investigation and reported everything to me. You know nothing else. Make sure the others understand that as well."

Sota's expression shifted, but he said nothing.

Mitsunobu glared fiercely at him. "Did you hear me?"

Sota lowered his voice.

"Lord Mitsunobu, these can't cause Konoha any real damage!"

Mitsunobu's face was stern. "I am your superior. Once you report this, it has nothing to do with you."

With that, Mitsunobu took the map and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed his arm. There was a pleading note in Sota's voice.

"Lord Mitsunobu, the New Bud Plan hasn't been put into action yet. You can't act rashly."

Mitsunobu turned to look at Sota. Sota's eyes were filled with intense reluctance, urgency, and fear.

"Lord Mitsunobu, Lord Hizashi is already gone. There's no one left in the branch family."

"You...!"

Seeing Sota's expression, Mitsunobu's tone softened.

"The New Bud Plan will take too long to launch. At the very least, another ten years."

"With Konoha's situation so tense right now, whether the Uchiha take power, or... Konoha is destroyed, both are opportunities for us."

"My health isn't very good. I may not even live another ten years."

Sota tried to persuade him. "Lord Mitsunobu, the Hokage's faction and the Uchiha are still deadlocked. We can't rush this."

"You're the one who taught us that."

Mitsunobu rubbed Sota's hair. "You brat, you've grown up too."

"These Explosive Tags went undiscovered for more than twenty years. If someone hadn't attacked Konoha this time..."

"Even another ten years from now, no one would likely have known they existed."

"Though I don't know how they managed to set up so many Explosive Tags."

"Now that we've discovered them, we can naturally put them to use."

"I'll make the necessary preparations beforehand. If I'm not confident, I won't make a move."

Mitsunobu's words put Sota at ease.

"Do you know who the most important person on the Uchiha side is in this conflict?" Mitsunobu asked Sota.

Without hesitation, Sota answered, "Uchiha Shihu."

Mitsunobu shook his head. "No, it's Uchiha Senyo."

Sota was somewhat surprised, but he still calmed himself and listened as Elder Mitsunobu continued.

"Though Shihu is forceful, he differs somewhat from how he used to act."

"If Fugaku and Itachi had possessed that kind of resolve, they wouldn't have let things develop this far."

"Ever since Senyo returned from his mission outside, everything he's done has been highly deliberate."

"All of the Third Hokage's responses were within Senyo's expectations."

Mitsunobu recalled the earlier confrontation. Both Fugaku and Shihu had watched Senyo's expression, and he knew that Senyo was no simple man.

"Uchiha Senyo won't be lacking in moves from now on, but whether he'll step into the spotlight remains uncertain."

"Keep an eye on him. Don't become enemies with him."

"Set aside the matter of the Explosive Tags for now. Continue monitoring all of Konoha as usual."

"The Third Hokage may have other forces we don't know about."

"You may leave now."

After bowing to Mitsunobu, Sota withdrew.

Mitsunobu's gaze returned to the Explosive Tag deployment points on the table as he murmured:

"Sota, you are the new shoots..."

Sunagakure.

Kazekage's Office.

"Lord Kazekage, Gaara has lost control again."

Upon hearing Baki's report, Rasa's face showed impatience.

"Has he been subdued?"

Sunagakure now had a complete set of control measures, so Rasa no longer needed to be present himself.

Baki replied, "Gaara's rampage wasn't serious. The Sealing Team was nearby and has already subdued him."

Rasa said with a gloomy expression, "As expected, he's a failed product."

Two years ago, Rasa had ordered Yashamaru to drive Gaara into a corner and lie to him that Karura hated him.

Rasa had decided that if Gaara still did not rampage after that, he would postpone dealing with him.

However, when Gaara discovered that Yashamaru, who had supposedly loved him all these years, did not love him either, he had rampaged just the same.

Over the following two years, Gaara still rampaged frequently. The number of people who had died at his hands had already risen into the double digits.

Rasa's patience with him was gradually being exhausted.

Hearing Rasa's words, Baki sighed inwardly. When Yashamaru had still been alive two years ago, Gaara had rarely rampaged.

Rasa had insisted on pushing Gaara to the brink. After Yashamaru's death, Gaara's rampages had become noticeably more frequent, and the destruction they caused was far greater than before.

But things had already come to this, and Baki had no good solution. He pushed another document toward Rasa.

"Lord Kazekage, we need to procure another batch of supplies."

The Land of Wind's environment was harsh. Many supplies had to be purchased for Sunagakure to function normally.

But Sunagakure was extremely poor. Especially with the tailed beast frequently going out of control, the funding provided by the Land of Wind's daimyo had become even scarcer.

Rasa sighed and took his robe down from the wall.

"I understand. Tell Yura, who went to Konoha, to send word back immediately if he obtains any intelligence."

"Yes, understood, Lord Kazekage."

When Baki saw Rasa step onto the Sand Mat and fly away, he knew that Rasa was going to pan for Gold Dust again to subsidize Sunagakure's finances.

On this point alone, Rasa's position in Sunagakure was unshakable.