Aburame Ryoma

The white-haired youth's name is Hatake Kakashi. His father was the renowned Konoha expert, "White Fang" Hatake Sakumo, who has since passed away. He is now a disciple of the "Yellow Flash," Namikaze Minato. During a previous battle against Iwa Ninja in the north, he inherited one of the Sharingan from his fallen teammate, Uchiha Obito, setting a precedent for non-Uchiha individuals to legally possess the Sharingan.

In conclusion, This youth is a celebrity.

Of course, In Hyuga Ritsu's heart, Hatake Kakashi's appearance on the eastern front also signified more complex circumstances. The dark hand hidden within the ninja world was likely already beginning to manipulate everyone's fate from the shadows.

Ultimately, this war between Konoha and Kirigakure Shinobi, in his opinion, was merely a stage set by the mastermind to achieve some unknown goal.

Otherwise, it was difficult to explain why the Kirigakure Shinobi repeatedly fought and lost, even with their formidable Jonin group, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, crippled and defeated, they still persisted relentlessly, as if they were locked in an unending battle with Konoha.

"Weakness is the original sin!"

Hyuga Ritsu murmured softly to himself.

Kakashi, who was leading the way, stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal. He remained silent like a scarecrow in a field, leading Hyuga Ritsu to a tent.

"Lord Ryoma, the Hyuga Clan Head has been invited!"

Kakashi reported from outside the tent.

"Hyuga Clan Head, please come in!"

A muffled voice emanated from within the tent.

Entering the tent, one could see it was empty with no superfluous furnishings. There was only a table, a chair, and a man sitting on the chair, clad in a black hooded long coat that concealed his face in shadow.

His name was Aburame Ryoma, a renowned expert from Konoha's "Bug User" clan, skilled in using insects for combat. He was also a capable aide to the Hokage's assistant, Shimura Danzō. His reputation in the village was not good, and it was said that even the Aburame clan itself did not think highly of Aburame Ryoma.

However, regardless of his poor reputation, he was currently the deputy commander of the eastern front, second only to Orochimaru in status.

"Deputy Commander Aburame, what business do you have with me?"

Hyuga Ritsu addressed Orochimaru as "senior" due to his connection with Hiruko. Although they weren't close, they could still be considered acquaintances.

However, he had no acquaintance with Aburame Ryoma whatsoever, having had no prior interactions. Therefore, his address was naturally polite and formal.

"Hyuga Clan Head, the current counteroffensive by the Kirigakure Shinobi is extremely fierce. Many squads have suffered casualties in battle, leaving their formations incomplete and making it difficult to continue carrying out missions. Therefore, we need to disband the existing squads with incomplete formations and reorganize them."

"We hope to incorporate your clan's new reinforcements into these squads. After all, with the Byakugan, the casualty rate of the squads can be significantly reduced."

Aburame Ryoma got straight to the point without any pleasantries.

"Certainly."

Hyuga Ritsu nodded.

This was a reasonable and logical request.

The ninjas of the Hyuga clan were always dispersed among different squads to carry out missions, allowing the Byakugan to be utilized to its fullest potential. If the Hyuga ninjas acted in groups, it would be meaningless and a waste of resources.

Furthermore, by dispersing clan members among different squads, it also ensured, as much as possible, that they would not be maliciously targeted during missions. Teammates qualified to fight alongside Hyuga ninjas were usually those from other clans or geniuses among the civilian ninjas.

Ordinary cannon fodder squads were not qualified to have Hyuga clan members operate with them.

This was precisely why the Hyuga clan was considered the cornerstone of the village. In contrast, the Uchiha clan's Sharingan did not possess such tactical utility; it only significantly enhanced an individual's strength, making it far less important to the village than the Hyuga clan's Byakugan.

"However, I wish for the two elders of my clan to also participate in the consultation when arranging my clan members."

Hyuga Ritsu stated his request.

Although he didn't worry about Aburame Ryoma playing dirty tricks to harm his clan members, necessary precautions should still be taken.

"That is only proper. With the consultation of two elders, I believe a more reasonable arrangement can be made." Aburame Ryoma agreed without hesitation.

If Hyuga Ritsu had demanded to be involved in the work himself, he would have refused without a second thought. But merely the two elders of the Hyuga clan were no reason to refuse.

His objective for coming to the front lines was very clear.

Danzo had ordered him to eliminate Hyuga Ritsu, not anyone else from the Hyuga clan. Moreover, Orochimaru had also warned him not to act recklessly and disrupt the front-line situation.

Therefore, He could only target Hyuga Ritsu and not interfere with anyone else.

"Hyuga Clan Head, although I apologize, there is a very tricky mission that requires your assistance to resolve. Originally, we considered finding someone else to carry out this mission, but currently, there are simply no qualified personnel available. The situation is urgent, and there is no room for hesitation..."

"Therefore, we must trouble you, Hyuga Clan Head, to make this trip!"

Aburame Ryoma's words were polite, but his calm voice carried no emotional fluctuation, as if he were reciting a pre-written script.

"It sounds like I have no choice but to accept."

"We are truly pushed into a corner. Lord Orochimaru said he could go, but without him holding down the main camp, we would suffer heavy losses if attacked by the Kirigakure Shinobi. This situation could even be a diversionary tactic by the Kirigakure Shinobi."

"So, what exactly is the mission?"

Hyuga Ritsu asked calmly.

"Reinforce the Shigushan Mountain defense line."

"Is the battle there that critical?"

"The Kirigakure Shinobi are launching a fierce assault at all costs. If Shigushan Mountain falls, beyond it lies an endless plain and forest, where we would have no geographical advantage when engaging the Kirigakure Shinobi. Moreover, if the Kirigakure Shinobi plunder and occupy several cities, the Daimyo's Mansion will be shaken, and we will all be held accountable."

At its core, the ninja war was still a war. The fundamental nature of war wouldn't change just because it had the prefix "ninja." Arson, murder, and pillage remained its main themes.

The Kirigakure Shinobi invading the Land of Fire couldn't possibly be completely blameless. After all, the root cause of war was resource imbalance. Konoha and the Land of Fire weren't under siege because of hatred, but purely because they occupied the best land and the most abundant resources.

Therefore, The Konoha ninja established defensive lines along the numerous strategic points of the long coastline, firmly holding back the main Kirigakure Shinobi force and preventing them from penetrating the nearly boundless plains and forests of the Land of Fire's heartland.

"How many people should I take?"

Hyuga Ritsu asked.

But, Aburame Ryoma remained silent, not answering.

Hyuga Ritsu realized, his brow furrowing, "Just me?"

"Not quite. Another person will accompany you, Hyuga Clan Head."

"Who?"

"Uchiha Shisui."