Uchiha Shisui

After drawing two tubes of fresh blood, Hiruko returned to his residence to pack his belongings. He was planning to move into the Hyuga Clan's camp. To break the Caged Bird Seal, a reference was naturally needed, and living in the Hyuga Clan's camp would be the most convenient.

After checking the ninja tools in his pouch, such as soldier pills, explosive tags, and smoke bombs, Hyuga Ritsu reminded the two elders to cooperate fully with Teacher Hiruko's requests before leaving the tent.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Hyuga Akiba standing at the entrance.

He stopped in his tracks, thought for a couple of seconds, and beckoned to the young girl.

"Akiba, come here."

Upon hearing him, the young girl immediately trotted over. "Brother Ritsu, uh, Clan Head, do you have any orders?"

"You don't have to call me that, just like before is fine."

Hyuga Ritsu reached out and patted the young girl's head, asking with a smile, "You still haven't figured out the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fist?"

"It's really difficult, you know? Do you think everyone is as much of a genius as you, Brother Ritsu?"

Bringing this up, the young girl's face instantly fell, looking dejected.

"Don't be discouraged. When I get back from my mission, I'll teach you hand-in-hand, and I guarantee you'll learn the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fist. Also, let me tell you some news in advance: everyone will soon be assigned to different ninja squads to carry out missions. Remember to have the two elders vet your squad assignment and find a reliable one. Be sharp on the front lines and don't be reckless!"

"Don't worry! Brother Ritsu, I'm not some rookie."

"It's precisely because you're not a rookie that I'm worried you'll push yourself too hard. Alright, just be careful. I'm going on a mission too."

Hyuga Ritsu waved goodbye to his cousin.

When he arrived outside the camp, he saw a young Uchiha standing there waiting for him. He had black hair, black eyes, wore a Konoha forehead protector, and had rather handsome features with a rare button nose. He was dressed in a typical Uchiha blue-black combat uniform, with a small tachi strapped to his back, its hilt peeking out from behind his right shoulder.

The young man was Uchiha Shisui, nicknamed Body Flicker Shisui. He was the Uchiha Clan's number one genius and an incredibly sharp blade for Konoha against the Kirigakure Shinobi, striking such fear into them that they trembled at the mere mention of his name.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Shisui-kun."

Hyuga Ritsu greeted him with a smile.

"Senior Ritsu, no, I should call you Clan Head Hyuga now. I only just arrived." Uchiha Shisui's attitude was gentle and polite, completely lacking the arrogance of other Uchihas who looked down on everyone else.

"There's no need to be so formal, just call me as you did before."

Hyuga Ritsu reached out and patted Uchiha Shisui's shoulder.

This wasn't the first time Hyuga Ritsu and Uchiha Shisui had interacted. They had fought against the Kirigakure Shinobi on the Eastern Front for several years. Hyuga Ritsu had traveled far and wide, and due to the tactical advantages of the Byakugan, he had teamed up with many people. Uchiha Shisui was one of them.

They had cooperated to hunt Kirigakure Shinobi more than once, and as a result, they had developed a decent friendship.

"Then, Senior Ritsu, please guide me this time as well."

Uchiha Shisui smiled gently.

He was fourteen years old, one year younger than Hyuga Ritsu, which was why he called Hyuga Ritsu "Senior."

Looking at Uchiha Shisui, one could truly understand what a real genius was!

"How could I possibly guide you? It's the same as before; it will still be up to you, Shisui-kun, to fiercely slaughter those Kirigakure Shinobi while I assist. Alright, let's hurry! We can talk as we go. We can't afford to be late, or the Shigushan Mountain defense line might be breached, and we'll both be in trouble!"

Hyuga Ritsu naturally took command.

"Yes, Senior Ritsu."

Uchiha Shisui didn't mind being commanded; his personality was so docile, it was almost unlike an Uchiha.

Of course, this acceptance was based on the premise that Hyuga Ritsu had proven through his actions in the past that he was capable of commanding, allowing Uchiha Shisui to unleash his full potential in slaughter.

Meanwhile, inside Aburame Ryoma's tent.

"Kaito, do you know why you're going to the Shigushan Mountain defense line?"

"To find an opportunity to shoot an arrow from the dark and eliminate Hyuga Ritsu."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Aburame Ryoma said helplessly, looking at his subordinate who was kneeling on one knee before him. "Your mission is to observe and gather intelligence on Hyuga Ritsu, do you understand?"

"But Lord Danzo's order is to kill Hyuga Ritsu."

The subordinate raised an objection.

"Namikaze Minato couldn't kill Hyuga Ritsu even after intervening twice. Do you think you can kill Hyuga Ritsu with a sneak attack from behind? Do you think your little tricks can escape his Byakugan? Do you really believe that Hyuga Ritsu became the Clan Head of the Hyuga Clan by defeating the previous one solely through luck?"

Aburame Ryoma said sternly.

The man named Yamanaka Kaito was rendered speechless. He wanted to retort, but with the example of Namikaze Minato, he truly didn't dare to claim he was more formidable than the Yellow Flash.

"Kaito, recall Lord Danzo's orders carefully. Lord Danzo wants Hyuga Ritsu to die at the hands of the Kirigakure Shinobi in a way that is justifiable and reasonable, without any trace linking us to it. Hyuga Ritsu's death must have no connection to the village!"

"Of course, killing Hyuga Ritsu and then framing the Kirigakure Shinobi is also a method, but that would require destroying the body and leaving no evidence, making it absolutely seamless. However, the battlefield is complex and unpredictable, making it almost impossible to avoid leaving any clues. Therefore, it's best if Hyuga Ritsu truly dies at the hands of the Kirigakure Shinobi."

Aburame Ryoma's attitude was resolute.

This mission absolutely could not have any flaws. The mission could even fail, but it absolutely could not be botched. Simply put, it was fine if Hyuga Ritsu couldn't be killed; there would be other opportunities later. But if Hyuga Ritsu were killed and they couldn't sever ties with the village, he would most likely be put forward as a scapegoat and executed.

This was not the outcome Aburame Ryoma desired. As a ninja, he did not fear death, but he did not want to die bearing such a notorious stigma.

So, the only one who could have killed Hyuga Ritsu was a proper Kirigakure Shinobi.

"Yes, I understand."

Yamanaka Kaito replied with his head bowed, his yellow ponytail swaying up and down behind him.

"If you understand, then hurry up and depart. You'll go directly to the Shigushan Mountain defense line. Here's your orders. You will reinforce the Shigushan Mountain defense line as a Medical Ninja. Remember, don't do anything unnecessary. While doing your work as a Medical Ninja, use your clan's Sensing Technique to keep a close eye on Hyuga Ritsu and record his every move."

Aburame Ryoma handed over a document.

After Yamanaka Kaito left, Aburame Ryoma was alone in the tent. He returned to his desk and began to work diligently. While the title of Deputy Commander granted him the authority to act as he saw fit, he also had to fulfill his duties.

However, neither Aburame Ryoma nor the insects he kept within his body detected that beneath the desk, a pale, ear-like fungus that seemed to grow from the ground was slowly sinking into the floor, disappearing without a trace.