The Pursuers

Hyuga Hiashi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan; his daughter, Hyuga Hinata, had truly been kidnapped.

But after the initial shock, everyone suddenly came to their senses. They all began to believe it was a performance he had arranged himself, and some even thought he had simply hidden his eldest daughter.

Many ordinary ninja didn't know about the Hyuga Clan's system at first, but after the tragedy that befell the Hyuga Clan last year, more people gradually learned about them.

Although the Uchiha Clan was arrogant in front of outsiders, their internal situation wasn't too bad. If you could awaken the Sharingan, you were a good child of the Uchiha family, and if you awakened the Three Tomoe, you were even better.

At the very least, those with higher talent received more resources and status.

But the Hyuga Clan was the exact opposite. To protect their eyes, they researched that disgusting thing to differentiate classes, and to protect the main family, the branch family had to willingly sacrifice their lives.

Hyuga Hizashi wasn't without friends, but when he vanished silently before everyone's eyes while Hyuga Hiashi was still alive, many people understood certain things.

However, after the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo discussed it for a while, although they initially suspected remnants of the Uchiha Clan, after exchanging information, they realized there was no way the Uchiha could still be lingering in Konohagakure under the bright daylight.

Despite a few lingering doubts, they unanimously agreed that Hyuga Hiashi had likely done this himself. Hyuga Hizashi's child had already been branded with the Caged Bird, and there wasn't much time left for Hyuga Hinata.

"The Uchiha Clan's matter just ended, we have to show some kind of response," Shimura Danzo said solemnly, looking at the hesitant Third Hokage.

"You've ruled out the Uchiha Clan as perpetrators, so it's even less likely I would do such a thing."

"Then I think it's very possible that Hyuga Yue learned that ninjutsu from the Uchiha and the Hyuga Clan used it themselves."

"Although it's highly probable that Hyuga Hiashi is orchestrating this behind the scenes and wouldn't want us to investigate further, we must show our stance."

"The Uchiha Clan just went through a massacre, and the village is already unstable. If we ignore Hyuga Hinata's disappearance, how can we unite the other ninja clans in an emergency?"

"This might also be a test from Hyuga Hiashi and the other ninja clans, Hiruzen!"

"I understand."

The Third Hokage frowned. Unexpected complications were the last thing he wanted, but since it had happened, as Danzo said, he had to respond.

The degree of that response needed to be carefully managed.

The carriage continued to sway forward, not quickly.

Although the Land of Fire was the wealthiest nation, the roads became bumpy and uneven the farther they got from the villages. While the original road builders hadn't planned for this, the rogue ninja and bandits lurking on the mountain tops were happy to see it.

The cost of a ninjutsu was far less than repairing roads.

"Do you think your father will personally come after you?" Uchiha Jie asked with a smile.

"Father will definitely come," Hyuga Hinata replied, lowering her head, her voice lacking much confidence.

Although she was still a child, it was precisely because she was a child that she could best sense the good and evil in others, a primal instinct.

When she was little, her father naturally loved her, but everything changed after she was first kidnapped last year...

"Gurgle gurgle..."

A strange sound suddenly came from inside the carriage.

"Uh, you haven't eaten yet?"

Uchiha Jie asked, fumbling for a small scroll on his person, which contained the dried rations he had prepared.

These rations weren't the unpalatable things ninja carried on missions, but good food purchased from various restaurants in Konohagakure. They were still warm when taken out of the scroll.

There were various sweet dumplings and snacks as a light meal, as well as a large bowl of ramen. The ramen was topped with two large pieces of pork, the broth a pale yellowish-white, and the noodles a bit more yellow. Soon, the aroma of ramen filled the carriage.

He then took out a pair of disposable chopsticks and handed them to Hinata.

"Th-thank you."

Starving, Hinata clasped her hands together, bowed slightly, and picked up the bowl of noodles, devouring them.

She hadn't eaten anything since her bento at school at noon, and she rarely ate enough at home. Seeing such a large bowl of noodles now, she had completely forgotten her father's usual teachings.

Don't eat things from strangers. Besides, the stranger had kidnapped her.

After finishing the bowl of noodles and eating the dumplings that served as snacks, she looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed, with a bit of soup still on her lips.

"Um, I'm still very hungry, could I have some more?"

Uchiha Jie's expression turned strange. This seven-year-old child had already eaten as much food as an adult male could, and she still wasn't full.

He had brought a lot of rations, but there wasn't much of these delicious hot dishes.

"If you want more, you can have it."

Uchiha Jie took out another scroll and tore open the seal.

He pointed to the window at the back of the carriage and said, "I remember you can use the Byakugan now, can you check if anyone is following us?"

"Mmm..."

Hyuga Hinata fell into a dilemma. If she helped the kidnapper, the Konoha ninja coming to save her, or even her father, could be ambushed. But the food in front of her smelled so good, so good. She had never eaten her fill in Konoha.

However, she couldn't use the Byakugan at all.

"I-I'm sorry," she shook her head, refusing the beef rice placed before her.

But Uchiha Jie still handed her the chopsticks.

"Eat up, I'll get out and take a look."

The sky outside the carriage had completely darkened. Dense forests lined both sides of the road, which had no lights. It would take several more hours of travel before they reached a moderately sized village. The moonlight was blocked by layers upon layers of leaves, and only the carriage windows emitted a warm, yellow glow.

The Sharingan slowly opened. Two ordinary Shadow Clones leaped out from behind Uchiha Jie, one to the left and one to the right, disappearing into the forest.

In an instant, the sound of air being cut came from the treetops. Kunai and shuriken reflected the moonlight, appearing like countless stars.

However, each star had a corresponding counterpart. No one had ever managed to gain the upper hand against the Uchiha Clan in a projectile battle.

After a series of clanging sounds, the forest returned to silence once more. Only the carriage carrying Hyuga Hinata remained, stopped quietly in the middle of the road.