Returning to the Hyuga Clan to Prepare

The Eight Gates Formation of Heavenly Profundity set up in the Deforming Mountain was destroyed, and the forbidden land that terrified the world was completely transformed into an ordinary mountain range.

The terrain remained unchanged, and the Tomb of the Six Paths were completely buried underground by the rocks.

As dawn broke, a figure slowly walked down the mountain...

Several days later, Tōka returned to the Hyuga Clan Compound, only to find that the familiar streets were not as bustling as before. The shops were tightly closed, and the entire wide street appeared desolate and bleak.

After dismantling the Shadow Clone that replaced the Original Body, Tōka learned that Orochimaru had once again led powerful warriors to infiltrate the Hyuga Clan Compound because of the Hyuga Raiden.

The goal is to find a way to free the Caged Bird!

As the eldest elder of the Hyuga Clan, Hyuga Raiden knew how the Caged Bird Curse was planted, and the method to break it was known only to the successive heads of the clan.

In other words, Orochimaru and Hyūga have clashed!

Hyuga Hiashi was strong, but he was not as cunning as Orochimaru. He was held hostage by Hinata Hyuga Orochimaru, which made him feel restricted and uncomfortable in battle.

"Hyuga Hiashi injured and is now under tight protection by the Third Hokage's men." Tōka pushed open the door and walked along the long corridor.

Thump!

A muffled sound rang out, and a soft, tender sensation came over my cheek.

Then a gasp rang in her ears, and Hinata, who was also looking down and preoccupied, was knocked to the ground.

"Oh no!" Tōka's heart skipped a beat. The two were completely disproportionate in size. Just now, he subconsciously unleashed a burst of chakra that sent Hinata flying.

Although the force wasn't great, Tōka was worried that Hinata would notice.

However, it seems he was overthinking it.

Hinata rubbed her sore backside and stood up, looking at Hanabi with a puzzled expression. "What are you thinking about? You seem distracted."

"You're no different, you never look ahead when you walk." Tōka retorted without thinking.

The two paused, and inexplicably fell silent.

Hinata's face was pale because her father was seriously injured because of her, and there was a faint dark shadow under her eyes. It looked like she hadn't rested well for several days.

"Sister, how is Father today?" Tōka asked tentatively, noticing that Hinata finished watching Hyuga Hiashi.

"Your complexion still isn't very good; they say it will take a month or two to gradually improve." Hinata lowered her head even further upon hearing this.

One or two months? That's wonderful!

He was worried that his Shadow Clone remaining in the Hyuga Clan would be discovered since he would be away for quite some time.

Hyuga Hiashi Hanabi injury; how will he have time to worry about Hanabi?

"I'm going to see my father!" Tōka said, then ran off towards the other end of the corridor after missing Hinata.

Visiting Hyuga Hiashi? You're kidding, Tōka doesn't care whether that guy lives or dies.

He was merely confirming Hinata's words; it wasn't that he didn't trust Hinata. Rather, it was because someone as meticulous as Hyuga Hiashi might use a serious injury to lower Orochimaru's guard.

Orochimaru failed to obtain the method to break the Caged Bird curse, and only heaven knows if he will try again.

Knock knock knock...

Tōka knocked gently on the door and stood respectfully waiting.

At the same time, the Tenseigan's vision covered the entire courtyard, and the Anbu hidden in the shadows had nowhere to hide; Tōka saw them all without missing a single one.

"Two Elite Squad of ANBU are guarding this room, not to mention Anbu possibility of guards planted by the Hyuga Clan in the open." Tōka's eyelids darkened, confirming that Hinata's words were about 70% true.

A short while later, a low, hoarse voice came from inside the room.

"Come in." Hyuga Hiashi's voice betrayed a faint weakness and a weariness stemming from a lack of energy.

Upon hearing this, Tōka pushed open the door and entered, only to see an old man wearing a straw hat standing at the window, facing Hyuga Hiashi.

Who else could this person be but that Fox from the Third Hokage?

Hearing the door Gate of Opening, the Third Hokage and Hyuga Hiashi turned to look at them at the same time.

Knowing that Fox was here, I shouldn't have come at this time. After cursing my bad luck, Tōka forced a worried look on her face and quickly walked to the bedside.

"Father, are you feeling better?" Tōka asked worriedly.

Before coming in, he deliberately rubbed his eyes, making them red and swollen as if he had been crying.

Didn't Hyuga Hiashi reprimand her with a stern face? In Hanabi's memory, Hyuga Hiashi was very strict.

He rarely spoke to the two sisters in a kind and gentle manner.

At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi patted Tōka's head with a kind expression, leaving Tōka completely bewildered. If it weren't for his Tenseigan, which showed that this guy wasn't someone else's Transformation Technique, he would have been completely confused.

Tōka even thought that Hyuga Hiashi had been switched!

"I'm fine, don't worry." Two Hyuga Hiashi's three sentences revolved around training. "Although I can't supervise you during this time, you need to take good care of yourself, understand?"

"Hanabi has remembered." Tōka's expression became even more respectful, just like Hanabi's little lolita!

It's so convincing, the acting is just too convincing!

The Third Hokage's gaze lingered on Tōka for a few seconds before shifting away. "Hiashi, I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll be going now."

"Farewell Lord Hokage." Hyuga Hiashi was indeed seriously injured, and after discussing some matters with the Third Hokage, a deep weariness washed over him.

As soon as he finished speaking, without any further instructions, the butler guarding the door escorted the Third Hokage Hyuga Hiashi.

"You should go too, or you'll be late." Only after the Third Hokage's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Hyuga Hiashi turn to look at Tōka and say this.

"Yes." Tōka nodded, tucked the blanket around Hyuga Hiashi, and left the room looking like a dutiful daughter.

He turned around, the worry on his face vanished, replaced by a deep, thoughtful expression.

Orochimaru has always been pursuing the resurrection of the dead, hasn't he? This guy could be put to use.

As Tōka walked out of the Hyūga Estate, pondering how to find Orochimaru, his ears suddenly twitched; a faint whistling sound filled the air...

It seemed to contain a faint sound of a Poisonous Snake flicking its tongue!

One Flash of Ice Blue flame appeared and disappeared in his Pure White eyes. Tōka curled his lips into a cold smile. "Heh, does this mean birds of a feather flock together? It's exactly what I expected?!"

That's right, Orochimaru came looking for him!

Just as Tōka wanted to use Orochimaru's identity, Orochimaru also hoped to use Tōka's identity—or, to be precise, Hanabi's identity.

Tōka turned and slipped into a Dark Alley, his hands Hand Seals created a shadow Shadow Clone with a bang.

In the shadows, a small snake with cold, emotionless eyes stared intently at the two Tōka, seemingly unfazed by the sudden appearance of another person.

The little snake remained quietly lurking in the shadows of the corner, Budong.

Until...

Tōka's gaze fell on it, and he said calmly, "Let's go, take me to see that persistent Orochimaru!"

As if it could understand human speech, the little snake immediately turned around and darted into its hole in the corner of the wall.

Tōka could clearly pinpoint the snake's location. He leaped onto the roof and followed the snake in the direction it had gone.