Who Said the Hyuga Clan Couldn't Use Lightning Release Armor?

"Luyan, what do you think Lord Orochimaru has planned for this mission?"

Akimichi Timon swallowed a Military Ration Pill, glanced around at the guards escorting the Son of the Daimyo, and asked in a low voice.

"Timon, keep your voice down..."

Yamanaka Santian hurriedly cut him off, gesturing toward Hyuga Qinglan, who was sitting alone by the riverbank, washing up.

"Lord Orochimaru did give us this mission, but the problem is Captain Qinglan..."

Santian trailed off, but his meaning was already perfectly clear.

Their Ino-Shika-Cho team was one of the few members of their respective clans who had chosen to support Orochimaru.

Every major clan secretly backed one candidate whenever a new Hokage was in the running.

They did it both to help their preferred candidate claim the Hokage Position and to secure greater influence for their own clan.

But their Ino-Shika-Cho team's combat strength was clearly no match for Nara Shikaku's squad, which had chosen to support Namikaze Minato.

"It looks like Lord Orochimaru's fighting spirit has been rekindled..."

Santian couldn't help recalling the glorious days when he had served under Orochimaru on missions in Amegakure.

"Santian. Timon."

Nara Luyan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

He held the Nara Clan's signature contemplative pose, gently rubbing the sparse stubble on his chin. "Captain Qinglan... might be one of us, after all."

"But isn't he a member of the Hyuga Branch Family?"

Santian asked instinctively, then paused when he saw the knowing smile on Luyan's face.

"Branch Family or Main Branch, in the end, they're all part of the Hyuga Clan."

"And the true geniuses—or the most powerful figures—in the Hyuga Clan... well, it comes down to the two people calling the shots."

Luyan explained unhurriedly. "Clan Head Hiashi supports Lord Minato, certainly. But what about Lord Hizashi?"

"Though the Branch Family is controlled by the Caged Bird, every major clan leaves itself a couple of options. Just like we do."

Luyan looked toward Hyuga Qinglan, who had finished washing and was getting to his feet.

"Besides, you've both seen Captain Qinglan's strength along the way, haven't you?"

At his words, the two couldn't help thinking back to each battle they'd encountered on the road.

Most of the time, the enemy hadn't even shown their faces before the Byakugan spotted them, followed immediately by an Air Palm.

If one palm didn't kill them, two did.

And they were left to finish off the survivors and clean up afterward.

That kind of fighting strength was nothing like the Hyuga Branch Family members they'd seen before.

Seeing the thoughtful expressions gradually appear on his companions' faces, Nara Luyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had pieced together these deductions bit by bit from the way this mission had been arranged.

The village's elite ninja had mostly been sent to the front lines, while Orochimaru's former subordinates had been scattered and dispatched on missions in different places.

When he returned to the village and received this mission, personally assigned by Orochimaru, Luyan understood.

Orochimaru had never backed down. He had only been biding his time.

And the key to turning things around might begin with this mission.

As for why he suspected Hyuga Qinglan was also working for Orochimaru...

Nara Luyan frowned slightly, recalling how Qinglan had started asking around about the area after they neared Yugakure, and how he would occasionally go off alone to deal with enemies.

He had good reason to suspect that Hyuga Qinglan was sending them a signal.

"Qinglan, my friend, all done washing up? We've rested for the night, and we'll be at Yugakure soon."

The Son of the Daimyo stepped down from the palanquin, hands clasped behind his back, and walked toward Hyuga Qinglan with a cheerful smile.

Qinglan... my friend?

Hyuga Qinglan gave the young man, who looked several years older than him, an odd look.

"Your Highness, please just call me Hyuga Qinglan."

"No, Qinglan, my friend."

The Son of the Daimyo stopped in front of him, his expression suddenly turning serious. "Your skills have been plain to see throughout this journey. Why not come with me to the capital and become my personal bodyguard?"

"Your Highness, I'm honored by your high regard."

Hyuga Qinglan remained composed, his gaze passing over the three Ino-Shika-Cho members walking toward them.

"But the village is in danger right now. We Konoha Ninja should put the village first."

"Still... if Your Highness is really short-handed, Luyan would be a good choice."

"Oh?"

The Son of the Daimyo followed his gaze toward Nara Luyan. Until then, he'd barely paid any attention to the three of them.

All his focus had been on Hyuga Qinglan, the team captain.

But now that he took a closer look...

Pineapple-shaped hair, a little mustache, a composed face, a ninja of the Nara Clan...

Thoughts raced through the Son of the Daimyo's mind.

If he couldn't recruit someone from the Hyuga Clan, having a Nara clan strategist would be a fine alternative.

Perhaps that way, with his father...

His eyes narrowed slightly, then he opened his fan and spoke with a beaming smile. "Luyan. What a fine name. I quite like that suggestion."

"Your Highness is too kind. It would be my honor to serve as your bodyguard." Nara Luyan quickly bowed, though his mind was already racing to figure out Hyuga Qinglan's motives.

As I thought...

Hyuga Qinglan really was working for Lord Orochimaru.

And he knew about Lord Orochimaru's plan to ingratiate himself with the Son of the Daimyo and, through him, influence—or even control—the Daimyo...

That's right. Control the Daimyo.

Nara Luyan once again recalled the moment Orochimaru had told him about the plan in person. It still seemed absurd, even impossible to pull off.

But when he saw Orochimaru's calm, unruffled face, he understood.

Even if he wanted to stop him, he couldn't.

Besides, as loyal followers who had long been at Orochimaru's side, they had no choice but to follow Lord Orochimaru all the way.

"Excellent..."

The Son of the Daimyo closed his fan, looking even more pleased. "In that case, I'll inform the Third Hokage. But for now—"

He turned and walked back toward the palanquin, raising his fan to point toward Yugakure in the distance.

"Let's get into the village first. All I want right now is a nice, hot bath."

Before he'd even finished speaking—

"Crackle! Crackle!"

A shrill electric crack suddenly split the air.

Blue-white arcs tore through the morning mist. The servants and samurai around the Son of the Daimyo were caught completely off guard.

Their screams were swallowed by the high-voltage current before they could even escape their throats, and the air filled with the stench of burning flesh.

Four or five guards were charred in an instant and fell stiffly to the ground.

"Still want that bath?"

A figure wrapped in Lightning Release chakra appeared in front of the Son of the Daimyo without warning, blinding sparks coursing around him as he reached out to grab him.

"Die, Konoha Ninja!"

In the blink of an eye—

"Bang!"

A purple figure, moving even faster, slammed into the attacker from the side and kicked him flying.

"Rumble!"

The ground burst open into a deep crater, sending dust flying.

The attacker spat out a mouthful of blood and rolled several times before barely coming to a stop. He had no idea how many ribs he'd broken. His vision darkened as the world spun around him.

"Cough, cough... you..."

The man forced himself to ask the question he couldn't make sense of.

"You're... from the Hyuga Clan, aren't you?"

"How can you use... Lightning Release Armor?"

Hyuga Qinglan lowered his leg as the purple arcs gradually faded from his body.

"Who said the Hyuga Clan couldn't use Lightning Release Armor?"