The Main Character

The daytime cheers had long since faded, leaving only scattered lights swaying in the wind along the streets.

A shadow slipped between the rooftops like a fish through water, moving with such nimble silence that, without the Kumogakure Forehead Protector on his head, it would have been hard to believe he came from that domineering, overbearing village.

He lightly touched down on the roof tiles, vaulted into Hyuga Hiashi's residence, and crouched outside Hinata's window.

Then he took out a specially made thin piece of metal, slid it into the gap in the window frame, and gently lifted.

"Click."

The latch sprang open. Holding his breath, he pushed the window open and slipped inside.

The room was filled with a faint scent of lavender. A few scrolls lay on the desk, but the bed was empty, the covers cold and neatly arranged.

She wasn't here?!

His heart pounded wildly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He quickly searched the wardrobe, beneath the bed... Nowhere. The girl was nowhere to be found.

Damn it! Had the information leaked? Or was she just out of her room tonight?

He clenched his teeth, weighing his options. Plan A had failed. If he retreated now, his infiltration would have been pointless.

So he had no choice but to carry out Plan B!

A look of resolve flashed in his eyes. If he couldn't capture his target, he would bring the Byakugan to Kumogakure another way.

He took a pill from inside his clothes. It was a poison developed by Kumogakure; after someone died from taking it, no traces of poison could be detected during an autopsy. Combined with the wounds he had prepared on himself, anyone who saw his body would believe he had been killed by the Gentle Fist.

Then he quietly left Hinata's room and crept along the corridor toward the main house, stopping outside Hyuga Hiashi's quarters.

He sat cross-legged and looked up at the sky, holding the pill in his hand.

For the glory of Kumogakure, for Lord Raikage's plan... my sacrifice is worth it.

With a gulp, the pill slid down his throat, its bitter taste spreading through him at once.

His body began to convulse, and pain washed over him like a tide, but he clenched his teeth, refusing to make a sound. His vision blurred, and breathing grew more and more difficult.

At last, he slumped against the wall, holding a pose that made it look as if he had been struck down.

"Lord Raikage... my mission... is complete..."

Meanwhile, the missing Hyuga Hiashi and Hinata Hyuga had appeared at Tsunade's residence.

That afternoon, Tsunade had suddenly announced that she was taking on a disciple and would hold a ceremony to welcome him. She had even sent a special invitation to him. The meaning behind it could not have been clearer.

Tsunade was backing Hyuga Kiyonari.

She was telling him, the Hyuga Clan head, and the other members of the Main Family that Kiyonari was under her protection.

Hyuga Kiyonari's standing would change dramatically after today. In general, this was not a situation the Main Family wanted to see.

But for personal reasons, Hyuga Hiashi was happy to see it happen. Whatever the case, he did not want Hinata to marry an ordinary member of the Branch Family. If she did, then after becoming clan head, she would surely be constrained by the other members of the Main Family.

When Fugaku Uchiha arrived with Itachi Uchiha, they attracted quite a bit of attention. After all, the Uchiha Clan rarely attended such occasions, especially since they were being ostracized by Konoha.

Had they come here to break the deadlock by relying on Tsunade's influence?

The others couldn't help but wonder.

"Clan Head Fugaku, welcome."

Tsunade was a little surprised, too. She was a member of the Senju Clan, and this was once the Senju Clan's land. She hadn't expected the Uchiha to show up uninvited. It seemed they really were having a hard time.

"Lady Tsunade, congratulations on taking such an outstanding disciple," Fugaku Uchiha replied politely, then had Itachi present the gift they had prepared.

There weren't many guests at the residence. Only a handful of people in all of Konoha were qualified to receive an invitation from Tsunade; everyone else had heard a little about the event and come to pay a visit on their own.

After presenting their gift, Fugaku Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha did not join the other guests in making small talk. Instead, they found a quiet corner and sat down.

The Uchiha weren't welcome here, but then again, how could the Uchiha welcome them?

Fugaku Uchiha calmly poured himself a cup of tea. He showed no discomfort at the hostile glances around him, his gaze passing over the courtyard and settling on Tsunade.

"Itachi," Fugaku said quietly, his voice low enough for only the two of them to hear. "Look. That's the real star of this banquet."

"I know him. Hyuga Kiyonari. He'll surely become an outstanding ninja."

"No, I don't mean him. I mean Tsunade."

Itachi blinked in surprise.

Fugaku continued, "I don't know why that child has earned Tsunade's favor, but compared with her, he isn't qualified to be the star."

"Even if the child is talented, he's still a member of the Branch Family. His potential is already capped. Tsunade has made a grand spectacle of this apprenticeship ceremony, even inviting the heads of the major clans. On the surface, it looks like she's backing her disciple, but what's really going on?"

Itachi fell silent for a moment before answering, "I don't know."

"Think about who she is." Fugaku's voice held a trace of wistfulness. "Princess Tsunade, one of Konoha's Sannin, and the granddaughter of the First. If she hadn't disagreed with the Third and left the village, the Fourth Hokage would not have been Namikaze Minato."

"I once thought she'd never come back. But not only has she returned, she's even taken on a disciple. The implications... heh."

Itachi understood. "She wants to become the Fifth Hokage?"

"There's no one in all of Konoha more suited to become the Fifth Hokage than her." Fugaku Uchiha sighed deeply.

Once upon a time, Konoha had been so glorious. Back then, every candidate for Hokage had been one in a hundred.

"What about the Third's position?" Itachi Uchiha suddenly asked.

Fugaku shook his head to show he didn't know, then gestured toward the others in the hall. "Look at them... Ino-Shika-Cho, the Hyuga, and the heads of the other ninja clans, large and small. They're all here for the same reason we are."

"No one knows what the Third is thinking, and no one knows what Tsunade is thinking. But there's no doubt that the Third is old. Besides, ever since the Fourth Hokage died, the Third returned to power as Acting Hokage."

"No one can be certain Tsunade will become Hokage, but no one dares bet that she won't. As long as she stays in Konoha, everyone has to show her some respect."

Just then, a commotion came from outside the hall. The two of them looked over.

It was Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He wore ordinary clothes, with a pipe tucked into his belt. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he looked like an old man dropping by for a visit.

His arrival also put the guests at ease.