A Shocking Turn at the Banquet

The events in the Demon Country have attracted the attention of many forces because the Priestess Miroku offered a bounty of 100 million ryo for her mission. Some bounty hunters have also begun to search for Shion's whereabouts like looking for a needle in a haystack.

At this moment, everyone realized that the Serpent Spirit Corporation, which had risen like a comet in recent years, was actually controlled by Priestess from the Demon Country.

It should be noted that the Demon Country used to be a neutral country, without even a daimyo. The country was controlled by Priestess who possessed mysterious powers.

Of course, many people believe that Priestess are just charlatans and have no mysterious powers whatsoever.

But the leader of such a weak and neutral country actually controlled the ' Serpent Spirit ' Group.

The group's Medical Ninjutsu scrolls and special medical elixirs are strategic resources for various countries.

The Serpent Spirit Corporation's rapid expansion could not have been achieved by the Demon Country alone; there must be someone behind the Priestess Miroku.

In an instant, all factions sent spies to infiltrate the Demon Country, hoping to uncover the secrets of the Serpent Spirit Corporation and the Priestess Miroku.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, Danzo also noticed the Demon Country. However, after experiencing Kushina's Tailed Beast Ball attack, the failure of the Akatsuki's destruction plan, and the loss of control by Kinkaku and Kinkaku, Ginkaku Root heavy losses. He didn't have many people he could use, and the remaining elites were not enough to even monitor the Uchiha Clan, let alone send them out.

Especially with the recent Diplomatic Mission from Kumogakure to Konoha, the higher-ups are paying close attention, Danzo unable to attend to everything.

On the evening of December 27th, it was Konoha Hyuga's third birthday, the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan in Hinata Hyuga. Many Ninja Clan and officials who were on good terms with the Hyuga clan came to celebrate. A three-year-old girl's birthday may not be as important as one might imagine, but it was very necessary to show one's face on this special day and deepen the relationship with the Hyuga Clan Leader and the Hyuga clan.

The Hyuga clan is Ninja Clan that has been passed down since the early Warring States period. With a history of several hundred years, they are powerful and have a profound heritage.

During the Late Warring States Period, a time of fierce competition among powerful clans, they were a prestigious family second only to the Uchiha and Senju.

After finalizing the new terms of the alliance, the Jōnin of the Kumogakure Delegation, along with the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha High-Level, attended Hinata Hyuga's birthday banquet, showing great respect to the Hyuga clan.

It had snowed heavily just two days ago, and the weather was freezing cold, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the guests attending the banquet. The Hyūga main residence was bustling with activity. People from different Ninja Clan and countries seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness of the past, and everyone had a smile on their face.

As Hyuga Hiashi entered the arena leading a little girl, the crowd quickly fell silent.

Hinata Hyuga was dressed in a white kimono, looking like a delicate porcelain doll.

However, she seemed a little timid in the eyes of the crowd.

"Mom! I know that girl! I took her home when she got lost last time!"

At that moment, a little boy's voice came from the middle and back rows of the banquet hall, which was very noticeable in the quiet environment.

"Naruto, mind your manners," a gentle female voice reminded him. Uzumaki Ashina glanced at little Naruto.

Minato Namikaze and the Hyuga clan had a relatively harmonious relationship. Although he, the Fourth Hokage, was in a coma and practically dead, the Hyuga clan still invited his family to a banquet.

"Oh," Naruto replied, noticing everyone's gaze, he shut his mouth, but his eyes were still fixed on Hinata.

Hinata noticed Naruto's fixed gaze, and her cheeks flushed slightly, but she wasn't as shy as before.

"Is this the son of the Yellow Flash?" Kawashima Kamiya, the leader of the Kawashima Kamiya Kumogakure Delegation, sitting in the front seat, had a slight glint in his eyes. As Sensor Ninja, he could roughly sense Naruto's Chakra. At such a young age, his Chakra was incredibly strong.

Konoha's foundation is truly astounding. The Yellow Flash was seriously injured and unconscious, and his son's talent seemed to be no less than his, and even surpassed it. In this way, ten years later, there will be a second Yellow Flash.

Although the Kumogakure ostensibly sought to deepen its alliance with the Konoha, it was actually there to gather Konoha, assess the Konoha's strength recovery over the past few years, and prepare for a potential future Ninja World War.

"This kid's Chakra is special and worth studying. We should secretly capture him and take him back." Kawashima Kamiya's eyes flickered slightly before his gaze returned to Hinata.

The Byakugan is the treasure that Kumogakure desires most. The Third Raikage has already mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode to its limit. If the Byakugan could be transplanted into him, his strength would definitely reach a new level, and he might even be able to suppress the two members of the Uzumaki Clan again. For this, he would not care even if it meant breaking the alliance with Konoha.

In any case, Konoha is currently in a situation where it can better protect itself than make any progress, Kumogakure is certain that Konoha will not start another war.

After all, they had kidnapped Konoha's Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki before, and Konoha still acted as if nothing had happened.

Rather than forming alliances, strengthening one's own capabilities is the key.

The banquet continued, and the servants led Hinata back to her room, while Hyuga Hiashi stayed behind to entertain the distinguished guests.

Slightly behind, Shiraha's Wood Spirit Avatar, Uchiha Issei, was sitting near Hyuga Hideto. Since Shiraha's main body was busy searching for Shion, the Wood Spirit Avatar would act on instinct when there were no instructions.

The Hyuga clan did not invite any members of the Uchiha, but they welcomed any guests who came on their own initiative.

Uchiha Issei attended the banquet at the invitation of Hyuga Hideto. Apart from him, the only other Uchiha Clan present was Chiho, a former member of Team 12.

Many of Shiraha's acquaintances were sitting in the back row.

Kakashi, Might Duy, and Might Guy, father and son, all came.

Ever since Might Duy demonstrated the powerful explosive force of the Eight Gates in the First Shinobi World War against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he has received high attention from the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. In recent years, Konoha has also begun to focus on training ninjas who specialize in Taijutsu. In the Ninja Academy, as long as one specializes in Taijutsu, one can graduate even if one does not know the Three Body Technique.

Might Duy, now supported by Sarutobi Hiruzen, has obtained a large amount of training resources. With the help of the Nara Clan's secret medicine, he has basically repaired the hidden injuries he suffered and his strength has reached a new level.

His son, Might Guy, also displayed outstanding Taijutsu talent, and thus received sponsorship from Sarutobi Hiruzen. At only 15 years old, he had already been promoted to Special Jonin.

It's important to understand that even becoming Chunin is extremely difficult when one only knows Taijutsu, let alone becoming a Special Jonin at the age of 15. This was a special favor that Sarutobi Hiruzen deliberately created.

After all, geniuses like Kakashi who become full- Jōnin at the age of 12 are extremely rare, and it is only during wartime when Jōnin resources are scarce that they can be promoted quickly through battle merits. It is very difficult to be promoted during peacetime.

"Hopefully Might Duy won't become an enemy then," the Wood Spirit Avatar thought to itself. Konoha's strength seemed to have declined significantly, but its top-tier combat power was still considerable.

If Might Duy were to intervene when the Uchiha Clan prepares to leave Konoha in the future, it would be a considerable problem. After all, according to the shared memories of the original Shiraha, even though Might Duy did not unleash the Eighth Gate of Death of the Eight Gates, the Seventh Gate alone possessed an absurdly strong Chakra.

"Hey, Kakashi!" Compared to Kakashi, who was quietly eating his food, Might Guy was not so well-behaved and kept calling out to Kakashi at the next table.

"What are you doing?" Kakashi glanced at Might Guy, his dead fish eyes as lifeless as ever.

"You're being way too cold, aren't you? I haven't seen you around for a while now," Might Guy said, displeased.

Kakashi said calmly, "There's a mission."

He was highly valued after Minato Namikaze became the Fourth Hokage, and after Minato Namikaze was seriously injured and fell into a coma, Sarutobi Hiruzen placed him in his direct Anbu. Then Danzo extended an olive branch to him.

Therefore, Kakashi is currently ostensibly Sarutobi Hiruzen's subordinate, but secretly he has close ties with Danzo.

Danzo's excuse for trying to win him over was simply that Sarutobi Hiruzen, in order to support Minato Hokage as a puppet Minato Namikaze, first forced White Fang to his death, and then forced Orochimaru to leave.

Although Kakashi knew some of the inside story, in order to cooperate with Danzo's performance, he showed a mixture of anger and suspicion, appearing to be cooperating with Danzo in order to investigate the truth.

Of course, Kakashi did obtain a lot of confidential information from Sarutobi Hiruzen and gave it to Danzo, but the final destination of this information was the Uzumaki Clan.

Kakashi can now be considered a triple agent. Sarutobi Hiruzen thought Kakashi was one of Minato Namikaze's men, and therefore one of their own.

Danzo believed that Kakashi would blame the Third Hokage for Sakumo's death, so he took the opportunity to recruit and use Kakashi.

However, Kakashi's true loyalty was to Shiraha, or rather, to himself. By joining the Anbu and then the Root, Kakashi saw the darkness hidden beneath the surface of this village.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die. The Firelight will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

Beneath the Firelight lay the ashes of burned leaves, and beneath the ashes lay boundless darkness.

Therefore, Kakashi wants revenge!

Since Kakashi learned the Sealing Jutsu from Shiraha, he has mastered it and can seal his left Sharingan at any time. Without the Sharingan constantly draining his energy, Kakashi's strength has improved by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and the Hatake- ryu swordsmanship has shown its true power in his hands.

Today, the ' White Fang ' dagger has once again demonstrated its sharpness to the world.

If Kakashi hadn't been in the Anbu, his fame would have been even greater. Even so, Kakashi earned the reputation of "Konoha's Craftsman," "Copy Ninja Kakashi," and "White Crescent Moon" in the Shinobi World. His bounty on the Black Market was as high as 50 million ryo, the highest among the new generation of Konoha ninjas.

The birthday banquet ended quickly, and apart from some clan leaders and officials, everyone else left one after another.

Hyuga Hiashi escorted Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo the others to the main gate with a very respectful expression.

On the other hand, however, a problem arose.

After attending the birthday party, Uzumaki Ashina took Naruto and Karin home.

As I passed through a small alley, figures appeared one after the other at the entrance and exit of the alley, but I couldn't see who they were in the darkness.

After her husband Minato Namikaze Uzumaki Ashina also tried to train. However, although she awakened the special physique of the Uzumaki Clan, Chakra had the effect of healing injuries, her ninja talent was average, and she was only at the level of an ordinary Chunin.

As two dark figures slowly approached, Uzumaki Ashina instinctively sensed something was wrong and tightened her grip on the two children's hands.

"Mom, what's wrong? You're gripping me so hard it hurts." Karin looked up at Uzumaki Ashina.

"Superior!"

Upon hearing Karin's voice, the two Kumogakure Ninja in front and behind simultaneously accelerated towards the three people in the middle.

At this moment, two figures appeared in front of the three. They were dressed in black, covering their faces and only revealing their eyes.

"Watch out!" Uzumaki Ashina exclaimed in surprise and immediately shielded the two children.

Bang!

The two Kumogakure from Jōnin were veteran Jōnin extensive combat experience, Chunin an overwhelming difference in strength compared to Uzumaki Ashina, an ordinary Chunin who had never seen combat.

With just one move, she was kicked away, crashing heavily into the wall and falling to the ground, where she subsequently fell into a coma.

"Mother!"

Naruto and Karin cried out in alarm, but before the two children could call for help, they were subdued by Kumogakure Jonin covered their mouths and then struck them on the neck with a chop to the neck, preparing to take the two children away under the cover of night.

Just as they ran out of the alley and onto the main road, they ran into Kakashi and Uchiha Issei.

During the break between banquets, Kakashi wanted to give some information to Uchiha Issei, and then pass it on to Shiraha was far away in the Uzumaki Clan.

"Stop!" Kakashi saw two masked men dressed in black, their arms bulging with black cloth, as if they were hiding something, and immediately shouted to stop them.

"Let's split up!" The two exchanged a glance and ran off to the left and right at the same time.

"Chase!" Kakashi's expression changed, and he immediately gave chase.

Uchiha Issei, chased after the other person.

Bass!

Kakashi transformed into a blur, drawing his White Fang Short Sword from its sheath. With a flash of silver-white light, the fleeing Kumogakure Ninja was instantly wounded on the back.

Sizzle!

The second sword light flashed, Kakashi appeared in front of the Kumogakure Ninja. The black cloth on his chest was torn, revealing the unconscious Naruto inside.

"Naruto?!"

Kakashi's expression changed.

Realizing they had been exposed, the Kumogakure Ninja no longer held back and used Naruto, whom he was holding, as a shield during the battle.

Kakashi initially intended to capture his opponent alive, but upon seeing Naruto, he stopped holding back and used his full strength.

Laugh!

A sharp, piercing sound rang out.

The Kumogakure Ninja in front of him let out a scream, "Ah!"

"Ah!"

Soon, screams came from another direction.

The two Jōnin from Kumogakure were quite strong, but they were no match for Kakashi and Uchiha Issei, who were both Kage Level.

In particular, Kakashi himself is proficient in the Hatake Style Swordsmanship.

In reality, even a normal Kage Level fighter couldn't defeat Jōnin as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, since Jōnin are already the top combat force of a village.

Back then, Hatake Sakumo was only a regular Kage Level fighter, yet he could always finish off weaker Rank 1 Jōnin in a short time. This was thanks to his domineering and sharp swordsmanship, as well as his terrifying explosive power. Unless they were speed-type Jōnin or Jōnin who were very good at defense, regular Rank 1 Jōnin were often killed by Hatake Sakumo with a single blow.

Although Kakashi is only 15 years old, his strength is not much weaker than Sakumo's at his peak.

Especially after seeing Naruto who had been captured, Kakashi did not hide his strength. Instead, he unleashed his swordsmanship and Breathing Technique simultaneously, ending the battle in an instant.

On the other hand, although Bai Yu's Wood Spirit Avatar Shiraha, Uchiha Issei, is only of ordinary Kage Level strength, the power that the Three-Tomoe Sharingan can unleash in a one-on-one situation is unimaginable. Otherwise, the saying "one-on-one, he must flee" would not have circulated in the Shinobi World.

"Karin?" After using Genjutsu to break the spirit of the Kumogakure Jonin, Uchiha Issei also felt his eyes were a little sore. He lifted the black cloth covering the Kumogakure Jonin and found that the person he was holding was none other than Karin Namikaze, who had just attended the banquet.

Kakashi held Naruto and breathed a sigh of relief when he found that Naruto was only unconscious. The next second, his expression suddenly changed. "Oh no!"

Only two children were visible, but Uzumaki Ashina was nowhere to be seen. Could it be...?

Kakashi quickly handed Naruto over to Uchiha Issei, and then swiftly searched the vicinity for Uzumaki Ashina. He eventually found Uzumaki Ashina, who was seriously injured and unconscious, in an alley.

The screams quickly attracted the attention of the patrolling ninjas. The first to arrive were the Uchiha members of the Konoha Military Police Force, followed closely by the Anbu Ninja.

"What happened here?!" The Anbu Ninja frowned as he saw Uchiha Issei holding Naruto and Karin.

At that moment, Kakashi appeared carrying Uzumaki Ashina, and hurriedly said, "Quickly take Master's wife to the hospital!"

"How could this happen?!" The Anbu Ninja changed drastically when he saw Uzumaki Ashina with blood on the corner of her mouth. Uzumaki Ashina was one of the candidates for the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, and this matter was of great importance. He immediately sent someone to send Uzumaki Ashina to Konoha Hospital.

"These two Kumogakure ninjas attacked my master's wife, attempting to kidnap Naruto and Karin, but were intercepted by me and Issei-kun," Kakashi said, pointing to the Kumogakure Jonin he had killed on the ground.

At this moment, the other party's mask was removed, revealing their face and the Forehead Protector worn by the Kumogakure on their forehead.

"They're from the Kumogakure Delegation?!" The Anbu Ninja knelt down beside the dead man to examine him, and his expression immediately changed. Then, he looked at another ninja whose mind had been broken by Uchiha Issei Genjutsu, who was also a member of the Kumogakure Delegation.

"Quickly inform the Lord Third Hokage and Danzo!" the Anbu Ninja swiftly ordered his companion.

Meanwhile, on the other side, after killing the ninja who had infiltrated the backyard and kidnapped Hinata, Hyuga Hiashi lifted the ninja's mask and discovered that the deceased was none other than Kumogakure Delegation Kawashima Kamiya delegation.

What's going on?