Poaching

"Lady Tsunade!" Not long after Riyue left, a guard walked into the hospital room with a stack of files in his hands.

"I found the files you asked me to look for this morning. These are all of Hyuga Nichigetsu's records." The guard handed the files to Tsunade and took his leave.

Tsunade had stayed with Dan Katō all day yesterday, so naturally she hadn't returned to her tent. Early this morning, she'd asked an Anbu guard to look up Hyuga Nichigetsu's records, but he'd only brought them now. Tsunade picked up the files and flipped through them. The words "Chunin" were written in large letters on the first page.

Tsunade smiled bitterly and thought, If the Anbu had brought me Riyue's records sooner, maybe I could have learned more about him. Maybe I could have apologized and cleared up the misunderstanding. Then Riyue might not have refused...

There's no mention of his medical skills. Looks like the boy never had a chance to show them off in the village—or maybe he deliberately kept them hidden... Acupoint strikes can have an effect like that? I'd love to discuss medical ninjutsu with him... His body resisted the Caged Bird Seal? Is he descended from my Senju Clan?... His vest was specially made for him by Konoha? And he modified it himself? I thought he'd copied a Chunin vest...

"Could it be that I've driven away such a wonderful student?" Tsunade closed the file in her hands and thought to herself.

Tsunade decided to find Riyue and talk things through, clear up their misunderstanding, apologize to him, formally take him on as her student, and announce his status to everyone. Tsunade was certainly capable of that much.

So Tsunade went to the Logistics Department. Riyue saw her coming and looked puzzled. He asked coldly, "Lady Tsunade, did you need something?"

"Hm? You're the Shadow Clone you used this morning, aren't you?" Tsunade guessed from Riyue's demeanor that he was a clone.

"Yeah, I'm a Shadow Clone." Riyue nodded, his manner still cold.

"Then where's your real body?" Tsunade asked. This Shadow Clone had been made that morning, so it didn't have any memory of Riyue refusing Tsunade.

"He went to the hospital to see Teacher Dan Katō, I guess. If he's not there, he's training." Though Riyue's Shadow Clone disliked Tsunade, it still told her where his real body was.

Riyue walked slowly along the path to his training spot. He'd just flatly rejected Tsunade, and the two of them had effectively ended their nominal teacher-student relationship. Riyue thought it was for the best. At least he'd defended his dignity and gotten some of his anger out.

He could talk to the Third Hokage about becoming his student later. As long as he kept his distance from Tsunade, they could each go their own way. The only problem was that no one would be teaching him medical ninjutsu. He'd find a way to deal with that eventually. For now, he'd practice something else.

Riyue reached the small woods where he trained, then abruptly stopped and turned to stare at a nearby tree. His Byakugan was already active.

"Come out, or I'll attack." Riyue spoke calmly as he secretly gathered chakra in his hand. If there was an enemy hiding in the tree, he wouldn't hesitate to use the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.

"Chunin Hyuga Nichigetsu, please don't attack. I mean you no harm." A masked figure in an Anbu combat uniform flipped down from the treetop and landed on the ground. His mask had stripe-like patterns, almost like a theatrical face.

"Someone from the Anbu?" Riyue asked, then let the chakra in his hand dissipate.

"To be precise, I'm with the Anbu Special Mobile Force," the man explained.

"The Anbu Special Mobile Force? What can I do for you?" Riyue asked calmly, though he was already on guard. Anbu Special Mobile Force? Hah, sounds impressive. Isn't that just Root? What does that bastard Danzo want with me?

Riyue had never thought well of Danzo. He was ruthless, cold-blooded, sinister, and cunning—the perfect spymaster. Riyue had no desire to deal with someone like him.

Tsunade followed the route Riyue's Shadow Clone had pointed out. As she walked, she happened to hear Riyue talking with someone from Root.

Hm? Who's Riyue talking to? Tsunade quietly hid nearby and eavesdropped.

"Chunin Hyuga Nichigetsu, Lord Danzo thinks highly of you. He hopes you'll join the Anbu Special Mobile Force." The visitor got straight to the point.

Tsunade's heart skipped a beat as she listened. The Anbu Special Mobile Force? One of Danzo's men? Why would he come looking for Riyue? Danzo had been the Third Hokage's longtime rival. They had clashed for over twenty years because their ideals and ambitions didn't align. Tsunade was the Third Hokage's student and the First's granddaughter, so of course she disagreed with Danzo's beliefs.

"Thinks highly of me? Why?" Riyue asked, puzzled. Looks like Danzo's taken an interest in me. Does he want me to join Root? Or has he got his eye on my Byakugan? My Byakugan is practically useless; I can only keep it active for twenty-five minutes. Besides, he can't get his hands on me because of the Caged Bird Seal.

Danzo had a particular "collecting hobby" when it came to special eyes and techniques, but Riyue still ruled out the possibility that he wanted his Byakugan.

"Hyuga Nichigetsu, Lord Danzo has been keeping an eye on you for a long time. You have astonishing potential. Not only are you young and already quite powerful, but your medical skills are incredible too. You keep surprising Lord Danzo. Just because Tsunade doesn't know about your outstanding work at the Medical Station doesn't mean Lord Danzo doesn't! Lord Danzo needs talented people like you!"

Riyue sighed inwardly. They don't know that Tsunade and I fell out today. So he's interested in my medical skills and couldn't resist making a move? Root's intelligence network must be huge. They've probably been keeping tabs on me since the Chunin Exams.

"Thanks for the praise, but I've already become... I've already had a teacher." Riyue only then remembered that he'd ended his teacher-student relationship with Tsunade. Once I get back to the village, I'll just ask the Third Hokage to take me on as his student. I don't need him to teach me much anyway. He can give me materials, and I'll study on my own.

"Hyuga Nichigetsu, everyone knows Tsunade is your teacher, but how has she treated you? She sent you to the Logistics Department to do odd jobs, then ignored you for months. You're a genius. Does she deserve to be your teacher?"

Tsunade, listening in secret, clenched her fists. She felt helpless. He's right... I haven't given him anything as his teacher... But I wanted to pass on everything I've learned to him... I have to explain things to him as soon as possible.

"I..." Riyue didn't argue. Tsunade had indeed disappointed him, and he didn't want to be her student. But Danzo was a scoundrel...

"If she hasn't given you what you want, why insist on staying under her? She doesn't know how to recognize and nurture talent, but Lord Danzo does! He can give you the most comprehensive medical ninjutsu records in all of Konoha, even detailed research from other villages..." The man made no effort to hide that he was trying to recruit Riyue.

"Lord Danzo can also provide the best training conditions, the best sparring partners, and the best instructors. Lord Danzo thinks highly of you and wants to cultivate your talents! With his help, your strength will improve by leaps and bounds!" The man continued to tempt him with offers.

"Then what about Tsunade? If I choose Lord Danzo and switch sides, I'll be betraying Tsunade." Riyue suddenly asked. He wanted to test just how much influence Danzo had in the village, and see exactly how he planned to make Riyue and Tsunade fall out—and how he'd deal with the fallout. After all, the whole village knew Riyue was Tsunade's student.

Tsunade's heart sank when she heard Riyue's question. Is the boy tempted? He doesn't have a teacher now, so there's nothing wrong with choosing Danzo as one. But does he have to make a deal with Danzo? Would he really do this just for the benefits?

"This time, Tsunade's surprise attack failed, and Konoha's advisory council already knows about it. Lord Danzo will take the lead in demanding that the Third Hokage replace the front-line commander and strip Tsunade of her command. At the same time, Lord Danzo will explain to everyone that Tsunade hasn't been teaching you properly, and ask to take her place as your teacher. The Third Hokage will likely compromise to protect Tsunade's position. But he'll insist that you have to agree to it yourself."

"Then you can step forward and explain the truth, and choose to become Lord Danzo's student. You should also let everyone know how Tsunade treated you. The villagers will understand that Tsunade was incompetent and sent you off to do odd jobs—it won't look like you betrayed her. No one will blame you. You'll be in the right, and you can get some of your anger out, too!" The visitor laid out Danzo's plan. It was an open move, not a sinister scheme. He could do it without anyone calling him underhanded, and people would simply say he was acting for the village.

"Oh, putting it that way, Lord Danzo's move really is quite good." Riyue nodded with a faint smile. Danzo really is a master strategist. This move attacks Tsunade, who's aligned with the Hokage, and even if it doesn't get her replaced, he can still take me on as his student and use me to attack her.

On one hand, it undermines Tsunade's credibility and deals a blow to the Third Hokage. On the other, it makes me break with the Third Hokage completely, leaving me no choice but to follow Danzo. And it silences any dissent, leaving the villagers with no reason to object. Three birds with one stone. Impressive.

Tsunade's heart sank as she heard Riyue agree with the man. So Danzo really is planning this! Riyue, even if you don't want to be my student, I'll still tell the village that I was at fault. Teacher Sarutobi has treated you well. You can't do this!

Tsunade badly wanted to rush out and interrupt their conversation. But neither of them had broken any laws. Was she supposed to have them arrested? And what about their next conversation? Interrupting them would only tell Danzo that his plan had been exposed. Bursting out now would just force Riyue to choose Danzo. Tsunade wanted to know what Riyue would decide for himself.

"So, what do you say, Hyuga Nichigetsu? Lord Danzo will take you on as his student. You'll become his personal disciple, follow in his footsteps, and change the village, the Land of Fire, even the entire world! You'll accomplish great things!" The man held out his hand to Riyue, his voice full of temptation.

As Riyue looked at the man, he felt a little moved. He could tell Danzo was genuinely trying to recruit him and admired his talents; otherwise, he wouldn't have told him the plan. Riyue could learn medical ninjutsu from Konoha through Danzo, and he'd also have access to a wealth of information from other villages. Wasn't that exactly what he wanted?

"Lord Danzo also said that the Caged Bird Seal isn't impossible to remove. He'll also give you his full support in becoming the next head of the Hyuga Clan. The Hyuga Clan will be yours to rule!" The man played his trump card, one that could hit Riyue where it mattered.

Hearing the terms Danzo was offering, Riyue froze for a moment. Then a playful smile spread across his face. "I have to admit, Lord Danzo is a master negotiator. He knows how to make an offer people can't resist."

No wonder Danzo's organization can recruit so many experts. He must often use huge rewards to win over people who aren't valued in their clans. What a crafty old fox. If he helps me become clan head, I'll still be one of his people. He'd end up controlling the Hyuga Clan through me, gaining a powerful ally. He never does anything without getting something out of it.

Tsunade watched Riyue smile, but felt only sadness and hurt. The boy has made up his mind... No one could refuse an offer like that... But this path means betraying the people who trust him—Teacher Sarutobi, Dan, the Hyuga Clan... Can he really do that? Is this really what he wants?

"So, Hyuga Nichigetsu, what's your decision?" the man asked, waiting for Riyue to nod.

"This is an important decision. I need time to think it over carefully," Riyue replied after some thought.

"That's fine. Take some time to consider Lord Danzo's offer. I'll come back once you've made up your mind." The man wasn't worried that Riyue would reveal the plan. Doing so wouldn't benefit him at all.

He vanished in a flash. Riyue thought for a while, then smiled slyly and walked into the woods to begin his daily training.

Tsunade watched quietly as Riyue entered the woods, her gaze complicated. She hadn't expected Danzo's men to come poaching right after Riyue refused to become her student—and with an offer that was so hard to turn down.

Riyue must be tempted. He's about to betray the Third Hokage... I can't let Danzo have his way!

"You don't want to be my student? Fine, then don't! But even if you're not my student, I won't stand by and do nothing! Danzo's a menace. He's making such a despicable deal behind everyone's backs. I won't let my 'student' go down the wrong path!"

Tsunade raised her hand and clenched it into a fist, watching Riyue in the distance as she made up her mind.