Cloud Village Makes Its Move

Indeed.

Chuan Yu knew the Hyuga Clan quite well.

The Main House had always held itself above everyone else, while the Branch House had no power at all.

In the eyes of the Main House, the Branch House was like a ladder in an attic.

Once they stepped onto it, they could climb to the top without a second thought.

And those designated as members of the Branch House had the Caged Bird mark placed on them when they turned three.

Their desire to spread their wings and fly would grow weaker with time.

In the end, they became puppets of the Main House.

Chuan Yu froze for a moment, then lowered the long sword in his hand.

"If you still don't want to tell me the truth, then face the risks you're dealing with on your own."

Chuan Yu leaped away, vanishing into the thick moonlight.

"Who's there!"

Torches flared to life, and a crowd of Hyuga Clan members surrounded Hizashi inside the Main House Shrine.

"Hizashi? What are you doing here?"

The leading elder followed the torchlight and saw that Hizashi's expression was grim.

"The clan head is here! Make way!"

The crowd parted. Hyuga Hiashi took a torch and walked over.

On the ground lay four Cloud Village heads and the body of their leader. Hinata lay unconscious beside them.

"Hinata!"

Hiashi was horrified. He hurried over, scooped Hinata into his arms, and checked her for injuries.

Fortunately, she had only fainted.

"Take Hinata back. Everyone else, go back to bed."

Hiashi handed Hinata to one of the servants, then waved a hand. Only then did the clan members leave.

"Now that it's just the two of us, are you still not going to tell me what happened?"

Hiashi clasped his hands behind his back, walked up to Hizashi, and asked sternly.

Hizashi knew what Hiashi meant.

For the Hyuga Clan, the Gentle Fist was the foundation of their fighting style.

And the five Cloud Village shinobi who had been killed had died horrific, bloody deaths.

There was no need to think about it.

Hizashi had nothing to do with it.

But Hizashi could only laugh bitterly at himself.

"What can I do now...?"

"I really did kill them..."

Hiashi's brows furrowed. He turned and struck a nearby roof beam with his palm.

The house collapsed in an instant.

"Don't you know that Cloud Village just signed a peace treaty with Konoha?!"

"You make a mistake like this at a time like this! How am I supposed to explain it to Konoha?!"

On a nearby treetop,

Chuan Yu watched Hiashi and Hizashi calmly.

Even though Hizashi had once taken care of him, Chuan Yu hadn't planned to let him go.

Hizashi might know a secret about Chuan Yu's mother, Hyuga Natsu.

And that secret might be closely connected to Chuan Yu himself.

Having learned the rules of the Ninja World, Chuan Yu understood that secrets could only be sealed away forever in the mouths of the dead.

But now Konoha and Cloud Village were already at odds.

That might help relieve some of the pressure Konoha had recently been putting on the Uchiha.

The next day,

security at the Hokage Building suddenly tightened.

Some Cloud Village shinobi also appeared around the village.

After dropping Uchiha Sasuke off at the Academy, Chuan Yu slipped into the woods beside the Hokage Building.

The Main House would definitely push Hizashi forward.

Before he died, Chuan Yu had to learn the secret about his mother.

"Go on, tell us..."

"You slaughtered our Cloud Village shinobi so cruelly. Just how dissatisfied are you with this treaty?"

The Cloud Village representative immediately launched into an accusation.

The Konoha side seemed reluctant to speak.

The treaty limited what Konoha could say.

It was a peace treaty, and Cloud Village had sent shinobi to Konoha for a visit and to study.

Even their presence near the Hyuga Clan was perfectly normal.

But no one had seen them kidnap Hinata.

The only witness was the Branch House head, Hizashi Hyuga, yet no matter what he said, he couldn't explain the situation.

"With security this tight, it seems Cloud Village still has its reservations about Konoha."

Hidden among the treetops, Chuan Yu was about to use his Byakugan to look inside.

"Little one..."

"Your body seems to be in excellent shape..."

A hoarse voice suddenly came from behind him.

Chuan Yu whipped around. A long, thin tongue almost brushed across his eye.

Snake-like pupils stared at him with undisguised greed.

Orochimaru.

"I've been watching you for quite some time..."

"You don't seem to be like those other Uchiha..."

"Let me tell you..."

"In my laboratory..."

"I have lots of talented kids just like you... Heh heh..."

Orochimaru let out a chilling laugh.

When had he gotten behind him? Chuan Yu hadn't sensed him at all!

For the first time, Chuan Yu felt truly in danger. He warily put some distance between himself and Orochimaru.

"Interest and greed are two completely different things. Do you really think I'm just like those so-called geniuses?"

Chuan Yu spoke calmly, his Sharingan already fixed on Orochimaru.

Even if he couldn't win, getting away wouldn't be a problem.

But he wanted to know why Orochimaru had set his sights on him.

"Your body really is impressive..."

"But the way you talk..."

"I really don't like it..."

"Whether you're different or not... we'll just have to see... Heh heh..."

Orochimaru's body suddenly transformed into a mass of twisting snakes.

The treetops snapped all around them in an instant.

He was moving too fast. Chuan Yu hadn't been prepared at all.

His body slipped out of control and plummeted toward the ground.

"Let's see your... potential."

Chuan Yu caught the mask Orochimaru casually tossed him.

He needed it to hide his identity.

The Cloud Village guards had gathered in the woods below.

Hearing a commotion in the trees, all the Cloud Village shinobi present looked up warily.

The masked Chuan Yu drew his long sword the moment he landed.

"Body Flicker Technique!"

Seven or eight Chuan Yus scattered in different directions, startling the Cloud Village guards.

"Enemy attack! Stay alert!"

All the guards beneath the Hokage Building went on alert.

When the Cloud Village representative heard the cry of "Enemy attack!" outside, he roared furiously.

"Is this how Konoha treats its guests? This was all part of your plan!"

On Konoha's side, before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Danzo clapped his hands and had his subordinates bring out several cups of hot tea.

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon."

With that, Danzo rose and left.

In the woods,

Chuan Yu was locked in a fierce battle with Cloud Village's Anbu, and he was furious with Orochimaru.

If this went on, reinforcements from both Konoha and Cloud Village would arrive soon.

By then, it wouldn't be so easy to leave.

The blade's edge cut across his palm. Every one of Chuan Yu's shadows had a solid body.

They weren't shadow clones. That was what made the Body Flicker Technique so outrageous.

With this ability, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage even when outnumbered.

"Lord Danzo!"

As Danzo stepped out onto the rooftop, two Root shinobi hurried over and knelt before him.

"Capture the one who attacked us..."

"Also, have someone keep an eye on Hizashi Hyuga..."