The breeze was gentle and the sun shone brightly, yet the mission hall was filled with a chilly atmosphere that seemed to divide the sunlight from the shadows.
"Rescue?"
His face full of astonishment, Hanazuki wondered how anyone could talk about a rescue during wartime. Even if Konoha's ninjas had been captured by the Mist Village, they would at most be interrogated for intelligence or used for experiments. What was there to rescue them from?
"Our opponent is the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura. We only got the chance to negotiate this time thanks to you."
Hanazuki noticed the relief in Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice. A guess immediately came to mind, and he realized what was going on.
"Could their goal be the Ninja Blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen? Apart from that, they might also be hoping to seize this opportunity to keep me in the Mist Village forever."
As Hanazuki lowered his head in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned solemn. He spoke frankly.
"We understand how dangerous this mission is, but you're the only one who can do it. They specifically said that only you are allowed to go."
"Also, according to a ninja who escaped from them and returned to deliver the message, two survivors among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are with the Fourth Mizukage..."
Only then did Uchiha Hanazuki show a hint of interest. He nodded.
"I understand. I'm curious how they managed to survive Flying Thunder God Slash. How many ninjas were captured? Who should I prioritize rescuing?"
"There's no ranking among Konoha's ninjas. If you can, prioritize the children who are still just saplings, then Nara Shikaku. Do what you can."
He tapped the desk lightly, and the matter was settled. Just as Hanazuki was about to leave, a knock at the door stopped him.
"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Hokage."
As several people entered the mission hall, their Byakugan gazes swept toward the center. Behind the black cloak was the Uchiha Clan's Flame Fan crest, which brought a puzzled look to the face of the elder leading them.
"The Hyuga Clan?"
Seeing that the visitors were from the Hyuga Clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen was puzzled too. Had another member of the Main Family fallen into the Mist Village's hands?
"Yes. In fact, our Hyuga Clan wishes to commission one of the village's experts to kill the Mist Village jonin who stole our precious Kekkei Genkai and bring back the Byakugan."
Hyuga Hiashi, who stood behind the Hyuga Elder, gave a slight nod. But the last of the three, Hizashi Hyuga, current head of the Hyuga Branch Family, stood frozen in place.
The Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask, the black cloak, the utterly imperceptible presence and an aura so illusory he seemed not to exist.
There was no doubt. This was the mysterious ninja who had asked him that night what he wanted to become.
"You've come at just the right time. This is Uchiha Hanazuki, a Body Flicker ninja who, like Minato, specializes in the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"He's about to head to the Mist Village on a rescue mission. Tell him all the details about the ninja who took the Byakugan. He's the one who took all seven Ninja Blades from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen strolled out. His gaze passed over Orochimaru, who was leaning against the wall, and his voice turned grave.
"Last night, Anbu found traces of some animal crawling across the ceiling of my study. I hope you have nothing to do with this, my student."
His back gradually disappeared at the end of the corridor. Orochimaru smiled without saying a word. The old man was more energetic and alert than he had expected.
Meanwhile, in the mission hall.
The Hyuga Elder bowed slightly. The three of them looked conflicted, doubts filling their minds, and couldn't help but feel a flicker of suspicion.
Could this child really rescue the captured ninjas from the Mist Village? Even with the Third Hokage's personal assurance, it was hard to believe.
The doubts in the eyes of the Hyuga Elder and Hyuga Hiashi had yet to fade. Hizashi Hyuga, meanwhile, looked troubled, memories of that day surfacing faintly in his mind.
After the Third Hokage left, the Hyuga Elder turned to Hanazuki and issued an order. Perhaps he was accustomed to a life of privilege, or perhaps he was simply used to giving orders.
"Take the life of that Mist Village jonin and reclaim the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan. This is an order from both the Hyuga Clan and the Third Hokage. You..."
Before the Hyuga Elder could finish, Hanazuki smiled brightly.
"I refuse."
"Refuse? Why would you refuse? Isn't completing missions a ninja's duty?"
As if he had heard an unbelievable answer, the Hyuga Elder's expression shifted, and he scolded Hanazuki sharply.
"The loss of your Kekkei Genkai is the Hyuga Clan's family matter. It has nothing to do with me. My mission is to rescue Konoha's ninjas who've fallen into the Mist Village's hands. The rest has nothing to do with me."
"First, I have the right to choose my missions and decide whether to join the battlefield. That was the Third Hokage's promise. Second, I'm a member of the Uchiha Clan. The Hyuga Clan has no authority over me."
At that, Hanazuki sensed something. He frowned and called out sharply.
"If you're already here, why hide to watch from the sidelines? This is why I can't stand you, Sensei."
"Heh. I've been away from the village lately, and I just heard some very interesting news. The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan has fallen into the Mist Village's hands?"
A thin figure emerged from the shadows. The Hyuga Elder and Hyuga Hiashi, the current head of the family, both nodded in greeting, wariness faintly visible in their eyes.
"Lord Orochimaru, have you come to... Could this child be...?"
"He's my talented student. He's not very polite, but he's exceptionally gifted. I was going to ask if he wanted to come train with me outside the village, but it seems I've missed my chance. Heh."
The corner of Hanazuki's mouth twitched. He shot Orochimaru a deeply unimpressed look and mocked him without holding back.
"Thanks to you, I've lost even the few leisurely days I had recently. Don't you think you've gone a bit too far, Orochimaru-sensei?"
"Even you noticed? Teacher Sarutobi seems to have no less energy than a young man. Since you have a mission, I'll have to take Anko with me to train instead. Would you like a present?"
Orochimaru chuckled. If he brought Hanazuki a present, it would be a nuisance at best.
"Then I'll try to hope for the best, without expecting anything. Please don't dump any more trouble on me. I'm off."
Just as Hanazuki was about to disappear, Hizashi Hyuga stiffened, confusion deepening in his eyes.
What do you want to become? A lone bird with broken wings, caged and confined, or a star that tears through the night with fangs and blood, blazing with the fire of blood?
You don't need to answer me now. Once you've truly figured it out, you're welcome to come find me anytime.
At some point, the mysterious figure had vanished without a trace. The Hyuga Elder was utterly shocked. He hadn't even stopped using his Byakugan, yet Hanazuki had disappeared in an instant.
Could a child really master a Body Flicker Technique of this caliber?
"Lord Orochimaru, is this Uchiha child really your student?"
At Hyuga Hiashi's question, Orochimaru's lips curved into a smile. The rigid lines of his face softened, a rare sight.
"This child is mysterious. Even I can't fathom the talent he possesses. Perhaps... he's already surpassed me."
Before the others could express their amazement, Orochimaru's figure too receded into the distance. Hizashi lowered his eyes, and a faint, almost imperceptible hope rose in his heart.
At the gates of Konoha, Hanazuki looked up at the sky, then silently gazed at his own hands.
"This is a rare opportunity. I might as well give it a try..."
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