The Fourth Mizukage's Goal

The breeze was gentle and the sun was bright, yet the atmosphere inside the mission hall was icy, as if a line had been drawn between the light and the shadows.

"Rescue?"

His face was full of surprise. It was wartime, after all; even if village ninja were captured by the Mist Village, the worst they could expect was interrogation or experimental analysis. What was there to negotiate?

"The other party is the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura. That we even secured a chance for negotiation is thanks to you."

Uchiha Hanazuki caught the note of relief in Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone, and a guess immediately formed in his mind, leading to a sudden realization.

"Could it be that their goal is the blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen? Beyond that, they likely intend to use this opportunity to keep me in the Mist Village forever."

Seeing Hanazuki bow his head in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked solemn and spoke frankly.

"We are well aware of the danger this mission entails, but you are the only one who can do this. The other side specifically requested that only you be allowed to go."

"Furthermore, according to a ninja who escaped from their clutches to report back, there are two survivors of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen currently at the Fourth Mizukage's side..."

Only then did a flicker of interest rise in Uchiha Hanazuki, and he nodded.

"I understand. I am truly curious how they managed to dodge the Flying Thunder God Slash. How many ninja were captured? Who is the priority for rescue?"

"There is no order of precedence for Konoha ninja. If it is within your power, prioritize the young sprouts, followed by Nara Shikaku. Do what you can."

He tapped the desk lightly, settling the matter. Just as Hanazuki prepared to leave, a knock at the door interrupted him.

"Excuse me, Third Hokage."

As the group stepped into the mission hall, their Byakugan swept toward the center. The Hyuga Elder leading them frowned at the sight of the Flame Fan crest on the back of the black cloak.

"The Hyuga Clan?"

Seeing that the visitors were from the Hyuga clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen was also puzzled. Had another member of the Hyuga main branch fallen into the hands of the Mist Village?

"Yes. In fact, our Hyuga clan wishes to commission a master from the village to kill the Mist Village jonin who stole our clan's precious kekkei genkai and retrieve the Byakugan."

Hyuga Hiashi, following behind the Elder, nodded slightly, but the third man, the current head of the Hyuga branch family, Hyuga Hizashi, stood frozen in place.

The Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask, the black cloak, the presence that felt as if it didn't exist, and that aura so illusory it seemed like a phantom.

There was no doubt: the ninja before him was the mysterious one from that night who had asked him what he wanted to become.

"You've come at the right time. This is Uchiha Hanazuki, a body-flicker ninja who, like Minato, is proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique."

"He is about to depart for the Mist Village on a rescue mission. You should give him the details about the ninja who stole the Byakugan. He is an expert who managed to seize all seven blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked out slowly, his gaze sweeping over Orochimaru, who was leaning against the wall, his tone heavy.

"Last night, the Anbu found traces of some animal crawling on the ceiling of my study. I hope this has nothing to do with you, my student."

As his back disappeared at the end of the corridor, Orochimaru smiled without a word. The old man's drive and vigilance were far stronger than he had anticipated.

Meanwhile, inside the mission hall.

The Hyuga Elder bowed slightly, the three of them wearing complex expressions, their hearts filled with doubt and suspicion.

Could this child really rescue the captured ninja from the hands of the Mist Village? Even with the Third Hokage's word, it seemed hard to believe.

The confusion in the eyes of the Hyuga Elder and Hyuga Hiashi had yet to fade, while Hyuga Hizashi remained lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the events of that day.

After the Third Hokage left, the Hyuga Elder, whether out of habit of being pampered or accustomed to giving orders, turned and commanded Hanazuki.

"Take the life of that Mist Village jonin and retrieve the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. This is the order of our clan, and it is also the order of the Third Hokage. You..."

Before the Hyuga Elder could continue, Hanazuki smiled brightly.

"I refuse."

"Refuse? Why would you refuse? Is it not a ninja's duty to complete their mission?"

As if he had heard an unbelievable answer, the Hyuga Elder's expression shifted, and he barked sternly.

"The loss of a kekkei genkai is your clan's internal affair; it has nothing to do with me. My mission is to rescue the Konoha ninja captured by the Mist Village. Everything else is irrelevant."

"First, I have the right to choose my missions and where I join the battlefield; that is the Third Hokage's promise. Second, I am a member of the Uchiha clan. The orders of the Hyuga clan mean nothing to me."

At this, Hanazuki felt something, frowned, and shouted.

"Since you're here, why are you hiding and watching the show? This is why I hate you, Teacher."

"Heh heh. I haven't been in the village for a while, and I just heard some very interesting news. Has the Hyuga clan's Byakugan fallen into the hands of the Mist Village?"

As the lean figure emerged from the shadows, the Hyuga Elder and the current clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, nodded in greeting, their eyes showing a hint of wariness.

"Lord Orochimaru, you are here to... could it be that this child is?"

"A very talented, if impolite, student of mine. I had intended to ask if you wanted to come with me to train in the outside world, but it seems that is a pity. Heh heh."

Hanazuki's mouth twitched. He shot Orochimaru a look of utter disdain and retorted without reservation.

"It's all thanks to you that I've lost my peace and quiet for the last few days. Isn't that going a bit too far, Teacher Orochimaru?"

"Even you noticed? It seems Sarutobi-sensei's spirit is no less than that of a young man. Since you have a mission, I suppose I will have to take Anko with me to train instead. Do you need a gift?"

Hanazuki chuckled. If Orochimaru was bringing him a gift, it would be a miracle if it wasn't trouble.

"Then I shall look forward to it without any expectations. Please, do your best not to dump any more trouble on me. I'm off."

Just as Hanazuki's figure was about to vanish, Hyuga Hizashi's body stiffened, the confusion in his eyes deepening.

"What do you wish to become? A lonely bird with broken wings, imprisoned in a cage, or a star that tears through the night with fangs and blood, burning with the fire of your own lineage?"

"You don't need to give me an answer now. Once you have truly thought it through, you are welcome to come find me at any time."

At some unknown moment, that mysterious figure had quietly vanished. Hyuga Hiashi was left with a look of utter shock; he had clearly kept his Byakugan active the entire time, yet the figure had disappeared from the spot in a single instant.

Could a child truly master a Body Flicker Technique of this caliber?

"Lord Orochimaru, is this child of the Uchiha clan truly your disciple?"

Facing Hyuga Hiashi's question, Orochimaru traced a smile, his rigid facial features softening in a rare display of warmth.

"This child is a mystery. The talent he possesses is something even I cannot fully fathom. Perhaps... he has already surpassed me."

Before the others could even marvel at this, Orochimaru's figure began to drift further away. Hizashi lowered his gaze, a faint, imperceptible glimmer of hope rising within his heart.

At the gates of Konoha Village, Hua Yue looked up at the sky, silently staring at his own hands.

"The opportunity is too good to miss; I might as well put it to the test..."