Kumogakure's Ambitions! Coveting the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, a Probe from the Land of Lightning

Konoha basked in the afternoon sunlight, peaceful and serene.

Kamizuki Yu and Kisame appeared at the village gate. Upon seeing the former, the gate guard's expression turned serious, and he swiftly sent word ahead.

"Kumogakure..." Kisame recalled Kamizuki Yu's quiet words along the way. That phrase, "friendly exchange," still echoed in his ears.

An inconspicuous messenger bird landed precisely on Kamizuki Yu's shoulder.

He removed the [miniature scroll] tied to its leg, unfolded it, and read it quickly.

"Heh." A soft chuckle escaped him.

Kisame looked at him.

"Looks like before we can go looking for them, some 'surprises' are going to deliver themselves right to our door." Kamizuki Yu reduced the scroll to ashes. "The target has changed. We're heading back to Konoha first to deal with a little trouble."

Kisame silently nodded. He was already beginning to get used to such abrupt changes in plans. Kamizuki Yu's thoughts were as unfathomable as the deep sea.

Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and looked at the dust-covered Kamizuki Yu. "Did everything go smoothly on your trip to Kirigakure?"

"Kirigakure is settled." Kamizuki Yu got straight to the point. "But there is something more worthy of attention at the moment."

He pushed a copy of an intelligence report toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Kumogakure will be sending an envoy delegation to Konoha, ostensibly for a diplomatic visit."

Hiruzen Sarutobi accepted the report and read it carefully.

"According to the intelligence, their true target is the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan." Kamizuki Yu's tone was utterly calm.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows slowly furrowed. "Kumogakure... This isn't the first time they've coveted the Byakugan."

That unpleasant incident from decades ago remained a thorn between Konoha and Kumogakure.

"This time, they may be more discreet, and their methods more sophisticated," Kamizuki Yu added.

"Is the source