Hyuga Clan Arrives

Given the Uzumaki Clan's current momentum, no ninja clan had any intention of attacking them. They were all quietly waiting for the day this colossal beast collapsed under its own weight.

Time passed, dappled light and shadow shifted through the woods, and everyone enjoyed the rare leisure of a quiet afternoon.

Suddenly, Shusen's body trembled slightly. Without drawing attention, he grabbed a handful of dirt and smeared it across his face.

A group emerged from the other end of the mountain path.

"Someone's coming!"

Uzumaki Maple Leaf was the first to spot the uninvited visitors. He was the only jonin in the guard unit, and his senses were exceptionally sharp.

Everyone sprang to their feet, staring warily at the distant group. No one dared remain relaxed or careless.

As if only just noticing, Shusen plucked the leaves from his face. He looked bleary-eyed and groggy, his face so covered in dirt that his original features were unrecognizable.

The guards were focused on the uninvited visitors and paid Shusen no attention. The few who noticed his filthy appearance merely assumed he had slept too deeply and rubbed himself against the ground.

"Whirlpool Village lies ahead. Who are you people?"

Uzumaki Maple Leaf called out sternly.

Although Shusen was nominally the leader of their group, Uzumaki Maple Leaf knew that Shusen was still weak. If anything truly happened, it would fall to him, the jonin, to take control of the situation.

"I am Hyuga Tenfu, head of the Hyuga Clan. I have come to Whirlpool Village to discuss an important matter with Chief Long. We mean no harm," Hyuga Tenfu replied.

The Hyuga Clan's distinguishing traits could not have been more obvious. Every one of them possessed a pair of Byakugan; one glance was enough to identify their origins. Even so, everyone was still quite startled when Hyuga Tenfu revealed himself as the clan head.

The weight carried by a clan head far exceeded that of an ordinary Hyuga clansman.

"The Uzumaki Clan and the Hyuga Clan are not allies. You cannot approach Whirlpool Village without permission," Uzumaki Maple Leaf said coldly, not intimidated by Hyuga Tenfu's status.

If the visitors had been members of hostile ninja clans like the Kaguya Clan, Uchiha, or Kurama Clan, the two sides would already have started fighting. There would have been no conversation at all.

"I know." Hyuga Tenfu remained calm. "Please report to Chief Long for me. Tell him that the Hyuga Clan has brought a great gift. Chief Long will be willing to see me."

Uzumaki Maple Leaf hesitated and did not agree immediately. After thinking it over, he cast an inquiring look toward Shusen, who had somehow become filthy.

Shusen felt helpless. Out of guilty nerves, he naturally did not want Hyuga Tenfu meeting his father. But the other side's lineup was too strong. Aside from Hyuga Tenfu, there were several Hyuga elders, including Hyuga Tenjin, as well as the Hyuga girl who had "badly wounded" him several times on the battlefield half a month ago.

Their little guard unit could never stop them.

Shusen could only nod.

"Fine."

Uzumaki Maple Leaf said, "Wait here for now. I'll send someone to inform Chief Long."

He then called out a chunin from the guard unit and had him race back to Whirlpool Village at top speed.

Hyuga Tenfu had no objection and showed no impatience. He stood quietly in place with his clansmen, while both sides remained in a standoff.

As they waited, the Hyuga clansmen discreetly looked over the guards, their expressions strangely peculiar.

They had long heard of the Uzumaki Clan's frenzied recruitment of civilians over the past half month. They could also see that among the red-haired Uzumaki clansmen before them, there were only a dozen or so. The rest were ordinary civilians, without even the faintest chakra fluctuations.

If a fight broke out, a single chunin could easily slaughter these civilians.

The Hyuga Clan was nearly as arrogant as the Uchiha. They could not understand why the Uzumaki Clan would take in civilians. In any case, the Hyuga Clan would never mix with civilians and tarnish their bloodline, nor would they ever give their precious rations to civilians. In their eyes, civilians were merely useless trash.

These people have no idea that disaster is about to strike. How foolish and pitiful.

Hinata Qinka thought to herself. As Hyuga Tenfu's daughter, she was even prouder than her older brother, Hyuga Tenjin. Her gaze boldly swept over each Uzumaki clansman's face.

They're all so ugly. Not a single one is worth looking at.

She sneered disdainfully. When she saw an Uzumaki clansman whose face was covered in dirt and grime, she felt even more disgusted, thinking he looked foolish and not very bright.

If they did not truly need something from the Uzumaki Clan, she would not even deign to deal with them.

While the Hyuga Clan sized up the guards, the guards were also observing them.

Shusen gradually regained his composure from his earlier guilty panic.

When he had first sensed the Hyuga Clan's arrival, he had thought his identity as Black Zetsu had been exposed and that they had come specifically to settle scores with him. He had been so frightened that he had nearly used Five-Elements Cowardly Escape to flee.

Now, however, he no longer had that concern. If they had come seeking revenge, they would not obediently wait for a report. They would have started slaughtering people immediately.

Could it be that they had seen how well Whirlpool Village had been developing lately and wanted to form an alliance and latch onto them?

That was impossible. Even if the two clans formed an alliance, I'd still gouge out the eyes I was supposed to gouge out.

Shusen secretly speculated about Hyuga Tenfu's purpose. Even though the Senju clan and the Uzumaki Clan were the closest of allies, he had recently been plotting to acquire Hashirama's cells.

No one could stop him from growing stronger.

In the blink of an eye, half an hour passed.

The chunin sent out earlier returned, accompanied by the Uzumaki Clan's second elder.

The second elder recognized Hyuga Tenfu at first sight and smiled. "I did not know Clan Head Tenfu would honor us with his presence. Forgive us for failing to welcome you properly."

"You are too courteous, Elder. We came uninvited and have caused you trouble," Hyuga Tenfu said humbly.

The second elder gave him a deep look. "Chief Long is handling official business in the village and cannot personally receive you. Clan Head Tenfu, please come with me."

Hyuga Tenfu naturally did not refuse and followed the second elder toward Whirlpool Village.

Only after the Hyuga clansmen vanished from sight did Uzumaki Maple Leaf and the others finally let out a breath. The earlier encounter still left them shaken.

They had just stood off against the head of the Hyuga Clan?

That was thrilling!

"I wonder what important matter the Hyuga Clan wants to discuss with Chief Long?"

"They even said they brought a great gift. So mysterious."

"..."

Everyone could not help discussing it, their curiosity burning.

Shusen's eyes darted twice. After telling Uzumaki Maple Leaf that he needed to use the toilet, he headed toward the dense woods nearby.

He was the most curious about the Hyuga Clan's purpose. After all, ever since four years ago, he had kept his eyes on the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan on the battlefield, waiting to gouge them out. He needed to understand their movements clearly.

Upon reaching a secluded spot with no one around, Shusen first formed hand seals and created an improved Shadow Clone, then his body exploded into white smoke with a poof.

As the white smoke dispersed, Shusen's true body, who was fusing eyes in a laboratory a hundred li away, instantly received the Shadow Clone's memories.

Add Bookmark

Return to Contents

Report Chapter Error

Share with Friends: