Death Squad

The morning mist had yet to fully disperse when six people were already standing at the assembly point outside Konoha Village's eastern gate.

Hyuga Xiao stood at the rear of the team, his pale pupils calmly sweeping over the five Branch House members ahead of him. The cold morning air slipped into his collar, and he subconsciously tightened his forehead protector—beneath it, the Caged Bird Seal was faintly burning, like an ominous warning.

"Everyone's here."

Elder Xiao of the Main House emerged from the mist, dressed in a dark blue combat uniform, with no forehead protector on his brow. Forty-two years old, he was Hiashi Hyuga's cousin and was known within the Main House for his "iron fist." During the family meeting in Chapter 20, he had been the first to suggest that "the Branch House needs more opportunities for actual combat."

Xiao's gaze settled behind Elder Xiao.

Two Main House Elite Ninja stood five meters away like shadows, their arms crossed and eyes cold. They were not members of the mission team, merely "supervisors."

"The mission is simple." Elder Xiao's voice was dry as sandpaper. "A suspected Orochimaru hideout has been discovered along the border of the Land of Rice Paddies. Your task is reconnaissance: confirm the intelligence, and engage if necessary."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over all six faces.

"Remember, this is an S-rank mission. You all know what that means."

A faint gasp ran through the team.

Xiao's gaze did not shift, but his Byakugan had silently activated. Within his three-hundred-and-sixty-degree field of vision, he saw—

Hyuga Tetsu, the Branch House Elite Ninja at the front, had abnormally active chakra circulation. At his heart was a mass of dark red energy, steadily and slowly corroding the surrounding chakra pathways.

Hyuga Aoba, the Middle Ninja to the left, had the same thing.

Shu Hyuga, the Special Elite Ninja on the right, had it too.

Of the six-man team, aside from himself and the other two Middle Ninja, the remaining three all had some kind of temporary Curse Mark planted near their hearts. Xiao had never seen such a structure before, but his Byakugan could clearly see it drawing on the hosts' life force and converting it into chakra stored within the node.

Like precharging a battery.

When needed, a single order from the Main House would make those Curse Marks release all their stored energy at once, allowing their hosts to erupt with combat power far beyond their usual limits for a short time.

And then?

Xiao's pupils contracted slightly.

Then the hosts would suffer organ failure from overdrawing their life force—or burn themselves out completely in battle.

Temporary Enhancement Curse Seal. He silently repeated the name in his heart.

So that was it.

The so-called "S-rank mission" and "engage if necessary" were all part of a carefully designed script. The Main House did not need them to return alive. It only needed them to provide the greatest possible value before death—either to weaken Orochimaru or to trade their lives for intelligence.

Perhaps both.

"Move out."

Elder Xiao said nothing more and turned toward the gate. The two supervising Main House Elite Ninja followed him.

Xiao moved with the team, his steps steady. His gaze passed over the three teammates who had been planted with Curse Marks.

Hyuga Tetsu, thirty-two years old, one of the Branch House's youngest Elite Ninja, had a four-year-old daughter.

Hyuga Aoba, twenty-eight, had only been promoted to Middle Ninja last year. His mother had been bedridden for years.

Shu Hyuga, thirty-five, was a Special Elite Ninja skilled in intelligence analysis and trap-setting, one of the few Branch House members permitted access to classified missions.

Did they know?

Xiao studied the expressions of the three men. Hyuga Tetsu's brow was faintly furrowed. He was clearly uneasy about the mission rank, yet his eyes held even more obedience toward the Main House's orders. Aoba was somewhat nervous, his fingers unconsciously rubbing at his ninja tool pouch. Shu was expressionless, like a machine executing its program.

They did not know.

Or rather, they did not dare think in that direction.

The team passed through Konoha's gates, and the Middle Ninja on duty saluted Elder Xiao. The moment Xiao stepped beyond the barrier, he felt the Curse Mark beneath his forehead protector grow warmer by a fraction of a degree.

The Caged Bird Seal was reminding him: he had left the protected zone.

And also moved beyond the limit of the Main House's direct control range.

But that was fine. He had calculated it long ago. From Konoha to the border of the Land of Rice Paddies, the entire route lay within the Caged Bird Seal's effective killing radius. The Main House could induce brain death at any moment, as easily as flipping a switch.

That was why the Main House had no concerns about this mission.

They were comfortable sending him to his death.

"Maintain formation." Elder Xiao gave the order from the front. "Tetsu, you handle reconnaissance on the left flank. Aoba, the right. Shu, take the rear. The rest of you follow behind me."

A standard reconnaissance formation.

Xiao was assigned to the middle of the team alongside the other two Middle Ninja. It was the safest position—and also the easiest to monitor.

He lowered his head and pretended to adjust his ninja tool pouch, his fingers brushing against the anonymous map in the inner pocket.

Land of Rice Paddies. Valley. Safehouse.

The message writer had said that the truth about the Caged Bird Seal was there.

And now, the Main House had sent him to the Land of Rice Paddies on a "certain-death mission."

A coincidence?

The corner of Xiao's mouth curled into an unnoticed smile.

The team moved swiftly through the forest. Morning sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the woods. Birdsong drifted from afar. Everything seemed peaceful and normal.

But Xiao kept his Byakugan activated the entire time.

Three hundred meters ahead, he saw residual chakra left by a patrol that had passed through yesterday. In a tree hollow five hundred meters to the left, a wild boar was sleeping. Eight hundred meters to the right rear, two ANBU were leaping between treetops, traveling at a thirty-degree angle to their route.

Were they tracking them? Or conducting a routine patrol?

Xiao could not be sure.

He could only be certain of one thing: since leaving Konoha, Elder Xiao had not looked back at the team even once.

Like a shepherd who would not look back at sheep destined for the slaughterhouse.

"Rest for ten minutes."

Two hours later, Elder Xiao stopped beside a stream. He took out his waterskin and walked upstream to collect water, speaking quietly with the two supervising Elite Ninja.

The Branch House members scattered to rest.

Xiao leaned against a cedar tree, closing his eyes and pretending to nap. Within his Byakugan's vision, he saw Hyuga Tetsu walk to the stream and crouch down to wash his face. The water was cold. Tetsu shivered, then stared blankly into the water.

"Senior Tetsu."

Xiao opened his eyes and walked over to the stream.

Tetsu turned around. Seeing Xiao, he forced out a smile. "Xiao. What, are you nervous?"

"A little." Xiao crouched and scooped up a mouthful of stream water. "It's my first S-rank mission."

"This is only my third one too." Tetsu sighed. "On my last S-rank mission, there were six people on the team. Only two came back."

His voice was soft, as if he were speaking only to himself.

Xiao looked at Tetsu's face reflected in the water. Thirty-two years old, with fine lines already appearing at the corners of his eyes. That was not old in the Shinobi World, but Tetsu looked ten years older than he actually was.

"Your daughter is four this year, right?" Xiao suddenly asked.

Tetsu froze for a moment, then his eyes softened. "Yeah. She'll turn four next month. Lately, she's been clamoring to learn how to throw shuriken. Her mother won't allow it, says it's too dangerous."

As he spoke, he pulled a crude amulet from his clothes.

"She stuffed it into my hands before I left. Said it would bless Daddy and bring him safely home."

The amulet was folded from colored paper, crudely made, with a crooked smiling face drawn on it in crayon.

Xiao stared at that smile for two seconds.

Then he looked up into Tetsu's eyes. "You have to make it back safely, Senior."

Tetsu smiled and patted Xiao on the shoulder. "You're quite the talker, kid. Don't worry. I'm an Elite Ninja. I'll protect all of you."

He said it sincerely.

Xiao nodded and said no more.

He returned beneath the tree and closed his eyes again. Within his Byakugan's vision, the dark red Curse Mark energy at Tetsu's heart had expanded by five percent compared to two hours earlier.

It was growing.

Using the host's life force as nourishment.

"Gather."

Elder Xiao's voice interrupted the break. The team regrouped and continued onward.

For the rest of the journey, Xiao kept watching.

He noticed that whenever the team passed through complicated terrain, Elder Xiao would send the three teammates with planted Curse Marks ahead to scout. He himself, along with the two supervising Elite Ninja, always remained in safe positions.

Once, twice, three times.

Like using bait to test the road.

By evening, the team reached the border of the Land of Rice Paddies. Ahead lay a stretch of hills, and farther north was the suspected hideout area marked by the mission.

"We camp here tonight."

Elder Xiao chose an open patch of ground backed against a rock wall. The view was broad, easy to defend and hard to assault—a standard tactical campsite.

The Branch House members began setting warning traps and pitching tents. Xiao was assigned to gather firewood.

When he returned with an armful of dry branches, he saw Elder Xiao standing at the edge of the camp, gazing northward.

Night was growing darker. The outlines of the distant mountains blurred into deep gray silhouettes. Wind blew from the valley, carrying the scent of soil and rotting leaves.

"Hyuga Xiao."

Elder Xiao suddenly spoke without turning around.

Xiao stopped. "Elder Xiao."

"You were very quiet today." Elder Xiao turned around. Moonlight fell across his face, making his stern features seem even colder. "Unlike other young people, who always have certain... unnecessary emotions when carrying out their first S-rank mission."

Xiao lowered his head. "I was only carrying out the mission."

"Good." Elder Xiao stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Remember, the Main House has been watching your performance."

His gaze scraped across Xiao's face like a blade.

"Tomorrow, you will be assigned to the vanguard team. Perform well, understand?"

Xiao's pupils contracted slightly in the shadows.

The vanguard team.

The group that would make first contact with the enemy, with the highest casualty rate.

"I understand." His voice was calm and unruffled. "I will not disappoint the Main House."

Elder Xiao stared at him for several seconds, then nodded and turned away.

Xiao stood where he was, watching Elder Xiao enter the largest tent. Within his Byakugan's vision, the two supervising Elite Ninja were already standing guard outside, their chakra in a heightened state of alert.

He carried the firewood toward the bonfire.

Hyuga Aoba was trying to start a fire, his flint striking off scattered sparks. The firelight illuminated his young face, which was filled with unease.

"Xiao, do you think..." Aoba trailed off.

"What?"

"Nothing." Aoba shook his head and struck the flint harder.

At last, the sparks ignited the dead leaves. Flames rose, driving away the night's chill.

Xiao crouched down and added the firewood to the flames one stick at a time. The fire crackled, its flickering light casting shifting shadows across his face.

Muted conversation drifted from the tent where Elder Xiao and the two supervising Elite Ninja were talking. Xiao's Byakugan could see the flow of their chakra and "hear" the rhythm of their moving lips.

"...once we reach the coordinates tomorrow, send Tetsu and Shu in first..."

"...if we encounter Orochimaru himself, activate the Curse Marks immediately..."

"...that kid named Xiao, Lord Hiashi specifically instructed us to confirm his death..."

The flames suddenly surged higher.

Xiao expressionlessly added another stick of wood.

The night deepened.

The camp fell silent, with only the occasional crackle from the bonfire. Two Branch House members took turns keeping watch while everyone else rested in their tents.

Xiao lay in his sleeping bag with his eyes open.

The canvas roof of the tent glowed faintly white beneath the moonlight. He could hear Hyuga Tetsu's steady breathing in the neighboring tent and "see" Aoba unconsciously curling into himself in his sleep.

Six heartbeats. Six flows of chakra.

In three hearts lay buried ticking bombs.

Around one neck was a noose that could tighten at any time.

Xiao slowly closed his eyes.

A system interface surfaced in his mind, and the number beside bloodline purity flickered slightly.

[Byakugan Purity: 62%]

[Caged Bird Seal Removal Progress: 18%]

Not enough.

Nowhere near enough.

He needed more time, more opportunities, and more... power to break the Fate Nodes.

And tomorrow would be the first node.

Outside the tent, Shu Hyuga, who was on watch, suddenly rose to his feet and looked north with his Byakugan. Xiao could "see" the expression on his face turn grave.

"Something's moving," Shu said quietly.

Elder Xiao emerged from his tent, followed closely by the two supervising Elite Ninja.

"What is it?"

"Three kilometers north, there are chakra signatures." Shu's voice was steady. "The number... at least twenty. They're moving fast, straight toward us."

The camp instantly entered a combat state.

Xiao crawled out of his sleeping bag, grabbed his ninja tool pouch, and rushed from the tent. Under the moonlight, everyone was already in position, their Byakugan glowing faintly blue in the darkness.

Elder Xiao stood in the center of the camp, his expression grim.

"Prepare to engage." He gave the order. "Tetsu, Shu, Aoba, the three of you will handle the frontal interception. Xiao, you and the other two cover the flanks."

The same arrangement again.

The three with planted Curse Marks would go to the front.

To die.

Xiao tightened his grip on his kunai.

To the north, twenty points of chakra light were rapidly approaching. Their movements were strange—not the usual leaping travel of ninja, but... crawling?

Like snakes.

Xiao's Byakugan pierced the darkness and made out the outlines of those figures.

Pale masks, black robes, and limbs twisted at the joints.

They were Curse Mark test subjects.

Orochimaru's toys had arrived.

And their timing was far too perfect—so perfect it was as if someone had notified them in advance that a Hyuga squad was camping here.

Xiao's gaze shifted toward Elder Xiao.

Under the moonlight, the corner of the Main House elder's mouth seemed to curve into an almost imperceptible smile.