Ill Intentions

Because the plan had fallen through, Mei Terumi came again.

"It seems the information leaked!"

Mei Terumi's expression was somewhat grim.

"The target is the Water Shadow, after all. Carrying out a mission against him in Kirigakure without him noticing won't be easy!"

Kakashi said.

"Let's take the initiative tonight! We only need to get within a certain range of the Water Shadow Building! Also, I hope your side can send a few teams to cover us."

Doichi Hyuga suggested.

Although he could determine all the Water Shadow's information from here, Doichi Hyuga did not want to expose the viewing range of his Byakugan.

"Fine! This is our only option! I'll find people to support you!"

Mei Terumi nodded.

In the latter half of the night, more than a dozen people darted out of the small courtyard. They scattered in different directions and stealthily made their way toward the Water Shadow Building.

After sneaking to a certain distance, Doichi Hyuga stopped in the darkness.

Just as he was about to activate his Byakugan, a hand suddenly appeared and pressed down on his shoulder.

A vortex appeared, and Doichi Hyuga swiftly vanished into it.

A figure appeared in his place, wearing a yellow spiral mask.

"You cowardly bastard who hides his face, why did you attack me?"

A sword pierced through the masked man's chest from behind, followed by Doichi Hyuga's voice.

The masked man stared at the sword tip in shock, struggling to turn his head and see who stood behind him.

"...Was that a Shadow Clone Technique just now?"

Obito Uchiha caught sight of the Byakugan behind him, and fear rose in his heart. He actually ambushed me at close range! I didn't sense him at all. His strength is anything but ordinary!

"You tell me!"

Doichi Hyuga twisted the sword a few times before pulling it out. A huge amount of blood immediately poured from Obito Uchiha's wound.

Obito Uchiha collapsed to the ground, his blood gradually pooling beneath him.

In the blink of an eye, Obito Uchiha and all the blood vanished.

Doichi Hyuga spun around and swept his sword horizontally, but a kunai had already stabbed toward him.

Kamui

The longsword passed through Obito Uchiha, and then his entire body passed through Doichi Hyuga.

"Brat! You... cough... cough cough... cough... urgh!"

Obito Uchiha was just about to throw out a threat when several chunks of internal organs came spilling from his mouth.

Then blood followed like a waterfall, pouring from his mouth. Clutching his caved-in chest, he collapsed again and could not rise.

A pitcher plant suddenly appeared, hurriedly grabbed Obito Uchiha, and burrowed underground to flee.

The Shadow Clone had punched Obito in the Kamui Dimension, then used Flying Thunder God to leave the Kamui Dimension.

Obito Uchiha's physical body was rather tough. That punch had not smashed him apart, so it seemed the other half of his body was no ordinary White Zetsu.

Doichi Hyuga did not pursue him. He sent out a signal and turned directly back toward their residence.

After waiting only a few minutes, Doichi Hyuga saw the others return one after another.

"Little brother Dao Yi! How did it go?"

The moment Mei Terumi entered the courtyard, she impatiently asked.

"I checked! I found foreign chakra inside the Water Shadow's brain, as well as traces of chakra intrusion!"

Doichi Hyuga nodded. He had already confirmed this secret when he first entered Kirigakure.

Doichi Hyuga's current range of vision could easily cover all of Kirigakure.

"Little brother, are you sure?"

Mei Terumi's expression darkened as she asked again.

"I observed it at least three times. What do you think?"

Doichi Hyuga asked back, a little impatient.

"Your village can fully trust Dao Yi's abilities. He has never made this kind of mistake!"

Kakashi stared sternly at Mei Terumi, firmly backing Doichi Hyuga.

"I don't think they welcome us. Since the mission is already complete, let's just return to Konoha!"

Tsume of the Inuzuka Clan spoke with an unfriendly expression. She had always hated the climate here.

"Please don't misunderstand! I did not mean to question any of you! This concerns Lord Water Shadow, so I believe you can understand how I feel!"

Mei Terumi hurriedly waved her hands in explanation. She did not yet possess the bearing of the future Fifth Water Shadow.

"Please get some rest early! I'll report to Lord Genji!"

Mei Terumi hurried off, afraid that saying too much would offend them.

"It's quite late! Senior Shikuroo and Senior Tsume, go get some rest first. Kakashi and I will take the first watch!"

The two nodded and returned to their rooms to sleep.

Early the next morning, Mei Terumi came again.

"On behalf of Lord Genji, I invite you all to participate in the mission to capture the Water Shadow alive."

Mei Terumi wore a smile, her tone carrying a faint note of pleading.

To be honest, the people of Kirigakure were all rather strange-looking.

Mei Terumi was already a rare beauty, and her smile made her even more appealing. Combined with her tone of voice, it was difficult to feel inclined to refuse her.

"The mission we received was only to help your village determine whether the Water Shadow was being controlled. The Hokage must decide on an additional mission like this!"

Kakashi truly deserved his reputation as the epitome of a straight-laced man. His skill at passing the buck was also quite impressive.

"We are willing to add fifty million ryo to the mission reward!"

Mei Terumi frowned, and her tone weakened a little more.

"Sorry! We refuse!"

Doichi Hyuga cleanly cut off Mei Terumi's attempt to persuade them, his tone firm and beyond question.

The three teammates looked at Doichi Hyuga, suddenly remembering that this young junior was the captain of this mission.

The three quickly reacted and nodded in agreement.

"Little brother Dao Yi, why are you so determined to refuse?"

Mei Terumi's mouth twitched, but she kept her smile directed at Doichi Hyuga.

"This is your village's matter and has nothing to do with Konoha. Konoha has no precedent for meddling in another village's affairs!"

"Haven't you already meddled?"

Mei Terumi asked in return.

"That's different!"

"How is it different?"

"Taking a mission to assist Kirigakure is fine, but we cannot attack your ninja within Kirigakure! Likewise, you are responsible for ensuring our safety!"

This was not an easy question to answer, so he could only force out a reason that was at least somewhat plausible.

"Are you dissatisfied with the reward? Name a price. As long as it is not too excessive, I will discuss it with Lord Genji!"

Mei Terumi changed her approach and smiled at Kakashi and the other two.

"Senior, there's no need to trouble yourself. We will not accept this kind of mission! And you do not need to ask for their opinions. The Hokage granted me this authority. I am the captain, and I make all the decisions."

Doichi Hyuga directly killed the topic, unwilling to keep haggling with her.

"So little brother Dao Yi is the captain. My apologies! I was rude! I thought Jonin Hatake was the captain!"

Mei Terumi's smile was beginning to crack. Damn it! Did I offend this brat?

"It's fine! I'm the youngest, so misunderstandings are unavoidable!"

Doichi Hyuga displayed remarkable magnanimity as he smiled and forgave her.

"In that case, I'll go back and inform Lord Genji first! Sorry for disturbing you all."

Mei Terumi rearranged her smile and left with an apologetic expression.

"Dao Yi! This was the perfect opportunity to name an outrageous price! Why did you give it up so easily?"

Tsume had nearly opened her mouth to shout, "One hundred million," but Aburame Shikuroo had grabbed her and stopped her.