Ill Intentions

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

"It seems the intelligence has been 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 finding out won't be easy!"

Kakashi said.

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

Doichi Hyuga suggested.

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

"Fine! That's 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 slipped out of the small courtyard. They scattered in all directions and stealthily made their way toward the Water Shadow Building.

After sneaking close enough, Doichi Hyuga stopped and concealed himself 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 where he had been, wearing a yellow spiral mask.

"You sneaky bastard, 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 definitely not ordinary!

"You tell me!"

Doichi Hyuga twisted the sword several times before pulling it out. A torrent of blood immediately poured from Obito Uchiha's wound.

Obito Uchiha fell 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 sideways, but a kunai had already stabbed toward him.

Kamui

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

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

Obito Uchiha was about to throw out a few threats, but the moment he opened his mouth, several chunks of organs spilled out.

Then blood cascaded from his mouth like a waterfall. Clutching his sunken chest, he collapsed to the ground again.

A pitcher plant suddenly appeared, hurriedly grabbed Obito Uchiha, and fled underground with him.

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

Obito Uchiha's body was fairly tough. One punch had not shattered him, so it seemed the other half of his body was not an ordinary White Zetsu.

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

Only a few minutes later, the others returned one after another.

"Little brother Doichi! 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 visual range could easily cover the entirety of Kirigakure.

"Little brother, are you sure?"

Mei Terumi's expression darkened as she asked again.

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

Doichi Hyuga asked back, somewhat impatiently.

"Your village can trust Doichi's abilities completely. 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. The mission is already complete anyway, so let's just go back to Konoha!"

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

"Please don't misunderstand! I didn't 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 she would have as the Fifth Water Shadow.

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

Mei Terumi hurried off, afraid she might offend them if she said too much.

"It's quite late! Senior Shikuro 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 attractive. Combined with her tone of voice, it was difficult to bring oneself 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 to be the representative of straight-laced men. His skill at passing the buck was quite impressive as well.

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

Mei Terumi frowned, and her tone softened further.

"Sorry! We refuse!"

Doichi Hyuga cleanly cut off Mei Terumi before she could continue, his tone firm and unquestionable!

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

The three quickly came to their senses and nodded in agreement.

"Little brother Doichi, why are you refusing so flatly?"

Mei Terumi's mouth twitched, but she forced her smile toward Doichi Hyuga.

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

"Haven't you already interfered?"

Mei Terumi asked in return.

"That's different!"

"How is it different?"

"Taking a mission to help the Hidden Mist Village is fine, but we cannot attack your shinobi within Kirigakure! Likewise, you have a responsibility to guarantee our safety!"

This was not an easy question to answer, so he could only force out a barely plausible reason.

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

Mei Terumi changed tactics and smiled at Kakashi and the other two.

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Senior. We won't accept this kind of mission! You also don't need to ask for their opinions. This is authority granted to me by Lord Hokage. I'm the captain, and everything is my decision."

Doichi Hyuga directly killed the subject. He did not want to keep arguing with her.

"So little brother Doichi is the captain. Sorry! I was rude! I thought Jonin Hatake was the captain!"

Mei Terumi's smile was beginning to crack. Oh no! Did I offend this brat?

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

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

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

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

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

Tsume of the Inuzuka Clan had nearly shouted out a price of "one hundred million" just now, but Shikuro Aburame had covered her mouth in time.