Three Choices at the Start in Konoha

As clan head, Hiashi had heard enough over the past few years to know a thing or two about conspiracies.

"You've grown in the three years since I last saw you!" Liuyun looked him up and down, offering rare praise before continuing.

"You guessed right. Kumogakure has very few Kekkei Genkai to trade in the first place. This deal with Konoha was just a cover. What they really want is the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan!"

"Kumogakure... Those bastards!" Hiashi gritted his teeth, his face darkening.

"Relax! Don't worry. My real body is following them!" Liuyun reassured him.

"Then I'm counting on you, Liuyun," Hiashi said solemnly.

"Don't be so formal. Little Hinata is my real body's student, after all. You know what he's like. Kumogakure will regret trying this!"

Liuyun's clone smiled, without a trace of worry on his face.

"Whatever happens, I still have to thank him," Hiashi said, shaking his head.

"Becoming clan head has made you even more stiff-necked. I'm off! Now that I've told you, I need to report back to my real body."

"Sorry for the trouble."

The clone vanished in a puff of smoke, and the tension in Hiashi's chest gradually eased.

"Brother! I heard something happened to Hinata! What's going on?"

Hizashi hurried in from outside.

"Perfect timing. Call our people back. Everything's all right now!"

Hiashi smiled. The fierce look he had worn earlier was gone.

Hizashi stared at him, utterly baffled.

"Liuyun showed up. The people who abducted Hinata are from Kumogakure. He happens to be heading there, so he's taking her along to see the world," Hiashi explained.

"I see! I'll notify the clan. You'll have to tell the Hokage."

"All right."

Several Cloud Ninja raced through the forest with little Hinata, their faces alert.

"Faster! Pick up the pace!