While Kumogakure and Iwagakure each plotted to seize the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, Mei Terumi, the Mizukage of Kirigakure, also received a message from Konoha.
Konoha would no longer pursue the matter of Ao's Byakugan, but Kirigakure was not to covet any other Byakugan belonging to Konoha.
Mei Terumi and the others breathed a great sigh of relief at the news. As for Sunagakure, in its current state, the village's very survival depended on Madara's mercy. Naturally, they dared not entertain any designs on the Byakugan.
Before the news that even the Hyuga Branch Family's Byakugan could be stolen spread throughout the Shinobi World, three figures wearing Konoha forehead protectors arrived at Kumogakure's gates.
They were Madara Uchiha, Hayato Hyuga, and Neji Hyuga.
"Rotation: Modified!"
An enormous surge of chakra erupted from Hayato's body. Spinning, he crashed straight into Kumogakure's gates, shattering them under Rotation's tremendous destructive force. At the same time, Kumogakure's Sensory Barrier detected the enemy attack.
"Who dares cause trouble in Kumogakure?!"
Kumogakure's Guard Unit was the first to discover Hayato and the others.
Smashing down the gates as Madara's group had done was an unmistakable insult to Kumogakure. A two-man squad immediately attacked them.
"Lightning Release!"
"Too slow!"
Both members of the Kumogakure squad were chunin. The moment they began forming hand seals, Hayato Hyuga sealed their chakra points with a sequence of Eight Trigrams Palm strikes and tossed them at Madara's feet. Then Hayato leisurely returned to Madara's side.
By now, roughly ten Kumogakure ninja stood before Hayato.
"Neji, are you scared?"
Hayato glanced at his hands and discovered that, for once, they were actually trembling.
"No, Hayato. I feel honored. Even if I die here, I'll have no regrets."
Neji Hyuga stood to Madara's left, his body trembling uncontrollably as well.
Both Neji and Hayato