Early morning, Konoha main entrance.
The soft morning light passed through the forest tops, casting mottled light and shadow on the wide road leading outside the village.
The air is cool and fresh, with the moist smell of vegetation.
The huge door at the entrance of the village has been opened, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki are already standing, everything is enveloped in a quiet and ready atmosphere.
Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Clan's two companions, Jonin Tokuma and Kamon, stood in front of the gate of Konoha and waited.
"Ha! Youth at full speed!"
An energetic shout came first.
Might Guy rushed to the door wearing the iconic green tights.
Following closely behind were Tenten, who was carrying a huge Scroll with a painful look on his face, and Rock Lee, who was also wearing green tights and had energetic eyes.
And among them was the figure that Hyuga Hiashi's eyes finally focused on - Neji Hyuga.
"You are here."
"Well, I didn't expect the client this time to be Lord Hiashi."
Kai was a little surprised. Even though he received the notification from Hokage, he was still shocked when he actually saw Hiashi.
It's really surprising that the head of Hyuga's family actually wants to go on a mission to Kirigakure in person.
"Sorry to trouble you."
Hyuga Hiashi nodded slightly, but his eyes hardly left Neji.
His voice was still steady, but the phrase "trouble" seemed to have a little more meaning than usual.
Tenten and Li also noticed this unusual solemnity, and their eyes quietly wandered between Hiashi and Neji.
Tokuma and Kamon watch their eyes, nose, and heart, and remain silent.
"Neji, come here."
Hiashi's voice sounded clearly, with a meaning that could not be rejected, directly breaking the distance that Neji tried to maintain.
Neji's body tensed up again, and he knew he could no longer escape.
He raised his head, his eyes filled with complex alienation and a hint of unspeakable expectation hidden deep inside.
He followed the instructions and took two steps forward, walked to Hiashi, bowed slightly, and said in a respectful but distant voice, "Lord Head of the Family."
Hiashi Looking at the nephew in front of him who is extremely talented but carries the same heavy burden as his younger brother Shackles, a trace of complexity flashed deep in his eyes.
He didn't say anything more, he just slowly raised his hand and handed over the long knife that Left Hand had been holding.
"Hold it for me."
Hiashi's voice was extremely soft, forming a subtle contrast with his usual majesty.
He gently placed the knife on Neji's outstretched hands.
The moment the blade completely fell into Neji's palm, a cold and familiar touch, accompanied by a throbbing originating from the depths of his blood, instantly swept through Neji's body.
His pupils shrank suddenly and his breathing stopped for a moment.
Great Sun Calamity Cutter!
The name exploded in his mind like thunder.
Neji's fingers subconsciously tightened, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the exertion.
He suddenly looked up at Hyuga Hiashi, and for the first time in this morning, the clear pair of Byakugan revealed strong emotions that could not be concealed - shock, pain, confusion, and a hint of disbelief.
Head of the house... why?
Why give this knife... to him?
Hyuga Hiashi met Neji's gaze. He did not explain, but just looked at Neji deeply. His eyes seemed to contain a thousand words, but they were too heavy to be expressed in words.
Then, he slowly turned around and faced the mist-filled road leading out of the village.
"Let's go."
Hiashi's voice returned to its usual calmness.
Neji stood stiffly on the spot, holding the heavy "Great Sun Calamity Cutter" in both hands, as if holding the cold remains of his father.
The early morning sun fell on him, but it could not dispel the stormy waves that suddenly surged in his heart.
Kai, Tenten and Rock Lee looked at him worriedly, while Tokuma and Kamon exchanged looks.
On this journey to Kirigakure, as soon as I took the first step out of Konoha Gate, I was already dyed with a heavy and complicated color by this knife from the past.
Genji has long received Letter from Konoha Hokage. It is not surprising to hear that the messenger from Konoha is coming.
"Please invite the envoy of Konoha to come in."
At this time, Kirigakure has been dead since Fourth Mizukage Yagura. Kirigakure is afraid that the lack of high-end combat power will cause turmoil in Shinobi Village and is coveted by other villages, so he keeps it secret.
Kirigakure is fully responsible for all matters above and below Elder Genji.
Trusted Aides Gonbei of Genji went out to meet the messenger of Konoha.
After walking into Office of Genji, several people from Konoha were surprised.
The person who met them turned out to be not Fourth Mizukage Yagura but Elder Genji.
"Genji Senior, does Mr. Mizukage have time?"
Because Sunagakure proposed Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, so Hiashi's excuse this time is also the same.
But what about Mizukage?
Why is Genji the one who received them?
Hiashi took a step forward and asked.
Genji leaned on the snake-head staff and stood up slightly slowly. His eyes swept over the Hiashi group, especially the four pairs of iconic, clear Muku Byakugan.
Then he nodded calmly.
In fact, his heart was far from as calm as it appeared, and he stirred up turbulent waves.
Is it true or false?
The messenger sent by Konoha is the patriarch of the Hyuga Clan?
Could it be that... Konoha's intelligence network is so terrifying that it even discovered the news of Fourth Hokage's death that we tried our best to block?
Is this someone from the Hyuga Clan specially sent to test the truth?
"Sir Mizukage... Well, there are indeed extremely important and urgent matters that need to be dealt with recently, and I really can't get away.
Therefore, he entrusted me with the solemn responsibility of receiving the distinguished envoys and discussing the Chunin Ninja Exams matter.
If you have anything to say, just tell me, I have the power to handle it."
Genji looked at the group of Hiashi.
Good guy, four Hyuga?
There are also Might Guy, Kid who looks like Might Guy's son, and a little girl.
Hokage I don't even want to act anymore!
Did you learn foreign policy from Kumogakure?
Who among the senior officials of Kirigakure and Konoha didn't know that when Third Shinobi World War was out, Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was kicked to death four times by Might Guy's father for the first time.
Even Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki ran away, and finally Suikazan Fuguki came back and was killed by Kisame Hoshigaki who had defected a few years ago.
By the way, Juzo Biwa came back a few years ago to assassinate Fourth Mizukage and then died. But what is annoying is that Kubikiribōchō, who finally came back, was taken away by Zabuza who defected.
Konoha must have guessed something by sending such a mission.
Might Duy One Genin can kill four Elite Jonin, so is Might Guy, which has become Jonin, already better than its predecessor?
This is to prepare Might Guy to see the situation go bad and start again Eight Gates Formation to kill Kirigakure!
I have to stabilize myself for these guys.
I am an old man who has lived for almost ninety years. If nothing else, I just have patience.
Come on, can these young people endure it better than me?