The Fourth Mizukage's Objective

The breeze was gentle and the sunlight bright, yet the atmosphere in the mission hall was icy, faintly dividing the sunlight from the shadows.

"A rescue?"

His face filled with surprise. It was wartime. Even if the village's ninja had been captured by Kirigakure, at most they would be subjected to intelligence interrogation and experimental analysis. What was there to rescue?

"The other side is the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura. We only got the chance to negotiate this time thanks to you."

Huayue caught the relief in Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone. A guess immediately formed in his mind, and realization dawned on him.

"Could their target be the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's swords? Besides that, they may also be planning to use this chance to keep me in Kirigakure forever."

Seeing Huayue lower his head in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned grave as he spoke frankly.

"We understand how dangerous this mission is. But right now, you are the only one who can do it. They specifically named you and will permit only you to go."

"Also, according to the ninja who escaped from their hands and returned to report, two survivors from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are still by the Fourth Mizukage's side..."

Only then did Uchiha Huayue show a trace of interest. He nodded.

"I understand. I'm curious how they managed to evade the Flying Raijin Slash. How many ninja were captured? Who are the priority rescue targets?"

"There is no ranking among Konoha's ninja. If you are able, prioritize those children who are still young buds. Then Nara Shikaku. Do everything you can."

With a light tap on the desk, the matter was settled. Just as Huayue was preparing to leave, a knock at the door interrupted him.

"Excuse us, Lord Hokage."

As several people entered the mission hall, pair after pair of Byakugan swept toward the center. The Fire Fan crest on the back of the black cloak left the leading elder looking puzzled.

"The Hyuga Clan?"

Seeing that the visitors were from the Hyuga Clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen was equally confused. Could another member of the main house have fallen into Kirigakure's hands?

"Yes. The Hyuga Clan wishes to commission an expert from the village to kill the Hidden Mist Jonin who stole the Hyuga Clan's precious Kekkei Genkai and retrieve the Byakugan."

Hyuga Hiashi, standing behind the Hyuga Elder, gave a slight nod. But the last of the three, Hizashi Hyuga, the current head of the Hyuga Branch House, stood frozen in place.

The Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask, the black cloak, the figure with no presence at all, and that illusory air as though he did not exist.

There was no doubt that the ninja before him was the mysterious ninja who had asked him what he wanted to become that night.

"What timing. This is Uchiha Huayue, a Body Flicker ninja who is as skilled in the Flying Thunder God Technique as Minato."

"He is about to head to Kirigakure on a rescue mission. Tell him everything you know about the ninja who stole the Byakugan. He is the capable fellow who took all seven swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly walked out. His gaze swept over Orochimaru, who was leaning against the wall, and his tone deepened.

"Last night, the Anbu found traces of some animal crawling across the ceiling of my study. This had better have nothing to do with you, my disciple."

His back gradually vanished at the end of the corridor. Orochimaru merely smiled without speaking. The old man had far more drive and vigilance than he had expected.

Meanwhile, inside the mission hall.

The Hyuga Elder gave a slight bow. The three wore complicated expressions, their hearts full of doubts as a trace of suspicion surfaced.

Could this child truly rescue the captured ninja from Kirigakure's grasp? Even if the Third Hokage had said it himself, it was still difficult to believe.

The doubts in the eyes of the Hyuga Elder and Hyuga Hiashi had yet to fade, while Hizashi Hyuga seemed weighed down by thoughts, vaguely recalling what had happened that day.

After seeing the Third Hokage leave, the Hyuga Elder, perhaps spoiled by comfort or simply accustomed to giving orders, turned to Huayue and commanded him.

"Take the life of that Hidden Mist Jonin and reclaim the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan. This is an order from the Hyuga Clan, and also from Lord Third Hokage. You..."

Before the Hyuga Elder could continue, Huayue flashed a brilliant smile.

"I refuse."

"Refuse? Why refuse? Isn't completing missions a ninja's duty?"

As if he had heard an unbelievable answer, the Hyuga Elder's expression changed and he rebuked him sharply.

"The loss of your Kekkei Genkai is an internal matter for the Hyuga Clan. It has nothing to do with me. My mission is to rescue the Konoha Ninja who have fallen into Kirigakure's hands. Everything else is none of my concern."

"First, I have the right to choose my missions and whether to join the battlefield. That was the Third Hokage's promise. Second, I am a member of the Uchiha Clan. Orders from the Hyuga Clan are useless on me."

As he said this, Huayue sensed something. He frowned and shouted.

"Since you're here, why are you hiding off to the side to watch the show? This is why I hate you, Teacher."

"Hehe, I was away from the village for a while. I just heard some very interesting news. The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan has fallen into Kirigakure's hands?"

When the gaunt figure emerged from the shadows, the Hyuga Elder and the current clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, both nodded in greeting, wariness faintly visible in their eyes.

"Lord Orochimaru, you are here... Could it be that this child is...?"

"My rude but exceptionally gifted favorite disciple. I had intended to ask whether he wanted to cultivate outside the village with me, but now it seems that is truly regrettable. Hehe."

The corner of Huayue's mouth twitched. He shot Orochimaru a look of utter disdain and mocked him without courtesy.

"It's all thanks to you. You've even robbed me of my leisure these past few days. Isn't that going a little too far, Teacher Orochimaru?"

"Even you noticed? It seems Teacher Sarutobi has as much energy as a young man. Since you have a mission, I can only take Anko out to train with me. Do you need a gift?"

Huayue chuckled. If Orochimaru brought him a gift, it would be a blessing if it was not trouble instead.

"Then I suppose I'll have some expectations, however slight. Please do not dump any more trouble on me. I'm leaving."

Just as Huayue's figure was about to vanish, Hizashi Hyuga's body stiffened, and the confusion in his eyes deepened.

What do you want to become? A lone bird with broken wings, imprisoned in a cage, or a star that tears apart the night with fangs and blood, burning with blood-red flames?

You do not need to give me an answer now. Once you have truly figured it out, you are welcome to find me at any time.

At some unknown moment, that mysterious figure had silently disappeared. The Hyuga Elder was even more shocked. His Byakugan had clearly never stopped, yet Huayue had vanished from where he stood in an instant?

Could a child truly master the Body Flicker Technique to such a degree?

"Lord Orochimaru, is that child from the Uchiha Clan really your disciple?"

Faced with Hyuga Hiashi's question, Orochimaru smiled. The hard lines of his face softened in a rare display.

"That child is very mysterious. Even I cannot see through the talent he possesses. Perhaps... he has already surpassed even me."

Before the others could voice their amazement, Orochimaru's figure also drifted farther away. Hizashi lowered his eyes, and an almost imperceptible trace of hope rose in his heart.

At Konoha's gate, Huayue looked up at the sky, silently gazing at his hands.

"This is a rare opportunity. I'll give it a try..."