The Secret Cave

The three sat around the table. Uzumaki Hane asked, "Did either of you find any clues today?"

Hyuga Tanaka said, "I asked around about the Sakai Family Clan today. They're the only family clan in town, and they usually throw their weight around. The townspeople are terrified of them."

Yamano Koromo said, "I asked a lot of people today. Ninja from Konoha really did show up in this town three days ago."

Hyuga Tanaka asked, "Hane, what information did you find?"

Uzumaki Hane recounted what had happened when he followed the ninja earlier, as well as what Sakai Ichiro had said. Then he added, "I'm sure Sakai Ichiro was lying. Our village's missing ninja must have a lot to do with them, and they don't think they can keep it from us either. I think they'll make a move soon."

Hyuga Tanaka asked, "Hane, what are you planning to do?"

Uzumaki Hane said, "We'll stay divided into two teams. I'll remain here and keep investigating the Sakai Family's secrets, while you two find Sakai Fuji."

Hyuga Tanaka said, "All right." Then he and Yamano Koromo left without a sound.

The next day, Uzumaki Hane got up early. After asking a servant for directions, he went to the Sakai Family's training ground, intending to warm up a little.

There was a large tree beside the training ground. Sakai Jiro stood beneath it, practicing his swordsmanship. Sakai Ichiro held his sword and stared intently at a leaf drifting down in front of him. His blade flashed, and the leaf was cut in two.

Sakai Jiro seemed pleased with his handiwork. He put away his sword, only then noticing Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane said, "Sorry to disturb you."

Sakai Jiro stared hard at Uzumaki Hane, then sneered and said arrogantly, "What, it's just a brat from Konoha." He drew the sword at his waist again and pointed it at Uzumaki Hane. "I wonder if this ninja from Konoha has the guts to spar with me and show me a ninja's strength?"

Uzumaki Hane naturally wouldn't refuse. "Sure."

When Sakai Jiro heard Uzumaki Hane agree, he dropped his arrogant attitude and grew solemn. With a shout, he closed the distance in a few strides and brought his sword down at Uzumaki Hane, its blade flashing coldly.

Uzumaki Hane quickly drew a Kunai with his right hand and blocked Sakai Jiro's sword. The force behind the blade nearly knocked the Kunai from his grasp. Uzumaki Hane frowned. He's so strong. It seems he wasn't fighting at full strength yesterday.

Sakai Jiro pressed down, trying to overpower Uzumaki Hane, but Uzumaki Hane held the sword firmly at bay.

Sakai Jiro's gaze sharpened. He raised his sword in an instant and quickly chopped down again.

Uzumaki Hane flipped backward, dodging the strike. Then he kicked out with his right foot, hitting Sakai Jiro and sending him staggering back several steps.

Uzumaki Hane stepped forward and thrust his Kunai at Sakai Jiro's chest. Sakai Jiro hurriedly steadied himself and held his sword across his chest, blocking the Kunai.

Sakai Jiro shouted and shoved Uzumaki Hane away, then raised his sword and brought it down at his head. Uzumaki Hane dodged and seized the chance to stab at Sakai Jiro with his Kunai. Sakai Jiro turned his head aside, avoiding it, then swept his sword at Uzumaki Hane's waist.

Bang! Uzumaki Hane vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving a wooden log in his place. Sakai Jiro sliced it in two.

Uzumaki Hane appeared behind him, holding his Kunai across his neck. Just then, Sakai Jiro vanished in an instant, dodging Uzumaki Hane's attack and reappearing three meters in front of him. Uzumaki Hane frowned. So fast.

At that moment, Sakai Ichiro appeared and angrily scolded Sakai Jiro. "Jiro, what are you doing? How could you be so rude to a guest?" Then he said to Uzumaki Hane, "Please forgive his rudeness."

Uzumaki Hane said, "It's fine. I'd like to go out for a walk now. Let me know if there's any news of Sakai Fuji." Then he left.

Sakai Ichiro watched Uzumaki Hane disappear from sight before letting the smile fall from his face. "You used that power just now. Didn't we agree that we haven't succeeded yet and need to keep it hidden? What if the plan is ruined?"

Sakai Jiro lowered his head. "I'm sorry, big brother." Sakai Ichiro asked, "What do you think of his strength?"

Sakai Jiro's expression turned solemn. "He's strong. He could hold his own against me with Taijutsu alone. I don't know how good his Ninjutsu is, but as long as we can carry out that plan, he definitely won't be a match for us."

Uzumaki Hane left the Sakai Family residence and followed the signs Hyuga Tanaka and the others had left to find them, but only Yamano Koromo was there. Uzumaki Hane asked, "Koromo, where's Tanaka?"

Yamano Koromo said, "We found an important clue. There have been cases of people going missing in town, and they disappeared in the forest from that day. We suspect the disappearances have a lot to do with the Sakai Family. Tanaka has gone to investigate that forest."

Uzumaki said, "All right, then the two of us will split up and look for Sakai Fuji."

Yamano Koromo said, "All right."

Hyuga Tanaka searched the forest for traces of the missing people, but it was too vast. Even with his Byakugan, he couldn't find any clues. Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. Then Hyuga Tanaka suddenly spotted a group of people heading into the forest in the distance. He quietly followed and discovered they were Sakai Family guards, so he stayed behind them.

After walking for about an hour, they came to a hidden cave. Vines had grown thickly over the entrance, concealing it. Without someone to lead the way, it would have been very hard to find.

Hyuga Tanaka called softly, "Byakugan." He examined the cave and found that although its entrance was small, it was very spacious inside, and its passages were extremely complicated. He waited until everyone had entered the cave and gone around a bend before quietly slipping inside.

Hyuga Tanaka advanced cautiously. After rounding four bends, he saw a large door ahead. He approached it, and suddenly, it opened.

Hyuga Tanaka thought, This is bad. But there was nowhere nearby to hide, and he came face-to-face with the person emerging.

Hyuga Tanaka reacted quickly, striking with both hands at the person's acupoints. The person immediately collapsed. Hyuga Tanaka caught them and gently laid them on the ground. Only after using his Byakugan to confirm that no one was inside did he slowly walk through the door.

Beyond the door was another passage. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Hyuga Tanaka and threw a punch at him. Hyuga Tanaka reached out with his right hand and blocked it, but his body was forced back a step. What tremendous strength, he thought.

Hyuga Tanaka quickly steadied himself, took up a fighting stance, and watched his opponent warily.