21. Itachi had pressed the "Delete All" button.

When Hiroshi returned to the Hyuga compound after the entrance exam, it was a whirlwind of activity. It felt like walking into the aftermath of a poorly planned surprise party—except this one involved no cake and a lot more panic.

Hiroshi tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Nova?"

Nova's voice chimed in his mind. "It appears they found out."

Hiroshi blinked, a sly grin creeping across his face. "Well, I didn't think he'd be this efficient. He's just five."

As Hiroshi made his way further inside, the chaos became clearer. Clan members ran back and forth, papers in hand, some even bumping into each other like disoriented pigeons. His father, Hiashi Hyuga, stood in the middle of the courtyard.

"Search every room, every hall! I want answers!" Hiashi's normally calm demeanor was nowhere to be found. His veins bulged in frustration as he grilled one of the branch family members. "You didn't see anything suspicious? Not even an elder sneaking out for late-night tea?"

The poor branch family member shook his head so quickly it looked like he might pass out. "N-No, Lord Hiashi! It's like they just vanished!"

Hiroshi couldn't help but admire the artistry of Itachi's work. Not only had the elders disappeared, but their absence had been so seamless that even their closest family members had seemingly forgotten their existence. It was as though Itachi had pressed the "Delete All" button on the Hyuga clan's leadership.

"Hiroshi, do you think this is suspicious enough for someone to start asking questions? Like, I don't know... the Hokage?" Nova asked.

Hiroshi smirked. "Itachi and the others made sure there was no evidence. Unless someone has psychic powers, this chaos will just look like... well, chaos."

Hiroshi's confidence wavered slightly when a trio of high-ranking figures arrived at the compound gates. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and the remaining two village elders strode in. Their presence immediately gained the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

Hiashi straightened, bowing slightly. "Lord Hokage, Lord Fourth, we appreciate your assistance in this... troubling matter."

Hiruzen looked around the compound with an amused expression. "Troubling, indeed. Missing elders, you say? And no one remembers them?"

Minato furrowed his brows, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It's almost like they were erased from existence. Are you sure this isn't some elaborate prank, Hiashi?"

Hiashi's eye twitched. "I assure you, Lord Hokage, this is no prank."

"Nonsense! People don't just disappear! Clearly, the Hyuga clan is hiding something. Perhaps your precious Byakugan isn't as all-seeing as you claim," Homura said in annoyance.

Hiashi's jaw clenched, but before he could retort, Hiroshi decided to intervene.

"What's all this noise about? Did someone forget to invite me to the elders' secret party?" Hiroshi called out.

Hiashi shot him a warning glare. "Hiroshi, this is not the time for jokes."

"Ah, young Hiroshi Hyuga. Fresh from the academy entrance exams, I presume?" Hiruzen said.

Hiroshi bowed politely. "Yes, Lord Hokage. Though, I must say, this scene feels more intense than the exams. What exactly is going on?"

Minato chuckled softly, but his tone grew serious as he spoke. "The Hyuga elders have gone missing, Hiroshi. Completely vanished, without a trace."

Hiroshi feigned shock, his hand flying to his mouth as he gasped dramatically. "Missing? All of them? But... but who's going to yell at me for being late to family meetings now?"

A few branch members stifled chuckles, but Hiashi was not amused. "Hiroshi, enough!"

Hiruzen, however, seemed intrigued. "Hiroshi, you seem oddly calm for someone whose clan leadership has disappeared."

Hiroshi shrugged, popping a chip into his mouth. "Well, Lord Hokage, I figured if they're missing, it means fewer lectures for the rest of us. Win-win, right?"

The courtyard fell silent. Even Hiruzen seemed unsure whether to laugh or reprimand him.

Before anyone could respond, a loud, authoritative voice echoed through the compound.

"Where are those damn elders?!"

All heads turned to see Tsunade stomping into the courtyard, clearly not in the best mood. She was followed by Shizune.

"Tsunade-sama," Hiruzen greeted her with a sigh. "What brings you to the Hyuga compound?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, glaring at Hiashi. "Huh? Did something happen?"

Minato cleared his throat. "Tsunade-sama, this is a serious matter. All the Hyuga elders have disappeared. We are currently investi—"

"Disappeared?!" Tsunade interrupted, pointing at Hiashi. She was here to complain about a certain Hyuga boy who had trapped her in a genjutsu.

"What kind of clan loses all the elders overnight? Did you try looking under the tatami mats?" she said angrily.

Hiroshi bit his lip to keep from laughing. Nova chimed in, "She's certainly entertaining when she's angry."

As the leaders continued their discussions, Hiroshi quietly slipped away to avoid further attention.

…

Root Headquarters, Night

Hiroshi stood in the center of the room, his Oni mask glowing faintly in the dim light. Around him, Root operatives moved silently, their faces as blank as their emotions. The air was heavy with tension,

From the shadows, Itachi Uchiha stepped forward.

"I want a duel," he said, his gaze locking onto the Oni-masked figure.

Hiroshi turned his masked face toward Itachi, the crimson glow of the mask's eyes making him seem even more menacing. Beneath the mask, however, Hiroshi smirked. He could see the suspicion burning in Itachi's gaze.

"He suspects something, Hiroshi. He's trying to confirm your identity," Nova's voice echoed in his mind.

"You want a duel? Fine," Hiroshi replied coolly. "Let's make it quick."

0.5 Seconds Later

Itachi was dangling upside down on the wall, his arms pinned above his head with chakra-enhanced ropes. His Sharingan spun in futile confusion, his usually composed face betraying a rare look of disbelief.

"Wh-what… just happened?" Itachi muttered.

From the floor, Hiroshi casually dusted off his hands and leaned against the wall as if nothing had happened. "Oh, my bad. I figured the great Itachi Uchiha would at least dodge one move."

"One move?" Itachi asked, his brows furrowed.

Hiroshi chuckled, shaking his head. "You're sharp, Itachi, but even you have limits. Maybe next time, take a nap before challenging someone you don't understand."

"He looks like a confused puppy," Nova chimed in telepathically. "You should take a picture for future blackmail haha~"

Hiroshi waved over a passing Root operative. "Untie him." He turned on his heel and strode toward the operations room, leaving Itachi to process his defeat.

"Will he be able to do it? Hyuga elders were easy targets, but Uchiha….. he still young for that." Nova asked.

…

In the operations room, a glowing projection hovered before Hiroshi, illuminating a detailed map of Konoha. He tapped the floating interface, highlighting key areas as he spoke.

"Alright, let's get to the point. The village elders and Uchiha clan leaders are the cancer eating away Konoha. From both sides, In their arrogance and greed."

Itachi entered the room, his expression unreadable. N09, another operative, stood rigidly at attention, awaiting orders.

Hiroshi pointed to a section of the map outlining the elders' compound. "The village elders first. These puppeteers have tangled their strings in every corrupt scheme for decades. They think they're untouchable."

"You're taking on all the elders yourself?" Itachi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hiroshi nodded, his voice dripping with confidence. "They'll never see me coming. I'll make them disappear so thoroughly that even their shadows will forget they existed. The seals I've developed will ensure everyone forgets them—just like the Hyuga elders. But unlike them, we'll keep the village elders alive.

Rewired brains are more useful than corpses."

N09 gave a subtle nod, his posture unwavering.

Turning back to the map, Hiroshi tapped the Uchiha compound. "Now for the Uchiha elders. They're a different beast—proud, paranoid, and dangerous. Their coup plans could ignite a civil war."

Itachi's eyes darkened. "You want me to deal with them."

"Exactly," Hiroshi replied. "You have the skills, they won't see it coming."

N09 spoke for the first time, his monotone voice breaking the silence. "And my role?"

Hiroshi glanced at him, the red glow of his mask giving his figure an imposing aura. "You're backup. Make sure they don't get far."

"Understood," N09 said with a bow.

Itachi crossed his arms, his voice cold. "You're asking me to kill members of my own clan."

Hiroshi's voice softened slightly. "I'm asking you to save Konoha—and your family. If the elders' coup succeeds, the entire Uchiha clan will be branded as traitors. You know what happens then."

Itachi's jaw tightened. He hated how much sense Hiroshi's words made. "Fine. But I want a guarantee that my family will remain untouched."

Hiroshi nodded, his tone earnest. "Your family isn't the problem. The elders are. I promise your family will be safe."

For a moment, the room fell silent as the gravity of the plan settled over them. Then Hiroshi clapped his hands together.

"Alright, here's how this will go down: I'll handle the village elders tonight. By dawn, they'll be reformed, model citizens. Itachi, you'll deal with the Uchiha elders simultaneously. Hit them fast, hit them hard, and leave no loose ends. N09, you'll clean up the aftermath, and provide additional support."

Itachi nodded. "Understood."

"Acknowledged," N09 added.

As they dispersed, Hiroshi turned back to the map, his fingers tracing its glowing lines.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Hiroshi. One wrong move and no amount of planning will save you." Nova warned.

Hiroshi smirked beneath his mask. "That's the thrill, Nova. If it were easy, it wouldn't be worth doing."