Chapter 129

*****

Over the next few days, Kenshin and Kasumi spent every possible formation from morning to evening, afraid of not having time to create a strong defense. He was sure that Konoha knew the approximate location of the base, because it was impossible to hide it without radical measures.

Kenshin hoped that Zabuza would keep quiet about seeing the Hyuga and Nara clan techniques. But to his regret, on the evening of the 386th day, Momochi Zabuza lamented the amazing abilities of the Hyuga, whose "kaiten" could easily repel attacks by much stronger enemies. When asked by a fellow drinker, "How did you manage to encounter a member of the Hyuga clan?" Zabuza briefly told the story of what had happened to him a few days ago, without thinking that this information meant anything.

*****

Day 390, Konoha.

Hyuga Hitoshi, as he did most of his free time, was leisurely practicing calligraphy. This meditative activity was the only thing that could quell his very frequent outbursts of anger.

There was a knock at the door, and hearing the approval to enter, a very meek young man slipped in quietly. Bowing to his master, he found it hard to speak.

- Hitoshi-sama, one of our clan members was seen on the border of the country of fire. - The black-haired short-haired guy began, but faltered under the scorchingly poisonous gaze of his master.

- And Hiruzen smoked a pipe yesterday, so what? - Hitoshi said, holding back his anger.

- M-Mister, that's not all. It wasn't a member of our clan, but one of the mercenaries! - Finding courage, the young man blurted out.

- WHAT?! This must be a mistake. A member of our clan can't be a mercenary! - Hitoshi said, shaking his head.

- It may be a mistake, but you instructed me to report any information regarding Hyuga Hitomi, so I decided to report this information to you.

"Did this brat go crazy and decide to join a mercenary group?.." Hitoshi muttered thoughtfully, and at the thought of Hitomi, the anger in his heart increased with each passing second.

"According to rumors, this man was seen in a mercenary team called the Nakayama Family. I checked again, and there is not even a nominal member of our Hyuga clan there." The young man said.

- What are these rumors? Who saw this person, and under what circumstances? Was it a man or a woman? - Hyuga Hitoshi said, bombarding his subordinate with questions.

- Momochi Zabuza encountered a mercenary unit from the Nakayama Family, and later reported that there was a member of the Hyuga clan among them. I don't know any other details.

- One of the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist?! Even I'm not sure I can fight on equal terms with Momochi Zabuza, and who is this high-class shinobi who defected from our clan? Perhaps the rumors are not true?

- I don't know, Hitoshi-sama, all of this was reported by our man from the foreign intelligence service, and they know how to filter information...

- The Nakayama family you say... By evening, obtain all the information that is known about this group, perhaps Hitomi is hiding among them. - Hitoshi ordered.

- It will be done, Hitoshi-sama. However, there are rumors that the root has taken an interest in them... - The young man said, shuddering. Being familiar with various secret information, he, like no one else, knew what the "Root Anbu" was, and he really didn't want to encounter them.

- Root? Damn it! Hiashi-sama will definitely take control of this matter. He won't let Root get his hands on a rebel from our clan… Find out all the details about this "Nakayama Family" quickly, and report them to me right away, otherwise we might get into trouble! - Hitoshi ordered. For the first time in a long time, his anger gave way to another emotion - worry and fear. The elderly elder of the Hyuga clan's branch house was afraid of how this matter might end.

*****

Day 391.

For the last five days, Kenshin had been busy preparing a huge area for his future base. This project was incredibly risky and dangerous. In fact, he did not want to get out and show himself to the whole world, but he reasoned that sooner or later their underground shelter would be found, and then they would have no advantage in a fight with the enemy. Any large defensive formations would sooner or later be noticed, so they could not be placed around a secret shelter, and weak and inconspicuous formations aimed at deceiving the eyes and hiding were useless in battle.

"Father, we have noticed three squads sniffing around the area. All of them are at least peak Chunin, and professionals in their field. Their steps are silent, their appearance is unremarkable, and judging by everything, their clothes have a huge number of fuin, which makes it almost impossible to observe them." Ichiro reported, approaching Kenshin.

- Hmm, another bloodhound? - Kenshin muttered in surprise, rubbing his tired temples.

- Yes, but this time it's serious. These guys are much more professional, and they're aiming to find something. The last times, we had two Chunin following us with boredom, and they happily left when they lost our trail. I'm afraid that trick won't work with these guys. They'll find us sooner or later. - Ichiro said, fearing for his father's well-being. He didn't want the enemy to attack while Kenshin was on the surface.

- Don't worry, the main defensive formations are ready, tomorrow we will move our shelter here and stop hiding. - Kenshin declared imperiously. He was tired of hiding for a long time and playing the smiling idiot, groveling even before weak shinobi. Now he became the head of a very strong organization, capable of destroying one of the seven swordsmen of the hidden mist, and even the strongest Jonin lost the right to talk to him in raised tones.

"Do you think Zabuza told anyone about the altercation with our family?" Kasumi asked, hugging him from behind.

- I don't know... Anything is possible in this world. Better Zabuza's chatter than being followed by someone like Obito or Zetsu... We're not at all ready for the attention of Akatsuki. - He whispered with a sigh, and stroked the gentle hands of his embracing wife.

"Can't Obito teleport straight to our house?" Kasumi asked warily. Kenshin's safety was her top priority.

- I don't think so. Maximum to the entrance, and only until I set up interference.

- You said that formations related to the basic laws of the universe, such as space/time/gravity, are incredibly difficult to master, - Kasumi said with interest.

- Yes, but creating interference in space is not that difficult. Besides, Ichiro might learn something from the distorted space. - Kenshin said with a smile, remembering his eldest son's incredible ability.

"Yes, Father, I feel that my 'Space Authority' is on the verge of breaking through, but something is missing," Ichiro answered respectfully.

"Does meditation help?" Kenshin asked with interest, he was very concerned about the success of Ichiro, who was currently the strongest fighter in the family. Next came Kenshin himself, under all the reinforcements, and behind him was the rapidly strengthening Fifteenth.

- Yes, I am increasingly immersed in this incredible state, and I can feel almost everything around me, and once, I managed to influence an object located a hundred meters away, although the impact was weak, and the control was zero... - Ichiro said with a sigh, sitting down next to his father.

- Hm? Let me see how it was. - Kenshin said, and touched his eldest son's head, seeing everything he wanted in a few seconds.

- It is quite possible that this is the path to your own domain... If so, then by mastering it you will become an incredibly powerful shinobi! - Kenshin declared joyfully.

- Great Grandfather said that the closer a shinobi gets to the level of the sage of the six paths, the better he comprehends the laws. Perhaps because of the unique Kekkei Genkai, Ichiro started this a little earlier? - Kasumi suggested with a smile.

Suddenly, Kenshin's smile faltered, and he instantly cast x150 focus on himself, and after a second of real time, he mentally commanded:

"All four teams, head here quickly and be prepared for battle!" Kenshin ordered in a serious tone.

"Ichiro, be ready to take control of your team. We have uninvited guests!" He mentally ordered, looking at his eldest son.

"Kenshin, what happened?!" Kasumi asked worriedly, but before she could answer, Kenshin instantly activated the formations on her suit, and her face was instantly hidden behind a thin, but strong mask.

"I don't know how they got past the detection formations, but the bloodhounds have gotten within five kilometers, and a clash cannot be avoided. They will definitely notice if we try to leave," he replied, and "listened" again, trying to determine the location of the enemies by the residual impulses of their thoughts.