Hyuga Affair (1)

The joyful mood persisted in the village until the day the Kumo ninja envoys were supposed to arrive, to sign and finalize the peace treaty.

The streets and alleys were crowded with spectators of all ages, eager to welcome the foreign visitors and celebrate the end of the war. The villagers's hope for a new era of peace was palpable, their cheers and excitement filling the air.

Colorful banners and flags adorned the buildings, and vendors sold snacks and souvenirs commemorating the historic event. Children ran around with painted faces, waving little flags, while adults exchanged hopeful smiles and greetings.

The anticipation was building as the hour of the envoys's arrival approached. Mirai, standing on a rooftop overlooking the main street and holding Naruto in his arms, scanned the crowds below. His eyes narrowed as he observed the scene. The festivities were heartwarming, but he couldn't shake his unease. The enthusiasm and joy seemed almost too perfect, too orchestrated.

From his vantage point, he could see the main gate of Konoha. The gate guards were standing at attention, ready to receive the envoys.

As the appointed time drew near, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned toward the gate, waiting for the first sight of the Kumo envoys.

Soon, the figures of Kumo ninjas grew closer to the gate, clad in their distinctive white ninja attire. Leading them was a tall, slim man with dark eyes and a black goatee. He wore an older-styled Kumo flak jacket, distinct from his companions. His head was bandaged, with a forehead protector covering his right eye, and a smug smile adorned his face.

The villagers's cheers grew louder as the Kumo envoys approached. The tall man at the front exuded an air of confidence, his presence commanding attention. He moved with a casual ease, as if the weight of the peace treaty and the significance of this moment meant little to him.

Mirai's attention was fixed on the Kumo leader and the rest of the Kumo delegation. His eyes narrowed as he assessed each ninja, noting their stances and expressions. They seemed disciplined and focused, but Mirai knew better than to trust appearances.

…

With the night falling, the excitement and turmoil of the day eventually faded away. The village was quieter than usual, a calm settling over the streets and alleys of Konoha. The celebratory atmosphere had given way to a peaceful night, with the villagers resting after the day's festivities.

In the guest quarters provided by Konoha, the head of Kumo's envoys, G, stood by a window overlooking the village. The friendly expression he had maintained when meeting the Third Hokage and his council had finally dropped, replaced by a mocking smile.

"Fools." G muttered to himself, his voice low and contemptuous. "Gullible Konoha, so eager for peace they can't see the knife aimed at their backs."

His smile faded, replaced by a stern, determined look as he thought of the Raikage's assigned mission.

The Cloud Village (Kumo) becoming the first of the five great ninja villages was a matter of fact, as it had the least number of losses in the recent war. This, coupled with the firm and unquestionable reign of the Third Raikage and now the Fourth Raikage, cemented its position. The other villages were in dire straits, recovering from the extensive damages and losses they had incurred.

However, despite Kumo's military might and strategic prowess, there was one thing they lacked and starved for, Kekkai Genkai.

Kumo lacked the genetic legacies that were prevalent in other villages. These unique bloodline abilities were highly coveted, granting individuals extraordinary powers that could turn the tide of battles.

G thought of his recent mission and the information gathered about the Hyuga clan. He recalled the Raikage telling him about their plan and that he would probably lose his life. But for him, a ninja who had devoted his life and fought for Kumo, if his sacrifice could bring an iota of benefit for his village, it was worth it.

Wearing a black suit and a mask to obscure his face, G gave a nod to each of his comrades. They acknowledged his silent command, their faces set with determination.

He left their current residence alone, his movements silent and swift. He expertly bypassed the patrolling ANBU, slipping through the shadows with the grace of a seasoned ninja, as he made his way toward the Hyuga compound. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the village and providing just enough light for him to navigate by.

The Hyuga compound's defenses were lowered, especially today, after the festivities of their heiress's birthday. G took advantage of the relaxed security and scaled the outer wall of the Hyuga compound, landing softly on the other side.

His target was the Hyuga heiress, whose Byakugan was rumored to be the purest. Capturing her would be a significant achievement for Kumo, fulfilling his mission and the Raikage's orders.

Finally, he reached the inner sanctum where the princess slept. The room was dimly lit, and the soft glow of a nearby lantern cast long shadows on the walls. G took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead.

Kidnapping the young heiress had been surprisingly easy, and leaving the compound posed no significant trouble for G. He moved swiftly, the unconscious girl slung gently over his shoulder, her light breaths barely audible. Just as he was retreating, however, his path was abruptly blocked.

A man stood before him, his stance firm and unyielding. The man's eyes were a featureless white, the veins near his temples bulging—a clear sign that his Byakugan was activated. His long black hair flowed down his back.

G immediately recognized him as Hyuga Hiashi, the current head of the Hyuga Clan, and the father of the girl he was kidnapping.

Hiashi's eyes narrowed as he took in the situation, his expression serious. "Who are you? Put my daughter down."

G's only response was to tighten his grip on the girl and clutch a kunai closer to her neck in a silent warning.

Hiashi's gaze hardened, his Byakugan giving him a clear view of G's chakra network and every movement. "You won't leave here alive if you harm her."

G's thoughts raced in a desperate attempt to salvage the mission. The Raikage's meticulous planning had indeed prepared him for potential confrontations, but facing Hyuga Hiashi was proving to be a formidable challenge he hadn't fully anticipated.

In the blink of an eye, Hiashi closed the gap between them with blinding speed. G's grip on the girl tightened, the cold edge of his kunai nearing her delicate skin. Yet, Hiashi's movements were precise. His fingers struck with surgical precision, targeting vital points on G's arm. The sudden numbing sensation caused G to involuntarily release his grip, the kunai clattering to the ground.

Before G could regain control, Hiashi's palm surged forward like a thunderclap aimed at his chest. However, to G's astonishment, a shimmering silver barrier materialized, intercepting Hiashi's strike effortlessly. The wall of silver liquid enveloped G in an instant, leaving only his head exposed.