Chapter 220 : Yasuo and Hirano!

"What?" Under the onslaught of the hurricane, Fumito below couldn't discern the clan head's words.

Unperturbed, they paid little heed. Their clan head was adept at these daily exchanges, and there was no fear of his ire for such casual disregard.

Rubbing his head, Fumito caught a fragment of the clan head's speech, but it eluded clear comprehension. Shrugging it off, he turned to devour rice balls.

A few elders nearby seemed to catch a hint of significance, their expressions turning somber. Yet, they held their peace in deference to their clan head.

Unlike their journey to Konoha, the return trip found their clan head preoccupied, subtly attuned to something amiss along the way.

Gradually, they too discerned they were being trailed, a fact their clan head was evidently privy to from the outset.

However, since the clan head chose silence, they respected his judgment, refraining from discussion. 

Though they exchanged glances, their suspicions unvoiced, Konoha naturally emerged as the prime suspect.

Yet, they maintained silence, vigilant under the clan head's guidance, awaiting his directive.

Surveying their surroundings, Kazuhiko leaped from a boulder, muttering to himself, "But I am no Xiang Yu..."

(In Chinese, "Xiang Yu" is a prominent historical figure from the late Qin Dynasty and early Western Han Dynasty period. He was a military leader and prominent figure during the Chu-Han Contention, a period of civil war following the collapse of the Qin Dynasty. Xiang Yu was known for his martial prowess and played a significant role in the conflict against the Qin Dynasty's forces.)

Disregarding whether others grasped his meaning, he moved aside, greeted by a freshly grilled steak from his clan, which he consumed with decorum. Unconcerned by their shadowing, he encouraged all to eat and drink, even roasting a wild boar he'd hunted along the way.

The third elder and his companions exchanged perplexed glances at Kazuhiko's mutterings.

"Who is Xiang Yu?" "I have no clue..." "Nor I. Haven't heard the name." 

Abandoning further inquiry, they settled to partake in the barbecue.

Meanwhile, as Kazuhiko relished his meal, a band of lurkers remained concealed nearby. Clad in black attire, their eyes fixed on every move of Kazuhiko and his retinue, one pair among them gleaming with unnerving white intensity.

The companion beside him waited anxiously for what felt like an eternity until Hyuga's ninja, finally sensing Hyuga Yasuo's closed eyes, spoke up hastily.

"Yasuo, any updates? Have they made any moves?"

Hyuga Yasuo shook his head with a simmering frustration. "They seem to be quite comfortable, still enjoying their roast pigs over there."

His words ignited a collective fury among the group. Prompted by an unspoken signal, they retrieved their dry rations and reluctantly nibbled on the tasteless military provisions.

Meanwhile, another ninja from the Hyuga clan promptly reopened his eyes, keeping a vigilant watch over Kazuhiko and his companions.

Days passed in this manner, an unbroken vigil. They could only partake of their meager meals when Kazuhiko and his entourage did, spending the rest of their time scrutinizing their every move.

"Let them revel in their feast; their days are numbered!"

"Indeed, after insulting Konoha, their demise is well deserved. Their blood shall cleanse the stain upon our village!"

"They must face retribution. With our numbers, they stand no chance of escape! Even their prodigious clan head is doomed!"

The group, grinding their teeth in frustration, chewed on their flavorless rations as if they were the very flesh of the Uzumaki clan, wishing to tear them apart.

Amidst their meal, someone interjected, "When will we strike? It's been days, and they're nearly at the Land of Fire border."

"True, it's been days, yet we've done nothing, leaving them free to encounter outsiders."

Listening to the disparagement, Nara Hirano, the team leader who had been silently consuming his rations, cast a stern gaze upon the group.

"Do not dwell on it; our leader has a plan."

Instantly, silence descended, broken only by the subdued munching of rations.

After a prolonged quiet, Nara Hirano acknowledged the group's tireless efforts. As scouts, they shadowed Kazuhiko and his party throughout the journey, sacrificing comfort and sleep.

Moreover, they must maintain constant vigilance, ready to report any developments across the border. Thus, idle chatter became their sole respite from solitude.

After a moment's contemplation, Nara Hirano offered a glimmer of hope. "Endure a little longer, I've heard it's just two more days. Hang in there, everyone."

His words sparked a renewed determination among the group; indeed, they had endured enough torment in recent days.

Initially daunted by the reputation of their enemies, known as the new gods of ninja, they now braced themselves for the impending clash.

In recent days, as more and more companions joined their ranks, their self-assurance swelled steadily.

With the wind whipping and the sun blazing down, their spirits remained taut. They were itching to confront Kazuhiko and his entourage head-on, ready to settle matters swiftly and return home.

Before long, Kazuhiko and his group wrapped up their meal, tidied their campsite, extinguished the dwindling flames, and pressed onward.

Kazuhiko cast a glance towards the looming hills ahead, already plotting his course. "It must be around there," he mused, a hint of determination in his eyes.

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