The situation in Konoha was far more complicated than anything White Zetsu had managed to uncover. Even Uchiha Obito never expected the envoy from the Mist Village to have such a huge impact on Konoha. It seemed like the village was on the brink of internal conflict without even needing the Mist's army to set foot on the Land of Fire.
"You're saying members of 'Root' have made their move?"
In a park in the center of the village, Uchiha Obito, disguised with a transformation jutsu, sat on a bench, listening to Zetsu's latest report. He sneered. "As expected of Konoha. They never miss an opportunity for infighting! So 'Root' has mobilized... but Danzo doesn't seem to be the one pulling the strings this time. Could it be the Third Hokage?"
Obito quickly pieced together the truth based on the information he had.
"So, who's Root's target? Uchiha Sōgen?"
"Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi," White Zetsu said with a chuckle. "My clone infiltrated Root. Lucky for us, Danzo isn't there, or I wouldn't have made it in."
White Zetsu's transformation jutsu allowed him to absorb the target's chakra and perfectly mimic it, so much so that even the most familiar person or sensor ninja couldn't detect the disguise. The problem was that Danzo had placed curse marks on his subordinates.
The curse mark was a foreign chakra source, and White Zetsu's technique couldn't replicate that. Besides, even if it could, that would mean falling under Danzo's control. So, for groups controlled by similar methods, it was tough for White Zetsu's clones to infiltrate.
And since most White Zetsu clones were weak in combat, at best they could gather intelligence, cause minor chaos, or, with luck, assassinate a couple of strong enemies. But Obito and Zetsu weren't counting on such low probabilities. Assassinating skilled ninjas wasn't easy.
"Hyūga Hiashi? Hmph! Konoha!"
Obito shook his head, not particularly concerned about the Hyūga. "This works in our favor. If we can use this opportunity to force Uchiha Sōgen to reveal his Mangekyō Sharingan, or even just drain his eye power, it'll be worth it."
As for the outcome of the battle, without knowing Uchiha Sōgen's full abilities, Obito couldn't predict it. But win or lose, for him, it was a no-lose situation.
"Has the show started yet?"
"Not yet," White Zetsu replied. "But Root's agents are already heading to that restaurant called the Matsutake Pavilion. Uchiha Sōgen and Hyūga Hiashi are meeting there. A fight should break out soon, so if you want to watch, you should go now."
Matsutake Pavilion?
Obito sifted through his memories. Thankfully, he knew of the place. It was an old, well-known establishment in Konoha with over thirty years of history. Of course, Obito, being a nobody back then, had never been inside—he'd just passed by it many times.
The restaurant was located in the southwestern corner of the village, somewhere between the bustling central area and the surrounding forest. The nearest prominent clan... seemed to be the Hyūga.
---
At the Matsutake Pavilion, Sōgen and Hiashi had just finished discussing the details of their cooperation. It had taken them quite some time, but now, with the formalities over, they were taking a break for tea. The Matsutake Pavilion was famous not just for its refined ambiance but for its exceptional cuisine.
However, Sōgen had barely finished his appetizers when he sensed a sharp killing intent, like a beacon in the night. With a sigh, he put down his chopsticks.
"Our Hokage is a bit too impatient. Can't he at least wait until I've finished my meal?" Sōgen complained, though it was in vain.
Hiashi's face darkened as he activated his Byakugan, seeing masked figures surrounding them from all directions. The net they'd cast was tight, like a storm with no escape, and his heart sank.
This wasn't just a warning.
They were here to kill.
"Sōgen!"
"Clan leader!"
Shisui and Hiashi's bodyguard, both sensing the approaching danger, burst through the screens to stand in front of Sōgen and Hiashi.
"Sōgen, what is going on? Why... why is this happening?" Shisui was filled with unease, his fists clenched tight, sweat already running down his temple even before the fight began.
"Shisui, don't be so shocked. What's so strange about this? Last time, I was ambushed by Mist spies. Isn't it only natural that this time I'm surrounded by their agents in Konoha?" Sōgen chuckled at his own joke.
Shisui opened his mouth but found nothing to say. The last attack, involving several Jonin-level Mist spies, had been outrageous enough. He couldn't possibly believe that this was another Mist operation, that hundreds of Mist spies had somehow infiltrated the village...
That wasn't even a good joke! This was Konoha, not Kirigakure. There was no pretending this away.
"The attackers are from Root. The leader is Aburame Ryōma," Hiashi reported, his frustration clear. He had underestimated the Third Hokage, who had moved far quicker and with more force than expected. Upon seeing Aburame Ryōma at the helm, Hiashi realized the Third had emptied Danzo's arsenal.
This time, there might be no escaping.
"Aburame Ryōma?"
Murmuring the familiar name, the faint light in Shisui's eyes was completely extinguished. As a top genius of the Uchiha clan, he wasn't lacking in intelligence. His naive ideals had blinded him to the obvious truth. Now, he had to admit that Sōgen's perspective was far more realistic.
It wasn't the clan that didn't fit with the village; it was the village—or rather, the Third Hokage and his allies—that refused to let the clan integrate.
"Sōgen, should we fight our way out?"
Shisui's mindset had shifted. Having realized the folly of his idealism, he now saw Sōgen's plan as the only real hope. Though his love for the village hadn't wavered, his respect for the Third Hokage had crumbled into deep disdain.
Killing intent surged within him.
After all, he too had survived a mountain of corpses and rivers of blood.
He had previously hesitated to turn his blade against fellow villagers, but now that he understood that "villager" didn't necessarily mean "comrade," the sharp edge he'd concealed was finally ready to be unleashed.
"Of course, we'll fight our way out. What, you want to stay here and get chopped into pieces?" Sōgen said, his hands already forming seals. He summoned Samehada, which had been kept at the police headquarters. As the sword fell into his grasp, the power of "A Knight Never Dies Unarmed" washed away all the seals placed on it.
Unless someone stronger than him intervened, or he allowed it, no one could take Samehada from him.
After calming the sword's excitement, Sōgen turned to Hiashi.
"Hiashi-senpai, should we move together or split up?"
Sōgen hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder as he sought Hiashi's opinion. Since they were now allies, it was only polite to check before making a move.
"Together!"
Hiashi didn't opt for prideful independence.
He knew full well that he couldn't handle so many Root elites on his own. Splitting up would be suicide. By sticking with Uchiha Sōgen, there was at least a chance of survival. After all, neither Sōgen nor Shisui seemed the least bit concerned.
If...
If Sōgen truly had awakened the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, something not seen in decades, then following him was their best hope!
"If possible, head southeast. That's the Hyūga clan's territory. Once we're there, we'll be safe," Hiashi suggested.
"Southeast, huh? We'll see."
Sōgen didn't give a definitive answer.
The Third Hokage was a capable strategist. If he dared act now, he likely had a plan to prevent the Hyūga from assisting Hiashi. After all, the Matsutake Pavilion wasn't far from the Hyūga clan's grounds.
"For now, let's see just how tough these guys are. Maybe we won't even need to break through!"
As the battle at the Matsutake Pavilion was about to erupt, the Third Hokage arrived at the Hyūga clan's compound, seeking out a member of the main family—an elder ranked just below Hiashi. Few knew that in their younger days, they had once been close friends.
"Sarutobi, times have changed. Leave. The Hyūga do not welcome you," the elder said, standing on the veranda in traditional Hyūga robes, glaring coldly at the Hokage.
Though Hiashi had yet to return, the Hyūga elders were well aware of what had happened at the Hokage's meeting earlier that day. They had also taken note of Hiashi's recent actions and knew exactly what he was planning.
"Masayuki, the Hyuga clan is one of the most prestigious in Konoha. As an elder of the Hyuga, if you see the young people going astray and don't correct them, it will bring disaster to the Hyuga. If the intel gathered by the Anbu is accurate, it seems like Hizashi intends to abolish the Hyuga's system of the main and branch families."
The Third Hokage looked at Hyuga Masayuki, whose face had changed color, with a gaze full of meaning.
(End of chapter)