This puppeteer is a bit... well...

Chapter 223 Seeing Through and Discovering

Obito and Kakashi both stared intently at Mukai's face, seemingly trying to discern any flaws in his every move.

Long Er almost laughed. These two inexperienced kids, promoted out of turn during the war, dared to play tricks on him.

Actually, if it were Hyuga instead, Mukai might have some flaws if he were here, because Mukai himself wouldn't know if Ryuji had given him any information.

However, this time the fake news went directly to the sender.

That was a misunderstanding.

The thing they're holding is obviously made up, no doubt about it.

Mukai's expression remained unchanged throughout, showing no fluctuation, indicating that he was prepared.

Having a clear conscience while committing a thief is a basic skill for a qualified ninja.

"I don't know what you're talking about. If you want to make accusations, please provide solid evidence. Otherwise, I will not let this go, even if you two are from the Hokage's lineage."

Ryuji, disguised as Mukai, adopted a firm and unwavering tone, showing no intention of arguing with the two of them.

"Please leave."

Seeing this, Obito and Kakashi realized they had met with a brick wall and were destined to return empty-handed today.

That scroll was indeed made up by the two of them, their purpose being to trick Mukai and Sunagakure into having any secret dealings.

However, no matter what they did, they never imagined that what they were plotting was to force the Hyuga branch family to defect.

After all, in traditional thinking, a caged bird is almost an unbreakable seal.

The two looked at each other, realizing that their little tricks were still too naive for Long Er, a seasoned veteran.

"Kakashi, I told you long ago that it wouldn't work."

Obito launched into his usual sarcastic remarks, and Kakashi helplessly pursed his lips, saying nothing more. After spending so much time together, he had long since figured out the leader's personality.

"But this person definitely has a problem," Kakashi added at the end.

Obito, with a nonchalant air, said, "Even if there are problems, there's no evidence."

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because the two people walking towards them were none other than Kohinata Mukai, whom they had just met!

Obito wasn't stupid; he immediately swallowed back what he was about to say, put on a smile, and nodded to Mukai.

Mukai smiled and nodded at the two of them.

Even if they were incredibly stupid, they would realize at this point that something was wrong!

"We must inform the Hokage immediately."

This was a shared idea between the two of them.

It's getting dark now, and once night falls, who knows what might happen.

The two rushed to the Hokage's office at an extremely fast speed.

Kohinata Mukai also realized the same thing, because Obito and Kakashi came from the same direction as Ryuji and the others.

After meeting Ryuji, Kohinata Mukai quickly reported to him about his encounter with Obito and Kakashi.

After listening, Long Er nodded and asked, "It's not too bad. Where did you agree to meet?"

"Everyone must be present at Training Ground 44 before sunset!"

Long Er turned his head to look at the sky outside. At this rate, it would be completely dark in ten minutes at most.

"Now it's a race to see who's faster. We can't afford to be even a second slower, because the Caged Bird Seal can kill them instantly!"

After glancing at the sky, Long Er immediately turned and gave the order.

Mukai realized the seriousness of the situation, nodded, and then disappeared instantly.

He rushed to the Hyuga clan's territory at almost the fastest speed he had ever traveled in his life.

Caged birds cannot afford to make a single second of mistake.

This is, after all, Konoha's home ground.

After Kakashi and Obito met with the Third Hokage, the Third Hokage immediately issued an emergency order.

Since it concerned the Hyuga clan, the Hyuga clan acted swiftly and actively, assembling a ninja force.

Hiashi Hyuga's expression was very solemn. He had noticed that the clan's territory was somewhat deserted than usual today.

I hadn't thought much of it at first, assuming it was just that everyone was too lazy to go out today, but now it seems there's another reason behind it.

"Could it be that these people are planning to defect? ​​Impossible! With the Caged Bird Seal in place, defection only leads to death!"

He was extremely confident about this.

Mukai has rushed back to the Hyuga clan's trail, leading the defected members of the Hyuga clan to gather in the direction of Training Ground 44.

They were stopped midway by the emergency deployment of Hyuga Zeng, as well as some members of the Hyuga branch family who were unwilling to defect.

Hiashi Hyuga looked at the branch family members, led by Kohyuu Mukai, with a gloomy expression.

"What are you all trying to do by suddenly getting together like this?"

What they wanted to do was obvious. Most of them carried various storage scrolls and some simple luggage.

The main family members behind Hiashi Hyuga have already made hand gestures, ready to activate the Caged Bird Seal at any time.

The same applies to the Hyuga branch family members behind Kohinata Mukai.

Ryuji, who had arrived at Training Ground 44 ahead of time, smiled.

He had already noticed the commotion here.

"It's not too late yet; we haven't completely broken off relations."

After all, for the Hyuga main family, dealing with so many members of the Hyuga branch family would be a loss that shakes their foundation, so they couldn't just act without hesitation.

They hadn't considered that someone could break all the curse seals on these people before they could activate them, so they weren't in a hurry.

The main branch of the Hyuga clan behind Hiashi Hyuga stared intently at Kohyuga Mukai, demanding a satisfactory answer from him.

Kakashi and Obito were also in the pursuit, and the tension of this internal family conflict made them both very uncomfortable.

If you're just facing the enemy on the battlefield normally, you won't have much of a psychological burden when you start fighting.

And now, just a day ago, we were all one family.

Now we have no choice but to bet everything on Ryuji.

Kohinata Mukai sighed. Originally, they had secretly met with Ryuji and then escaped, and the whole process would not have been complicated.

Unfortunately, they ran into Obito and Kakashi, those two troublemakers.

Now we can only try to stall for as long as possible.

"We don't want to do anything. With the Caged Bird Seal in place, we can't possibly rebel against the main family members. We just want to move to a different place."

The first half of the statement is indeed very convincing, but the second half is full of flaws.

"Are you trying to sneak away? I think you might be underestimating the distance required to activate the cursed seal."

Hiashi Hyuga stared intently at Kohinata Mukai, also adopting the posture of the cursed seal.

"You're the one leading this time, aren't you? Everyone in front, I think you all know how terrible a caged bird is. Go back now and hand over the culprit, and I can let this matter go!"

Upon hearing this, Kohinata Mukai smirked maliciously.

"Hiashi, activate the Caged Bird Seal directly to incapacitate them first, then we can discuss further!"

An older member of the Hyuga clan said in a low voice.

"No need to kill them outright; they have no way to escape!"

The elder nodded and instantly activated the curse seal.

The Hyuga clan members living in Kohinata Mukai were immediately filled with wails of despair.

Several of the weaker individuals were already lying on the ground, unable to stand up.

Kohinata Mukai pulled a kunai from Xiuzhong.

He took two steps at a time and rushed towards Hyuga Hiashi in an instant.

"It's just a desperate struggle!"

Hiashi Hyuga took matters into his own hands and got into position.

"Bagua Palm, Reversing Heaven!"

Kohinata Mukai's pupils contracted; the Rotation Technique was a top-tier taijutsu that combined offense and defense.

He was instantly sent flying, like a broken sandbag tossed aside.

The sun's feet retreated and the heavens were restored.

He quickly rushed behind Kohinata Mukai and grabbed him by the neck.

"The weak should be aware of their weakness!"

……

Obito, watching this scene from the crowd, shrugged and said to Kakashi, "This is a complete one-sided suppression. It seems we don't need to intervene."

Kakashi ignored him, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

There's a small detail: who was the person who just impersonated Mukai?

(End of this chapter)