Naruto: Starting from the time when the Six Paths of Pain was Kira Yoshikage

Chapter 114 The Cloud Ninja Kidnapping Incident and the Successor of the Sage of Six Paths

On December 27th in Konoha, the morning mist hadn't yet dissipated, but a festive atmosphere already filled the streets. The fishmonger displayed the freshest carp in front of his stall, tied with a red string; the shopkeeper held freshly steamed red bean cakes, stuffing them into the hands of passing ninjas; even the usually frowning ANBU ninja seemed to have a slight smile beneath their masks.

"I heard the people of Kumogakure are here today to sign a peace treaty!" "Yes, yes, after fighting for so many years, we can finally have some peace." The civilians gathered together and discussed, their eyes full of longing for a peaceful life.

After two years, the tug-of-war between Kumogakure and Konoha finally came to an end. The Raikage specially dispatched a delegation to Konoha to discuss cooperation, peace, and to sign a non-aggression pact between the two ninja villages.

If things proceed smoothly... then the days of true peace in Konoha are just around the corner.

Led by the Third Hokage, Konoha's elite ninjas arrived at the village gates early, awaiting the arrival of the Cloud Ninja delegation. This time, the delegation was exceptionally impressive, with almost all the major and minor ninja clans from within Konoha present.

The most eye-catching group was the Uchiha clan standing on the right. Fugaku wore a black kimono embroidered with the clan crest, followed by a dozen or so Uchiha ninja. Although their Sharingan were not yet awakened, their innate, cold aura still chilled the surrounding air. After the Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha clan was relegated to the sidelines by Konoha. Their clan headquarters were moved to the edge of the village, their missions were marginalized, and they could feel the strange looks from others even when walking down the street.

"Clan leader, are we really going to endure this?" a young Uchiha ninja asked in a low voice, his tone full of resentment. Fugaku's voice was deep but firm: "As long as the Uchiha are still in Konoha, the peace of Konoha is the peace of the Uchiha." He looked up at the Third Hokage's back, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Besides, maintaining order is the duty of the Security Department."

Such a distinguished lineup, coupled with the Third Hokage's personal reception, was a testament to the immense respect given to Kumogakure. After all, the Third Hokage...

The village's Kage is still a Kage, even if he's retired and then reinstated. The one sent by the Cloud Village isn't the Raikage, who is their equal. However, this is Konoha's perspective; the Cloud Village seems to disagree, considering it perfectly reasonable...

As the sun rose high in the sky, dust finally began to rise in the distance. The figures of the Cloud Village delegation gradually became clearer, led by a tall ninja with dark skin, a Cloud Village headband etched on his forehead, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. Behind him followed more than twenty Cloud Village ninjas, each with an upright posture and undisguised arrogance in their eyes.

The Third Hokage took a step forward, about to speak, but the leader merely nodded casually, his gaze sweeping over the ninjas present as if appraising merchandise. "I've heard that Konoha has two great clans, the Uchiha and the Hyuga."

His voice was as harsh as clashing stones: "The Uchiha's Fire Release techniques are renowned throughout the ninja world, and the Hyuga clan and our Raikage's Yotsuki clan are both skilled in taijutsu..."

He suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, a hint of mockery on his face: "Why don't I see any Hinata people?"

"Hokage-sama, it seems Konoha doesn't value this peace negotiation."

These words caused an uproar, especially among the ninjas from the Hokage faction, whose faces turned extremely ugly. It wasn't because of the content of the delegation leader's words, but because his tone was far too arrogant.

However, this cannot be blamed on the arrogance of the Cloud Ninja. Although Konoha won the Third Shinobi World War, the Nine-Tails Night Incident two years ago directly weakened Konoha, which had not suffered much loss in the war. Not only did countless elite ninjas perish, but even Konoha's Fourth Hokage, the "Yellow Flash" who fought his way to fame in the Shinobi World War, was killed as a result.

The Uchiha clan, originally a vital fighting force in Konoha, was subjected to extreme distrust and exclusion after that night. Their clan headquarters were relocated to the edge of the village, and they were excluded from many important battlefields, with the village constantly on guard against them.

It can be said that after this night, Konoha fell from its position as the top of the five great ninja villages to the point where it was sitting at the same table as Sunagakure.

As for the mere Sand Village and Cloud Village, they truly don't take them seriously. From their perspective, we Cloud Village didn't even invade your Konoha at this critical juncture, and we're even willing to sign a non-aggression pact with you. Your Konoha should kneel down and be grateful.

Such high-level etiquette is only to be expected.

As the saying goes, for ninjas who possess supernatural powers like chakra, might makes right.

The weak will be beaten.

Don't even mention saying anything to provoke you; you'd have to put up with it even if someone shits or pees on your head. Wasn't that how Amegakure used to be?

The words of the leader of the Cloud Village delegation caused even the Third Hokage, who had seen many storms, to slightly darken his expression.

However, the Third Hokage did not offer an explanation. Instead, a Jonin beside him tactfully took over, saying, "Today is the third birthday of the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan's main family. The entire clan is currently celebrating at the clan headquarters, so they were unable to attend."

Even if the Third Hokage knew, he couldn't explain; if he tried to explain, it would make him seem like the other party's subordinate.

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart...

Upon hearing this, the Cloud Village leader's expression instantly changed. The mockery on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by a glint of greed in his eyes. He suddenly put on a broad smile, cupped his hands towards the Third Hokage, and said, "Hokage-sama, I was just joking to ease the tension. You don't mind, do you?"

Their attitude has completely changed from what it was just moments ago.

"Of course not."

The Third Hokage couldn't figure out the other party's intentions, but since the other party was taking the initiative not to cause trouble, then it was best to leave it at that.

Seeing that the Third Hokage and the leader of the Cloud Village delegation had reached a consensus, the atmosphere eased, and the Jonin who had come with the Third Hokage exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

One of the Konoha Jonin patted his chest and said to his companion, "Thank goodness, it seems like it was just a false alarm. Now the treaty should be signed smoothly." His companion nodded, "Yeah, as long as there's peace, it's worth enduring some humiliation."

These Jonin assumed the other side's aim was to intimidate Konoha and dampen its spirits. Now that their objective had been achieved, they naturally decided to withdraw. Otherwise, they wouldn't be signing a non-aggression pact; they would be provoking trouble.

Almost everyone on Konoha thought so, except for Fugaku, whose expression remained grave. He watched the Cloud Village leader turn away, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips, and a bad feeling crept into his heart. But it was pointless for him to see it, because he was an Uchiha, and Konoha now deeply resented and distrusted the Uchiha.

The delegation from Kumogakure was indeed there to sign a treaty with Konoha on behalf of Kumogakure, and for the sake of peace between the two villages, but their leader also came with a mission.

Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, isn't it a coincidence that not long after, another one appeared in Kumogakure... Back then, they even kidnapped Kushina, the former Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who possessed the Uzumaki clan's bloodline. That's just the style of their ninja village.

If you want something that belongs to someone else, just take it...

This time, the Hidden Cloud Village has set its sights on the two great families of Konoha who possess eye techniques: the Sharingan and the Byakugan. Eye techniques are a bloodline limit that the Hidden Cloud Village currently lacks.

Originally, the leader of this delegation intended to target the Sharingan users of the Uchiha clan. The main problem was that the Hyuga clan, with its main and branch families, was so powerful that even if they kidnapped members of the branch family, it would be useless, as they could be destroyed at any time. The main family of the Hyuga clan, on the other hand, was not only small in number, but each member was also quite strong, making them a troublesome group.

Although the Sharingan is renowned in the ninja world as an extremely powerful dojutsu and bloodline limit, the price to pay for transplanting it to someone who is not from the Uchiha clan is too high. Furthermore, the effect of lower-level Sharingan on increasing strength is not as strong. This is why the leader of the delegation was somewhat conflicted.

However, he immediately changed his mind after hearing the crucial news that the young lady of the Hyuga clan was celebrating her birthday.

The adult members of the Hyuga clan's main branch are difficult to deal with, but what about the underage children? If he can capture this young lady of the Hyuga clan and bring her back to Kumogakure, Kumogakure will soon be able to cultivate its own Hyuga clan.

The leader of the delegation immediately abandoned his plan to kidnap the Uchiha clan; he instead intended to target the Hyuga clan...

As night fell, Konoha Village gradually drifted into slumber. Only a few patrolling ninjas remained on the streets, their footsteps ringing out clearly in the stillness of the night.

Tonight is another dark and windy night, the darkness as thick as ink. A cold wind blows, stirring up fallen leaves on the ground, making a rustling sound.

Hyuga Hizashi sat alone in his courtyard with a heavy heart, his fingertips tracing the rim of the cold sake bowl. It was still the same place where he had dreamed of the Sage of Six Paths years ago. He was still pouring himself one cup after another, the sake spicy and burning down his throat and into his stomach, but it couldn't warm the icy coldness in his chest.

Today, he was severely tortured by his own brother using a cursed seal.

The reason is that when Neji was branded with the Caged Bird Mark today, he couldn't help but show a hint of murderous intent towards his two-year-old niece.

Every time he recalled it, the scene felt like needles pricking his nerves... Neji was pressed against the altar, his small body trembling with fear. When the caged bird mark, representing bondage and death, appeared on his forehead, Hizashi felt his heart clench with excruciating pain, almost stopping. He wanted to rush forward, to shield his child behind him, but his body was rooted to the spot, unable to move. He was a father, yet he didn't even have the right to protect his own child.

No one could remain unmoved and indifferent when their child has been cursed with a spell that could take their life at any moment. But in that instant, his own brother keenly sensed and detected that faint hint of murderous intent.

Then, in front of Neji, Hiashi activated the Caged Bird Mark on his forehead.

No one can remain unmoved and indifferent when their child has been cursed with a spell that could take their life at any moment.

In that instant, his own brother keenly sensed and detected that faint killing intent. Then, right in front of Neji, Hiashi activated the Caged Bird Technique... Hiashi collapsed to his knees, cold sweat instantly soaking his clothes, finally collapsing like a dead dog.

Just lying down normally.

If there's a next time, it won't be as simple as this. Hiashi's voice still seemed to echo in his ears. Hizashi remembered the tone and expression of his older brother when he said those words; it was undoubtedly the demeanor of a superior.

Why is it that your child is from the main family and can enjoy the best resources, without having that ugly mark on their head, while my child can only be a scapegoat? One glass of wine after another was gulped down, as Hiji tried to numb himself with alcohol. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a brief burning sensation, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart.

The more he drank, the less drunk he became; instead, he grew increasingly sober. Every detail magnified in his mind: Neji's cries, Hiashi's indifference, the pain of the cursed mark on his forehead—all intertwined into an impenetrable net, trapping him and suffocating him.

Why? This question had been churning in his mind for many years. From the time he could remember, the mark on his forehead was like a brand of shame. He and Hiashi shared the same blood, but the order of their birth divided their fates into two different phases. Hiashi could receive the most advanced ninjutsu training and enjoy the best resources in the clan, while he, from the time he was old enough to understand, was instilled with the idea that "protecting the main family is the branch family's mission" and "your life has never belonged to yourself."

As a child, he had secretly envied Hiashi, envying his freedom to sweat it out on the training field and his lack of constant worry about the mark on his forehead flaring up. But as he grew older, that envy slowly turned into resentment, and then into anger. Especially when he thought of his own child, Neji, who should have had limitless potential, was about to be branded with the same mark on his forehead at just three years old, destined to live his entire life in the shadow of the main branch, and perhaps even become a scapegoat for the main branch at some unknown moment.

This anger is like a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

The wine bowl clattered against the stone table with a dull thud. Hizashi covered his face, a suppressed sob escaping from between his fingers. He hated the system, hated Hiashi's indifference, and hated his own powerlessness. He was Neji's father, yet he couldn't even protect his own child. Although Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi were brothers in name only, brotherly affection had never existed from the beginning; it was nonexistent. From the moment they were born, there was only a cold, hierarchical relationship.

The night wind rustled the fallen leaves. Hizashi picked up the last bowl of sake, gazing at the shimmering moonlight reflected in it. The moonlight resembled the mark on Neji's forehead, twisted and menacing. He knew that as long as the mark of the caged bird remained, as long as the system of the main and branch families remained, his and Neji's fate would not change.

"Hiyashi, drinking alone again?"

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