Inside a Konoha Hospital ward.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains onto the pristine white bedsheets.
Kakashi was propped up in the hospital bed, his left eye bandaged, his right eye listlessly watching a thick-browed man in a green jumpsuit doing handstand jumps around the ward.
“Kakashi! You were defeated because you were too relaxed!” Might Guy shouted, still doing handstand jumps. “Once you recover, let’s train together in the fiery passion of youth!”
“No,” Kakashi responded lazily.
Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Shiranui Genma were also in the ward.
They were all Kakashi’s close friends from the same graduating class, and they had come to visit after hearing he was injured and hospitalized.
Asuma crossed his arms, his brow furrowed as he asked, “Is that Hyuga Seimiya really that strong?”
“Ah, very strong,” Kakashi’s gaze drifted to the window. “He was hiding his strength before. He only used one Ninjutsu and it broke my Chidori.”
The room instantly fell silent.
Everyone knew the power of Chidori.
This Lightning Release Ninjutsu, created by Kakashi himself, had once killed over a dozen enemies in a single strike on the battlefield.
And now, this peerless genius, whom they looked up to and constantly strived to catch up with, had actually been defeated by a Hyuga Clan member younger and less known than them.
“You must have underestimated him, Kakashi!” Asuma tried to lighten the mood, but the shock on his face was undeniable. “Battles between Ninja are battles of information. It’s normal that you didn’t know he was hiding his strength and were caught off guard.”
Kakashi chuckled lightly, “Speaking of which, I should thank him for holding back, otherwise you wouldn’t be seeing me now.”
Might Guy finally finished his handstand, flipping upright and giving Kakashi a thumbs-up, his pristine white teeth gleaming.
“Anyway, no matter what, when we meet him again, we just have to punch him with all we’ve got, right?”
“Your speed is pretty similar to mine, isn’t it?” Kakashi looked at Might Guy helplessly. “If you only use Gentle Fist, it would be very difficult for you to get close to him in a normal state.
He used an Eight Trigrams Empty Palm that I’ve never seen before. It can spread Chakra out, and its destructive power is very strong.”
These words shocked everyone again.
Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, looking remarkably mature for his young age, stroked his chin and said, “To be able to improve the Gentle Fist Art? It seems the intelligence was indeed inaccurate…”
“A genius of the Hyuga Clan,” Asuma sighed. “If someone like him were to grow, he could become a great asset to the Village. It’s a pity, why did he choose to defect?”
Throughout the entire process, Kurenai Yuhi remained silent.
She stood by the window, her eyes downcast, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.
Kakashi noticed her abnormality, but after a quick glance, he shifted his gaze, feeling a pang of sympathy for Asuma.
Few people knew about the relationship between Yuhi and Saint Mi; conveniently, Kakashi, who had witnessed it on the battlefield, was one of them.
Among them, Yuhi’s feelings were undoubtedly the most complex.
Outside the ward, a nurse pushed a medicine cart past, its wheels making a faint sound on the floor.
The leaves outside the window rustled, and a few sparrows hopped on the branches.
“In any case,” Kakashi broke the silence, “you all need to be careful when executing missions recently. If you encounter him… it’s best not to engage him directly.”
Might Guy, however, was unfazed: “Youth means facing challenges head-on! Kakashi, once you’ve recovered, let’s go find him together!
Youth! Burn brightly!”
“…”
…
Inside the Hyuga Clan’s council hall.
Candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of the people onto the walls.
Hyuga Hiashi sat at the head of the table.
“Everyone, I have called this meeting today for a matter of great importance concerning the dignity of the Hyuga Clan.”
Hiashi’s gaze slowly swept over each clan member, finally resting on the scroll in his hand.
“Upon investigation, Hyuga Seimiya…” He took a deep breath, “killed Elder Zongqing, defected from the Village, and has now been marked as a Konoha S-rank Rogue Ninja.
I personally collected Elder Zongqing’s body.”
Upon hearing this news, the hall immediately erupted into chaos.
Many even excitedly activated their Byakugan, creating instant pandemonium.
Hiashi’s mind was also in turmoil. As the Clan Head, he had deliberately kept the theft from the secret vault and the complete loss of the clan members’ Byakugan a secret.
If this matter were to be publicized, who knew if someone would target the Hyuga Clan because of it.
He had even only told Hiruzen Sarutobi about it.
Hiashi stood up, “Effective immediately, a special apprehension squad will be formed, with Hizashi in full charge.”
His gaze swept over everyone, “All clan members, except for missions personally assigned by Hokage-sama, are forbidden from leaving the clan grounds.
The pursuit of Hyuga Seimiya will be the top priority. Hizashi has the authority to select squad members within the clan, and any clan member he names to join the apprehension squad must not refuse!”
All Hyuga Clan members responded in unison, and in a corner, several Hyuga Clan elders nodded secretly.
Hiashi had undoubtedly taken on the responsibility of a qualified Clan Head, and no one dared to oppose Hiashi’s decision.
Just then, a hurried sound of footsteps broke the solemn atmosphere.
A Hyuga Ninja rushed into the hall, out of breath, “Report! Urgent intelligence!”
Hizashi, sitting next to Hiashi, darted forward and stopped the person, “Why are you so flustered?”
“Ninja hawk message! Urgent letter.” The person presented a sealed letter with both hands.
Hizashi took the letter and, after quickly scanning it, his face instantly turned ashen.
He turned and walked towards Hiashi, “Brother…”
Hiashi unfolded the letter, his eyes rapidly moving across the paper.
At first, he managed to remain calm, but as he reached the end, he couldn’t help but widen his Byakugan in fury.
“Hyuga Seimiya!” In his rage, Hiashi slammed his palm onto the tea table in front of him, shattering it. “How dare he humiliate the Hyuga Clan like this!”
Several elders quickly stepped forward, one of them picking up the fallen letter.
It read:
“I will come for the remaining Byakugan later.
— Hyuga Seimiya”
“Arrogant!” The oldest elder roared, “Hizashi!”
Hizashi immediately understood, turning to face everyone, “Everyone, leave immediately!”
The clan members quickly and silently exited the hall.
Hiashi’s angry roar could faintly be heard from within the door.
Sunlight shone on the walls of the Hyuga Clan Grounds. Though it was daytime, it felt unusually cold.