The Next Morning – Training Ground No. 7
The soft morning sun shone over the familiar training field where three genin stood tall—or rather, half-asleep after a long, much-enjoyed vacation.
Izumo let out a huge yawn, stretching his back. "Vacation's finally over... but why do I feel even more tired than after a mission?"
Kotetsu dramatically flopped onto the grass. "I miss cream bread. A whole week without Kushina-sensei's kitchen rations feels like life without a purpose."
Meanwhile, Natsu stood as composed as ever, though this time, a small smile graced her face. "At least we're alive. No need to run from cats and mud today."
Before the conversation could continue, soft footsteps approached.
Uzumaki Kushina appeared, her iconic red hair flowing perfectly. But today, her smile was a little softer, her eyes a little brighter than usual.
Of course, her students didn't miss the change.
Izumo immediately whispered, "Uh, she looks... different, doesn't she?"
Kotetsu nudged his friend's arm. "You heard the rumors, right?"
Natsu turned slowly. "Rumors... about a 'child'?"
Kotetsu nodded quickly. "Word is, Sensei came back from a mission with a little girl! Red hair! And... super cute, they say!"
Izumo added, "Some people say it's her kid..."
The three of them stared at Kushina, their gazes filled with a deadly mix of curiosity... and fear.
Kushina stopped a few meters away, raising a hand in a casual greeting. "Morning, you guys. How was your vacation?"
The three snapped to attention, shouting in unison, "Good morning, Sensei!"
However... the aura of curiosity was too strong to resist.
Kotetsu bravely took the lead, lowering his voice politely. "Sensei... about the rumor... uh... the little girl... is it true?"
Kushina blinked. "Rumor?"
Izumo quickly chimed in, "About Sensei bringing back a secret child from outside the village..."
Even the usually reserved Natsu added, "Is she... your biological child?"
Several seconds of silence followed.
A gentle breeze blew.
Kushina's face turned beet red in an instant.
"WHAT?! WHAT DID YOU HEAR?! WHO STARTED THAT RUMOR?!"
The three genin immediately took a half-step back. But it was too late.
POK!
POK!
POK!
One by one, Kushina bonked them gently on the head. Not hard enough to hurt seriously, but enough to make little stars dance in their eyes.
"Ouch!" cried Kotetsu.
"Sorry, sorry! I was just asking!" Izumo whined.
Even the tough Natsu winced. "That... hurts, Sensei."
Kushina glared at the three with puffed cheeks, pouting like a teenage girl embarrassed in front of her friends.
"Listen up! She's not my child! I found her alone and starving! Her name's Karin, and I just... couldn't leave her behind!"
Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged glances, trying to stifle their grins.
"But she looks just like Sensei..." Izumo whispered.
"Red hair... and—ouch!—why hit me again?!"
Kushina sighed heavily and put her hands on her hips.
"Anyway, no more spreading weird gossip! If I hear another rumor about me having a secret child, you three will be scrubbing cow stalls for a whole week!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the three barked, standing at attention—with faint bruises on their faces.
Seeing their guilty and terrified expressions, Kushina finally laughed softly and waved her hand.
"Well, you guys missed me, didn't you? Just admit it."
Kotetsu immediately raised his hand, "If we get our food rations back, I'll admit it!"
Izumo nodded quickly. "I missed Sensei's yelling..."
Natsu simply looked on calmly. "I missed the balance... even with all the bruises."
Kushina laughed freely, her heart warm. Mischievous, gossipy, and endlessly troublesome as they were, they were her students.
Hokage's Office –
In the quiet Hokage office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone, staring at the scroll freshly delivered by a ninja hawk from the Land of Lightning.
The bright red seal of the Fourth Raikage—A—was stamped clearly on its surface.
Hiruzen had yet to read it, but a heavy sense of foreboding already weighed on his heart.
And for good reason. This delegation wasn't coming under the name of Kumogakure, but representing the Land of Lightning itself. That changed everything.
If they came representing their ninja village, it would be considered a military mission, maybe even an invasion. But coming under the nation's name made it a diplomatic visit between countries.
And such a visit—could not be refused. Not because Hiruzen didn't want to, but because Konoha couldn't afford to lose face before the world.
International etiquette was the fragile foundation of what little peace remained.
Hiruzen gazed out the window into the night sky. The moon hung pale over Konoha, as if silently witnessing all the devious schemes moving under its shadow.
"May everything go peacefully... though I doubt it," he murmured, blowing softly on his pipe.
At the Border of the Land of Lightning and Land of Fire – Kumogakure Temporary Camp
Inside the main tent, Denmaru, a high-ranking shinobi from Kumogakure, stood tall before the Fourth Raikage.
"Denmaru, your official mission is a diplomatic visit to Konoha," the Raikage said in a heavy voice. "However, your secret mission... is to acquire the Byakugan from the Hyuga Clan. Understood?"
"Yes, Raikage-sama. Orders received," Denmaru answered firmly.
"Good." The Raikage crossed his arms, his gaze cold. "I will not accompany you. I'll await news from here. If you can bring back a main branch Hyuga alive, that's the best outcome. But if not—bring back their corpse! Even if it costs your life."
Denmaru stiffened but nodded deeply, his face resolute. "For Kumogakure... this sacrifice is nothing."
The Raikage patted his shoulder.
"I know this burden is heavy. But this... is for our nation's strength."
The Village of Lightning had always lacked kekkei genkai. And the Raikage could never hide his envy of Konoha, which possessed two of the world's three great dōjutsu—Sharingan and Byakugan.
But the Sharingan was not the target.
For a simple reason:
The Sharingan was harder to activate, harder to inherit, and the Uchiha Clan lived in a heavily guarded compound. Touching them would instantly spark open conflict.
Meanwhile, the Hyuga Clan—though not weak—was more reachable diplomatically. Thus, the target was clear:
Hyuga Hinata and Hiashi.
If they could kidnap Hinata alive, it would be a total victory. If not, Denmaru had to die at Hiashi's hands so Kumogakure could use his death as leverage—to pressure Konoha into surrendering the corpse of a main branch member in the name of "avoiding war."
The Raikage knew this plan was cruel.
But he was certain: Konoha was weak.
Their young generation was still green. The Third Hokage was old. The Uchiha were in internal conflict. They wouldn't have the strength to resist pressure.
As for Kushina? The Raikage believed that he—or his brother, Killer B—would be more than enough to handle her if needed.
And with that, Kumogakure's "diplomatic" delegation set off.